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PC MINS 19870922a CtMen�e�. M I N U T E S PLANNING COMMISSION September 22, 1987 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairperson Ortolano at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: CONNOLLY, MC NULTY, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Senior Planner Ann Negendank, Associate Planner Ben Ortega, Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham and Assistant Planner Carolynn Wrlker. COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of August 11, 1987 Chairperson Ortolano indicated that communications would be related during discussion of pertinent items. Commissioner Connolly modified the August 11, 1987 minutes as follows: Page 9, Paragraph 3, "Commissioner Connolly noted that the property should be graded so that a passive park can be considered as a future use for the location." Minutes of August 25, 1987 Page 1, Paragraph 8, deleted. Commissioner Von Hagen modified the August 25, 1987 minutes' as follows: Page 2, following Paragraph 1, .insert, "Chairperson Ortolano noted a communication from Mr. Earl Lawrence, 28741 Blythewood, in opposition to the request." Commissioner Von Hagen moved approval of the Consent Calendar as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McNulty and passed unanimously. Minutes September 22, 1987 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS CUP No. 126 Times Mirror Facility - Daughters of Mary & Joseph Retreat, 5300 Crest Road • Director of Environmental Services Benard provided input pertaining to the applicant's request for continuance. There were no requests to speak to the item. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the public hearing until October 27, 1987. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connolly and passed unanimously. CUP No. 127 Director of Environmental Services Times Mirror Cable Benard related information regarding Satellite Facility the applicant's request for continuance. Ladera Linda Community Center Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the public hearing until October 27, 1987. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. CUP No. 128 and EA No. 528 Chairperson Ortolano moved to waive The Church of Jesus Christ the reading of the staff report. of Latter Day Saints - The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cornwall & Associates McNulty and passed unanimously. 5845 Crestridge Chairperson Ortolano opened the public hearing. Those in support of the request were: Mr. Leopoldo Garcia Mr. David Cobabe Mr. David Galas 650 Sierra Madre Villa Cornwall & Associates Ste 300, Pasadena 91107 Architect 1708 Chelsea Road Palos Verdes Estates 29504 Whitley Collins Representing the Applicant Representing the Mesa Palos Verdes Homeowners' Association Minutes September 22, 1987 Page 3 Those in support of the request discussed: the applicant's willing- ness to comply with the staff recommendations; the specifics of the request; opposition to a trail at the location; the importance of the proposed lighting from a safety standpoint; the proposed lighting will not negatively impact surrounding properties; the noise at the location; and willingness to regulate the lighting hours of operation. Ms. Valerie Moss, 30 Aspen Way, Rolling Hills Estates, 90274, representing The Terraces Homeowners' Association, in opposition to the application, voiced concern over the noise at the location and emphasized the negative impact of the proposed lighting. Sunshine, 6 Limetree Lane, representing the Peninsula Horsemens' Association, stressed the importance of a provision for a trail at the location. Commissioner McNulty moved to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wike and passed unanimously. Commissioner Von Hagen voiced concern that a trail connection in the area could be inadvertently eliminated. He discussed that it would be appropriate to include a trail easement as part,of the Conditional Use Permit if a trail at the location is appropriate. He indicated that an approval of the application could include restrictions for the lighting hours of operation. He supported a continuance of the item. Commissioner Connolly voiced opposition to the inclusion of a trail provision in a Conditional Use Permit for lighting. He supported a continuance of the item. For the record, Commissioner McNulty related his business association with relatives of Mr. David Cobabe, representing the applicant. He voiced concern over the large amount of proposed lighting. He discussed the glow which high sodium lighting can produce and supported a limitation on the lighting hours of operation. Chairperson Ortolano voiced her opinion that it would be burdensome to include a trail provision in a Conditional Use Permit for lighting. She requested that staff investigate whether it would be appropriate to do so and supported a continuance of the item in order to obtain that information. Staff provided input pertaining to the existing lighting at the location, including that the lights on=the rear of the building (which are not a permitted use) will be replaced with something more appropriate. Staff discussed the difficulty of shielding the existing parking lot standards. Comf4LsstOAe4oW-jj,�,e, cy_,presseJ -Goncerri ue-sVic'u'l -t—rqJ_-j toca-111oA o+ +h(,- 'V-- L Aolitoer o a2 mtc-e lop hCaA* The -re-racesan cCOI[Sld'er PtO V� dl' '_�r YIq so Per vzs 10 01 &+ +key y o v KLj C %o r-c�A jr*s Ore, Minutes_ -September 22, 1987 Page 4 peor r( ,6 ,ca /<< C reo /ns� -,w en In response to Chairperson Ortolano's previous inquiry, Director of Environmental Services Benard di.scus,sed that a policy is being formulated to determine the mechanism_ by which an item is referred to the Trails Committee. He related staff's opinion that a trail connection at the location would __be _inappropriate_.___.__ Commissioner McNulty moved to continue CUP No. 128, EA No. 528 until October 27, 1987. