PC MINS 19780314M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Regular Adjourned Meeting
March 14, 1978
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. in the Community Room, 30942
Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairman McTaggart.
PRESENT: Bacharach, Hinchliffe (late arrival), Hughes,
Rosenberg, McTaggart
ABSENT: None
Also present were Associate Planner Gary Weber and Assistant Planner Keith
Turner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES on motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded
by Mr. Hughes, and unanimously carried,
the minutes of the meeting of February
15, 1978, were approved as submitted.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Rosenberg, and unanimously carried;
the minutes of the meeting of February 28, 1978, were approved as submitted.
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 32110 Mr. Turner said he did not have the
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 33 opportunity to completely review the
Crenshaw Blvd. across from Seacrest letter which was submitted by the
Drive (upper Nike Site) applicant to staff and the Commission
Applicant: The Burrells this evening. He said the remaining
issues to be discussed are the suita-
bility of Residential Planned Develop-
ment (RPD) as a development proposal; view obstruction/visual analysis;
park compatibility; and fencing relative to common open space.
Mr. Hinchliffe arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Mr. Turner continued with his review of the staff report, noting that the
City Attorney indicated that the applicant cannot be forced to take a stan-
dard approach to subdivision unless there is some specific adverse issue
that cannot be mitigated. Staff recommended that the Commission accept the
RPD as a viable approach. He said the applicant responded to the Commission
concern re park compatibility. He discussed fencing and open space, as
proposed. He said the Public Works Director has indicated that the Traffic
Committee may not be the proper body to study the potential impacts on
Crenshaw, and suggested that the Commission's motion be changed to request
staff to study the matter. He said if the Commission approves the RPD con-
cept, grading and view obstruction/visual analysis were the two critical
issues to be dealt with next.
Tim Burrell discussed the open space hazard area, setbacks, and the fencing
plan for security purposes. He said for preservation of view corridors,
certain areas would not be fenced. He discussed park compatibility and
dedicating the street to the City for park purposes instead of an easement,
adding that a hammerhead turn -around would be necessary. He discussed,
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drainage, said there were acres o -f- - ppen space, and that -they wantt=o
preserve the option of this becoming a gd-ted community at a future date, if
desired. He said he has been discussing certain aspects of the proposal
with the Director of Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Turner said at this point he and the Park and Recreation Director have
not discussed redirecting the water, grading, etc.
It was the consensus of the Commission to formally request input from the
Park and Recreation Director, as they felt it was necessary to determine
whether or not this plan was viable with the park goals.
Mr. Burrell asked Maynard Law, Director of Park and Recreation (who was
attending a Council meeting in the next room), to -speak with the Commission.
Mr. McTaggart explained to Mr. Law the concerns of the Commission and said
they needed information on parking, the roadway, and any grading that will
take place.
Mr. Law discussed what was generally proposed in the way of park access
and said he would like to further review the grading proposal before giving
an opinion on it. He explained that the City was just beginning to initiate
design of the park, and felt that this roadway was the most feasible. He
said they wished to keep parking at a minimum, keeping the park more of a
neighborhood -type facility. He said he sees no conflicts between the park
and the proposed development.
The Commission directed that Mr. Law coordinate the input through Mr. Turner
to be presented to the Commission.
Woody Hays, Del Cerro Homeowners Association, asked questions about the
proposal concerning open space, fencing, the road, and parking.
Spencer Ballard said he would be opposed to lights on -tennis courts, if
any are proposed.
Cleve Stoskoph was concerned about the natural waterway located on Lot 8
and felt two-story houses were totally incompatible with the rest of the
area.
On motion of Mrs. Bacharach, seconded by Mr. Hinchliffe, and unanimously
carried, the public hearing was continued.
Mr. Burrell said there would be a waterway-running_across the rear of -the
portion of Lot 9, but not on Lot 8. He said nothing was proposed to be
built across the waterway.
Mr. Hughes felt the RPD allows more flexibility and that in lieu of the
City Attorney's response, he could find no problem with the concept and
felt they should proceed with this approach. He felt it was important to
do a visual analysis to determine placement of the homes. He said effort
had been made to respond to the concerns for park compatibility, that the
houses have been moved back from the property line. Re traffic, he said
he would like to see the Traffic Committee work with the Public Works
Director, that the Traffic Committee should review potential additional
traffic on Crenshaw at this site. Re fencing, he would like to see a
detailed plan, that he wished to know in detail what was proposed in
fencing and gated access.
Mrs. Bacharach concurred with Mr. Hughes.
Mr. Rosenberg said he had no problem with the RPD approach since the same
number of units would be allowed under a standard subdivision. He was
concerned about meeting the open space requirement and did not feel that
fenced private area could be considered common open space.
