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PC MINS 19850723MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 23, 1985 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman McNulty at Hesse Park Commu- nity Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: McNULTY, HODGE, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE ABSENT: NONE Also present were Senior Planner Ann Negendank, Associate Planner Steve Rubin and Assistant Planner Greg Fuz. COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of June 25, 1985 Resolution P.C. No. 85-18 CONTINUED BUSINESS Letter from George Gabric The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. Resolution was unanimously approved and adopted. Variance No. 120 The staff report was presented by Asso- Gardner ciate Planner Steve Rubin on this 5762 Ravenspur Drive request for approval of a variance to encroach into the required street side setback for purpose of an exterior reno- vation involving new construction. No additional information was provided, so staff recommended approval of the variance, as proposed (subject to the conditions in Exhibit A of the proposed Resolution). Chairman McNulty opened the public hearing. Commission concerns included the use of more wood vs. glass for aesthetic purposes, noise, and the possibility of creating another bedroom in the space. Mr. Hodge moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unani- mously. Mr. Von Hagen moved to adopt Resolution P.C. No. 85-19 approving Variance No. 120 subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit A, seconded by Mr. Hodge, and adopted by a 4-1 vote, with Mrs. Wike dissenting. Minutes July 23, 1985 Page Two Grading No. 784 Assistant Planner, Greg Fuz, gave the Environmental Assessment No. 465 staff report on this request to allow Encroachment Permit No. 2 illegal grading and terracing to remain London on a lA:l slope for the purpose of im- 3300 Crownview Drive proving drainage and landscaping and also to allow an encroachment into the public right of way for grading and fencing. The staff recommendation was to approve staff alternative No. 3, to require partial restoration of the slope subject to the mitigation measures found in the inital study and to approve encroachments for the proposed fence and the restoration of the terraced slope. He further advised that the City Engineer had reviewed the situation and recommended that an engineered wall replace the existing rubble terraces near Crownview. The City Geologist prepared a site evaluation which indicated many alternatives for repair; to what the extent of those repairs should be, and what would be a policy decision for the Commission. Chairman McNulty opened the informal hearing. The Commission concerns centered on the visual effect of the grading, public safety, loose rubble, and slope stabilization. Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering, applicants' representative, indicated on the map where the proposed changes would take place. Among the items proposed were: drip irrigation system for trees, ground cover for the slope, a retaining wall to catch silt and rubble that may slide, and switch -backs to avoid further sheet flow of water on site. Mr. Von Hagen moved to close the informal hearing, seconded by Mrs. Wike, and unani- mously approved. The Commission was advised by staff that even upon approval the project is still sub- ject to the City Engineer's approval. Staff further advised that action should be taken on the encroachment permit. Staff advised the Commission that if the negative declaration is not approved there would have to be an EIR, which is not normally required for grading associated with a single family residence. Mr. Von Hagen moved to approve the Final Negative Declaration for the slope restora- tion alternative and require restoration of slopes below the house excluding that portion on the side and front of the house, seconded by Mrs. Wike. At this point, Dr. London stated that each winter there is a 5 foot pool of water at the bottom of the slope and complete restoration did not make any sense to him. Discussion followed among the Commission on the issue of slope restoration. Staff advised the Commission that the lower rubble walls were essentially cosmetic and not a major concern of the geologist with regard to the stability of the lower part of the slope. The City Engineer approved, in concept, the grading of the switchbacks. Minutes July 23, 1985 Page Three Concerns with regard to slope stability were satisfied. The City Engineer would not require tiers. The Commission also objected to a path on the hill; it wanted no vehicular traffic on the hill, except for emergency equipment. The Commission rescinded its previous motion. Mrs. Wike, with the assistance of Chairman McNulty, moved that: (1) The Negative Declaration be finalized; (2) Approval of the plan, in concept, including all miti- gating measures Nos. 1-8; (3) a deed restriction on the property stating that no mo- torized vehicles are allowed on the rear portion of property, except for required emergency vehicles; and, (4) install a fence at the toe of the slope on lower por- tion of property to prevent rocks and debris from falling. