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PC MINS 19881025MINlTTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 25, 1988 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Connolly at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: Von Hagen, Connolly, McNulty, Ortolano, Wike Also present were Director of Environmental Services Benard, Associate Planner Carolynn Petru and Senior Planner Greg Fuz. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Connolly reported that he had received two communications regarding the Marriott project which would be addressed at the time this agenda item was heard. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of September 13, Amend Paragraph Eight on Page Five 1988 to read: "Kurt Nelson, 22330 Hawthorne Boulevard, addressed the slope on the property line." The Motion on Page Nine regarding Tentative Tract Map No. 45667 should reflect the fact that Commissioner Ortolano did not vote because she was not present, and that Commissioner Von Hagen abstained from voting on this item. Regarding Height Variation No. 532, the minutes should reflect that both Chairman Connolly and Commissioner Wike are personally acquainted with Mr. Bnett #3 Eastfield. The second sentence in Paragraph Four on Page 11 should read: "Commissioner Wike asked Staff to clarify Condition No. 11." Paragraph Two, Page 12 should read: "Mr. Benard announced that Associate Planner Ben Ortega will be leaving the City's employment in two weeks." • Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Two Minutes of September 27, 1988 • Last sentence in Paragraph Four, Page Two should read: "Mr. Benard also noted that the applicant was made aware of the changes prior to the meeting." Correct the typographical error in the word "only" in Paragraph Five on Page Two. Amend the next to the last sentence in Paragraph Six, Page Six to read: "She was also concerned about the 350 lot coverage recommended by Staff for the primary structure and another 15% for future accessory structures. The total lot coverage would be 500, the equivalent of an R-4 designation. She proposed a 20-24 foot setback coverage which would comply with the Development Code's front setback requirement." Amend Paragraph Twelve on Page Seven to read: "Commissioner Wike supported a public trail easement for pedestrian use." Commissioner Von Hagen clarified that he abstained from voting on Tentative Tract Map No. 45667. P.C. Resolution No. 88 Approve the Staff recommendation. 27016 Grayslake Road Motion was made by Commissioner Wike and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to approve the Consent Calendar as amended. Motion unanimously passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS Variance No. 215 The Staff Report on this item was 29413 Bayend Drive waived. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Wike to grant the Variance as conditioned and adopt P.C. Resolution No. 88 - „ approving the ,application with conditions. Motion unanimously passed. • Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Three Variance No. 213 Grading No. 1177 2973 Crownview Mr. Fuz also addressed deck from Palos Verdes one adjacent residence, size of the deck should • Senior Planner Greg Fuz presented the Staff Report and noted that the applicant is requesting approval of a grading application to allow construction of a single family residence primarily an an existing graded pad, and a variance to construct an 800 square foot cantilevered deck extending 20 feet over an extreme slope. Staff's concern about visibility of the Drive East, Crownview Drive and at least and noted that Staff believes that the be reduced to limit such visibility. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. Joe Jeffers, 2804 hest 155th Street, Gardena, property owner, explained that the building permits that were originally obtained were allowed to expire because of a family emergency. He requested approval of at least 15 feet on the deck. Director of Environmental Services Benard pointed out that Mr. Jeffers, circumstances are unusual, and he did comply with the rules at the time the building permits were obtained, however, new development standards apply today. Commissioner Ortolano said that a 12 foot deck would be appropriate under the circumstances. Commissioner Wike noted that Mr. Jeffers has allowed several permits to expire, and he should adhere to the conditions of the current Extreme Slope Ordinance. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commisisoner Von Hagen to Adopt P.C. Resolution No. 88 - conditionally approving Variance No. 213 and Grading Application No. 1177 for a new single family residence at 2973 Crownview Drive, and limiting a portion of the deck encroaching over the extreme slope to 15 feet. Motion passed 4 to 1. Commissioner Xike dissented.: Extreme Slope No. 8 senior Planner Greg Fuz 5555 Graylog presented the Staff Report and noted that the applicant is requesting approval of an Extreme Slope Permit to allow construction of a 400 square foot wood deck extending six feet over an extreme slope in conjunction with construction of a therapeutic lap pool on the level portion of the rear yard. Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Four Mr. Fuz added that sufficient evidence exists to support granting this permit subject to the conditions of approval. Notion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Wike to adopt P.C. Resolution 88- conditionally approving Extreme Slope Permit No. 8. Motion unanimously passed. Conditional Use Permit No. 131 Tentative Parcel Map No. 19363 Marriott Corporation Crestridge/Crenshaw Associate Planner Carolynn Petru presented the Staff Report and noted that the Planning Commission closed the public review period for Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 27 on August 23, 1988. All comments received were then forwarded to Envicom Corporation for response and inclusion in the Final Environmental Impact Report, which was made available to the public and the Commission on October 18, 1988. Ms. Petru announced that the Final Environmental Impact Report is organized into three volumes. Volume I contains the Environmental Impact Report; Volume II contains the geotechnical, traffic and archeology reports, and Volume III contains the Response to Comments and a supplemental Traffic Report. Chairman Connolly announced that he received additional communication regarding this item from Daniel Blatt and from Anthony Segreto, and declared a recess from 8:17 p.m. until 8:33 p.m. in order the review all the correspondence that was received at the meeting. Chairman Connolly indicated letters from Lee Argubright and Steven Silverstone were not included in the report, but they will be made a part of the record. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. Steve Silverstone, 5805 Scotwood Drive, addressed the following issues• public health and safety, liability, and strongly opposed the horse trail as proposed. • Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Five Gary Dudman, 5613 Whitecroft, representing the Mesa Palos Verdes Homeowners Association, addressed the Homeowners Association relative to the Environmental Impact Report. He stated that they were not in opposition to the entire project, but they did not have adequate time to review the Final Environmental Impact Report, and requested additional time in order to respond to certain issues in the document. He said the Homeowners Association also felt that some of their comments were misinterpreted and some questions were left unanswered. John Arand, 5731 Mistridge, said that many of the questions he had raised became moot due to ommission, and some others remained unanswered. He was opposed to Envicom's explanation for the project's alteration of topography and land use requirement, and he requested that the Commission not approve the project as proposed. Elaine Herold, 6233 Moongate Drive, addressed the dangers a horse trail would represent to the school children and to drivers. Daniel Blatt, 29225 Stonecrest Road, said he was emphatically opposed to the entire project. He also asked for an additional 30 day period to respond to the Final Environmental Impact Report. Anthony Segreto, 5677 Mistridge, requested additional time to respond to the Final Environmental Impact Report, and reviewed the project's risks versus the benefits. He said he would dispute the project in the Courts if it is approved. Commissioner Ortolano challenged Mr. Segreto's October 20 letter in which Mr. Segreto made certain implications about Mr. Benard. Commissioner McNulty also said addressed Mr. Segreto's accusations concerning Mr Benard. Warren Milloway, 5682 Mistridge Drive, stated his opposition to the project. Robert Rockoff, 5525 Seaside Ht--., declined the opportunity to speak. Sunshine, 6 Limetree Lane, spoke as an individual and raised specific questions about the Final Environmental Impact Report, the size of the project, and the proposed sidewalk on the Crestridge and Crenshaw frontages. Sunshine also commented that the Congregation Ner Tamid has not indicated that the current horse traffic is causing them any difficulty. Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Six Chairman Connolly closed the public hearing. Director of Environmental Services Benard reviewed the State Planning Law as it relates to the Marriott project's application, and commented that the project would be deemed to be approved by law as of December 7, 1988 unless the Commission finds the Environmental Impact Report to be inadequate. Joe Gibson, Director of Environmental Studies at Envicom, also addressed the State law's requirements for Environmental Impact Reports, and addressed the applicant's request to parcelize the property. Mr. Gibson noted that mitigation measures were included in the Final Environmental Impact Report to lessen the impacts of view impairment. Director of Environmental Services Benard explained that Parcel 3 is zoned open Space Hazard and there is very limited development potential on that parcel. Commissioner Ortolano requested that this issue be reviewed by the City Attorney for determination of the Commission's power in terms of requiring any dedication of land as a mitigating measure. Commissioner Wike requested the staff's definition for the uses of Parcel 2 as a medical facility, and requested information on the growth inducing potential of the project. Commissioner McNulty was concerned that the project had more impacts than were addressed in the Environmental Impact Report, and said he was not prepared to approve the Final EIR as it is presently constituted. Commissioner Von Hagen emphasized that he has never had any doubts about Mr. Benard's integrity and conduct. Chairman Connolly said he shared Commissioner Ortolano's concern-- about oncernsabout Parcel 2, and was also concerned about growth inducement. He asked that all written comments be addresed by the Staff by November 9. Ed Novak of the Marriott Corporation briefly discussed the region that was focused on the the marketed services, and the demographic research that was conducted in evaluating prospects for the projects. Commissioner Wike requested that a market survey be conducted within a five mile radius of the proposed site of only residents of the Peninsula. 