PC MINS 197704120 0
M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Regular Adjourned Meeting
April 12, 1977
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairperson McTaggart.
Mr. McTaggart presented Jacki Bacharach as the newly appointed
Commissioner and explained that although she could participate, she
would not be able to vote until the required disclosure period
terminates.
PRESENT: Blue, Hughes, McTaggart, Rosenberg
ABSENT: None
(99)
Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower, Associate
Planners Larry Davis and Gary Weber, and Interim Commissioner Bacharach.
MINUTES APPROVAL
were approved with the following
to the end "...for increasing the
presented."
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded
by Mr. Blue, and carried, the
minutes of the meeting of March 17
amendment: page 1, paragraph 6, add
density within the document as
On motion of Mr. Blue, seconded by Mr. Hughes, and carried, the minutes
of the meeting of March 22 were approved with the following amendments:
page 2, should read "Tentative Tract Map No. 31714"; page 5, paragraph
5, should read "...reducing the number of lots..."; page 5, paragraph 15,
should read "...only the Uniform Building Codes...".
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Blue, and carried, the minutes
of the meeting of March 29 were approved with the following amendments:
page 2, paragraph 8, should read "...as rear yards was..."; page 3,
paragraph 3, should read "...O'Melveny and Myers".
It was requested that approval of the minutes of the meeting of April 7
be postponed to the next meeting as Mr. Rosenberg did not receive a
copy of it in his agenda. As there were no objections, Mr. McTaggart
so ordered.
COMMUNICATIONS Joan Grey, 6424 Chartres Drive
expressed concern about the recent
approval of four homes on Rhone Dr.
to be built with a commonly -built driveway. She said the homeowners
association will not permit this.
Director Hightower explained that the applications complied with all
of the City's ordinances. Mr. McTaggart pointed out that conflict
with a homeowners association was a civil matter.
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 31714 Mr. Davis gave the background of the
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 28 request and said the County Engin-
Crenshaw Blvd., behind St.John eerts response to the Hydrology
Fisher Church Report was attached to the staff
Applicant: Urban West Comm. report and indicates that the City
should not be concerned over approv-
ing the project prior to storm
drain improvements in Altamira Canyon. He said a condition of approval
of the tract map is that 4.70 of the cost for Flood Control improvements
be assessed and that this assessment directly corresponds with the
percentage of watershed which this project affects. He read the staff
recommendations as listed in the staff report.
•
Mr. Rosenberg said the conditions should include the additional lot
which will be under common ownership and that the CC&Rs should state
that the lots shall be kept open.
Director Hightower said that #8 of the tract map conditions includes
that, and said "ownership and maintenance"could be added to make that
clear.
Mr. McTaggart was concerned about access to the common open space, and
Mr. Davis said that City will require that all vehicular access rights
be given to the City on the final tract map.
Clark Leonard, Lanco Engineering, asked some questions about the con-
ditions, and Director Hightower explained that the Flood Control District
has at this time indicated $200,000 minimum (re tract map condition #3)
and that #7 applies only to the landscaped portion of the public area
and should reflect that.
Mr. Leonard discussed the plans and said there will be three commonly -
owned non-contiguous lots.
Don Hill, president of the Del Cerro Homeowners Association, said he
was concerned about the size of the lots and did not feel they were
large enough.
Teena Clifton, Rolling Hills City Manager, representing the City Council,
said the Council wondered if larger lots could be required, that they
were opposed to this kind of development and urged the Commission to
recommend that the developer revise the plans.
Mr. McTaggart pointed out that it would require a General Plan amend-
ment to change the density, and explained the problems with the unstable
soil, and said this appears to be the only approach to the development
without an enormous amount of grading. He further explained that the
applicant changed to this type of development at the Commission's
suggestion.
Ms. Clifton said Rolling Hills seems to have more latitude in aesthetics.
The Commission responded that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes does not
have that kind of latitude, and that the City Attorney said the Commis-
sion does not have the right to require an applicant to build under the
density allowed unless there are substantial reasons.
In response to a question of Mr. Hill, Mr. Leonard explained where the
drainage course was located.
Public hearing was closed.
Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to adopt
Resolution No. 77-7 (PC) approving Conditional Use Permit No. 28,
subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit "A", as amended tonight,
and that,also, the .first paragraph of the resolution be changed to
include "31 residential lots with three common lots."
