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PC MINS 19971111CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Approved _ 12/9/97 The meeting was called to order at 7-00 P M by Vice Chairman Whiteneck at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29310 Hawthorne Boulevard FLAG SALUTE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Director/Secretary Petru. MOLL CALL Present. Commissioners Alberio, Cartwright, Clark, Ng, Slayden, and Vice Chairman Whiteneck Absent Chairman Vannorsdall Also present were Director/Secretary Petru, Senior Planner Snow, Associate Planners Fox and Pfost, Assistant Planner Ward, and Recording Secretary Atuatasi APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to consider Agenda Item Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Minutes of August 14, 25, 26, and September 21, 1997) after Agenda Item No. 11. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberio and passed, (6-0). COMMUNICATIONS Staff Director/Secretary Petru distributed: 1) three items of late correspondence from Mr. K. Doyle George and the revised resolution pertaining to Agenda Item No. 5 (Appeal of the Director's Decision regarding the Potential Revocation of Site Plan Review No. 7900 and Suspension of Grading Permit No. 1929 - Resolution); and, 2) one late letter from Ms. Marie L. Pagenkopp with the County Sanitation District regarding Agenda Item No. 9 (Conditional Use Permit No. 199 and Environmental Assessment No. 697). Commission None At this time, Agenda Item No 5 was considered CONSENT CALENDAR 5. Appeal of the Director's Decision regarding the Potential Revocation of Site Plan Review No 7900 and Suspension of Grading Permit No. 1929 - Resolution; Mr. James Robinson (appellant), 40 Oceanaire Drive, Mr. Wait Muzychencko (applicant), 6 Moonmist Drive. Vice Chairman Whiteneck read aloud Staffs recommendation and asked Staff if they wished to comment further on this item. Assistant Planner Ward stated that in addition to the late correspondence provided to the Commisison, a revised copy of the resolution for this item was distributed to the Commission that evening Mr Ward pointed out to the Commisison that the sentence on page 3, in Section 1, Item No. 2 had been modified to read as, 'require an approved planning permit ' Mr Ward mentioned that the correspondence distributed to the Commission the day before the meeting addressed the appellant's concerns regarding the drainage issue He stated that the appellant requested that language be added in the resolution to specifically address that a drainage plan must be included in the initial application whether it was under the current proposed design or if the landowner chooses another design. Mr Ward stated that the City Attorney had provided Staff with some revised language to incorporate into the draft resolution to address the appellant's concerns Vice Chairman asked if there were any speakers for this item Mr. James Robinson. 40 Oceanaire Drive, commended the Commission, Staff, and particularly City Attorney Lynch for collaborating with his attorney on some last minute modifications to the draft resolution. Commissioner Alberio moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-62 upholding the appeal and revoking Site Plan Review No. 7900 and Grading Permit No. 1929. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ng and passed (6-0) by acclamation. Vice Chairman Whiteneck noted the 15 -day appeal period. Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 2 CONTINUED BUSINESS 6. Conditional Use Permit Na 185, Variance No. 388. Grading Permit No. 1793. and Environmental Assessment No. 676; Wayfarers Chapel, 5735 Palos Verdes Drive South. Associate Planner Pfost presented the Staff Report and stated that at the meeting of September 9, 1997, the Commission requested that the applicant conduct a boring on the subject site and provide a report to the City's Geotechnical Consultant for review. Mr. Pfost stated that the applicant had conducted the boring, however, the report had not been submitted to the City in time for the Geotechnical Consultant to provide a response for incorporation into the Staff Report Therefore, this item was recommended to be continued to the November 25, 1997 meeting. Commissioner Slayden moved to accept Staffs recommendation to continue the Public Hearing of this item to the November 25, 1997 meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cartwright and passed, (6-0) by acclamation. 7. Conditional Use Permit No. 153 - Revision 3; Unocal, 31200 Palos Verdes Drive West (southeast corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive West in the Golden Cove Shopping Center), Associate Planner Pfost presented the Staff Report and stated that the Commission had previously approved Conditional Use Permit No. 153 - Amendment No. 2 for a hand car wash at the subject site in 1992 However, the applicant never constructed the proposed project and therefore, the permit expired Mr Pfost stated that the applicant recently submitted another application (CUP No 153 - Amendment No 3) similar to the previous one and stated that this application was deemed complete on September 23, 1997 Mr Pfost noted that since the car wash was originally approved in 1992, the City had adopted a new Overlay Control District which applied to the subject property Mr Pfost mentioned that since the creation of the new overlay control district, the City had processed two applications related to automotive services uses where an emphases was made on ensuring that the projects were compatible