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PC MINS 20000912I Approved September 26, 2000 CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 12, 2404 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lyon called the meeting to order at 7 03 p m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Paulson led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present Commissioners Cartwright, Long, Mueller, Paulson, Vice Chairman Clark, and Chairman Lyon Absent. Commissioner Vannorsdall was excused Also present were Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Rojas, Senior Planner Fox, Associate Planner Schonborn, and Recording Secretary Peterson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There being no objections to the Agenda, Chairman Lyon approved the Agenda as presented COMMUNICATIONS Director/Secretary Rojas reported that at the September 5, 2000 meeting the City Council had discussed the possibility of entering into an agreement with St. John Fisher Church for a City controlled antenna tower. Director/Secretary Rojas distributed two items of late correspondence regarding Agenda item No. 4. Vice Chairman Clark noted that the ad-hoc committee for neighborhood compatibility had not yet had the opportunity to meet with city staff, but would try to do so in the near future CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Time Extension Request: Conditional Use Permit No. 136, Grading Permit No. 1246, and Lot Line Adiustment No. 38: York Long Point Associates (applicant) 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South. Commissioner Cartwright asked staff how many extensions have been granted for this project Director/Secretary Rojas noted that this was the ninth extension request, however since there was not a parcel map involved with the project, there was not a limit to the number of extensions that could be granted Commissioner Long asked staff what the criterion was in deciding whether or not to grant an extension Director/Secretary Rojas stated that there was no specific criterion in the Development Code for granting an extension. He explained that staff was recommending approval because they felt that there has been progress towards applications for a new project and the site was being maintained in an orderly manner. Chairman Lyon opened the public hearing. Mike Mohler (representing Destination Development Corporation) 11777 San Vicente Blvd Suite 900, Los Angeles, urged the Commission to grant the extension request. He felt progress was being made on the project, especially in the last year Lois Larue 3136 Barkentine Road stated her opposition to the project at Long Point. Chairman Lyon closed the public hearing. The Commission approved the extension request via minute order, (6-0). 2. Variance No. 476, Coastal Permit No. 168, and Site Plan Review No. 8944: Irwin and Betty Helford, 122 Spindrift Drive. Associate Planner Schonborn presented the staff report. He reviewed the request and the need for the three applications He explained that staff felt all of the findings for the Variance and Coastal Permit could be made. Therefore, staff recommended approval of the project, subject to the conditions presented in the staff report. Chairman Lyon opened the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 2 Beppu Michel 125 Spindrift Drive felt that the proposed addition which would enclose the patio would block a good portion of her white water and beach area view from her deck and home Commissioner Cartwright clarified that the application was to enclose the storage area in the front of the house and extending the house three feet further at the brick patio. He explained that the entire patio area was not going to be enclosed. Staff showed Ms. Michel plans and photographs to help clarify the proposal. Ms. Michel stated that she had misunderstood the request and that an extension of three feet was acceptable to her. Chairman Lyon closed the public hearing. Commissioner Mueller objected to the extension of the house He felt it was very visible from the neighbor's lot and would block their view. He also felt that this proposed extension into the patio area would be too visible from the beach area below Commissioner Cartwright asked staff if they had received any correspondence regarding this project. Associate Planner Schonborn stated that no correspondence had been received regarding the project. Vice Chairman Clark moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2000-29 thereby conditionally approving Variance No. 476, Coastal Permit No. 168, and Site Plan Review No. 8944 as presented by staff, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. Approved, (5-1) with Commissioner Mueller dissenting. 3. Parcel Map 25706 and Environmental Assessment No. 717: Richard Meine, 3340 Via Campesina Associate Planner Schonborn presented the staff report. He explained the applicant was proposing to subdivide the existing parcel into two parcels Lot 1 would remain as a vacant parcel and Lot 2 would contain the existing single family residence. He explained that through the initial study staff determined that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment and subsequently a negative declaration was prepared and circulated. Staff has received no written correspondence regarding the negative declaration. He stated that regarding the Tentative Parcel Map, staff was able to make all six findings as required. Therefore, staff recommended that the Planning Commission certify the Negative Declaration and conditionally approve the Tentative Parcel Map Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 3 Vice Chairman Clark asked if staff had consulted with Palos Verdes Estates regarding the feasibility in accepting a new lot and residence into their sewer system. Associate Planner Schonborn responded that staff had spoken to the Planning Department in Palos Verdes Estates which stated the street cut moratorium was still in effect but will expire on December 31, 2000 Palos Verdes Estates staff had indicated they would have no problem with this residence connecting to their sewer line. Commissioner Cartwright asked what the criterion was for determining the Quimby fee. Director/Secretary Rojas briefly explained the calculation of the Quimby fee and that Quimby fees received are placed into a city account. There being no speakers, a public hearing was not opened. Commissioner Long moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2000-30, certifying and adopting the Negative Declaration; and adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2000-31, conditionally approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 25706, seconded by Commissioner Paulson. Approved, (6-0). 