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: Blue
ABSENT: None
Ms. Clifton requested a copy of the Environmental Impact Report, to be
notified of the Council meeting, and to be sent any and all information/
re this matter.r�c%,ids rwciu,o-C��cC� tiui
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PARCEL MAP NO. 6862 Mr. Weber said this was first heard
29075 Palos Verdes Drive East by the Commission on January 11, 1977,
Applicant: Jack & Janet Behrendt at which time conceptual approval
was granted subject to the approval
of a minor exception permit and
revision of the map. These have been accomplished and staff recommends
approval of the map subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit "A" of
the draft resolution.
P.C. Minutes -2- 4-12-77
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Jack Behrendt said they have complied with all the Commission requests
of the last meeting.
Public participation was closed.
After a brief discussion, Mr. Blue proposed a motion, seconded by .Mr.
Hughes, to adopt Resolution No. 77-8, approving Tentative Parcel Map
No. 6862 subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit "A".
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Blue, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 29795 Mr. Weber discussed the concerns
Via Campesina of the Commission at the March 22
Applicant: N.E. Nordahl, etal meeting, as listed in the staff
report. He explained that in re-
sponse to these concerns, the revised plans call for the tennis court
to be shifted to the west, reducing the roadway incline from 20o to
about 17% by moving the entrance to the east onto an adjacent property,
lot realignment, and the elimination of the commonly -owned lot #7
which responds to the concern about maintaining horses within a common
area. Re an alternative access approach, staff prepared a preliminary
alternative which illustrates the road on the downslope side of the
site. Staff recommends discussion and continuation.
Mr. Nordahl said they have moved the tennis court considerably to the
end of the canyon.
Public participation was closed.
The Commission expressed the following concerns: a tennis court in the
canyon area is inappropriate, a 17% slope on a roadway is still quite
steep, lot #6 within a hazard zone, six lots being excessive because
of the topography, and improvement of Via Campesina.
Mr. Weber said there is enough
and that one of the conditions
Campesina. He said a building
slopes are 35% and over.
buildable area on lot #6 for a house,
would be for the improvement of Via
line could be established where the
Clark Leonard, Lanco Engineering, said they would eliminate the tennis
court.
The Commission discussed the proposed roadway and alternatives. Mr.
Rosenberg felt the roadway should not divide the lots because of
maintenance problems. Mr. McTaggart felt changing the roadway would
increase the grading. Mr. Hughes felt without direct access to Via
Campesina, there were no practical ways to bring a roadway in there,
but he also felt Mr. Rosenberg's concern was balid and that perhaps
there was another approach. Mr. Hughes suggested the possibility of
a parallel road to Via Campesina and direct access to the homes from
the parallel road.
Mr. McTaggart suggested a work session on this matter to discuss the
concerns and alternatives. Mr. Nordahl said that was agreeable to
him, but re a parallel road, he did not feel this was a better solution.
Mr. McTaggart requested that staff study the possibility of redesign-
ing the road, and said the Commission would discuss this further at its
grading work session.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Blue, and carried (with Mr.
Rosenberg dissenting), this item was continued until the grading work
session, which will be scheduled tonight.
RECESS At 9:05 p.m. a brief recess was
called. The meeting reconvened
at 9:13 p.m. with the same members
present.
P.C. Minutes -3- 4-12-77
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 16
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 32744
Porto Verde Apartments, Beach -
view & Nantasket Drives
Applicant: Porto Verde Assoc./
E. L. Pearson
solve certain issues or deny the
jo
Director Hightower said notice of
the continued hearing was posted
in the apartment complex as request-
ed by the Commission, and that in-
cluded in the agendas were four
letters which were received. Staff
recommends that the Commission re-
application based on the proper findings.
John Trethaway, representing the applicant, said re the plumbing issue
in the family section, they would deposit $200,000 instead of $10,000
into the association fund to be reserved for plumbing until such time
as all of the conversions are made. He did not feel the applicant
should be required to convert the plumbing at this time, because if the
condominiums do not work out, the applicant will have spent the money
before it was necessary. Re more parking, he said they can find no
way of putting parking on the Marineland side, but could use a section
of the recreational area for it. Re the top of the present parking
area, he said they could put potted landscaping and shuffleboard, etc.
Re the sound testing, he said if the Commission indicates approval,
they would immediately have the testing done. He said they have been
approached by 31 people who are interested in purchasing a unit if this
is approved.
Carlton W. Miller, 6568 Beachview #337, asked if all improvements
would be accomplished prior to sale of the condominiums.
Mr. Trethaway said the storage areas, parking spaces, balconies, and
recreational area would be completed prior to the sales program.
