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PC MINS 19970408CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Approved 5/13/97 0 The meeting was called to order at 7.04 P.M. by Chairman Vannorsdall at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29310 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Slayden ROLL CALL Present Commissioners Alberio, Cartwright, Clark, Slayden, Vice Chairman Whiteneck, and Chairman Vannorsdall Absent. Commissioner Ng (excused). Also present were Director/Secretary Petru, Assistant Planner Fox, and Recording Secretary Atuatasi APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Alberio moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cartwright, and there being no objection, it was so ordered by Chairman Vannorsdall, (6-0). COMMUNICATIONS Staff Director/Secretary Petru distributed, 1) copies of hand-outs from the League of California Cities `Planners Institute' Conference held Monterey, 2) a Staff Organization Chart of the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department; and, 3) a memorandum from Commissioner Alberio regarding variances • Commission 4 Commissioner Cartwright Informed the Commission that he had received a telephone call from Mr Moore regarding the proposed Pacific Bell and L A. Cellular antennae on the 7/11 Building He mentioned that Mr Moore had received word from his spouse that the Commission was leaning towards approval of the project. During the telephone conversation Mr. Moore reiterated the fact that he was opposed to the project and would martial a group of supporters who opposed the project as well Mr Cartwright responded to Mr. Moore's comments by stating that this was a public matter which should be discussed at a public meeting and that the Commission had not yet made a decision on the project and that the hearing was continued to a later date. He discouraged Mr Moore from contacting other Commissioners. Commissioner Clark commented on the Contract Cities 'Commissioner's Workshop' held April 5, 1997 at the Performing Arts Center in Cerritos. He stated that he was very pleased with the sessions that were presented Among them were; `Statutory Obligations and Requirements - Conflicts of Interest', an 'Overview of the Los Angeles County Library System'; and, a briefing from the Sheriff's Department regarding 'Gangs and Violence in the Community' Mr. Clark provided information to Staff for duplication and distribution to the Commission at a future meeting Chairman Vannorsdall added to Mr. Clark's comments by stating that he had obtained a hand-out from the 'Commissioners Workshop' regarding the Brown Act and provided this information to Staff for duplication and distribution as well Chairman Vannorsdall then reported on his attendance at the Natural Conservation Community Program meeting which was held at the City Hall Community Room on April 2, 1997 He encouraged those Commissioners who were interested In this topic to attend future meetings. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of March 18 1997 Commissioner Alberio moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clark and passed, (6-0). Commissioner Cartwright and Chairman Vannorsdall commended Recording Secretary Atuatasi for a fob well done in preparing the minutes. CONTINUED BUSINESS None PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2 • Miraleste Drive. Chairman Vannorsdall introduced this agenda item and read aloud the requested action as well as Staff's recommendation for the proposed project Commissioner Alberio moved to waive the presentation of the Staff Report. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Whiteneck, and there being no objection it was so odered by Chairman Vannorsdall, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall asked the Commission for a motion to open the Public Hearing Commissioner Clark moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. There being no objection, it was so ordered by Chairman Vannorsdall, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall asked if there were any speakers for this item Ms. Olympia Greer. (project architect) 267 Palos Verdes Drive West, #11, Palos Verdes Estates, stated that she had reviewed the Staff Report and was in concurrence with all the findings and had no objections to the conditions Ms. Greer clarified the wording in the Staff Report regarding the square footage on page two and noted that the proposed project was 196 square feet for the second story addition and 323 square feet for the first story addition. Assistant Planner Fox replied that Ms Greer's information was correct, but stated that the reason for the discrepancy was that the single story portion was considered separately due to the fact that it was under 16 feet in height. Therefore, the square footage subject to review by the Commissions was only the two-story addition Chairman Vannorsdall asked for a motion from the Commission to close the Public Hearing Commissioner Alberio moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Vice Chairman Whiteneck. There being no objection, Chairman Vannorsdall declared the Public Hearing closed, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall asked the Commission if they desired to discuss this item PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 3 • • Commissioner Slayden stated that he had considered the analysis contained in the Staff Report and had no objections to the proposed project. Commissioner Cartwright commented that the Staff Report was very well done and clear.. He visited the property and noted that the findings in the Staff Report were correct. Therefore, he supported Staffs Recommendation Commissioner Clark echoed Commissioner Cartwright's comments about the project Commissioner Albeno stated that he had no objections to the proposed project and that he also supported Staffs Recommendation. Vice Chairman Whiteneck stated that he too visited the property He felt that the findings could be made and supported the Staffs Recommendation Commissioner Alberio moved to accept Staff's Recommendation to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-16, thereby approving Height Variation No. 831 with conditions and to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-17, thereby approving Variance No. 421 with conditions. