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PC MINS 19850423MINUTES APRIL 23, 1985 PLANNING COMMISSION The meeting as called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Hesse Park Community Building at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard PRESENT: MCNULTY, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE Also present were the Director of Environmental Services Sharon W. Hightower, Senior Planner Ann Negendank, Associate Planners Alice Angus and Steve Rubin and Secretary Ann Brenesell WORK SESSION Code Amendment #20 made the following recommendations: Construction on Slopes Senior Planner Ann Negendank presented a brief staff report and the Commission. (1) Add the words, "visual impact" to the Findings and Conditions under Section 17 57.060.2. (2) Delete pool equipment from Section 17 57.020 D entitled Scope. (3) Change the language in the Findings and Conditions under Section 17.57.060.5 to correspond more closely with the language under the Conditional Use Permit Findi.ngs and Conditions, Section 17.56.060.A.5 (4) Staff was instructed to report back on satellite dishes. Family Dar Care Staff was asked to review the proposed changes made by the Planning Commission at the March 26, 1985 meeting and to report back on any information that was specifically requested at that time The Work Session adjourned at 7.40 p.m. and the Regular Meeting convened with all present except Senior Planner Ann Negendank and Associate Planner Alice Angus. COMMUNICATIONS none CONSENT CALENDAR Items A & D were removed from the Consent Calendar for further review and discussion. On a unanimous vote, Resolution P.C. NO. 85-7, Tentative Parcel Map 16778 was approved and seconded. It was moved, seconded and passed on a 3-1 vote (Mrs. Wike dissenting) to approve Resolution P.C. No. 85-6, CUP 96/Variance 116/ EA 461 with the following change made to Condition #5 of Exhibit 'A' : Minutes April 23, 1985 Page Two The Church facilities shall be operated in such a manner so as to avoid a use which would exceed the 359 parking spaces on site. An agreement to this effect shall be recorded by the applicant prior to issuance of building permits. Should demand for parking spaces exceed the approved capacity, the Church shall utilize attendant parking (using tandem parking) to increase parking capacity. Should parking situations arise which exceed on site capacity which threaten the public health, safety and welfare, the City may bring this C.U.P/. Variance application back for re -review to determine appropriate corrective measures. OLD BUSINESS Variance #115/Coastal Permit #11 4161 Maritime - O'Brien of Variance #115/Coastal Permit #11, L" - Associate Associate Planner Steve Rubin presented the staff report which recommended approval subject to Conditions in Exhibit 'A' Mrs. Ortolano stated for the record that she was not present at the February 26, lQR5 meeting when the application was originally discussed but that shenlistened to the tape. She asked the applicant if he had any objections to her participation at this meeting. Chairman McNulty reopened the public hearing. Michael O'Brien, 4161 Maritime, applicant, said he had no objection to Mrs. Ortolano's participation in the continued hearing. He stated he would be willing to reduce the deck by 3 feet but that he preferred to reduce it by only 1, feet because of aesthetics. With no else to speak, Mr. Von Hagen moved to close the public hearing, seconded and passed unanimously. Commission concern addressed both the illegal construction of the deck and the encroachment of the deck into the private road easement. Also discussed was the issue of aesthetics and conformance to the already established neighborhood standards. Several alternatives for modification were considered: reduction by 12', reduction by 2' or reduction by 1' as well as a consideration to approve the deck as built. It was moved, and seconded to adopt Resolution P.C. 85-8 approving Variance #115/Coastal Permit #11 subject to conditions that 1' of the cantilevered portion be cut off and that landscaping around the deck be subject to approval by the Director of Environmental Services. On a Roll Call Vote, the motion failed. Yeses: Ortolano McNulty Noes: Von Hagen Mike Minutes April 23, 1985 Page Three The motion was restated and seconded to include a 12' reduction of the deck and failed on a 2 to 2 roll call vote. Yeses: Ortolano Wi ke Noes: Von Hagen McNulty Mr. Von Hagen moved to approve the deck as built with landscaping to be approved by the Director of Environmental Services; seconded and passed on a 3:1 vote with Mrs. Wike dissenting. Chairman McNulty stated the decision was appealable to the City Council within 15 days . SIGN PERMIT #241 -APPEAL World Savings Building Silver Spur Road approval. He