PC MINS 19941122APPROVED V
12/13/94
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 22, 1994
The meeting was called to order at 7:11 P.M., by Chairman Alberio
at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Planning Administrator
Carolynn Petru.
PRESENT: Commissioners Ferraro, Vannorsdall, Wang, Whiteneck, and
Chairman Alberio
ABSENT: Commissioner Hayes (excused) and Vice Chairman Mowlds
Also present were Director of Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement Bernard, Planning Administrator Petru, and Recording
Secretary Drasco.
COMMUNICATIONS
A. STAFF
1. The Director noted that Commissioners Mowlds,
Ferraro, and Wang attended the November 19, 1994
Community Leaders Breakfast.
2. The Director noted that two confidential memos from
the City Attorney's office, regarding an item not
on this evening's agenda, had been distributed to
the Commission.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Planning Commission Minutes of October 25, 1994.
Commissioner Ferraro noted that, on Page 12, in the last paragraph
on the first line, the word "acknowledge" should be changed to
"acknowledged"; that, on Page 13, in the sixth paragraph on the
fifth line, the phrase "she did see" should be changed to "she did
not see"; and that, on Page 15, in the fourth paragraph on the
fourth line, the phrase "this had done twice" should be changed to
"this had been done twice.."
Commissioner Wang requested that, on Page 8, in the last paragraph
on the third line, the word "he" be changed to "she"; that, on Page
11, in the second paragraph on the fourth line, the phrase "the
could have one guard" be changed to "they could have one guard";
that, on Page 27, the third paragraph be changed from ""......if a
person were making a business of horses, the would need.... "" be
changed to ""....if a person was making a business of horses, he
would need...."; and, on Page 38, in the last paragraph, the words
"Commissioner Wand" be changed to "Commissioner Wang."
Commissioner Ferraro moved, seconded by Commissioner Wang, to
accept the Minutes, as amended, (4-0-1), with Commissioner
Vannorsdall abstaining, as he was not at the October 25, 1994
meeting.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
A. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 16 & 17 OF THE CITY'S
MUNICIPAL CODE (DEVELOPMENT CODE REVISIONS); City of
Rancho Palos Verdes, Citywide. (JR)
Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to waive the Staff Report, seconded
by Commissioner Whiteneck. Passed, (5-0).
17.50.020 [Parking Requirements]
Commissioner Whiteneck suggested that the word "current" be
inserted in the last sentence of the first paragraph to read "the
current State Amended Uniform Building Code".
Chairman Alberio concurred and Staff agreed to make the change.
17.50.030(F)(9) [Non-residential Parking and Loading Standards -
Parking Lot Layout diagram following this -portion of the Code]
Commissioner Whiteneck felt that an explanation of this diagram
would be helpful and also some examples to illustrate its use.
Director Bernard replied that an explanation and examples would be
added.
17.76.020(C)(6)(b) [Non -Commercial Antennas -Exceptions]
Commissioner Wang suggested that the word "to" be inserted in the
third line to read "and to promote the goals..."
Staff agreed to make the change.
17.76.040(D)(2)(g) [Grading Permit - drawings following this
portion of the Code]
Commissioner Vannorsdall suggested that the drawings should be made
larger, so that the numbers were legible.
Planning Administrator Petru responded that the Municipal Code
format was being changed to a double column style, so the diagrams
will probably be larger and on their own page.
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November 22, 1994
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•
17.76.060(E)(2) [Extreme Slope Permits - Findings and Conditions]
Commissioner Wang questioned whether the words "shall condition
approval" in the phrase "the Director shall condition approval',
were considered to be correct common usage.
Director Bernard suggested that inserting the word "the" would
provide clarification, to read "condition the approval",
17.76.090(C)(2) [Automobile Service Stations - Development
Standards]
Commissioner Wang did not believe that the word "setback" in the
fourth line was being used correctly. The other Commissioners
disagreed and felt that the language should remain as drafted.
17.76.150 [City Tree Permit]
Director Bernard said that even though the Table of Contents listed
Chapter 17.76.150, City Tree Permits, it was not included in this
packet because it is under the purview of the View Restoration
Commission, who will then send it on to the City Council. He added
that there were certain sections in the Development Code, including
the Definitions, which had overlapping jurisdiction and that, if
there were a conflict between the View Restoration Commission's and
the Planning Commission's viewpoint, the City Council would make
the final determination.
17.80.030(B) [Hearing Notice and Appeal Procures - Appellate
Authority]
Commissioner Wang believed that the words "the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes" were unnecessary in the first sentence.
The Members of the Commission and Staff agreed and Director Bernard
indicated that a word search would be performed for consistency
throughout the Code Revisions.
17.80.070(F) [Hearing Notice and Appeal Procedures]
Chairman Alberio noted that the word "effected" in the first
sentence should be changed to "affected."
17.84.060(A)(2) [Non -Conforming Structures]
Commissioner Whiteneck noted an extra, unneeded word, "all, in the
last line before the word "due."
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November 22, 1994
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17.96.270 [Definitions - Bee Hive, Non -Commercial]
Commissioner Vannorsdall pointed out that a single bee hive is
identified by one queen bee, not one box; therefore, there could be
several boxes with only one queen bee and those several boxes would
be considered as one hive.
Planning Administrator Petru agreed that other standards should be
used in this definition and that Staff would investigate.
