PC MINS 20080108 Approved
February 12, 2008 ,x/
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES �(
PLANING COMMIISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gerstner at 7:02 p.m. at the Fred Hesse
Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Ruttenberg led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Karp, Knight, Lewis, Ruttenberg, Tetreault, Vice Chairman
Perestam, and Chairman Gerstner.
Absent: None
Also present were Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Rojas, Senior
Planner Alvarez, and Assistant Planner Kim.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Gerstner suggested hearing Agenda Item No. 4 prior to Agenda Item No. 1.
The Planning Commission unanimously agreed.
COMMUNICATIONS
Director Rojas distributed two items of correspondence for Agenda Item No. 1 and one
item for Agenda Item No. 2. He also reported that at the last City Council meeting the
City Council heard a General Plan Initiation Request for changing the zoning and land
use designation for the Valero station, which will be before the Planning Commission in
the near future.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items)
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
4. Selection of a date for a site visit to Marymount College
Commissioners Ruttenberg and Karp recused themselves from this item and left the
dais.
Director Rojas gave a brief staff report, asking the Commissioners if they wished to
have a formal adjourned meeting at the Marymount site, and if so, staff was
recommending the meeting be held on January 19th to compliment the public meeting
that staff has already noticed. However, if the Commission doesn't feel they need to
see the silhouette as a group, appointments can be made with the college staff to view
the silhouette.
The Commission agreed to an adjourned meeting on January 19th at Marymount
College.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
1. Height Variation, Grading Permit, Site Plan Review, Extreme Slope Permit
(Case No. ZON2007-00179): 5329 Bayridge Road
Commissioners Ruttenberg and Karp returned to the dais.
Commissioner Lewis and Chairman Gerstner recused themselves from hearing this
item, and both left the dais.
Assistant Planner Kim presented the staff report, explaining the scope of the project and
the need for the Height Variation. She explained the changes made by the applicant as
a result of the concerns expressed by the Planning Commission at the last hearing.
She stated that staff continues to have concerns with the bulk and mass of the project,
as the entire side yard is taken up with the project. She discussed the concern of view
impairment from 5338 Bayridge Road, and explained that there is no difference in the
view impairment, and staff feels the proposed structure still causes significant view
impairment. She explained that staff was recommending the Planning Commission
either adopt the appropriate Resolution of approval if they feel the applicant has
adequately addressed their previous concerns, or deny the project with prejudice and
adopt the appropriate Resolution of denial.
Commissioner Ruttenberg asked staff to clarify the total size of the newly proposed
project.
Assistant Planner Kim stated that the project, as proposed, is 4,359 square feet.
Vice Chairman Perestam opened the public hearing.
Louis Tomaro (architect) briefly discussed the changes made to the project, including
lowering the building, adjusting roof slopes to bring the roof height down, and adding
screening and opaque windows to the back part of the deck. He stated that the
neighbor at 5338 Bayridge Road has submitted a letter of support for the project, as the
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 2
area of the best view for that neighbor is no longer an issue for the neighbor. In regards
to bulk and mass, he noted that he has lowered the grade of the lot to match the
existing grade of the neighbors house, therefore the house will no longer tower above
the neighbors house. He also noted that the building steps in considerably. He felt that
the issues raised by the Planning Commission at the previous meeting have been
addressed in a positive manner.
Susan Semelka (applicant) discussed the changes made, noting that the proposed
master bedroom and bathroom have been severely compromised and much of the
second floor ocean and coastline view is,now blocked due to the proposed opaque
glass and panels that have been proposed. She stated that she has taken dramatic and
costly steps to accommodate every single input, and can't imagine a credible argument
why this project cannot be approved. She felt that the mitigation is so severe relative to
the local precedent, that she asked the Commission to consider whether the project
must be limited to 20 feet. She did not feel the Development Code was being applied
consistently in regards to her project. She noted that for a similar project approved on
Basswood Drive the staff report states that the view above 16 feet is impaired of the sky
and the Santa Monica Mountains. She felt that this set precedence that these
mountains are not a protected view, however staff felt in her case that the Santa Monica
Mountains are a protected view, and questioned the consistency. She also noted that
the house at 26133 Basswood which is currently under construction has similar
setbacks and privacy issues as her project, yet this was approved with no bulk and
mass or privacy concerns by the Planning Commission. She showed several slides of
homes in the community where there is a two-story home built next to a one-story
home, which is similar to what is being proposed. She asked that the same application
of the Development Code that allowed for the approval of 26133 Basswood be
consistently applied to her project.
