PC MINS 19920728MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
LUX
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Katherman
at Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA.
PRESENT Commissioners Alberio, Clark, Hayes, Lorenzen,
Mowlds, Vice Chairman Byrd and Chairman Katherman.
ABSENT NONE
Also present were Director of Environmental Services Dudley
Onderdonk, Planning Administrator Carolynn Petru, Associate Planner
Terry Silverman, Assistant Planner Paul Espe, Assistant Planner
Donna Jerex, and Assistant Planner Kim Klopfenstein. The Pledge of
Allegiance followed.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Staff
1. Director Onderdonk submitted the Proposed Planning Commission
Policy Recommendation to City Council for the Planning Commission's
consideration. Staff was directed to forward the Recommendation to
City Council via the City Manager's office.
2. commission received copies of the Draft ordinance prepared by
the City Attorney of the proposed gasoline service station
conversion ordinance. City Council requested that the commission
review this situation and make a recommendation. A public hearing
has been tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission Meeting
on August 25th. I
3. Director Onderdonk reported that Staff had received a letter
from the applicant to withdraw his request for permit parking on
the cul-de-sac of Marguerite Drive in Lunada Pointe. Staff has
received a Policy Directive from City Council to put this item on
the same agenda with the Lunada Pointe gate closure issue. Chair-
man Katherman asked that the issue be discussed with the Coastal
Permit No. 1 - Revision.
B. commission
Commissioner Mowlds asked if the Conditional Use Permit becomes
void when ownership changes. Staff advised that the CUP runs with
the land regardless of ownership, but if the approved use stops for
more than six months the CUP can be revoked. The Commission
requested that Staff review the Code with the City Attorney to
determine if the Development Code could be changed to void the CUP
when ownership changes, thereby giving the City an opportunity to
review the permit.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Commissioner Clark asked if Staff had considered input from the
community when granting the continuation of Marymount's SUP
allowing amplified sound on campus, had there been any complaints
and would this issue come before the Planning commission. Planning
Administrator Petru responded that Staff had considered input from
the community and that Marymount is required to place the events as
far away from the homes as possible and to direct the speakers and
the activity away from the homes. Ms. Petru advised that Staff had
not received any complaints for the past two years and that it
would not come before the Planning Commission unless staff's
decision is appealed.
Chairman Katherman called for another volunteer to attend the
Salvation Army Commissioner workshop with him and Commissioners
Mowlds and Lorenzen on the 4th of August at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall
in the conference room of Environmental Services. Commissioner
Alberio agreed to attend.
Commissioner Hayes and Vice Chairman Byrd asked for excused
absences.
NOTION: Chairman Katherman moved, seconded by Commissioner
Alberio, to approve the excused absences of Commissioner Hayes on
August 11, August 25 and September 22, and to approve the excused
absence of Vice Chairman Byrd on September 22. There being no
objection, it was so ordered by Chairman Katherman.
Chairman Katherman reminded the Commission and Staff of the 9:00
a.m., September 26th landslide tour of Abalone Cove. The entire
Commission is to attend. Director Onderdonk will make sure that
Charlie Abbott( and his four-wheel drive vehicle) will be able to
attend.
Chairman Katherman commented that at the last Mayor's Breakfast
former Councilman Ken Dyda was appointed Chairman of the Finance
Committee and that the next meeting of the Mayor's Breakfast will
be on August 17th at Coco's at 7:00 a.m. Vice chairman Byrd will
take Chairman Katherman's place, as he will be on vacation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes of June 23, 1992.
Commissioners agreed to amend the last sentence of the last
paragraph of Page 1 to read:
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Commissioner Clark noted that there is a great deal of
sensitivity in the community concerning the Marymount en-
rollment and encroachment into the surrounding community.
Commissioners agreed to amend on Page 2 Item B. of the Consent
Calendar that the discussion of Variance No. 317 on page 4 of the
Minutes of March 24, 1992 should be amended again to read:
The Commission noted that the garage was operable and func-
tional as a garage when the applicant purchased the property
and remained in that configuration until long after the
neighborhood was incorporated into the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
B. Minutes of June 30, 1992
Commissioners agreed to correct Page 2 by inserting commissioner's
Lorenzen name as seconding the motion to limit speakers to five
minutes.
C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 107 - EXTENSION; Palos Verdes Peninsula
Unified School District, Pedregal School, 6069 Grove -oak.
