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PC MINS 198608264_044� 4715 a/j,6 0 M I N U T E S PLANNING COMMISSION August 26, 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 ABSENT: HODGE, WIKE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Associate Planner Greg Fuz, Associate Planner Steve Rubin and Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker-Roesch. COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were distributed: Tract Map 32991; memo from Robert Benard outlining Mrs. Wike's comments regarding Seacliff Hills and her request for continuation of CUP No. 23 until her return on September 9; corrected July 29, 1986 minutes; and Marjorie Mar- coni's letter regarding her opposition to a convenience liquor store at 29505 Western Avenue. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of July 29, 1986 Resolution P.C. No. 86-17 PUBLIC HEARINGS Specific Plan III Continued Commission hear public testimony, and discuss the plan. Mr. McNulty moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The mo- tion was seconded by Mrs. Orto- lano and passed unanimously. Associate Planner Greg Fuz pre- sented the staff report with the recommendation that the continue/close the public hearing, Chairman Von Hagen opened the public hearing. Interested parties were: Mr. Otho Catlett 29602 Bernice Ms. Barbara Kennard 3402 Deluna Mr. Don Pierson 2822 Colt Road 601CP/MIN5.1-7 Minutes Page Two August 26, 1986 Interested parties discussed: the majority of existing uses would be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit under the proposed Commer- cial General Zone, concern over a reduction in parking areas resulting from the proposed 51 landscape buffer/31 wall, concern over the possi- ble box -like appearance of additions, specific concern of staff in- volvement in design of Marie Callendar's addition, concern over skate- boarding on Western, appreciation of information sent to those who previously testified, need for zero setbacks between commercial pro- perties, irrelevancy of commercial development guidelines of other cities, plan expansion to include the residential portion of the area the residential area should be down -zoned to coincide with the commer- cial area, landscaping/bushes should be used instead of trees, prob- lems with large front setbacks where there are rear -yard hills, and 45 degree angle slope building. Chairman Von Hagen closed the public hearing. Staff discussed: none of the existing uses would be required to ob- tain a Conditional Use Permit until such time as expansion or a use change occurs, setbacks between commercial properties reduce the visu- al impact, the City had no architectural review over Marie Callendar's addition, only height, setbacks and lot coverage, other cities, guide- lines should be used only as examples of what could be considered. Staff elaborated on the building height envelope, stating that it is proposed as a privacy and view buffer from the pad level of the up- slope residences and is an effort to encourage buildings to rise in the direction of the rear slope. Staff noted the Catlett property is closer to the slope than most and stated the need to examine the ef- fect f-fect of the Western commercial development on that property more closely. I The Commission discussed: the majority of the existing setbacks bet- ween the commercial buildings is zero and the proposed 0-101 setbacks would apply to future developments. The Commission stated the resi- dential area is not under consideration and stressed the cumulative effect related to down -zoning residential land. The Commission ex- pressed its understanding of Mr. Pierson's concern over reduced park- ing as a result of buffers and emphasized a Variance request as the proper method of dealing with the issue. The Commission said the pub- lic has had much opportunity to testify and it would be appropriate to defer Commission discussion until all Commission members are present. Chairman Von Hagen stated his opinion that the public hearing should be continued until all Commission members are present and the August 12, 1986 minutes are available. Staff noted that many related applications are pending Commission re- view. The Commission stressed the importance of taking time to con- sider the plan. 601CP/MIN5.1-7 • Minutes Page Three August 26, 1986 • Mrs. Ortolano moved to close the public hearing and defer Commission discussion until the next regularly scheduled meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. McNulty and passed by majority with Mr. Von Hagen dis- senting. The Commission commended staff on letters sent to those who previously testified and suggested the City consider using the same type of gra- phic technique as the City of Riverside. CUP No. 105 Var. No. 134 GR No. 875 Sign Permit No. 305 Silver Spur and Crenshaw Commission conduct and clo; staff direction regarding direct staff to bring back possible date. Associate Planner Steve Rubin presented the staff report on applicant's request for approv- al of a proposed 82,000 square foot office/retail project with the recommendation that the 3e the public hearing, give applicant and appropriate revisions and conditions, and a resolution of approval at the earliest The Commission discussed: the CN zone is generally more restrictive than the CP zone, the proposed project is substantially larger than applicant's previous proposal, the City's satisfaction with the pro- posed caisson method of stabilization, zero setbacks between commer- cial properties seems appropriate, and the excellent staff report. The Commission noted the frequent deviation from the City's parking standards and that the Code could be amended to include less restric- tive parking. The Commission questioned a condition of approval for a parking Variance which would require a recorded deed of restriction prohibiting medical, dental and financial uses and suggested only those heavy financial uses (such as depository banks) should be prohi- bited. Staff discussed: the 101 side setbacks would lessen the visual impact of the project. Staff emphasized a 1/200 parking ratio would be ap- propriate if medical/dental/financial uses were permitted as such uses create greater than normal parking demands. Staff recommended a con- dition of approval prohibiting such uses be considered. Mr. Tom Black, from Black, O'Dowd and Associates, Inc., 279 West Sev- enth Street, San Pedro, California 90732, applicant's architect, dis- cussed: access to the Rolling Hills Estates building dictated access at the intersection of Deep Valley, the middle building would provide access to the Rolling Hills Estates building, fault concerns would be eliminated by caissons drilled before any down-slope work is done, the second level of the middle building would be catilievered for fault protection, acceptance of the City's vehicular access graphics, the 601CP/MIN5.1-7 E Minutes Page Four August 26, 1986 11 buildings have been stepped back against the hill to reduce visual im- pact, none of the buildings would project above the existing grade of the property lines