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PC MINS 198801266J f M I N U T E S PLANNING COMMISSION January 26, 1988 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairperson Ortolano at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: CONNOLLY, MC NULTY, ORTOLANO, VON HAGEN, WIKE ABSENT: NONE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, ,Associate Planner Ben Ortega, Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham, Assistant Planner Jack Roberts and Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker. COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Ortolano noted a communication from Mr. Bill Leon, applicant, requesting an extension of Grading No. 1065 until February 23, 1988. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue Grading No. 1065 until February 23, 1988; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. } PUBLIC HEARING/WORK SESSION Code Amendment No. 25; Assistant Planner Jack Roberts Recycling Regulations presented the staff report and a related video. Chairperson Ortolano reopened the public hearing. Interested parties included: Ms. Tanya Lipschutz State of California Division of Recycling Mr. Burt Nelson Los Angeles County Environmental Health Department Mr. Bob McQwen 20/20 Recycling Mr. Terry Martindale Hughes Market 819 19th Street, Sacramento 95814 2300 W. Carson St., #273, Torrance 90501 221 Allen Avenue, Glendale 91201 30019 Hawthorne C Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 2 • Interested parties discussed: State recycling and energy conservation regulations; a "Model" recycling ordinance; related issues of parking, noise, location, appearance/screening and environmental health; curb- side service; recycling has increased as a result of related legislation; 20/20's efforts to reduce recycling noise; 20/20's intent to comply with the City's ordinance once same is established; recycling of plastic, aluminum and glass; Hughes Market's desire to maintain a good reputation; and Hughes Market's support of 20/20 Recycling. During Commission discussion, Chairperson Ortolano related her support of curbside recycling which would exempt some of the City's markets from installing recycling centers. Commissioner Von Hagen_ suggested --that Planning Darector.,St�ve Emslie of -Rolling Hills 2a'tates be'contacted to obtain- ini farma-tion iegar.ding - how that city is dealing with recycling. --V - The Commission's concern over recycling noise, appearance/screening and environmental health was noted. The public hearing was continued to February 23, 1988. At 8:20 PM the meeting was duly adjourned. ***At 8_:20 PM there was a brief recess until 8:25 PM when the u regular meeting of the'.PI-anning +CommisS16n was called to order.*** RE -ORGANIZATION OF COMMISSION Chairperson Ortolano introduced (Election of New Vice -Chair) Commissioner Connolly as the 1988-89 Commission Chairman. The Commission wished Chairman Connolly the best and commended Chairperson Ortolano on her efforts during 1987-88. Chairman Connolly nominated Commissioner McNulty to serve as Vice - Chairman during 1988-89; seconded by Commissioner Ortolano and passed unanimously. Commissioners McNulty and Wike agreed to continue serving as representatives to the Four Cities' Planning Group and Commissioner Von Hagen agreed to serve as alternate. CONSENT CALENDAR None. 1-1 Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS Code Amendment No. 24; Antenna Regulations Assistant Planner Jack Roberts presented the staff report and discussed the revisions related thereto. Commissioner Wike _depa-rted" the meeting -,at- 8:30.: PM;u Chairman Connolly noted a related communication from Mr. Robert Eaton, 26132 Barkstone. Chairman Connolly reopened the public hearing. Interested parties included: Mr. Robert Eaton 26132 Barkstone Mr. & Mrs. Peter Dreyer 30521 Palos Verdes Drive East Mr. Tim McGann 30509 Palos Verdes Drive East Mr. Ronald Ziegler 6520 Palos Verdes Drive East Mr. Gilbert Alberto 2177 Rockinghorse Road Interested parties discussed: the issues of a fee structure, screening, colors, height, roof mounting, visual impact, noticing and satellite dish alternatives. They stressed that the Commission should review all satellite dish applications and that information pertaining to other cities' satellite dish guidelines should be obtained. Commissioner McNulty explained his understanding of the City Attorney's indication that satellite dishes should be screened from any public space as opposed to private space. He discussed the Commission's role to review any Director decisions with which an applicant may disagree and any applications which involve a departure from the Code. He supported standard satellite dish colors such as gold, white, black and silver. He suggested that the City Attorney should be contacted regarding the City's ability to limit the number of satellite dishes per lot. He related his concern over the Federal Government's preemption of the City's authority over the regulation of satellite dishes. Commissioner Ortolano expressed her concern over roof -mounted satellite dishes. Because of constantly changing FCC regulations, she suggested that reference to the January 14, 1986 FCC ruling (as included in Section G, Page 4) should not be so specific. She supported satellite dish colors which blend with the surroundings and emphasized the difficulty of controlling satellite dashes within the