(PE)
Vice chairman Byrd moved, seconded by commissioner Lorenzen, to
approve Item A. as amended, Item B. as amended and Item C. without
amendment. There being no objection, it was so ordered by Chairman
Ratherman.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. COASTAL PERMIT NO. 1. - REVISION
Lunada Pointe Homeowners Association (Bruce Burrell), Tract
No. 40640 (Marguerite Drive at Palos Verdes Drive West).
The Staff report was presented by Associate Planner Silverman and
included a letter from Save Our Coast 2000 which supported Staff's
recommendation to deny the request to close the pedestrian gate.
Commissioners Byrd and Mowlds asked who had legal liability and who
was responsible for maintaining the trail through Lot 27. Vice
Chairman Byrd asked if the City had an established trail on the
HMDI property.
Planning Administrator Petru advised that the City had legal
liability and the Homeowners Association is responsible fc;r the
maintenance of the trail. Ms. Petru stated that a trail system has
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
been approved for HMDI, but it has not been dedicated and people
that use it are trespassing.
Commissioner Hayes asked if there was access to the trail from
Palos Verdes Drive West and Staff responded that there is access to
the bluff from a trail from a staircase on Palos Verdes Drive West.
Commissioners expressed concern about the crime and Commissioner
Mowlds thought there should have been some studies done to
determine if crime in this area is higher than other areas.
Commissioner Alberio commented that when HMDI is developed Lunada
Pointe may not have the same problems with crime. Vice Chairman
Byrd asked if Staff had discussed Mr. Collins letter of July 23,
1992 with the Sheriff.
Associate Planner Silverman said that she had discussed the crime
problem with the Sheriff and had asked how crime in Lunada Pointe
compared to crime in other areas of the City. They informed her
that it had one of the lowest crime rates in the City. They did
not discuss how it relates to crime on the peninsula as a whole or
to other adjacent cities.
Director Onderdonk assured the Commission that the staff is very
concerned about public safety and will redouble efforts to inform
them of concerns of access and of potential crime along the coast.
He stated that there is a need to find a balance between public
safety and public access.
Chairman Katherman opened the public hearing.
Richard Colling, Applicant, Lunada Pointe Homeowners Association,
63 Marguerite Drive, provided the Commission with copies of
Resolution dated May 5, 1983 by California Coastal Commission
adopting City's Coastal Plan with sections pertaining to the
blufftop, and blufftop access highlighted and with photographs of
the bluff and the trail in question. Mr. Collins believes that the
closure of the gate is in compliance with the Coastal Specific Plan
and the Coastal Act since the easement granted to the City over Lot
27 is for a public trail from Palos Verdes Drive West to the bluff
top only and does not require access through their Tract. He
stated that public access is available nearby at Palos Verdes Drive
West, and adequate public parking is available at the Pointe
Vincente Interpretive Center (at the other end of the HMDI
property), plus additional parking will be available on the HMDI
property once it is developed. Also, the public trail over Lot 27
begins at Palos Verdes Drive West which could be widened to provide
parking at that point. Finally, the Lunada Pointe HOA believes that
access at the end of Marguerite Drive is not in the interest of
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
public safety because of the deaths by drowning and falls over the
cliff, the crime, vandalism and public nuisance that occur in the
area and that even if the Coastal Act were applicable, public
access at this point is so unsafe as to warrant an exception.
Marguerite Drive has become a parking lot and fire trucks cannot
turn around in the cul-de-sac when the public is parked there.
Commissioner Alberio asked how he reconciled closing the gate and
public access. Mr. Collins answered that public access was to be
granted to connect to the trail that runs along Palos Verdes Drive
West and that the trail system does not run along their tract or
through Marguerite.
Associate Planner Silverman disagreed with Mr. Collin's claim that
requirements were only to provide trail access from Palos Verdes
Drive West. Conditions of Approval of the Lunada Point Subdivision
require a 15 foot public access from the cul-de-sac of Marguerite
Drive to Lot 27 in order to maximize access to the coastline as
required by the Coastal Act. Ms. Silverman stated that Staff is
sympathetic to the problems the homeowners are experiencing, but it
is also Staff's responsibility to report the requirements of the
Coastal Act and the Coast Specific Plan.
Vice Chairman Byrd asked if Pointe Vincente Interpretive Center
parking is closed at dusk. He asked if it would help if the gate at
the end of Marguerite Drive was closed at dusk, and would the
homeowners bear the responsibility of closing and opening the gate.
