PC MINS 19890328MINUTES ,'
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 28, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Wike
at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho
Palos Verdes.
PRESENT: Von Hagen, Wike, McNulty, Ortolano, Connolly
(Commissioner Ortolano arrived at 8:08 p.m.)
Also present were Environmental Services Director Robert Benard,
Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, Associate Planner Laurie
Brigham and Assistant Planner Marcia Smith.
COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Wike noted that
communications had been received from
Yolanda Chang and John Schoenfeld.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Minutes of January 24, 1989 The minutes of the meeting held
February 14, 1989, were approved
pending the following corrections:
Page Three - Paragraph Four amended
to read:
"...to consider a two story building
for this project and not consider
view from the new condominiums, is
very inappropriate, as it would
eliminate the near ocean view and
does..."
P.C. Resolution No. 89
Approving Variance No. 225
Grading No. 1210 There was no discussion on this item.
Conditional Use Permit There was no discussion on this item.
No. 42
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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 28, 1989
Page 2
Sign Permit No. 441
Misc. Hearing (Cinema)
Commissioner Connolly stated that
he wants to ensure that it appear
in the Commission's recommendation
that no light shine off of the site
onto adjacent property.
Environmental Services Director
Robert Benard affirmed that the
applicant has been contacted
regarding this detail and is
willing to comply with this
recommendation.
Motion was made by Commissioner Connolly and seconded by
Commissioner McNulty to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Ortolano was absent
during this portion of the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. VARIANCE NO. 226
Berry Point
60 Laurel Drive
Associate Planner Laurie Brigham
presented the staff report and the
recommendation to approve the
Variance for the trash enclosure and to deny the Variance
for the two light fixtures. She noted that lower light
fixtures - 42 inches maximum in height would provide more
light on the steps where it is needed and be in conformance
with the code requirements.
Chairperson Wike opened the Public Hearings.
Larry Schmidt, 3330 Palos Verdes Drive West, representing
the Berry Point Partnership, of which he is a partner,
stated that the partnership is in accordance with Staff's
condition of approval and will conform with the
requirements, and that the lights would be lowered the
following day.
Chairperson Wike closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Connolly to approve Staff's recommendation.
Passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 28, 1989
Page 3
Environmental Services Director Benard explained to the
applicant that the resolution would be signed this evening
and that the appeal period would run for fifteen days
beginning March 29, 1989.
B. Variance No. 227
49 1/2 Rockinghorse
Associate Planner Laurie Brigham
presented the Staff report. Ms.
Brigham stated that the applicant
is in the process of reviewing
alternative solutions with his
soils engineer and would be
submitting a grading application
shortly, and added that both
Staff and the applicant were requesting that the Planning
Commission continue the application until April 11, 1989 to
allow sufficient time for the applicant to submit a grading
application.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearings.
Warren Sweetnam, 7 Top Rail Lane, questioned if there is
currently any legal action or recourse against the original
person who built this house.
Enviromental Services Director Robert Benard stated that such
legal issues are not appropriate, and that
the only issues to be addressed at this point are those
covered by the application before the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Connolly to continue the public hearings to
April 11, 1989. Passed unanimously.
C. VARIANCE NO. 229
GRADING NO. 1214
3604 GREVE DRIVE Associate Planner Laurie Brigham
submitted the Staff Report and the
recommendation to grant the
Variance, and that the Planning
Commission adopt P.C. Resolution No. 89- and approve the
application with conditions.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearings.
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Planning Commission. Meeting Minutes
March 28, 1989
Page 4
Edward Houseman, 3604 Grave Drive, answered questions from
the Commission regarding construction.
Chairperson Wike closed the public hearings.
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Von Hagen to approve Staff's recommendation.
Passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were noted.
D. EXTREME SLOPE NO. 11
3270 Crownview Drive The Staff report was waived.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Connolly to continue the public hearing until
April 11, 1989. Passed unanimously.
E. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT
NO. 29
(FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES)
Environmental Services Director
Benard presented the Staff Report
with the recommendation that the
Commission review the revised draft amendment, close the
public hearing, and adopt a resolution recommending approval
of the amendment and a final negative declaration to the
City Council.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing.
Dick Motz, 3243 Sealaneview Drive, noted that he and his
wife were probably the original "instigators" for the
amendment, and find the current terminology very acceptable.
In regards to amortization, Mr. Matz stated that he is in
overall concurrence with Staff's proposed recommendation
regarding amortization.
Chairperson Wike closed the public hearing.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding amortization process;
and the inclusion of side yards in the amendment culminating
with a reaffirmation to not include either at this time.
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 28, 1989
Page 5
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Connolly to approve Code Amendment No. 29 as
presented by Staff, but without the amortization
provision and for rear yards only. Passed unanimously.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 564
APPEAL
6536 Via Siena Associate Planner Laurie Brigham
presented the Staff Report with the
recommendation to dismiss the appeal, thereby upholding
Staff's approval of the Height Variation.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the possibility of the
cumulative impact if every house is built two stories; the
Commission questioned if, in order to mitigate the situation,
an alternative design might benefit both parties; it was also
stated that although from the top floor of the appellant's
house there is no protective view, that does not remove their
right to view from their den, on the first floor.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing.
Dennis Moore, 6532 Via Siena, the appellant, objected to the
height variation granted the applicant; presented a petition
from 16 area residents objecting to the design of the
applicant's extremely large house.
A motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by
Commissioner Von Hagen to continue this item to a date
uncertain, where alternative design or designs submitted by
the applicant will be reviewed by the Commission. Passed
unanimously.
QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Betty Haller, 6536 Via Siena, inquired if she could address Item
VI A.
Environmental Services Director Benard advised Mrs. Haller that
the item had been discussed by the Commission and that the issue
had been continued until a future date, as yet uncertain, where
alternative designs would be reviewed, but that at this time the
item was closed and that it could not be discussed.
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"Planning commission meeting minutes
March 28, 1989
Page 6
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A. Staff The Commission received a copy of
the Landscape Covenant as prepared by
the City Attorney. No action was
taken.
Mr. Benard inquired which
Commissioners wished to attend the
California Contact City Association
Conference in Palm Springs
scheduled for May 18 and 19. All
of the members expressed interest
in attending. Mr. Benard stated
that he will provide more
information regarding confirmation
at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at
9:30 P.M. to April 11, 1989.
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