PC MINS 20090310 Approved
April 28, 09
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 10, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lewis at 7:08 p.m. at the Fred Hesse
Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Tetreault led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Gerstner, Knight, Perestam, Ruttenberg, Tetreault,
Tomblin, and Chairman Lewis
Absent: None
Also present were Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Rojas,
Principal Planner Mihranian,
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
Director Rojas reported that at the March 3, 2009 City Council meeting the Council
approved the proposed affordable housing project.
Director Rojas distributed one item of correspondence for Agenda Item No. 4 and one
item of correspondence for Agenda Item No. 5.
1. Selection of Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission
Commissioner Tetreault nominated Commissioner Ruttenberg, however Commissioner
Ruttenberg declined the nomination.
Commissioner Perestam nominated Commissioner Gerstner, and he was selected as
Vice Chairman without objection.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items):
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
. Zone Text Amendment for Conditional Use Permits in the CL Zone
Director Rojas noted that there was a public speaker for this item, therefore the item
was moved off of the Consent Calendar.
3. Annual Report on the implementation of the Housing Element
Commissioner Tetreault moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by
Commissioner Tomblin. Approved without objection. The annual report on the
implementation of the Housing Element was therefore forwarded to the City Council for
approval.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. Zone Text Amendment for Conditional Use Permits in the CL Zone
Director Rojas stated that this item is the Resolution that memorializes the decision
made by the Planning Commission regarding the zone text amendment. He stated that
the public hearing for this item was closed; therefore any public speakers can only
speak on whether or not the Resolution reflects the decision that the Planning
Commission made on February 24, 2009. Further, the Commissioners must limit their
comments to the same.
Connie Semos stated that her understanding from the previous meeting was that the
motion was to delete items C, I, and K from the Municipal Code. She did not recall a
discussion regarding Section 17.14.020, uses and activities permitted, specifically
sections F and Q. She questioned that without a specific motion from the Commission if
those changes could be made by staff.
Director Rojas explained that in addition to the proposed changes to implement City
Council directive, staff had noted in the February 24, 2009 staff report that there were
some "clean-up" changes needed to the Code, which were reflected in the last draft.
Staff understood that the Commission's direction to remove the three uses (C, I, and K),
included "clean-up" changes as presented by staff, as staff was not directed to delete or
change any of this language. Given that direction on "clean-up" amendments was not
explicitly included in the Commission's motion, Director Rojas suggested striking the
"clean-up" items, and when this item goes before the City Council staff will recommend
Planning Commission Minutes
March 10,2009
Page 2
these "clean-up" changes also be made. Therefore, the Resolution before the Planning
Commission will be modified to only strike out the three uses discussed (C, I and K).
Commissioner Ruttenberg moved to adopt P.C. Resolution 2009-08 as amended
to more accurately reflect the Planning Commission's decision, thereby
approving the amendment to Chapter 17.14 to delete certain conditionally
permitted uses listed, seconded by Commissioner Perestam. Approved, (5-0-2)
with Commissioner Tomblin and Vice Chairman Gerstner abstaining.
4. Marymount College facilities expansion project— review of Final EI R (Case
No. ZON2003-00317 / Conditional Use Permit No. 9 — Revision 'E', Grading
Permit and Variance
Commissioners Perestam, Ruttenberg, and Tetreault recused themselves from this item
and left the dais.
Principal Planner Mihranian presented the staff report, explaining that at Marymount
College's request, the College is seeking a continuance of tonight's public hearing to
March 24th. However, because that date is not an available date for the City's
consultants, staff is recommending the public hearing be continued to March 31st. Staff
is also requesting the Planning Commission identify a schedule for the remaining public
hearings. He noted possible available dates.
Chairman Lewis noted that Lois Karp has also requested a continuance of the public
hearing to May 26th. He asked staff if they had an opinion on this request.
Director Rojas answered that staff has no opinion, as it is up to the Planning
Commission on whether to grant the requested continuances.
Don Davis (representing Marymount College) thanked the Commission for considering
the continuance dates, as Dr. Brophy is unable to attend the currently scheduled
meeting. He noted that Dr. Brophy is the sole authorized representative of Marymount
College. He stated that the College agrees with and fully supports the schedule
suggested by staff. He asked that the Commission deny the request by Lois Karp to
continue the public hearing to a date in May, as he felt it is unprecedented for a single
project opponent to have any ability to continue a processing schedule. He also
.questioned who the CCCME represents, as he has never seen a membership list of
those it represents.
Chairman Lewis noted that because of professional obligations, if the current schedule
is agreed upon he may be delayed and late for a meeting, and that at 11:00 p.m. he will
have to leave the meeting. He noted that if he is late or once he has to leave there will
no longer be a quorum. He asked Mr. Davis if, knowing this risk, he wanted to proceed
with the schedule presented by staff.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 10,2009
Page 3
Mr. Davis explained that it is his objective to get the process restarted, whether it be
March 31St or some time shortly after that date.
Lois Karp stated that CCCME is in favor of Dr. Brophy asking for a continuance. She
stated that CCCME Incorporated represents the individual homeowners who live in the
vicinity of the college, and they are a registered interested party and have been part of
the proceedings for nine years. She hoped the Planning Commission will afford her the
same privilege given to Dr. Brophy and continue the May 12th hearing date to May 26th
Commissioner Knight asked if there is anyone else in the organization who could be
present on May 12 h that can present the organizations positions and responses.
Ms. Karp answered that there are always people who can speak in her place, however
she is the one who has always spoken for CCCME and she would like to continue to do
so.
The Commissioners discussed the different options and dates available for the public
hearings. Vice Chairman Gerstner noted that meetings have been continued and
changed to accommodate schedules, and the Commission should do the same for Ms.
Karp and her request to change the May 12th meeting to May 26th. He favored meetings
on March 31St, April 14th and May 26th, with the May 26th staff report distributed by May
12th
Commissioners Tomblin and Knight agreed.
Vice Chairman Gerstner moved to continue the public hearing to March 31, 2009
and to set the hearing schedule as March 31, April 14, May 26 and June 9 as
tentative dates. Further, the staff report for the May 26th meeting is to be
distributed to the public no later than May 2, 2009.
Mr. Davis felt that the listed dates will work with Dr. Brophy's schedule.
Ms. Karp was also agreeable to the suggested dates.
Commissioner Tomblin noted that he may have a conflict with the June 9th date, but
wasn't sure at this time.
Vice Chairman Gerstner amended the motion to not include the June 9th date at
this time. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Knight and approved (4-
).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5. Minutes of January 27, 2009
Commissioners Perestam, Ruttenberg and Tetreault returned to the dais.
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March 10,2009
Page 4
Commissioner Ruttenberg noted the letter regarding the minutes from Mr. and Mrs.
Aelony. He noted that the minutes are a summary of the proceedings, and felt some of
the things Mrs. Aelony has requested be added to the minutes are a bit argumentative.
He stated that the entire meeting is recorded and if issues arise in the future, the tape
can be reviewed. He did not want to start a precedent with applicants coming before
the Commission and trying to fine tune the meeting minutes.
Vice Chairman moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by
Commissioner Knight. Approved, (7-0) with Commissioners Perestam and
Ruttenberg abstaining from item No. 4 and Commissioner Tetreault abstaining
from item Nos. 2 and 4.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
6. re-agenda for the meeting on March 24, 2009
The pre-agenda was reviewed and approved.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 10,2009
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