CC MINS 19750506MINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
May 6, 1975
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified
School District Building, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard. Following the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag, roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Councilmen Gunther Buerk, Ken Dyda, Francis D. Ruth, Robert Ryan
and Mayor Marilyn Ryan
ABSENT: None
Also present were City Manager Leonard G. Wood, Planning Director Sharon Hightower,
Acting City Attorney Pat Coughlan, Administrative Services Officer George Wunderlin,
Community Services Officer Tom Bandy, Public Works Director Dennis Pikus, and Deputy
City Clerk Dee Krebs.
MINUTES APPROVAL Council approved, as submitted, Minutes of
April 15 and 17, 1975, on motion of Council-
man Dyda, seconded by Councilman Ryan and carried.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS -
RSVP SOUTH BAY DAY
A proclamation designating May 13 as RSVP South
Bay Day was presented to Ann Tarman of the
Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION - Bob Donahue of the County Beach Department pre -
PLANS FOR ABALONE COVE sented plans for development of Point Vicente
& PT. VICENTE BEACH AREAS to include access to the beach and tide pools.
(1201) In regard to Abalone Cove, Mr. Donahue said
a survey was made of present facilities and
County intends to rehabilitate structures and repair the road.
Council discussion included: timetable for opening these two areas to the public;
plans for parking, policing of area, and sanitary facilities; and protection of tide
pools. In answer to a question from Robert Pelton, 2 Packet Rd., Mr. Donahue said
that County did have possession of the Abalone Cove property with exception of area
between Portuguese Point to Inspiration Point. It was Council consensus to nominate
by week's end a citizens' committee to provide input to the County in regard to
residents' concerns and interests in the beach areas.
CONSENT CALENDAR On motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by
Councilman Dyda, and unanimously carried,
Council approved items on the Consent Calendar as follows:
Miraleste Swim Pool Summer Program
(1401)
Agreement between the City and the Palos Verdes
Unified School District for operation of a
public swimming pool at Miraleste High School;
Slurry Project Plans and authorization to advertise for bids
(1404 x 1207) on slurry project for various streets;
Forrestal Underground District acceptance of easements;
(1601 x 901)
Traffic Control acceptance of status report on traffic control
(1503) at Palos Verdes Dr. East and Via Canada;
Water Systems
(505)
Sanitary Sewer
(1402)
acceptance of City Engineer's recommendation
of water system and release of Faithful
Performance Bond and Subdivision Water System
Agreements for Tracts 30166 and 30167 (Ridgegate);
acceptance of City Engineer's recommendation
of approval of work and acceptance for public
use of sanitary sewer offered for dedication by
Affiliated Properties, Inc. (Crownview Dr.).
Council 313
May 6, 1975
ENV. ASSESS. APPEAL Planning Director reported that the appeal from
30914 & 30920 Oceangrove Dr. the Environmental Assessment Committee's
Applicant: Tiffany Properties denials concerning proposed construction of
two single-family, two-story structures on
adjacent lots (10 and 11) on Oceangrove Dr. had been considered at the Council
meeting of April 15. The matter was continued to May 6 to allow parties involved
to consider alternatives, and this had been done at meeting on May 5 with repre-
sentatives from the neighborhood, Tiffany Properties, and Councilmen Dyda and Ryan
attending. Councilman Dyda reported alternatives had been considered including
setback modification, and one-story structures, but a compromise had not been reached.
Dudley Gray, attorney for Tiffany Properties, stated proposed development is com-
patible with balance of lots that have been developed; that the homes are split
level and not two story, and that roof line is approximately four feet higher than
single story.
Speaking in opposition to the proposed two-story structures, citing their concerns
for view preservation, were George Zugsmith, 3746 Hightide Dr.; Jack Geary, 30915
Oceangrove; and Rick Van Horn, 30924 Oceangrove.
In response to Council questions, City Attorney stated that although criteria set
out in the height ordinance did not apply to these applications, there was precedent
to use criteria in a proposed ordinance as guidelines even though such ordinance was
not yet formally in effect. He also stated that he felt Council had the discretion
to interpret the term "compatible" as a two-stage definition involving: 1) what is
existing in the neighborhood, and 2) does it fit in harmony with neighborhood.
Whereupon, it was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Mayor Ryan, that with re-
spect to criteria No. 1 (compatibility), it has been established that: 1) the pre-
dominant pattern in the neighborhood is two-story, and 2) that the pad differential
between lots 10 and 11 is not sufficiently different from the adjoining lots to pre-
clude view obstruction. Following discussion, Councilman Ryan made the following
motion, with consent of second, to amend the original motion to add: there is a
neighborhood pattern of view protection that two-story houses in these lot locations
would violate. The question was called for and the motion, as amended, was unanimously
carried.
With respect to criteria No. 2 (view obstruction), it was moved by Councilman Ryan,
seconded by Councilman Ruth, and unanimously carried, that there is no possible
way to locate a two-story house on those lots that would minimize view obstruction.
Following discussion of criteria No. 3 (cumulative effect), that there are other
existing houses in the immediate vicinity, particularly the next-door neighbor's
who could apply for two-story and a number of others in a similar situation, it was
moved, seconded and carried, that the cumulative effect of these specific applications
would have an adverse impact on. the view.
In considering criteria No. 4, whether the proposed structures are located on a
ridge or promontory, it was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman Ryan,
and unanimously carried that they are not.
Considering criteria No. 5, interference with neighborhood vista, it was moved by
Councilman Ruth, seconded by Mayor Ryan, that the structures will unreasonably
interfere with theneighborhood- vista. The question was called for Wand "passed
with Councilman Buerk voting in opposition.
