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PC MINS 199201280 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 28, 1992 (�E) 3/ Io1 a -a, The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Byrd at 7:06pm at Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT Byrd, Clark, Mowlds, Hayes and Alternates Lorenzen and Alberio ABSENT Katherman Also present were Acting Director of Environmental Services Carolynn Petru, Associate Planner Terry Silverman, and Assistant Planners Donna Jerex and Kim Klopfenstein. COMMISSION REPORTS Vice Chairman Byrd reported that he had attended the Mayors breakfast on January 27. AGENDA New Business Item "A", Conditional Use Permit No 132, Revision "B", PVPUSD, was moved to Public Hearings to follow agenda item "B". New Business Item "B", CUP 58 -- Rev. "A", was unanimously continued to the February 25 meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of November 26, 1991. B. Minutes of December 10, 1991. C. Minutes of January 11, 1991. D. P.C. Resolution No. 92-1, Variance No. 311, Coastal Permit No. 108-- 96 Yacht Harbor Drive E. P.C. Resolution No. 92-2, Extreme Slope Permit No. 29--3141 Deluna Drive The Consent Calendar was approved without objection. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 712, Assistant Planner Donna Jerex VARIANCE NO. 296, GRADING presented the staff report regarding NO. 1493--5888 Mossbank the applicant's request to overturn the Director's denial of Height Variation No. 712 to allow a new two-story residence at 5888 Mossbank Road and to approve Variance No. 296 to allow encroachment into the rear setback.-, for same. Staff's recommendation is to deny the appeal, thereby upholding the Director's decision to deny the Variance request. The public hearing was opened. Delbert Hodge, 5366 Valley View, applicant, strongly objected to the staff recommendation and criteria, claiming that his original design was within the code requirements, and stating he felt the project was compatible with the neighborhood and did not create any view impairment. Isaac George, 333 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, project architect, explained that he felt new design parameters had successfully addressed the staff objections to the project, and that the limited buildable area of the lot created a hardship for the applicant. t- ��"�r� 7L=c The pubill hearing was s closed * -CU'mmissioner Mark said that the dilemma in the City w using the neighborhood compatibility as a criteria in an area with older 'I homes, and also stated he felt the new design would satisfy the applicant's needs without any view impairment to neighboring homes. Commissioner Mowlds agreed that in this case, neighborhood compatibility was a difficult call, said he felt that the house seemed large and a little too close to the house on the west side, and suggested a three -car rather than a four -car garage to increase the distance from the neighboring home. Commissioner Hayes agreed with Messrs. Clark and Mowlds, especially with regard to the sideyard setback, and suggested the house be reconfigured away from the lot line. Acting Chairman Byrd stated he felt that the setbacks were an important consideration, and suggested that more alternatives be explored. Commissioner Mowlds moved to deny the appeal, thereby giving the applicant a chance to appeal the decision to the City Council or go back to staff with a redesign. Commissioner Hayes seconded the motion. Commissioner Clark maintained that the applicant's proposal should receive due consideration, given the unique topography and location of the lot. Acting Director Petru stated that staff had received a few letters of opposition to the project from neighbors, citing bulk and mass of the structure, not view impairment. Commissioner Mowlds withdrew his motion, and then moved to approve the application if the applicant changed the design to a three -car garage, thereby increasing the setback to 15' on the west side. Commissioner Clark seconded the motion, which passed 3-1 with Hayes dissenting. