Loading...
PC MINS 19880223MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 1988 The meeting was called to order at'7:35 PM by Chairman Connolly at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: CONNOLLY, MC NULTY, ORTOLANO (7:50 PM), VON HAGEN, WIKE ABSENT: NONE Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Assistant Director of Public Works Kevin Smith, Associate Planner Greg Fuz, Associate Planner Ben Ortega, Assistant Planner Jack Roberts and Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker. COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS Code Amendment No. 24; Antenna Regulations Chairman Connolly indicated that communications would be related during discussion of pertinent items. Commissioner Von Hagen moved approval of the Consent Calendar as written; seconded by Commissioner McNulty and passed unanimously (absent Commissioner Ortolan). Assistant Planner Jack Roberts presented the staff report. Chairman Connolly reopened the public hearing. Mr. Robert Eaton, 26132 Barkstone, 'discussed: fees; the categories which the Director can approve should be enlarged; and wire undergrounding. Chairman Connolly closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wike discussed that any related wiring and cable should be placed underground. She stressed that area residents should be noticed regarding satellite dish applications, explained her disagree- ment with a five year amortization period and indicated that the height limitation should be closer to 12 feet as opposed to 16 feet. • Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 2 Commissioner Von Hagen expressed his disagreement with wire under - grounding and noticing requirements which he emphasized would be in opposition to Federal preemption. He stated his support of a 16 foot height limitation which would be consistent with the existing Code. Commissioner Ortolano related her concern over a 16 foot height limitation. She stressed that noticing of area residents is a due process procedure. She reviewed her concern over roof mounted installations and emphasized that any related decisions should be made by the Commission. She indicated that wire undergrounding could be a burdensome requirement. Commissioner McNulty voiced his agreement with wire undergrounding. He pointed out that it would be inappropriate to notice area residents of a satellite dish application which is within the parameters of the ordinance. With regard to the Director's related authority, Chairman Connolly commented on his agreement with the proposed ordinance. He noted his support of wire undergrounding. No. Bl, Exhibit "A", was modified to read, "Number of antenna structures are limited to two." No. C was modified to read, "...pool enclosures, gazebos or any structures..." No. E was modified to read, "...17.41.200 Planning Commission/City Council Review Criteria." Staff elaborated on the City Attorney's agreement with a five year amortization period and pointed out that a 16 foot height limitation would be consistent with the existing Code. During discussion of noticing requirements, Director of Environmental Services Benard noted that the Director's decision could be reviewed by the Commission upon a request from the applicant. Chairman Connolly moved to accept the staff recommendation and to recommend the undergrounding of the antenna from the antenna structure to the residence. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ortolano and passed unanimously. Commissioner Von Hagen emphasized his disagreement with wire under - grounding. However, he related his support of the remainder of the ordinance. Appeal rights were noted. E Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 3 Code Amendment No. 25; Recycling Regulations E Assistant Planner Jack Roberts presented the staff report. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the public hearing; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. Variance No. 189; Director of Environmental Services Vanderlip, Benard related staff's suggestions 100 Vanderlip Drive as follows: to pull the item from the agenda; to continue the item to a date uncertain and renotice same; and not to open the public hearing or initiate any public testimony in order to hear public input at the time the item is considered. He pointed out that any pertinent public testimony could be made under "Questions from the Audience." Commissioner Ortolano voiced concern that both staff and the City Attorney might have the benefit of any public criticisms or comments which would be voiced during the public hearing. Chairman Connolly noted that public testimony could be taken without opening the public hearing. Commissioner McNulty suggested that the public should be informed that the item was, in essence, pulled from the agenda. Commissioner Ortolano, moved to continue the item; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. CONTINUED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Grading No. 1029 and RA No. 543; Accetta, 29601 Western None. Assistant Planner Paul Merrett presented the staff report. Chairman Connolly invited interested parties to speak to the item. Mr. Frank Accetta, 29601 So. Western, applicant, related his willingness to comply with the staff recommendation. Commissioner McNulty moved approval of Alternative No.. 3; seconded by Commissioner Wike and passed unanimously. Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 4 CUP No. 23, Revision "V" and Grading No. 1086; Construction Consortium and Jessen Ling, 3442 Palo Vista Drive (Lot 23, Tract 34834) C] Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker presented the staff report and recommended a continuance of the .item to allow the applicant to submit drawings for staff review. Commissioner Wike moved to continue the item; seconded by Commissioner McNulty and passed unanimously. Director of Environmental Services Benard indicated that, in the event staff approves the project, the item would appear on the Consent Calendar at a future date. CUP No. 23, Revision "W" and Grading No. 1099; Professional Services Co. and Jessen Ling, Assistant Planner Carolynn Wilker presented the staff report. 