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PC MINS 20130212 APPROVED 2126 13 4 CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tetreault at 7:10 p.m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Tomblin led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE Present. Commissioners Gerstner, Leon, Lewis, Tomblin, Vice Chairman Emenhiser, and Chairman Tetreault. Absent: Commissioner Nelson was excused Also present were Deputy Community Development Director Mihranian, Associate Planner Mikhail, and Assistant Planner Harwell. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was unanimously approved as presented. COMMUNICATIONS Associate Planner Mikhail distributed six items of late correspondence for agenda item No. I and two items of late correspondence for agenda item No. 3. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (reg- ardling non-agenda items): None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Height Variation, Grading Permit, and Site Plan Review jCase No. ZON2012- 00281): 5448 Bayridge Road Commissioner Gerstner recused himself from the item, as it is within 200 feet from his residence. He left the dais, Associate Planner Mikhail presented the staff report, explaining the scope of the project and the need for the various applications. She displayed photos of the twenty closest homes, as well as a rendering provided by the applicant so that the Commission will be able to see how the home will look from the street. Commissioner Leon noted that one of the letters in the late correspondence questions whether the height of the retaining walls specified in the drawing are achievable and provide the correct slopes. He asked if staff has walked the site to verify the height of the retaining walls as designed actually work on the site. Associate Planner Mikhail answered that staff has visited the property and noted that the way the project is designed is not out of character with what is existing there today. She noted the architect is in the audience and may be better fit to answer that question. Chairman Tetreault opened the public hearing. Scott Prentice (architect) explained he and the property owners have worked quite hard with staff and the neighbors to design a project that is at home on the site, at home in the neighborhood, and maintains the proper scale when viewed from the street. He stated he has looked very closely at how the site wall in question by Commissioner Leon will work, and has included top of wall, bottom of wall, and grade elevations on one-foot intervals for clarity. Yogi Matharu (26234 Birchfield) stated he was very grateful this project is coming forth, noting the applicants have worked with all of the neighbors in designing this house. He felt this may encourage other neighbors to fix up their homes, which will increase property values for all. He also felt it will encourage other young families with children to stay in the neighborhood rather than moving out, Rollin Sturgeon stated he was against the proposed project. He read a few lines from a former City Attorney that said compatibility is to protect the community in general and not individual property owners. The findings of the Planning Commission must disclose the underlying facts for the Planning Commission's reaching their decisions. He stated that the staff report notes that most of the surrounding houses are single story with undulating facades and low pitch roofs. He questioned how the compatibility of fagade is met when a second story is added to a home. He also noted the staff report states the addition is designed to reduce the appearance of bulk and mass. He did not think reduce can hide the increase in mass, as it is obvious this will be a two-story home. He also noted that staff was able to find compatibility because there is a two-story home on the opposite street. He felt with that finding all the original one-story homes will become two-story homes and the City will become a crowded beach city and compatibility is meaningless. He stated the primary goal of the City is to have a semi-rural open City. Planniing Commission Minutes February 12,2013 Page 2 Commissioner Leon asked Mr. Sturgeon where he lives in relation to the proposed project. Mr. Sturgeon answered he lives next door to the west. Jarrod Koch (applicant) stated he bought in this neighborhood for the schools and the neighborhood, noting that the neighborhood is slowing changing from predominately an older generation to a younger generation. He noted the house is only 1,400 square feet and needs to add on to stay in the home. He stated he loves his neighborhood and wants to stay, Chairman Tetreault closed the public hearing, Commissioner Leon moved to approve the project as recommended and conditioned by staff, seconded by Vice Chairman Emenhiser. Chairman Tetreault referred to a letter submitted by Mr. Sturgeon and the contention that the proposed retaining wall will create a major fall hazard. He asked staff to comment. Associate Planner Mikhail explained that when this goes through the plan check process in Building and Safety, the Building Official will review that concern. She noted that if Building and Safety requires a 42-inch railing, the retaining wall will still meet Code requirements. Chairman Tetreault stated he has been to the property, noting the neighborhood is predominately one-story. However, he noted the Commission does not designate neighborhoods as being exclusively one-story. As long at the proposed additions are compatible with the neighborhood and don't impose a great amount of bulk and mass, the Commission may approve them. He also noted that there is a two-story home very close to this proposed project. He stated that he was able to make all of the necessary findings to approve this project. Commissioner Lewis stated that he also supports the motion. He explained he lives in this neighborhood and felt the neighborhood needs to grow and improve. He commended the architect and owner for the modest design. The motion to approve the project as recommended by staff, thereby adopting PC Resolution 2013-04, was approved (5-0), with Commissioner Gerstner recused. Commissioner Gerstner returned to the dais. 2. Conditional Use Permit Revision (Case No. ZON2012-00307): 5837 Crest Road Vice Chairman Emenhiser recused himself from this application and left the dais, Planning Cornrnissrton Minutes February 12,2013 Page 3 Assistant Planner Harwell presented the staff report, explaining the scope of the project, noting the proposed replacement antennas will be located at the same location as the existing antennas at only a nine-inch increase in height. She stated that based on staff's analysis, staff determined all six findings can be made. Chairman Tetreault opened the public hearing. Kim Ngnyen (representing applicant) stated she was available for any questions. Chairman Tetreault asked if all obsolete equipment currently on the poles will be removed. Ms. Ngnyen answered the obsolete equipment will be removed, noting there are currently six antennas on the pole and that will be reduced to three antennas. Sid Wielin stated he is the vice president for maintenance for the HOA adjacent to the Cal Water site and the antenna. He stated the HOA is in favor of the proposed improvements. However, they would like to be assured that the addition of these antennas, with the added wind and weight to the tower, has been engineered into the modification. Ms. Ngnyen explained that during the plan check process the structural engineers will address these issues. Chairman Tetreault closed the public hearing. Chairman Tetreault asked staff if the structural integrity will be reviewed by the City. Assistant Planner Harwell stated that structural issues will be reviewed and addressed during the Building and Safety plan check process. I Commissioner Tomblin asked staff about the time frame of the lease on the property, Assistant Planner Harwell answered that, based on her research, she believed the lease expires in 2015. Commissioner Gerstner moved to approve the project as conditioned by staff, seconded by Commissioner Leon. PC Resolution 2013-06 was approved, (5-0) with Vice Chairman Emenhiser recused. Vice Chairman Emenhiser returned to the dais. 3. General Plan Update — Review proposed changes to the existinq Land Use iiap pertaining to the Ladera Linda Community Center site and the Gateway Park site. Planning Commission Minutes February 12,2013 Page 4 Deputy Director Mihranian explained that, since the General Plan update is being processed by Deputy Director Pfost and Associate Planner Kim, and since neither were able to attend this meeting, staff is requesting the item be continued to a date uncertain. This will allow staff to address some noticing issues and questions raised by the Chairman. Chairman Tetreault moved to continue the public hearing to a date uncertain, seconded by Commissioner Leon. Approved, (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. Minutes of Janua!y 8, 2013 Commissioner Leon moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Vice Chairman Emenhiser. Approved, (5-0) with Commissioner Gerstner recused since he was absent from that meeting. 5. Minutes of Janua!y 22, 2013 Commissioner Leon moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Tomblin. Approved, (5-0) with Commissioner Gerstner recused since he was absent from that meeting. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS 6. Pre-Agenda for the meeting on February 26, 2013 The pre-agenda was reviewed and approved without objection. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Pianning Cornrniss¢on Minutes February 12,2013 Page 5