PC MINS 20000411APPROVED
4/25/00
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 11, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Lyon called the meeting to order at 7 02 at the Hesse Park Community Room
on Hawthorne Boulevard
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Cartwright led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Cartwright, Clark, Long, Paulson, Vannorsdall, and
Chairman Lyon
Absent: Commissioner Mueller (absent/excused)
Also present were Director/Secretary Rojas, Assistant City Attorney Diaz, Deputy City
Clerk Drasco, and Recording Secretary Atuatasi
At this time, the Commissioners were sworn into office Deputy City Clerk Drasco
performed the oath and affirmation of the newly appointed Commission
Chairman Lyon welcomed the new Commission, thanked Commissioner Cartwright for
his outstanding service during his fifteen month tenure as Chairman, and stared that he
looked forward to working with the new Commission during his term
Before discussion of the agenda that evening, Chairman Lyon informed the Commission
that the election of a Vice Chairman should take place
Commissioner Cartwright nominated Commissioner Clark for Vice Chairman.
The nomination was seconded by Chairman Lyon and with no objection from the
Commission, it was so ordered by Chairman Lyon
Vice Chairman Clark thanked the Commission for electing him as the Vice Chairman
and stated that he too looked forward in working with the new Commission as well as
with the new Chairman
At the request of Chairman Lyon, each Commissioner introduced themselves and briefly
spoke about their work experiences and educational background
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 1
Chairman Lyon stated that he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS and
MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering, served two years in the Air Force, employed by
North American Aviation for forty years During his employment with this firm he served
in the capacity of various management positions and retired approximately two and a
half years ago Chairman Lyon stated that he has been on the Planning Commission
for two years and served as a member and the Chairman of the Finance Advisory
Board, before that
Before Commissioner Long spoke about his background, he informed the Commission
that he had worked together with Commissioner Mueller as former View Restoration
Commission Members. Commissioner Long stated that Commissioner Mueller has
strong attention to detail and that he would be an asset to the Commission
Commissioner Long attended Stanford University and received his law degree in 1982
He is a litigation partner with a law firm known as Nossaman, Guthner, Knox, and Elliot,
he performs various general business litigations, has been involved with cases dealing
with geological issues, and has practiced law for the past eighteen years
Commissioner Long informed the Commission that his firm represented Capitol Pacific
Holdings, Inc. and Cox Communication and that he would recuse himself from
participation involving applications from these two clients during his tenure
Commissioner Long served on the View Restoration Commission for four years and
elected not to reapply in hopes of broadening his horizon by currently serving on the
Planning Commission.
Commissioner Vannorsdall attended and graduated from Ohio Northern University with
a BS degree in electrical engineering and an MBA degree from Yale University. He
worked for Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and MB Electronics on the east
coast , manufacturers of testing equipment for aeronautical companies, and relocated
to California where he sper.� the remainder of his work career. Commissioner
Vannorsdall has served six years of service with the Planning Commission, one term as
Chairman and another as Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Cartwright attended and graduated with BS, MS, and MBA degrees from
the University of California Berkley, was employed with IBM for approximately thirty
years and held various executive and management positions, and held a teaching
position as a professor at the University of Southern California for five years
Commissioner Cartwright has been a resident of the City for fifteen years, is married
with four children, and has been a member of several corporate and non-profit boards.
Commissioner Cartwright has volunteered ten years of his service to the City as a
former member of the View Restoration Commission and as a Planning Commission
Member Commissioner Cartwright has served terms in the capacity of Vice Chairman
and Chairman for both View Restoration Commission and Planning Commission
Vice Chairman Clark attended and graduated from California State University Fullerton
with degrees in psychology and Sociology. He also received an MBA degree from
California State University Dominguez Hills and was a fellow graduate at Harvard
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 2
University. Vice Chairman Clark spent his thirty year career with the federal
government and NATO, and has been a resident of the City for approximately twenty-
one years Commissioner Clark has volunteered his services to the City since 1989
starting on the View Restoration Committee and currently serving as a member of the
Planning Commission. He had also served terms in the capacity of Chairman for both
View Restoration Commission and Planning Commission
Commissioner Paulson stated that he was born and raised in Los Angeles He attended
and graduated with a BS degree in Geography from the University of California Los
Angeles, received a graduate fellowship in Public Affairs of Administration, was a
graduate from Harvard University from the Planning School of Government, and
pursued graduate studies with the business schools of the University of Michigan and
the University of Idaho. Commissioner Paulson served in the capacity of Mayor General
in the United States Army, was employed in a management position and retired from
the Southern California Edison Company, was Chairman of the Peninsula Library
Advisory Committee, and is currently Vice President of the Peninsula Friends of the
Library. Commissioner Paulson has been a resident of the peninsula area for thirty-two
years, is involved with community activities, and looks forward working with the
Planning Commission.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director/Secretary Rous requested that the Commission consider Agenda Item No 3
(Planning Commission Orientation — Procedures and Informational Materials) after
Agenda Item No. 1 to let Assistant City Attorney Diaz make her presentation due to her
commute home that evening.
Commissioner Cartwright moved to re -order the agenda for discussion as
followed: Agenda Item No. 1, 3, 2, and 4. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Vannorsdall and passed, with no objection from the Commission.
