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PC MINS 19851126 410 111 0 MINUTES Planning Commission November 26 , 1985 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 40 PM by Chairman McNulty at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: MC NULTY, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE ABSENT: HODGE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Sharon Hightower, Associate Planner Steve Rubin, and Assistant Planner Greg Fuz . COMMUNICATIONS University of California Class Schedule was distributed. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes A correction was made to Page 4 , November 12 , 1985 Paragraph 1 , "Mrs. Ortolano moved to accept staff ' s recommen- dation to adopt Resolution P.C. No. 85-29 . . .with the following change to be made to Condition 12, ' . . .The cash, bond, or other improvement security may be released without prior construction of such improvements by subdivider if arrangements satisfactory to the Planning Commission. . . '" The second sentence of Condition 12 to remain as is . A correction was also made to Page 6 , pa ar aph 1, "Seconded by Mr. McNulty. . . " Mr. Von Hagen moved to adopt the Consent Calendar as amended with the exception of the minutes of November. 12, seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. CONTINUED BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARINGS CUP 33 - Amendment Applicant requested continuance Girardi - #5 Burrell Lane of this request to revise building (Lot 7 , Tract 32110 ) footprint and increase height to December 10 , 1985 . Mr. Von Hagen moved to continue CUP 33 -- Amendment to December 10, 1985, seconded by Mr. McNulty and passed unanimously. Minutes November 26, 1985 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARINGS Variance 127 - Kasuga Applicant requested continuance 29901 Avenida Magnifica of this request to allow illegally constructed deck to remain which results in a total downslope height of 38' (30' is maximum allowed). The Commission discussed Mrs. Kasuga's ability to communicate only in Japanese and the fact that Mr. Kasuga is out of town. Staff noted applicant will submit a continuance request in writing. Mr. Von Hagen moved to continue the public hearing on Variance 127 to December 10, 1985, seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. INFORMAL HEARINGS Grading No. 845 and 846 Assistant Planner Greg Fuz Vakill, 3841 and 3837 presented the staff report Crest Road on this request to build two new single family residences on two lots whose total average slopes exceed 35% with the recommendation that applicant's request be tabled and applicant directed to redesign the pro]ect within sixty days and also apply for a Certificate of Compliance for GR 846. -Jot. Staff reported that, even though identical plans were reviewed and approved in 1981, as a result of Code Amendment 20 staff conducted a thorough review of this proposal. Staff also stated that the two projects under consideration do not comply: with the Code's guidelines i but, if both pro3ects are modified, substantial compliance can be achieved: It Minutes November 26, 1985 Page 3 GR 845 Staff voiced concern that the Code's retaining wall, setback and grading regulations be satisfied and, in regard to GR 845, recommended the residence be moved 5 1/2 feet to the east in order to meet the required 20 foot setback from the property line. Shifting the house was recommended to eliminate applicant':s proposal to steepen the western slope and the elimination of exterior access to the second floor living area via exterior stairs was recommended in order to reduce the possibility of creating a second dwelling unit. s I' M10 Regarding the GR 846 residence, staff voiced concern over the location of the house, the height, the grading and the accessory structures. The two major changes staff recommended for GR 846 were the relocation of the residence and the elimination of the accessory structures (including the pool and spa). Staff recommended shifting the residence 8 feet to the south in order to minimize encroachment into the surrounding Open Space Hazard Zone. Staff stressed the cabana, swimming pool, spa and deck are accessory structures and not necessary to the development of the primary use of the site. Elimination of such accessory structures was recommended, thereby doing away with the need for the exterior stairs. The necessity of a 6 foot downslope retaining wall proposed to create a pad for the accessory structures would also be eliminated. Grading for GR 846 was noted to be generally acceptable with the exception of the 67% fill slope proposed next to the driveway. Staff stressed fill should be avoided wherever possible on naturally steep slopes. The subject property (Parcel 9) has not been legalized and staff noted the City Attorney's recommendation that applicant apply for a Certificate of Compliance. Minutes November 26, 1985 Page 4 Commission discussion included the 1981 review/approval of the project. The Commission questioned staff regarding contents of applicant's original plans. Staff stated the 1981 plans were approved after the grading was reduced and were approved by staff after being revised per Commission direction. Mr. Doug McHattie, 304 Tejon Place, Palos Verdes Estates, grading engineer on the original 1981 project, stated the current plans to be identical to those approved in 1981 excepting the tilt of the driveway which now goes in the opposite direction. Mr. McHattie also noted in 1981 he was told legalization of one parcel would dictate automatic legali- zation of the second. Mr. McHattie noted applicant has no problems with the elimination of the exterior stairs and accessory structures. He also mentioned the need for review of the plans before determining the possibility of shifting the residences. Sherry Ikezawa, 10 W. Packsaddle Road, Rolling Hills, part owner, stated poor financing delayed earlier building on the property. Mrs. Ikezawa noted staff's recommendations to in- volve complete redesign of the homes, resulting in a hardship to the owners. She stated there were no problems with elimina- tion of the exterior stairs and accessory structures. The Commission noted staff's excellent reports and stated its desires for applicant to work closely with staff to design a project which has greater Code conformance. The Commission also discussed whether moving the residences such a small amount would have a significant impact and noted agreement with staff's recommendation of eliminating the exterior stairs and accessory structures. The necessity of a Certificate of Compliance was stressed. Commission discussion continued regarding whether prior approval of applicant's plans should influence current approval and noted geological studies previously determined the plans to be sound. Mrs. Ortolano made the motion to table applicant's request and direct applicant to redesign the pro3ect within sixty (60) days and apply for a Certificate of Compliance for GR 846. The motion died for lack of a second. Discussion continued regarding requesting applicant to redesign the plans as opposed to requesting applicant to work with staff in an effort to make a design which conforms to Code, if possible. 411 4111 Minutes November 26 , 1985 Page 5 Mr. McNulty moved to continue the item of GR 845 and 846 in order for applicant to obtain a Certificate of Compliance for GR846 and so that applicant can work with staff in an attempt to bring the plans into conformance with staff's recommendations. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Ortolano and passed unanimously. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - There were none. REPORTS STAFF Staff invited the Commission to a pre-meeting dinner Dec. 10 in the Hesse Lounge to meet all Department Staff . The City' s December 13th Holiday Party was noted to be at 6: 00 PM, Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. COMMISSION None ADJOURNMENT Upon motion from Mrs. Ortolano, seconded by Mr. McNulty and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 PM.