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PC MINS 19770809M I N U T E S City of Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission Regular Adjourned Meeting August 9, 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, McTaggart ABSENT: Blue Also present were Director of Planning Sharon Hightower, Associate Plan- ner Gary Weber, 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 19, 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 26, 1977, were approved with the following amendment: page 1, paragraph 8, line 3, should read "....to enable Mrs. Bacharach and Mr. Rosenberg:..." CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 14 Director Hightower said the applicant Crest and Crenshaw requests an extension of the condi- Applicant: Great American Land & tional use permit and has also asked Development Company for an extension of the tentative tract map from the City Council. Staff recommends that the conditional use permit be extended for one year. William Schworer, president of Great American Land and Development Company, said because of the County's work overload, they cannot obtain complete approval before the conditional use permit expires. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, and unanimously car- ried, the Commission extended Conditional Use Permit No. 14 for a period of one year (until September 14, 1978). GRADING APPLICATIONS #106,107,108 3292, 3294, 3296 Via Campesina Applicant: Robert Hellweg (for Alex Horowitz & Smith Realty) further said he had a copy of the them. Mr. Turner said staff received the report from South Bay Engineering, but has no response as there was not sufficient time to review it. He said the engineers would present it to the Commission this evening. He plans if the Commission wished to review Russ McGuire, South Bay Engineering, explained that in the report they considered the project as it exists and considered the necessary steps for two alternatives, either as approved or with the modified road. He presented plans to the Commission and discussed construction of the upper slope, the roadway, the structures, and the middle slope. Bruce Lockwood, geologist, answered questions of the Commission and said there was no difference in geology with the placement of the homes. Robert Hellweg asked questions of Mr. McGuire for clarification of portions of the report. He explained that he did not receive a copy of the report until this morning. He said he wished to make the slopes look as natural as possible and discussed landscaping. He said he has submitted a plan to the neighbors. Mr. Mozerick, representing Mr. Horowitz, spoke in favor of the project and said they would be quality homes. 0 Ralph Allman, 3282 Via Campesina, said he would like the -Commission to consider the least impactive solution, as he and the other neighbors were concerned. Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to table this item until the applicant, in conjunction with the engineer, geologist, and his legal counsel, agrees upon a plan, the details of which have been worked out prior to the meeting. Director Hightower did not feel there was a clear indication of whether the Commission wished complete restoration or other alternatives. Mr. Hughes felt there should be some compromise attempting to reach a solution between total restoration and originally submitted landscape plan, and that the grading which has been done without undue hardship be restored. He said he would prefer some kind of "middle of the road" plan. Mr. McTaggart and Mrs. Bacharach concurred. Roll call vote on the above motion was as follows: AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart NOES: None ABSENT: Blue Mr. Rosenberg requested that this item not be placed on the agenda until staff has had the opportunity to adequately analyze the proposed plan. Mr. McTaggart so ordered. At 9:05 p.m. a brief recess was called. The meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m. with the same members present. VARIANCE NO. 18 Mr. Weber gave the staff report, ex - 4270 Dauntless Drive plaining the request, location, zoning, Applicant: Edwin Roth history of the project, and he reviewed the findings as they relate to the variance request. He said proper pub- lic notice has been given. Staff recommends denial since all of the find- ings cannot be made. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Roth said the structure was not a workshop but was a family room; the Seaview Residents Association does not represent all Seaview area resi- dents; the sloping conditions on the south and east sides of the property were created by the previous owner; and the original permits expired be- cause serious accidents and injuries prevented his continuance of the project. He said the shape of the lot was such that there were no square corners in the rear, that the structure was thirty (30) feet from the nearest structure, and he discussed the easement on the rear of the lot. Mr. McTaggart asked if the County records have been researched. Director Hightower said the code inspector had been working on this property for a year, and that the County previously allowed accessory buildings to en- croach into the setback. Speaking in favor of the project were: Mr. Pehler, 4257 Dauntless Drive; Mrs. Brown, 4262 Dauntless Drive; and Mrs. Pehler, 4257 Dauntless Drive. They said the structure would not obstruct views and would improve the area. Speaking in opposition to the project were: Jerald Simon, 4272 Stalwart Drive; Mr. Kennedy, 4256 Stalwart Drive; Clark Ashby, 4260 Stalwart Drive; Mr. Wulc, 4259 Stalwart Drive; and Tim Burrell, 4038 Exultant Drive, president of the Seaview Residents Association. They felt the property was an eyesore and objected to the number of cars on the property, the length of time the project has taken, the flies and rats on the property, the problems from the chickens on the property, decreasing the amount of space separating the neighbors, and felt that building to the property line was not in the best interest of the neighborhood. P.C. MINUTES -2- 8/9/77 During rebuttal, Mr. Roth said the trees will stay, there are no rats, the number of vehicles on the property is much lower than indicated -by the opposition, the project would be completed as quickly as possible, and the chickens are pets. On motion of Mr. Rosenberg, seconded by Mr. Hughes, and unanimously car- ried, the public hearing was closed. After Commission discussion, Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to deny Variance No. 18 because the finding of extraordinary circumstances cannot be made. