PC MINS 19760127M I N U T E S APPROVED AS PRESENTED
February 10, 1976
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
January 27, 1976
Following the swearing in of the Planning Commissioners by Sharon W. Hightower, Deputy
City Clerk, the meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Unified School District Building, 30942 Hawthorne Blvd., by Chairman Shaw.
PRESENT: Blue, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw, Trefts
ABSENT: None
Also present was Director of Planning Sharon W. Hightower, Secretary to the Commission.
MINUTES APPROVAL On motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mr.
Blue and unanimously carried, the Planning
Advisory Committee minutes of December 9,
1975 were approved as presented.
On motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mrs. Trefts, the Planning Commission minutes of
January 13, 1976 were approved as presented.
SELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
It was agreed that selection of a Vice -
Chairman be deferred until the end of the
agenda.
APPOINTMENT OF ANIMAL _ It was Mrs. Hightower's suggestion that the
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Commission might consider the number of mem-
bers to be appointed and the method of ap-
pointment, rather than the actual appointment
of members at this time.
Mr. Robert Gruhn, 27772 Palos Verdes Drive East, who helped draft the Equestrian Ordi-
nance, reviewed the original conception of the Animal Advisory Committee as being a
strictly advisory body composed of equestrian experts representing a cross-section of
the horse -owning community. The function of the Committee was intended to be limited to
findings of fact and providing technical advice to the Commission. On the basis of their
work on the draft ordinance, during which time they demonstrated fair-mindedness in the
appreciation of the problems of both horse -owners and non -horse -owners, Mr. Gruhn recom-
mended Burke Belknap, Sara Medall, Leonard Lidstrom, and Don Bert be considered for ap-
pointment to the Animal Advisory Committee.
GRADING APPLICATION Mrs. Hightower summarized the request for
30549 Oceanaire grading approval for the creation of pads
Applicant: Rein Kuhr for a house, front yard and rear yard, plus
grading for an under -structure swimming pool
at 30549 Oceanaire. It was staff's recom-
mendation that the request be denied, based on substantial non-compliance with the cri-
teria of the grading ordinance.
The applicant, Rein Kuhr, presented a chart containing computation changes re the plans,
some of which were requested by staff, and indicated the following: (1) He is in com-
plete disagreement with the figures contained in the staff report; specifically, he cal-
culates 24.73% average slope and 62.5% ungraded area. His calculations for average slope
were not computed using the formula contained in the Development Code. (2) There is a
sewer easement running through the center of the property. (3) There are four garages
planned (two to house recreational vehicles); the front yard area is necessary for turn
around space. (4) 438 cu.yd. of fill would be eliminated by changing the slope at the
back of the house to a 2:1 slope to satisfy County requirements. (5) Mr. Kuhr expressed
concern that the City staff had not worked with him to work out some of the problems asso-
ciated with the application.
There being no further response to the call for testimony, it was moved by Mr. Blue,
seconded by Mrs. Trefts, and unanimously carried that the item be deferred to a future
meeting when the new data has been adequately analyzed by staff.
APPEAL TO SECOND STORY Mrs. Hightower summarized the appeal to staff's
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT #17 decision to issue a second story construction
Applicant• Meine Construction permit for 3458 Via Campesina. It was staff's
Appellant: Via Campesina-Country recommendation that:the appeal be denied.
Club Homeowners Assn.
Nancy Werner, 5251 Rolling Ridge Road, repre-
senting the appellants, indicated the appeal
was based on three considerations: the structure would not be compatible with the existing
neighborhood; it would not minimize view obstruction; and future structures of a similar
character which could be constructed in the area would have a cumulative adverse effect -on
the neighborhood.
The applicant, Richard Meine, 3270 Via Campesina, indicated that four of the six appellants
live in two story homes, and that the house had been specifically designed not to obstruct
views.
Leo Poxon, 5375 Rolling Ridge Road, spoke in favor of the application.
Following Commission discussion, it was moved by Mr. Blue, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, that
the appeal of Second Story Construction Permit #17 be granted and the application be denied,
on:!the basis that criteria #1, 3, and 5 have not been met.
