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PC MINS 19980908CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 1998 Approved 09/22/98 r The meeting was called to order at 7 05 P M by Chairman Clark at the Hesse Park Community Building, 29310 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE City Manager Evans led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL Present- Commissioners Paris, Vannorsdall, Vice Chairman Cartwright, and Chairman Clark Absent- Commissioners Alberio, Lyon, Slayden (absent/excused). Also present were Principal Planner Snow, City Manager Evans, Senior Planner Pfost, and Recording Secretary Atuatasi. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chairman Cartwright moved to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Vannorsdall and passed, (4-0). COMMUNICATIONS Staff None. Commission None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of August 11, 1998 Vice Chairman Cartwright requested that on page 9, paragraph 4, line 1 be modified to read as, ...asked why the sub committee replaced the Director in the approval Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 1 process...` and a statement be inserted at the end of the paragraph to read as, `Vice Chairman Cartwright pointed out that the current code did not require Commission approval for antenna structures less than 12 feet in height and felt that the proposed draft ordinance should not either.' On page 14, paragraph 3, line 3 be modified to read as, -should be made more user friendly and that the Commission should finalize the modifications to the language before submitting to the City Council. Vice Chairman Cartwright suggested Staff to update the Council on this issue 2. Minutes of August 25, 1998 Chairman Clark asked the Commission if they had comments for this set of minutes and Commissioner Paris abstained since he was not present at that meeting Principal Planner Snow suggested that the Commission bring this set of minutes back to the meeting of September 22, 1998 for consideration since there would not be a quorum for approval of the Minutes of August 25, 1998 that evening. Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to approve the Minutes of August 11, 1998 as amended and continue consideration for the Minutes of August 25, 1998 at the Commission meeting of September 22, 1998. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Cartwright and passed, (4-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Height Variation No 857, Variance No 432 and Grading Permit No 2010; Emmanuel & Olukemi Duro, 6375 Palos Verdes Drive South Principal Planner Snow briefly explained the Staff Report and stated that the application for this request was deemed complete in July 1998 and at that time the 30 - day public comment period began for the Height Variation Mr Snow stated that the framework silhouette had partly collapsed and that Staff advised the applicant to repair the silhouette as soon as possible so as not to delay processing of the proposed project. Unfortunately, the repairs were not made in time, and the hazy weather conditions made it impossible to complete the view analysis of the Height Variation in time for this meeting. Therefore, Staff recommended continuance of the item to the Commission meeting of September 22, 1998 Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to continue the Public Hearing of this item to the meeting of September 22, 1998. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paris and passed. With no objection from the Commission, it was so ordered by Chairman Clark, (4-0). Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 2 4. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 200, COASTAL PERMIT NO. 143, and GRADING PERMIT NO 1993; City of Rancho Palos Verdes Pointe Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West. Senior Planner Pfost presented the Staff Report and stated that the request was for a construction of a 7,437 square foot addition to the existing Pointe Vicente Interpretive Center, an outdoor amphitheater, teaching terraces, walls, and fences, 139 new parking spaces, driveways, new landscaping, and other amenities Senior Planner Pfost stated that Staff felt the proposed project was consistent with all findings necessary to grant approval for the Conditional Use, Coastal, and Grading Permits Mr Pfost stated that the proposed project would benefit the residents of the City and others in the surrounding region. The proposed project was consistent with the style, colors, and materials of the existing structure, and provided additional access to an important part of the coastline. Therefore, Staff recommended adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of the proposed project Chairman Clark asked the Commission if they had questions for Staff. Commissioner Vannorsdall asked about the bedrock under the property and City Manager Evans replied that there was a geology report attached to the Staff Report and that the building foundation was designed in accordance with the findings of the report Vice Chairman Cartwright stated that the York Long Point project was discussed at a recent Commission meeting and inquired if the 91 acres owned by the City was included in the conceptual plan, and if so, how was the land to be utilized City Manager Evans replied that the York project not only included a portion of the 25 site of the Interpretive Center, but also the property around City Hall. City Manager Evans stated that the developer was actively promoting his proposed project, but has not yet submitted a formal plan to