PC MINS 19770804•
M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Special Adjourned Meeting
August 4, 1977
0 (/'7)
The meeting was called to order at 7:42 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairman McTaggart.
PRESENT: Bacharach, Hughes (late arrival), Rosenberg,
McTaggart
ABSENT: Blue
Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower and Assistant City
Attorney Mary Walker.
TREE TRIM ORDINANCE Mr. McTaggart explained procedure for
public hearings and said each speaker
would be limited to three minutes. He
added that there would be a recess at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Director Hightower gave the background, summarizing the purpose of the
ordinance, exemptions, criteria, complaint process, procedure of committee
hearing, findings of the committee, allocation of costs, and procedure for
appealing decisions to the Council.
Mr. Hughes arrived at 7:50 p.m.
The following speakers were asking for clarification on sections of the
proposed ordinance: Walter Marshall, 28817 Cedarbluff Drive; Dale Milburn,
3116 Deluna Drive; W. Taliaferro, 28211 Hazelridge; Golda Brooks, 4212
Exultant; John Feyk, 2727 San Ramon; Richard Turley, 30123 Via Rivera; and
Sheila Hoff.
The following speakers were generally in favor of the proposed ordinance:
Tim Burrell, 4038 Exultant Drive, speaking both for himself and as presi-
dent of the Seaview Residents Association; Arthur Vodak, 6 Bridle Lane;
John Feyk, 2727 San Ramon; Walter Marshall, 28817 Cedarbluff; Pat Hanlon,
3139 Dianora, member of Mira Catalina Homeowners Association; Anne Schneider,
4213 Admiral Drive; M. Rips, 4955 Browndeer; Florence Marshall, 28817
Cedarbluff; and Golda Brooks, 4212 Exultant Drive. Some of the comments
were as follows: the City should be as responsible as its citizens by con-
trolling the height of parkway trees; there should be flexibility for the
committee to require tree removal when necessary, as well as tree trimming;
25% obstruction of primary view was an excessive figure; the ordinance does
not address blockage of sunlight; and the committee should have some dis-
cretion re who pays the fees, as each case is different.
In response to some of the questions and comments, Attorney Walker said
the penalty could be spelled out in the ordinance that it is a day-to-day
violation. Re who pays the fees, she said the ordinance could be written
in such a way to allow committee discretion, but that there should be
some formula worked out. She said the section saying the Council could
continue the matter was intended to mean that they did not have to make a
decision in one meeting, and the wording could be changed to make that
more clear.
Mr. McTaggart said the Council has asked the Commission to review the ordi-
nance on parkway trees and bring the two ordinances together.
RECESS
At 8:55 p.m. a brief recess was called.
The meeting reconvened at 9:06 p.m.
with the same members present.
Further speakers who were generally in favor of the proposed ordinance were:
Lois La Rue, 3136 Barkentine; Jim Mayfield, 31143 Marne; Mr. Iverson, 4
Bridle Lane; Don Baer, 30420 La Vista Verde; Ann McNeeley, 5747 Wildbriar,
president of the Grandview Country Club Estates Homeowners Association;
and Margaret Finlay, 5541 Diversey Drive. Some of the comments were as
follows: a positive solution should be suggested in the ordinance, and
the aesthetics of trees should be addressed in the ordinance.
The following speakers had strong objections to the ordinance or specific
sections thereof: Bob Roza, 3102 Corinna; Bill McNeeley, 5747 Wildbriar;
Muriel Buick, 5535 Shoreview; Carmen Marinella, 6568 Eddinghill Drive;
and Stan Mucha, 5538 Littlebow Road. Some of their comments were: the
restriction that the person whose view is being obstructed will pay would
inhibit negotiations with the owner of the tree; and perhaps people won't
pursue having trees trimmed if the fee is too high.
Director Hightower said although the application fee has not yet been set,
if it is a flat fee, it would probably be in the range of $100.
Mr. McTaggart pointed out that there has been no similar ordinance in the
City to date and that this is a starting point and the Commission was
trying to be as fair as possible.
In response to some of the audience comments, Attorney Walker said the
ordinance would not just cover new trees. She also said the cities of
Belvedere and Tiberon have similar ordinances.
On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Hughes, and unanimously carried,
the public hearing was continued to September 15, 1977.
The Commission decided to hold a work session on this at the end of its
next regular meeting of August 9, 1977.
ADJOURNMENT At 9:55 p.m. it was moved, seconded,
and carried, to adjourn to Tuesday,
August 9, 1977, at 7:30 p.m.
P.C. °MINUTES -2- 8/4/77