32566 Seacliff Drive Staff related that the applicant (Lot 20, Tract 32574) was informed that any future plans to construct amenities such as a pool, spa, etc., would be prohibited because same would exceed the Seacliff Hills Guidelines open space requirements. Chairman Connolly invited interested parties to speak to the item. In opposition to the request was Mr. Ling, 11555 Seminolz Circle, Northridge, 91326, representing the landowner, who discussed: objection to the proposed height of CUP No. 23, Revision "W" and the potential view impairment related thereto; the subject lot is currently in escrow; and the financial hardship of burdening the sale when it is in escrow. Mr. Charles Chenze, 1324 W. 169th Place, Gardena, 90274, the buyer of the property, discussed: the project would be balanced in the center of the lot; the aesthetics of the proposed project; the need to construct a large driveway; the importance of preserving the Bavarian appearance of the proposed project; efforts to comply with the Seacliff Hills Guidelines; preference for an approval of the plan as submitted; and the footprint was revised to reduce the driveway area. Mr. Aoyagi, 5800 Canyonside Road, La Crescenta, 91214, architect representing the buyer of the property, discussed: the height of the proposed residence; efforts to discuss the height issue with the landowner; because of the terrain, the roofline of the Revision "V" application will probably be higher than the roofline of the Revision "W" application; concern over the staff recommendation to reduce the second floor by 140 square feet; and efforts to design an aesthetically appealing project. Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 5 Commissioner Ortolano maintained that constructing the proposed project further toward Palos Verdes Drive South could reduce the height of the project. She noted that the applicant, who owns both the CUP No. 23 Revision "V" and "W" lots, had the opportunity to condition the sale of the property. She advised that the proposed project meets the cri-teria established for the Seacliff Hills development and related her opinion that the proposed project was designed to minimize view impairment. During discussion of the importance of preserving the view corridors of the original Residential Planned Development, Commissioner McNulty expressed his understanding that the roofline of the proposed project would be higher than the original footprint. Commissioner Von Hagen commended the buyer of the property for his efforts to comply with the Seacliff Hills Guidelines. Chairman Connolly assured the buyer of the property that every protect in the Seacliff Hills development must meet the applicable Guidelines. Commissioner Wike commented on the importance of breaking up the massive appearance of the structures in the area. She explained that the lots in the development are somewhat undersize for an Rl development which she noted was previously a Residential Planned Development. Staff noted that a continuance of the item would be appropriate in order to allow the applicant to address the issue of open space on the second floor. Staff explained that the footprint change would not affect the 70 percent open space. Director of Environmental Services Benard discussed that the proposed project falls within the 16/30 height envelope and noted that an applicant has the ability to move the pad on the lot as long as it remains within the required setbacks. Commissioner McNulty moved approval of the project as presented with the inclusion of a landscaping plan; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. Appeal rights were noted. Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 6 Encroachment No. 9; Jim Punsalan, 4385 Miraleste Drive Associate Planner Ben Ortega presented the staff report. Chairman Connolly noted the wall at 4389 Miraleste Drive which staff indicated has been submitted to Code Enforcement. Staff described the City limits in the vicinity of the applicant's property and explained that the wall at the corner of First Street and Miraleste Drive is within the City of Los Angeles. Chairman Connolly voiced concern that the applicant did not attend the meeting. Staff related that numerous attempts were made to contact the applicant who did receive notice of the meeting and a copy of the staff report. Chairman Connolly invited interested parties to speak to the item. Assistant Director of Public Works Kevin Smith discussed related traffic safety concerns and provided input from the viewpoint of Public Works (as distributed). Commissioner McNulty stressed that the wall is a potential liability for the City. Commissioner McNulty moved approval of the staff recommendation; seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and passed unanimously. Appeal rights were noted. Director of Environmental Services Benard explained that, as part of the City's standard procedures, the applicant will be noticed of the Commission's decision. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE (Regarding Non -Agenda Items) WORK SESSION Review of Height Variation Ordinance None. A Height Variation Workshop was tentatively scheduled for March 7, 7:30 PM, location to be announced. Minutes February 23, 1988 Page 7 REPORTS Staff Director of Environmental Services Benard provided information regarding the February 26 SWAPC meeting. Director of Environmental Services Benard discussed the upcoming Planning Commissioners' Institute conference. Director of Environmental Services Benard updated the Commission as to the status of the properties at the corner of Crest and Crenshaw and Crestridge and Crenshaw. Commission Chairman Connolly related information pertaining to the recent statistical survey distributed to approximately 400 registered voters in the City. Commissioner Wike requested Commission reconsideration of the resolution for Height Variation No. 509 (Marshall/Virjee - Appeal) at 86 Rockinghorse. She emphasi.zed that the wording of the resolution should be modified to reflect the Commission's intent. Commissioner Ortolano, who cautioned that the item must be placed on the agenda for the purposes of reconsideration, voiced her agreement to do so as long as the pertinent information is supplied to the Commission. She discussed her understanding that the resolution might have been written contrary to the Commission's intent and suggested that Commissioner wike provide staff with the language as she would suggest it; She suggested that the City Attorney's opinion should be obtained regarding the appropriate reconsideration procedures and requested that staff provide an analysis of the proposed language versus the existing language. Director of Environmental Services Benard indicated that the City Attorney will be contacted regarding the proper reconsideration procedures. Commissioner McNulty stressed his opinion that the Commission should not overturn its original decision. ADJOURNMENT At approximately 10:05 PM the meeting was duly adjourned to 7:30 PM, March 7, 1988.