COMMUNICATIONS
Council Policy Items
Director/Secretary Rojas reported that the City Council had discussed the status of the
Appeal of the Mobil Service Station and that former Chairman Cartwright and
Commissioner Vannorsdall were present to answer City Council concerns regarding the
Commissions' consideration of the proposed project at the Council Meeting of April 4,
2000.
Staff
Staff distributed additional orientation material pertaining to the Ralph M. Brown Act,
Antenna Development Guidelines, and Commissioner Vannorsdall's memorandum
regarding noise abatement
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 3
Director/Secretary Rojas informed the Commission the Appeal of Height Variation No.
897 and Grading Permit No 2170 and that this item would be discussed by the City
Council on the second Council meeting of June 2000.
Commission
Commissioner Vannorsdali informed the Commission of former Chairman Cartwright's
excellent job at summarizing the Mobil Service Station project before the City council on
April 4, 2000
Commissioner Long informed the Commission that he submitted a memorandum to
Mayor Byrd and Mayor Pro -Tem Lyon regarding proposed revisions to the City's View
Restoration Ordinance.
Director/Secretary Rojas informed the Commission that a subcommittee comprised of
Mayor Byrd and Mayor Pro -Tem Lyon were looking at potential amendments to the
View Restoration Guidelines and that Staff would bring this item before the Council at
the second City Council Meeting in May 2000 Director/Secretary Rojas informed the
Commission that Commissioner Long's comments were forwarded to the Ad -Hoc
Committee.
Vice Chairman Clark shared an article with the Commission and Staff from the Carmel
Pine Cone Real Estate April edition pertaining to lost views.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of March 28, 2000
Vice Chairman Clark requested a modification on page 10, paragraph 1, line 2 to read
as, " during his fifteen months tenure as Chairman "
Chairman Lyon requested that a modification be made on page 3, paragraph 6, line 1 to
read as, " . that it is of minor nature...".
Commissioner Cartwright moved to approve the Minutes of March 28, 2000 as
amended, seconded by Vice Chairman Clark. The minutes were approved, (4-0-2)
with Commissioners Long and Paulson abstaining since they were not members
of the Planning Commission at that time.
None
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 4
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
At this time, Agenda Item No. 3 was considered by the Commission
RECESS/COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non -agenda items) AT
APPROXIMATELY 8:30 p.m.
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, commented on the City Council's appointment of the
new Planning Commission
NEW BUSINESS
3. Planning Commission Orientation — Procedures and Informational
Materials.
Assistant City Attorney Diaz gave a thorough and comprehensive presentation on the
booklets and hand-outs that Staff distributed to the Commission earlier that evening
regarding the policies and provisions of the Ralph M Brown Act, Quasi -Judicial
Functions, and Conflict of Interest to the Commission
Director/Secretary Rojas briefly explained each orientation item that was included in the
Commission's agenda packet for their informational purpose
Chairman Lyon asked if there were any speakers for this item and Staff replied there
was one speaker requesting to speak
Lois LarLe, 3136 Barkentine Road, informed the Commission of her recent
acquaintance with a former Planning Commissioner who accepted a piece of property
from an applicant and was reported to the FPPC. Lois stated that she wanted to remind
the Commission of this incident when Assistant City Attorney Diaz made her
presentation on 'Quasi -Judicial Functions
Chairman Lyon asked for Commission comments and there was none.
The Commission received and filed all orientation material, with no objection
from the Commission, (6-0).
The Commission considered Agenda Item No 2 at this time
2. Neighborhood Compatibility Hand-out Information.
Director/Secretary Rous briefly summarized the Staff Report and stated that the
Commission requested to add to a future agenda to discuss the processed used by the
City when disseminating the neighborhood compatibility standards and review
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 5
procedures to the general public. Director/Secretary Rojas informed the Commission
that the hand-out attached to the Staff Report was part of the application package that
was given to potential applicants and that Staff requested input from the Commission
regarding definitive standards contained in the City's Development Code and
Guidelines
Chairman Lyon asked if there were any speakers for this item and Staff replied there
were none
Chairman Lyon asked for Commission comments and discussion.
Vice Chairman Clark informed the Commission that he obtained useful information
regarding `neighborhood compatibility' from the `Planners Institute' in Monterey and
requested Staff to reproduce copies so that the Commission and Staff could review and
further discuss the topic
After some discussion, the Commission concurred that the language in the guidelines
could be modified for clarity to the public and particularly the applicant.
Commissioner Cartwright moved to table and agendize this item of
`Neighborhood Compatibility' to a future date for further discussion by the
Commission. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Clark and passed, (6-
0).
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
Staff
4. Pre -agenda for the Planning Commission Meeting of Apri. 25, 2000
Commission
Commissioner Vannorsdall requested the presence of the City Attorney for Pre -
Agenda Item No. 2 (Conditional Use Permit No. 207 and Environmental
Assessment No. 720, Mark Abrams (applicant), 44 Oceanaire Drive) to be
discussed at the Planning Commission Meeting of April 25, 2000.
Chairman Lyon informed the Commission that he was unavailable for the
Planning Commission Meeting of April 25, 2000.
Commissioner Long informed the Commission that he would be unavailable for
the Planning Commission Meeting of May 23, 2000.
Planning Commission Minutes
April 11, 2000
Page 6
•
ADJOURNMENT
E
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. to the next Planning Commission
Meeting of April 25, 2000 by Vice Chairman Clark and seconded by Commissioner
Cartwright.
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