recommended denial of Sign staff's decision. Associate Planner Steve Rubin presented the staff report and included a brief history of the World Savings Bank sign Permit #241 -appeal, upholding Commission concerns centered on the potential for sign clutter, identification versus advertising, and methodology for handling signage. John Cameron, 27580 Silver Spur, applicant, stated the purpose of the sign application was for identification purposes. He said his clients are presently unable to find the location, and the sign would be a helpful tool in identifying the place of business. He said that the World Savings Bank has no objection to the sign. He also presented photographs for Commission review of other businesses with identification signs in place. Based on the rationale that the building is clearly marked and that the "World Savings Bank Building" is sufficient identification means to direct clientele to a place of business , Mrs. Ortolano moved to deny Sign Permit #241 -Appeal; seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. Chairman McNulty stated the decision is appealable to City Council within 15 days of the decision. GRADING #793 -APPEAL The staff report was presented 4616 Beauvais - Chenoweth by Associate Planner Steve Rubin. He gave a history of the project and a chronology of events. He recommended denial of Grading #793 -Appeal since the wail as built does not conform to Code. A brief question and answer period ensued regarding the chronology of events leading to staff approval, how the contractor could now backfill against the wall on the Wasson side, who in the contractor's office insured compliance with City standards, and whether there was a supervisor on the job site. The structural integrity of the wall was also questioned. Minutes . April 23, 1985 Page Four The Commission asked staff to re-evaluate the procedures used between the City geologist and staff to communicate a significant change in geology in order to avoid future problems. Staff said, in this instance, the Building staff neglected to advise the Planning staff of the change before the wall was completed, but did bring the problem to staff's attention later. When asked whether the contractor was aware of the problem, staff replied, yes. Nick McCallum, 2215 N. Gaffey Street, representing Gaudenti & Sons, Inc., gave a brief history, as he understood it, of the project i.e., approvals, construction He stated that Gary Wynn inspected all the footings and had full knowledge of the depth. He also said Gary Wynn told them they could bury the 4' to achieve the 3.5' limitation. He presented the building permit for review, signed off by Inspector Wynn, and explained that Mr. Wynn approved the 1st and 2nd lifts of grout which, in his opinion, meant that Building and Safety had full knowledge of the wall height. In answer to Commission questions, he stated Mr. Bob Gaudenti, the owner of Gaudenti & Sons, Inc., had responsibility of insuring compliance with the City standards and that there was not a full time superintendent assigned to the job. He also stated that the contractor made an agreement with Mr. Wasson, the neighbor, to stucco & landscape the wall on his side. Mr. Elmer Wasson, 4612 Beauvais Road, stated his property originally was 8 feet higher than the Chenoweth property and that the Chenoweth grade was raised. He said he made an agreement with the Contractor to replace steps that would provide access to the lower portion of his property in exchange for leaving the wall as it was constructed. However, he had not made an agreement for the landscaping. He said he still supported leaving the wall as built but asked for the pool equipment to be screened completely as an alternative solution. He thought the wall was stable and that removal of the wall would be a monumental task and would serve no purpose. He said approval of the alternative would be less of an impact. When asked if he would like the steps replaced, Mr. Wasson replied, yes. Discussion ensued among the Commission members regarding alternatives and conditions. Mr. Yon Hagen moved and seconded by Mr. McNulty to approve Grading #793 - Appeal with the following conditions: (1) adequate screening be placed to protect the Wasson family from visual impact of the pool equipment (2) balance of the wall to be stuccoed on Wasson side (3) vegetation, approved by Director of Environmental Services, be planted to soften the impact of the wall from the Wasson property (4) replace access to provide similar access to lower portion of Wasson yard Minutes April 23, 1985 0 Page Five Chairman McNulty called a brief recess at 9:45 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 10:00 p.m. GRADING #802- Miscellaneous Hearing Associate Planner Steve Rubin Albert Levitt - 900 Silver Spur