PC MINS 19770414M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Work Session
April 14, 1977
The meeting was called to order by Chairman McTaggert at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: McTaggert, Hughes, Rosenberg
ABSENT: Blue
LATE ARRIVAL: Blue (8:13 p.m.)
ALSO PRESENT: Director of Planning Hightower, Associate Planner
Davis, Interim Commissioner Bacharach
COASTAL SPECIFIC PLAN Staff distributed a memo proposing
an approach to the discussion in
order to reach some consensus on
the major issues: agriculture, residential density, clustering, and
trails and access points.
The Commission determined that there should be a policy of encouraging
agriculture but not designating it as a use except as discussed in
Sub -Region 3. In other sub -regions the City might encourage clustering
development to provide open space which could be leased for agricultural
use. The problem of pesticide contaminants to the marine environment
was also discussed.
Mr Blue arrived. (8:13 p.m.)
Commissioner Rosenberg stated that Palos Verdes Drive serves as a
strong physical barrier. Therefore, the Commission should not be
concerned with inland density patterns since the road serves to
separate the Coastal Region. Commissioner Hughes commented that the
California Coastal Act must agree since Palos Verdes Drive serves as
the boundary for the Coastal ComThission's jurisdiction.
The Commission decided to discuss each major sub -region separately.
Sub -Region 1: All agreed that a density of/ . 11 du/ac, was
appropriate. There was Aet- agreement a-9-te whe:k clustering
wai(A"-'appropriate. Commissioner Hughes suggested the possibility
of a road along the bluffs so that residences do not back up to
trails.
Joseph Barnett, Councilman, Palos Verdes Estates, was questioned
regarding problems with the public use of the buffs. He stated
they had no particular problems. Their attorney has always
cautioned against posting signs, erecting fences, or marking trails
to protect the City's liability. He will furnish data on where
their accidents have occurred.
P.,ECESS The meeting was recessed at 9:12 p.m.
It was reconvened at 9:18 p.m. with
the same members present.
2
Sub -Region The Commission decided it was not ready to discuss
this area yet.
Sub -Region 7: Commissioner Rosenberg suggested the possibility of
commercial recreational use between La Rotonda and 25th St. and
that any dense clustering might be done between Paseo del Mar and
Palos Verdes Drive South. The Commission was split on commercial
Minutes, Work Sion
page 2 April V 1977
recreational use. There was a consensus on clustering and
majority opinion on the use of intra region density transfer
as a method of preserving agriculture. Commissioner Hughes
questioned how much acreage was necessary for feasible dry --
farming. Two Commissioners felt this sub -region was no differ-
ent than Sub -Region 1 and should be 1 du/ac; one felt it might
be a combination of 1 du/ac and 2 du/ac, thereby averaging about
1.5 du/ac., and one felt it should be 1 dujac, in the northern
area and 1 du/3 ac. in major southern area. It was agreed that
trails and access should be similar to Sub -Region 1, perhaps
with a bluff road, in the western portion. The eastern portion's
marine environment is not as desirable and the land more unstable.
It was suggested that the staff might re -look at trails and
access relative to a bluff road.
Subregion 6: The problems of vacant land, instability, and the
leased portion were discussed. The possibility of using Residen-
tial Planned Development was suggested, still leaving the vacant land
open space. The Commission determined it would like to assist the
residents in the leased area but there appear to be severe problems
unless that portion can be proven stable.
It was determined that the hearing on the Antenna revisions cannot be
held June 9th due to conflicts with the use of the room. Staff will
suggest another date.
Staff was requested to send a press release on the continued hearing
on the Coastal Plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 p.m. to April 21, 1977.