PC MINS 198303220 6 (a3)
M I N U T E S
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Planning Commission
Regular Adjourned Meeting
March 22, 1983
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M. in the City Council Chambers,
30942 Hawthorne Boulevard, by Chairman Hinchliffe.
PRESENT: Hughes, McNulty, McTaggart, Hinchliffe
LATE ARRIVAL: Brown
ABSENT: None
Also present were Director of Planning Sharon W. Hightower, Associate
Planner Sandra Massa-Lavitt, and Assistant Planners Dino Putrino and
Jonathon Shepherd.
Mr. Hinchliffe announced that Item VIa, Conditional Use Permit No.
86/Variance No. 89, would be deferred, due to the applicant revising
his application. He noted that the public hearing would be continued
until April 26, 1983. He announced that this item will not be renoticed.
CONSENT CALENDAR By motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded
by Mr. McTaggart, and unanimously
carried, to postpone consideration of the Consent Calendar until end of
agenda for comments and corrections.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 33- Mr. Putrino stated that on March 8,
REVISION 1983, the Planning Commission tabled
Three Park Place, Lot 2, Tract this item for further information
32110 and staff research regarding
Applicant/Landowner: Steven and possible traffic visibility and
Phyllis Murphy conflict problems. The proposed
footprint is designed in relationship
to a proposed curb cut on Park Place (abandoning existing access from
Crenshaw Boulevard). The Development Code states that 42 inches is the
maximum height of a wall in the front and/or street -side setbacks of a
corner lot. Since the five-foot block wall would be perpendicular to the
driveway/curb cut, a traffic visibility problem may be created. The
property owner could construct a gate on the property line, across the
driveway of the proposed or approved curb cut, for the purposes of vehicular
driveway traffic control, without a permit. This gate, when closed, would
cause an ingressing vehicle to stop across the public right-of-way and
hang over into the roadway area, thereby interfering with the free flow of
traffic on the street. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission
review the previous minutes and determination of the five-foot block wall.
Staff also recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 33 (Revision)
with conditions contained in Exhibit A.
Mr. Putrino approached the map which indicated the location of the five-
foot wall.
Dr. Brown arrived at 7:42 P.M.
Steve Murphy, 24871 Luna Bonita Drive, Laguna Hills, landowner, stated
that he was proposing a seven -foot setback from the gate, the reason being
that there is 8-1/2 feet from the street surface to the property line.
Tim Burrell, 4038 Exultant Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that the
three issues of concern to him were traffic, sight distance, and potential
conflicts. He noted that during the peak hours, approximately 160 cars
come off of Crest. He said that he observed a 45 inch eye to eye sight
projection from the seat of his car.
Mr. Hughes asked what, if anything, would be done to alleviate the problem
of persons racing down Crenshaw Boulevard and onto Burrell Lane.
Mr. Burrell stated that they could use speed bumps; however, he noted that
strict enforcement of the speed limit would be the only viable alternative.
He indicated the location where the slumpstone wall would be constructed.
He said that the March 14, 1978 minutes indicated three basic concerns,
those being, noise, vandalism, and privacy. He assured the Commission
that both he and staff agreed that the plans are stamped approved. He
added that they do not need any more permits to build the wall.
Mr. McTaggart asked Mr. Burrell if the only change to Mr. Murphy's plans
was the setback of a future proposed gate to the property line.
Mr. Burrell replied in the affirmative, adding that there is also a
22 -foot parkway.
Ms. Hightower stated that staff was in agreement with Mr. Burrell's
comments: that he did have plans stamped and signed by a staff member.
She added that she was not aware of Planning Commission approval of a
five-foot wall entirely around particular lots and requested clarification.
By motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Mr. McNulty, and unanimously
carried, to close the public hearing.
Mr. McTaggart stated that he was aware of the proposed five-foot wall. He
did not feel that the setback to the gate was an unreasonable request.
By motion of Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. McNulty, and carried, to approve
Planning Commission Resolution 83-4, thereby approving the revision to
Conditional Use Permit 33 with Exhibit A, as amended. Approval is subject
to the Crenshaw curb cut being restored before the curb cut is placed on
Park Place. (Mr. McTaggart objected.)
Mr. Hughes noted that on several occasions the Commission asked for
detailed plans of the retaining wall, not fences. He recalled discussions
centered around fences, but he did not recall discussions concerning walls
along Crenshaw Boulevard.
Mr. Hinchliffe did not recall approving a solid block wall on Crenshaw
Boulevard.
Dr. Brown recommended that staff speak to the City Attorney before any
action is taken.
By motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Dr. Brown, and carried with Mr.
McTaggart objecting, to direct staff to review with the City Attorney the
discussions concerning the wall and fences at previous meetings, and bring
back a recommendation.
