Loading...
PC MINS 19860408,�•��( , (012.x/ �� M I N U T E S PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 8, 1986 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Chairman Von Hagen at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: HODGE, MCNULTY, VON HAGEN, WIKE ABSENT: ORTOLANO Also present were Acting Director of Environmental Services Ann Negen- dank, Associate Planner Steve Rubin, Assistant Planner Greg Fuz, and Assistant Planner Jack Roberts. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Von Hagen noted the following communications: (1) A copy of supportive materials and Resolution approving PC 7713 - CUP No. 23, (2) Ray Brundstrom's letter to Don Guluzzy regarding hazardous material disposal programs, and (3) South- west Area Planning Council announcement of the Friday, April 25, 1986 meeting in the City of Gardena. CONSENT CALENDAR CONTINUED BUSINESS Minutes - February 11, 1986. Mrs. Wike moved to approve the Consent Calendar, seconded by Mr. Hodge and passed with Mr. McNulty abstaining (due to Feb- ruary 11, 1986 absence). GOLDEN COVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Golden Cove Affordable PRIORITY GROUPS WORKSHOP Housing Priority Groups Work- shop was held April 8, 1986, the minutes related to this item being attached hereto. NEW BUSINESS GR No. 896 - Stefan Assistant Planner Greg Fuz pre - 7433 Via Lorado sented the staff report on this request to allow construction 603CP/MIN2.1 Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Two of a single-family residence on a lot whose total average slope ex- ceeds 35% with the recommendation that the Commission direct applicant to redesign. Staff noted applicant's willingness to revise plans in order to ad- dress staff's concerns of exterior stairs leading directly to a bed- room, grading/steep slopes, and enhancing the exterior of the garage adjacent to Via Lorado. Staff discussed applicant's revised plans for exterior stairs leading to a hallway thereby resolving the problem of access to a separate room, the Code intent of prohibiting exterior stairs leading to second story additions, and requested Commission direction with regard to ex- terior stair approval. Mr. Ted Mohan, 7433 Via Lorado, applicant's architect, addressed the Commission regarding applicant's exterior stair request noting appli- cant's intent is not for the stairs to lead to a second rental unit, the plans have been redesigned so the exterior stairs lead to a hall- way, impossible street access to the stairs, the stairs are for conve- nience only, for aesthetic reasons the stairs should be on the outside of the structure, and problems with applicant waiting for another Com- mission hearing date. The Commission discussed applicant incorporating the exterior stairs within the home, stairs which are built within the normal transporta- tion areas of a home to not pose problems with residents eventually converting stair access to gain a second rental unit, considering each application on an individual basis, the Code's intent of prohibiting exterior stairs leading to second story additions, the Code not apply- ing to applicant's design since the interior design includes hallway access instead of a specific room in a new dwelling as opposed to a second story addition, the Commission's past disapproval of exterior stairs being related to legitimate questions as to the stairs' use, and considering the City's exterior stair policy separately from applicant's proposed design. Staff discussed the Commission's past disapproval of exterior stairs being related to legitimate questions as to the stairs' use, all ex- terior stair applications having Commission review, Variance possibly being required until such time as the Commission decides how to apply the Code, the Commission possibly being required to precisely explain why applicant's design is not subject to the Code, applicant's concern 603CP/MIN2.2 Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Three over redesigning delays, Commission direction with regard to the Code's exterior stair language, and the possibility of the City adopt- ing a written exterior stair policy before acting on applicant's request. Mr. McNulty moved to approve applicant's request on the condition that the finished slopes in the side and rear yards not exceed 35%; that the garage wall facing the street is accented with a window or plant- er; that the exterior stairway at the rear will lead to an interior hall - not directly to a bedroom; and that staff -can approve appli- cant's plans if they are revised accordingly. The motion was seconded by Mr. Von Hagen. The Commission further discussed the Code's exterior stairway policy and Mrs. Wike emphasized that the Code should be upheld. The motion was passed