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Whiteneck and passed unanimously by a roll -call vote, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall noted the 15 -day appeal period 3 Conditional Use Permit No. 193, Miscellaneous Hearing; Pacific Bell Mobil Services, 31290 Palos Verdes Drive West (St. Paul's Lutheran Church). Assistant Planner Fox presented the Staff Report and stated that the applicant was requesting to place a Personal Communication System antennae inside a new 47 -and - a -half -foot -high cross at St Paul's Lutheran Church to replace the existing 22 -and -a - half -foot -high cross Mr Fox noted that a full size mock-up of the antenna had been recently erected on the church property Mr Fox believed that the five mandatory findings for the Conditional Use Permit and the two findings for the increased height under the requirements for a Miscellaneous Hearing could be made for a slightly lower freestanding cross monopole which would not exceed the height of the existing church building (38 feet) In regards to location, Staff believed that the monopole on the subject property created no adverse impact on the community, and that the encroachment of one of the arms of the cross into the front yard setback area was very minor. Therefore, Staff recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit No 193, subject to conditions including the reduction in the height of the cross to 38 feet; and recommended approval of the Miscellaneous Hearing, via Minute Order. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 4 C • Chairman Vannorsdall asked for a motion from the Commission to open the Public Hearing Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio. There being no objection, it was so ordered by Chairman Vannorsdall, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall asked if there were any speakers for this item Mr. Jerome Buckmelter, (representing Pacific Bell Mobil Services) 23534 Aetna Street, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, stated that after the church members viewed the mock-up of the monopole they had indicated that the proposal of a 47 -foot -high -cross was out of scale with the church building Mr Buckmelter agreed with the church members and Staff that the cross/monopole was too tall. He noted his appreciation of the fact that Staff had worked with him to explore alternatives such as the recommendation presented before the Commission that evening. Mr. Buckmelter requested that the Commission accept Staffs Recommendation to approve the antennae at a maximum height of 38 feet Chairman Vannorsdall asked the Commission for a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Cartwright moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Slayden. There being no objection, Chairman Vannorsdall declared the Public Hearing closed, (6-0). Chairman Vannorsdall asked the Commission if they desired to discuss this item Chairman Vannorsdall suggested that the Commission implement a policy regarding wireless communication facilities to guide the decision making for other projects of this type. He stated the Commission should encourage the supplier to use commercial or city -owned property to minimize intrusion into residential areas Chairman Vannorsdall stated that if more than one supplier would share locations (i.e. the monopole at City Hall, the federal communications facility at San Pedro Hill) then all PCS antennae would be in one location rather than spread around in different areas of the City. Chairman Vannorsdall suggested that the antennae not be located in the ocean view, and lastly reminded the Commission that they had an obligation and responsibility to protect the public's interest. Commissioner Clark commended Chairman Vannorsdall for giving thought to the issues associated with PCS antennas in the community Mr Clark suggested that Staff agendize this topic for discussion at a future regular meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1897 Page 5 Commissioner Cartwright echoed Commissioner Clark's comments and stated that the Commission's responsibility was to balance the private interests with the public good and to provide the public with effective communication facilities while protecting views and aesthetics Mr Cartwright stated that because of the topography of the peninsula and different technologies used by the various communication firms, the Commission could possibly be faced with situations in the future where antennae would be on an ocean view. He felt that the Commission should deal with the merits of the proposed project and not impede Pacific Bell's application waiting for a policy to be adopted by the Commission. Mr Cartwright stated that a decision for the proposed should be made that evening without further delay. Commissioner Slayden concurred with both Commissioner Clark's and Cartwright's opinion on the proposed project. Vice Chairman Whiteneck stated that he concurred as well and felt that a