with the surrounding area, as well as enhanced the aesthetics of the community. He stated that even though the proposed project was not located adjacent to residences, Staff had concerns that it did not comply with the overlay guidelines or findings for the conditional use permit Therefore, Staff requested that the Commisison provide direction to Staff and the applicant on the following issues 1) additional on-site parking spaces, 2) screening of existing restrooms; 3) additional landscaping; 4) enclosure of the utility area; and 5) extension of the planter along the southern property line. Once this Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 3 direction had been provided, Staff recommended that the Commission continue the Public Hearing to a date certain in order to allow additional time for the applicant to revise the project plans Commissioner Slayden moved to open the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberio, and passed (6-0). Mr. Sid Kajavi, (applicant's architect) 4040 Palos Verdes Drive North, stated that the applicant's main concern was keeping the cost of installing the car wash as low as possible Therefore, the applicant was very concerned about including all of the changes to the project suggested by Staff Mr. Nasser Novinshoar. (applicant) 31200 Palos Verdes Drive West, stated that he was aware of Staffs concerns regarding adequate parking on the site Although Mr Novinshoar was aware that the Code required 10 parking spaces on his property, he felt that there was no need to provide it on his property since there were many spaces available in the adjacent shopping center parking lot. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, favored the proposed project and stated that it would serve the community needs Commissioner Siayden moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Ng. With no objections from the Commisison, the Public Hearing was declared closed by Vice Chairman Whiteneck. Vice Chairman Whiteneck asked the Commission if they desired to discuss this item The Commission discussed the five issues addressed in the Staff Report and concurred that the applicant should be required to do the following. 1) not be required to provide additional parking spaces on the site, but to instead seek a reciprocal parking agreement with the owner of the adjacent shopping center; 2) provide screening for the public restrooms, 3) provide additional landscaping, particularly along the street frontages on Palos Verdes Drive West and Hawthorne Boulevard, 4) enclose the utility area, and, 4) However, with regards to Item No 5, the Commission felt that it was not necessary to extend the planter along the southern property line and that this area should be kept open to allow traffic flow between the two adjacent commercial sites The Commisison requested that Staff work with the applicant to revise the proposed plans of the project. Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 4 Commissioner Clark moved to continue the Public Hearing of this item to December 9, 1997 and directed Staff to work with the applicant on revisions and return to the scheduled meeting with the revised plans. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cartwright and passed, (6-0) by acclamation. 8. Conditional Use Permit No. 101 - Revision 'J'. BOSC Group, Terraces Shopping Center, 28901 Western Avenue. Vice Chairman Whiteneck read aloud the applicant's requested action and Staffs recommendation for this item. Commissioner Alberio moved to waive the reading of the Staff Report. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Slayden and passed, (6-0). Director/Secretary stated that Staff desired to comment on one condition pertaining to the proposed project Assistant Planner Ward stated that the applicant had agreed to the wording of all the conditions with the exception of Condition No 7 The applicant requested that the word, 'prior' be included at the beginning of line 1 Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Alberio and passed, (6-0). Vice Chairman Whiteneck asked if there were any speakers for this item Mr. Steve Deming. (leasing agent of the property) 26802 Rolling Hills Road, Rolling Hills Estates, stated that he was present to answer questions for the Commission Mr. Rich Atto, (BOSC Group, applicant) 28901 Western Avenue, thanked the Commission for its consideration of the proposed project and stated that he present to answer any questions for the Commission Commissioner Alberio asked the applicant if he was hiring additional security guards to patrol the third level of the shopping center Mr Atto replied that, at this time, they were not considering adding additional security guards since there was already one security guard patrolling all three levels of the shopping center He also noted that some tenants had their own security guards Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 5 Mr. Art Bannick. (future tenant, health club) 7141 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, CA, 91406, stated that he was also present to answer questions for the Commission Commissioner Slayden asked if the applicant had any concerns about the proposed changes to the parking configuration and traffic circulation on the site Mr Bannick replied that he had no problem with the proposed changes Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to close the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberio and passed, (6-0). Vice Chairman Whiteneck asked the Commisison if they desired to discuss this item. The Commisison had no