narrow limits established by the Federal Government. She agreed that property owners should be noticed regarding applications which depart from the Code and favored the Commission's review procedure as recommended by staff. • Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 4 0 Commissioner Von Hagen commended staff on an excellent job of incorporating the Commission's concerns into the revised "Draft" Ordinance. He suggested the use of "parabolic reflectors" as opposed to "earth stations" and recommended that No. 4, Page 5, should be revised to read, "...dish must be...". He pointed out that the City's fees are based on staff time and related his agreement with standard satellite dish colors such as gold, white, black and silver. He explained the Federal Government's preemption of the City's authority over satellite dishes and commented on the difficulty of screening same. He noted the City Attorney's determination that cable reception would not be a viable alternative on which to base the denial of a satellite dish application. The staff/Commission roles related to satellite dish applications were explained by Director of Environmental Services Benard who provided input regarding the Federal Government's preemption of the City's ability to notice such applications. He noted that the City's fee schedules are approved by City Council and that the impact of satellite dishes could be softened through a combination of screening and colors. Staff presented information pertaining to an applicant's ability to request Commission review of the Director's decision with regard to a satellite dish application. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the public hearing to February 23, 1988; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously (absent Commissioner wike). Variance No. 185; The presentation of the staff Steel, 30252 Via Victoria report was waived. Suggested revisions to the staff report were discussed by Director of Environmental Services Benard who noted that Section V of the staff report applicable Resolution should be deleted and that "sliding" should be deleted with reference to the glass door. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak to the item. Commissioner Ortolano moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously (absent Commissioner Wike). The Commission commended staff on a fine staff report. Commissioner Ortolano moved to adopt the modified staff recommendation; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously (absent Commissioner Wike). • Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 5 Variance No. 186; Greely, 28087 Ella Road Is Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker presented the staff report. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. Mr. A. Zettler Greely, 28087 Ella Road, applicant, requested approval of Variance No. 186 and discussed: height and handrail,;,rqquilremeh s; efforts--�f-O'-cO­mp-1-y with the -City's requirements; gbac-kgrbfInd-,-6-.f----'tHe -i-e-quest; the- difficulty of c6rretfting-. the existing situation_;, disagreement with the staff recommendation/conclusion; and willingness to screen the staircase. Commissioner Ortolano moved to close the public hearing; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously (absent Commissioner Wike). Commissioner Ortolano elaborated on her inability to support the application which she indicated would be contrary to the General Plan. She voiced her concern over the cumulative impact of an approval of the request and stressed that the staircase could be modified to no higher than 30 inches. Chairman Connolly, who supported Commissioner Ortolano's viewpoint, discussed that the application could be continued to enable the applicant and staff to discuss available options and to clarify any possible misunderstandings. He noted that the applicant's fence is the only fence in the immediate area which goes all of the way to the property line. Commissioner McNulty expressed his opinion that the request could be continued to allow discussion of any possible misunderstandings between the applicant and staff. He pointed out that the applicant's lot is unique since all of the other properties in the immediate area go all the way to the street and since other properties in the immediate area can access the drain from San Nicolas Drive. Commissioner Von Hagen related his support of the request. He discussed the special circumstances related to the applicant's lot, specifically the required storm drain maintenance. He noted that other lots in the immediate area have access to the storm drain from San Nicolas Drive. Staff provided input pertaining to the hand rail requirements according to the Building Code. Staff indicated that no communications in opposition to the project were received. Director of Environmental Services Benard commented on City Council's recent action regarding nuisance abatement on two other bench drains in the vicinity of the applicant's property. During discussion of the staff recommendation, he explained staff's position that the applicant should be encouraged to relocate the staircase out of the setback. Ll Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 6 Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the item until March 8, 1988 to enable staff and the applicant to clarify the City's requirements; seconded by Commissioner Ortolano and passed by a