17.96.350 [Definitions - Caisson Foundation]
Commissioner Vannorsdall felt that the word "drilled" in the third
line should be replaced by the word "dug" because caissons are dug,
not "drilled."
Chairman Alberio disagreed.
Director Bernard suggested that the word "excavated" might provide
a compromise.
After more discussion, Chairman Alberio and Commissioner
Vannorsdall agreed that "excavated" would be acceptable.
Commissioner Vannorsdall questioned, in the same sentence the term
"earth's bearing strata."
Chairman Alberio suggested that the staff confer with the City's
Public Works Department on the proper term for the definition.
Chairman Alberio Opened the Public Hearing.
Ms. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, thanked
the Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement for
providing the public with a copy of the portions of the Development
Code being reviewed that evening. She asked why, in Section
17.50.030, the Parking Lot Layout had inconsistencies in the
letters used for labeling the diagram.
Director Bernard said the letters would be changed for consistency.
Ms. Larue noted that golf courses and driving ranges were mentioned
in Section 17.60.020 and that they were not mentioned in the
previous Code. She expressed her opposition to these uses on the
south side of the peninsula, and the chemicals used to maintain
them. She pointed out that not only were these chemicals air
borne, but they were also washed out into the ocean. Director
Bernard noted Ms. Larue's objection, but noted that there had been
no change from the previous Code regarding golf courses and driving
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
November 22, 1994
PAGE 4
ranges and the Code merely states that these types of uses require
a Conditional Use Permit.
Ms. Larue also discussed Residential Planned Developments addressed
in Section 17.74.020 and believed that this type of residential
development were not improvements to the City. Other comments
included the fact that she believed that the word "setback" in
17.76.090(C) (2) on the fourth line should be two words: "set back"
and that, in 17.80.080(F) on the first line, the word "effected"
should be "affected."
Sunshine, 6 Limetree Lane, asked when the portion of the
Development Code regarding horses would be addressed by the
Commission. Director Bernard informed her that the Planning
Commission decided at their November 9, 1994 meeting to address
that issue separately at the regular Planning commission meeting on
January 10, 1995 and then forward their recommendations to the City
Council.
Sunshine indicated that she hoped people would send letters
expressing their opinion, rather than speaking, to shorten the
meeting.
Commissioner Vannorsdall asked who would be noticed for the January
10, 1995 meeting.
Director Bernard said that there would be a notice published in the
Palos Verdes Peninsula News newspaper and sent to the Homeowners
Associations within the equestrian overlay districts and to anyone
who spoke at the two previous hearings or provided their name as an
interested party.
Commissioner Vannorsdall believed there would be thorough noticing
and asked Sunshine's opinion.
Sunshine agreed that the noticing described would be sufficient and
expressed her appreciation when Director Bernard noted that there
was no requirement for noticing in this instance but that the
Commission was making special effort to notify the equestrian
community.
Director Bernard also indicated to Ms. Larue, the previous speaker,
that all Staff Reports for any item on the Planning Commission
agenda were always available for review at City Hall on the Friday,
Monday and Tuesday before each meeting. He added that there was
always room for improvement and possibly copies could be provided
at the library and Hesse Park, in the future.
Chairman Alberio continued the Public Hearing to December 13, 1994.
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November 22, 1994
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Director Bernard noted that a "clean" version of the Development
Code (without all the strikeouts, underlining, and shading) would
be provided for final review by the Commission on December 13,
1994.
Commissioner Ferraro asked if there was only one Planning
Commission meeting in December and Planning Administrator Petru
said that was true since the second meeting would have fallen
during the week City Hall is closed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
A. STAFF
Regarding the Commission's previous action on the property located
at 6470 Seacove Drive, Director Bernard stated that the Planning
Commission had two options: 1) the Commission could provide
further modifications to the conditions and approve the Resolution
or 2) request that Staff re -notice the item and allow further
public testimony. He pointed out that, if the second option was
chosen, Staff would need to know that evening in order to allow
timely noticing.
Chairman Alberio moved to bring back the Resolution for approval or
further modification and to not re -notice to re -open the public
hearing.
A discussion ensued regarding whether there was a quorum to make
this decision (with Commissioners Whiteneck and Vannorsdall
abstaining and Vice Chairman Mowlds and Commissioner Hayes absent) .
Director Bernard said there was a quorum because three out of the
four who had voted originally were present: Chairman Alberio and
Commissioners Wang and Ferraro.
Commissioner Wang seconded the motion and the motion carried (3-0-
2), with Whiteneck and Vannorsdall abstaining, since Mr. Whiteneck
lives near the project and Mr. Vannorsdall had not been present at
the previous hearings on the item.
B. COMMISSION - NONE
COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda itgMsl
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, complimented staff on the
Minutes, suggested that the Staff make extra copies of late
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November 22, 1994
PAGE 6
correspondence for the public, and discussed the legality of
requesting a speaker to give their address for the public record.
The Director, on behalf of Staff, wished the Commission members and
their families a happy Thanksgiving holiday.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ferraro moved, seconded by Commissioner Vannorsdall,
to adjourn. Motion carried and the meeting was duly adjourned at
8:33 P.M. to its regular meeting on December 13, 1994.
(A JD MINUTES DISK #6 - MINI 1 22)
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