PC MINS 19961102CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNED MEETING
NOVEMBER 2, 9996
CALL TO ORDER
Approved
11126196
The meeting was called to at 3:04 P.M. by Chairman Clark at the entrance of the Island
View Tract located at Crest Road and Whitley Collins Drive
ROLL CALL
Present. Commissioner Alberso, Cartwright, Franklin, Ng, Whiteneck,
and Chairman Clark.
Absent Vice Chairman Vannorsdall (excused)
Also present were Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement/Planning
Commission Secretary Petru, Assistant Planner Fox, and Recording Secretary Atuatasi.
Representing the Island View Homeowners Association were Trish Malin, John Hellow,
Tom Coull, and Don Dell.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
Conditional Use Permit No. 82 - Revision 'A' and Encroachment
Permit No. 26.
The representatives of the Island View Homeowners Association lead the Commission
on a tour from the Whitley Collins Drive exit, continuing through the community, and
then to the entrance of the tract at San Clemente Place They indicated to the
Commission the location of the gate to be installed on a proposed private street at the
exit at Whitley Collins Drive, construction of a tract entrance observation booth in the
public right-of-way, and the wall extensions in the private common area at the entrance
to the tract located on San Clemente Place and San Clemente Drive and Crenshaw
Boulevard
The History of previous requests to gate the community was discussed by Mr Coull
Chairman Clark asked Staff to prepare a summary of this history for the Commission's
review
Ms. Malin indicated to the Commission that the proposed gates would be installed in
the middle of the island at the tract exit on Whitley Collins Drive
Chairman Clark inquired if there were any lawn damage (vandalism) from vehicles
being driven on private lawns
Mr Coull replied yes, approximately eighteen homeowners had been victims of these
incidents
Commissioner Alberio inquired if mail had been stolen from private mailboxes.
Mr Hellow replied yes that it had happened frequently.
Mr Coull stated that the homeowners association was considering placing unlocked
gates at the pedestrian accessways at Whitley Collins Drive, with the intention of
preventing motorcyclists from avoiding the vehicle gates
Staff suggested that bollards could be placed in the center of the accessways instead,
as this would create less of a deterrent to pedestrians.
At this time Ms. Mahn and other Island View representatives escorted the Commission
to the San Clemente Place entrance of the tract.
Ms. Malin described to the Commission the construction of the extended walls located
at San Clemente Place and San Clemente Drive She mentioned that the walls would
stand approximately five feet tall
Commissioner Alberio inquired if the Traffic Committee was aware of the proposed
plans
Director/Secretary Petru replied that the project had been brought before to the Traffic
Committee previously, but that it could be brought to their attention again.
Commissioner Franklin expressed his concerns to the Commission and stated that the
position of the extended walls to proposed would cause a safety hazard for pedestrians
After several minutes of discussion among the Commission regarding the position of
the extended walls the representatives of Island View Association agreed to limit the
wall to approximately two and a half to three and a half feet in height
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November 2, 1996
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Commissioner Cartwright inquired if the video camera would be installed in the
observation booth
Ms Malin replied no
Mr Hellow also mentioned that the purpose of the video camera within the booth was to
provide more detailed information to the Sheriffs Department.
Chairman Clark inquired if the booth would be manned at certain times
Ms Malin replied mostly on Friday and Saturday evenings
Commissioner Alberio inquired if a telephone will be installed in the booth
Mr Coull replied yes
Commissioner Franklin suggested that signs should be posted for the public, indicating
that the interior streets are public and that the public is free to enter the tract.
Both Ms Malin and Mr Coull agreed that signs could be posted for the public to advise
them that they would still be welcome in the neighborhood
Commissioner Cartwright expressed his concerns regarding the observation booth and
stated that would be a deterrent to the public access to the tract.
Mr Hellow replied that the booth would be a deterrent to those with the "wrong" (i e ,
criminal) intentions
Chairman Clark stated that the Island View Homeowners Association would be
responsible and assume liability for the observation booth
Commissioner Franklin suggested that Staff conduct an annual review so that the
homeowners association would not be subjected to the "Sunrise Provision"
Commissioner Cartwright expressed his concerns about the appearance that the gates
and observation booth would create a "De Facto" private community in which the public
was not welcome He was also concerned about the perception of the City's residents
that their tax dollars would be used to maintain the streets within the community
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Chairman Clark stated that if a sign were posted it would not indicate to the public that
the street was not private
Commissioner Ng inquired if individual members of the public would be monitored by
the video camera
Ms Malin and Mr Coull replied no, only vehicles and license plates would be recorded.
Chairman Clark requested that Staff obtain a written memorandum from the City
Attorney regarding any privacy issues raised by the use of video cameras on a public
street.
Commissioner Franklin stated that he opposed the gating at the tract exit and that
maybe the Island View representatives would consider at the option of posting signs
instead.
Chairman Clark inquired if the vacation of Whitley Collins Drive had been presented
before City Council previously
Director/Secretary Petru replied that this item was brought before the City Council in
1989-1990, but no action was taken due to a tied vote
Mr. Coull stated that this item was never brought before the Commission, but that it
was approved by the City Council in 1990-1991 with the concept of vacation and
indemnifications for Whitley Collins Drive and also stated at the time there were only
four councilmembers
Commissioner Alberio inquired as to why the homeowners presented this information to
City Council instead of the Commission first
Director/Secretary Petru stated that she recalled that it was a different project at the
time.
Commissioner Ng posed the question of what would happen if a non-resident was
trying to exit at Whitley Collins Drive if they did not have a card or remote control to
open the gate Ms. Malin suggested that a turning circle and a break in the median
should be placed inside the gate as well The island View representatives agreed to
provide such a turnaround
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Chairman Clark stated that, after conducting this fact-finding meeting and site visit, the
Commission would not make a decision at this time, but that hopefully at the next
regular Commission meeting a decision would be reached.
Commissioner Cartwright moved to continue the Public Hearing on November 12,
1996, seconded by Commissioner Ng, and there being no objection it was so
ordered by Chairman Clark, (6-0-1).
ADJOURNMENT
At 4:06 P.M. Commissioner Ng moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Alberio and was passed unanimously, (6-0-1).
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