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PC MINS 19920609E MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 9, 1992 E The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p. in. by Chairman Katherman at Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT Chairman Katherman, Commissioners Alberio, Byrd, Hayes, Lorenzen and Mowlds. ABSENT Clark Also present were Director of Environmental Services Dudley Onderdonk, Senior Planner Carolynn Petru, Assistant Planner Fabio, de Freitas, and Assistant Planner Paul Espe. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS Senior Planner Petru advised that at the Coastal Commission meeting that morning in San Diego, the Commission voted unanimously (9-0) that the appeal on the HMD1 project that was submitted by Lois LaRue raised no substantial issue, therefore the project is free to proceed at this point. Commissioner Albeno asked who made the presentation on for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Senior Planner Petru responded that on substantial issue Councilman Robert Ryan made the presentation for the City and Barna Szabo made the presentation for the applicant. From that time forward when the Commission had questions, the City Attorney, Carol Lynch, answered their questions. Senior Planner Petru also mentioned that the Coastal Commission staff informed the City that regarding the Transamerica and Subregion 7 & 8 projects, we need to provide them with additional materials, including the project description, before they would start the time clock on those appeals. The required materials for Transamerica were already submitted this week and Subregions 7 & 8 will be in by the end of the week. Commissioner Byrd asked if Staff anticipates an appeal on Transamerica. Senior Planner Petru responded that the Coastal Commission staff informed her that an appeal was threatened by John Sharkey. Commissioner Mowlds stated that the we do not have any minutes for the last six Planning Commission meetings. Planning Commission Minutes June 9, 1992 Commissioner Mowlds also stated that more and more neighborhoods in the City have requested that their areas be gated. Senior Planner Petru responded that to her knowledge she knows of only one request to gate a community and that was the Rancho Palos Verdes Estates ( S & S) that was granted last year by City Council. Ms. Petru stated that there is a request in now from the Lunada Point Homeowners Association to close off access at the end of Marguerite Drive to an existing public trail, but there is no request to actually privatize that street. Commissioner Byrd expressed concern that two appeal items are scheduled to be heard by the City Council before the Commission has an opportunity to review and approve the minutes. He asked that the Commission request the City Council to continue those two items on their agenda until the Commission has a chance to approve the minutes. Commissioner Byrd moved to request the City Council to continue the public hearings on the two appeal items on their agenda. Lorenzen seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Director Onderdonk reminded the Commission of the joint meeting with the City Council on July 7, 1992 at 5:30 p.m. .Director Onderdonk stated that staff will do its best to get caught up with the minutes. that Only ane, mr-evir. he-he-\,A� Commissioner Byrd suggested the months of August and September as "dead" months to allow staff to get caught up. COmc+,+ss+avtiex C.lat-K sitlAZ1 AAnoN Vie, Chairman Katherman said he was concerned about delaying applications during that time.A 4le- felt that is the reason why the Council appointed seven commissioners instead of five in case of absences. Mr. Onderdonk noted that the Council is also thinking of skipping some meetings in the fall. Director Onderdonk mentioned that there are hearings scheduled for the last week in July and stated that August is filling up fast. Chairman Katherman agreed that they need to discuss what the agenda will look like in the upcoming months. Chairman Katherman said he will be gone the second week of August. Commissioner Byrd stated he had two other items. One item is the Housing Element meeting scheduled on June 30, 1992 and asked if it had been noticed yet. Mr. Onderdonk stated that it had. Planning Commission Minutes June 9, 1992 Chairman Katherman stated that the Council will be holding a budget workshop that same night. Senior Planner Petru said the Commission's meeting would still be at Hesse Park, but maybe not be in the multi purpose room. The meeting could be either in the activity room or the fireside room. Ms Petru said she would check with the staff of Hesse Park. Vice Chairman Byrd noted that the Housing Element is a legal document, and would like legal counsel represented at the June 30 meeting. Chairman Katherman moved to request to the City Council that the assistant city attorney be present at the Housing Element Meeting on June 30, 1992. Commissioner Hayes seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Vice Chairman Byrd noted that he and Commissioner Mowlds made a small presentation to the City Council on the current activities of the Design Review Committee. Commissioner Byrd mentioned that the color scheme of proposed projects needs to be addressed by the Commission. He also felt that certain applications such as decks over extreme slopes and flagpoles should be approved by the Staff. However,, perhaps all second story additions should be by the Commission. Commissioner Albeno stated that the color schemes that were mentioned sounds similar to rules contained in CC&R's and wondered if that would not lead to lawsuits. Chairman Byrd added that he thought the procedures need to be streamlined with regard to the Design Review Committee. Chairman Katherman noted the Planning Commission/Staff retreat scheduled for July 18, 1992. He stated the idea is a social gathering that would touch on broad issues. He asked if minor costs could be shared by the Commission for the Staff. Commissioner Aiberio agreed that the Commission would share the cost for the Staff and their spouses or significant others. There will be lunch and a boat tour