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PC MINS 19881101r MINUTES Al PLANNING COMMISSION U l L NOVEMBER 1, 1988 The meeting was called to order at 6.38 p m by chairman Connolly at He --se Par: Fireside Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boule%.ard PRESENT von Hagen, Connolly, McNulty, Wike ABSENT Ortolano Also present were Senior Planner Greg Fuz and Assistant Planner Laurie Brigham COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC HEARINGS CONTII,IUED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Specific Plan `1I Workshop No. 2 (coastal Subregion One) chairman Connolly reported that no communications had been received There were no items for public hearings. There were no continued business items Senior Planner Greg Fuz presented the Staff Report and announced that this is the second in a series of public hearings and the first workshop to review City policy and proposed development concepts for the are:. in coastal Subregi,.-n One from --he Point Vicente Interpretive Center to Tract No 9054 The first publ_c hearing on this item was held on September 13, -when the VHS development team was introduced and gave a brief over:iew of the way they intend to proceed through the specific o1a.1 review process. Mr Fuz also Said that at the current meeting, the VMS team would build on the information presented in September by updating the commiSSion on its findings on geology, traffic and noise impacts, bio?o;y, utilities and infrastructure, drainage and hydrology, and will discuss four alternative development concepts Minutes November 1, 2988 Page Two Karl Vonder Linden, Certified Engineering Geologist for the project, described the field investigation that has been conducted on the property, and reported that the site is geologically stable in terms of landslide possibilities. Mr. Vonder Linden also described the property's strata, the majority of which, he said, is underlain by massive basalt. He reported that the fill was compacted to normal engineering standards, and pointed out areas on the property that are currently affected by drainage to the extent that erosion is taking place He concluded that this uncontrolled surface drainage is the principal problem affecting the property, but it can be controlled. Larry Schmidt, 3330 Palos Verdes Drive South, reported that the drainage system is an upgrade of an existing system and the water is eroding through existing areas and through pre-existing drains. George Wentz, Director of Public works, also reported that the drains traversing the property were designed by the County to handle larger volumes of inlet and outflow. Richard Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Planning for C.W. Cook, engineers, described the company's main involvement in the project, which was to conduct a topographic survey. The next major items to be researched were infrastructure and utilities in order to determine how the existing sewer, water, electric and gas lines would provide the necessary utilities to accommodate the proposed development. Mr Gonzalez said that calculations on the amount of water flowing from the property were also done, and it appears that there will be no necessary improvements to accommodate the flow; it is hoped that the flow will be limited to two outlets. He added that, from an engineering context, two lift stations are anticipated to handle the sewer capacity. Eric Sakowitz, representing Impact Sciences, environmental consultants, reported that all research information will be presented to the Commission in a written report, and discussed the parameters within which the traffic study was conducted. Mr. Sakowitz also reported that no specific plans have been developed, but the potential traffic impacts were identified taking into account weekday and weekend cumulative conditions. it was found that the intersection of Hawthorne Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive West can accommodate weekday cumulative peak hour traffic, however, the intersection would require re -striping and signal phasing modifications to mitigate weekend peak hour signal 1 V1U ! weekend conditions and meet City identified standards for traffic acceptability He added that there would be more than one vehicular access from Palos Verdes Drive West, but the principal entrance to the project would be Hawthorne Boulevard. Minutes November 1, 1988 Page Three Mr. Sakowitz also reported that a schematic will be submitted to the Commission prior to the next Workshop, in order to determine what the traffic analysis shows will be required for mitigation. Mr. Sakowitz then discussed noise conditions and sensitivities and indicated the stations from which noise recordings were taken. All measurements were taken during peak traffic hour periods. The primary source of noise was found to be the roadway noise that occurs near Palos Verde Drive West, therefore this area will be determined to be the most constrained in the future. He also said that the current noise level at the project ranges from 36 to 57 decibels, which is well within the standard for noise sensitive land use of 65 decibels established by the State of California. Mr. Von Hagen pointed out that the decibel readings are relative only, and are not absolute. Primary areas of noise generations on the site also include aircraft overflights, and ocean noise In discussing the biological conditions and sensitivities, Mr. Sakowitz noted that the four following basic vegetation types have been categorized: Bluff scrub, Baccharis Scrub, Annual Grassland and Wetland, and the most sensitive plant communities have also been defined. Sensitive animal species and habitats include rocky interti.dial areas, marine animals, several sea/shore birds, and the Yellow Breasted Chat. Mr. Sakowitz added that no indications of any naturally occurring springs have been identified on the site, nor have any endangered or rare plants or animals have been identified. Jean Gath of the SWA Group, land planners, described the important characteristics of the site and noted that preservation of the view corridors has been an important consideration in planning the development of the site. Ms. Gath also