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PC MINS 19900123MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 23, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman McNulty at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. Charman McNulty introduced the Commissioners to the audience. v PRESENT: McNulty, Hotchkiss, Von Hagen, Brooks ABSENT: Katherman Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, Associate Planners Carolynn Petru and Joel Rojas, and Assistant Planner Lisa Marie Breisacher. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN Motion was made by Chairman McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Hotchkiss to appoint Commissioner Von Hagen as Vice Chairman. The motion was approved unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS -- None CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of January 9, 1990 -- Commissioner Brooks presented written corrections to the minutes. Commissioner Von Hagen moved to approve the minutes as amended, Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VARIANCE NO. 251 Commissioner Von Hagen Nautilus Drive requested the reading of the staff report be waived. The applicant is requesting approval for a new single family residence to exceed the maximum 30 foot downslope height. The project architect has lowered the ceiling height on the third level by 6 inches and has modified the portion of the hipped roof over the master suite and south wing of the residence to a partial mansard roof to lower the ridge height an additional 1 foot 6 inches. Commissioner Von Hagen moved to approve the project as redesigned, Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded the motion, and the motion passed 4-0. Planning Commission0inutes • January 23, 1990 B. CODE AMENDMENT NO. 29 The staff report was presented Fences, Walls, and Hedges by Planning Administrator City of Rancho Palos Verdes Curtis Williams. Commissioner Hotchkiss raised questions in regard to the exemption for fences, walls, or hedges less than 42" in height being deleted. Planning Administrator Williams responded that the Commission directed staff to delete this requirement and address topographic issues. The public hearing was opened. George Fink, 32353 Searaven Drive, requested minor changes to be made to the proposed amendment as follows: Page 4 - Section 17.42.022.B.1. Findings - Delete the word "significantly". Page 5 - Section 17.42.022.8.3. Findings - Add the word "construction" addition to placement. References to definitions of "viewing areas" should include views from a "seated position". Richard Motz, 32413 Searaven Drive, suggested minor changes as follows. Page 4 - Section 17.42.022.A.1. Permit Required - Felt this was a contradictory statement. Page 4 - Section 17.42.022.A.2. Permit Required - In reference to the 5% slope exemption, should also state "where no view impairment exists". Mr. Motz also agreed with the suggested changes made by Mr. Fink. Paul H. Weisz, 32365 Phantom Drive, agreed with the previous speakers' comments and complimented staff's work on this item. Motion was made by Commissioner Hotchkiss to close the public hearing, and seconded by Commissioner Brooks. Director of Environmental Services Benard responded to the above requests for changes to the amendment. The word "significantly" is consistent with Proposition M language. In reference to views from "seated positions" being added, the Commission should get direction from the City Council as to the appropriate approach. The word "construction" can be added in conjunction with placement (placement/construction") on Page 5, B.3. An explanation of the Commission's concerns in these areas can be transmitted to the City Council. Page 2 Planning Commission Vnutes January 23, 1990 Commissioner Von Hagen stated he felt the word "significant" was appropriate. He also was concerned that a degree of flexibility be left in the document at this time. Commissioner Hotchkiss concurred with Commissioner Von Hagen's comments. Chairman McNulty requested that the reference to views from "seated positions" remain open for Council review.. Commissioner Brooks stated her concerns in regards to view impairment on handicapped people in the community, in that the majority of their view is from a seated position. She also stated that she agreed with adding "construction" after placement on page 5, Section 17.42.022.B.3. Commissioner Von Hagen inquired as to the issue of requiring a covenant to protect views on applicable properties, since this was a strong enforcement mechanism for the City. Chairman McNulty asked Warren Sweetnam, President of the Council of Homeowner Associations to address the issue of view covenants on properties. Warren Sweetnam, 7 Top Rail, advised that a letter had been written to the City Council with a resolution which was voted on by the Homeowner Association representatives objecting to view covenants on properties. Director Benard advised that a staff report reflecting the Commission's suggestions will be prepared for City Council review. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen that staff prepare a resolution and draft ordinance for February 13, 1990, and the vote passed 4-0. C. COASTAL PERMIT NO. 81 Director Benard read the staff GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION report requesting approval for PERMIT NO. 55, ENVIRON- 2 geologic investigation MENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 594 borings at the toe of the Abalone Shoreline Park Abalone Cove Landslide. The public hearing was opened. Lois Knight LaRue, 3136 Barkentine Road, stated her opposition to the project due to the area being an ecological preserve, problems with the road collapsing, and the drilling mud covering trees and flowing into the ocean. Jon Taylor, Associate Engineer with Public Works Department, replied that the site will be restored to its original state after the drilling has been completed, and that the drilling mud is no longer being used in the drilling process. Page 3 Planning Commissionfinutes January 23, 1990 Director Benard stated that he has received communication back from the State Clearinghouse and they had no concerns with the project. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the project with staff recommended conditions, seconded by Commissioner Hotchkiss, and passed 4-0. Commissioner Brooks asked Mr. Taylor of the extension of time was reasonable. Mr. Taylor felt the time extension was reasonable but also stated at is impossible to accurately determine the time frame involved until the drilling has begun. Chairman McNulty stated he was in favor of the project because at was necessary for the management of the landslide. The previous motion by Commissioner Von Hagen passed 4-0. D. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT Commissioner Brooks made a NO. 9 REVISION "C", statement that even though she GRADING NO. 1331, is an active member with the ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT local homeowner's association, NO. 593 a nearby resident of the Marymount College college and an active member of 30800 PVDE the community that she felt she had no conflict of .interest which would restrict her voting on this issue. Commissioner Hotchkiss also made a statement that the City Attorney had advised that he abstain from voting on this issue due to a conflict of interest. Commissioner Von Hagen inquired as to the route of the shuttle service for the students, where they park, how many parking spaces were available, and if there 3s an enrollment ceiling set by the City Council. Planning Administrator Williams stated that he found no evidence of an agreed upon ceiling on enrollment in his research. Commissioner Von Hagen asked if parking stickers extend to other residents other than the San Ramon residents. Planning Administrator Williams stated no. Commissioner Brooks stated her concerns over the parking issue and the number of cars. A ten minute recess was called at 9:00 p.m. The public hearing was opened. Page 4 Planning Commissiontnutes January 23, 1990 • Lance Brown, representing J.P. Darling Architects, 3300 Irvine Avenue, Suite 385, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Mr. Brown stated that approval of the project would enhance student and faculty life and would not expand enrollment. He stated that sound control for the volley ball courts was open to consideration for suggestions. James Reeves, Dean of Administration and Finance, Marymount College, 30800 Palos Verdes Drive East stated that the parking analysis on page 5 of the staff report did not accurately reflect the overall parking (i.e. peak hours vs. off-peak hours). Mr. Reeves responded to Exhibit "A" of the resolution by stating that there is a parking plan and parking control and there is no problem with unauthorized parking. He requested the last sentence in Condition #1 be omitted. In Condition #2 he requested that the buffer be 50' not 100'. In Condition #5 he requested no ceiling cap as stated. Commissioner Von Hagen inquired as to the dormitory facility in San Pedro, ownership of the adjacent land and if this could be acquired for additional use, and if the volleyball site was the best possible place. Mr. Reeves stated that the college was trying to negotiate with the Archdiocese who owns the property adjacent to the college campus and responded that there was no other place for the volleyball courts. Earle T. Casler, Jr., 3324 Narino Dr., President of the Mira Catalina Homeowners Assoc. - stated he felt the proposed building would have no adverse impact on the residents, that he supported 50 parking spaces but could not comment on impact because the location was not clear, supports enrollment cap, would like to see a 5 to 10 year plan by the school, and would like to see the present and future lighting be equipped with glare shields, because of the impact of the lighting on adjacent residences in the evening. Barbara Covey, 2742 San Ramon Dr. - Opposes the volleyball courts due to noise and lack of privacy and requests the Planning Commission to reject this portion of the application. Mal McCreight, 2763 San Ramon Dr. - Opposes expansion for fear of increased enrollment and because of traffic on PVDE. Paul Crane, 2837 San Ramon - Opposes expansion and volleyball court in present location. Requested an enrollment cap and better communication to the school on weekends. At present there is only a recording machine with no means of leaving a message. Planning Commissiontnutes January 23, 1990 Laura McSherry, 2714 San Ramon Dr., Senior Director of San Ramon HOA - Opposes volleyball courts due to sound and view impairment. Keith E. Reynolds, 30745 Tarapaca Rd., V.P. E1 Prado HOA - Opposes volleyball court due to noise and view impairment, and possible lighting of courts at night. Joyce Crose, 2836 San Ramon Dr. - Opposes volleyball courts, approves of providing 35 parking spaces, requests a traffic survey and requests enrollment cap. Kimberly Candido, 30871 Casilina