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 15475 By motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by
CUP NO. 84 Mr. McNulty, to adopt Planning
Applicant: Ray Mathys Commission Resolution 83-5, thereby
Landowner: Joe Anthony denying Tentative Parcel Map 15475
and Conditional Use Permit No. 84.
AYES: Hughes, McNulty, McTaggart
NOES: Brown, Hinchliffe
ABSENT: None
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 86
VARIANCE NO. 89
Silver Spur/Crenshaw Boulevard
Applicant/Landowner: Albert Levitt
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Mr. Hinchliffe opened the public
hearing and stated that this item
would be deferred to April 26, 1983.
He announced that there would be no
further notice.
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March 21, 1983
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Ed Hallock, 27922 Longhill Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, member of the
Peninsula Rim Homeowners Association, stated that Mr. Levitt also developed
Hillside Village, and he noted that that particular property is having
economic difficulty. He stated that the parking structure of the proposed
project will be in the Rancho Palos Verdes jurisdiction, and he urged the
Commission to take into consideration that this will have an adverse
effect on the community. His main concern was the economic viability of
the structure.
By motion of Mr. McTaggart, seconded by Dr. Brown, and unanimously carried,
the public hearing was continued to April 26.
GRADING APPLICATION
NO. 647
Mr. Shepherd gave staff report. He
2051 Elberon
stated
that the applicant was proposing
Applicant/Landowner.
George M.
a six-foot
high retaining wall to be
Thomas
placed
along the eastern property
line.
The Building Code will require
a 36 -inch guard rail
to be placed on
top of
the retaining wall for safety
reasons. This will
bring the total
height
of the retaining wall/guard
rail to 9-1/2 feet.
He stated that
should
the grading application be
approved, a Minor Exception
Permit would
be
necessary for the placement of
the safety rail.
George Thomas, 2051 Elberon, San Pedro, applicant, stated that his residence
now falls under the jurisdiction of Rancho Palos Verdes effective January
5, 1983. He stated that the six-foot retaining wall to be placed along
the easterly property line was approved by the County of Los Angeles, and
a permit was issued on April 17, 1981. However, the wall was never built,
due to lack of funds. Therefore, the permit has expired.
Mr. McTaggart asked the applicant when he reapplied for the permit.
Mr. Thomas replied that he reapplied in the latter part of January. He
noted that there are four other walls above six feet in height on Elberon.
Dr. Brown felt that the permit should be denied.
Mr. Hughes stated that the applicant had acted in good faith and had taken
the appropriate steps to secure the proper permits for his property;
therefore, the applicant should be allowed to complete the project. He
felt that the grading application should be approved and that the applicant
should consult with staff.
Mr. Hinchliffe and Mr. McNulty concurred with Mr'. Hughes.
By motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. McNulty, and carried with Dr.
Brown objecting, to approve Grading Application No. 647 and direct the
applicant to work with staff to obtain the necessary Minor Exception.
STAFF REPORTS Mr. McNulty wished to add something
Press Release to the effect that, ". . . it is
Second Units imperative that you attend this
meeting."
Mr. McNulty expressed a desire to use stronger wording in the press
release.
Mr. Hughes suggested adding to Paragraph 4, "It is important that you
attend because whatever kind of ordinance is adopted will affect every
single family residential property in the city."
Dr. Brown suggested adding to Paragraph 4, "This may be the public's only
chance to effect an ordinance that will affect every homeowner."
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -3-
March 21, 1983
Mr. McNulty recommended that the first sentence in the press release read,
"The Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes requests the
input from all interested single family residence homeowners in the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes on an issue that will greatly affect the future use
of all single family residential property in the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes."
The Commission unanimously accepted Mr. McNulty's proposed wording or
similar for the first sentence in the press release.
RECOMMENDED SCHEMATIC MASTER PLAN Ms. Hightower stated that this
PORTUGUESE BEND/LADERA LINDA item will be going before the City
Council on April 5, 1983. She
requested input from the Commissioners on their recommendations.
Dr. Brown accepted the recommendation, as proposed.
Mr. Hughes stated that he would prefer to have parking come off Forrestal,
as opposed to residential streets.
Mr. Hughes asked where there is access to the middle parking lot.
Ms. Hightower replied that there is an existing ramp parallel with Forrestal.
Mr. Hinchliffe commended the Parks and Recreation Committee.
CONSENT CALENDAR Mr. Hughes stated that Page 2,
paragraph 12 of the March 8, 1983,
minutes should read, "Mr. Hughes stated that, based on the applicant's
testimony, the California State Department of Housing. . ."
Mr. McTaggart stated that on Page 2, paragraph 7, line 2, his intention
was that if it had been a condominium.
By motion of Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. McNulty, and unanimously carried,
to approve the March 8, 1983, minutes with the two noted corrections.
ADJOURNMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
At 9:13 P.M., it was moved, seconded,
and carried, to adjourn to Tuesday,
April 5, 1983, at 7:30 P.M.
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March 21, 1983