PC MINS 197703290 0 (40)
M I N UTE S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning commission
Special Adjourned Meeting
March 29, 1977
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 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 Larry Davis.
COASTAL SPECIFIC PLAN Mrs. Shaw said this was the second
hearing and the draft document ex-
plained the procedures to be fol-
lowed.
Mr. Davis referred to a letter from California State University (which
the Commission received tonight) and a conversation he had with biologist
Steven Nelson concerning the wildlife habitat and the fly -away for
biologist Steve Nelson concerning the wildlife habitat and the fly -away
for birds in Sub -region 1. He said clustering homes was a technique
used for preservation of these areas, and also to use native specie plant-
ing and vegetation.
Mrs. Shaw asked if the coastal area was a more important part of the fly-
away than other parts of the peninsula, and Mr. Davis responded that
the coastline was a critical area.
'Dodie-Burkhart said there were quite a number of birds and animals in the
area.
Sheila Hoff, 28205 Ambergate, said she would like more time for herself
and everyone else to review the document in order to understand the im-
pacts of this. She was opposed to density transfers, and felt there
would be pressures in other areas to raise the density if this plan were
approved, that high density clustering is not in keeping with enhancing
the existing shoreline views and was against the major philosophy of
the peninsula. She said the coastline must be recognized as a regional
and State resource and also felt the traffic, cost of schools, etc.,
should be addressed in the document.
Fred Frieshling, representing the Berry trust, said the proposed density
in the plan appears to place an enormous burddn on the owners who have
been paying taxes on their property for years, and felt that the return
would not make development worthwhile. He further objected to any type
of trail crossing through this property as he -felt it was dangerous and
would bring undesirable people into the area. He further did not feel
that clustering would be good use of the property. -
John Pollock, 23639 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, representing the
Berry trust, requested clarification of some statements from the pre-
vious hearing, and stressed some points which had been brought out by
other speakers at that hearing re resale prices of homes, problems with
clustering homes, and the unstable portion of the land. He said the
Berry property consists of approximately 38.8 acres and they wish to
subdivide into 38 equal lots for single family development, without
building across the bluff line.
Mr. Davis explained that the General Plan makes a statement re stable
and unstable land and that a geologist drew the line; and in order to
allow density credit in an open space hazard area, the General Plan
would have to be amended.
Mr. Pollock wondered about using the area between the bluff line and
the line that the geologist indicates, as rear yard areas for the
residences.
John Corrough, EDAW, said the geologist used was much more liberal
than the Coastal Commission, which was much more strigent in defining
bluff setbacks.
Mrs. Shaw explained that the City is doing a Specific Plan not just
because they want to, but because the City is required by State law to
submit a plan to the Coastal Commission for approval.
Tim Burrell, 4038 Exultant, discussed the property at Sea Cove, saying
that it is in the highest stability category, is relatively flat (with
a slope of less than 10%), has been farmed and has dirt roads going
across it, contains no animals, no vegetation, 'and is the least environ-
mentally sensitive of all the bluff areas. He said he would like to
propose sixteen units (two per acre). Re the other property near Porto
Verde, he said it has storm drains and no environmental factors. He
said he would propose clustering with 50% of the property landscaped,
and showed rough drawings of his proposal.
Bob Rockoff, 5525 Seaside Heights, representing the Berry trust, said
he was opposed to a bike path running through people's properties and
suggested a twenty -foot easement through the property at the cul-de-sac.
Joseph Clifford, 30907 Rue de la Pierre, felt there should be a strong
statement in the plan concerning the views of the Palos Verdes Estates
Homeowners' Association, across the street from Subregion #1. He objected
to clustering and said he agreed with Staff that unbuildable areas
should not be considered when determining density. He also said there
was no rationale for an increase in density from one to two units per
acre.
Mr. Corrough explained that the only major purpose for clustering is
for the preservation of usable open space.
Barbara Gleghorn, 28850 Crestridge Road, wondered about controls re
the placement of homes and view obstruction.
Bob Brockett, 3420 Palos Verdes Drive West, said what Mr. Pollock was
proposing was essentially one unit per acre and that using the dliff-
top area as rear pee was compatible with the coastline.
RECESS At 9:13 p.m. a brief recess was
called. The meeting reconvened
at 9:25 p.m. with the same members
present.
Joe Barnett, Palos Verdes Estates Councilman, was in the audience, but
when addressed by Mrs. Shaw, he said he did not wish to speak and was
present for information only.
Burt Belknap, 28866 Crestridge, felt the City should not feel obligated
✓to compensate a taxpayer owning property in the City, as anyinvestment
has a risk involved.
Ann Gustafson, 3282 Paseo del Mar, ob3ected to having the bike path
along the cliffs, and said she has clippings from the Palos Verdes News
of 31 fatalities from the cliffs.
Paul Pettit, 1034 Duncan Place, Manhattan Beach, graduate student at
Long Beach State, discussed recreational space and conservation, marine
safety organizations, the development of a resource management program,
controls limiting the use of the beaches, and kelp restoration.
The public hearing was continued.
Mrs. Shaw proposed that the Commission hold a work session to discuss,
among themselves all the correspondence received and input from the two
public hearings prior to the next public hearing. She pointed out that
a meeting on tree trimming and grading was already scheduled for April 7.
P.C. MINUTES -2- 3/29/77
The Commission decided to schedule the work session for April 14, and
Mrs.Shaw advised the audience that it was an open meeting but that
there would be no public testimony received, and that any written
testimony be submitted early enough to allow the Commission sufficient
time to read it.
The Commission scheduled the next public hearing on the Coastal Plan
for April 21.
Mr. McTaggart requested that Staff evaluate the proposals presented
in a letter from
ADJOURNMENT At 10:05 p.m. it was moved,
seconded, and carried to adjourn
to Thursday, April 7, 1977, at
7:30 p.m.
P.C. MINUTES -3- 3/29/77