PC MINS 19770726099
M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Regular Adjourned Meeting
July 26, 1977
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairman McTaggart.
PRESENT: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg (late arrival), McTaggart
ABSENT: Blue
Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower, Associate Planner
Larry Davis, and Assistant Planner Keith Turner.
MINUTES APPROVAL On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by
Mrs. Bacharach, and unanimously car-
ried, the minutes of the meeting of
July 7, 1977, were approved as submitted.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach, and unanimously car-
ried, the minutes of the meeting of July 12, 1977, were approved as amended:
page 4, paragraph 11, should read, "...spoke with Mrs. Ashby and Mrs. Heck-
man, and..."
VARIANCE NO. 5 Director Hightower explained that the
7449 Via Lorado applicant was requesting a six-month
Applicant: William Hauf extension, but that the Code only
allows for a ninety -day extension.
Staff recommends that a ninety -day
extension be granted to Variance No. -5.
William Hauf said the plans were submitted to the County immediately fol-
lowing the variance approval six months ago, but are still being processed
by the County.
On motion -of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach, and unanimously car-
ried, the Commission granted a ninety -day extension to Variance No. 5.
HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 56 APPEAL Mr. McTaggart explained that this item
4272 Stalwart Drive had been continued at the last meetingfdle�j -
Applicant: Dr. & Mrs. Simon to enable Mrs. Bacharach and Mr. 41tighes
Appellant: Mr. & Mrs. Heckman to review letters from the City Attor-
ney interpreting the application of
the height variation criteria.
Mrs. Ashby, one of the neighbors who had signed the petition, spoke to the
Commission.
Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, and unanimously
carried, to deny the appeal. The Commission expressed the following: that
although they disagreed with the wording of the Code, the City Attorney has
instructed that the criteria only applies to views, not privacy, and the
Commission is unable to find any view obstruction. Mrs. Bacharach suggested
that the Code be changed to include privacy in the criteria for height varia-
tion determination.
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2 Director Hightower said the public
Lots 1,2,3,16,17 of Tract 28750 hearing was continued from the last
Peacockridge & Highridge Roads meeting. She said staff had no addi-
tional information and that the pre-
vious staff recommendation was to
change the density from 2-4 dwelling units per acre to 6-12 dwelling units
per acre.
Vincent Carroll, said lots 1 and 2 were purchased in 1968, and answered
questions of the Commission.
Ebbe Videriksen showed drawings of the proposal for lots 1 and 2, and
explained it was a two-story townhouse development and approximately 50%
of the property would be landscaped.
Ken de Graaf, 28304 Lunada Ridge Drive, spoke in opposition to the change,
and distributed to the Commission copies of a report he prepared re finan-
cial potential of developing the land as single residential planned develop-
ment.
Also speaking in opposition were Joseph Bentley, 6009 Scotmist; Patricia
Reed, Via Seville, Rolling Hills Estates; Ann Sullivan, 6005 Scotmist;
Harvey Brown, president of the Mesa Homeowners Association; and Jackie de
Graaf, 28304 Lunada Ridge Drive.
Mr. Carroll and Mr. Videriksen responded to some of the concerns raised by
the above speakers.
On motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded by Mr. Hughes,,tfi6_public hearing
was -closed.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: Blue, Rosenberg
After discussion, Mr. Hughes proposed a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach,
that General Plan Amendment No. 2 be forwarded to the City Council with the
recommendation that the General Plan be amended from 2-4 dwelling units per
acre to 4-6 dwelling units per acre and an appropriate zone change subse-
quently be considered.
Mr. McTaggart suggested adding to the motion that this area also be super-
imposed with a height limitation more severe than the Zoning Code.
Director Hightower did not feel this was appropriate for the General Plan
amendment, and the other Commissioners felt that there were adequate con-
trols existing.
Mr. McTaggart withdrew the suggestion.
Roll call vote on the above motion was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: Blue, Rosenberg
GRADING APPLICATIONS #106,107,108 Mr. Turner reviewed the background of
3292, 3294, 3296 Via Campesina the project and indicated on the plans
Applicant: Robert Hellweg (for the areas of illegal grading. He dis-
Alex Horowitz & Smith Realty Co.) cussed the proposed revisions, the
findings from application of the evalua-
tion criteria, and the concerns, point-
ing out that the over-riding concern for the end result of the project is
that it be as natural appearing as is feasible. He added that he learned
today that grading encroachment occurred on the property of Mr. Voce and
Mr. York, as well as Mr. Nordahl. He said there were four areas of illegal
grading and showed the Commission an overlay which he prepared showing what
was approved and what was done and/or proposed. Staff recommends either
1) tabling the item until the applicant has adequately responded to the con-
cerns, subject to a condition for immediate ground cover, or 2) approving
the revisions sub]ect to conditions, as listed in the staff report.
Mr. Rosenberg arrived at 8:55 p.m.
Robert Hellweg explained that the finalized geology report was received
during the grading process which indicated poor soil conditions and dic-
tated the need for plan revision.
The Commission was concerned that the applicant made these revisions with-
out proper approval.
P.C. MINUTES -2- 7/26/77
Alex Horowitz, 3292 Via Campesina, spoke of the difficulty in developing
the roadway.
Ron McAlpin, South Bay Engineering, indicated on the -plans -what problems
they came across. He also discussed the problems -of restoration at this
point. He discussed the retaining wall and proposed landscaping.
Mr. Hellweg pointed out that the relationship was the same as that approved
but the location was different because of the road being moved higher.
Mr. Kan, 26102 Basswood, expressed concerns and said he would like more time
to review the impacts of the proposal.
Mr. Voce spoke in opposition to the revisions and to the encroachment on
his property.
Norm Nordahl said he was not opposed, but wished to protect his property.