presented the staff report and gave a history of the project. He stated that Rolling Hills Estates had requested the applicant to obtain approval from Rancho Palos Verdes for the access road at the intersection of Silver Spur Road and Deep Valley. Mr. Rubin explained the applicant's proposal and concluded that, in staff's opinion, either of the 2 alternatives of crib -block or concrete block would meet the intent of the Development Code. He further recommended approval of Grading #802 subject to three conditions as stated in the staff report of 4/23/85. These conditions related to detailed geotechnical investigation, landscape and irrigation plans for the proposed retaining wall and open culvert of earth toned concrete/gunite. Discussion ensued regarding dimensions of the access road in Rancho Palos Verdes, whether the access road could be moved further away from Silver Spur, landscaping, the permanency of the road, exportation of dirt, installation of signalization and the City's protection against liability. Albert Levitt, 2105 Roseta Place, PVE, owner/developer, presented drawings of the Rolling Hills Estates project and stated the proposed access road would be 150' long, 15' setback at the closest point with 3'-5' cut and fill, except along apex of the wall. He stated the road would be constructed away from the fault with no foundation in the fault, and explained that his understanding is that it is a soils problem and not a geology concern. He estimated the cost of the driveway and wall to be approxi- mately $30,000. He gave a schedule of events and asked for Planning Commission approval for the road and stated it was at his risk that he could then obtain City geologist approval. Mark Kirkgard, 1944 Cotner Avenue, geologist, represented Lockwood, Singh & Associates and supported the applicant's request. He stated, in his opinion, based on tests, there was no problem with geology. Jon Von Wagoner, 27948 Beechgate Drive, represented the Peninsula Rim Homeowners Association and stated his prime concern was geology. Another concern raised was how the driveway would enter the subterranean garage in Rolling Hills Estates. Possible conditions of approval were discussed as follows: landscaped berm along frontage, limitation of earth removal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid severe traffic problems and prohibition of construction yard stockpiling on the Rancho Palos Verdes portion of land. The Commission requested further input from the Traffic Committee regarding signalization and the safety issue. It was noted that jurisdiction lies with the City of Rolling Hills Estates but that Rancho Palos Verdes approval could be contingent upon signalization of the intersection. A concern was aired which related to the possibility of the road becoming permanent if the building in Rancho Palos Verdes was not approved. w Minutes April 23, 1985 Page Six Further discussion centered around whether to obtain geology approval first. Reference was made regarding landslides in that area being designated as the Silver Spur landslide in the General Plan. Mr. Levitt responded to the landslide comment and refuted landslide evidence in the General Plan based on information from his geologist, Lockwood -Singh and Associates. Following this discussion, Mrs. Ortolano moved to conceptually approve Grading #802; seconded and passed on a 3 to l vote, with Mrs. Wike dissenting. Staff was requested to draft conditions to include: installation of a traffic signal, adoption of the appropriate reciprocal conditions as stated in the Rolling Hills Estates conditions of approval. Commission None Staff None CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved, seconded and Minutes of 4/9/85 passed to amend the minutes of April 9, 1985, on page 3 under Conditional Use Permit #96/Variance 0114/EA #461 as follows: paragraph 6, first line: "...majority of the Commission agreed that the trails bond amount should not be a negotiable item." paragraph 7, fifth line: "...request a hearing on the condition which requires bonding." paragraph 11, 1st line: "...fact and require the removal of the poles for the trail by the Church." Time Extension for Conditional Use Permit #51 The Commission requested additional information from staff prior to further review. Concern was raised regarding the language of Condition #3. A Carriage Realty salesperson, represented Calwah and supported the request for a time extension. She stated they had acquired a strong buyer, Urbanite, who wants to develop the project. Sandra Zandell, Lanco representative, also supported the time extension. The consenus of the Commission was to continue the item to the next meting. ADJOURNMENT 30, 1985 at 6:30 p.m. It was moved, seconded, and passed to adjourn at 12:20 a.m. to April