Also, he requested that the Homeowners Association bear the cost of
an appeal to the Coastal Commission if the gate were closed. Mr.
Collins responded that closing the gate at dusk would help, but
would not entirely eliminate the problem, and they would prefer to
not be responsible for opening and closing the gate.
Planning Administrator Petru confirmed that closing the gate could
be appealed to the coastal Commission. Mr. Collins said they would
consider agreeing to bear the cost of an appeal but he would have
to consult with the Homeowners Association Board. Staff advised
that the City had only required the applicant to bear the cost of
appeals for large developments.
Commissioner Hayes expressed concern about the obstruction of fire
truck access and with the crime in the area. She also commented
that the fence does not comply with the City's Code and asked if
the Homeowners would be willing to put in a more attractive fence.
Mr. Collins agreed that they would be willing to have that
stipulated as a condition of approval.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Chairman Katherman asked where alternative parking would be
provided. Mr. Collins replied that the HMDI project has provisions
for public parking, the Interpretive Center has 61 parking spaces,
Palos Verdes Drive West could be widened and there is parking on
any of the residential streets on the east side of Palos Verdes
Drive West. The Golden Cove Shopping Center was a another possible
parking site since people who park there might shop in the stores
and the business owners might not object.
Associate Planner Silverman advised that access across the drainage
channel adjacent to the Interpretive Center is not part of a
dedicated public trail and is on private property. She added that
the access to Lot 27 is merely to provide access to the coastal
bluff and not to the shore line. Staff has made recommendations of
several available alternatives that can alleviate some of the
problems. The option of requiring permit parking in this Tract
could not be considered at this meeting, but the Homeowners
Association could come back with a future request.
Vickie Schoenfeld, 93 Laurel Drive and Jamie B. Lewis, 79
Marguerite Dr.; discussed the crime, vandalism, trash dumping, fist
fights, graffiti, fires, and the gangs and other dangerous and
undesirable elements being drawn to the area and adjacent bluffs.
Also, fire engines were not able to access fires on the HMDI
property from Marguerite Drive and instead had to approach the site
from Hawthorne Boulevard. They asked the Commission to approve the
request to close the gate at the terminus of Marguerite Drive.
MOTION: Moved by Vice Chairman Byrd, seconded by commissioner
Lorenzen, to close the public hearing on Item A. The motion passed
7-0.
Chairman Katherman suggested that the southerly boundary of Lot 27
could be fenced off which would block access between Lot 27 and the
HMDI property, thereby providing coastal access only at the point
where Lot 27 meets the coast. He asked Staff if there public
parking will continue on Marguerite after public access and public
parking is provided from HMDI. Planning Administrator Petru
responded that Marguerite Drive is a public street and will remain
so when HMDI is developed with public parking available at both
places.
Vice Chairman Byrd asked if the City could shut the gate at dusk
and open it in the morning. Associate Planner Silverman explained
that it is difficult to enforce the opening and closing of the gate
on a daily basis due to staffing and budget considerations. She
advised that it may be appropriate to allow the Homeowners Associa-
tion to fence the Southern portion of the tract to prevent
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
continuing access from Lot 27 to HMDI property. Ms. Silverman
commented that if the gate closure were considered, parking could
be obtained on Rue de Beaupre. However, that would transfer the
problem from the Lunada Pointe tract to the adjacent tract and also
would encourage an unprotected crossing across Palos Verdes Drive
West for pedestrians.
Vice Chairman Byrd stated that public safety is paramount over
coastal access. Commissioner Alberio said that the Coastal
Commission requires that the City provide access to the coast, but
they don't require access to the coast when it is unsafe to the
public. Commissioner Clark believes the City has responsibility to
take care of its residents and the overriding factor is one of
public safety, and therefore, the City has a mandate to close the
gate. Commissioner Hayes said she felt that there was substantial
justification for an exception to the Coastal Act in the interest
of public safety and property values.
MOTION: Commissioner Hayes moved, seconded by Commissioner Mowldso
to approve the Coastal Permit No. I - Revision to close the gate
immediately.
Commissioner Mowlds proposed to amend the motion that if appealed,
all costs associated with appeal including the cost of the staff
time will be borne by the Lunada Pointe Homeowners Association.