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. CUP No. 23 - Revision "P" - Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham Appeal/Variance No. 174 presented the staff report. Hyatt, 32424 Aqua Vista Chairperson Ortoldno opened the public hearing. Mr. Herbert Hyatt, 32424 Aqua Vista, applicant, emphasized his opposition to the staff recommendations. He discussed his under- standing that the 3-1/2 foot wall is within the Code. Chairperson Ortolano closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wike voiced concern over the view obstruction caused by the applicant's trees. She stressed that the existing wall should conform to the Code and emphasized the importance of landscaping along the walls. Commissioner Von Hagen related his support of Variance No. 174. He pointed out that the trees could be limited to 12-15 feet; they could be thinned and relocated to minimize the impact of the walls. Chairperson Ortolano stressed the importance of maintaining the view corridors in the area. She supported Variance No. 174. With regard to CUP No. 23, Revision "P" - Appeal, she voiced agreement with the staff recommendation. Commissioner McNulty voiced concern over the view obstruction resulting from the applicant's trees. He discussed the possibility of requiring the applicant to maintain the trees at approximately 15 feet in height. Commissioner Connolly supported the staff recommendation regarding CUP No. 23, Revision "P" - Appeal. He indicated that the trees in the public right of way should be removed. He stdted h1s .support _ _ for Variance No. 174. Minutes September 22, 1987 Page 5 Staff emphasized the enforcement difficulties connected with enforcing a tree height limitation. Staff provided background information pertaining to the 3-1/2 foot wall and discussed the specifics related thereto. Director of Environmental Services Benard discussed a landscape plan which could be required as a Condition of Approval. He noted that the applicant's trees do not screen the wall and that the City has the ability to require the removal of nine of the applicant's trees which are in the public right-of-way. Commissioner Von Hagen moved approval of Variance No. 174. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McNulty and passed by a majority vote with Commissioner Wike dissenting. With regard to CUP No. 23, Revision "P" - Appeal, Commissioner McNulty moved approval of Alternative No. 2 as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connolly and passed by a majority vote with Commissioner Von Hagen dissenting. Commissioner Wike indicated that a landscape plan for the entire property would be appropriate. Commissioner Von Hagen stressed his opposition to requiring a landscape plan for the entire property. Director of Environmental Services Benard noted that a landscape plan previously required as part of an approval for the applicant's pool did not include the entire property but was intended as a means to screen the wall. Commissioner Wike moved to reconsider Variance No. 174 and to add a mitigating measure as Exhibit "A" including: (1)that the appli- cant be required to submit a landscape plan for the entire property which is designed to reduce the impact of the wall; (2) that anything against the wall shall not be higher than the wall; and (3) that the Coral tree and the Cypress trees be included as part of the landscape plan so that they will not become obstructive; such a landscape plan to be approved by the Director of Environmental Services. The motion was seconded by Chairperson Ortolano and passed by a majority vote_ with Commissioner Von Hagen dissenting. Appeal rights were noted. • Minutes September 22, 1987 Page 6 Variance No. 175 - Coleman 29916 Avenida Magnifica E Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham presented the staff report. There were no requests to speak to the item. Commissioner McNulty moved approval of the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wike and passed unanimously. Appeal rights were noted. NEW BUSINESS CUP No. 23 - Revision "R" Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham to Revision "K" presented the staff report. Robinson -North Architects/ Dubow - 2912 Vista del Mar Mr. Lamar Robinson, 1455 Crenshaw Blvd, #260A, Torrance, 90503, Robinson -North Architects, representing the applicant, discussed: the difficulties related to a reduction in the driveway width; the applicant's willingness to eliminate some of the stairs on the back side of the house; and the possibility of eliminating some of the hardscape surrounding the trash yard. Commissioner McNulty indicated that the proposed stairs along the driveway are necessary from a safety standpoint. He emphasized that the maximum amount of lot coverage as included in the development guidelines would be exceeded by only a minimal amount with an approval of the application. Commissioner Connolly noted that, with an approval of the request, the lot coverage would exceed the maximum amount as included in the development guidelines. Commissioner Von Hagen stressed that, with an approval of the appli- cation, the maximum lot coverage as included in the development guidelines would be exceeded by only a minimal amount. Chairperson Ortolano voiced concern that an approval of the appli- cation would defeat the intent of the development guidelines. She emphasized the open space concerns in such a visually sensitive area. Commissioner Wike noted that, in conjunction with an approval of previous requests, the applicant was notified that it would be inappropriate to further reduce the open space. She related her opinion that an approval of the request, as submitted, would be inappropriate. She voiced her support of the staff recommendation. Minutes September 22, 1987 Page 7 Commissioner Von Hagen moved approval of Alternative No. 1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McNulty and defeated by a 2-3 vote with Commissioners Wike and Connolly and Chairperson Ortolano dissenting. Commissioner Wike moved approval of Alternative No. 2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Connolly. Commissioner McNulty amended the motion to include the ''-_:- acceptability of the trash. yard - if- -the method of goverage 'consistent with o pen_ -,,space . such as u nc 6 vered,, gravel or wood chips. The motion was passed by a majority vote with Commissioner Von Hagen dissenting. Appeal rights were noted. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE None. (Regarding Non -Agenda Items) REPORTS Staff Director of Environmental Services Benard noted the SWAPC luncheon on Friday, September 25. Commission During discussion pertaining to CUP No. 23, Revision "P" - Appeal, Commissioner Wike mentioned the difficulties related to considering applications on a piecemeal basis. Staff pointed out that, at the time of previous applications related to CUP No. 23, Revision "P", the Commission was informed of a pending application for a wall and the decision was made to deal with the applications separately. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at approximately 9:50 PM.