PC MINS 19890926MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 26, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 7:31pm by Chairperson Wike
at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PRESENT Wike, Hotchkiss, Von Hagen, McNulty, Brooks
ABSENT None
Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert
Benard, Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, Senior
Planner Greg Fuz, Associate Planner Joel Rojas, and Assistant
Planner Bonnie Olson.
COMMUNICATIONS
Chairperson Wike acknowledged a letter received from Marlis
Larken regarding Variance 237 at 6624 Monero. Mrs. Wike also
stated that a letter had been received from Mr. Bennett
withdrawing the grading application on Tentative Parcel Map
20945.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes of August 22, 1989
B. P.C. Resolution No. 89 -- Commissioner Von Hagen
requested that the phrase "There shall be no overnight
parking" be added to Condition #2 of the Resolution.
Commissioner Von Hagen moved to adopt the consent calendar as
amended, Commissoner Brooks seconded, and the motion was
unanimously passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
NO. 33, REV. "L", GRADING
NO. 1291, EXTREME SLOPE
NO. 15
1 Burrell Lane
no need to delay hearing the
staff report was waived, and
Chairperson Wike stated that
Dr. Harvey Brown had
telephoned to request the
item be heard at 8:30pm so
that he could be present. It
was decided that there was
item to wait for Dr. Brown. The
the public hearing was opened.
Richard S. Greer, 24254 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, architect,
stated that the deck is now a 3'6" balcony, and requested
that it be approved.
PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
September 26, 1989
Jan Duska, 2 Burrell Lane, spoke as a
Homeowners Association architectural
that the Association now approves of
objection to the deck overhang.
The public hearing was closed.
representative of the
committee, and stated
the plans and has no
Assistant Planner Olson noted that the staff recommendation
is that because the deck still intrudes into a view shed area
and over an extreme slope, it should not be approved.
Commissioner Von Hagen asked that the word "antennas" be
removed from Exhibit "A" Condition #3. Mr. Benard noted that
although there is an existing ordinance regarding antennas,
this is a sensitive view area, and while the language would
be inappropriate for a regular subdivision , it is not
inconsistent here.
Chairperson Wike requested that a limit on the wall heights
be added to the conditions. Commissioner McNulty noted that
this is already covered by the current sidewall and rearwall
moratorium. Commissioner Hotchkiss suggested that Item 9 in
Exhibit "A" regarding the deck denial be removed.
Chairperson Wike also noted that a condition should be added
regarding lights on the tennis court.
Commissioner Hotchkiss moved to accept the project as
outlined in the plans submitted with the following changes:
To remove the word "antenna" in Condition #3; to remove
Condition #9 regarding the deck, and adding a condition that
there be no lights on the tennis court. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen, and failed 2-3.
Commissioner McNulty moved to accept the plans as presented
with the following changes: That Condition #3 remain as is;
that Condition #9 note that the deck be approved as shown;
and adding a condition that there be no lights on the tennis
court. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Brooks and
passed unanimously.
B. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP
NO. 20945, ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT NO. 577
5905 Clint Place
issuing a Negative Declaration
the tentative parcel map.
Senior Planner Greg Fuz
presented the staff report
regarding approval of a
two -lot subdivision with
the recommendation that
a Resolution be adopted
and conditionally approving
Mr. Fuz also noted that staff recommends that the rear lot
line be shifted 5' to the south to increase the buildable
area. He also noted a minor change to Condition #6, Exhibit
"A".
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PLANNING COMMISS* MINUTES
September 26, 1989
The public hearing was opened.
Bonnie Lowe, 304 Tejon Place, architect, agrees with the
staff recommendations regarding the lot line, and requested
approval of the Tentative Parcel Map.
The public hearing was closed.
Chairperson Wike voiced objections to development of the
canyons and the amount of proposed grading.
Commissioner McNulty moved to adopt staff recommendation,
Commissioner Von Hagen seconded, and the motion passed 4-1
with Chairperson Wike dissenting.
C. SPECIFIC PLAN VII, Planning Administrator Curtis
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Williams presented the staff
NO. 587 report regarding designation
1700 Westmont Avenue of a Specific Plan for a
passive park at this site.
Staff recommends approval of the plan with conditions.
The public hearing was opened.
Mary Thomas, Department of Recreation and Parks, noted that
the structure would be moved to the top pad so that if the
park ever had to be returned to the Sanitation Department,
the improvements would not have to be demolished.
Walter Warriner, Department of Recreation and Parks, said
that the structure has also been moved so that it will be
closer to and more visible from the parking lot.
Walter Yeager, 27803 Montereina Drive, spoke in favor of the
park.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Von Hagen moved to adopt Staff Recommendation
No. 1, Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Commissioner McNulty stated that this park is a tribute to
the hard work on the part of the Department of Recreation and
Parks, and that he hoped people would use it and take care of
it.
D. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP Planning Administrator Curtis
NO. 19424, ENVIRONMENTAL Williams presented the staff
ASSESSMENT NO. 573, report detailing the
GRADING NO. 1293 applicant's request to
3027 Crest Road subdivide this 1.38 acre
parcel into two lots. Staff
recommends approval of the request with conditions.
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PLANNING COMMISS MINUTES
September 26, 1989
The public hearing was opened.
R. I. Roza, 3102 Corinna, spoke in support of the subdivision
and the applicant's intention to remove the large pine trees
blocking their view.