Vice Chairman Byrd suggested a further
rther amendment that when the HMDI
project is completed and the trails are deeded to the City, the
Planning commission again review the necessity of keeping the gate
closed .
Chairman Katherman said he thought the crime problem might be a
result of the isolated location which doesn't get adequate sheriff
patrols, which is exacerbated by the fact there is a subdivision
under construction with a number of homes unoccupied. He suggested
closing the gate at dusk for a period of six months.
Associate Planner Silverman reiterated that closing the gate at
dusk would become a serious enforcement problem for the City.
Vice Chairman Byrd proposed a new amendment to the motion to perma-
nently close the gate for a period of six months at which time the
Planning commission would reevaluate the situation.
Commissioner Hayes asked Staff how long before the HMDI subdivision
would be built -out. Planning Administrator Petru advised that HMDI
has three years to final their map and, although there have been
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
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preliminary discussions with Staff about moving forward, final
build -out on the site could be years away.
Commissioner Alberio stated that public notice would be necessary
if the gate is closed. Planning Administrator Petru advised that
public notice could be stipulated as a condition, but it was not a
requirement of the Development Code.
The Commissioners agreed to change the motion as follows, with
Commissioner Hayes agreeing reluctantly as she preferred the gate
remain closed indefinitely:
MOTION: Commissioner Hayes moved, seconded by Commissioner Mowlds,
to grant approval to close the gate for 24 hours a day for a trial
period of six months at which time the Planning Commission will
reevaluate this approval, that notice is to be posted at three
public access points to be determined by Staff, and that the Lunada
Pointe Homeowners Association is to indemnify the City against any
and all costs with respect to an appeal to the Coastal Commission.
Motion passed 7-0.
Commissioner Clark voted yes with the qualification that he does
not agree with indemnification from any appeal costs to the Coastal
Commission because he does not draw a parallel with a developer in
a major development and residents in the City trying to preserve
their safety.
At Vice Chairman Byrd's suggestion, Chairman Katherman stated the
rationale for the Planning Commission's decision to approve the
request to close the gate as follows:
The overriding issue of public safety and the safety of the
residents within the Lunada Pointe subdivision outweighs the
need for coastal access from the end of Marguerite Drive
since such access encourages illegal access to the abutting
property known as HMDI. Alternate public access and public
parking is available at Pointe Vincente Interpretative Center
and pedestrian access is available through the Lot 27 gate at
Palos Verdes Drive West. This approval is granted on a
temporary trial basis for a period of six months in order to
determine the cause of the very serious crime problems in the
neighborhood and to act as a deterrent. The Planning
Commission felt that the appropriate public access point to
HMDI's site is through the public access and parking that will
be provided throughout the HMDI subdivision as part of the
conditions of approval.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
RECESS AND RECONVENE - The meeting recessed for a break at 9:00
p.m. and reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
Chairman Katherman requested
take the New Business item at
concluded before 11:00 p.m.
acclamation the calendar was
Business.
NEW BUSINESS
that the agenda order be changed to
this time so New Business could be
There were no objections and by
reordered and the next item was New
A. Grading Permit No. 1629; Mr. and Mrs. Wang, 29902 Avenida
Magnifica.
Assistant Planner Espe presented the staff report concerning the
applicants' request for a retaining wall. Staff's recommendation
was to approve the request, subject to conditions listed in Exhibit
A, attached to the staff report.
Chairman Katherman asked if Staff would allow pilasters as proposed
by the applicant with the balance of the wall to allow 900 light
and air to pass through. Assistant Planner Espe responded that
Staff would allow pilasters if they were architecturally pleasing.
Chairman Katherman asked the applicants if they had any objections
to the conditions on Exhibit A., specifically, condition No.10, an
open guard rail, and Condition No. 11, a request that lighting be
changed to reduce illumination in the canyon. ,
The applicants responded that they did not agree with the Staff's
description of the wall as a massive, but they had no objection to
Condition No.10 and suggested they would hide the lighting behind
the columns of the guard rail and the lighting would not be facing
toward the canyon. Planning Commission agreed that this would
satisfy Condition No. 11.
Assistant Planner Espe clarified that the applicants understood
that there is to be no lighting in the canyon and that they are to
hide the lights in some fashion, either behind the fence itself or
behind the pilasters. Chairman Katherman suggested that Condition
No. 11 be reworded by Staff to clarify this point.
MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Lorenzen, seconded by Commissioner
Alberio, to approve the application with Exhibit A, Condition No.
