CC MINS 19881115M I N U T E S
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 15, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 P.M. by Mayor Robert
E. Ryan at Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
After Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, roll call was
answered as follows:
PRESENT: BACHARACH, MCTAGGART, HUGHES, HINCHLIFFE AND
MAYOR RYAN
Also present were City Manager Dennis McDuffie, Environmental
Services Director Robert Benard, City Attorney Steve Dorsey,
Public Works Director George Wentz, and City Clerk Jo
Purcell.,
WAIVER AND FULL READINGS Councilman Hinchliffe moved
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS seconded by Councilwoman
Bacharach and carried, to waive
reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions adopted at
this meeting with consent to the waiver of reading deemed to
be given by all Councilmembers after reading of the title,
unless specific request was made at that time for the reading
of such ordinances or resolution.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
seconded by Councilman Hughes.
The agenda was approved on
motion of Councilwoman
Bacharach, seconded by
Councilman McTaggart and
carried.
The consent calendar was
approved as follows on motion
of Councilman Hinchl if f e ,
MINUTES Approved the minutes of
adjourned regular meeting of
November 1, 1988 and the regular meeting of November 1, 1988.
LEASE WITH LOS ANGELES
ANGELES CELLULAR
TELEPHONE (1201)
Authorized the Mayor and City
Clerk to sign the lease agree-
ment with L.A. Cellular for co-
location on the Pactel tower
at City Hall.
PARKS MASTER PLAN Approved creation of an Ad -Hoc
REVISION (1201) Citizen's committee to take
public testimony, revise the
Parks Master Plan and subsequently make recommendations for a
prioritized schedule of improvements and park development.
RESOL. 88 -68 RE: FEE Adopted RESOL. 88 -68 ADOPTING
FOR TRIMMING CITY TREES A NEW FEE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
FOR VIEW PROTECTION (1407) ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR
STREET TREE APPLICATIONS.
DALADIER UNDERGROUND (A) Adopted RESOL NO. 88 -69
DISTRICT (901) DECLARING TIS INTENTION TO
ORDER IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROPOSED
RANCHO PALOS VERDES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT N0. 5A, DALADIER
DRIVE, ET AL. (B) ADOPTED RESOL. NO. 88 -70 APPROVING THE
ENGINEER'S REPORT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 5A AND APPOINTING A TIME AND PLACE
FOR HEARING PROTEST. (C) DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO ENDORSE
THE DISTRICT MAP AND FILE SAME IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY
RECORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION 4.5
OF THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE.
CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY
BY LINDSAY WEBBER
(303)
RESOL. N0. 88 -71
HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 529
(1804)
Rejected the claim and directed
the Risk Manager to notify the
claimant.
Adopted RESOL. NO. 88 -71
DENYING THE APPEAL OF HEIGHT
VARIATION NO. 529. THEREBY
APPROVING THE PROJECT AT
29010 MAPLEPARK DRIVE.
RESOL. No. 88 -72 Adopted RESOL. NO. 88 -72
VARIANCE NO. 189 (1804) CONDITIONALLY APPROVING
VARIANCE No. 189 ALLOWING
ELEVEN DWELLING UNITS AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR
ENCLOSED TWO STORY CAR GARAGES FOR FOUR DWELLING UNITS AT 100
VANDERLIP DRIVE.
RESOL NO. 88 -73 Adopted RESOL. NO. 88 -73
REGISTER OF DEMANDS ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS
FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE
PAID.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: BACHARACH, McTAGGART, HINCHLIFFE, HUGHES AND
MAYOR RYAN
NOES: NONE
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PUBLIC HEARING
TRACT MAP 45667 The City Manager presented the
(1411) staff memorandum on this con-
tinued public hearing for a
proposed subdivision design in the 6500 block of Palos Verdes
Drive South. He reported that the applicant has redrawn the
proposed lots and has suggested a lot count of 55 with
average lot widths of + 75 feet. The average lot size would
then be 12,500 square _feet and the average homes size would
be 4,000 square feet. Additionally, the applicant agreed to
the trails configuration as proposed by the Planning
Commission.
For the record Councilwoman Bacharach announced that she had
met with Mr. Schmidt, a representative of the Watt Company,
and had discussed with him the revised plans now being
presented to the Council. Councilman Hughes announced that
he also met with Mr. Schmidt to discuss the project and
its inherent problems.