11 Minutes October 25, 1988 Page seven Motion was made by Commissioner MCNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue the project to November 9, 1988. Motion unanimously passed. A recess was taken from 10:30 p.m. until 10:46 p.m. Conditional Use Permit No. 140 E.A. No. 557 Variance No. 212 Encroachment Permit No. 13 550 Silver Spur -of-way, reduced setbacks and Silver Spur Road and excessive Associate Planner Carolynn Petru presented the staff Report and noted that the applicant is pro- posing to construct two office buildings with a courtyard between them to straddle an earthquake fault trace. she added that while Staff supports the general design of the project as proposed, the project is too intense for the site due to the proposed restaurant, encroachment into the public right landscaping areas adjacent to height of the buildings. Chairman Connolly opened the public hearing. Ron Florence, 430 Silver Spur Road, representing Jim McKay, the property owner, summarized the project in terms of feasibility and mitigation of the site. Frank Kenton, 790 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village, Chief Engineer for Leighton & Associates, addressed issues of geology and discussed the inactive fault line that traverses the property. Robert Earl, A.I.A., 8500 Melrose Avenue, architect, representing Intermark/Jim McKay, presented slides of the proposed building in terms of landscaping, floor plans, elevations, and various profiles of the structure. He emphasized that the restaurant was not a critical factor in the building, and said he did not feel the project was too intense for the site as stated in the Staff Report. Chairman Connolly closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wike requested that Staff make a comparative analysis on silver Spur Road with regard to the height of existing structures and the height of the proposed structures. She also requested that the Staff provide the Commission with the original C.U.P. Conditions of Approval and Variance. Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Eight Commissioner McNulty pointed out that the Mediterranean concept is not being utilized in any adjacent structures, so this might not be appropriate along silver spur Road. He was also concerned about traffic and the resulting effect on pedestrians, and questioned liability issues relating to private use of public land caused by the encroachment of the building into the public right-of-way. Commissioner Von Hagen questioned the relevance of the setbacks, and noted that concept is an interesting one. Commissioner Ortolano noted that protections should be made to defend the City from certain liabilities. Chairman Connolly requested that Staff determine how the building style would fit into the existing structures on Silver Spur Road. Commissioner Ortolano left the meeting at 11:45 p.m. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue this item to November 22, 1988. Motion unanimously passed. (Commissioner Ortolano was not present), CONTINUED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Site Plan Review No. 4710 6118 Palos Verde Dr. South None. Director of Environmental Services summarized the Staff Report in the absence of Assistant Planner John Roberts, and noted that the request to remodel the existing non- conforming commercial building is not consistent with the intent of the Development Code and would have detrimental effects on the surrounding residences. He suggested that the Wayfarer's Chapel facility located at 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South contains a large parking facility and could accomodate the parking needs of the community workshops and awareness programs. Reverend Harvey Tafel, 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, said although parking was a major concern, his overriding concern was the need for additional office and operational space. Minutes October 25, 1988 Page Nine Dean Andrews, 128 South Catalina, Redondo Beach, said he did not agree with the Staff's conclusion about parking. He asked that the Commission take into consideration the services the Wayfarer's Chapel is providing to the community. Motion was made by Chairman Connolly and seconded by Commissioner Wike to deny the appeal and direct the applicant to submit a Conditional Use Permit for use as a church in a residential district. Motion failed. Chairman Connolly, Commissioner McNulty and Commissioner Von Hagen dissented. (Commissioner Ortolano was not present). Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue this item to a time uncertain. Motion unanimously passed. Code Amendment No. 29 (Walls, Hedges, Fences) QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE Commissioner McNulty proposed continuance of this item due to the lateness of the hour. Chairman Connolly noted that he has asked Mr. Fu4 to document these issues in photographs for use as case histories. There were no questions from the audience. STAFF REPORTS Director of Environmental Benard announced that SWAPC will hold a meeting on Friday, October 28. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at 12:20 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 1988, Hesse Park Fireside Room.