Mr. Hinchliffe concurred with Mr. Hughes and questioned the City's liability
of park security.
Mr. McTaggart felt the intent of the Open Space Ordinance was to provide
recreational facilities within a project and that since this development
is such a unique situation because of the park, those recreational needs
were taken care of.
In response to Commission questions, Mr. Turner said if swimming pools
were built a five-foot fence would be required. He pointed out that staff
was suggesting limiting fencing, not prohibiting it.
RECESS
At 9:28 p.m. a brief recess was called.
The meeting reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
with the same members present.
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Mr. Turner showed a plan indicating areas not greatly usable to the indi-
vidual property owners, areas where there should not be fences, and private
areas which could be computed as common open space.
Mrs. Bacharach said this development will be sitting near a park and will
probably be subject to vandalism as a result. She did not feel fencing
should be banned.
At the Commission's request, Pat Coughlan, City Attorney (who was attending
the Council meeting in the next room), answered questions of the Commission
re the Open Space requirement. He said if the request were approved it
would not legally be setting a precedent as each project must stand on its
own merits. He said the purpose of open space is to provide a feeling, of
spaciousness, view corridors, etc., whether it is fenced or not.
Mrs. Bacharach proposed a motion, seconded by Mr. Hughes, to give credit
for private areas as part of the 30o requirement for open space because of
the unique situation, i.e. the location of the subdivision being next to a
park and canyons, and that no limitation on fencing be required.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hinchliffe, Hughes, McTaggart
NOES: Rosenberg
ABSENT: None
Mr. Rosenberg stated that he could not support the motion without a limita-
tion on fencing.
Mr. McTaggart said the Commission would like a more detailed fencing plan,
and input from the Traffic Committee re location of access.
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The Commission requested a view analysis, and Mr. McTaggart expressed parti-
cular concern about the proposed two-story homes.
Mr. Hughes expressed concern about the ravine, and Mr. Burrell said the
property was owned by Palos Verdes Properties. He said the water will be
re-routed to prevent future erosion, but that the ravine would not be filled.
Mr. Hughes suggested that the Public Works Director take a look at that
particular area, as he felt the erosion was extensive.
Mr. Turner said he would explore that with the Public Works Director and
the County Engineer and report back to the Commission. He said he would
also review the grading and at the next meeting display drawings and make
specific recommendations.
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 8947 Mr. Turner reviewed the proposed divi-
Lot 2, Parcel Map 2703 (99 Vander- sion of a lot into two parcels, and
lip Drive, Portuguese Bend discussed the area and project descrip-
Landowner: Narvan Corporation tion, topography, and project considera-
tions. He said the County Engineer
has recommended denial of the project
for geologic hazard reasons (listed in the staff report), and the Health
Department recommends denial as there appears to be no practical means of
sewer installation (septic tanks not permitted). He discussed the three
alternative Commission actions, being: A) denial; B) tabling the item to
allow the applicant to attempt to mitigate any geologic concerns; and C)
approval subject to recording on the final map a restricted use area cover-
ing parcel #1, with conditions. He said in order to approve or deny the
project, the Commission must make certain findings. Staff recommended
alternative B) with a specific time frame.
Len Coates, representing the landowner, gave the background of the project,
explaining that the request is to divide the property and that the sale
will take place between the two brothers. He said no one was considering
development at this time and that there were no plans for the future.
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He said the approach of the Vanderlips in the past has been for the preser-
vation of the area, and that there were no environmental impacts.
John Tretheway, president of the Portuguese Bend Homeowners Association,
said the Association had no objections to this project, but that they would
be very interested in any development of the lower five -acre portion.
John Vanderlip spoke briefly to the Commission, asking for approval of the
parcel map as quickly as possible.
Public participation was closed.
After Commission discussion, -Mr. Hughes proposed a motion, seconded by
Mrs. Bacharach, to direct staff to prepare an appropriate resolution and
conditions, including the following concerns: any future development would
require sewers and favorable geology reports, that the developer -sign a
slide waiver; and that any future development on Lot #1 be required to be
members of the Portuguese Bend Homeowners Association.
Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Bacharach, Hinchliffe, Hughes, Rosenberg, McTaggart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
COMMISSION REPORTS Mr. Weber commented on a bill pro-
viding for local agencies to establish
two Planning Commissions. He said
when he receives a copy of the bill he will confer with the City Attorney
and report back to the Commission.
Mrs. Bacharach said she would not be present at the first meeting in April.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:59 p.m. it was moved, seconded,
and carried, to adjourn to Tuesday,
March 28, 1978.
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