Larry Schmidt, 3330 Palos Verdes Drive West, representing the
Watt Company, told the Council that the main concerns
expressed by the Council at the November 1, 1988 meeting have
now been addressed: they have withdrawn their request for
lots within the canyon areas.* agreed to the geology solution
requested by the City's geologist: agreed to drop lot number
23: lots will be widened to 75 feet and that there will be an
average of 25 feet between every house. They have also
agreed to the lot coverage and the trails plan. He referred
to an exhibit submitted by the Watt Company which depicted
several homes within the City and the elevations and lot
coverages of those homes and how they compared with the
proposed project*
Council raised several questions regarding the amount of
fill, whether there was provision in the City's code to fill
areas of 35 percent grade or less, the distance from Palos
Verdes Drive South of the lowest house on the tract; whether
a study had ever been performed by staff treating this
proposed project as a regular subdivision and how many units
would be allowed as a result of that study. The discussion
then focused on the design and land-use philosophy applied to
other projects of this scope and the fact that other tracts
that encompassed undevelopable land did not get credit for
that land since it was considered unbuildable.
Representing the Abalone Cove Homeowner Association was Phil
Robinson, 3205 Barkentine Road. He stated his disagreement
with the staff recommendation and his concern with the
possibility that this project would have massive earth
removal. He was also concerned about the visual effects of
the project and requested that the RPD not be used to
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circumvent the code. Also speaking against this project were
William Tolliffe, 6347 Tarragon, who expressed his concern
about the density. Sunshine, 6 Limetree, requested that the
area immediately north of Palos Verdes Dr. South be treated
as coastal area. Mark and Anita Smith, 6509 Sandy Pointe
Road, stated their objection to the project. Robert
Pisciotta, 6162 Arrowroot Road, voiced his concern about the
impact of the 24,000 truckloads of dirt that will travel
along Palos Verdes Drive South. Daniel Torrance, 31423
Marne, expressed his concern about the earth removal and
inquired if the City would provide any indemnification to
residents in the area.
The City Attorney opined that the City was not in a position
to indemnify people as a process of approval for projects. He
explained that proper geology studies would be performed and
that construction would proceed after determination of the
geologic stability of the area. The Environmental Services
Director explained the conditions of approval regarding the
grading, geology, and engineering techniques and how all of
those conditions would have to be met prior to commencement
of the project.
Continuing with the public testimony, Mrs. Ruth Risser, 31325
Marne Dr., expressed her concern about possible slippage in
the area and the problems associated with horse trails. Lois
LaRue, 3136 Barkentine, referred to her geology study and
expressed concerns about the people living in the adjoining
property. Fouad Ghaly, 31335 Marne Dr., expressed his
opposition to the project and in particular about it's
density. Louis Van Eck, 31305 Marne, expressed his concern
about the slippage and the trails. Victor Cabas, 31021 Marne
Dr., President, of the Monaco Home's Association, referred to
his association's letter and their concern about slippage,
earth movement and liability.
Council discussion then returned to the issue of geology and
the fact that the City's Geologist and the developer's
geologist have examined the area and found it to be stable.
To allay the concerns about some earth slippage on Marne
Drive it was the consensus that Dr. Ehlig should look at the
area.
RECESS
meeting resumed.
At 9:645 P.M. the Mayor declared
a recess. At 10:00 P.M. the
In further discussion of the design of this tract Council
commented that this RPD was not accomplishing what was
intended through the RPD* what would be the effects of
clustering the homes.- and, additionally, the fact the all of
the views from these homes would be taken from the second
story. of concern was the potential for development of the
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Marineland site and how its structures would affect the views
of these homes. It was the consensus of Council that staff
should again examine the view issue, the number of units in
the project, the grading of the project and integrating
all of those concerns into the project's design.
Additionally Council requested an analysis of the site based
upon a standard subdivision configuration and how it could be
adopted to that site. Also, that the issue of internal and
external views should be taken into consideration as well as
access to 35% slopes, based on the assumption that access can
be had to those slopes. Councilwoman Bacharach moved,
seconded by Councilman Hughes to continue this public
hearing to the December 15, 1988 meeting the motion carried.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS
Responding to the Mayor's call for items not on the agenda
were the following residents: Lyle Quatrochi, 4002 Exultant
Drive, who commended the Council and the staff in
accomplishing the tree policy. Sunshine, 6 Limetree,
inquired about the design of Crestridge Road and how that
would effect the proposed trail for the area. It was the
consensus that the Trails Committee should come back to the
Council with a recommendation on that trail.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Councilwoman Bacharach moved,
seconded by Councilman Hughes
and carried to table this item until the November 29, 1988
work session with the Traffic Committee*
MARTINGALE TRAILHEAD PARK
(1201)
City Manager McDuffie
the staff memorandum
staff recommendation
Trails Committee recommendation for the disposition
park.
presented
and the
and the
of this
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Bacharach and carried to adopt the Trails Committee
recommendations: (1) Approve the Trails Committee Resolution
No. 88-02 provided the statement under the Chairman's
signature be stricken from the adopted document. (2)
Appropriate $5,000 from the City's Quimby funds to pay for
these improvements. The motion carried on the following roll
call vote.
