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PC MINS 20110712 Approved July 26, 2011 CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES fl- PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING JULY 12, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tomblin at 7:08 p.m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE Vice Chairman Tetreault led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE Present: Commissioners Gerstner, Knight, Lewis, Vice Chairman Tetreault, and Chairman Tomblin. Absent: Commissioners Emenhiser and Leon were excused. Also present were Community Development Director Rojas, Deputy Community Development Director Pfost, Assistant Planner Kim, and Assistant Planner Harwell. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was unanimously approved as presented. COMMUNICATIONS Director Rojas reported that at the July 5t" meeting the City Council overturned the Planning Commission's decision to trim several view impairing trees along Via Cambron, Via Collado and Berry Hill Drive and instead directed that all the city trees be removed. He also reported that the City Council initiated a code amendment to make minor miscellaneous clean-up amendments to the Development Code. Director Rojas distributed two items of correspondence for agenda item No. 4. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (Eqgardinci non-agenda items): None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Time extension for Conditional Use Permit Revision and Sign Permit (Case No. ZON2009-00469): 27774 Hawthorne Blvd. Commissioner Lewis moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Commissioner Knight. Approved without objection. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Height Variation, Grading Permit and Site Plan Review JCase No. ZON201 1- 00064): 2733 San Ramon Drive Assistant Planner Harwell presented the staff report, explaining the scope of the project and the need for the various permits, as discussed in the staff report. She stated that staff felt all of the required findings for the proposed addition above 16 feet in height could be made, as well as the findings for the Grading Permit. She noted that there currently is foliage in the rear yard of the property which impairs the view from the neighboring property and the property across the canyon. As a condition of approval this foliage will be required to be removed and verified prior to issuance of the building permit. With that, staff is recommending approval of the proposed project as conditioned in the staff report. Chairman Tomblin opened the public hearing. Roger North (architect) explained that the owners have been diligent in trying to find a solution to the problem they have of needing more room in their home for their family as well as being a good neighbor with respect to the design of their proposed addition. He felt the proposed additions will help balance the look of the house and noted the ridgeline will only increase by six inches, Commissioner Knight asked Mr. North what he plans to use for the non-pervious surfaces where the concrete patio currently exists. Mr. North answered that has not yet been determined, noting there is a variety of things, that can be done. Bret Andrus (owner) stated that he has tried very hard to make the proposed addition to blend in with the neighborhood, and was available for any questions. Chairman Tomblin closed the public hearing. Commissioner Knight felt this is an example of an application to expand on a piece of property that will actually improve the property. He stated that he was able to make the findings and was in favor of the project. Commissioner Knight moved to approve the project as recommended and conditioned by staff, seconded by Vice Chairman Tetreault. PC Resolution 2011- 26 was approved, (5-0). 3. Conditional Use Permit Revision (Case No. ZON2011-00131): 27501 Western Avenue Planning Commission Minutes July 12,2011 Page 2 Assistant Planner Kim presented the staff report, explaining the scope of the project. She explained that since the only difference between the existing and the proposal is only a negligible visible difference staff was able to make all of the required findings to recommend approval. Chairman Tomblin opened the public hearing. Nicolas Faure (representing AT&T) stated he has read the staff report and is in agreement with the conditions of approval. Commissioner Knight asked if other antennas on the building were owned by AT&T. Mr. Faure answered they are not AT&T's antennas. Chairman Tomblin closed the public hearing. Commissioner Lewis moved to approve the project as recommended by staff, seconded by Commissioner Knight. PC Resolution was approved, (5-0). 4. General Plan Update— Review Deputy Director Pfost presented the staff report, explaining that the Coastal Specific Plan Map was adopted in 1978 and actually changed some of the land uses from the General Plan. The Zoning Map was subsequently created, and he noted that the Zoning Map is fairly consistent with the Coastal Specific Plan Map. He explained that over the years, since 1978, staff has been implementing the Coastal Specific Plan and the Zoning Map in regards to various areas. He stated that the proposed changes are only to make the General Plan be consistent with what the Coastal Specific Land Use Map is, which should have been done in 1978 when the City adopted the Coastal Specific Land Use Map. He then reviewed the proposed changes. Commissioner Lewis asked if there is anything in this that will alter ones ability to rebuild a structure destroyed by fire. Deputy Director Pfost answered that these proposed amendments will not alter ones ability to rebuild a structure destroyed by fire. Commissioner Knight asked if the location of the Coastal Setback Line is part of the language before the Planning Commission. Deputy Director Pfost explained that the Coastal Setback Line is not part of the General Plan as the General Plan does not get that specific to include that line. Commissioner Knight moved to approve the General Plan Land Use Map without parcels, as recommended by staff, seconded by Commissioner Gerstner. Approved, (5-0). Planning Commission Minutes July 12,2011 Page 3 Deputy Director Pfost then explained that the Planning Commission has now reviewed all of the elements of the General Plan and staff has combined all of the elements into one package. Staff has gone through the elements and attempted to make some recommended changes that will help the document read a bit better, provide some additional updating, and address any additional Planning Commission questions and comments. Staff is seeking Planning Commission direction on whether or not staff can make the recommended changes to the document, Commissioner Gerstner stated he had not had the opportunity to review the entire document, and given the importance of the document, would like to be able to have the time to review it. Commissioner Knight agreed, adding that he would prefer to have the entire Commission present for this discussion. Vice Chairman Tetreault briefly discussed the proposed changes to the General Plan as well as the interpretation of active and passive recreational uses and asked staff if they expect some level of controversy in the way this is worded, and if staff feels this area needs some real focus and attention because of some significant immediate ramifications. Director Rojas explained that whatever changes are made to the General Plan will not be approved by the City Council until early 2012. Therefore whatever projects have already been submitted to the City are operating under the current General Plan. Vice Chairman Tetreault asked what happens when a project has been submitted to the City and in the course of the application process the General Plan is updated and there could be a possible change that could affect that project. Director Rojas explained that typically a project will fall under the rules when the application is submitted to the City. If there is a subsequent change to the Code the City Council will specify that the changes affect all applications or only applications submitted from that date forward. Commissioner Knight moved to continue the review of the General Plan text amendments to the July 26, 2011 meeting, seconded by Vice Chairman Tetreault. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES S. Minutes of June 14, 2011 Commissioner Gerstner moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Vice Chairman Tetreault. Approved, (3-0-2) with Commissioners Knight and Lewis abstaining since they were absent from that meeting. Planning commission Minutes July 12,2011 Page 4 6. Minutes of June 28, 2011 Commissioner Gerstner moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Vice Chairman Tetreault. Approved, (4-0-1) with Commissioner Knight abstaining since he was absent from that meeting. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS 7. Pre-agenda for the meeting on JuIv 26, 2011 The pre-agenda was discussed and unanimously accepted. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes July 12,2011 Page 8