above, agreement with following the City's natural vegetation landscape, and the 701 west building would have six levels. Staff noted the only view impact of the 70' west building would be the view of McDonald's and the post office. Staff emphasized the primary staff concern with the west building is the massiveness of the struc- ture. Mr. Albert Levitt, 24520 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 120, Torrance, California 90505, applicant, discussed: each floor of the west build- ing would be stepped back 8'-10' to reduce visual impact, the west building parking would be only 21-51 above the retail level for conve- nience sake, the west building would have two floors of parking for two floors of leasable office space, willingness to comply with staff's request for a 10' side setback on the west building, the pro- posed parking ratio of 1/275 should not exclude financial, medical of dental institutions, the convenience of the proposed parking would eliminate any concerns over parking in residential areas, and if the top floor of the west building must be eliminated he would propose the addition of one floor to the middle building. He noted that the idea of a restaurant on the top floor of the west building was eliminated in the current proposal and that he would like to establish a sidewalk cafe on the bottom floor of the building. Staff noted that a separate review would be required for sidewalk restaurants. Interested parties were: Ms. Barbara Daigle 28016 Beechgate Mr. Bill De Muici 4927 Golden Arrow Ms. Claire Donias 28013 Seashell Mr. Ed Hallett 27922 Longhill Mr. John Van Wagoner 27948 Beechgate Interested parties discussed: concern over the City's increasing num- ber of projects, concern over the visual impact of the project, objec- tion to restaurants of any kind and the sale of liquor, concern over slope stabilization, applicant should be required to indemnify home- owners against slope slippage, the west building front setback should comply with Code, the proposed landscaping should be consistent with the surrounding environment, concern over the proposed orchard, cur- rent Beechgate speeding problems would be compounded by the related traffic, Golden Arrow pastoral views would be impacted, and concern over Commission decisions when 40% of the Commission is absent. 601CP/MIN5.1-7 • Minutes Page Five August 26, 1986 Chairman Von Hagen closed the public hearing. 0 The Commission discussed: a sandwich shop operating from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. would be acceptable, the proposed project would not adversely impact the residences above, indemnification would not be probable but a bond protecting homeowners against slope slippage would be possible and should be discussed with the City Attorney, and Com- missioner absences are irrelevant to decision making since a majority vote is required for approval of the project. Mrs. Ortolano moved that the Commission approve the project, but that applicant reduce the westerly building by one floor and the building be required to meet the side setback requirement as recommended by staff, that as a condition of building rather than as a deed of re- striction the usage of the property restricted from any medical facil- ities, that there be no orchards as proposed by applicant, and that staff discuss the bond appropriateness with the City Attorney and bring it back to the Commission as a condition of the resolution if staff thinks it appropriate. Mr. McNulty seconded the motion. Staff reviewed that a condition of approval could be that applicant be required to process the necessary CP zone changes within one year of approval. The Commission discussed that a zone change requirement as a condition of approval would be inappropriate. The Commission discussed continuing the public hearing in order to give applicant an opportunity to redesign the project. Applicant voiced a desire for the Commission to act on the project as proposed. The Commission emphasized its concern over the massive project. The Commission noted each of the requested Variances would be encompassed by the motion. The Commission also determined that a 1/250 parking ratio would be appropriate only if the top floor of the west building were eliminated. The motion was passed unanimously. Applicant was advised that appeal rights would commence upon adoption of a resolution. Variance No. 139 Assistant Planner Carolynn Wil - Admiral Risty ker-Roesch presented the staff 31250 Palos Verdes Drive West report on applicant's request for a patio enclosure which would encroach into the required street setback with the recommenda- tion that the application be approved with the condition that appli- cant provide trash enclosures within one year of approval or prior to occupancy (whichever is sooner). 601CP/MIN5.1-7 • Minutes Page Six August 26, 1986 0 As there were no requests from the public to speak to the application, Chairman Von Hagen waived the public hearing. The Commission discussed that with the Golden Cove Shopping Center re- development there would be ample room for trash enclosures as proposed by staff. Mr. McNulty moved to approve staff's Alternative No. 3 and adopted Resolution P.C. No. 86-18. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Ortolano and passed unanimously. Applicant was advised of appeal rights. Extreme Slope Permit No. 1 Beaupre - 41 Santa Catalina Chairman Von Hagen waived reading of the staff report. Staff distributed copies of the application and plans. Mr. McNulty moved to adopt staff's Alternative No. 3, adopting Resolu- tion PC No. 86-19. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Ortolano and pass- ed unanimously. Applicant was advised of appeal rights. CONTINUED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS None CUP NO. 23 Director of Environmental Ser- Seacliff Hills vices Robert Benard discussed Policy on Revisions that the purpose of the report was an effort to obtain Commis- sion guidance on the remaining Seacliff Hills CUP revisions. Mr. Be- nard recommended that the Commission direct staff to prepare an alter- nate set of development standards or guidelines for the area. The Commission acknowledged Mrs. Wike's request for continuance of the item until her return on September 9. The Commission discussed that staff could develop the criteria to be brought back for review when 601CP/MIN5.1-7 Minutes Page Seven August 26, 1986 all Commissioners are present. The Commission voiced concern over re- vising established City policies and advised staff against City in- volvement related to design criteria. The Commission also stressed the guidelines should be flexible. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE None REPORTS Staf f ante has gone to City Portuguese Bend EIR on on November 2-5. Commission ADJOURNMENT 601CP/MIN5.1-7 Staff discussed: the Eaton ap- peal of the Pitz Height Vari- Council; the Redevelopment Agency will hear the September 2; and the APA Conference at Yosemite None Upon motion of Mr. McNulty and seconded by Mrs. Ortolano, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P.M.