Vice Chairman Perestam closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Ruttenberg asked staff to explain their view of the difference in bulk and
mass impacts with regards to this project versus the Basswood project.
Director Rojas explained that without the complete analysis of the previous Basswood
project in front of him it is difficult to compare project impacts, as both could have a
similar design but it is not known what is next to the project, thus the context of the
project and the details of the analysis for each project is needed to accurately compare
them.
Commissioner Ruttenberg stated that superficially it appears the projects are similar in
terms of size and circumstances, however he noted that he does not have the original
power point presentation or the minutes of the meeting to help understand the scope of
the Basswood project.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 3
Commissioner Knight recalled that there were possibly two other large structures of
similar or equal bulk and mass on the same side of the street that were similar to the
one being proposed on Basswood Avenue, and staff agreed.
Commissioner Knight referred to the project on Basswood and noted that the Santa
Monica Mountains were blocked below 16 feet and therefore not a protected view, and it
was the sky that was being blocked by the structure above 16 feet in height. Therefore,
the two projects are not comparable, because this proposed project on Bayridge Road
is blocking the San Gabriel Mountain view by the portion of the project above 16 feet in
height.
Vice Chairman Perestam asked staff if they had any privacy issues with this project as
currently proposed.
Assistant Planner Kim answered that there are currently no privacy issued identified by
staff.
Vice Chairman Perestam re-opened the public hearing to ask the applicant further
questions for clarification.
Commissioner Tetreault referred to the slide taken from the living room at 5541
Elmbank and asked Mrs. Semelka to explain what the dotted yellow line in the picture
represents.
Mrs. Semelka explained that the dotted yellow line represents where the ridgeline of the
Santa Monica Mountains is and the view impairment. She noted that this property on
Elmbank was not mentioned in the staff report.
Vice Chairman Perestam closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Karp stated that property owners should be allowed to develop their
properties to the maximum allowed by Code without impinging on their neighbors,
however this property has a very small buildable area. He noted that the neighborhood
is in transition, and there are other two-story houses within the neighborhood. He felt
that the current house is functionally obsolete, and denying this project would
essentially be saying that the house cannot be improved and would be denying
someone the pleasure and enjoyment of their house. He felt that this project has little or
no impact to the neighborhood and common sense should be used to approve the
project.
Commissioner Tetreault stated he is struggling with the view issue. He did not think the
Planning Commission set a precedent that the San Gabriel Mountains is not a
protectable view, and that it has been established that the Commission has not been
inconsistent previously in holding that it is a significant view. He stated that this project
will take away the mountain ridgeline from a neighbor, which is above 16 feet. He also
understood that the neighbor whose view would be impacted doesn't appear to mind
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January 8,2008
Page 4
losing this view. He stated that he has previously expressed his frustration in that it
doesn't seem fair to preserve a view which a property owner doesn't care to preserve.
However, the Municipal Code dictates that nine findings must be made in order to grant
a Height Variation, and one of those findings states that the proposed structure does not
significantly impair a view from the viewing area of another parcel. He noted it doesn't
say anything about that required finding being waived by another property owner.
Because of that, he could not make the necessary findings to approve the Height
Variation.
Commissioner Ruttenberg addressed the question of whether or not a view can be
waived, and he felt it could be waived. He felt that the question is the term "significant
view impairment" and questioned if the term "significant" as used in the Code was
subjective or objective. He did not have any trouble interpreting it subjectively because
that's the way one maximizes its effect by providing the views people want more than
the views the City dictates they should want. He also had no issue with privacy, as he
felt efforts have been made to satisfy any concerns. He stated that his concern has
always been the bulk and mass and size of the home, and he continues to have
concern with that issue. He discussed the home on Basswood that the applicant
brought up, and noted that it is very important that the City be consistent with its
decisions. However, without all of the information in front of him for the Basswood
project he was unable to know and understand how that decision of approval was
reached. He stated that he was uncomfortable approving this project because of the
size and that it may be something that the City Council will have to decide.
