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PC MINS 19770307M I N U T E S City of Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission Regular Adjourned Meeting March 7, 1977 The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairperson Shaw. PRESENT: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw ABSENT: None Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower and Associate Planner Gary Weber. MINUTES APPROVAL On motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mr. Blue, and unanimously carried, the minutes of the meeting of Feb- ruary 17, 1977, were approved as submitted. On motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mr. Hughes, and unanimously car- ried, the minutes of the meeting of February 22, 1977, were approved with the following amendments: Page 3, paragraph 1, line 3, change to read "...through Monte Verde, for example, would destroy..." Page 3, paragraph 11, line 4, change to read "...lot sizes of 15,000 square feet..." Page 4, paragraph 5, line 2, change to read "...conditions on deferred maintenance..." COMMUNICATIONS George Shaw, 28101 Lobrook, and Frank P7acak, 28066 Lobrook, expressed con- cern about two new homes on Lobrook, one recently completed which may exceed the height limit, and one still under construction which does exceed the height limit. They explained that the investigation of possible violation on these two homes was initiated due to their complaints to the City. They questioned the method of deter- mining height from the plans, the method of measuring height while construc- tion is taking place, and the County's efficiency in inspecting and enforcing the City's codes. Director Hightower said the completed home was still being checked for pos- sible violation and that she was awaiting a report from the County. She explained how the height was measured on the plans for these particular lots. Mrs. Shaw thanked Mr. Shaw and Mr. Macak for being so alert and for bringing to the attention of the City a flaw in the procedures. Suggestions from Mr. Shaw for improving the procedures included: using a permanent fixture (curb, sidewalk, etc.) as a base for measuring height on the plans, which would also simplify the inspection for height verification; notifying adjacent property owners of all applications; requiring verifica- tion of height prior to framing and final approval; and requiring placement of structures where they will create the least amount of view obstruction. He said he would submit these and other suggestions in writing. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 31617 Mr. Weber reviewed the items on which Crest Road at Highridge Road the Commission requested further Applicant: Presley of So. Calif. evaluation. He explained the two de- sign alternatives submitted by the applicant and said Staff recommended Alternative #2 as described in the staff report, as it more closely relates to the existing topography, it is less.impactive, and it more closely com- plies to City policy re preservation of natural character. He reviewed the Staff recommendations for the "pan -handle" area; referred the Commission to a sketch illustrating the road design wi-Eh the Commission's suggestions - from the last meeting; reviewed the revisions and additions to Exhibit "A" listed in the staff report, as requested by the -Commission; and reviewed the conditions for approval of the easements as shown on the tract map. He also referred the Commission to a sketch illustrating commonly accepted trail standards, taken from the U.S. Forrest Service's Trails Handbook , , adding that the Sierra Club and the California Fish & Game also have stan- dards for trails, but that they were not available at this time. Staff recommendation is that the -Commission recommend to the Council approval of the tentative map subject to the conditions in Exhibit "A" of the draft resolution. Clark Leonard, Lanco Engineering, said he agreed with the conditions, but preferred a ten -foot setback from the trails instead of fifteen feet. Mr. McTaggart felt there was validity for having a fifteen -foot setback and suggested narrowing the lateral easements to ten feet wide and keeping the fifteen -foot setbacks, as he felt consideration should be given to those who will be living there. The public portion of the hearing was declared closed. The Commission was still concerned about Lots 78 and 79 meeting the minimum width requirements. Director Hightower explained that the final map would be checked by the County and that the lots will have to meet all standards. The Commission agreed on the following: design alternative #2 as shown in the staff report, the trail arrangement as shown on the map; that the pro- ject should conform to the normal setbacks except that there should be a fifteen -foot side setback from any easement; and Staff's recommendation for the "pan -handle" area of Lot 19. They also agreed to Mr. Weber's suggest6d wording for the "pan -handle" condition: "The panhandle area of Lot 19 shall be made a part of the public right-of-way and shall be part of the mainten- ance district, as shown on Tentative Tract Map No. 31617, dated October 13, 1976." Mr. Weber said the Director of Public Works reviewed the road design and had no negative comments. Mr. McTaggart proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to recommend to the City Council approval of Tentative Tract Map No. 31617, subject to the con- ditions in Exhibit "A", as amended. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw NOES: None ABSENT: None SIGN PERMIT NO. 1 Director Hightower gave the background Ridgegate Drive of -the request, explaining that last Applicant: Dayton Realty Company March the Commission approved two tem- porary signs which exceed the size limitations for a six-month period, and a six-month extension was granted in September, extending the period to March 9 of this year. Staff recommendation is that the application -be- -- denied and the applicant allowed to revise the application for signs which comply with the Code for staff review. No one was present wishing to be heard either in favor or in opposition of the request. After a brief discussion, Mr. McTaggart proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to deny Sign Permit No. 1 extension and to allow the applicant to revise the application for signs which comply with the Code for staff review. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw NOES: None ABSENT: None P.C. MINUTES -2- 3/7/77 RECESS At 9:05 p.m. a brief recess was called. The meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m. with the same members present. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 6703 Mr. Weber explained this request was 19 Rockinghorse Road for the division of a 1.01 -acre parcel Applicant: E. B. Bramlett into two parcels, one of 23,996 square feet and the other of 20,000 square feet. He described the area, the pro- ject and the zoning. He reviewed the chart from the staff report, and ex- plained that although the proposal meets the code requirements with respect to area, dimensions, etc., the majority (80%) of Lot 1 is considered un - buildable due to extreme slopes. Staff recommendation was for denial based on the reasons listed in the staff report. Russ McGuire, South Bay Engineering, explained that the applicant presently resides in the 3000 square foot home existing on the subject parcel and wishes to live in a smaller home without changing locations. Dr. Bramlett explained that their four children (now grown) were raised in their present home, that they love the view and location and do not wish to leave the neighborhood, but would like a home more suitable to their current needs. He said the proposed home would be lower than the existing one and would not block anyone's --view. The public participation was declared closed. The Commission questioned Staff and, after discussion, concluded that the only means of creating a buildable area on the proposed second lot would be by modifying the setbacks. Although they expressed sympathy with the applicant's situation, they did not feel they could justify granting a division which would create a lot requiring a variance in order to build. Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to deny Tentative Parcel Map No. 6703, based on the findings that: 1. The proposed division of land is not consistent with the General Plan or Development Code, since the area of extreme slope is interpreted as open space hazard. 2. The site is not physically suitable for future development, since no grading or construction would be permitted on ex- treme slopes. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw NOES: None ABSENT: None Mrs. Shaw advised the applicant that this decision may be appealed to the City Council within ten (10) days. GRADING APPLICATION NO. 145 Mr. Weber explained the request for 6857 Crest Road grading approximately 1330 cubic yards Applicant: Robert Arkenberg for for the construction of a 7000 square Rocky McAmis foot tennis court on an extremely long and narrow lot with an average slope of 21.9%, adding that the grading for the residence was approved in November. Staff recommendation was for denial as the proposal does not comply with the Code criteria listed in the staff report. He further pointed out that if approval is granted, a minor excep- tion permit would be required for the construction of a ten -foot fence. Rocky McAmis presented new plans to the Commission showing a different loca- tion, a reduction in the size of the court, a subsequent reduction in the grading, and elimination of the circle driveway. Robert Arkenberg, contractor, said whenthey received the staff report indi- cating Staff's recommendation for denial, the applicant quickly revised his plans. Mr. Arkenberg said he did not feel the original request was un- reasonable. P:C. MINUTES -3- 3/7/77 Mr. McAmis submitted a letter to the Commission from six of his neighbors supporting the pr03ect and explained that he purchased this particular lot because its size would accommodate a standard size tennis court. He with- drew the plans presented tonight and said he would like the Commission to consider his original plans. Margaret Ready, 29909 Avenida Refinida, said she primarily objected to the large amount of grading to be done and the location, as her living room is directly to the east and overlooks the proposed court site. Public participation was closed. During Commission discussion, it was suggested that the height of the fence be lowered by lowering the pad. They felt although the amount of cut would be increased, the amount of fill would be decreased and the impact on the entire neighborhood would be less. The consensus was that the lot is large enough for a standard size tennis court, but the Commission was concerned about the unnatural appearance as proposed and suggested the applicant work with Staff to revise his plans by minimizing the grading and creating a softer appearance. They also sug- gested moving the cut more to the east to make it less objectionable to the neighbors and to landscape the area. On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Blue, and unanimously carried, Grading Application No. 145 was tabled until the meeting of March 22 to enable the applicant to consider the Commission concerns expressed tonight and submit revised plans. GRADING APPLICATION NO. 146 31004 Marne Applicant: Hendrickson & Knox for Joseph Ditto the extreme slopes (350+), but that Code criteria. Staff recommendation Mr. Weber described the request for grading 975 cubic yards for the con- struction of a single family residence, access, turnaround area, and small rear yard patio. He explained that some minimal grading is proposed in - overall, the project conforms with the is for approval. Don Hendrickson, architect, 43 Malaqa Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Estates, dis- cussed the proposal, stating that the neighbors view was a consideration. Public participation was closed. After a brief discussion, a motion was proposed by Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Blue, and unanimously carried, to approve Grading Application No. 146. LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT Mr. Weber reviewed the request for the 5459 Whitefox adjustment of lot lines between Lots 26546 Basswood 55, 56, and 58 of Tract 21351, ex - 26554 Basswood plaining the zoning, minimum allowable Applicant: Max Luming lot size and the proposed lot sizes. He explained that a quitclaim action has already been taken, but that the transaction was not in conformance with the Subdivision Map Act. Staff recommendation is for approval subject to conditions as listed in the staff report. I Russ McGuire, South Bay Engineering, representing the applicant, briefly discussed the background of the request. After a brief discussion, Mr. Blue proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. McTaggart, to adopt Resolution No. 77-4 (PC) approving the lot line adjust- ment, sub3ect to the conditions listed in the staff report, to be Exhibit "A" of the resolution. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg, Shaw NOES: None ABSENT: None P.C. MINUTES -4- 3/7/77 COMMISSION REPORTS Mr. Hughes distributed//copies of the report on the antenna ordinance and said it was noted in the letter which was submitted to the Council that the Commission vote was not unanimous. Mr. Hughes also distributed copies of his draft letter to the City Council responding to Marcia -Lynn Graham's letter re the Peninsula Baptist Church and asked that the Commission -review it ptior to its transmittal to the Council. The Commission decided to review it tonight and after doing so, unanimously approved it. The Commission also discussed, modified, and approved the report on the antenna revisions. ADJOURNMENT 1977, at 7:30 p.m. At 11:04 p.m. it was moved, seconded, and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting to Thursday, March 17, P.C. MINUTES -:-5-:- 3/7/77