majority vote with Commissioner Von Hagen dissenting (absent Commissioner Wike). Appeal rights were noted. CONTINUED BUSINESS Conditional Use Permit No. 51; Revision "B"; Monte Rosa Partnership; Palos Verdes Drive South at Seawolf and Seahill Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham presented the staff repert. She related the staff recommendation to modify Condition No. 3 to Exhibit "A" to include, "...pre -rusted guard rail may be used." Chairman Connolly invited interested parties to speak to the request. The proponents of the request included: Mr. Edward Becker 31320 Via Colinas, #110 KLK Communities, Inc. Thousand Oaks 91362 Representing the Developer and the Builder Mr. Nick Lam Applicant 828 So. Brand Glendale 91204 The proponents discussed: opposition to a pre -rusted guard rail; agreement with a galvanized steel guard rail; landscaping would screen the guard rail; the County and State standards of guard rail placement; a guard rail and -landscaping -would reduce noise,' --a desire to reduce-the:-respqnsibiliti.es in t1fe`future-for the homeowners'_ association; ldt,e_receipt the processing -time; the developer's efforts to upgrade the quality of the pro3ect; agree- ment to the Conditions as recommended by staff; and a desire to review the Hold Harmless and Maintenance Agreement and concern over the enforcement thereof. Interested parties included: Ms. Sandra Sakamoto Mr. Paul Hext 6517 Sandy Point Court 6515 Sandy Point Court Interested parties discussed: concern over safety, privacy, noise, a Hold Harmless and Maintenance Agreement and aesthetics of a guard rail. They stressed that - o a s - lid block wall would be more ..aesthetically appealing 'affdf,15l`b-ck—, hoi-s-e and—c-a-i�'-ii2ght-s� from Palos -Verdes Drive -Sb-dth th4n`a guard_ -rail and that landsc-aping of a guard rail would nof'mihitiie noise. Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 7 For the record, Commissioner Ortolano noted her personal acquaintance with Mrs. Sandra Sakamoto, property owner of 6517 Sandy Point Court. She expressed her concern over the aesthetics of a guard rail along Palos Verdes Drive South. She voiced her support of a block wall the height of a guard rail and stressed that such a wall would not signifi- cantly impact the view and would 'significantly reduce noise. She explained her understanding that an engineering mistake prevents the developer from placing the guard rail out of the public right-of-way. She emphasized the difficulties involved in obtaining a Hold Harmless and Maintenance Agreement and noted her concern over unduly burdening a future homeowners' association. Commissioner Von Hagen discussed his concerns related to view preser- vation and traffic safety. He expressed his support of the staff recommendation as previously related by staff. Commissioner McNulty emphasized the importance of maintaining the vista along Palos Verdes Drive South. He expressed his preference of a solid block wall the height of a guard rail and voiced his concern over the high cost of same. He mentioned that, if installed, a guard rail should not be pre -rusted. Chairman Connolly explained his concern over the safety related to a solid block wall which he emphasized would not be consistent with the remaining portions of Palos Verdes Drive South. He pointed out that landscaping would screen the visual impact of a guard rail. Staff noted that the developer still owns the ma3ority of the lots so a homeowners' association has not yet been organized. Staff mentioned that the developer did not plan to install a guard rail prior to his need to encroach into the public right-of-way. Staff clarified the proposed guard rail and irrigation equipment locations and noted that, while Public Works agreed to the use of a solid block wall (a Jersey Barrier), the applicant did not. Director of Environmental Services Benard discussed staff's opinion that a solid wall the height of a guard rail would not significantly reduce noise. He provided information regarding the City's requirement of a Hold Harmless and Maintenance Agreement. He indicated that a low barrier along Palos Verdes Drive South would not violate the General Plan. Commissioner McNulty moved to adopt the staff recommendation with the following modifications: the requirement of a pre -rusted guard rail to be replaced with a standard rail; the requirement of a landscaping and irrigation plan to be performed to staff's approval; the location and height of the guard rail to be approved by staff; and the requirement of a Hold Harmless and Maintenance Agreement to be consistent with the City's requirements. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed by a majority vote with Commissioner Ortolano dissenting (absent Commissioner Wike). Commissioner Ortolano noted her opinion that related problems of noise and light from Palos Verdes Drive South remain unresolved. • Minutes January 26, 1988 Page 8 NEW BUSINESS Grading No. 1065; Leon, Agarwal 64 Yellowbrick Road (Lot 3, Tract 29794) QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE (Regarding Non -Agenda Items) REPORTS Staff Commission ADJOURNMENT :7 Continued to February 23, 1988 (see page 1). None. Director of Environmental Services Benard mentioned the January 29 SWAPC Luncheon. Chairman Connolly noted City Council's desire of increased cablecasting of various City functions. At 11:35 PM the meeting was duly adjourned.