Motion failed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Blue, Rosenberg
NOES: McTaggart, Shaw, Trefts
It was moved by
Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mrs. Trefts,
that the appeal of Second Story
Construction Permit
#17 be denied on the
basis that all
of the criteria have been met.
Motion carried
on the following roll call
vote:
courts at Marymount Racquet
AYES:
McTaggart, Shaw, Trefts
have already been built).
NOES:
Blue, Rosenberg
opinion that the training
RECESS
a minor addition, do not represent a
At 9:25 p.m.
a brief recess was called. The
therefore
not requiring an amendment
Commission reconvened
at 9:32 p.m., with the
mendation
that the Commission approve
same members
present.
MARYMOUNT
RACQUET CLUB EXPANSION
Mrs. Hightower summarized
the request for
6717 P.V.
Drive South
approval for the addition
of two training
Applicant:
Isidore Kamen
courts at Marymount Racquet
Club (the courts
have already been built).
It was staff's
opinion that the training
courts constitute
a minor addition, do not represent a
change which substantially intensifies
land coverage,
therefore
not requiring an amendment
to the conditional use permit.
It was staff's recom-
mendation
that the Commission approve
the minor change to Conditional
Use Permit #4.
The applicant, Isidore Kamen, apologized for the failure to obtain necessary permits
prior to construction of the training courts, indicating the County Engineer had indicated
no permits would be required. There are no nets on the training courts.
It was moved by Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mrs. Shaw that
recommendation on the expansion of the Marymount Racquet
courts represent a minor change to Conditional Use Permit
Motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw
ABSTAINING: Blue, Trefts
SETBACK MODIFICATION #46
6390 Chartres
Applicants: Mr. and Mrs. Barton
the Commission accept staff's
Club, find that the training
#4, and approve the addition.
Mrs. Hightower summarized the request for a
setback modification to permit the encroach-
ment of a direct access garage to within 12
feet of the front property line. It was
staff's recommendation that the request be
denied.
P.C. -2- 1-27-76
9 0 -
The applicant, Mr. Richard Barton, was present. Speaking for the applicant was his archi-
tect, Roy Young, who indicated that, rather than deny the plan, he would like to with-
draw the application and submit new plans.
Speaking in opposition to the plans were Victor Cabas, 31021 Marne Drive, President of
the Palos Verdes Monaco Homeowners Assn., and J.R. Moss, 6405 Chartres. Concern was ex-
pressed that the modification would be in conflict with the area's C.C.&--R's and would
set an undesirable precedent.
Mrs. Hightower indicated that, if the application was withdrawn, it could not be resubmitted
as a setback modification, but would require a variance application, since it is more than
a 20% variation from the requirements.
Mr. Barton formally requested that the application be withdrawn., the request was accepted.
REFERRAL FROM COUNCIL: It was the consensus of the Commission that a
TREE CONTROL ORDINANCE sub -committee be formed to draft a tree
control ordinance, with Mr. Blue and Mr. Mc-
Taggart comprising the sub -committee. It was
agreed that a first draft might be ready by mid-May. The sub -committee will outline a
scheduling report to be forwarded from the Commission to the City Council, per its request.
ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN It was moved by Mrs. Trefts, seconded by Mr.
Blue, that Mr. Blue be nominated for the posi-
tion of Vice -Chairman.
It was moved by Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. McTaggart, that Mr. McTaggart be nominated
for the position of Vice -Chairman.
Following secret balloting, Mr. Blue was declared Vice -Chairman.
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE It was the consensus of the Commission that
a sub -committee be formed to establish guide-
lines for the selection and organization of
the Animal Advisory Committee and bring them back to the Commission for approval before
the Committee is actually selected. Mrs. Shaw and Mr. McTaggart were chosen for the
sub -committee.
It was the consensus that the letter submitted by Mr. Gruhn be included as a part of
the minutes of the meeting.
COMMISSION REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Rosenberg indicated there have been a
number of complaints regarding the City's
restriction on antenna height.
At 10:41 p.m., on motion of Mr. Blue,
seconded by Mrs. Trefts and unanimously
carried, the meeting was adjourned.
P.C. -3- 1-27-76