Commissioner Knight agreed with Commissioner Tetreault's comments regarding the
view ordinance. He felt that the proper decision was made on Basswood Avenue based
on the elements of the code that apply to what is a protected view above 16 feet, and
that the decision made was consistent with the Code. He felt that this project creates a
significant view impact to the one neighbor, and was also concerned with the bulk and
mass of the project. He stated he was hoping to see a much greater variation or
redesign of the project, as this project is still much too large for the neighborhood. He
felt that there is a design that can increase the square footage and meet the applicant's
needs without having to be as bulky and massive. He added that the bulk and mass are
apparent not only from the street, but from the neighbor's property. He felt that the
privacy issues have been addressed.
Vice Chairman Perestam stated that his concerns with bulk and mass as well as privacy
have been adequately addressed with this redesigned project. He noted that with the
issue of privacy, it may have been over done. He stated, however, that he still has
concerns with the significant view impact and the necessary finding that must be made.
He did not think that significant view impact was at the discretion of the neighbors, as
neighbors change. He was therefore could not support the project.
Commissioner Tetreault added that the current view ordinance language is something
that he would like to eventually see reviewed and revised, as he felt there should be a
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 5
way that a view holder can waive his view protection rights. He noted that this was just
something he felt the code currently does not allow.
Commissioner Knight moved to adopt P.C. Resolution 2008-1 thereby denying,
with prejudice, the requested Height Variation Grading Permit, and Site Plan
Review; and approve the Extreme Slope Permit, seconded by Commissioner
Tetreault.
Commissioner Karp felt it was unfair to the applicant to deny with prejudice so that they
could not submit a revised plan for a period of one year. He felt that if the applicant
wanted to submit a radically different plan, they should be able to do so before the one
year period.
Commissioner Knight moved to amend his motion to deny the proposed project
without prejudice, seconded by Commissioner Tetreault.
The motion to adopt P.C. Resolution 2008-1, as amended, was approved, (4-1)
with Commissioner Karp dissenting.
2. Height Variation, Site Plan Review and Grading Permit (ZON2006-00209):
Chairman Gerstner and Commissioner Lewis returned to the dais.
Senior Planner Alvarez presented the staff report. He gave a brief history of the project
and explained the scope of the project. He noted that this project will result in 7,190
square foot structure. He reported that the applicant met with his neighbor and ironed
out the issues that they had. As a result of the meeting, the applicant reduced the
parapet roof over the garage, which also satisfies the adjoining neighbor and lessens
the overall mass and appearance of the proposed garage. He stated that staff believes
the proposed structure size is well within the size range of the other homes on Nautilus
Drive. He added that staff believes for compatibility, this home should be compared to
the other residences on Nautilus Drive, as they are of similar size and design.
Therefore, staff continues to believe the proposed residence meets the neighborhood
compatibility findings. He displayed a map showing the closest twenty residences to the
project site, as requested at the previous hearing. He noted that the staff report
tabulates the average size of these residences. He also noted that many of these
homes are not within the same zoning district as the project site. He showed several
photos taken on Nautilus Drive to show the scale and size of the existing homes. He
stated that staff was able to make all of the necessary findings and is recommending
approval of the project as conditioned in the staff report.
Commissioner Tetreault stated that he had met with the applicant at his home and spent
some time there looking at the plans. He stated that he did not learn anything more
than was in the staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 6
Commissioner Ruttenberg asked staff if they had any background on how these homes
on Nautilus Drive came to be built.
Senior Planner Alvarez answered that most of the homes were built at the same time as
part of a sub-division.
Director Rojas added that he does not recall a zone change needed to build the homes,
but did recall the homes being built together as a separate sub-division.
Chairman Knight asked staff to clarify the-finding and conclusion on circle page 48,
finding 2.,
Senior Planner Alvarez clarified that there is no view blockage based on the other
findings, and the 2.6 foot reduction of the garage parapet doesn't affect that analysis.
Commissioner Knight asked staff if they have done a view analysis from the vacant lot.
Senior Planner Alvarez answered that he has not done a view analysis from the actual
vacant lot.
Commissioner Knight asked if staff felt that was a significant omission.
Director Rojas answered that an assessment of the view from the vacant lot is
necessary as views from vacant lots are protected. He explained that the view analysis
performed from a vacant lot is a little different. He stated that staff would go to the area
of the lot where a home could be built, outside of the setbacks, and assess whether
there will be any significant view impairment caused by the portion of the project over 16
feet in height. He added that, based on the staff site visits that have been made to the
other homes in the neighborhood, staff can make the determination of what the view
impact from the vacant lot would be at this point, but an additional site visit can be made
if so requested by the Commission.