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Bacharach, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart NOES: None ABSENT: Blue Mr. McTaggart advised the applicant that he may appeal this decision within ten (10) calendar days. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 26 Mr. Weber reviewed the request, stating 30850 Hawthorne Boulevard that the applicant was requesting Applicant: Peninsula Racquet Club amendment of conditions no. 9 and 12 of the original conditional use permit concerning the number of lighted courts and the hours of use. He said the proposed change would allow lighting of courts 1-6 and extend the court use hours to 10:00 p.m. The project con- siderations are visual character, noise, traffic, and community benefit. He said proper public notice has been given. Staff recommends denial since the project could result in conflicts with the General Plan and since it has not been shown that the community would significantly benefit. The public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor of the request were: Richard Morse, Dick Main, Adam Dorman, Eric Correros, all members of the club, and Mary Jane Schultz. There was also a large show of hands from others in favor. Those speaking felt the changes were necessary for the vast majority of people who could only utilize the courts in the evening after work and the increasing num- ber of youths who wished to join, only 10-12 residences would be visually affected, the lights are designed to minimize spillage, the club did not interfere with day-to-day routines of the residents in opposition, and the noise level from Hawthorne Boulevard is much higher than the noise level of the club. Speaking in opposition of the request were: Robert King, 30764 Via La Cresta; Al Guenther, 30714 Via La Cresta; Bill Meikle, 30846 Via La Cresta - Mr. Andres, 30756 Via La Cresta; and John Spitz, 30836 Via La Cresta. They objected to the additional glare from the lighting; although spillage was not a problem, the residents were looking down on the fixtures; the increase of noise; the visual distraction; inadequate landscaping; failure to turn off the lights on the courts not in use; and that the La Cresta Homeowners Association was in opposition. Mr. Guenther presented pictures to the Commission, and Mr. Meikle felt the club was a nuisance and discussed the re -occurring violations of the original conditional use permit. He re- viewed and submitted copies of the record he has kept since February of 1976 re use of the courts, and said from that date there has been an average of 75% use of the courts. In response to some of the comments, Mr. Morse said the club needed suffi- cient hours to allow rotation, that the trees have been planted as re- quried in the landscaping plan, and that a water system has been installed. Ron Sears, member of the club, offered clarification to some of the com- ments, stating that if the lights are turned off, they require twenty (20) minutes to cool off before they can be turned on again. He did not feel that the property owners in opposition necessarily represented the La Cresta Homeowners Association. He said the original developer was no longer a factor, as the club was owned by its members. On motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, and unanimously carried, the public hearing was closed. P.C. MINUTES -3- 8/9/77 Mrs. Bacharach felt that the effect of the additional lighting was not in keeping with the semi -rural area of the peninsula, but was in favor of extending the hours from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in order to facilitate the working members of the club. The other Commissioners also felt the lighting would adversely affect the area. In addition, they felt extending the hours would further impact the neighborhood. Mr. Rosenberg proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to deny Condi- tional Use Permit No. 26, which is an amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. 4, on the grounds of basic conflict with the provision of -the General Plan re semi -rural character and views. Mrs. Bacharach reiterated her.feelings as stated above, saying that the point about working members was a valid one, and she was in favor of ex- tending the hours, but not permitting the additional lights. Roll call vote on the above motion was as follows: AYES: Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart NOES: Bacharach ABSENT: Blue Mr. McTaggart advised the applicants that this decision may be appealed to the City Council within ten (10) calendar days. TREE TRIM ORDINANCE The Commission moved to postpone the work session on the Tree Trim Ordi- nance to September 8, 1977, after the Southwest Area Planning Council meeting which begins at 6:30 -p.m. and at which Director Hightower will be speaking. Mr. McTaggart so ordered. COMMISSION REPORTS Mrs. Bacharach asked about the Villa d'Vento Apartment signing. Director Hightower reported that a letter was received by the owner after the appeal period was over, and that a letter has been sent to the owenr to that effect. ADJOURNMENT At 12:01 a.m. it was moved, seconded, and carried, to adjourn to Tuesday, August 25, 1977, at 7:30 p.m. P.C. MINUTES -4- 8/9/77