11 amended to require that the applicant shall provide lighting
which does not cause excessive illumination in the canyon, per
staff approval. Staff is to review the lighting plan. motion
passed 7-0.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Chairman requested return to the Public Hearing calendar.
PUBLIC HEARING
B. VARIANCE NO. 332;
Kelly Vince and Catherine Bannerman, 28127 Lobrook.
Assistant Planner Jerex presented the staff report regarding
applicant's request for after -the -fact approval of encroachment
into the required front yard setback. Original plans did not
clearly show the scope of the project, but Staff's findings
indicate that there are unusual physical constraints on the subject
property which are sufficient to support this request. Staff has
received several letters in support of the project from directly
adjacent neighbors and one letter that requested special conditions
of approval for the project.
Commissioner Alberio noted that this was done by an out-of-town
contractor and wanted to make sure that contractors working in the
City had licenses. Commissioner Mowlds stated that the only time
the City checks subcontractors is at final inspection.
The Commissioners asked Director Onderdonk to review the City's
contractor business license procedures and report back to the
Planning commission.
The Chairman declared the public hearing open.
Kelly G. Vince, 28127 Lobrook, requested that his application be
modified to comply with his neighbor's request to bring the wall
out to the end of the driveway, to add a door and to bring the wall
into the five foot side yard setback between the two properties at
the level of the driveway. Mr. Vince submitted photos to the
Commission.
Chairman Katherman stated that the Commissioners could not consider
a variance from the side yard set back because that was not the
request before the Commission, and Assistant Planner Jerex agreed
that since the request for the side yard encroachment wasn't
publicly noticed it should not be heard at this meeting. .
Commissioners directed the Staff to renotice this item to include
the five foot side yard encroachment under the driveway and to
address the issue in staff analysis of whether or not there would
be a door for access from the side yard into the addition.
MOTION: Commissioner Hayes moved, seconded by Commissioner Kowlds
to close the Public Hearing. The motion passed without objection.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
MOTION: Commissioner Clark moved, seconded by Vice Chairman Byrd,
to continue this application to a new public hearing and to include
the side yard variance in the application. Motion passed 7-0.
B. VARIANCE NO. 312, AND GRADING PERMIT NO. 1579,* (related
application: HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 724) ; Pat and Carmine Coppa,
1433 Caddington Drive.
Assistant Planner Jerex presented the staff report for this request
to allow 24 cubic yards of grading into the side yard and a 5 foot
encroachment into the required 20 foot front yard setback for a
first and second story addition. similar variance requests for
this type of encroachment are often granted in this neighborhood
due to the small lot size and hardship created by the older homes.
Staff recommends approval with conditions .
Assistant Planner Jerex advised that a view analysis had been done
and that Staff had not received any letters of concern about the
height variation request.
Vice Chairman Byrd asked if the front of the new garage had been
modified in any way. Assistant Planner Jerex advised that it
follows the line of the existing garage. Vice Chairman Byrd
commented that the front of the new garage would not be any closer
to the sidewalk than the existing garage and that what is being
done is adding a third garage. Assistant Planner Jerex said that
was correct.
Chairman Katherman opened the public hearing.
Scot Ferguson, 311 Fieldview Avenue, Duarte, CA, Architect
representing Pat and Carmine Coppa, owners, informed the commission
that the retaining wall will be approximately 8 feet from the side
property line, however, the second floor of the addition would
cantilever over the retaining wall and will be 6 feet from the side
property line.
In response to questions from the Commissioners, Mr. Ferguson
confirmed that the side wall is the retaining wall and that it will
be approximately 5 feet in height with the wall of the addition
crippled on top of it. He also explained that they were continuing
the existing line of the two car garage at the lower level, adding
the third car garage and that the second story will be set back at
the front and cantilevered on the side, and also that there is a
deck in the front.
Commissioner Alberio and Chairman Katherman questioned the size of
the driveway and Mr. Ferguson answered that there is a concrete
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
sidewalk right at the curb line from the street and then there is
six or seven feet of unused right of way that is landscaped and is
actually part of the driveway, so the driveway is functionally 21
to 22 feet long.
MOTION: Commissioner Hayes moved, seconded by Commissioner Mowlds,
to close the Public Hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Mowlds moved, seconded by Commissioner Hayes,
to accept Staff's recommendation to approve Variance No. 312, and
Grading Permit No. 1579 subject to conditions. Motion passed by 7-
0.