of the Los Angeles Harbor. Mr. Onderdonk stated that he has polled the Staff and the count is between 10 and 12 people. Commissioner Albeno then said the total number combined would be 19 people. Commissioner Katherman stated that with regards to the Planning Commission's Tour of the Landslides, that he spoke with Charles Abbott, who in turn spoke to Dr. Perry Ehlig, for late for a date in late August or early September on a Saturday. I 3 Planning Commission Minutes June 9, 1992 Commissioner Katherman also suggested scheduling a tour for the Commission of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Station located in Lomita. Commissioner Byrd suggested that a good time to tour the Landslide would coincide when the Satellite Navigation System is used to survey of recent land movements in the area. Chairman Katherman announced a SCAG Housing Needs Assessment Workshop on June 24, 1992 at the Airport Hilton and asked if any staff member was attending. Director Onderdonk responded that he believes that one staff member will be attending this workshop on behalf of the Department. CONSENT CALENDAR A. P.C. Resolution No. 92-39: adopting the Final Negative Declaration for Environmental Assessment No. 634 and approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 19062, 18 Rockinghorse Road. B. Parking Lot Permit No. 3; DMJ, Dana MacKay (Health Access Systems). 29409 S. Western Ave. R?Auested Action: Allow a 25% reduction of the required number of parking spaces. Recommendation: Approve the request, subject to conditions. Commissioner Mowlds moved to approve item A. Commissioner Lorenzen seconded the motion, and the motion passed 5-0 with Chairman Katherman abstaining due the fact that this action pertains to his property. Chairman Mowlds moved to approve item B. Commissioner Lorenzen seconded the motion, and the motion passed 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Height Variation No. 737 -Appeal Assistant Planner Paul Espe 5724 Scotwood Drive presented the staff report regarding the applicant's request to overturn the Director's denial of Height Variation No. 737 for an 888 square foot second story addition. Staff's recommendation is to uphold the appeal thereby approving the proposed modified protect subject to conditions of approval. Commissioner Mowlds stated that he has read the Staff Report and questions the way Staff determines neighborhood compatibility. 4 Planning Commission Minutes June 9, 1992 Commissioner Mowlds noted that Staff s analysis was based on the average square footage of other homes in the neighborhood. Assistant Planner Espe responded that Staff uses the Height Variation Guidelines adopted by the City Council in assessing neighborhood compatibility. Chairman Katherman asked Commissioner Mowlds if his comments were of a general nature. Commissioner Mowlds stated that his comments were a lead question to the staff and it would later be discussed with the applicant. Senior Planner Petru added that while Staff uses square footage surrounding residences as a guide to compare the proposed project with, there have been situations where Staff has approved an addition was considerably larger than the other homes found in that area, due to the physical factors on the site, such as lot size or topography. Ms. Petru continued to point out that Staff does not use square footage only in determining a project's compatibility with the neighborhood. Chairman Katherman open the public hearing. Kemlesh Parikh, applicant, 4707-B La Villa Marina. Marina del Rev Mr. Parikh submitted to the Commission sketches of the proposed addition. Mr. Pankh stated that in a meeting between the property owner, Staff and himself on January 1992 he was told to reduce the mass and square footage of the addition. The total square footage was 1100 sq. ft., Mr. Parikh said he submitted a new set of plans in February 1992, which were denied by the Acting Director. Mr. Parikh said that after the property owner appealed the Staff decision, he submitted a 3rd scheme reducing the atrium space. Chairman Katherman, Commissioner Mowlds and Byrd proceeded to discuss if the applicant was requesting approval of more square footage and if so, would it need additional noticing. Senior Planner Petru stated that since the appeal was duly noticed a revised project would not need additional noticing. Commissioner Mowlds and Byrd discussed factors such as window, skylight, balcony and fireplace location with the applicant. Hyo Chang, neighbor, located at 5716 Scotwood, commented that he would lose the privacy in his backyard if the second story addition is approved. He questioned the design of the addition, stating that it looks like an apartment complex. R Planning Commission Minutes June 9, 1992 Commissioner Byrd moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Alberio seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Chairman Katherman, Commissioners Byrd, Alberio, and Lorenzen discussed information received during applicant's presentation. Items discussed included vegetation planting to protect privacy, eliminating side balcony facing pool and the design of the atrium. Senior Planner Petru confirmed that the Commissioners were considering a fourth set of plans that were very similar to the second set of plans that was refected by the Acting Director. Commissioner Byrd made a motion for the applicant to return on Planning Commission meeting of June 23, 1992 with revised plans. The revisions are to include moving of rear atrium back four feet, and either moving to the eastside of the addition or eliminating the balcony from the rear of the home and landscaping to obscure the 3 foot encroachment to the Westside of the property from the street. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberio. The motion passed 6-0. CONTINUED BUSINESS - There were no continued business items. NEW BUSINESS - There were no new business items. QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE Lois Knight Larne, 3136 Barkentine Road. Made comments regarding development of a golf course on the HMDI property in Subregion 1. ��CI 1: ►lu I �1►(I 11 The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. R