described the three ma;or landforms which have helped the SWA Group in coming up with the overall concept: for the site, and noted that public access was also an important consideration In the development concepts, as well as open space and trail linkages to the Interpretative Center, vehicular access at Hawthorne Boulevard, and retention of the existing wetland areas. Ms. Gath then reported that four alternative concepts have been prepared, each allowing for the development of approximately 97 residential units, approximately 304 of common open space, public access, bluff top trail, and the incorporation of major view corridors. Each alternative proposes a series of residential clusters, surrounded by an open space framework. a. v.,�aau �. ... w,i Minutes November 1, 198° Page Four Ms. Gath described each alternative concept, accompanied by illustrative diagrams she first reviewed the Bluff Top Road Alternative and its potential impact on the coastline and the pro3ect. This concept provides direct vehicular access and parking along the bluff edge. The Bluff Top Enhancement Alternative establishes a public parking area near the northeastern corner of the site with a connecting trail to the bluff top edge, and provides direct public pedestrian linkages to and expansion of the existing parking area at the Interpretive Center. In the Bluff Access Alternative, public parking is provided in two identified parking areas along the entry road, adjacent to the open space, from which public trails connect the parking areas to the bluff top trail. The Open Space Recreation Alternative would allow for a wide range of open space activities including active and passive recreation. Open space would comprise approximately 300 of the buildable area, and approximately 29.5 acres for open space recreation. The bluff top trail would terminate at a proposed pedestrian overlook. Ms. Gath concluded her presentation by stating that as a result of the current work session, the planning team will focus on a preferred alternative or combination of alternatives for further refinement, and will re.fiew preliminary lot layouts and grading concepts, typical street sections, overall landscape and character concepts, and site specific development standards. Commissioner Von Hagen requested that the team also consider a series of security and amenity issues. Larry Schmidt, 3320 ?alos Verdes Drive West, representing the Lunada Pointe Homeowners Association and Watt Palos Verdes, Inc., addressed his concerns with regard to views, bluff access, dust control, utilities, current erosion adjacent to Lunada Pointe, and said the new drain has increased the erosion rate. Isabel Brown, 30703 Rue Valois, inquired about the zoning density of the Porto Verde Condominiums, and about the Commission's plans V 4 4t .�♦1 ♦ to preserve some natural areas in the city. She also referred to the restrictions placed on a private property versus the City's regulations placed on a ma3or developer. Senior Planner Fuz explained the City's regulations for dealing with applications for residential proposals such as the VMS proposal, and described the process which the Commission uses to addresses the special concerns of residents. Minutes November 1, 1988 Page Five David Sandie, 30435 Via Cambron, expressed concern about noise and traffic patterns and view impairment. Ron Blackwelder, 30521 Rue Langlois, was concerned about the secondary entrance to the project, about access to the bluffs, and that large homes would be placed on small lot: He suggested the erection of noise barriers adjacent to the site. Mario Fuentes, 7100 Via Del Mar, urged the commission and the developer to proceed with caution on the project. Roger Van Wert of VMS reviewed the ordinances and regulations under which the project's proponents must operate, and announced that the commission will be asked to make a recommendation on the proposal once it becomes more defined. chairman Connolly commended ,IMS for being sensitive to issues of open space, bluff access and view corridors. Mr. Van Wert then responded to Commissioner wzke's .inquiry about ownership of the property and stated that the site is owned by Anden, a residential real estate developer, and VMS is a financial partner. Commissioner Wike also requested consideration for a pull-out where the public could view the coastline. Commissioner McNulty commented that the indications so far show a sensitivity to the bluff, and he also commended VMS on this. Commissioner Von Hagen announced that Jane Treffs, who was in the audience, was one of the original Planning Commission members, and he commended the developers for the comprehensiveness of the reports that were presented. in response to Chairman Connolly's question, qtr. Sakowitz said that vegetation is not an effective sound barrier, but other types of material will be considered as part of the EIR process. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no questions from the audience regarding non - agenda items STAFF REPORTS Senior Planner Greg Fuz proposed a field trip for the Commission to re-:_ew past project sites to make a comparison between what was approved and what was actually done Minutes November 1. 1988 Page Six The list of tentative areas to visit Included SitaS illustrat-iny bu-lding Into the canyons, recent grading/tract developments filling of canyons, properties developed on 3:1 Slopes, and 15' - 30' ascending/descending structures. Mr. Fuz also requested the Commission to adjourn to 6:30 p.m. on November 9, since the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting was planned for November 9, which IS election day. Mr. Fuz announced that Jack Roberts, Assistant Planner, was leaving the City's employment on November 4, 1988. COMMISSION REPORTS Chairman Connolly reported that requestL have been received that corrections to the Consent Calendar be made by the staff prior to the Cemmission,meeting. Commissioner Von Hagen announced that the dinner for Mrs. Negendan w-11 be held at Commissioner McNulty-- home on November 4, 1988. ADJOURNMENT The meetl_ng was duly ad;ourned at s.5y p M. to 5 30 r M. November ° 1944, at Hesse Park Community Room. 103(l1 Hawthorne Boulevard