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PC MINS 1992063071 WHTY-4-4-9 PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 30, 1992 1"--W OWNI—MMENW-A The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Vice Chairman Byrd in the Activities Room at Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PRESENT: Alberio, Byrd, Hayes, Lorenzen, Mowlds Chairman Katherman arrived at 7:14 p.m. and Commissioner Clark arrived at 7:39 p.m. Also present were Director of Environmental Services Dudley onderdonk, Senior Planner Carolynn Petru, Assistant Planner Donna Jerex, City Attorney Michael Colantuono and recording secretary Michelle Kennerson. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS There were no reports or communications. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of March 31, 1992. B. P.C. Resolution No. 92 -42 approving Variance No. 330 and Grading No. 1628, 3655 Hightide. It was noted that'Vice Chairman Byrd abstained from discussion and voting on the minutes of March 31, 1992. Commissioner Mowlds moved to approve the Minutes of March 31, 1992 with wording added to page 15. Commissioner Hayes seconded the motion with Chairman Byrd abstaining. The motion passed (4-0-1) Commissioner Hayes moved to approve Resolution No. 92-42. Commissioner Alberio seconded the motion. The notion passed (5-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Housing Element Assistant Planner Donna Jerex presented Amendment the staff report recommending the City of RPV adoption of the Resolutions to certify the Negative Declaration and recommend approval of the proposed amendment to the Housing Element to the City Council. Commissioner Hayes commented she was confused on the wording in Section 7 of the draft Resolution. Assistant Planner Jerex responded that the Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve the amendment and adopt the Negative Declaration associated with the project. I Commissioner Alberio asked if there were parts of the Housing Element that the Commission needs to be aware of, in addition to what would be discussed this evening. Assistant City Attorney Michael Colantuono responded by giving some background on the Housing Element and it's implementation. Planning Commission Minutes June 30, 1992 Chairman Katherman declared the public hearing open. J.J.A. McLaren, 3923 Palos Verdes Drive South, stated that the homeless are unaccounted for in the Housing Element. The former Loma Del Mar school site is shown as having a potential for 20 units, but it is currently only zoned RS -1. He felt that Loma Del Mar should be purchased by the City and developed as a park. Chairman Katherman asked about the City's requirement to address the homeless. Assistant Planner Jerex responded that the census results did not include homeless persons for the City, and that SCAG's Regional Housing Needs Assessment is based on census figures. Therefore, their needs are difficult to quantify. In response to Chairman Katherman, Assistant City Attorney Michael Colantuono responded that there are not enough homeless to warrant creating a shelter within the City. It is a peninsula -wide problem that should be served by existing facilities in the future. Furthermore, homeless shelters are located in the vicinity, and they are sufficient to accomodate current needs. These shelters are listed in the draft amendment. The Commission then discussed the Loma Del Mar site as a park Chairman Katherman clarified that the City could not just take the land, but would have to purchase it from the School District, which the City is not in a financial position to fund. Commissioner Mowlds moved and Commissioner Lorenzen seconded that speakers be limited to five minutes maximum. The motion passed unanimously. (7-0) Lorna Burrell 1 Park Place Rancho Palos Verdes spoke about the Retired Housing Federation which has $2 million in seed money to construct senior low income housing projects. However, they need to start with free land. Ms. Burrell suggested using the perimeter of the upper Point Vincente Park property, out of the extreme slope area, that is currently controlled by the Federal Government grant deed. She suggested leasing the land. Ms. Burrell offered to travel to Washington D.C. on her own time and expense towards lobbying the Federal Government to change the use designation of the site so that it could be used for low-income housing. Commissioner Alberio asked if this organization was non-profit. Ms. Burrell answered that it was. Mr. Colantuono clarified that any other use of the property other than for recreational purposes would require approval from the Federal Government. Lincoln Cain, 5630 Ravenspur Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, stated that he has been interested in and in favor of low income housing on the peninsula for a number of years. He has reviewed the files at City Hall. The Housing Element was always referred to in the file, but could not find the actual element. He also questioned the reference to "publicly" owned land and does this mean the city, school, or county owned? He questioned why Shoreline Park was not included in Chart 3 in the City's document. Are the City's zoning density standards adequate to allow for low-income housing? Does this mean city -owned, school district or county? Mr. McLaren echoed Mr. Cain's concern about publicly owned land. Chairman Katherman asked if it is appropriate to add City