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PC MINS 19860722M I N U T E S PLANNING COMMISSION July 22, 1986 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Von Hagen at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: MC NULTY, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE, HODGE ABSENT: NONE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Bob Benard, Associate Planner Steve Rubin and Assistant Planner Jack Roberts. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Von Hagen reviewed a letter from Director of Environmental Services Bob Benard to Mr. Ron Florance regarding the Wallace Ranch property. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of June 16, 1986 Mrs. Ortolano moved to adopt Minutes of June 24, 1986 the Consent Calendar and staff CUP No. 96 - Minor Amendment recommendations regarding CUP No. 96 - Minor Amendment. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Wike and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Informal Hearinas CUP No. 23, Revision "I" Assistant Planner Jack Roberts and GR No. 894 presented the staff report on Loubriel, Lot 12, applicant's request to revise Tract 32574 the footprint specified in CUP No. 23 with the recommendation that applicant be directed to redesign to meet original CUP approved standards for open space and overall size, and that the Commission review and approval be required for any future grading of open space and/or construction of accessory struc- tures. The Commission discussed: the color scheme of the proposed residence should blend with the natural topography and emphasized the problems related to oversized, white structures in the area. The Commission 601CP/MIN3.1-5 Minutes July 22, 1986 Page Two noted the abundance of trash dumped near Lot 6 and near other City construction sites and suggested the Code Enforcement Department look into the problem. Staff stated applicant's original plans included a white stucco struc- ture, earthtones might not reduce the visual impact of the proposed structure, earthtones could be a consideration in terms of helping the structure to blend with the natural topography, and the trash problems would be communicated to Building and Safety. Chairman Von Hagen opened and closed the informal hearing. Neither the applicant, his representative nor interested parties were present. The Commission voiced concern over the larger number of homes in the area whose square footages are larger than the originally approved plans. Mrs. Ortolano moved to approve staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Wike. The Commission discussed: applicant's architect being aware that the proposal should conform as much as possible to the original approved plans and that since the Commission would not be prepared to monitor repainting of the proposed residence as well as painting during ini- tial construction it would be pointless to require that the structure be painted in earthtones. The motion passed unanimously. Appeal rights were noted. Mr. John Vilicich, 1622 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, 90732, appli- cant's architect, arrived late. He requested the Commision reopen the informal hearing. The Commission stated Mr. Vilicich's comments could be handled on a staff level and provided to the Commission with the appropriate staff input. CUP No. 23, Revision "H" Assistant Planner Jack Roberts and GR No. 903, Wanski presented the staff report on Lot 3, Tract 34834 applicant's request to revise the footprint specified in CUP No. 23 with the recommendation that ap- plicant be directed to redesign to meet ridgeline elevation and over- all size, that Commission review and approval be required for any fu- ture grading and/or construction of open space, and that interior ac- cess from the maid's room to the main residence be required. 601CP/MIN3.1-5 Minutes July 22, 1986 Page Three The Commission mentioned the drainage channel on the right side of the property (as it appears from the street) and questioned the existence of a related easement. Staff stated the drainage channel on the property is a natural exist- ing drainage course and that, to staff's knowledge, there is no relat- ed easement. Chairman Von Hagen opened the informal hearing. Mr. Robert Kessell, 2501 South Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida, 33435, applicant's architect, discussed: his credentials, applicant's strong desire to place a structure on the property which would be cohesive to the environment and a credit to the community, apparent lack of consideration given to the existing configuration of the land when the original footprint was made and approved, absence of need for drainage pipes or culverts if the home is placed on the pro- perty according to his proposal, amount of proposed open space coin- ciding with that originally approved, proposed 50 foot setback from the road, proposed east sideyard setback of 27 feet needed to safely turn a car around, the proposed west side -yard setback of 10 feet, proposed rearyard setback of 248 feet, 12 foot average of the proposed garage/swimming pool structure, proposed amount of area the structure would cover if the swimming pool and patio were added thereto, and the proposed amount of grading amounting to 42 cubic yards. He noted the applicant was unaware of the binding Residential Planned Development conditions upon his purchase of the property. Mr. Gavin Lam, 2101 North Louise Street, Torrance, architect for the property adjacent to applicant's, voiced concern over the Commission denying applications because of proposed increases in square footage when all other considerations have been met. The Commission assured Mr. Lam that each application is reviewed on an individual basis and emphasized the importance of considering an increase in square footage because an increase in mass (including an increase in height and a de- crease in open space) certainly results. Chairman Von Hagen closed the informal hearing. The Commission discussed: "bootleg" rental problems related to the maid's room, code stipulations associated with applicant's lot having originally been part of a Residential Planned Development, problems with large homes and excessive grading on the lots in the area, staff's recommendation of a required landscape plan, applicant working with staff to revise the plans to include maid's room interior access to the main residence, Commission review and approval of all future 601CP/MIN3.1-5 Minutes July 22, 1986 Page Four grading being required since any future grading and/or construction within Code could-b—e approved by staff, applicant's 3/4 acre lot being larger than most of the lots in the area, and the proposed amount of grading not being alarming. Staff discussed the overall mass and square appearance of the proposed residence. Staff also noted even though the proposed cubic yards of grading would be less than originally proposed the proposed surface area to be graded would be larger than that originally proposed. Mrs. Ortolano moved to approve the project as proposed with the condi- tion of the submittal of a landscape plan to staff and the Director of Environmental Services, that any future grading and/or construction should be approved by the Commission and that interior access from the maid's room to the main residence should be provided and submitted to the Director of Environmental Services for approval. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hodge. Mrs. Wike stated the proposed structure should be redesigned to fit more with the natural topography and emphasized concern over the over- all mass of the structure. The Commission stressed the proposed project's Code compliance in terms of setbacks and height and stressed the increased ridgeline height was mitigated as a result of the proposed 50 foot setback from the road which would be advantageous to the project. The motion passed by majority with Mrs. Wike dissenting. Applicant was advised of appeal rights. Questions from the audience: None REPORTS Staf f Staff discussed: (1) City Council's Variance No. 423 Appeal denial; (2) City Council's Variance No. 135 Appeal determination that a public hearing should be held; (3) City Council's approval of a Geotechnical Board of Review; (4) City Council's approval of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce's request for waiver of Western Days' permit fees; (5) The Casual Cuts reduced sign and that staff has not conducted a final inspection on the sign; and (6) The City's Fire Code Ordinance will go into effect the second week of August. 601CP/MIN3.1-5 Minutes July 22, 1986 Page Five Commission The Commission discussed: (1) Four Cities, luncheon - Friday, July 25, 1986; (2) City of Rolling Hills Estates request that the Commis- sion attend their Planning Commission meetings during Peninsula Center remodeling hearings - Mrs. Wike volunteered to attend; (3) Chairman Von Hagen stated Mr. Ron Florance called him regarding the Wallace Ranch Draft EIR and emphasized staff's knowledge in dealing with ap- plicants. He noted he has never gone to the Wallace Ranch project with Mr. Florance and has never been to the project with Councilman Hughes since Mr. Wallace's passing; and (4) Mr. Hodge discussed staff's previous request for Commission guidance on a possible home inspection service requirement ;and staff said City Council basically did away with the idea. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion of Mr. Hodge and seconded by Mrs. Ortolano the meeting was adjourned at 0 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.,_Tuesday, July 29, 601CP/MIN3.1-5