Dr. - Opposes volleyball courts and proposed building, is requesting enrollment cap and wants more information regarding the land owned by the Archdiocese and their future plans with the land. Alan Greenberg, 3348 Corinna Dr. - Opposes volleyball courts, requesting reduced lighting on existing as well as new lighting. Clement R. Letarte, 3408 Corinna Dr. - Opposes the additional structure and requests enrollment cap. Larry Clark, 3354 Corinna Dr. - Voiced concerns in regard to street parking, felt the existing lighting is excessive due to view impairment and wants this addressed in CUP, as well as more information on the vacant land owned by the Archdiocese and its future use . Ward Pasini, 30874 Casilina Dr. - Requested the Planning Commission consider a cap on enrollment. Nancy Bolton, 2757 San Ramon Dr. - Opposes the additional structure, volleyball courts, and requests cap on enrollment. Motion made by Commissioner Brooks to continue the public hearing. Director Benard reassured the residents in regard to the vacant property's use, that it is zoned Institutional, that no application was on file for that property at the present time and if an application is filed it must go through the process of a Conditional Use Permit and all surrounding homeowners would be properly noticed. Commissioner Brooks stated she would like the Commission to look at an enrollment cap being set on part time and full time students. She voiced her concerns on the parking problem on Crest and the lighting issue. She stated there was a need for better communication between the school and the homeowners. She also requested more information on future plans for the adjacent vacant property. Planning Commissiononutes January 23, 1990 Commissioner Von Hagen stated there should be a lighting plan and a need to look at a possible cap on enrollment. He also stated his concerns in regard to the parking problem and the possible availability for additional parking in San Pedro. Chairman McNulty stated the following questions should be answered: 1) clarification of the parking issue, 2} Planning Commission authority to set an enrollment cap, and 33 use of vacant property. Director Benard stated that a parking analysis will be performed and staff will look into limits in conditions regarding the lighting and parking. The applicant indicated they would consider withdrawing their application for the volleyball court. Commissioner Brooks made a motion to continue the public hearing to February 27, 1990, seconded by Commissioner McNulty, and approved 4-0. E. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT Commissioner Von Hagen moved NO. 130 - REVISION "A" to waive reading of the staff Tract No. 45667, PVDS report. The public hearing was opened. Steve Kaplan, 1334 Park View #310, Manhattan Beach, representing A & H Associates, asked the Planning Commission to approve their request to allow a 2' increase in the maximum downslope height for structures on 9 lots. Dan Withee, 2200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach, architect for A & H Associates showed an illustration of homes with no view impairment from the road or adjacent homes. Lois Knight Larue, 3136 Barkentine Rd. asked if people in the adjacent areas had been noticed properly and if the roof extensions will be closely monitored by staff, and questioned monitoring of the current project construction. Director Benard responded that notice was mailed to all residents within 500 feet, and indicated that a complete report on project construction monitoring had been presented to the City Council the previous week. Motion to approve the project was made by Commissioner Von Hagen, seconded by Commissioner Hotchkiss, and the vote passed 4-0. Page 7 Planning Commission0inutes January 23, 1990 NEW BUSINESS A. SIGN PERMIT NO. 491 580 Silver Spur Rd. • Assistant Planner Lisa Breisacher presented the staff report recommending a permanent, illuminated 18 s.f. monument sign to front onto Silver Spur Road, provided the applicant remove the existing wall mounted sign fronting onto Silver Spur Rd. on the southwest side of the building. Gary Bankhead, representing World Savings, 8th Floor 1901 Harrison St., Oakland, CA 94612 requested the application be continued to the February 13, 1990 meeting at which time he will present another alternative for placement of the sign. Motion was made to continue this item to the February 13, 1990 meeting. Approved 4-0. B. GRADING NO. 1330 Commissioner Von Hagen made a 6875 Alta Vista motion to waive reading of the staff report. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the application with conditions, seconded by Commissioner Hotchkiss, and passed 4-0. AUDIENCE QUESTIONS Lois Knight Larue asked if the Planning Commission would like to hear the history of the Marymount College site. After receiving approval from the Commission, she then presented her recollection of the site history. REPORTS A. STAFF Director Benard gave a tentative schedule of the upcoming meeting and workshops. The confirmed schedule will be distributed to the Commission as soon as it is approved. B. COMMISSION Commissioner Brooks requested copies of all approved minutes be given to her in the future. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING AT 11:36 P.M. TO JOINT STUDY SESSION BETWEEN THE VIEW RESTORATION COMMITTEE AND PLANNING COMMISSION ON PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 7, 1990 AT CITY HALL IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT 5:00 P.M. Page 8