Hall to the site list. 0 - , Planning Commission Minutes June 30, 1992 Mr. Colantuono suggested either adding it with a footnote about the constraints or amending the document if the constraints are lifted in the future. Mr. Colantuono did not recommend holding up the adoption of the element until the constraints are lifted, due to the time constraints imposed on the City by the State. Chairman Katherman stated that the US Census does not provide the City with a clear idea of actual low income housing opportunities in the city. He cited the multiple realtor listing of several condominiums in the City which are available for under $150,000. Mr. Colantuono responded that the Housing Element responds to the mandatory requirements only. What the Chairman is suggesting goes beyond the mandatory requirements, but is certainly an option for the City to pursue. Commissioner Alberio asked about retrofitting existing housing to satisfy the Housing Element requirements for low and moderate income housing. Mr. Colantuono answered that in order to satisfy the requirements, new housing units need to be constructed. Assistant Planner Donna Jerex clarified that if a new unit is converted from one income category to another, the City is responsible for replacing that unit. Commissioner Clark asked about the requirements for cities that are "built -out"". Mr. Colantuono answered that very few cities have SLAG housing allocation of zero. It the City's can't meet the goals, than the City must clearly demonstrate its reasons to that effect. Mr. Colantuono clarified that the list of vacant sites in the City includes property that can be reasonably developed for housing. Commissioner Hayes stated that she presented an item to the Planning Commission a few months ago regarding preserving Shoreline Park as a passive park to the City Council. Commissioner Mowlds moved and Commissioner Hayes seconded the motion to close the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. (7-0) Assistant City Attorney Michael Colantuono answered Mr. Cain's question regarding adequate zoning density. The City's densest zone (RS -22) is well within the density range suggested by HCD to allow low income housing. Chairman Katherman asked the Assistant City Attorney about the difference between the document that was before them and the implementation of the goals and policies contained in the document. Mr. Colantuono answered that the City must develop a 5 year implementation plan, which is a completely separate document, and make progress towards attaining the goals of the element. Commissioner Lorenzen asked about Dawn Henry's testimony at the last meeting. Assistant Planner Jerex answered that her questions were answered at that meeting by Michael Colantuono and no further written testimony was received. Commissioner Mowlds moved and Commissioner Alberio seconded to adopt the Negative Declaration and approve the Amendment to the Housing Element. Staff indicated that the recommendation would be forwarded to the City Council shortly. 3 Planning Commission Minutes June 30, 1992 Chairman Katherman thanked Assistant City Attorney Michael Colantuono and Assistant Planner Donna Jerex for their work on the Housing Element project. Chairman Byrd asked if the officer training housing at the Salvation Army facility counted as low income housing. Mr. Colantuonc, indicated that HCD would only count these units if they each had kitchen facilities. Commissioner Alberio asked about trading credit with other cities in the area. Mr. Colantuono stated that there is pending legislation that would provide this flexibility. The Commission discussed how the Staff will determine how much they (Staff) will spend on various projects throughout the City - how much time is spent with the public at the counter and on the telephone. Director Onderdonk stated that if the proposed budget is passed, the City will be devoting 1/2 planners time to developing a work strategy and implementation plan. Commissioner Clark asked how often would the strategy be updated. Director Onderdonk responded that this is new, so the time spent by Staff needed will be tracked, but he expects to review it on a quarterly basis with the City Manager. Commissioner Clark asked how the City would account for the reintroduction of the View Restoration Committee process mid -year. Director Onderdonk responded priorities would need to be rearranged and there is some excess time set aside for special, unforeseen projects. Director Onderdonk asked about specific items the Commission would like to be included on the agenda for the joint meeting with the City Council on July 7, 1992. The Commission is very concerned about how policy is established - by the Council, by the Staff, by the Commission. The Commission wants more specific guidelines to evaluate neighborhood compatibility. Senior Planner Petru and Assistant Planner Jerex responded that the Staff uses Guidelines to process Height Variations which include criteria for evaluating neighborhood compatibility. The Guidelines were adopted by the City Council in 1990. 1 CONTINUED BUSINESS There was no continued business. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE There were no audience questions. 4 Planning Commission Minutes June 30, 1992 The Commission adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. to July 7, 1992 at 5:30 p.m. at Hesse Park for a joint workshop with the City Council.