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PC MINS 197705109 0 (3�)- M I N U T E S City of Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission Regular Adjourned Meeting May 10, 1977 The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairman McTaggart. PRESENT: Commissioners: Bacharach, Blue, Rosenberg, McTaggart ABSENT: Commissioners: Hughes Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower and Associate Planner Gary Weber. Mr. McTaggart announced that on agenda item VI.B., only the tentative tract map portion would be heard tonight, not the conditional use permit. MINUTES APPROVAL On motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded by Mr. Blue, and carried, the minutes of the meeting of April 21, 1977, were approved as submitted. On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach, and carried, the minutes of the meeting of April 26, 1977, were approved with the follow- ing amendments: page 3, paragraph 2, line 2, should read "...registered civil engineer..."; page 3, paragraph 9, line 1, should read, "The Com- mission felt..."; page 4, paragraph 3, line 6, should read "...legal counsel..." On motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, and carried, the minutes of the meeting of April 28, 1977, were approved as submitted. SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMIT NO. 1 Mrs. Bacharach announced that since 5235 Elkmont Drive this item was originally heard one Applicants: Mr. & Mrs. Boudreau year ago, she obtained and thoroughly reviewed all of the previous records and feels qualified to discuss and act on this item tonight. Mrs. Hightower explained that tentative approval had been granted on April 27, 1976, with conditions. She said two inspections were made without prior notice during the past year, conditions were found to be excellent, and no complaints have been received. In addition to final approval the applicants are requesting that the number of horses be in- creased to three. She said based on the Code standards for lot size and corral space, the property would allow the additional horse. Staff recommendation is for approval of Special Animal Permit No. 1 with a change in condition #4 to permit the keeping of three horses. Mr. Boudreau said the purpose of the third horse is for his daughter. Rex Davison, 5227 Elkmont Drive, and Robert Cartwright, 5288 Willow Wood Road, spoke in favor, saying that the corral area has been maintained W611. Peter Zanino, 5203 Elkmont Drive, said he was opposed because of his con- cern about flies and odors. He said over the past year there have been no problems. Public participation was closed. Mr. McTaggart pointed out that a complaint which is verified after staff investigation could be reason to revoke the permit. Mr. Davison said he was not opposed to the third horse if it was for family use and wondered if a condition could be placed on the permit stating that the horses are for personal use only. Mr. Boudreau said one of the horses he has now belongs to a friend and that with a condition like that, his friend would not be able to ride his own horse. He said he was not being paid to keep his friend's horse. Mr. Rosenberg read the section of the ordinance pertaining to the keeping of horses, and the Commission felt keeping a friend's horse was within the intent of the ordinance as long as he does not receive payment. The Commission further felt that the applicants have demonstrated that they can properly maintain the property; but suggested, because of the neigh- bor's concern, a little more effort in the area of fly control. Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Blue, to grant final approval of Special Animal Permit No. 1, changing condition #4 to reflect three permitted horses instead of two. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Bacharach, Blue, Rosenberg, McTaggart NOES: None ABSENT: Hughes GRADING APPLICATION NO. 171 Mr. Weber explained that the request Lot 85, Tract 25313 (Rhone Drive) was for the grading of 2,350 cubic Applicant: Paul Thompson yards (all cut) for the construction of a single family house, access and small rear patio. He said the access must be taken across a steep embankment. He gave the staff evaluation re Code criteria (A - E in the staff report) and the two concerns as listed in the staff report, both dealing with the height of retaining walls. Staff recommendation is for approval. Mr. Thompson's partner said the applicant was supposed to be here and must have been detained. As the Commission had questions of the applicant, Mr. McTaggart con- tinued the hearing to the end of the meeting if the applicant arrived. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 32991 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 23) Adjacent to intersection of Palos Verdes Drives South and East Applicant: Western America Dev. (Corp.(f6r-Palbs-V'L-rdes-Ptop.) Mr. McTaggart reminded the audience that Conditional Use Permit No. 23 would not be considered tonight be- cause proper public notice was not mailed to the property owners, and that discussion should be centered only on the tract map portion of the project. Mr. Weber described the project, location, zoning of the sub3ect property and surrounding areas, General Plan designation, and existing vegetation, noting that: the proposed 93 single family lots range in size from 14,400 to 120,150 square feet, the average lot being about 29,875 square feet; the topography ranges from 12% to an extreme of over 70%. He re- viewed the table in the staff report re major areas of concern with respect to the Development Code and said the main issue of concern was allowable density, and because of the differences between the proposed 93 dwelling units and the staff calculation of 88 developable acres, staff has initiated a re-evaluation of the entire site. He discussed two alternatives: basing allowable density on what is interpreted in the zoning and areas of 35%+ slopes, there should be 76 dwelling units; or using not only the extreme slopes but also where the geology report indi- cates the existence of an ancient land slide not suitable for development, there should be 57 dwelling units. Other areas of staff concern involve consistency with the performance criteria for