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 132 Associate Planner Terry Silverman REVISION "A" EXTENSION presented the staff report regarding PVPUSD/Discovery World the applicant's request to allow an 6245 Via Canada extension for the continued use of the Miraleste Elementary School site by the Discovery World Infant Center and Preschool, and to allow an extension to the hours of operation. Staff's recommendation is to approve the request with conditions. The Commission discussed moving the bollards in the parking lot to increase the parking lot size, but Planner Silverman pointed out that they provided access to emergency vehicles. In response to a query regarding nighttime security from Commissioner Hayes, Ms. Silverman also stated that lighting recommendations had been made to the school district along with a suggestion to establish a "buddy system" at night. The public hearing was opened. Sheryl Austin, 1741 West O'Farrell, San Pedro, expressed concern that she would be liable for any injuries incurred to the public if her play area were not allowed to be locked, as well as potential loss and destruction of her expensive equipment. She also cited a recent influx of gang activity in the area, and stated that she had offered the local homeowners association a key to the playground, which had been returned after the president of the association saw the resulting destruction of the play area. Planner Silverman stated that the conditions of the original CUP had required that the play area be opened to the public upon request, and that there had been a single request through the City Manager's office. Commissioner Byrd stated he felt it was not worth unlocking the area for one person with potential vandalism a problem. Commissioner Clark agreed, pointing out that this was not a public area, but privately -leased school property. Commissioner Mowlds moved to adopt the staff recommendations, with the deletion of Item #3, Exhibit "A " in order to allow the play area to remain locked. Commissioner Clark seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 (Note: As mentioned in "Agenda", the following item was heard out of order) NEW BUSINESS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 132 REVISION "B" PVPUSD/Miraleste Elementary School Commissioner Hayes moved to adopt the staff recommendation to partially approve the applicant's request to revise conditions of approval to allow parking of two vehicles in the southwest portion of the loading zone area after bpm only. Commissioner Clark seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. RECESS AND RECONVENE A 10 -minute break was called at 8:45pm. PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONT'D) C. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP A detailed slide show of the project NOS. 50666 AND 50667; TENTATIVE was presented by the applicant, PARCEL MAP NOS. 23004 & 29070; Acting Director Petru then gave CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NOS. the staff report regarding the 162 AND 163; GRADING PERMIT NO applicant's request to approve an 1541 AND COASTAL PERMIT NO. 103 80 -lot single family residential Subregion 7 & 8, South of PVDS at development with an 18 -hole public Forrestal Drive golf course, clubhouse and passive open space. Staff is requesting direction from the Commission regarding the modified proposal. Mrs. Petru also explained how the Coastal Specific Plan and General and Land Use Plans allowed the Commission to consider a public golf course through a Conditional Use Permit application. The public hearing was opened. Michael Mohler, PVLHC, 25200 La Paz, Laguna Hills, presented an analysis of the clubhouse location with cross-sections indicating no view obstruction to neighboring homes. Mr. Mohler also discussed traffic and noise mitigation aspects of the clubhouse including restaurant location, restricted hours of operation, no banquet facilities, split-level and landscaped parking areas, low -light bollards for the parking lot and interior employee and service entrances. 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 Bob Grahamer, 32427 Searaven, stated he was representing many Ladera Linda homeowners, and spoke in general support of the development and the elimination of Paseo del Mar, but objected to the clubhouse location because of noise and traffic. Mr. Grahamer then called for a supplemental EIR to address the changes made in the original project. Ray Perrin, 32425 Searaven, an employee of the Los Verdes Golf Course, stated that the traffic at their course was heavy. l/Dan Finnegan, 6938 Willowtree Drive, spoke in favor of the development and the golf course, stating he felt it was a good plan. ✓Brian Hardwick, 2029 Pasel del Sol, PVE, stated he felt the new plan was an improvement, and that the City was in need of the jobs, tax revenues and property value enhancements the project would generate. Ken McNeill, 6636 Channelview, spoke in favor of the project, saying that the City desperately needed a golf course facility that would enhance property values and put an end to the gang activity on the property. Connie Barr, 135 Seawall Road, agreed that the project would be an economical and aesthetic asset to the City. George Fink, 32353 Searaven Drive, spoke in support of the development but against the proposed clubhouse location. .,-Susan Allewaert. 