AYES.- BACHARACH, HUGHES, McTAGGART, HINCHLIFFE AND
MAYOR RYAN
NOES: NONE
TRACT NO. 40640 - City Manager McDuffie presented
CLARIFICATION OF CONDITIONS the staff memorandum of
OF APPROVAL (1411) November 15th and the rec-
ommendation to reaffirm the
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staff's interpretation of the conditions of approval for this
tract.
Tim Burrell, 4038 Exultant Drive, Attorney for the Watt Co.,
stated his disagreement with the staff's interpretation of
the allowable accessory structure and the building allowed on
the footprint.
Councilwoman Bacharach moved, seconded by Councilman
Hughes and carried to affirm the staff's interpretation
regarding accessory structures and affirm the appellant's
interpretation regarding lot coverage.
REFUSE COLLECTION The City Manager presented the
(1301) staff memorandum of November
15th and the recommendation to
award a contract to Waste Management of North America Inc.
for the disposing of residential refuse in areas 1, 2 and 3
of the City and a curbside recycling program for a period of
five years. The agreement would be contingent upon Waste
Management working out a satisfactory agreement with Holt and
Shubin disposal companies*
Council discussion dwelt at length on the lack of competition
in the refuse collection service in the City and the fact
that eventually there may be only one hauler for the entire
City. The discussion then turned to the annual billing that
was available and what would happen in the case of a rate
increase and a resident has paid a year in advance.
Councilwoman Bacharach moved, seconded by Councilman Mayor
Ryan to approve the staff recommendation with the condition
that the agreement is contingent upon a satisfactory
agreement between Waste Management, Shubin and Holt and that
those agreements will be reached by December 15th.
additionally, that areas 2 and 3 will remain as outlined in
the map presented to Council. The motion carried on the
following roll vote.
AYES: BACHARACHr HUGHES, HINCHLIFFE AND MAYOR RYAN
NOES, McTAGGART
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS*
COUNCIL REVIEW OF PLANNING
ISSUES
City Council. After discus�
might possibly be requested
it was the consensus not to
Council briefly discussed a
proposal whereby planning
issues could be appealed by
sion of the number of appeals that
to be heard by this procedure
adopt such a procedure*
PHASE II OF VIEW With the adoption of the Street
PROTECTION Tree Policy and the issue of
view blockage by private trees
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yet to be settled, it was the consensus that Mayor Ryan and
Councilman Hughes would continue to work on the issue of view
blockage by privately owned trees.
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
GRANTS
he attended and requested that
available from this program.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
SCHEDULE OF JANUARY
MEETINGS (307)
Mayor Ryan reported on the
Clean Community Achievement
Awards conference workshop that
staff investigate the grants
to the 5th Tuesday of January
would survey the committees to
that needed to be discussed at
It was the consensus to approve
the proposed January schedule
of meetings: January 10, 17,
and January 31st. With regard
it was the consensus that staff
see if there were any issues
such a meeting.
SALE OF SHORELINE PARK The City Manager presented his
(1201) memorandum of November 15 and
the recommendation that the
Council respond to the County of Los Angeles whether the City
is interested in purchasing the Shoreline Park.
Council then discussed if the
refusal on this property, the
placed on its use, and if the
potential geologic hazards.
City would have first right of
restrictions that would be
property has
Henry Moore, 4318 Exultant Drive, questioned the opinion that
this property was unsuitable for residential development
since there are presently two homes on the property. Citing
the facts that the last movement in the area was 1,600 years
ago he said that a survey was made of the area and it was
found that it could be brought up to a higher level of
stability. He said that he knows people who are willing to
spend money to develop the methodology to stabilize this
property. Also he said that plans had been developed for
housing and he wanted to go on record stating that these
facts are available and requested that the City Council
make note of them. He said that this might be an area for
more affordable housing.
Responding to Council inquiry, Mr. Moore replied that the
City should purchase this property and if a study is made
that those people would have access to the property.
Councilwoman Bacharach moved, seconded by Mayor Ryan that the
staff should research the County's offer find out what their
-7- NOVEMBER 15, 1988
offer really is, what the terms will be and if it should be
bought as parkland.
DEVELOPMENT FIELD TRIP The City Manager presented the
itinerary for the proposed
field trip for the City Council and the various committees.
This trip was tentatively planned for January 14, 1989. The
City Manager reported that a more detailed agenda would be
presented by December 15th.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTESTO
At 12-016 A.M. the meeting
adjourned to 6:30 P.M. on
November 29th, 1988. On motion
made by Councilman Hughes and
carried.
MAYO
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