Commissioner Lewis asked if the legal owner of the vacant lot was notified about this
project and the public hearings.
Director Rojas answered that the owner of record was sent a notice of public hearing.
Senior Planner Alvarez displayed a picture of the vacant lot and estimated where the
view would be from if the lot was developed.
Vice Chairman Perestam noted that there could be a problem with the current
impervious surface percentage of the front setback area of the lot, and asked staff if a
condition could be added to address the issue.
Senior Planner Alvarez answered that staff could add a condition to address the
concern.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 7
Chairman Gerstner opened the public hearing.
Jerry Duhovic (applicant) felt he has addressed all of the issues raised at the last
meeting, and has made a very reasonable proposal. He discussed the visibility of his
project in relation to Palos Verdes Drive South, showing on a picture what he felt will be
visible from that street. He also showed a picture that demonstrated that the views from
the vacant lot discussed are already blocked by an existing home. He also showed
pictures to demonstrate how the newly designed addition will look in terms of height and
bulk and mass. He did not think the addition will create any new or additional bulk and
mass with respect to the residence. He stated that his home is currently the smallest
home on the block, and with the addition it will be the third largest home on the block.
He stated that he will be well within the prescribed limits and tolerances for lot coverage,
and that almost 1,000 square feet of the proposed 1,975 square feet will be under
existing eaves. He concluded by asking that no consideration be given to the
opposition recently raised by Mr. Moss, as he has no ownership interest in the house.
Rudy Moss stated that he is an investor in the area. He stated that he has no objection
to this proposed addition if the City wants to allow him to build it. He referred to a
property on Nautilus, explaining that it at one time had a view of the Trump golf course,
but no longer does because of vegetation that has been allowed to grow. He stated that
he has the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th trust deeds on the neighboring house and the house is
currently worth $10 million. However, that worth will significantly decrease if this
proposed addition goes forward because it will block so much of the view from the
residence. He asked that the Planning Commission delay any decisions on this
property until the court case for the Colgrove property is heard in March.
Jerry Duhovic (in rebuttal) stated that Ms. Colgrove is involved in litigation with the
federal government and the property may be seized, however he has seen no
documentation that shows Mr. Moss has any financial interest in the property. He
discussed the vacant lot, and showed on a slide how the views from that property are
already blocked by the Real home and his existing home.
Chairman Gerstner closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Knight left the Planning Commission meeting at this point.
Commissioner Tetreault noted that the house neighboring the vacant lot most likely
obscures most of the view from the vacant lot, and asked why it is today that we would
be concerned with an addition to the applicant's home when there may not have been
any consideration as to the view impairment caused by the original construction.
Director Rojas stated that his recollection was that these homes were graded down and
therefore were built without a height variation, meaning no view impacts were assessed
when they were built.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 8
Commissioner Lewis agreed with staff's recommendation that this project should be
treated as its own neighborhood, therefore he could make the necessary neighborhood
compatibility findings. He was troubled by the failure to do a view analysis from the
vacant lot, and since the code gives staff the discretion to do the analysis from several
points on the lot there is a small chance that view analysis would be helpful to the
Planning Commission's analysis. Other than that, however, he was able to make the
necessary findings for privacy, bulk and mass, and neighborhood compatibility.
Vice Chairman Perestam felt Nautilus Drive is over-built and using today's standards
these houses would not have been approved. He was concerned that there is an over-
built street. He therefore was going to oppose the project, because he did not think
there were any limits in the neighborhood. He stated that he would oppose the project
on excessive bulk and mass.
Commissioner Ruttenberg stated that he was opposed to the project. He felt that this
addition would create a home that is too large for the lot size. He referred to the
proposed homes on Nantasket Drive, and the City Council's decision that in a
neighborhood of 1.5 acres, five new homes of between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet
was too many. He explained that on Nautilus Drive there are already five homes on 1.5
acres and the City was being asked to increase the size of a home. He stated that his
opinion is that the City Council thinks that amount of building on that small of an area is
too much, as reflected in their vote for the homes on Nantasket Drive. He felt that this
neighborhood is built out and that no additional square footage should be added to any
of the homes.