32415 Aqua Vista Drive, read a prepared statement opposing the current clubhouse location and suggesting La Rotunda as an alternate location., Andrew Sargent, I Peppertree, expressed objection to Acting Chairman Byrd participating in and voting on this issue. (Mr. Byrd explained that his property is not affected in any way by the project, and therefore he feels there is no conflict of interest.) Mr. Sargent also stated he was in support of the housing portion but not the golf course, and that he would prefer to see a passive open space use for the area. Ellen Hocking, 4014 Admirable, also supported the project but not the clubhouse location. 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 Sharon Solari, 4145 PVDS, President of the Seaview Homeowners Association, agreed with Bob Grahamer, and expressed concern about the potential traffic from the project. Richard Motz, 32413 Searaven, also expressed support for the project, and suggested that the clubhouse be moved to the La Rotunda area with underground parking. Ed Baur, 3572 Vigilance Drive, supported the project, but objected to the size of the clubhouse parking lot, and also suggested the La Rotunda location. ,/BQner Mills, 3603 Vigilance Drive, agreed with the previous two speakers. X erbert Hyatt, 32424 Aqua Vista, also agreed with the previous speakers. Joyce Fink, 32353 Searaven, pfee a dent of the Ladera Linda Homeowners Association, agreed that the clubhouse location should be changed. RECESS AND RECONVENE A five-minute break was called at 1 1:05pm. Mel Vague, 32437 Searaven, stated he was in agreement with the project but not the clubhouse location. Marilee Spargur, 32503 Seacliff Drive, agreed with Mr. Vague. I John Sharkey, 30320 Avenida De Calma, expressed an objection to Acting Chairman Byrd voting on this issue. Mr. Sharkey also stated he did not feel there was a great need for golf, and did not feel the project would get Coastal Commission approval. He also presented research figures supporting his contention that density figures were higher than noted by staff, and said that there was no provision for low-cost housing in the current project. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine, stated she felt the project was not supported by the General and Coastal Specific Plans. Michael Mohler, applicant,stated that the clubhouse could not be relocated to the La Rotunda area because it was Open Space Hazard and within the foundation setback area established by the City Geologist, but that he would work with staff to look for an alternate location or to make the proposed location more acceptable L^." PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 with such considerations as underground parking. Acting Chairman Byrd asked that traffic, trails and affordable housing aspects be topics of discussion at the next hearing on the item, and he asked staff to get the City Attorney's opinion on prescriptive rights. Commissioner Mowlds moved to continue the public hearing to the February 25 meeting, directing staff to prepare draft Conditions of Approval for both the Paseo del Mar clubhouse location favored by the applicant, and for the La Rotunda location. Commissioner Clark seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. SIGN PERMIT NO. 567 Assistant Planner Kim Klopfenstein 28350-28500 Western Ave. presented the staff report regarding the applicant's request to approve a sign program for Westmont Plaza and all non -conforming signs. Staff's recommendation is to approve the sign program but to deny all non -conforming signs. Timothy Sales, 610 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, representing Wells Fargo, agreed with the conditions of approval and asked if the main non -conforming Westmont Plaza sign would remain. Staff indicated that all non -conforming signs would be removed. Commissioner Hayes moved to adopt the staff recommendation, Commissioner Clark seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 31 Acting Director Petru presented the REVISION "D" staff report regarding the applicant's Crest Road/San Pedro Hill request to allow installation of an automatic gate at the main entrance to the tract at Avenida de Pino and to allow vacation of a portion of an existing public pedestrian trail located between the main entrance and the rear property line of Lot 41. Staff's recommendation is to approve the request for the automatic gate. F1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 28, 1992 Lawrence C. Baker, Jr., 10 Paseo de Ping, representing the Rancho Palos Verdes Estates Homeowners, stated he supported the staff recommendation for security reasons. Commissioner Clark moved to adopt the staff recommendation, Commissioner Hayes seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT R3 The meeting was adjourned at 12:30am.