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PC MINS 19900327i MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 27, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm by Chairman McNulty at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT McNulty, Von Hagen, Brooks, Hotchkiss (arrived 7:37), Katherman (arrived 7:45) ABSENT None Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard, Associate Planners Laurie Jester and Joel Rojas, and Assistant Planners Bonnie Olson, Fabio de Freitas and Terry Silverman. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman McNulty acknowledged receipt of a letter from Mr. and Mrs. William Haney regarding CUP 152. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of February 27, 1990 -- Pulled from the consent calendar for review by the Recording Secretary. B. Minutes of March 13, 1990 C. SIGN PERMIT NO 491 (580 Silver Spur Road) -- Requesting withdrawal of the application. D. GRADING NO. 1329 (30744 Ganado) -- Requesting approval of an existing retaining wall. The consent calendar was unanimously approved minus the February 27 minutes. Commissioner Von Hagen also noted that Assistant Planner Silverman had done an outstanding job on the staff report for Grading No. 1329. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT It was moved and carried to NO. 132 -- EXTENSION waive reading of the staff PVPUSD, 6245 Via Canada report regarding the applicant's request to allow continuation of multiple private uses at Miraleste Elementary School. Staff's recommendation is to approve the extension with conditions. Associate Planner Jester stated that negotiations with the PLANNING COMMISSN MEETING March 27, 1990 school district were currently on hold while the district conducted a financial analysis of alternate uses for the site. Mrs. Jester also noted that the City Attorney had determined that requiring the transfer of the site as a condition of approval was not appropriate. Kenneth Holt, 6201 Picardie Road, representing the Miraleste HOA, spoke in support of the staff recommendation, stating that the school district was maintaining the site well, and asking that it be used as a school site in the future. Manuel Louis, 6416 Via Canada, stated he did not feel the site was being well-maintained, and asked that the CUP not be renewed. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Von Hagen noted that the condition of the site was much improved, and suggested a one-year extension of the CUP with a re- examination of the situation at that time. Commissioner Katherman agreed with Mr. Von Hagen's suggestion, and Commissioner Brooks agreed as well, noting that the site should be reviewed periodically during the year, and also that the site would be ideal for a preschool. Commissioner Hotchkiss also supported the one-year extension, noting that site maintenance quality would be more easily observed. Chairman McNulty suggested that a regular 30 -day review of the site be added to the conditions of approval. Commissioner Von Hagen moved to adopt the staff recommendation, with the additional suggestion that monthly inspections be continued through the staff or Recreation and Parks. Commissioner Katherman seconded the motion, which passed without objection. B. VARIANCE NO. 252 Assistant Planner Fabio de 2175 Rockinghorse Freitas presented the staff report regarding the applicant's request to allow an encroachment into a side yard slope setback for an existing room addition. Staff's recommendation is to approve the request with conditions. The public hearing was opened. Justine and Stefano Finazzo, 2175 Rockinghorse, applicants, asked for clarification on the Covenant to Protect Views, objected to the assessed penalty, and stated that they felt the satellite dish should not be included in this issue. Commissioner Von Hagen noted that the dish was included because it was on top of the illegal addition and because it had been located incorrectly according to the original Site Plan Review, which was upheld by the City Council under the appeal process. Mr. Von Hagen also stated that the request for a waiver of penalty fees has to be forwarded to the City Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSIN MEETING March 27, 1990 Council, as the Commission has no jurisdiction over it. Gil Alberio, 2177 Rockinghorse, noted that the dish is blocking his view, and stated his support for the staff recommendation. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Hotchkiss moved to approve the staff recommendation, and Commissioner Brooks seconded. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Von Hagen dissenting stating he was opposed to granting the encroachment variance for the room addition. C. VARIANCE NO. 254 Assistant Planner Bonnie Olson 1 Park Place presented the staff report regarding the applicant's request to approve an existing 7'6" high fence and wall along the front setback. Staff's recommendation is to approve the request with conditions. The public hearing was declared open, but as there were no speakers, it was closed without objection. Commissioner Von Hagen moved to adopt the staff recommendation, Commissioner Katherman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. D. VARIANCE NO. 255, The applicant requested COASTAL PERMIT NO. 85 continuance on this item, and 131 Yacht Harbor staff recommends that it be continued to the April 24, 1990 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Von Hagen moved to continue the item as per staff's recommendation. Commissioner Katherman seconded the motion, which passed without objection. E. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT Associate Planner Laurie NO. 152, COASTAL PERMIT Jester presented the staff NO. 84, ENVIRONMENTAL report regarding the ASSESSMENT NO. 598 applicant's request to allow a Portuguese Bend Landslide roving field archery range in Area the Portuguese Bend landslide. Commissioner Hotchkiss expressed concern for the safety of pedestrians in the area, and Mrs. Jester noted that the National Field Archery Association has strict safety standards, and that the layout of the targets is such that shooting will be away from the existing trails and homes. Chairman McNulty noted that it could be dangerous for the Club members to make a left turn onto PVDS out of the range area, and suggested that some signage be added to indicate Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSO MEETING March 27, 1990 cross traffic. Commissioner Von Hagen suggested that significantly sized red warning flags be flown during use of the range to warn pedestrians and local residents. The public hearing was opened. Bruce Primm, 17520 Elgar, Torrance, representing the South Bay Archery Club (applicant), stated he had no objection to the use of warning flags. Lois Knight Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, stated she was representing the Haney family, and objected to the range location on the basis of parking problems and danger to pedestrians and cars. Marta Haney, 40 Cherryhill Lane, also objected to the proposed site near her home. William Haney, 40 Cherryhill'Lane, asked for clarification on the original location of the range. