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PC MINS 19880726MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JULY 26, 1988 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Connolly at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: Ortolano, Von Hagen, Connolly, McNulty ABSENT: Wike Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Associate Planner Ben Ortega, Associate Planner Carolynn Petru, and Assistant Planner John Roberts. COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of May 31, 1988 Minutes of June 14, 1988 Conditional Use Permit No. 105 980 Silver Spur Chairman Connolly reported that he had received some communications which would be addressed at the time the agenda items were heard. Recommendation was made to change Mr. Plunkett's address on Page 4 to read: 450 Newport Harbor Drive. Director of Environmental Services Benard distributed copies of revised Page 5. Commissioner Von Hagen requested that the verbatim statement he read be included on Page 8, and asked to include that he returned to the meeting at Page 9 . Commissioner Ortolano recommended that language be added to clarify Paragraphs 4 and 5 on Page 5. Commissioner Ortolano requested that the Staff Report be amended to read: An extension for one year was approved by the Planning Commission on December 8, 1987 extending the life of the project to December 2, 1988. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Two Grading No. 1158 3335 Palo Vista Director of Environmental Services Benard indicated that if the applicant does not proceed with the project within the timeframe granted by the extension, Staff will have to determine whether the original conditions are valid and/or appropriate. The Commission had no questions on this item. Notion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to approve the Consent Calendar as amended. Notion unanimously passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS Variance No. 183 No one in the audience wished Coastal Permit No. 38 to speak to this item. 204 Seascape Notion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue this item to September 13, 1988. Motion unanimously passed. Extreme Slope Permit No. 7 Notion was made by Commissioner Variance No. 201 Ortolano and seconded by Grading No. 1121 Commissioner Von Hagen to 30023 Knollview Drive waive the reading of the Staff Report. Motion unanimously passed. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. John Rempert, 304 Tejon Drive, announced his availability on behalf of the applicant, and reported that the applicant was in agreement with all the Conditions of Approval with the exception of the requirement that a Soils Report be provided. Chairman Connolly closed the public hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty to delete the requirement of a Soils Report as a Condition of Approval for Extreme Slope Permit No. 7. Motion restated by Commissioner Ortolano and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to deny the Variance and approve the Extreme Slope Permit subject to the conditions proposed by Staff , and to delete the requirement for a landscape plan. Motion unanimously passed. Mi utes JUNY 26, 1988 Page Three • Director of Environmental Services Benard noted that appropriate language will be inserted in the Resolution and this item will be placed on the Consent Calendar for the next meeting. Variance No. 203 Associate Planner Ben Ortega Grading No. 1127 presented the Staff Report. 99 Vanderlip Drive Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. John Vanderlip, 99 Vanderlip Drive, thanked the Commission for its cooperation and announced his agreement with the Conditions of Approval. Chairman Connolly closed the public hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolano and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the Variance and Grading Applications subject to the conditions proposed by Staff. Motion unanimously passed. Tentative Tract Map No. 45667, Grading No. 1061, Conditional Use Permit No. 130, 6500 Block of Palos Verdes Drive South Commissioner Von Hagen excused himself from the meeting for his previously stated conflict at 8:10 p.m. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty to continue this item to September 13, 1988. Director of Environmental Services Benard reported on the purposes and processes involved in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report, including gathering public testimony during a designated period of time, receiving information from the applicant and direction from the Commission as to how Staff should proceed. All issues are then reviewed to determine those relative to the project. A draft document is prepared which the Commission reviews for adequacy. and a recommendation is then forwarded to the City Council. Commissioner McNulty renewed the Motion to continue this item, and emphasized the fact that he was not attempting to delay the application, but he did not think Commissioner Wike should lack the information that would be presented at the meeting, since Commissioner Wike had requested that she be provided with specific information on the project. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Four Chairman Connolly was persuaded that the item should be discussed and not continued. Director of Environmental Services Benard responded to Commissioner Ortolano's concern by stating that specific recommendations will be obtained from the Trails Committee. A review of these recommenda- tions will be made to determine concurrence with the original recommendations. Commissioner Ortolano was also concerned about the proposed intrusion particularly in the area of the two ravines located in the center of the property. Commissioner Ortolano indicated that a review of the geology report would need to be done before she could make a recommendation with regard to the ravines. She also noted that she could not determine whether sidewalks and curbing have been proposed for the project and requested a determination regarding the issue of area required for creating lots. Director of Environmental Services Benard reported that an opinion will be obtained from the City Attorney and made available to the Commission with regard to area required for lots. Associate Planner Ortega gave an introductory presentation on the project, including areas of concern raised by Staff. Mr. Ortega emphasized the Staff's desire that a limited amount of recontouring occur in the project. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing and announced that this item will be combined with Item VIA - Continued Business. Larry Schmidt, 3330 Palos Verdes Drive West, representing Watt Palos Verdes, Inc., briefly addressed the issues that were raised in the letter to the Commission, including the following: A Geologist will be made available to work with Staff on grading. The developers will cooperate with the City on issues concerning trails. Curbs and gutters are proposed with sidewalks on one side of the project. Sidewalks on both sides would present a major problem for the developer. Additional alternatives have been proposed that would soften the impact of the retaining walls. They are willing to work with the Commission to increase the ten foot setback which applies to houses with garage spaces that are perpendicular to the street. Mr. Schmidt was not in agreement with Staff's interpretation of the section of the Code dealing with lot sizes. Regarding Staff's concern about the layout of the houses, the lots will be staggered, and there will be no intrusion into view lines. Mr. Schmidt concurred with the Staff recommendation to reduce the upper slopes, which would reduce the amount of grading required. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Five • Mr. Schmidt concluded by asking that the item not be continued to September 13, 1488, but to August 9, 1988. Franklin Weiss, 30711 Via La Cresta, President of the La Cresta Homeowners Association, referred to the Environmental Impact Report requirement as far as the amount of grading the project will require and the resulting traffic on arterial streets, Hawthorne Boulevard in particular. Mr. Weiss did not think it was appropriate to construct houses near ravines, concerned about dirt being removed from the bottom of the hill and possibly causing a landslide. He was particularly concerned about the amount of dust that would be caused by trucks moving dirt, and requested that a traffic study be and was conducted on the proposed public viewing site on Hawthorne. Mr.Weiss requested that the Commission approve that no work on the property be done on Saturdays, no queueing before 7:00 a.m., and no work performed past 7:00 p.m. He was in favor of trails, but not as proposed by the developer. Mr. Weiss indicated that he would put his concerns in writing and present them to the Commission. also Ray Barrett, 32858 Seagate Drive, unofficial spokesperson for approxi- mately 30 homeowners in the Bay Club area, expressed the following concerns: Unavailability of an audio -taped transcript of the meeting's proceedings. Increased traffic on Seahill and Palos Verdes Drive South caused by the development. Busy traffic intersections that would be created by the project. The likelihood that a situation might occur such as at Portu- guese Bend. Excavation at the development. Responsibility for accidents that may result from construction. No work should be done on the project before 7:00 a.m. or after twilight. Soil testing should be done for the additional weight on the hill. Recommending no continuance to September 13, 1988. All materials available at the meeting regarding the project should be made available to those who spoke to this item. Consideration for permanent open space. Tom Hause, 4815 Arbor Road, Architect and Territorial Representative for the Salvation Army, expressed the Salvation Army's concerns about the proposed development: Whether the number of homes proposed would continue to rise. from as previously noted in the original Environmental Assessment. The Salvation Army believes the project should not be in conflict with the general plan, and is also concerned about the dirt, dust, noise and other unpleasant factors that would result from the development. Dirt being transported along local highways. Recommended elimination of lot No. 23 because of its proximity to a drainage channel. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Six Had a question whether grading would be done in one or many phases. In the discussion that followed, Commissioner Ortolano requested production of a document that defines exactly what the Trails Committee is proposing, and also asked that Staff provide Mr. Hause with a copy of the reduced map of the multi-purpose trail as proposed by the Trails Committee in the January 18, 1988 Staff Report. Sunshine, 6 Limetree Lane, presented the basis for the Horsemans Association's concern that a further analysis will be conducted to determine the feasibility of the proposed pathways. She noted that the Association's priority is the continuation of the loop trail concept. Sunshine also noted that the East-West trail was added by the Trails Committee, whereas the North-South trail was included in the original proposal to link with the existing roadway. Zona Toliffe, 6347 Tarragon Road, addressed the following issues: Her opposition to recontouring of the property. The drainage situation, with particular reference to the Southern California Edison substation. Jean Nerko, 6 Packet Road, was particularly concerned about the existence :)f an ordinance on dust control because she has suffered damage to her health as a result of excessive dust from previous developments in her neighborhood. Director of Environmental Services Benard responded that no ordi- nance exists as a standard, but the City can make subjective judgments on these issues. Ilse Oertiker, 6504 Via Baron, was also concerned about the dust that would be created by construction of the proposed development, and requested consideration for a traffic light at the intersection of Seahill and Palos Verdes Drive South. Chairman Connolly noted the Traffic Committee's recommendation that this intersection not be signalized. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, was concerned that all residents of Abalone Cove were not notified of the July 26th Commission meeting, and about the transportation of water on Barkentine Canyon and the devastation that would result. Director of Environmental Services Benard announced that Mrs. Larue is now on the Notification List for this project. He also addressed Commissioner Ortolano's concern about the ravines, stating that at this time it is the Staff's recommendation not to fill or to make any alterations of canyons and natural overlay areas. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Seven Mr. Schmidt again requested the opportunity to address the Commission and the audience, and commented briefly on the following: The lots were redesigned from the original proposal to prevent any crossing of the ravines. Soils, geology and hydrology -reports have been prepared and submitted. The developers will do their best to alleviate the dust control problem. They are willing to provide consultant expertise to assist in designing the trails. They would also be willing to comply with restricting the operating hours to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Regarding the runoff of storm water, whatever is decided will be ratified by the City; the developers are also supportive of the 100 year drains. Mr. Schmidt again requested that this item not be continued to September 13, 1988 but to August 9, 1988. Chairman Connolly asked whether the soil samples indicated the presence of bentonite. Director of Environmental Services Benard responded that in the Terrace Project, the contractor's hours were severely restricted and required to shut down because of their inability to control the dust. Commissioner McNulty noted that the Trails Committee's comment about the East-West trail was not appropriate, neither was the recommendation to subject the homeowners to maintenance of the trails. He was in favor of receiving advice from the Recreation and Parks Department before making any recommendation with regard to the trails. Commissioner McNulty was concerned about_ Hawthorne Boulevard being a designated haul route, and suggested that an alternate route be proposed as a Condition of Approval. Chairman Connolly noted the following: No S wA R n a avoomon t � 4 th nn O �C. ... .. ...o,. _,....,.. .. � , tiL He was interested in receiving additional comments from the community with regard to Saturday work. Staff should research how many inches of rainfall can cause a flood as devastating as that of approximately seven years ago. Staff should work with the developer to provide for a small cul-de-sac adjacent to the canyons to provide an alternative to the canyon buildover. He was concerned about the public perception that the develop- ment would take place over a relatively short period of time. He was also concerned that an audio -taped transcript of the meeting's proceedings would not be available. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Eight • Commissioner Ortolano made the following comments: She was concerned about the lot that spans the eastern ravine. There should be more effective communication between the Trails Committee and the Commission with regard to which of the proposed trails are critical and which are desirable. Also, the developer - should get firm guidance from the Commission, the City and the Trails Committee. Director of Environmental Benard presented a brief chronology of the events related to the project since the application was filed to the present. Motion to continue the item to September 13, 1988 withdrawn by Commissioner McNulty. Mr. Schmidt again requested that the hearing be continued to August 9th in order to allow soils and geology engineers to make presenta- tions. Chairman Connolly requested that the Trails Committee provide written documentation to the Commission by August 9, 1988. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Ortolano to continue hearing on the Watt Project to August 9, 1988, at which time soils and geology reports will be presented, as well as the Trails Committee Report. Motion unanimously passed. A recess was taken from 10:20 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Commissioner Von Hagen returned to the meeting at 10:30 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Grading No. 1130 Carolynn Petru presented the 8 Yellowbrick Road Staff Report related to this item, and noted the Staff Recommendation to approve the project subject to conditions. Director of Environmental Services Benard noted that he is a personal friend of the Ryans (the applicants), and his involvement in the project has been limited to reviewing the Staff Report. Associate Planner Carolynn Petru reported that plumbing and cooking facilities would be restricted in the lower level of the residence in order to prevent this area from being used as a rental or second dwelling unit. ninuLcu July 26, 1988 Page Nine 40 i Notion was made by Commissioner Ortolan and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve Alternative No. 1 of the Staff recommendations: Approve the proposed project subject to the proposed conditions of approval (a) That the retaining walls adjacent to the driveway and the pool shall be separated by a minimum of 3 feet. (b) That the landowner shall submit a Covenant Running With The Land prohibiting the lower level of the residence from being -used or rented as a dwelling unit: Notion unanimously passed. Height Variation No. 514 -Appeal 1950 Delasonde Assistant Planner John Roberts presented the Staff Report and presented a revised Exhibit "A" of the Conditions of Approval. Chairman Connolly reported that he had received a letter from the Shipmans which stated that there was concern that the proposed addition would cause view impairment from their property, and had received a letter from Mr. Rollo, who stated he is opposed to the addition. Mr. I.T. Marine, Jr., 2734 Graysby Avenue, requested approval of the Height Variation, and noted his concurrence with Alternative No. 3 of the Staff Report as originally prepared. Assistant Planner Roberts informed the Commission of Staff's efforts to contact the residents at 2004 Delasonde in order to present them with the Notice of the proposed addition. The Commission discussed and agreed that no significant view impact or cumulative impact would be experienced by any surrounding property. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolan and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to uphold Mr. Marine's appeal under the conditions listed in Exhibit "A", with the deletion of Condition No. 3. Notion unani- mously passed. Sign Permit No. 393 28733 Western Avenue Associate Planner Carolynn Petru presented the Staff Report, and presented the Commission with photographs of the subject sign and of other signs in the Shopping Center. Associate Planner Petru explained that this particular sign is in violation of the Development Code in terms of size, number of tenants identified, legibility, and relating harmoniously to the building. Additionally, a search of the records obtained from the County of Los Angeles produced no permits for this sign. Ralph Horwitz, 345 South Figueroa Street, the landowner, reported that he was not able to locate the date the sign was installed, and has no information in his possession that would refute the Staff's determination, but he found that the sign was installed prior to annexation of the Eastview area, and was informed by the sign builder that the sign was installed pursuant to a permit. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Ten r Mr. Horwitz produced a photocopy of the invoice that was generated when the sign was requested. Mr. Horwitz also addressed the issue of ownership, and noted that --he is entitled to place one major identification sign on the building frontage. _ Commissioner McNulty asked Staff to check the permit for the pole sign to determine whether there was any reference to the sign in question. Commissioner Ortolano noted that she was not in favor of a compre- hensive sign program. Barbara Kennard, 3402 Deluna Drive, addressed the problems she has experienced with sign coordination over the past three years, and discussed her efforts to obtain sign permits. She requested that consideration be given to Code interpretation when her tenants apply for permits. Motion um made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Yon Hagen to continue this item to August 9, 1988 in order to determine whether any documentation exists to show that a sign permit was obtained. Motion unanimously passed. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE STAFF REPORTS There were no questions from the audience. Director of Environmental Services Benard presented a letter from the City Attorney regarding the street trees that are scheduled for removal along Palos Verdes Drive East. The City Attorney's basic comment is that this item was inappropriately scheduled for hearing by the Commission. The item had been continued to August 9, however it will -not be heard further by the Commission. Notices will be sent to all who received original notices and all who spoke to the Item informing them of the City Attorney's position. Director of Environmental Services Benard announced that he will not be in attendance at the August 9th meeting. Assistant Planner Greg Fuz will be his representative. Director of Environmental Services Benard presented a copy of the City Attorney's opinion in response to the Department's question of whether a tentative map can be approved where there is less than 3,000 square feet of buildable space. Minutes July 26, 1988 Page Eleven The meeting was duly adjourned at 12:00 Midnight to August 9, 1988, 7:30 p.m. at Hesse Park Community Building.