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PC MINS 19890425MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 25, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 Wike at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Rancho Palos Verdes. PRESENT: Von Hagen, Wike, Ortolano ABSENT: Connolly, McNulty -2-7`99 P.M. Chairperson Hawthorne Boulevard, Also present were Environmental Services Director Robert Benard, Associate Planner Laurie Brigham, Associate Planner Carolynn Petru and Assistant Planner Bonnie Olson. COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Wike reported that communication (letter packet) was received relative the Calle de Suenos item representing opposition to the gate proposal from area residents. Furthermore, Chairperson Wike stated that a letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. Hindman rescinding their concurrence with this request, specifically, the proposed gate to the tract. A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 23 "BB", GRADING NO. 1146 3447 Palo Vista Drive This item was removed by Chairperson Wike and discussed at the end of the meeting relative to her preference for a 90% light and air fence versus the proposed wrought iron fence and solid brick base. The other Commissioners stated that this was discussed in great detail at the previous meeting and that the sense of the Commission was to allow the proposed wall. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Commissioner Ortolano to approve this item as submitted. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 2 Passed without objection. B. P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 89 APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 231 AND COASTAL PERMIT NO. 66 4104 Palos Verdes Drive South Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Commissioner Ortolan to approve Consent Item No. B, P.C. Resolution No. 89. Passed without objection. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 24 "A" Palos Verdes Panorama Owners Association Calle de Suenos Associate Planner Laurie Brigham presented the Staff report on the request to eliminate the emergency vehicular access easement on Lot 12 on the northern property line, reduce the amount of common open space and place a gate across the entrance to the tract; and Staff's recommendation to allow access to the sanitary sewers only, approve a reduction in the common open space and deny the entry gate. As background information, Ms. Brigham stated that this extension at the end of Calle de Suenos is a private street with several access easements to provide access to the private common open space, storm drains, sewers and Pt. Vicente Elementary School. She also noted that the proposal was reviewed by the Fire and Sheriff Departments and that neither department was concerned with the proposal as long as their requirements for width and vertical clearance are maintained. Environmental Services Director Robert Benard stated that due to a telephone system failure throughout the day at City Hall, he was unable to contact the City Attorney until very late in the day, and was thereby unable to have a conversation with him regarding the legal issues relative to the gate and the private road and stated that any decisions regarding that portion of the request should be deferred until the next meeting. Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 3 Speaking in support of the easement and gate were the following individuals: Jon S. Cartwright, 30630 Calle de Suenos, Huh -Chin Chen Chang, Lot No. 9 Calle de Suenos, Renee Cartwright, 30630 Calle de Suenos, Joseph Lamm, 30657 Calle de Suenos, Sally Lawrence, 30692 Calle de Suenos, Janine Colich, 30666 Calle de Suenos, Herair Garaboushian, 30684 Calle de Suenos, Lori Greco, 30684 Calle de Suenos. These supporters cited that a gate at this location would greatly reduce the problems with speeding vehicles, arson, theft, dumping, vandalism and a variety of illegal activities currently experienced on this private street, and that although they have hired a private security firm to patrol the area, the problem continues. The private portion of the street is not designed to carry the general public and is maintained by the homeowners' association. They indicated the possibility of liability if children are injured or accidents occur when parents drop their children off at Pt. Vicente Elementary School by car in front of the trail and use the planter (next to lot No. 1) as a turn around. Opponents to the application were the following individuals: Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hindman, 30621 Calle de Suenos, Joy Caswell, 30623 Camino Porvenir, Jim Caswell, 30573 Camino Porvenir, Stan Dzikowski, 30605 Calle de Suenos, Walter Rrever, 30547 Calle de Suenos, Louis Fabregue, 30564 Camino Porvenir, Linda Campbell, 30556 Camino Porvenir, Win Hoyt, 30563 Calle de Suenos, Ernest Stross, 30243 Calle de Suenos, Michael Becker, 30330 Calle de Suenos, Ren Strong, 30615 Calle de Suenos. These individuals expressed concern that a gated community would divide the neighborhood; that property values would decrease, and that illegal activities and increased traffic would take place in their area. They were in overall concurrence with Staff's recommendation as far as the easement is concerned. Because of Mr. Benard's initial comments relative to a need for further clarification from the City Attorney, the public hearing was not closed. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 4 A lengthy discussion ensued by the Commissioners covering a range of concerns: an overall consensus by the Commissioners that separate gated communities tend to divide the City into small separate onclaves instead of uniting it; concern relative the access to this easement by emergency vehicles; the legal aspects of a gated community; liability of easement - maintenance is not all that clear. Relative to these concerns, the Commissioners requested from Staff the following: evaluation of sewer easement, specifically pertaining to maintenance clarification; Sheriff's Department policy on the response time to "private" streets and what they feel their obligation is to this street and a report of crime on this area, i.e. if there is an inordinate amount of crime on this street, and if they are providing adequate police coverage; and to provide an analysis as to speed bumps. A motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve Staff's recommendation Alternative No. 2. There was no second to the motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Ortolano and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue the item to May 9, 1989 to enable the staff to secure the information and questions asked this evening and consider this information again. Passed without objection. B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT No. 144 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 563 SIGN PERMIT NO. 436 VARIANCE NO. 224 REVISION Kentucky Fried Chicken 29035 Western Avenue The Staff Report was waived. Associate Planner Laurie Brigham noted the following correction: the building is 17 ft. 7 inches and not the reported 16 ft. 6 inches in height. Chairperson Wike opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Bob Merriam, P.O. Box 819, Anaheim, CA 92805, Hoham Enterprises representing Kentucky Fried Chicken stated that they were in concurrence with Staff's recommendation. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 5 Chairperson Wike closed the Public Hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Chairperson Wike to approve Staff's recommendataion Alternative No. 3. Discussion was called by Commissioner Ortolano who stated her concerns relative to compact car parking. Commissioner Ortolano stated more parking for full size ca: a remodeled facility would b4 present structure, and that complied with the City's recoi Ortolano concluded that she F if parking spaces for compai parking spaces for full size that she would rather see -s, however, she felt that a more desirable than the he felt the applicant had emendations. Commissioner ,ould support this request :t cars were reduced and :ars be increased. Chairperson Wike also stated that she did not feel there was sufficient adequate parking at this location for 18 compact car spaces, and recommended the following two alternatives: 1. reduce the in-house seating space further, or totally eliminate the seating in the restaurant itself, or 2. require the number of parking s_1pces that fit the code �.� c�,t}.,�$ � -} _ s1o1�� n ixA �� vl�Q 4-_ r r- V:k ^bat ©ae' . C1 1 Commissioner Von Hagen restated his motion as follows: Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Commissioner Ortolano to approve Staff's recommendation Alternative No. 3 with the condition that the parking space plan is amended to accommodate an increase in the width of the s aces, if necessary, at the expense of the landscaping on the rear of the property, to be done at the discretion of the Director. Motion passed. Chairperson Wike dissented. C. VARIANCE NO. 227 49 1/2 Rockinghorse The Staff Report was waived. Motion was made to continue this item to May 23, 1989. Passed without objection. 9 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 6 D. EXTREME SLOPE NO. 13 6404 Via Colinita • Assistant Planner Bonnie Olson presented the staff report for the requested action to allow for a 450 square foot wooden deck to encroach 6 feet into an extreme slope and Staff's recommendation to approve with conditions limiting the deck to a 3 foot extension over the extreme slope. Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing, there being no one to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed. Chairperson Wike expressed her desire to prohibit caissons to be constructed within the area of the extreme slope. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolano and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the application as submitted - Alternative No. 2, with the following conditions: 1. Landscape Covenant to be recorded to protect views prior to issuance of Building Permits. 2. Structure to be maintained in a color that blends with the natural landscape. 3. Deck and under -structure to be screened by approved landscaping to prohibit view of pool, spa and deck from adjacent properties. 4. Excavation of pool, spa and deck not to disturb existing wall at rear of property. 5. Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved prior to final inspection. 6. No stock piling or grading in the area of the extreme slope. Motion passed. Chairperson Wike dissented. The applicant was informed of the appeal process. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 7 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 564 APPEAL 6536 VIA SIENA Associate Planner Laurie Brigham presented the staff report and the recommendation to dismiss the appeal, thereby upholding Staff's approval of the height variation. Commissioner Von Hagen stated that Ms. Brigham did an excellent job in the preparation of the staff report. Mr. Dennis Moore, 6532 Via Siena, cited his dissatisfaction with Staff since they did not work with the applicant for an alternate design as per the direction of the Commission. Furthermore, that the staff report was inaccurate in various area, such as the number of two story homes on the street, and the size of the home in question. Mr. J. Haller, 6536 Via Siena, made reference to the petition circulated by the Moore's in the neighborhood which did not make any accurate statement. Mr. Haller also stated that Mr. Moore was not being cooperative relative to what he requires for a view. Environmental Services Director Benard commented that, based upon Staff's interpretation of the Development Code regarding height variations, there was no view obstruction and that the applicant did not care to work with Staff to redesign. A lengthy discussion ensued by the Commissioners relative to some view preservation from the Moore's house and the redesign or modification of the trellis. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolano, and seconded by Chairperson Wike to dismiss the appeal and instruct Staff to add conditions relative to the design of the trellis, that the trellis be limited to a maximum of 12 feet beyond the addition to the rear and a further condition that the trellis cannot be extended in the future. Motion passed. Commissioner Von Hagen dissented. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 8 VII. NEW BUSINESS SEACLIFF HILLS FENCING GUIDELINES I Associate Planner Carolynn Petru presented the Staff Report. A discussion ensued by the Commissioners relative to , criteria submitted by Staff for inclusion in the Seaclif f Hills Development Guidelines. The following concerns were raised by the Commissioners: height of the -walls�-ad-=- 3acent to Palos Verdes Drive South; the issue of -primacy -,— the need for an analysis from Staff relative to Wh-6ther fences up to 42 inches should be allowed in the front yard of either upslope or downslope lots between the front property line and the structure. The Commission members present concurred to continue this item to a later date for further discussion. VIII. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE There were no questions. IX. REPORTS A. STAFF Planning Administrator Curtis Williams stated that Staff is currently reviewing major development proposals for Subregion 1, Long Point and Subregions 7 and 8 and that a formal schedule of review by the Commission of these major coastal projects will be submitted at the next meeting. 4 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 1989 Page 9 B. COMMISSION Chairperson Wike stated that Commissioner Connolly communicated to her that he had read the report by the Ladera Linda Homeowner's Association and felt it was an excellent report. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at 11:20 P.M. to May 9, 1989.