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PC MINS 19890627MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 27, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Wake at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, California. PRESENT: Von Hagen, Wake, Ortolano, Connolly, McNulty Also present were Environmental Services Director Robert Benard, Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, Associate Planner Laurie Brigham and Associate Planner Carolynn Petru. COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR: Chairperson Wike reported receiving three items regarding Grading No. 1176 requesting opposition or continuance of the hearing. A. MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 1989 Chairperson Wake offered two changes on page 5 of the minutes. The minutes were approved without objection with two abstentions, Commissioners Connolly and McNulty, due to their absence from the April 25 meeting. B. GRADING NO. 1262 Chairperson Wike suggested the 1920 Delasonde retaining wall be cut back to 3 112 feet. it was agreed that it should remain at 5 feet. Motion was made to approve the project. Unanimously passed. C. GRADING NO. 1235 29663 Grandpoint Motion was made to approve the project. Unanimously passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 145; ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 571 6958 Alta Vista Director of Environmental Services Benard presented the staff report. Chairperson Wake opened the public hearing. The applicant was not present. Commissioner Von Hagen stated that the glare from the lights would shine onto the Planning Commisso Minutes June 27, 1989 - Page 2 neighbor's property and create an undesireable condition. Motion was made to deny the application. Unanimously passed. B. VARIANCE NO. 206, ENVIRONMENTAL The staff report was ASSESSMENT NO. 553, COASTAL waived. PERMIT NO. 55 Portuguese Bend Club Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing. Mr. John McCarthy, 105 Spindrift Drive, representing the Portuguese Bend Club Homeowners Association, objected to staff's suggestion to lower and reduce the size of Deck No. 3. Chairperson Wike questioned the need for so many decks and suggested removal of the most easterly deck. Commissioner Connolly requested that the decks be fire retardent. Mr. McCarthy agreed to both suggestions. The Commission deferred consideration until later in the meeting so that the resolution could be revised to reflect the suggested changes. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 596 -APPEAL Associate Planner Laurie 2022 Mendon Brigham stated that the Commission, at its May 23, 1989, meeting had directed the applicant to work with staff to redesign the project. The applicant felt that a redesign was not feasible, and declined to revise the project. Ms. Brigham indicated that the views of concern were not protected views according to the Code and that the staff continues to recommend denial of the appeal and approval of the project. The Commission could, however, direct the applicant to redesign. Commissioner Ortolano indicated that she felt the staff interpreted the Code section requiring that view impact be minimized differently than she did. David Marabella, 2022 Mendon, the applicant, stated that the addition would cost $80,000 and that redesign was not possible because of the stairway location. He also indicated that his house would be for sale if the Commission's action was not supportive. Marijan Pericich, 2026 Mendon, the appellant, stated his desire to have the project redesigned to protect his views and privacy. Planning Commiss Minutes June 27, 1989 - Page 3 0 - Commissioner McNulty felt that the appellant's view was not a protected view and that the Code provides for minimizing impacts on protected views. Chairperson Wike .indicated that the Code has very specific language regarding minimizing view impact and that the City Attorney has said that the Commission has discretion to request redesigns or place conditions on Height Variations to minimize view impairment, regardless of the type of view to be preserved. Mr. Benard clarified that the City Attorney is still preparing his opinion on the issue. At this point he has stated that if there is view impairment from a primary viewing area from a "view lot", then conditions could be placed on portions of the addition below 16 feet. A motion to uphold the appeal, thereby denying the project, was made and approved (3-2), with Commissioners Von Hagen and McNulty dissenting. B. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 4934 27809 Longhill Motion was made and seconded to continue the application to the July 25, 1989 meeting. Unanimously passed. C. GRADING NO. 1176 Chairperson Wi.ke indicated 3151 DeLuna that Maryann Rimoin had sent a letter and called requesting that this item be continued until July. The Commission determined that it would conduct the hearing, and then decide whether to continue the item. Associate Planner Carolynn Petru presented the staff report, noting that a number of significant changes have been made in the project redesign. In particular, the height was reduced so that no variance is required, and the Height Variation approval was not appealed. The size of the structure and grading quantities have been reduced and all Code requirements have now been met. Staff recommends approval with conditions. Michael Stallings, 17202 Falda Avenue, Torrance, architect for the project agreed with the staff's recommendation and conditions. Harold White, 3147 Dianora, requested the hearing be continued until July due to inadequate notice. He stated that the redesign is still 6,000 square feet and the lot wasn't designed for such a large house. Mr. Benard and Ms. Petru indicated that the meeting notice contained the June 27, 1989 date, and that 12 people were sent notices, although the Code doesn't require notice for Planning Commissis Minutes June 27, 1989 - Page 4 grading permits. The Commission commended the applicant for the redesign of the home while expressing concern that other neighbors had not been able to attend the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the project with staff's suggested conditions. Unanimously passed. D. SEACLIFF HILLS GUIDELINES Associate Planner Carolynn Fences and Walls Petru presented the staff report. After two previous meetings to discuss alternative guidelines, staff recommended that the proposed language be incorporated into the Seacliff Hills Development Guidelines. The Commission expressed concern about the implications of Council's recent fences, walls, and hedges moratorium on their Seacliff Hills effort. Mr. Benard explained that those ordinances were actually urgency ordinances which protected views, but which didn't prohibit fences or walls altogether. Also, the ordinance regarding rear property lines only addressed upsloping lots, while most of the Seacliff Hills concern is with downsloping property. Chairperson Wike suggested that some kind of review for ences or walls should be required, as a fencing plan or part d of the site plan or landscape plan. She also was concerned that lighting along Palos Verdes Drive South should be rp�j U' addressed. �i The Commission felt that there should be more restriction and greater Director discretion on wall in interior side yards adjacent to structures, allowing Y onl a 42 inch solid wall, unless the Director determines that a higher wall is necessary or fences up to 6 feet. The Commission directed staff to return with the suggested revisions as a Consent Calendar item. The motion was approved without objection, with Commissioner Von Hagen absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED): B. VARIANCE NO. 206 (CONT) Portuguese Bend Club The resolution was revised to reflect the conditions discussed, but there was still disagreement regarding Deck No. 3. Staff suggested limiting the deck to the width of a walkway, while the applicant suggested reducing the width by only four feet. Planning Commiss* Minutes • June 27, 1989 - Page 5 A motion was made and seconded to approve the project with conditions, including the applicant's suggestion for Deck No. 3. The motion was approved without objection, with Commissioner Von Hagen absent. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE: A. J.J.D. McLaren spoke to the Commission regarding development on Nautilus Drive. REPORTS: A. STAFF B. COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT There were no staff reports. Commissioner McNulty reported on the Four Cities meeting of June 24, 1989. The meeting was duly adjourned at 10:10 p.m. to July 11, 1989.