policy should be established for future projects. Commissioner Alberio appreciated the thought that Chairman Vannorsdall had given to this matter, but stated that the Commission did not need to establish a policy since the City already had a Development Code which already applied to these sorts of applications Mr Alberio felt that any necessary changes should be incorporated into the Development Code in the future and suggested that the existing Code should be applied to the decision making process for the proposed project Director Secretary Petru stated that the Commission had two alternatives: 1) the Commission could establish its own policies, as had been done in the past for various situations; or, 2) make a suggestion to City Council to amend the Development Code to change the existing conditional use permit findings to specifically address PCS antennae Commissioner Clark suggested that all future PCS applicants be required to provide full size mock-up and a master plan for all of their proposed facilities on the peninsula Commissioner Cartwright agreed that full-size mock ups would be appropriate. Commissioner Alberio stated that he opposed the project due to the fact that the applicant had not fully explored a site location at City Hall. Vice Chairman Whiteneck stated that the Commission should vote on the proposed project that evening and concurred with Commissioner Clark's last remark regarding a policy statement for future applications PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 11997 Page 6 Commissioner Cartwright moved to accept Staff's Recommendation to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-18, thereby approving Conditional use Permit No. 193, and approve the Miscellaneous Hearing for a 38 -foot -high freestanding cross, via Minute Order. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Slayden and passed by a roll -call vote, (5-1) with Commissioner Alberio dissenting. Commissioner Clark stated that he voted in favor of the project based on the minimal impacts associated with the site He stated that he was sympathetic with Commissioner Alberio's concerns regarding the use of City property but felt that this issue could be best addressed by the proposed policy. Chairman Vannorsdall concurred with Commissioner Clark's statement He noted the 15 -day appeal period for the proposed project and asked if a representative from the Lutheran Church was present this evening. A gentlemen in the audience who indicated that he was a member of the church, but did not state his name, indicated that he concurred with Staff's analysts and had no objections with the proposed project. NEW BUSINESS 4 Conditional Use Permit No. 130; Vintage Communities, Tract No. 45667 (Peninsula Pointe). At this time Vice Chairman Whiteneck recused himself from this agenda item as he resided within close proximity of the project site and recused himself from the remainder of the meeting Chairman Vannorsdall introduced this agenda item and read aloud the applicants request as well as Staff's Recommendation for the proposed project. Assistant Planner Fox presented the Staff Report and stated that the applicant requested a modification in the perimeter fencing and a new 11 -foot -tall subdivision identification sign in the common open space area of Tract No 45667 Mr. Fox stated that Staff believed the proposed perimeter fencing modifications and sign pilaster would be an enhancement to the Peninsula Pointe community and felt that there would be no significant adverse impacts to traffic, access to public trails, or adjacent properties. Therefore, Staff recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit No 130 - Revision 'E' for the perimeter fencing modification in Tract No 45667, via Minute Order, subject to the draft conditions in Exhibit `A' and recommended approval of Sign Permit No 864 for the subdivision identification sign and pilaster via Minute Order, subject to the draft conditions in Exhibit B'. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 7 Chairman Vannorsdall asked if there were any speakers for this item Mr. Charlie Kluger. (representing Vintage Homes) 4300 Fir Avenue, Sea[ Beach, CA, 90831 stated that he would be more than happy to answer any questions from the Commission. The Commission had no questions for the applicant. Chairman Vannorsdall asked the Commission if the desired to discuss this item. The Commission stated that they had no further comments Commissioner Alberio moved accept Staff's Recommendation to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 130 - Revision 'E' and Sign Permit No. 864, via Minute Order. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clark, and approved (5-0-1) with Vice Chairman Whitneck abstaining. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Staff 5 Pre -Agenda for the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 1997. Chairman Vannorsdall asked Staff if there were any other items anticipated for this meeting besides those included in the pre -agenda Director/Secretary Petru replied, that Staff was not aware of any additional items at that time Commission Chairman Vannorsdall requested a discussion of a policy for wireless communications at the Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 1997 COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 8 ADJOURNMENT At 8:35 P.M. Commissioner Clark moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberio, and there being no objection it was so ordered by Chairman Vannorsdall, (5-0-1), with Vice Chairman Whiteneck excused. N \GR0UP\PLANNING\PCMIN\MIN04 08 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 1997 Page 9