Jerry Knotten, #70 of the Porto Verde Apartments, asked if the roofs,
railings, and balconies will be tested to see if they conform with
the building codes.
Director Hightower said the building was constructed in 1969 and should
meet the code and that at this point the City did not know of any
structural deficiencies, but that if staff is made aware of them, they
could require they be corrected.
John Faherty, 6600 Beachview Drive #106, said the soundproofing was
currently very poor.
Mr. Folley said the plumbing was terrible.
Otis Tabler, 6568 Beachview #133, felt the owner of the apartments was
currently in violation of many codes and that the City Attorney should
review this. He felt there was a health hazard as there is consistent
flooding, the basement is full of filth, mildew, rodents and smaller
vermin and that there were currently no usable storage areas. He felt
there should be a specific plan for the recreational area and that the
description of existing private open space areas was misleading. He
said several of the units experience frequent flooding, his own was
flooded six times, and that although the proposal has merit, he did
not approve of the implementation.
Rick Sharon, 6600 Beachview, felt the building was not intended to be
used as a condominium, and that the idea was not feasible or practical.
Dave Hall said the problems brought up tonight should be looked into.
Elizabeth Faherty said she chooses to be a renter, but there were very
few rental units in the area.
Bill Burns, #113, said he has never had any trouble with the apartments
and that the management has always been very cooperative.
Walter Delmate, 6568 Beachview #403, said they were not informed of
the proposal prior to the notice being posted. He said there was
bacteria in the pool and that the parking area was always wet.
Mr. Trethaway said part of the conversion would be to refurbish and
correct some of the problems brought up tonight.
P.C. Minutes 0 -4- 10 4-12-77
Carol Davis, 6568 Beachview, asked if these would be general improve-
ments or based on the needs of the individual units. She also expressed
concern about noise.
Mr. Trethaway said primarily the improvements would be on a general
basis and that they would have to meet the standard noise test.
Gordon Bradley, said he agreed with most of what has been said and felt
the owners should take a personal interest in the problems discussed,
and that staff should take an interest to see that everything is done
in meeting City and County codes. He suggested the owners meet with
the individual renters and discuss the problems. He further said there
was a crack in the concrete of the parking structure and that he has a
crack in the ceiling of his apartment.
Mr. Trethaway said the Department of Real Estate prohibits them from
discussing the possible sale of the units with the renters at this time.
Mr: Tabler felt the responsibility for enforcement of the ordinances
is with the City and again stressed that the complex is now a health
hazard.
Stewart Belknap wondered what was the use of all the testimony tonight
if nothing was going to be corrected.
Public hearing was closed.
RECESS
At 10:25 p.m. a brief recess was
called. The meeting reconvened at
10:35 p.m. with the same members
present.
Mr. McTaggart said the applicant has requested to make one more statement.
Mr. Trethaway said the owner did listen and will consider the issues
raised tonight and will look into the problems.
Mr: Hughes said whether it was viable as a project depends a great
deal on the sound testing, and it was inconceivable to him that the
testing has still not been done. He felt the plumbing was a major
problem and that it should be taken care of now if they are interested
in the welfare of the potential buyers.
0
Mr. Rosenberg felt the owner should analyze the complaints of the tenants
and come back with a more definite plan. He felt if there were firm
legal commitments on the part of the applicant, perhaps they could re-
quire the work to be done prior to 50% of the units closing escrow.
Mr. McTaggart felt the number of people interested in purchasing the
units indicates they are interested in living there, but the complaints
make his concerns stronger.
Mr. Blue said he agreed with Mr. Rosenberg and would like to see an
analysis of the problems presented tonight and some solutions.
Mr. Trethaway again said it would be extremely difficult for them to
meet with the tenants because of the Department of Real Estate and
that there could be legal problems as a result. He suggested that
Staff discuss the issues instead.
The Commission felt something could be worked out, perhaps a question-
naire that the resident manager could distribute.
On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Blue, and carried, this
item was tabled.
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 7956
Lots 51-54 of Tract 21143
(Chandeleur Drive)
Applicants: V. & M. Jaksic
M. & S. Real
G. & K. Schepak
Mr. Weber explained the property
location, the zoning and minimum
lot size requirements, and said
many lots in the vicinity are
15,000 square feet which is a re-
flection of the County zoning. He
P.C. Minutes -5- 4-12-77
said the request was to subdivide the four existing lots into three
lots. Staff recommendation is for approval sub3ect to conditions.
As there were no speakers, public participation was closed.