natural and urban overlay control districts, but that because there is no grading plan, a final evaluation has not been completed. He said although no residential structures are proposed roposed for the ancient land slide area and, in fact, there is a buffer zone of about 50 feet, access is proposed to cross a portion of the ancient slide. He said minor grading is necessary for the roadway and special attention will be given to proper slope drainage. He said the County Engineer cannot recommend approval unless slope stability can be shown (as stated in the staff report) and that based on this, staff recommends that the Commission defer all action on the tenta- tive map until the County Engineer can recommend approval or the plan is P.C. MINUTES -2- 5/10/77 changed. He discussed the access and the concerns expressed about the deficient right-of-way, the deficient road width, the length of the cul- de-sacs, some of the intersection designs, and the design standards; said the grading appears to meet the intent of the Code; said he would reserve final comment re the visual effect until seeing the grading plan; and said since three potential archaeological sites were identified in the EIR, staff feels the Commission should consider the recommendations found in the -document. Staff recommends that the major issues be dis- cussed and the item be continued until the next possible regular meeting. Mr. McTaggart expressed concern about creating a roadway so steep and narrow, and liability to the City with ingress and egress over a known slide area. Ron McAlpin, South Bay Engineering, representing the applicant, displayed two drawings and discussed them. He said the utilities were out of the slide area, that they have tried to minimize the grading, and they intend to revise the lot lines slightly to accommodate the archaeological sites. He also said the only way to decrease the grade of the road would be to increase the length of it. Elaine Motz said her only interest is -in the elevations and at this point it was difficult to comment. Joe Gorman, Palos Verdes South Homeowners Association, expressed concern about elevations, particularly tree heights, antennas, and street lights. He asked about deed restrictions. Mr. McTaggart explained these were pertaining to the conditional use permit aspects. Tim Burrell, Seaview Residents Association, expressed concern about the access to lots 44, 45 and 46; improvements on Palos Verdes Drive East and South; streets C and D coming together across the slide area. He felt if there was instability in the roadway, any problems which arise should be borne by the homeowners rather than the City; he suggested a private street. He further expressed concern about the maintenance of the open areas and said he had concerns about limitations on heights, but would wait until discussion of the conditional use permit. On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Blue, and carried, the public hearing was continued. Mr. Rosenberg said that the County was not going to install sprinklers in parts of Friendship Park because of the instability; and that except for going to the schools, he felt all of the traffic would be turning left onto Palos Verdes Drive South. Mrs. Bacharach said if the City knows an area is unstable, it is against the General Plan to count that area in determining density, and wondered how anything but 57 units would be permitted. Mr. Rosenberg asked if the site consisted of one or more parcels, and Director Hightower said there was a difference of opinion as to whether this is one or more properties. Mike Kochan, assistant general manager, Palos Verdes Properties, said the difference of opinion is whether or not Palos Verdes Drive South divides the property. He said at this point the County Engineer is studying this, and that he would be getting a letter from him with'the— results of the study. Mr. Rosenberg explained that the reason he was asking was to find out if certain portions of this site were added from other parcels for open space purposes. Mr. McTaggart City Attorney closed. RECESS suggested that staff look into this. He requested the be asked for guidelines re liability. The discussion was At 9:23 p.m. a brief recess was called. The meeting reconvened at 9:29 with the same members present. P.C. MINUTES -3- 5/10/77 0 r GRADING APPLICATION NO. 171 Mr. McTaggart re -opened the public (continued from earlier) participation portion of this item. Paul Thompson, 334 East 220th Street, Carson, answered questions of the Commission and said there would be approximately 1300 yards graded for access. He reviewed the plans with the Commission. Public participation was closed. Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Blue, to approve Grading Application No. 171. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Bacharach, Blue, Rosenberg, McTaggart NOES: None ABSENT: Hughes STAFF REPORTS Director Hightower distributed to the Commission the agenda and addi- tional material required for the work session on May 19. COMMISSION REPORTS Mrs. Bacharach asked about the reso- lution on CC&Rs which was discussed at the last meeting. Director Hightower said the Commission did not need a formal resolution. She explained that the CC&Rs are currently sent to the City Attorney for his review. She said the conditions which the Commission stipulate are placed in the final CC&Rs and that staff checks to see that this is done, Mr. Rosenberg expressed concern about not knowing what was already in the document at the time of their review. Mr. McTaggart felt the Commis- sion would not have time to --read the documents. He said staff knows the Commission concerns and can point out where a document is lacking or if it contains something which is in conflict with the Code. Mr. Rosenberg said he was not so much concerned that the Commission re- view the CC&Rs, as that they be submitted. Director Hightower said this could be done administratively. It was the consensus of the Commission that the staff request prelimin- ary CC&Rs and review them prior to the Commission's review of tentative tract maps. ADJOURNMENT At 10:05 p.m. it was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn to Tuesday, May 17, 1977, at 7:30 p.m. P.C. MINUTES -4- 5/10/77