PC MINS 19840911MINUTES
Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission
Adjourned Regular Meeting
September 11, 1984
7:30 p.m.
ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON It was moved by Mr. Von Hagen,
seconded by Mrs. Wike to
elect Ms. Ortolano temporary
Chairperson.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Ortolano
at the Hesse Park Community Building at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PRESENT: ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE
ABSENT: BROWN, MCNULTY
Also present were Associate Planner Steve Rubin and Secretary Ann Brenesell.
COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of August 17 & 28, 1984
A letter of withdrawal of Grading
No. 742 - Appeal from Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Iacona was submitted.
It was moved, seconded and passed
to approve the minutes of August 17
and August 28, 1984 as submitted.
VARIANCE NO. 108
29722 Grandpoint
Beattie Associate Planner Steve Rubin
presented a brief staff report.
He mentioned the reason for the
request was to attach a bi-level deck to an existing house which already exceeds
the 30 foot height maximum by five feet and discussed its practicality.
The conceptual drawing submitted by the applicant received discussion.
Points of further discussion related to the non -conformity of the building,
findings not made by staff, and viable alternatives to comply with the Code.
Staff recommended adopting Resolution P.C. 84- denying the
application for Variance No. 108.
Issues raised by the Commission to staff related to the amount of grading,
placement of footings, separation of decks with no physical connection between
the deck and the house in order to meet accessory structure code
requirements and the interpretation of the code relative to measurement of
separation and its technicalities.
A brief question and answer period ensued.
Mr. Frank Politeo, architect, 809 So. Gaffey, San Pedro, noted his feelings
as follows: the height does not change the roofline. He thought the matter
being discussed was a gray area of the Code and asked the Commission for its
approval. The deck is to be self supporting and follows the configuration of
the lot.
Minutes
September 12, 1984
Page Two
Mr. Von Hagen asked how much grading would be done.
Mr. Politeo said 0 to 3 feet of fill in
I - -� maxium, —_and itwillbe done according
to.-thq��411 Code.
Mr. Richard L. Beattie, 29722 Grandpoint, landowner said the deck could be
separated by one inch but thpt it seemed ridiculous. He would comply if that
was necessary. at4V-A4 &.0ce-,
Mrs. Wike inquired about the project next door.
)K,
OW -cr
Mr. Beattie said it was -dere
Mr. Von Hagen moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Mrs. Wike and
passed.
Commission's rationale was as follows:
Mrs. Wike felt the house was already out of code and thait the separation seemed
foolish. She thought the findings could consider extraordinary and exceptional
circumstances and the necessity for preservation of property rights.
She was opposed to denying the use of the property because it was not detrimental
to the public health and welfare.
Mr. Von Hagen believed t - he matter -was a qrav area and_thedecision a-subjqctiye one;--
therefore, he was not willfing tohandicapthe applicant due to some technicality.
Mrs. Ortolano was in favor of granting the Variance also.
Mr. Rubin requested stronger language to substantiate the findings in the
resolution.
Mrs. Wike thought Finding #2 was necessary for the enjoyment of the property and
that the separation could become a potential hazard.
Mr. Von Hagen suggested minimal impact on the subject property with the proposed
location. He thought Finding #2 was a clear situation of form over substance.
Mrs. Ortolano asked staff whether his recommendation related to the "spirit
of the Code" or the Letter of the Code. Her recommendation for language of
Finding #2 was to read: The deck is necessary for the enjoyment of substantial
property right in that it is a sloping lot.
A motion was made by Mr. Von Hagen,- seconded by Mrs. Wike, and passed to
approve Variance No. 108.
As a matter of record, Mrs. Ortolano mentioned this issue is appealable to
the City Council within 15 days.
Staff was requested to bring back a resolution Af-aWrova],--Atj-he.next meeting.
2
+1 t
Minutes
September 11, 1984
Page Three
Staff Mr. Rubin stated that Assistant
Planner Phyllis Parker is presently
researching the construction on the
slope policy. He said that a miscellaneous code amendment is being prepared
to deal with various inconsistencies and other problem areas in the Development
Code. A work session is scheduled for early November and matters of concern
will be the slope policy, interpretation of the Code, solar panel construction,
defining terms of acceptablity, as well as other assorted issues.
Commission
violations and felt there is no question of
I I .
Mr. Von Hagen reported on the
tour of Eastview on September 8,
1984 and he pointed out code
the enforcement needed.
Mr. Von Hagen moved for
adjournment at 8:25 p.m.;
seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed.
3