After a brief discussion, Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded
by Mr. Hughes, to adopt Resolution No. 77-9 approving Tentative Parcel
Map No. 7956 subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit "A".
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Blue, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
GRADING APPLICATION NO.152 Mr. Weber said the request was for
7447 Via Lorado grading 2800 cubic yards of earth
Applicant: E. & B. Slauta for the construction of a single
family home and access, and that
the average overall slope of the lot was over 430. He discussed the
Code criteria, pointing out that Section 9667-E does not apply in this
case. He said the primary consideration is the overall steepness of
the lot and the amount of grading necessary to construct a residence
and access. Based on the Council's policy re development of lots of
record, staff feels that the concept is acceptable with certain modifi-
cations which staff would recommend tonight if the Commission concurs
with the overall concept.
In response to the Commission, Mr. weber explained the proposal of
access from William Hauf's existing driveway (with Mr. Hauf's permission)
which would greatly reduce the amount of grading. Staff also recommends
the use of retaining walls on the rear portion of the lot with a wall on
the uphill side of the house as a viable alternative. Another concern
is the ten -foot wide driveway, as the Director of Public Works and the
Fire Department both feel it is too narrow.
Eugene Slauta said he tried previously to make such arrangements for a
common driveway with Mr. Hauf, but that he was not agreeable at the time.
The Commission felt that perhaps Mr. Hauf would be of a different
opinion now since he has received approval for his grading application.
Dale Dunn, designer of the residence, discussed grading, and spoke in
favor of the application.
Mr. McTaggart explained that one of the concerns with the grading was
to maintain as natural an appearance as possible.
Charles Forbes, 7343 Via Lorado, immediately east of the subject
property, said he was opposed to the driveway approach and view obstruction.
He felt the location of the house could be in such a way as to not
obstruct the neighbors' views. He further said he would be willing to
prepare plans which would accomplish this.
Mr. McTaggart said he had inspected the wrong site and would like to
view the subject lot from some of the neighboring structures, and Mr.
Blue said he would like to see Mr. Forbe's plans.
Mr. Blue proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. McTaggart, to table this
item until the next regular meeting.
Mr. Rosenberg felt the Commission should consider the application
before them and either approve or deny it.
The other Commissioners felt the applicant should be given time to
look at alternate proposals, as the grading is excessive. Mr. Blue
pointed out that sometimes more grading will allow for a better overall
proposal.
Roll call vote on the above motion was as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
P.C. Minutes .
Blue, Hughes, McTaggart
Rosenberg
None
-6- 0 4-12-77
HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 45 Director Hightower explained that
5911 Clint Place application was received February 1
Applicant: D. & E. Schmidt to allow a 500 square foot second
story addition, and that staff re-
ceived the application and found it to be a marginal case. Two objections
were received. The application was denied based on two criteria, com-
patibility and the cumulative effect. The letter of appeal was received
March 16. Since that time the City Attorney has changed the interpre-
tation of the criteria.
Director Hightower indicated that staff had received a phone call
from a Mr. Luerkin on Grayslake in opposition to the request because
of the character of the area, the project would disrupt views, the
property tax rate would increase and the property values would decrease.
Elaine Schmidt stated the addition would not block anyone's view,
that there are already three two-story homes in the area, and explained
that they need the additional room.
Public participation was closed.
The Commission felt this would not be an impact on the neighborhood,
there were already two-story structures in the neighborhood, and that
they would have no trouble making the findings, particularly in view
of the City Attorney's letter of March 17, 1977.
Mr. Hughes proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Blue, to grant Height
Variation No. 45 based on the fact that the findings can be met and
in view of the City Attorney's interpretation, there is no impact on
the neighborhood, the views or the vistas of the neighborhood, and
this structure as proposed does not interfere with the neighborhood
vistas.
Roll Call vote was as follows:
AYES: Blue, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
COMMISSION REPORTS The Commission decided on May 5 for
the Grading Work Session. Director
Hightower reminded them that they
had continued Mr. Nordahl's application to that meeting. Mr. McTaggart
asked staff to contact Mr. Nordahl and explain the problem the Commis-
sion had in selecting the soonest possible date and that if he can come
up with some proposals by the next regular meeting, he can be on the
agenda.
Re the Antenna Ordinance, the Commission decided if they receive a
response from the City Council by May 5, they would discuss it at that
work session. If they do not receive a response, they would schedule
public hearing for June 9.
ADJOURNMENT
At 12:50 a.m., it was moved, seconded,
and carried, to adjourn to Thursday,
April 14, 1977, at 7:30 p.m.
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