comments Commissioner Cartwright moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-63 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 101 - Revision 'J', subject to conditions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ng and passed, (6-0) by acclamation. Vice Chairman noted the 15 -day appeal period 9. Conditional Use Permit No. 199 and Environmental Assessment No. 697; Robert Moore, 29131 Western Avenue. Senior Planner Snow presented the Staff Report and stated that applicant was requesting to have kenneling facilities in conjunction with the veterinarian hospital proposed for the existing building He stated there were three letters received pertaining to the proposed project The first letter was from the County Health Department with no comments regarding the proposed project The second letter was from the County Sanitation District outlining standard criteria that would apply to the new use In response to the second letter, Staff recommended that an additional condition be included indicating that the applicant must comply with the requirements of the County of Los Angeles Sanitation District as stated in their letter of November 5, 1997. The third letter was from an adjacent residence owner who was concerned with the issues of noise, odor, and traffic congestion Mr Snow stated that, based on the findings as indicated in the Staff Report and the fact that the project would not result in any physical change to the exterior of the building, Staff concluded that the approval of the proposed protect was appropriate Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Ng and passed, (6-0). Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 6 Dr. Robert Moore. (applicant) 29131 Western Avenue, stated that he had operated other veterinary clinics with kenneling facilities for the past eleven years and had not received any complaints during that time Mr Moore stated that he was present to answer questions for the Commission. Commissioner Slayden asked, as part of the remodel of the building, if only the interior walls would be torn down, leaving all of the outside walls of the building intact. Dr Moore replied that this was correct, the project only required structure changes to the inside of the building. Commissioner Ng asked if all the windows were to be glass -block. Dr Moore replied that the only glass -block window was located in the kenneling area by the back door, but that none of the windows on the building will be openable Commissioner Alberio asked how the County would be involved with the operation of the proposed business Dr Moore replied that the County only required periodical inspections, and that his license was obtained from the state Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, pointed out to the Commission that the letter included with the Staff Report from Mr Paoletti indicated that there was traffic congestion in the subject site Commissioner Alberio moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Slayden. With no objections from the Commission, the Public Hearing was declared closed by Vice Chairman Whiteneck. Chairman Whiteneck asked the Commisison if they desired to discuss this item. Commissioner Cartwright asked Staff if there would be any impact to traffic on the subject site Senior Planner Snow replied that he had made several visits to the site and never observed any traffic congestion or parking problems in that area associated with the existing building. Commissioner Alberio stated that he frequents this area quite often and has found that there are no traffic problems in this particular shopping center Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 7 Commissioner Ng moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-64 to approve the Negative Declaration; and, adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-65 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 199, subject to conditions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alberto and passed, (6-0) by acclamation. Vice Chairman Whiteneck noted the 15 -day appeal period RECESS AND RECONVENE At 8.50 P M there was a brief recess until the meeting reconvened at 8.55 P M NEW BUSINESS 10. Planning Commission Memoranda to City Council Vice Chairman Whiteneck read aloud the requested action of this item and suggested that this item be continued to the meeting of November 25, 1997, when Chairman Vannorsdall will be present. Commissioner Clark agreed with Vice Chairman Whiteneck`s comment to continue this item to a meeting when the Chairman is present. Commissioner Ng asked Staff if they had retrieved the information as to the amount received by the Council for travel expenses Director/Secretary Petru replied that each Coucil member receives $150.00 a month, with the exception of the Mayor, who receives $300.00. Commissioner Cartwright suggested that Staff find out if the other cities on the peninsula provide compensation to their Planning Commissioners Director/Secretary Petru informed the Commission that there was one speaker for this item Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, felt that the Commission should not receive monthly payments for travel to local meetings and reminded the Commission that they are not elected officials. Vice Chairman Whiteneck moved to continue this item to the meeting of November 25, 1997. With no objections from the Commission, it was so ordered by Vice Chairman Whiteneck. Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 8 11. Planning Commission Rules and Procedures Vice Chairman Whiteneck read aloud the requested action and asked Staff to comment on this item Director/Secretary Petru stated that Staff recommended adding language in Section 2 5, 'Written Evidence' allowing late correspondence to be accepted through noon on the Monday preceding the meeting and that Staff would make sure that the information is provided to the Commission prior to the meeting Any late correspondence received after that time would not be distributed to the Commission until the following meeting Staff recommended language addition in Section 1 4, 'Special Meetings', allowing written waivers of notice for Special Meetings submitted to the Director by facsimile and electronic mail in addition to by telegram Additional language was also recommended in Section 3 6 'Motions for Reconsideration', to clarify that an Adjourned Meeting from the night before was a meeting held on the subsequent day Vice Chairman Whiteneck asked the Commissioners if they desired to discuss this item Commissioner Ng suggested that the deadline hour to accept late correspondence should be clarified and reflected in Section 2 5 of the Commission Rules and Procedures to read as, ' 12.00 noon. ' Commissioners Cartwright, Clark, and Slayden concurred with Commissioner Ng's comment and supported Staffs recommendation Commissioner Alberio supported Staffs recommendation language addition in Section 1 4 and amendment made in Section 2 5, but did not agree with the language addition made in Section 3 6 He felt that the Commission should have more flexibility to re- consider projects after a decision has been made Commissioner Clark moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 97-66, amending Section Nos. 1.4, 2.5, and 3.6 of the Planning Commission Rules and Procedures. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cartwright and passed (6-0) by a roll -call vote. At this time, Agenda Item Nos 1, 2, 3, and 4 were considered Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 9 CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of August 14, '997 Commissioner Slayden requested that on page 8, paragraph 1, line 1 be modified to read as, 'Commissioner Clark stated that ' Vice Chairman Whiteneck and Commissioner Ng abstained from discussion of this item since they were not present at the August 14, 1997 meeting. 2. Minutes of August 25, 1997 Commissioner Cartwright abstained from discussion of this item since he was not present at the August 25, 1997 meeting 3. Minutes of August 26, 1997 The Commission had no modifications for this item 4. Minutes of September 21, 1997 Commissioner Ng requested that on page 2, paragraph 4, line 1 be modified to read as, 'Three groups comprised of.... Commissioner Cartwright moved to: 1) approve the Minutes of August 14 and September 21, 1997 as amended; and, 2) approve the Minutes of August 25 and August 26 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ng and passed, (6-0). At this time, Agenda Item No. 12 was considered NEW BUSINESS 12. General Plan Ad Hoc Committee Vice Chairman Whiteneck read aloud the requested action and asked the Commissioners if they desired to discuss this item. Commissioner Clark suggested that Staff compose a letter to Council requesting the next term (new Commission) be engaged in reviewing the General Plan for updates and inconsistencies Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 10 M -10 Commissioner Alberto asked Staff If the Council had discussed the formation and responsibilities of this committee. Director/Secretary Petru replied that the Council had not discussed this Issue lately, but that updating the General Plan had been discussed at part of the budget process for the last three years However, she noted that no funds had been included in the past budgets to fund this effort Commissioner Cartwright stated that the motivation for forming this committee was to have Its members (the Commission, as well as the public) review the current General Plan in terms of the adequacy of the policies and factual data contained in the document Mr Cartwright concurred with Commissioner Clark's statement and felt that this would be educational for the Commission Commissioners Ng and Slayden had no comments Director/Secretary Petru Informed the Commission that there was one speaker for this item Lois Larue, 3136 Barkenttne Road, opposed the Idea of the Commission partaking in reviewing and updating the General Plan since there were project pending In the landslide area Commissioner Clark moved to direct Staff to prepare a letter to City Council requesting direction to the Commission to review the General Plan for necessary updates and inconsistencies. The letter should include the suggestion that updating the General Plan be included in next year's budget. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Slayden and passed, (6-0) by acclamation. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Staff: 13. Pre -agenda for the Planning Commission Meeting of November 25 1997 Commission: None Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 11 COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda items): Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road addressed her concerns regarding the Abalone Cove Landslide and the Commissioner's recent approval of a new house on Tarapaca Road. ADJOURNMENT At 9:29 P.M. Commissioner Alberio moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Clark. There being no objection, the meeting was duly adjourned by Vice Chairman Whiteneck. MII.I.X2 Planning Commission Minutes November 11, 1997 Page 12