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PC MINS 20110628 Approved July CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING JUNE 28, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tomblin at 7:07 p.m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Emenhiser led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE Present: Commissioners Emenhiser, Gerstner, Leon, Lewis, Vice Chairman Tetreault, and Chairman Tomblin, Absent: Commissioner Knight was excused Also present were Community Development Director Rojas and Assistant Planner Kim. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Commissioner unanimously approved the agenda as presented. COMMUNICATIONS Director Rojas reported that at their last meeting the City Council initiated a proposed code amendment to allow ancillary residential uses in commercial districts. The Director explained that the proposed code amendment language will come before the Planning Commission within a few months. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items): None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Height,Variation, GradinPermitand Variance (Case No. ZON2010-00458): 5903 Clint Place Assistant Planner Kim presented the staff report, briefly reviewing the previous proposal for the property that was before the Commission and the Commission's reasons for denial. She explained the scope of the new project and the need for the various applications. As discussed in the staff report, staff was able to make the necessary findings for this proposed project. She noted that, because there will be some grading occurring in the City easement, Public Works reviewed the proposal and had no concerns. Further, the City Attorney has advised that if the applicant should propose to do any improvements within this easement area, they will have to obtain City Council approval. If this project is approved by the Planning Commission the City Attorney will draft a license easement for review by the City Council. She stated that staff was recommending approval of the project, as conditioned in the staff report, Commissioner Leon asked if the current silhouette at the property reflects the newly redesigned project, and not the previous project. Assistant Planner Kim stated that the current silhouette is accurate, Commissioner Leon noted the proposed swimming pool near the extreme slope, and asked if there will be anything done to prevent leaks that could potentially cause problems or damage. Assistant Planner Kim answered that the pool will be built per the California Building Code. She noted that the pool is not on an extreme slope. Director Rojas added there is no requirement for pools to have leak detection systems or other devices. Those restrictions were only required in the moratorium area when pools were allowed to be built. Chairman Tomblin opened the public hearing. Robin Vandeveer (property owner) hoped the newly revised' plan is satisfactory to the Commission, noting that he has kept the building on the flat pad and eliminated the aspects of the slope issues. Robert Tavasci (architect) stated he was available for any questions. Al Mashouf (5901 Clint Place) stated he was happy with this newly revised project and felt that the other neighbors were happy as well. He noted that the project most affects his property and the neighbor on the other side of the applicant. He stated that the project, as is, is acceptable to him, however he felt that the ridgeline could come down a few more feet so that it would not affect any of his view, and that the architect has indicated he will be able to lower the ridgeline an additional two feet. Chairman Tomblin closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Tetreault considered this to be a very unique project on a unique piece of property, and that this house would not be compatible with the neighborhood otherwise as it is quite a bit larger than other homes in the neighborhood. However, Planning Connnnrcssion Minutes June 28,2011 Page 2 because of the uniqueness of the property and because the house will be tucked away and not visible, he could support the project. He did not want this house to be the standard for any other project in this area. Commissioner Leon moved to approve the project as recommended by staff, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser. PC Resolution 2011-23, approving the project, was approved (6-0). 2. Zone Change amendment revision (Case No. ZON2009-00053): 4194 Maritime Road Commissioner Lewis abstained from this item, and left the dais. Director Rojas presented the staff report, explaining this is more of a procedural clean- up item. He explained the past Planning Commission decision to re-zone the neighborhood to RS-5, and that the Commission had agreed to postpone the re-zoning of this particular lot because at that time, as it was the subject of a Lot Line Adjustment application that became complicated and was appealed to the City Council. Now that the lot line adjustment has been finalized and recorded on this lot, staff is bringing the item back to recommend rezoning the lot to RS-5 to be consistent with the rest of the RS-5 neighborhood, He noted that there is no Open Space Hazard area on the lot and so the entire lot is being re-zoned from an RS-2 zone to an RS-5 zone. He stated that staff was recommending approval of the proposed zone change, which will then be forwarded to the City Council. Commissioner Gerstner asked if the owner of this lot was in favor of the proposed zone change. Director Rojas answered that the owner is in favor of the proposal. Vice Chairman Tetreault asked if there was any input or feedback from the Homeowners Association. Director Rojas stated the HOA was in favor of the entire zone change for the area. Commissioner Leon asked if this will allow for the lot to be split. Director Rojas answered that the lot line adjustment was approved at a square footage that will not allow for the lot to be split. Vice Chairman Tetreault asked if staff is aware of any future project to develop this lot, Director Rojas answered that in previous testimony the owner had stated he had no plans to develop this lot. However, if there are plans to develop the lot, development will be subject to all of the RS-5 zoning standards. Planning Commission Minutes June 28,2011 Page 3 Chairman Tomblin opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Gerstner moved to approve the project as recommended by staff, forwarding this recommendation to the City Council, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser. PC Resolution 2011-24 was approved, (5-0-1) with Commissioner Lewis abstaining. NEW BUSINESS 3. Proposed clean-up amendments to the Planning Commission Rules and Procedures Commissioner Lewis returned to the dais, Director Rojas presented the staff report, noting the item was at the suggestion of Commissioner Knight to have language that better explains the difference between an abstention and a recusal. He noted that Commissioner Knight had seen this language at a previous meeting and was in agreement with it. He also noted that along with this language staff has included other minor clarification language. With that, staff is recommending the Planning Commission review and approve the updated Rules and Procedures, Chairman Tomblin opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, he closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Tetreault moved to adopt the updated rules and procedures as recommended by staff, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser. PC Resolution 2011-25 was approved, (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. Minutes of May 24, 2011 Commissioner Lewis moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser. Approved without objection ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS S. Pre-Agenda for the meeting on July 12, 2011 The Commissioners reviewed and accepted the pre-agenda. Commissioners Leon and Emenhiser noted they will be absent from the July '12th meeting. Planning Commission Minutes June 28,2011 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7-37 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes June 28,2011 Page 5