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PC MINS 19950802rA APPROVED 8/22/95 CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNED MEETING August 2, 1995 The meeting was called to order at 3:40 P.M. by Vice Chair Hayes at the Wayfarers Chapel, 6755 Palos Verdes Drive South. PRESENT: Commissioners Alberio, Ferraro, Whiteneck, and Vice Chair Hayes. ABSENT: Commissioners Wang (excused), Vannorsdall, and Chairman Mowlds Also present were Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement/Planning commission Secretary Bernard, Associate Planner Silverman, and Recording Secretary Drasco. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Ferraro moved to accept the agenda, as presented, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. Approved, (4-0). COMMUNICATIONS Staff• None Commission: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR (NO ITEMS) CONTINUED BUSINESS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 185, VARIANCE NO. 388, GRADING PERMIT NO. 1793, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 676; Wayfarers Chapel, 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South. (TS) The meeting on this item began the area near the grape arbor on the subject property. Associate Planner Silverman presented a summary. At the previous meeting, the Commission requested an adjourned meeting to allow an opportunity for the Commission to visit site with the City's and the applicant's geologists to gather more information regarding the geology on the property. Introductions were given by the others present at the meeting. Representing the City were Dale Hinkle and Art Keene (Mr. Keene arrived later), geotechnical consultants. Representing the applicant were Dean Anderson, architect; Reverend Echi, minister of the Chapel; Victor Bothmann, Committee of Buildings and Grounds, and Chuck Batell, Building and Grounds Supervisor. Also attending was Ms. Lois Larue, a nearby resident. Dean Anderson (applicant's architect), 1064 Upland Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90732. Mr. Anderson stated that the proposed Visitor Center would to replace a previous structure which had become unusable because of damage from the landslide. The new site was proposed to be built on a more stable portion of the property. He explained that the current Visitor Center was located 1/4 mile from the Chapel and that this was inconvenient for planning of weddings and caused confusion to visitors attempting to locate the Chapel. Mr. Anderson added that other proposed changes included new walkways; additional landscaping; and fixed seats in the amphitheater, which was currently terraced in the hillside and covered with grass. Dale Hinkle (geotechnical engineering consultant for the City). Mr. Hinkle explained that he and Art Keene had reviewed the project and had no major objections, but asked that a condition of approval be added to require the applicant to monitor the movement of remaining portion of the old building,,which had been partially demolished. He said that criteria also needed to be determined, so that the new building could be abandoned if it were to be declared unsafe. Commissioner Whiteneck stated that a hold harmless statement would be required because the property was in the Landslide Moratorium Area. Mr. Keith Ehlert (applicant's geologist), 316 Via Tejon, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. Mr. Ehlert explained that he had reviewed a geology report submitted in December 1994 and that, since that time, the plans had been changed. He indicated that he would be receiving a copy of the revised geology report and would then update his statement on the project. Commissioner Whiteneck asked why the Commission was being asked to set criteria for the safety of the existing portion of the demolished building. Mr. Hinkle explained that the applicant's consultant would suggest the criteria for his approval. Vice Chair Hayes asked about the water for the rest room and Mr. Hinkle explained that there was an existing sewer line that the rest rooms would be connected with. I Commissioner Alberio asked about grading and Associate Planner Silverman explained that 920 cubic yards would be removed and recompacted under the proposed building footprint. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING AUGUST 2, 1995 PAGE 2 Mr. Chuck Batell, (applicant's groundskeeper). Mr. Batell reported to the Commission that Jim York owned the adjacent vacant property and that Mr. York would be providing a letter stating that he would have no objection if the Chapel built to the property line because he was going to maintain a green belt in that area and would not be building on that portion of his property. Commissioner Alberio expressed concern about setback requirements, regardless of any agreement with Mr. York. Associate Planner Silverman clarified that the Variance request addressed this issue, and that parking and access would become an issue if the new building respected the minimum 20 foot setback. Commissioner Whiteneck asked if there would be a wall on the property line and Mr. Ehlert said there would be a stacked stone wall. Ms. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. Ms. Larue stated that she had lived near the subject property since 1963. She was concerned that the City's geologists had no objections to the project and stated that she believed that the cracked parking lot at Wayfarers Chapel showed evidence of land movement. Mr. Hinkle responded that he realized that the property was on a landslide, but that the City had established a set of rules which, if followed, allowed a landowner, at their own risk, to build in the Landslide Moratorium Area. Mr. Batell explained that the cracked parking lot was caused by tree roots. The group then moved to the amphitheater area. Mr. Anderson noted that low lying shrubs were being proposed for landscaping in this area, which was used for Easter Sunrise Services. He said that it was hoped that, in the future, outdoor weddings could be held at the amphitheater and 160 fixed seats were being proposed. Commissioner Ferraro asked the purpose of the portion of the old building which remained and if there were plans to demolish it. Associate Planner Silverman replied that it housed an office, kitchen, and rest room, and that there were no plans to remove the building. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING AUGUST 2, 1995 PAGE 3 The group moved to the site of the site of the proposed structure. At this time, (4:05 P.M.), Mr. Art Keene, the second of the City's geotechnical consultants, arrived. Dean Anderson indicated that six parking spaces would be lost if the proposed building were constructed. Commissioner Alberio asked when the parking lot was last resurfaced and Mr. Anderson answered that it had been three years ago. Mr. Batell indicated the location of the property line from the top of the hill down through the parking lot. Vice Chair Hayes asked about the potential risk of the proposed building collapsing on inhabitants inside. Mr. Ehlert assured the Commission that the landslide was slow moving and there would ample time to abandon the building should it become unsafe. He further stated that the proposed building would have a wood frame which was flexible so that the building would not suddenly collapse. Mr. Ehlert estimated that there had been no active land movement in this specific area for about 150,000 years. Commissioner Alberio was concerned about the City's liability in respect to personal injury, as well as property damage. Mr. Ehlert replied that there would be more potential problems from earthquakes, than from the landslide. A discussion between the members of the Commission brought forth the question of whether personal injury liability was included in a hold harmless statement. Staff was directed to investigate this issue. Ms. Larue mentioned that there were residents above Wayfarers Chapel which had planned to attend the meeting who had evidence that there was currently land movement on the site. Commissioner Alberio moved to continue the public hearing to August 8, 1995, seconded by Commissioner Ferraro. Commissioner Whiteneck stated that, even though the hill might he stable, the surface soil had slid down the hill to the highway during the past winter's rain storms. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING AUGUST 2, 1995 PAGE 4 Mr. Hinkle responded that it would be appropriate to address that issue in a supplemental geology report. Commissioner Whiteneck was satisfied with Mr. Hinkle's answer. The motion was approved, (4-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS (NO ITEMS) NEW BUSINESS (NO ITEMS) ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS: Staff: None Commission: None COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda items): None ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Alberio moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Ferraro. The motion carried, (4-0), and the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:17 P.M. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission would be on August 8, 1995. {A JDMIN#14 - ADMIN 82 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING AUGUST 2, 1995 PAGE 5