Chairman Katherman advised that he would sign the resolution this
evening and that there is a 15 day appeal period. Mr. Ferguson
asked if he could submit for plan check and building permit prior
to the end of the 15 day appeal period and Planning Administrator
Petru advised that it has not been Staff's practice to allow
projects to go into plan check until the appeal period has run
because applicant has to pay plan check fees which could be
forfeited if there is an appeal.
D. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 734 - APPEAL VARIANCE NO. 314 GRADING
PERMIT NO. 1595, Mr. Pero Tepic, 29006 Highmore.
Assistant Planner Klopfenstein presented the staff report on
applicant's request for approval to add a first story addition of
554 sq. ft., a second story addition of 646 sq. ft., and a three
car detached garage with an upper level deck. Staff's recommenda-
tion is to deny Height Variation No. 734 - Appeal, and to approve
the Variance No. 314, and Grading Permit No. 1595 subject to the
conditions in Exhibit A of the staff report.
In response to Vice Chairman Byrd's and Commissioner Clark's
comments that they did not believe the view impairments were
severe, Assistant Planner Klopfenstein stated that Staff takes the
strictest interpretation of view impairment and looks at views
regardless of foliage and, therefore, had concluded that the
portion of the structure above 16' would block the view of the
harbor and the bridge, which Staff considered to be significant
impairment. Ms. Klopfenstein confirmed that Staff did not receive
any letters of concern. She advised that the second story addition
that exists now was approved under the County and Staff felt that
expanding the second story across the entire home would also result
in a massive front facade that would not be in character with the
neighborhood.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Chairman Katherman opened the public hearing.
Pero Tepic, Applicant, 29006 Highmore Avenue, informed the Planing
Commission that he wants to raise the second level in order to
improve his view and to make his home look better. Since the
existing addition does not look very good and his revisions would
make it look better, he believes his request should be approved.
Also, he has not received any complaints from his neighbors with
regard to view impairment. Mr. Tepic stated that he has five cars
and four children and needs to add the garage in the rear of the
property to have sufficient parking. He also stated that his
neighbor has the same type garage off the rear alley that he wants
to build.
Waco Winters, 1622 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro CA, architect
representing the applicant. In response to the Commissioners'
questions, Mr. Winters answered that they originally considered
expanding on one floor but found that the lot coverage would be
over 504 percent and the additions would have to encroach into
areas on the lot with excessive slope. Mr. Winters stated that the
property next door has over 50% lot coverage, but it had been
approved when the property was under the County. Mr. Winters
explained that they were trying to keep the footprint as small as
possible to contain the cost.
MOTION: Commissioner Hayes moved, seconded by Vice Chairman Byrd,
to close the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Mowlds moved, seconded by Commissioner Hayes,
to accept the applicant's elevation drawings of the proposed second
story addition.
The Commissioners agreed to bring this motion back after discussing
the height variation appeal.
Chairman Katherman expressed concern about how the building would
look from the street and requested more articulation of the front
facade by bringing out the entryway or perhaps by putting a
trellis around it. Vice Chairman Byrd agreed that there should be
some type of facade articulation to break the mass of the
structure.
Chairman Katherman suggested the motion be changed to add that the
applicant work with the staff to further articulate the front
facade of the second story to improve the aesthetics of the
addition.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 28, 1992
Assistant Planner Klopfenstein asked if the Commission thought the
lower facade should be moved out or the upper changed. Chairman
Katherman said it should be combination of both and Vice Chairman
Byrd stated that the purpose is try to alleviate the flat, massive
frontage. The Commissioners agreed that they don't need to see the
revised drawings. The Commission would uphold the appeal of the
height variation and Staff would bring the resolution to them at
the next meeting.
MOTION; Commissioner Mowlds moved, seconded by commissioner Hayes,
to uphold the appeal, thereby approving the height variation, and
to approve the variance and the grading permit, with conditions as
outlined on Exhibit A and amended by the Commission. Motion passed
5-2.
Commissioner Lorenzen voted against the motion because he felt that
the second story addition was too massive in appearance. Chairman
Katherman voted no because he would like to see the revised plans
come back to the Planning commission for final approval.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Alberio moved, seconded by commissioner Lorenzen, to
adjourn. Notion passed 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 p.m. to the next regular meeting
on August 11th at 7:00 p.m.
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