Mike Soong, 3027 Crest Road, applicant, asked for
clarification on various items in the staff recommendation,
including which trees need to be removed or pruned.
Mr. Benard noted that the trees impacting the views will be
identified specifically, and that there probably will be a
major removal of trees dependent on Mr. Soong's revegetation
plan. Mr. Benard also noted several changes to Condition #9
in Exhibit "A."
Robert Morrell, 3126 Corinna Drive, spoke in favor of the
subdivision and total removal of the trees.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hotckhiss objected to the potential view impact
to Crest Road by the proposed project, and to the awkwardly -
shaped second lot that seemed to devalue Lot #1. Commissioner
Von Hagen agreed, but stated he saw no grounds for denial,
since the project meets all zoning criteria and code
standards.
Commissioner McNulty moved to approve the application for
subdivision and to adopt Exhibit "A" as amended in Condition
#9. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen and it
passed unanimously.
A ten-minute recess was called at 9:35pm.
E. VARIANCE NO. 242,
GRADING NO. 1270
2146 Toscanini
a slope greater than 35e for
addition. Staff recommends
conditions. Ms. Olson also
Exhibit "A."
Assistant Planner Bonnie
Olson presented the staff
report regarding construction
of a 6' retaining wall within
a garage and second story
approval of the action with
noted two minor corrections to
The public hearing was opened.
Don Zinn, 4 Saddle Road, representing himself and two other
neighbors, spoke in favor of the applicant's request.
Alvin Lowi Jr., 2146 Toscanini Drive, applicant, asked for
clarification on the landscape conditions and exterior
`stairs.
The public hearing was closed.
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PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
September 26, 1989
Commissioner McNulty moved to approve the staff
recommendation including the two corrections to Exhibit "A".
Commissioner Von Hagen seconded, and the motion was
unanimously approved.
F. VARIANCE NO. 237 The staff report was
6624 Monero presented by Assistant
Planner Bonnie Olson
detailing the applicant's request for approval of a 8'
reduction of the required 20' front setback for the
construction of a detached two -car garage.
Chairperson Wike noted that a letter had been received from
neighbor Marlis Larken expressing support of the variance.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing.
Stewart Kanemaki, 6624 Monero Drive, presented the Commission
with a detailed packet containing a petition in support of
his request signed by every neighbor, and a list of existing
homes on the street with the same 12' setback he is
requesting. He also explained why alternative locations for
the proposed addition would not be feasible.
John Otera, 6625 Monero Drive, spoke in favor of the
Variance.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hotchkiss stated that he did not like the
project but that it was compatible with the neighborhood.
Chairperson Wike also expressed disapproval.
Commissioner McNulty moved to approve Mr. Kanemaki's
application as submitted, with no conditions. Commissioner
Brooks seconded. The motion passed 3-2 with Commissioner Von
Hagen and Chairperson Wike dissenting.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. GRADING NO. 1290 Assistant Planner Bonnie
30405 Cartier Olson presented the staff
report regarding the
applicant's request for approval of a 6' retaining wall along
the side property line within a slope area greater than 35%.
She also noted that the applicant's architect had just handed
her a new set of plans. After a quick perusal of the new
plans, Mr. Benard and Ms. Olson noted that the applicant had
redesigned for ministerial action, and that the plans
appeared to follow all the information spelled out in the
staff recommendation, with one wall proposed at 3-112' and no
additional walls over 3'.
Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing.
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PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
September 26, 1989
Felipe Ceballos, 3011 Haddington Drive, Los Angeles,
architect for the applicant, gave background on the grading
project.
Klaus Schuegraf, 30331 Cartier Drive, neighbor, spoke against
the project, and noted that there is a hazardous, exposed
cable above the ground at this time.
Commissioner McNulty moved to continue this item so that the
new plans can be reviewed by the staff. Commissioner Von
Hagen seconded the motion, approved unanimously.
B. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 5113
1176 Hawthorne Blvd.
(Golden Lotus)
The staff report was waived.
public hearing.
Chairperson Wike opened the
John Bottorff, 6402 Via Baron, applicant, requested that the
Commission approve the application as submitted. He also
detailed his struggle to get Dimension Cable to wire his
location, though he now prefers a satellite dish.
Randy O'Connor, 4500 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale,
satellite technician, stated that the dish will have to be
mounted one foot higher than originally planned to correctly
receive the signals.
Chairperson Wike expressed disapproval of the request, citing
criteria outlined in the satellite dish ordinance, and stated
that pressure should be put on Dimension Cable to wire the
applicant.
Commissioner McNulty moved to approve the application as
conditioned by staff. Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded, and
the motion passed 4-1 with Chairperson Wike dissenting.
NEW BUSINESS
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
NO. 23 "KK", GRADING
NO. 1275
2930 Vista Del Mar
seconded by Commissioner Von
QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Commissioner McNulty moved
to accept staff
recommendation that this
item be continued to
October 10. The motion was
Hagen and unanimously approved.
There were no questions from the audience.
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PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
September 26, 1989
REPORTS
Commissioner Brooks thanked the staff for flagging various
site locations, and requested a zoning map. She also
requested information on the October League of California
cities annual conference in San Francisco.
Chairperson Wzke noted that UCLA had sent a letter about an
AQMD workshop on October 4, and that she might go. She also
reported on the SWAPO luncheon that addressed the Harbor
expansion.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:04pm.
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