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PC MINS 19950411APPROVEDS 4/25/95 1V CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING April 11, 1995 The meeting was called to order at 7:02 P.M. by Chairman Mowlds at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Commissioner Vannorsdall. PRESENT: Commissioners Alberio, Vannorsdall, Wang, Whiteneck, Vice Chair Hayes, and Chairman Mowlds. ABSENT: Commissioner Ferraro (excused) Also present were Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement/Planning Commission Secretary Bernard, Planning Administrator Petru, Assistant Planners de Freitas and Klopfenstein, and Recording Secretary Drasco. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Approved (6-0). COMMUNICATIONS Staff: Director/Secretary Bernard informed the Commission that a replacement exhibit for Item No. 5, was distributed that evening to replace the one attached to the draft Resolution provided to the Commission in their packet. Commission: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR 1. MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 1995. Commissioner Vannorsdall requested that on Page 3, third paragraph from the bottom, third line, the word "measurement" should be changed to "dimensional". Also, on Page 4, sixth paragraph, third line, the word "light" should be changed to "lot". Commissioner Wang pointed out that on Page 8, fourth paragraph, second line, the street name should be "Armaga Springs Road" instead of just "Armagall. Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to accept the Minutes, as amended, seconded by Commissioner Whiteneck. Approved (6-0). • 2. REVISED MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 1994. • Commissioner Alberio moved to accept the revised Minutes, as written. These Minutes were previously adopted January 10, 1995. Approval tonight was for the omitted portion only (Continued Business Item "A"). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wang and approved (6-0). CONTINUED BUSINESS 3. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 16 & 17 OF THE CITY'S MUNICIPAL CODE (DEVELOPMENT CODE REVISIONS); City of Rancho Palos Verdes, Citywide. (JR) Chairman Mowlds explained that, in addition to Chapter 17.78.050, the Planning Commission had instituted a policy that Staff could no longer issue Minor Exception Permits for structures that had a specific building envelope approved by the Planning Commission and/or the City Council. Mr. Mowlds stated that he had discussed this policy with the Mayor and the Director and it was discovered that there were certain cases where this restriction would cause an undue burden on the landowner and fine tuning was required. Director/Secretary Bernard added that Staff, over a year ago, had adopted a Staff policy, which now was being incorporated into the Development Code, where a building ridge height was at or close to the Code maximum, a critical ridge height measurement was required. Mr. Bernard explained that this issue concerned both the Code and Department policy and the City wished to be sensitive to the needs of the applicant, but also to be consistent in its decisions. Vice Chair Hayes moved to accept Staff's recommendation to include proposed draft language in the Development Code Revisions and Continue the public hearing to April 15, 1995. The motion was seconded by Commissioner vannorsdall and approved (6-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. EXTREME SLOPE PERMIT NO. 39; Ms. Lorraine McWhi.nnie, 3837 Crest Road. (FF) Chairman Mowlds stated read the Staff Report, the presentation of the hearing was opened. that since all the Commission members had seen the drawings, and visited the site, Staff Report was waived and the public Mr. Doug McHattie (applicant's Engineering, 304 Tejon Place, Mr. McHattie indicated that he representative) South Bay Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. was present to answer questions. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 2 111 411 Chairman Mowlds asked Mr. McHattie if the applicant had read and accepted all the conditions attached to the Staff's recommendation and Mr. McHattie said that they had. Vice Chair Hayes moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Whiteneck. Approved (6-0) . Commissioner Alberio moved to accept the Staff's recommendation to Adopt P.C. Resolution 95-11, seconded by Commissioner Wang. Approved (6-0) . 5. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 184 AND SIGN PERMIT NO. 725; Chevron U.S.A. Products, 29501 Miraleste Plaza. (KK) Chairman Mowlds confirmed that all the Commissioners had read the Staff Report and reviewed the drawings. He then waived the reading of the Staff Report and opened the public hearing. Mr. Rom Matanguihan (consultant for the applicant) REM Engineering, 253 N. San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107. Mr. Matanguihan said that he agreed with the Staff Report and the recommendation, but that he wanted to comment on two items. Regarding landscaping, he stated that a preliminary plan had been submitted to the Planning Department. However, the landscape architect felt that no more planting areas could be added without jeopardizing the safe ingress and egress of traffic at the site. Mr. Matanguihan indicated that he would work with Staff when the project went to plan check to increase the amount of landscaping on the property. Regarding the requirement that the light posts not exceed 14' in height, Mr. Matanguihan requested that the height of light posts be increased to 20' . Chairman Mowlds asked the height of the current light posts. Mr. Matanguihan said that they were close to 20' in height and noted that the conditions stated that all exterior lighting and lumens shall be subject to approval by the Director. Director/Secretary Bernard advised that the drawings provided by the applicant had indicated a light post height of 14' . Mr. Matanguihan said that this was an error on their part. Director/Secretary Bernard added that Staff would make sure light would not shine on to the adjoining property. Commissioner Vannorsdall asked about the lumen value of the light fixtures. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 3 111 !II Assistant Planner Klopfenstein said that the lights would be 400 watts each, as indicated in the revised conditions of approval previously distributed to the Commission. Chairman Mowlds asked Mr. Matanguihan if it was acceptable to him to work with the Staff regarding the final landscaping and the lighting plans and confirmed that these plans must be reviewed and approved by the Director before the entire project was submitted to the Building and Safety Division. Mr. Matanguihan said that would be acceptable. Commissioner Alberio wanted to make sure that the 20' light post height was acceptable to Staff. Director/Secretary Bernard confirmed that the height was acceptable to Staff. Commissioner Alberio moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Whiteneck. Approved (6-0) . Because there was an additional speaker who had submitted a Request to Speak form in a timely manner, Vice Chair Hayes moved to re-open the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. Approved (6-0) . Ms. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. Ms. Larue spoke in support of the project, stating that the employees at the station had gone out of their way to help an acquaintance of hers and she felt the City was fortunate to have this business in the community. Vice Chair Hayes moved to re-close the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. Approved (6-0) . Commissioner Alberio moved to accept the Staff's recommendation, to Adopt P.C. Resolution 95-12, as amended, seconded by Commissioner Whiteneck. Approved (6-0) . NEW BUSINESS: 6. HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 777 - REVISION (CLARIFICATION) ; Ms. Angie Proctor, 7 Amber Sky Drive. (KK) Chairman Mowlds explained that this item was a proposed increase in the height of the garage associated with a previously approved second story addition from 16'-0" to 18-'5 1/2" . He added that Staff was asking for direction because, based on current Department policy, the Director can approve increases in the approved ridge height up to 6 inches, as long as the project PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 4 doesn't exceed 26 feet in overall height. The Planning Commission was being asked whether 1) the height increase was within the scope of the original project, 2) a noticed public hearing would be required; or, 3) the Staff could review the request on an administrative level. Mr. Mowlds noted that all the Commissioners had seen the drawings and asked if there were any questions. Commissioner Alberio moved to waive reading of the Staff Report, seconded by Commissioner Whiteneck. Approved (6-0). J Ms. Angi Proctor, 7 Amber Sky Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, introduced her architect, who would speak regarding the project. Mr. Philip Vertoch (applicant's architect), Landry & Associates, 11333 Iowa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Vertoch showed to the Commission a set of color -coded documents to visually explain the requested change. He clarified that the revised plan was marked "revision" at the upper right, showing the construction with the requested changes highlighted in yellow. The other drawing showed the original plan, as approved. Chairman Mowlds asked why the change in the height of the garage was being proposed. Mr. Vertoch responded that there was a discrepancy in the drawings which was discovered when the civil engineer visited the site to set the ridge height at 261. In order to maintain the architectural design of the house, it was necessary to raise the ridge at the garage an additional 1'-9" which would be 1719" above datum, instead of the proposed 161. A discussion then ensued between Chairman Mowlds and Mr. Vertoch regarding the reference point on the lot used to measure the height of the structure: At the end of the discussion, it was Chairman Mowlds conclusion that, although he had no problem with the proposed change, that the architectural drawings were poorly done in terms of identifying the approved height of the structure. Vice Chair Hayes moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. Approved (6-0). Vice Chair Hayes moved to accept the Staff's recommendation, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. Approved (6-0). Director/Secretary Bernard clarified that, even though this item was termed a Height Variation Revision, the Commission was simply stating that the proposed modification was within the scope of the original approval. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 5 0' 0 Commissioner Alberio stated that a public hearing should not be required for the proposed revision. Chairman Mowlds commented that this revision would not architecturally change the building. Director/Secretary Bernard summarized that there would be no more additional habitable space, and no effect to the neighbors view or privacy. In essence, the Commission was stating that there was no impact caused by the proposed revision. If the Commission had found otherwise, there would be a public hearing scheduled. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS: Staf f 7. Pre -Agenda for the regular Planning Commission meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 1995. Director/Secretary Bernard indicated that the Planning Commission had requested an update on certain pending environmental reviews and noted that Staff would be pleased to provide the Commission with updates on projects that the Department is involved in. However, many of the reviews, especially in the Landslide Moratorium Area, would not come to the Planning Commission because they are items that go directly to the Redevelopment Agency (RDA). Chairman Mowlds asked where the hearings on RDA project are held. Director/Secretary Bernard replied that they are conducted during regular City Council meetings. Commission• None COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda items): Mr. Dave Albert, 2055 240th Street, Lomita, CA 90717, Mr. Albert advised that he was the Vice Mayor from the City of Lomita. He was under the impression (from a flyer received at a feed store in Lomita) that the portion of the Development Code Revisions pertaining to the equestrian issue was on the agenda and that he was prepared to comment on this matter. Staff indicated that this issue had not been before the Commission for several months but that Mr. Albert would be notified when the item was placed on the agenda again. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 6 Ms. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine road, disagreed with the March 28, 1995 Planning Commission minutes which stated that the Ocean Trails project was approved by the Coastal Commission in December of 1994. She stated that the project was approved in January of 1995. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Alberio moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Wang. motion carried and the meeting was duly adjourned at 7:40 P.M. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission would be on April 25, 1995. (A JDMN#9 - MIN4 11) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 1995 PAGE 7