Commissioner Tetreault stated that he believes this cul-de-sac is its own neighborhood
and should not be compared to the homes on Forrestal Drive or in the Seaview Tract.
He did not think the Planning Commission could impose different rules on this street
than those imposed on the other neighborhoods in the community. He found it difficult
to tell the property owner of the smallest house on the street that his proposal to make
his home almost the same size as another home on the street, and significantly smaller
than the largest home on the street, can't be done. He stated that there are
neighborhood compatibility standards and findings that must be made, and even though
the houses on this street are very large and massive, he felt he was able to make the
necessary findings for this proposed project. However, he was concerned about
moving forward with this project without getting a formal view analysis from the vacant
lot.
Commissioner Karp assumed that the owners of the vacant lot received their public
notice regarding the addition and the hearings and that if they had any concerns staff or
the Planning Commission would have been notified. He did not think the size of the
house was an issue and that the applicant has me reasonable demands to lower the
profile. He noted that most of the additional areas will be under an existing roof, and
was in favor of the project.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 9
Chairman Gerstner was also in favor of the project. He noted that the area is already
zoned, and this is not a zone change issue, as is the Nantasket proposal. He stated
that properties have been purchased on this street with the expectation of being able to
build within the rights of that zoning. He felt that the house, as proposed, fits within
those rights. He stated that the question becomes neighborhood compatibility and view.
He was satisfied with the view issue, but did share some of Commissioner Tetreault's
concerns, and questioned if there was a way of conditioning the approval such that staff
does the analysis, and should they determine it is acceptable, the application can be
approved. He felt that the proposed addition is compatible with the neighborhood and
the applicant has addressed reasonable concerns.
Commissioner Lewis asked staff if the Planning Commission has the power to approve
the project with the condition that a view analysis will be done on the vacant lot and if
the Director feels there is a significant view impact, it will come back to the Planning
Commission.
Director Rojas answered that the Planning Commission could not add such a condition
to an approval, as the Commission must be in a position to make off of the findings
before approving the project.
Commissioner Lewis asked staff if the Planning Commission has the power to approve
the project, ask that it come back on the Consent Calendar with a view analysis, and
when it comes back if any member of the public or Planning Commission wants to
discuss the findings, it can be taken off of the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Director Rojas felt that was an awkward approach to the situation.
Commissioner Ruttenberg asked if it were possible to vote separately on whether or not
the Commissioners felt there was a view issue from the vacant lot and then vote on
whether or not to approve the project.
Director Rojas answered that would be a decision for the Chairman. He also offered to
clarify staff's position with regards to the vacant lot. He explained that from the site
visits that staff has performed in the neighborhood, including a site visit adjacent to the
vacant lot, as well as the approximate location of where the best view vantage point
exists on the vacant lot outside of the required setbacks, staff feels that the proposed
project would create a view impact to the vacant lot. However, staff does not feel this
view impact would be significant. Given that, Director Rojas stated that the Planning
Commission can rely on this determination or direct staff to do an actual view analysis
from the vacant lot.
Commissioner Karp felt that if the owners of the vacant lot felt there was a view issue
they would be at this meeting.
Commissioner Tetreault replied that this issue goes back to view being subjective and
that it is not for the property owner to determine, but rather staff or the Planning
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January 8,2008
Page 10
Commission. He added that there isn't much speculation on his part as to how a house
will be built on this lot, noting that the garage will most likely be on the ground floor and
the living area on the second floor. Therefore he was not worried about this addition
creating a significant view impairment for that lot.
Chairman Gerstner stated that he was comfortable, from the Director's representations,
that there will not be a significant view impairment caused by this proposed addition.
Commissioner Lewis moved to adopt P.C. Resolution 2008-2 thereby approving
the Height Variation, Site Plan Review°and Grading Permit as recommended by
staff, seconded by Commissioner Karp.
Commissioner Ruttenberg asked about Vice Chairman Perestam's concern regarding
the impervious surface on the lot, and asked if that should be a condition of the motion
or if it should be handled separately. He noted that according to the plans it is currently
at approximately 57 percent.
Director Rojas answered that it should be addressed in the motion as an added
condition.
Commissioner Lewis amended his motion to include a condition that fifty percent
of the front setback be landscaped, per the City code requirements, seconded by
Commissioner Karp.
