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PC MINS 19911112MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm by Chairman Von Hagen at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT Von Hagen, McNulty, Hotchkiss, Katherman, Brooks ABSENT None Also present were Director of Environmental Services Robert Benard 'Senior Planner Carolynn Petru, and Assistant Planners Mike Patterson, Fabio de Freitas and Paul Espe. COMMUNICATIONS No communications were acknowledged. ANNOUNCEMENT Commissioner Brooks stated that she had been advised by the City Attorney not to participate in voting on any issues since her election to the City Council could possibly present a conflict of interest. Mrs. Brooks expressed thanks for the opportunity to serve on the Commission, and Chairman Von Hagen stated his congratulations and wished her luck. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of October 8, 1991 B. Minutes of October 22, 1991 The Consent Calendar was approved on motion of Commissioner McNulty, seconded by Commissioner Katherman and carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS -4 ZVI.) t P A. COASTAL PERMIT NO. 77 AZss1s:k:aSVt Planner Paul Espy GRADING NO. 1315 -- presented the staff report AMENDED regarding the applicant's Portugese Bend Club request to allow remedial grading at the western portion of the PBC along the exposed part of the Portugese Bend landslide. Staff's recommendation is to approve the request with conditions. The public hearing was opened. Gail Lovrich, 104 Spindrift, representing the Portugese Bend Club Homeowners Association, stated that they were in PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 agreement with the conditions of approval. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner McNulty moved, seconded by Commissioner Katherman and carried, to approve the staff recommendation. B. VARIANCE NO. 309 The staff report was waived, 6895 Alta Vista and the public hearing was opened. Commissioner McNulty moved to adopt the staff recommendation and Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded the motion, which passed without objection. C. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT Director Benard presented the NOS. 50666 AND 50667, staff report regarding the TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP applicant's request to approve NOS. 23004 AND 29070, a 116 -lot single family CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT residential development with an NOS. 162 AND 163, 18 -hole public golf course, GRADING PERMIT NO. 1541, clubhouse and maintenance AND COASTAL PERMIT NO. facility with common and public 103 open space. Staff's Subregion 7 & 8/PVDS recommendation is to pull the item from the agenda to allow the staff to review any revisions of the application resulting from further geotechnical investigations, and to re -notice for a full public hearing. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the item to a date to be announced, Commissioner Katherman seconded, and the motion passed without objection. D. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT Senior Planner Carolynn Petru MAP NO. 46628, presented the staff report CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT regarding the applicant's NO. 158, COASTAL PERMIT request to allow a 79 -lot NO. 94, AND GRADING NO. single family Residential 1439 Planned Development. Staff's PVDN/Hawthorne recommendation is to close the public hearing, direct Staff to prepare draft resolutions, and to continue the item to November 26, 1991. Commissioner Katherman asked about the practicality of the equestrian trail recommended by the Trails Committee, and staff pointed out that not only was it to provide equestrian access to the Interpretive Center and along the bluff, but also that this link of the trail was a mandatory part of the loop trail. Commissioner Katherman also expressed concern about the security and liability aspects of the bluff road, and asked the staff for mitigation recommendations on these potential Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 problems. Mr. Katherman also suggested that conditions be included to bring the development into compliance with the affordable housing requirements. A three minute recess was called to allow the Commissioners to review the tentative tract map, and the public hearing was opened. Bill Gilmore, 340 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, representing the applicant HMDI, expressed concerns about the safety of parking on the landward side of the bluff road, and asked for only 15 off-street parking spaces, as recommended by the Trails Committee. Mr. Gilmore also disagreed with the suggested minimum combined sideyard setbacks, and in response to queries from Commission Katherman, stated that he did want on -street parking prohibited, and that he would accept the larger setbacks between two-story homes. Anke Raue, 28813 Rothrock, representing the Trails Committee, presented a map of the proposed equestrian and pedestrian trails in the development,, and stated that they did not recommend vehicular access to the major part of the bluff road, and that they preferred restricted access to the tidepools. She stated that the Loop Trail connection along PVDW is a vital link in the City's Trail Plan, and should be left in the project, but that the equestrian and pedestrian trail could be combined as a shared route. She also suggested that on -street parking on the bluff'road could be moved to parallel the north property line. Andrew Sargent, 1 Peppertree, stated he thought the current proposal was a good plan, especially the open bluff road with parking and turnaround. Sunshine, 6 Limetree, stated that she felt the homes should face and take access from the bluff road for security reasons. Ron Blackwelder, 30531 Rue Langlois, expressed concern about parking in the development, but said he felt this development would enhance the area. J. McLaren, 3923 PVDS, stated he had no objection to parking on the bluff road, but suggested that no parking at night should be imposed to improve security in the area. John Sharkey, 30320 Avenida de Calma, stated he felt this should be one of the finest RPD's in the City, and asked for more time to review the changes. He also suggested that the wetlands area be enlarged. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine, stated she wanted to see the homes take access from bluff road, and expressed concern with the view corridor and opposition to the Trails Committee Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 recommendations. Commissioner McNulty moved to close the public hearing, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Hotchkiss. Chairman Von Hagen stated that he still did not like this plan, and pointed out that there had been no testimony regarding the golf course, which would be a vital part of the Long Point complex, and that he would therefore be in favor of continuing the public hearing in order to receive more staff'and public input on the matter. Director Benard stated that the golf course had not specifically been discussed as it was not part of this developer's application, but he assured the Commissioners that the proposed golf course design was compatible with the City Hall and Long Point projects. Commissioner McNulty also expressed concerns about the golf course and agreed that this might be a reason to keep the public hearing open. Commissioner Hotchkiss said he felt that the issue should be passed on to the City Council so that they could make the final decision on this aspect of the project. Mr. McNulty said that he accepted the Director's explanation that the golf course was viable. Commissioner McNulty restated his motion to close the public hearing, Commissioner Hotchkiss seconded, and the motion failed 2-2, with Chairman Von Hagen and Commissioner Katherman dissenting. Commissioner Ratherman moved to continue the hearing to November 26 to allow comment on the Conditions of Approval. Commissioner McNulty seconded the motion, and it failed 2-2, with Chairman Von Hagen and Commissioner Hotchkiss dissenting. Chairman Von Hagen moved to continue the public hearing to the next available date, pointing out that there were some new aspects as well as unaddressed issues of the project to consider. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katherman and passed 3-1, with Commissioner Hotchkiss dissenting. Commissioner Hotchkiss suggested that the parking along the bluff road be seaward for safety reasons, but that it only be allowed along the first part of the road, adjacent to the north property line. Chairman Von Hagen stressed that since this would be part of a golf course that would draw worldwide attention, it was important to be sure that neither the design or the developer were compromised. Mr. Von Hagen also agreed that the houses should take access from the bluff road even if the grading had to be altered, and said he thought the streets should be Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 wider than 261. He also stated he felt the traffic aspects of multiple entries should be addressed, and said he did not like the split level pads. Commissioner McNulty approved of the overall concept, but disagreed with the idea of the homes taking access from the bluff road. He supported the installation of fencing on the bluff edge for safety reasons. Mr. McNulty then moved to reconsider the motion to continue the item. Commissioner Katherman seconded the motion, which passed 3-1, with Chairman Von Hagen dissenting. Commissioner Katherman moved to reopen and continue the public hearing to allow testimony regarding only the Conditions of Approval for the subject project. Commissioner McNulty seconded the motion, which passed 3-1, with Chairman Von Hagen dissenting. The Commission then directed Staff to adjust the sideyard setbacks and to restrict on -street parking to the area above the parking lot, and to add time limits for parking. RECESS AND RECONVENE NEW BUSINESS A. GRADING NO. 1560 43 Avenida Corona PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONT'D) A ten-minute break was called at 9:50pm. Chairman Von Hagen announced that this item would come back at the next meeting as continued business. E. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT Commissioner Hotchkiss excused MAP NO. 49067, himself from voting on this ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT issue as he lives in the PBC. NO. 600, CONDITIONAL USE Assistant Planner Fabio de PERMIT NO. 154, COASTAL Freitas presented the staff PERMIT NO. 95, GRADING report regarding the NO. 1420, VARIANCE NO. applicant's request to approve 297, MINOR EXCEPTION an 18 -lot single family PERMIT NO. 414 residential subdivision. PVDS/Schooner Dr. Staff's recommendation is to open the public hearing, receive testimony, receive direction from the Commission on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 49067 and to continue the item. Chairman Von Hagen disclosed that two representatives from Transamerica had visited his office to present landscaping displays. Lyman Lokken, 1150 S. Olive, S. 2200, Los Angeles, representing the developer, presented extensive displays outlining the development area. Jack Egan, geotechnical Page 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 representative for the developer, explained investigation of area borings, and presented an aerial photographic analysis of the underlying geologic structures indicating stability. Lee Ann Kirby, landscape architect for the project, presented rendering' of proposed plantings for the homes and right-of- ways showing use of native plant materials. Mr. Lokken then explained how they had addressed City Council concerns regarding the frontage road, the coastal setback line, and a proposal for Lot 18 suggesting that a small portion of that lot be annexed to the adjacent lot for recreational purposes and the balance deeded to the City for open space. Gale Lovrich, 104 Spindrift, representing the PBC Homeowners Association, stated that they did not support any development that would result in an RPD, because of the required public access aspects. Director Benard explained that the Tentative Tract Map should be processed as an RPD so that all the development standards would be established, but that this had nothing to do with private or public access aspects, and that Staff was not suggesting that any of the development be opened to the public. Steve Cummins, 81 Yacht Harbor, also representing the PBC Homeowners Association, stated that the Board was not opposed to the building of houses on the site, but that they preferred clusters of homes with a separate gate entry. He also emphasized the private nature of the community, and expressed opposition to any changes in this status. Sharon Solari, 4145 PVDS, representing the Seaview Homeowners Association, stated they were opposed to the tract because of potential view impairment and property devaluation. She suggested that the developer be required to lower the building pads and that the EIR address the impact of this project on local schools, transit systems and parks. Cathy French, 4235 PVDS, also opposed the project, stating that she felt the area was geologically stable, but that the lots should be graded lower to avoid view impairment. Walter Poster, 4246 Admirable Drive, expressed concerns regarding geological and indemnification issues. Jack Jones, 4225 PVDS, referred to his letter opposing the project on the grounds of significant view impairment and negative impact on surrounding home values. Diane Amormimo, 4215 PVDS, Joseph Lindorfer, 4207 PVDS, and Lenee Bilski, 4255 PVDS, all spoke against the project for the same reasons given by the previous speaker. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine, questioned the accuracy of the geological studies, and said that there would be view impairment. u . �- PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 12, 1991 J. McLaren, 3923 PVDS, also questioned the geological study. Commissioner McNulty moved to continue the public hearing to the November 26 meeting and Chairman Von Hagen seconded the motion. Commissioner McNulty pointed out that the Seaview homeowners had been advised of a future development at the project site when they purchased their homes, but that the significant view impairment seemed to be a result of the current pad levels. Chairman Von Hagen stated that he would be in favor of grading if the views could be restored, or if the lots along PVDS would be required to be single story only. The motion on the floor to continue the public hearing to the next meeting then passed without objection. AUDIENCE QUESTIONS There were no audience questions. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:50pm. Page 7