by majority with Mrs. Wike dissenting. GR 898 - BOLLINGER Associate Planner Steve Rubin 5918 OCEAN TERRACE presented the staff report on this request for approval to construct a new single-family residence involving 2,268 cubic yards of remedial and develop- mental grading with the recommendation that the exterior foundations be placed one foot into bedrock and fill be removed and recompacted within the house's footprint to a depth of two feet. In addition, staff recommended Conditions of Approval be (1) absolutely no excavat- ed soil material shall be placed or stockpiled beyond the Building Grading Restriction (BGR) line on a temporary or permanent basis and (2) only at -grade patio slabs or decking may extend beyond the BGR line. Staff discussed the City geologist recommending the remedial grading must extend three feet beyond the outside edge of the footings if the foundations are placed in compacted fill, applicant moving the house three feet closer to the front setback line, geology and soils issues, and alternative foundation designs. The Commission discussed the geological engineers recommendations, the location of bedrock and recompacting two feet of soil, and grading be- yond the BGR line to be staff's only problem with the application. Mr. George Shaw, 28101 Lobrook Drive, applicant's architect, addressed grading options noting the proposed structure is already planned clos- er to the street than houses on either side and moving the house for- 603CP/MIN2.3 Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Four ward would not aesthetically benefit the neighborhood, problems asso- ciated with placing footings in bedrock and recompacting fill, appli- cant's most favorable approach and the most sound approach from an en- gineering principle to be the option which includes grading beyond the BGR line, and total yardage excavated to be seven yards out of 2,000 yards. Mr. McNulty moved to approve Grading Application No. 898 as submitted including staff's recommended Conditions of Approval stating: (1) ab- solutely no excavated soil material shall be placed or stockpiled be- yond the BGR line on a temporary or permanent basis; and (2) only at - grade patio slabs or decking may extend beyond the BGR line. The mo- tion was seconded by Mr. Von Hagen and passed unanimously. CUP 23, REVISION "G" Assistant Planner Greg Fuz pre - GR NO. 892 sented the staff report on this LOT 18, TRACT 34834 request to modify the foot- print, open space and setbacks for Lot 18, Tract 34834, with the recommendation that the Commission direct applicant to redesign. Staff discussed applicant's request to include 60% open space which would be 10% less than the approved 70% included in the tract plan, applicant's proposed structure height complying with Code thereby ne- cessitating excessive grading and a 121 upslope retaining wall adja- cent to the driveway (Code allows a 51 retaining wall adjacent to a driveway), relocating the pool and deck since part of the decking would be 51 above grade with a 31 rail above that, original site plans providing for extra space between homes to prevent the appearance of a solid wall of homes along Palos Verdes Drive South, all of the build- ing setbacks excepting the front exceeding those required by CUP No. 23, applicant's proposed setbacks as being adequate, raising the foun- dation with the proposed structure easily falling within the 161 al- lowed by the Code, and the Residential Planned Development (RPD) site plan open space figures to mainly consist of 75% or higher (with a few 70%). The Commission discussed applicant's proposed setbacks, problems with the 121 retaining wall adjacent to the driveway, the difficulty in de- fining application requirements before a completed application is pre- sented to the Commission, Commission awareness of problems associated with the original developer selling the lots, applicant working with staff to achieve design parameters, applicant's lot having been part 603CP/MIN2.3A Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Five of a RPD previously before the Commission, continuing the application directing applicant to redesign, encouraging any efforts applicant would make to assist neighbors by minimizing the view obstruction, and problems associated with huge homes clustered together without enough open space. Mr. Ken Francis, 1474 4th Street, #600, Santa Monica, applicant's ar- chitect, discussed applicant's willingness to eliminate or relocate the pool, the effort involved in meeting applicant's desired home pro- file, the building height being well within the 16 foot Code limita- tion from average grade at street side, lowering the height would im- pact grading, the possibility of reducing the garage size thereby lessening lot coverage, the Commission directing applicant as to the amount of open space desired, and noted applicant's desire to work with staff in order to resolve application problems. Mr. McNulty moved to continue the CUP 23, Revision 11G11, Grading Appli- cation No. 892 application in order for applicant to work with staff in an effort to comply with staff's recommendations as much as possi- ble. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. CUP 23, REVISION "E" 3324 Palo Vista Drive space of the original site plan dards with other Conditions of Commission. Assistant Planner Jack Roberts presented the staff report on this request to revise the building footprint specified in CUP No. 23 and to allow a change in setbacks and/or open as well as conform to all Code stan- Approval as deemed appropriate by the Staff discussed the proposed home size of 5,665 square feet, the 3,500 square foot building footprint, the proposed total average slope of 22%, the proposed exterior staircase, additional grading being requir- ed for the rear lawn, applicant's requested 71% open space (as opposed to the CUP 23 75% open space requirement), agreement with applicant reversing the proposed sideyard setbacks of 10'6" and 15' noting view corridors would be maintained and the lots across from the subject lot are not affected by the change, and the proposed 7.51 retaining wall adjacent to the driveway with a 3.51 freestanding wall on top noting applicant's willingness to redesign to bring same into Code compli- ance. 603CP/MIN2.4 Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Six The Commission discussed approving the application with a 4% open space reduction, reversing the sideyard setbacks and how doing so would affect view obstruction, the rear stairway leading only to the deck and to be requested for safety purposes, the RPD including 400 square feet outside for each bedroom unit noting the proposed back yard area would meet the requirement, problems with area buyers not being made aware of grading/open space restrictions in conjunction with CUP No. 23, the area lots being extremely small for R1 zoning, applicant's architect doing an excellent job in preserving view corri- dors, a low elevation being advantageous to future developers, the four -car garage, applicant's agreement to redesign the retaining wall adjacent to the driveway to bring same into Code compliance, problems associated with deviating from the RPD Code, the primary concern of CUP No. 23 to be view preservation, and the cumulative effect once the three tracts are developed. Mr. Ken Francis, 1424 4th Street, #600, Santa Monica, applicant's ar- chitect, discussed working with staff to bring the retaining wall ad- jacent to the driveway into Code compliance and offering applicant's willingness to park his four cars in the proposed four -car garage ra- ther than on the street and the proposed structure of less than the 16' maximum height allowed as mitigation measures to offset the 4% open space reduction. Mr. Kevin Sears, 5767 West 75th Street, Los Angeles, applicant, dis- cussed efforts to keep the proposed structure's profile as low as possible so as not to overpower the lot size and not appear too close to surrounding structures and noted no rememberance of being informed of the CUP No. 23 grading restrictions and open space requirements. Mr. Von Hagen moved to approve CUP No. 23, Revision "E", according to staff's Alternative No. 1 approving the project as proposed with the existing exterior staircase, with redesign on the proposed retaining wall adjacent to the driveway to bring same into Code compliance, and to allow for the 4% reduction in open space. The motion was seconded by Mr. McNulty and passed by majority with Mrs. Wike dissenting. QUESTION FROM THE PUBLIC None (Regarding Non -Agenda Items) STAFF Staff discussed: (1) City Coun- cil actions as related to the Forrestal Tract, (2) Variance 111 and related appeal having 603CP/MIN2.5 Minutes April 8, 1986 Page Seven been dismissed by City Council, (3) Glazer Height Variance noting City Council upheld the appeal thereby denying the project, and (4) the Commission/staff dinner having been scheduled for the third Monday in June. COMMISSION reports, expressed enjoyment working his new position as Associate Planner Chairman Von Hagen noted Assis- tant Planner Greg Fuz's resig- nation effective April 18, 1986 and the Commission thanked Greg for all his precise, impressive with Greg, and wished him well in for the City of Glendale. In addition, the Commission requested Affordable Housing Criteria be a future agenda item. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion from Mr. McNulty and seconded by Mrs. Wike, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. 603CP/MIN2.6