The motion to approve the project as amended was.approved, (4-2) with
Commissioner Ruttenberg and Vice Chairman Perestam dissenting.
3. General Plan Consistency Finding (Case No. ZON2007-00580)
Commissioner Karp moved to waive the reading of the staff report, seconded by
Commissioner Lewis. Approved, (6-0).
Commissioner Tetreault moved to approve staff's recommendation, seconded by
Commissioner Lewis. Approved, (6-0).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. Minutes of November 27, 2007
Commissioner Karp left the dais, as he wished to speak on a matter addressed in the
minutes.
Commissioners Karp and Ruttenberg recused themselves from the portion of the
minutes related to Marymount College.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 11
Commissioner Tetreault stated that he was not present at this meeting and would not be
voting on the minutes.
Director Rojas explained that there was still a quorum to vote on the minutes, as
Commissioner Tetreault was going to abstain and not recuse himself and
Commissioners Karp and Ruttenberg would only be recused from voting on the
Marymount item and not the minutes in general.
Chairman Gerstner opened the public hearing.
Jack Karp stated that he objected to the minutes as written and were misleading and
inaccurate by omission. He asked that on an issue as important Marymount, that the
minutes be more inclusive and detailed. He distributed a written correspondence
detailing the comments by CCME during the public hearing
Chairman Gerstner asked Mr. Karp if this was the document as prepared for the
presentation at the Planning Commission meeting.
Mr. Karp answered that it is.
Chairman Gerstner asked if the document has been changed in any way.
Mr. Karp answered that to his knowledge the document has not been changed, and
asked that this document be made part of the minutes.
Jim Gordon felt that the change in the nature of the minute taking has inappropriately
been applied to this EIR process. He was very concerned with the omissions in the
minutes, and gave several examples. He felt that for this very important subject the
minutes should be all inclusive.
Chairman Gerstner closed the public hearing.
Chairman Gerstner stated that it was his personal opinion that he would like to see the
minutes at least cover or hit on the issues that each of the speakers spoke on.
Commissioner Lewis felt that it sets a terrible precedent to, on any given project, invite
different views of the minutes and add them on at the end. He felt this would create a
garbled record. In his view, the purpose of the last meeting was to spot issues that the
EIR consultants have to address. Therefore he did not think it was not as important
what position the speakers took as much as the issues raised.
Chairman Gerstner agreed that the transcript should not be added to the minutes, as it
cannot be verified that what is on the transcript is what was said. He agreed with
Commissioner Lewis in regards to the purpose of the last meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 8,2008
Page 12
Commissioner Lewis suggested adding a statement at the end of the minutes which
says that there was significant discussion from the public regarding the inaccuracy of
the minutes and letters were submitted on certain dates, and whoever is reading the
minutes are urged to consult those letters.
Vice Chairman Perestam felt that the decision should be that the Planning Commission
understands the concerns and comments and in the future when there is something of
this significance, there will be an effort to have more accurate and detailed minutes. He
did not think that the minutes should be changed at this point in time.
Commissioner Tetreault stated that his understanding that the official record of the
meetings are the video tapes, which are available on the website. He felt that having
verbatim minutes would create a mountain of paper that nobody would review, and the
minutes would become so burdensome they would be useless. He also felt it was the
Commission's obligation to approve the minutes. He felt that if people wanted to have a
more thorough record of what they said in the minutes, there is not a lot of harm in that.
Director Rojas stated that since the Marymount item represented comments on the EIR
which will need to be responded to, the Commission can direct staff to give a little more
breadth and scope to the various speakers captured in the minutes. He noted that to do
that will take a little time, and therefore the minutes from this meeting will not be
available as soon as they otherwise might be.
Vice Chairman Perestam moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded
by Commissioner Lewis.
Chairman Gerstner felt that this issue was important enough, since the meeting minutes
will be part of the EIR, to have staff review the tape and the minutes and augment them
where needed.
Vice Chairman Perestam withdrew his motion.
Chairman Gerstner moved to direct staff to take another look at the minutes to
confirm that all of the salient points of the speakers were addressed or noted, and
bring the minutes back to the Planning Commission at the next meeting for
review and approval, seconded by Vice Chairman Perestam. Approved, (3-1)with
Commissioner Lewis dissenting.
PRE-AGENDA
The pre-agenda was discussed and approved, with the addition of the minutes of
November 27, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m.
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