He expressed concern about the grading and drainage and felt the problem
could be rectified.
Mr. Hughes noted that Richard Gawne was doing the landscaping and said he
had hired this individual to do some landscaping for him. He did not feel
there was a conflict, but wished to bring this out.
Mr. McTaggart said he did not see any conflict since the,Director of Plan-
ning approves the landscaping plan.
Mr. Turner suggested that the homeowners on Basswood be notified to enable
them to review and comment on the proposal, since they may be affected.
Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to table this
item and request a detailed report from the engineer on what would be re-
quired to restore the property to what was originally approved, what is
the impact in relationship to the adjacent property owners, and what alter-
natives are there in erosion control.
Roll call vote was as follows:
RECESS
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: Blue
At 10:25 p.m. a brief recess was called.
The meeting reconvened at 10:35 p.m.
with the same members present.
SIGN PERMIT NO. 16 APPEAL Director Hightower explained that the
5711 Ravenspur Drive owner was notified on October 27, 1976,
Owner: J. M. Torres of the nonconforming signs and the re -
Manager: P. J. Bellisario quirement to conform with the Code
within 180 days, and that the appli-
ant was appealing two existing signs
on the property which exceed Code standards of five feet in height. She
also said since the signs are for identification, not advertising, some of
the copy should be removed. Staff recommends that the appeal be denied,
and the applicant be required to meet the five foot height limitation for
such signs.
After discussion, Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes,
and unanimously carried, to deny the appeal of non -conforming signs at
5711 Ravenspur Drive.
CAPITAL FACILITIES PROGRAM Director Hightower said the Commission,
Review and Report on Proposed having reviewed the list, was to deter -
Public Works for 1977-78 mine whether or not the projects con-
form with the General Plan. She an-
swered questions of the Commission
concerning some of the proposed City projects.
P.C. MINUTES -3- 7/26/77
Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to approve the
report on the proposed public works for 1977-78 and verify that it con-
forms with the General Plan.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: Blue
ANTENNA AMENDMENT Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion,
seconded by Mr. McTaggart, that Sec-
tions 9614 B. 1., 2.a.(1), 3., 7.j,
and 9. be changed to reflect a maximum array size of fourteen square feet
instead of sixteen square feet.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: Hughes
ABSENT: Blue
Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach, to change
Section 9614 B. 2.e. to read "...and shall be removed if the applicant is
not residing on the property for a period of ninety days." After discus-
sion, the motion and second were withdrawn.
Mr. Rosenberg moved that Section 9614 B. 2.e. be stricken from the amend-
ment. This motion died for lack of a second.
Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, to change
Section 9614 B. 2.e. to read "The Antenna Permit shall be valid only for
the applicant while he lives on the property listed on the application and
shall be void if the applicant does not reside on the property for more
than three months."
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg
NOES: McTaggart
ABSENT: Blue
Mr. Rosenberg moved to change Section 9614 B. 1. to reflect one antenna
structure rather than two. This motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Rosenberg moved to change Section 9614 B. 2. to require a conditional
use permit. This motion died for lack of a second.
There was a consensus among the Commissioners to change Section 9614 B. 1.
by deleting the words "pursuant to Section 9111 and 9121".
Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. McTaggart to adopt Reso-
lution No. 16 (P.C.) and attached Exhibit "A", as amended.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES:
Bacharach, McTaggart
NOES:
Rosenberg
Hughes
ABSENT: SENT:
Blue
Mrs. Bacharach volunteered to appear before the City Council and express
the differences of opinion among the Commissioners.
COASTAL
SPECIFIC PLAN
The Commission reached a consensus to
make the
following changes to the Re-
visions
to Policies: Socio/Cultural
Element,
#1, last line,
"...position
Activity Areas, #2, line
two, "...which
will netvv.";
Commercial, #4,
add "...is viable in the
eastern
portion of the
coastal region....
P.C. MINUTES -4- 7/26/77
The Commission reached a consensus to make the following changes to the
Revisions to Text: under Page U-12, right column, second paragraph, line
two, "...units than..."; Page U-13, right column, second paragraph, line
three, should read "...the coastal. ...........and integrated specialty
store. For this...";
Page S2-12, left column, second paragraph, remove "...1)..........2).
The Commission reached a consensus to make the following change to General
Plan Amendments: #2, 3, 4, 8, and 9, should read "...are revised...", not
"...is revised..."
RECESS
At 11:47 p.m. a brief recess was called.
The meeting reconvened at 11:57 p.m.
with the same members present.
Mr. Hughes showed video tape of the coastline taken from the boat trip and
from a plane.
Director Hightower said the City Council has tentatively set the date of
August 8 for review of the- Plan.
Mr. Hughes proposed a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bacharach, to adopt Resolu-
tion No. 77-17 (P.C.) and attached Exhibit "A" and Exhibit "B", as amended
this evening.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: Blue
COMMISSION REPORTS Mrs. Bacharach suggested a press re-
lease for the tree trimming public
hearing. Staff agreed to contact the
Palos Verdes Peninsula News re this.
Mrs. Bacharach asked to change the first meeting of September to another
date, as September 13 is a religious holiday. The meeting was changed to
Thursday, September 15.
OTHER ITEMS Director Hightower related to the
Commission her discussion with S & S
Construction re their future proposal
within Subregion 3. She said they were under the impression that the Com-
mission wished them to come back with alternatives.
It was the consensus that the Commission had told S & S Construction that
when they come before the Commission with their application, the Commission
would like to see other alternatives as well.
ADJOURNMENT
At 12:35 a.m. it was moved, seconded,
and unanimously carried, to adjourn
the meeting to Thursday, August 4,
1977, at 7:34 p.m.
P.C. MINUTES -5- 7/26/77