In view of the findings, the following motion was made by Councilman Ryan, seconded
by Councilman Ruth, to uphold the position of the Environmental Assessment Committee
because Criteria No. 1, 3, and 5 have not been met by the developer and, therefore,
have an adverse environmental effect on the community. The motion carried with
Councilman Buerk voting "no".
TRAFFIC CONTROL Traffic Engineer Tom Brohard reported on
Briarhurst Dr. resident's request for survey of pedestrian -
(1503) vehicle conflicts on Briarhurst Drive between
Purpleridge and Abbotswood. Following Council
discussion, it was moved by Mayor Ryan, seconded by Councilman Ryan, and unanimously
carried, to accept Traffic Engineer's recommendation that a pedestrian crosswalk be
painted across Briarhurst at the north line of Abbotswood and the Vista Grande School
administration alerted to advise children regarding use of this crosswalk.
Council
314
May 6, 1975
PARKS AND RECREATION DAY On motion of Councilman Ryan, seconded by
(1201) Councilman Dyda, and carried, Council accepted
Community Services Officer's recommendation to
proclaim May 18 as Parks and Recreation Day.
RECESS
At 9:35 p.m., a brief recess was called. The
meeting reconvened at 9:45 p.m. with the same
members present.
BICYCLE RIDING Planning Director briefed Council concerning
safe bicycling space along certain roads,
mainly Palos Verdes Drive East and Crenshaw, and stated that such areas where there
are sidewalks could be signed to allow riding, with pedestrians continuing to have
right of way at all times. Public Works Director stated he recommended bicycle
riding be confined to one side of the street only.
Following comments and questions by Council, it was moved by Mayor Ryan, seconded by
Councilman Ryan to refer the matter to staff for further study. Following discussion
regarding signs and cost factors, it was moved by Councilman Buerk that the motion
be amended to include study of sign design in conformity with neighboring cities
with staff to review cost factors. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dyda. The
question was called for and passed with Councilman Ryan dissenting.
The question on the entire motion was called for and passed.
CITY NAME CHANGE A letter from the law firm of Schimmenti, Kaden
(501) & Ross regarding that firm's plans to pursue
a writ of mandate concerning City name change
was discussed by J. B. McGuire, 7213 Rue Godbout. He proposed three alternatives:
the City join the petitioners in seeking a judicial determination; or the City file
a response to the Writ; or be named as a nominal defendant. It was the consensus of
the Council to discuss this matter in an executive session.
The Mayor asked that the Minutes reflect the fact that opinions regarding the City
name change had been received from the County Counsel and Attorney General, and both
the County and State had declined to accept for filing the statement showing the vote
on the ballot proposition, submitted pursuant to Section 34507 of the Government Code,
as the required two-thirds vote on the measure was not obtained.
MAINTENANCE OF
SILVER SPUR MEDIAN
Public Works Director briefed Council concern-
ing offers of assistance from Silver Spur
Garden Club and Rotary to maintain the Silver
Spur median.
Following Council discussion, it was moved by Councilman Ryan, seconded by Council-
man Ruth, and unanimously carried, to accept the assistance offers as an interim
measure,,and to establish a committee composed of council members from Rancho Palos
Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates to develop long-term solutions.
REQUEST FOR DUES INCREASE Council considered letter from California Con -
California Contract Cities tract Cities Association for proposal to in -
(1102) crease member city dues by 70% to defray cost
of retaining former Assemblyman Joe Gonsalves
as legislative advocate.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by Councilman Buerk,
and unanimously carried to direct a letter to California Contract Cities indicating
City's unwillingness to vote for dues increase.
RES. NO. 75-34 It was moved by Councilman Dyda, seconded by
REGISTER OF DEMANDS Councilman Ryan, and unanimously carried, to
waive further reading and adopt RESOLUTION
NO. 75-34 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ALLOWING CERTAIN
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $795,245.31, DEMAND NUMBERS 1097 THROUGH 1146.
On roll call vote:
AYES: Buerk, Dyda, Ruth, R. Ryan, M. Ryan
NOES: None
Council 315
May 6, 1975
GENERAL PLAN
SCHEDULE
(701)
Planning Director reviewed format for upcoming
meetings and schedule for the Draft General Plan.
Council discussion included the following: that the EIR portion of the draft be
reviewed by the Environmental Assessment Committee; the need to be more specific
in the Plan than currently. When considering alternatives, City Attorney pointed
out that the Council must show consideration of broad range of possibilities and a
viable alternative must be a city-wide alternative.
CITY BUDGET City Manager briefed Council on status of the
1975-76 budget and indicated budget ready for presen-
tation to the Council the first week in July.
City Manager indicated that in submitting the budget alternatives would also be pre-
sented where the need is perceived.
EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:55 p.m., it was moved, seconded and
carried to adjourn to Executive Session to
discuss matters of litigation. The meeting reconvened at 11:53 p.m. with the same
members present.
CITY NAME CHANGE
ADJOURNMENT
LEONARD G. WOOD, CITY CLERK AND
EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
By 420,-Ve%71-d- ///.1124(/-;41
Deputy
Council
Council instructed City Attorney not to take
any action on the name change, and if City
named as defendant, to respond with nominal
defense.
At 11:55 p.m., it was moved, seconded and
carried to adjourn the meeting to May 7, 1975,
7:30 p.m., in the City Offices for an informal
hearing on the Draft General Plan.
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Apt
MAYOR
316 May 6, 1975