the City Vice Chairman Cartwright asked if the storm drainage system (water run-off) for the proposed golf course would affect the drainage plans for this project site City Manager Evans replied that the Interpretive Center expansion project was designed to support an expanded interpretive center, parking lot, and the improved storm drainage system would lead into the adjacent property to the north and consolidate in a slant drain Further, any drainage impacts resulting from a future golf course would require mitigation by that project Vice Chairman Cartwright asked if there was a proposal to modify the access to the subject site and City Manager Evans replied that the City's Traffic Engineer recommended modifications to that intersection. City Manager Evans stated that in order to modify the intersection, encroachment upon the property of the Coast Guard would result At the present time the Coast Guard is looking into the disposition of their Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 3 0 n property and upon consideration would hopefully allow the City 100 square feet to improve intersection at the subject site. Commissioner Vannorsdall asked if a traffic signal was in the proposal and City Manager Evans replied that traffic is not expected to substantially increase at the site, therefore a traffic signal was not included in the proposed plans However, reconfiguration of the intersection would give better sight distances Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to open the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paris and passed. Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, questioned whether the services of the geotechnical firm, 'Leighton and Associates' were being utilized for the subject site and strongly believed that they were not qualified to conduct such geotechnical analysis and research. She stated that the subject site was underlain by clay soil and that the original facility had serious drainage problems, concluding with her opinion that there were problems with the geology review of this project Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to close the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paris and passed. Chairman Clark asked for Commission comments and discussion for this item In response to Lois Larue's comments, City Manager Evans replied that the services of Leighton and Associates were not acquired for geotechnical analysis and review of the proposed expanded interpretive center, but that Martin Owen and Associates were the geotechnical consultants City Manager Evans stated that the City's Geologist, Bing Yen and Associates had extensively reviewed the geology reports and that the concerns raised by Lois Larue were addressed. City Manager Evans believed that the environmental work for the proposed center was deemed complete and stated that the only negative comment received was from the Native Plant Society regarding their garden being damaged due to the proposed drainage system Discussion between the Native Plant Society and Staff took place resulting in relocation of some of the plants and that fencing would be constructed to protect the area outside the location of the proposed drainage system. Commissioners Vannorsdall and Paris stated their opinion that the proposal was good and that they supported Staffs recommendation for the proposed expanded interpretive center Vice Chairman Cartwright agreed and stated that the expanded center would be an asset to the community. He felt that the findings for the Conditional Use Permit were warranted as well as the geotechnical reviews, and stated that the project was consistent with the Coast Specific Plan. Vice Chairman Cartwright supported the proposed project. Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 4 Chairman Clark concurred with his colleagues and stated that the proposed project would add to the value of the facility and the community Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 98-29; thereby adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration and P.C. Resolution No. 98-30; thereby approving Conditional Use Permit No. 200, Coastal Permit No. 143, and Grading Permit No. 1993. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paris and passed by a roll -call vote, (4-0). Chairman Clark noted the 15 -day appeal period CONTINUED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS: Staff: 5. Pre -Agenda for the Planning Commission Meeting of September 22, 1998. Commission: Commissioner Vannorsdall informed the Commission that the Antenna Committee would meet on September 14, 1998 and September 21, 1998 in the Community Room at Hesse Park. Vice Chairman Cartwright requested summarized Council Communications (based on the discussion from the Planning Commission/Council Joint Workshop held Monday, August 31, 1998) on the agendas for future Commission meetings. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda items): Lois Large, 3136 Barkentine Road, distributed to the Commission, copies of a poem written by her entitled, 'Where the Land Meets the Sea' and then discussed landslide issues in the Portuguese Bend area. Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 5 C7 ADJOURNMENT At 7:48 P.M. Commissioner Vannorsdall moved to adjourn the meeting to Tuesday, September 22, 1998 in the Community Room at Hesse Park. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Paris and passed. With no objection from the Commission, it was so ordered by Chairman Clark, (4-0). N13ROUPIPLANNINOIVCMIMMIN08-08.88 Planning Commission Minutes September 8,1998 Page 6