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hodge. In a roll call vote, the motion was carried 3-2 in favor of granting the permits with Mr. Von Hagen and Mrs. Ortolano dissenting. PUBLIC HEARINGS Variances 123 &124 The staff report was presented by Assis- La Solana Corporation tant Planner Greg Fuz for this request 30103 & 30104 Avenida Celestial to allow two existing air conditioning (respectively) units to encroach one and two feet re- spectively into the three foot required side yard setbacks for minor equipment. He advised the Commission that the equipment at 30104 would be removed when the tem- porary sales office is removed. At 30103 the pad is one foot away from the property line on which a smaller unit is to be placed. The staff recommended denial of these variances as there is ample space for the air conditioners in other areas of the homes and there are no exceptionally unusual circumstances in evidence on either pro- perty; and such placement would be in violation of fire Safety Codes as well as City Development Code. Chairman McNulty opened the public hearing. D. Henley, representative for La Solana Corporation stated the property at 30104 is a temporary sales office and the unit would be removed when the office is removed. At 30103 the compressor was placed along side the house so it would not be visually ad- verse to the adjacent neighbors. The Commission asked about the trench on one side of the property for drainage, the possibility of similar requests with more models being built, future homeowners anti- cipating that if it is on the model it is allowable on the residence, access around perimeter of home for safety purposes; and the air conditioning unit setbacks are not in compliance. Mr. Hodge moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Mr. Von Hagen and carried unanimously. Minutes July 23, 1985 Page Four 11 Mr. Von Hagen moved to adopt the staff's recommendation of Resolution P.C. No. 85-20 and 85-21 to deny Variances 123 & 124 respectively, Mrs. Wike seconded, and passed unanimously. Chairman McNulty advised the applicant of his rights to appeal. INFORMAL HEARINGS Sign Permit No. 256 The staff report was presented by Kornwasser Assistant Planner Greg Fuz, for this 28619 South Western Avenue request to allow a 4 feet x 8 feet x 10 feet high temporary "For Lease" sign along Western Avenue. The staff recommended approval, subject to limiting sign size to 20 square feet x 8 feet high and that the sign be located at least 5 feet from property line and 5 feet from the driveway and copy to be on one side of the sign only. Chairman McNulty opened the informal hearing. There was discussion among the Commissioners about appeal of this sign in light of the sign ordinance on Western Avenue. The existence of an illegal sign advertising a dentist's office at the site of the proposed sign was also discussed. Duke Argerbright, Suite 101, located at subject property, leasing agent on the pro- perty and acting as the representative for the property owner said there is a large amount of rental space now available; would like the most visibility of the sign possible; had no problem with sign size reduction or with location; but requested copy on both sides so as to be noticeable to traffic in both directions on Western. Mrs. Wike stated she knew Mr. Argerbright. Mr. Von Hagen moved to close the informal hearing; seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. Chairman McNulty moved to approve and adopt the staff recommendation for Sign Permit No. 256 with the following exceptions: (1) sign size to be 24 sq. ft.; (2) sign copy could be two sided; (3) sign to be placed perpendicular to roadway and (4) add a condition of approval requiring removal of dentistry banner within fifteen (15) days; Mr. Hodge seconded. There was further discussion among the Commission about sign size. Motion failed on a 1-4 vote; with Chairman McNulty voting in favor of the motion. After further discussion, Mr. Von Hagen moved to approve Sign Premit No. 256 with the following changes: (1) sign size to be 20 sq. ft. in area; (2) sign copy could be two sided; (3) sign to be placed perpendicular to roadway and (4) add a condition of Minutes July 23, 1985 Page Five approval requiring removal of dentistry banner within fifteen (15) days, Mr. Hodge seconded, and carried by a 4-1 vote in favor, with Mrs. Wike dissenting. It was restated that the sign could not go up until the dentistry banner was removed. Applicant is to be advised of conditions of approval. Sign Permit No. 257 The Commission acknowledged receipt of Gabric Mr. Gabric's letter requesting a contznu- 4025 Palos Verdes Drive East ance. Reading of the staff report was waived by the Commission . A brief dis- cussion of the request to allow a 128 sq. ft. "For Sale" sign to remain ensued. Mr. Von Hagen moved to deny the application, seconded by Mrs. Wike, and passed unani- mously. Staff was directed by Chairman McNulty to notify the applicant of the decision and his appeal rights. REPORTS COMMISSION NONE STAFF Senior Planner Ann Negendank requested clarification from the Commission about language from the June 11th staff report for Code Amendment 20; that the Commis- sion intended the language "7. Exterior stairs to a second story addition are pro- hibited." to be included in the Amendment. The Commission agreed it was its intent to include this language on a 4-0 vote; with Mr. Hodge abstaining. ADJOURNMENT 602CP/PCMINI.1-5 The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M.