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Katherman asked about the proposed amount of range usage, and maintenance of the access roadway. Mrs. Jester stated that tournaments are held monthly on weekends, with minor use on other weekends and weekdays, and that the Archery Club will be required to maintain the roadway. Commissioner Katherman suggested that the CLIP contain more specific road maintenance conditions, as well as restrictions on hours of operation to prevent non - archery recreational use. Commissioner Von Hagen stated that if conditions requiring the warning flags and restricting high powered bows were added to the CUP, he would support the staff recommendation. The public hearing was reopened without objection. Bob Pinkerton, 6394 Lewis Avenue, representing the South Bay Archery Club, stated that a bow weight limitation would not be acceptable since it would restrict the competitions, and that cross bows were not currently allowed. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the original location landward of Palos Verdes Drive South was a better location. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Brooks expressed concern regarding the proximity of the road and houses, and noted that some environmental issues were not addressed in the application. Commissioner Hotchkiss stated he was comfortable with the project, especially if in -use markers were to be required. Page 4 PLANNING C©MMISSO MEETING March 27, 1990 Commissioner Hotchkiss moved to accept the staff recommendation with two additional conditions: That cross bows not be used, and that range warning flags of sufficient height to warn the surrounding areas be posted toward Inspiration Point and the Portugese Bend Club when the range is in use. Commissioner Katherman seconded the motion. Chairman McNulty suggested an amendment to the motion to require that cross -traffic warning signs be placed by Pubic Works at the range access road on PVDS, subject to review and approval by the Director of Environmental Services and Director of Public Works. Mr. Benard noted that Condition #2 could be amended to add that the maintenance and repair of the access road be inspected regularly by the Director of Public Works. Commissioner Hotchkiss accepted the amendments to his motion, which was voted upon and passed 4-1, with Commissioner Brooks dissenting. A ten-minute break was called at 9:15pm. NEW BUSINESS A. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 5338 Associate Planner Joel Rojas 6432 Via Colinita presented the staff report regarding the applicant's request to allow an existing satellite dash antenna to encroach 12' into the rear 15' setback. Staff's recommendation is to approve the applicant's request and direct them to relocate the satellite dish to staff identified Alternative location "A". Roger and Janice Noorthoek, 6432 Via Colinita, applicants, stated that the current location of their dish was less obtrusive and safer, and objected to moving it, citing cost and loss of signal. Nedilka Mosich, 6433 Via Colinita, stated that she represented the homeowners at 6429, 6436 and 6437 Via Colinita as well, and objected to the current location of the dish. Robert Lyons, 6424 Via Colinita, presented photos showing the potential view impact if the dish was relocated to Alternative location "A" as proposed by staff, and asked that alternative "C" be adopted. (Commissioners Von Hagen and Brooks also stated for the record that they are acquainted with Mr. Lyons, but that it would not affect their ability to vote on this issue.) Edward Murphy, 6304 Via Ciega, member of the View Restoration Committee, objected to the current location of the subject dish, and expressed support of the staff recommendation. Page 5 PLANNING COMMISS*- MEETING 10 March 27, 1990 Mr. Benard also noted that the as the subject property borders Via Colinita on two sides, it is also known as 6444, which was designated as the front property line in a 1988 pool application. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Katherman asked if the dish was in the public right-of-way. Mr. Benard stated that it may be, however that it is difficult to be certain, since Via Colinita is not constructed symmetrically, and that there are a number of encroachments into the right-of-way on the street. Mr. Benard suggested that a survey analysis be done to determine where the dish is located relative to the public right-of- way. Planner Rojas noted that staff findings were based partially on the report done by the applicant's engineers. Commissioner Katherman moved to continue the public hearing to the next Commission meeting in order to allow further study of the application by the staff. Commissioner Brooks seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE There were no questions from the audience. STAFF REPORTS Mr. Benard stated that the League of California Cities meeting expense reports would be delivered to the Commissioners. The Commissioners all noted that they had been contacted by Latham and Watkins regarding the desire of the archdiocese to sell some of the property around Marymount for residential development. Mr. Benard asked if the Commissioners would be interested in attending the California Contract Cities Association's annual Municipal Seminar in Palm Springs, and noted that minimal registration would be provided only, not including the banquets, or other social events. Commissioner Von Hagen noted that a full registration would be more useful, and Mr. Benard stated that if there was not enough in the budget, he would have to go to the City Council for additional funds if directed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:32pm to the April 23 work session.