4. Conditional Use Permit No. 214 and Grading Permit No. 2209: Sprint PCS/Center Professional Building, 28041 Hawthorne Blvd. Commissioner Long stated that Sprint PCS is a client of the law firm he is a member of, therefore he recused himself from hearing this item. Senior Planner Fox presented the staff report. He gave a brief background of what was currently at the site and explained what Sprint PCS was currently proposing. He stated that staff had determined that the proposed project would not have a significant adverse effect on surrounding properties since it involved only minor physical modifications to the site He explained that a condition of approval was recommended regarding the noise levels, which could be no more than 65 decibels Additionally, Mr. Fox stated that Sprint PCS would provide a master plan for Peninsula coverage. Finally, he stated that staff had received phone calls and one letter of late correspondence that had been distributed to the Commission expressing concerns about the issue of radio frequency emissions. In conclusion, Mr. Fox stated that staff was able to make all of the necessary findings for this project and recommended approval of the project subject to the recommended conditions. Chairman Lyon opened the public hearing. Kathleen Hill 311 17th Street, Seal Beach, stated that she was the Planning Consultant for Sprint PCS and that she concurred with staff recommendations. She stated that PCS carriers must file yearly reports with the FCC to show that their sites are in compliance or they will face strict penalties. Therefore, PCS carriers are now making sure that all new sites are in full compliance before they are constructed She explained Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 4 • 0 that because Sprint is co -locating at this site, the cumulative impact of emissions must be addressed and a private firm was hired to prepare these reports as well as any mitigation that is required. She stated that she would submit this report to staff. She questioned one item in the staff report regarding emergency generators. She stated that there was an 8 -hour battery back up in the equipment at the site. However, during a long-term emergency Sprint would like to be able to bring in an emergency generator for emergency purposes only. Chairman Lyon asked if staff had any objection to the modification of Condition No 12 to include the emergency generator. Senior Planner Fox stated that staff had no objection. Dr. Carl Muchnick 6307 Rio Linda Drive stated that he was a pediatrician and his concern was that it was conceivable to argue an issue in regards to views, heights, and noise, but not health issues. He was concerned about increasing potential health risks in local neighborhoods. He felt there was a lack of knowledge in this area and asked that any existing information be made available to the public before a decision is made. Chairman Lyon stated that he understood Dr. Muchnick's concerns however the Telecommunications Act of 1996 prevents the City from taking any action on the basis of possible emissions or radiation. Dr. Muchnick asked that scientific data and medical literature on the subject be made available to the public. Chairman Lyon stated that staff would certainly make available any information they had and also suggested that Dr. Muchnick ask the applicant for any publications and information available on radiation and emissions. Ms. Hill stated that she would meet with Dr Muchnick and make available any information she or her consultants had on radiation and emissions studies. Lois Larue 3136 Barkentine Road applauded the previous speaker and his concerns for the neighborhood health She appealed to the Planning Commission and staff to make available all literature concerning radiation and emissions Chairman Lyon closed the public hearing. Commissioner Mueller commented that the inclusion of a master plan had been very helpful to him and requested that future applications of this type include a master plan. Regarding this application, he felt it was a thorough and complete plan and felt it was reasonable to ask for a generator to be used during emergency situations. Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 5 Commissioner Cartwright felt the application was consistent with the Guidelines He noted the environmental impact appeared to be minimal and agreed that an emergency generator should be included in the approval Commissioner Cartwright moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2000-32, conditionally approving Conditional Use Permit No. 214 and Grading Permit No. 2209, as amended with inclusion of Conditions 12 and 13a, seconded by Commissioner Paulson. Approved, (5-0). 5. Coastal Permit No. 165, Variance No. 471 and Gradin_q Permit No. 2192: Mark and Ellen Beal, 114 Spindrift Drive Since the staff recommendation for this item was continuance, Chairman Lyon waived the staff report and moved to continue the item, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. Approved, (6-0). NEW BUSINESS 6. View analysis consistency between View Restoration Guidelines and Height Variation Guidelines Director/Secretary Rojas stated that copies of both guidelines had been distributed to the Commissioners for review as well as a summary as to where differences between the two exist. He stated that staff sought direction from the Commission on how to proceed with this request. Commissioner Long stated that he felt it was useful to have a clearer definition of how to determine what a significant view impairment was. He felt the definition was clearer in the View Restoration guidelines, especially in the definition of multi-component views. He stated that he realized view impairment was a judgment call but would like to put into words what he thought the Commission's practice was, in the hope it would then be more consistent for future Commissions. The Planning Commission discussed view impairments, viewing areas, and the Guidelines for both the View Restoration Commission and the Planning Commission and generally concluded that philosophically the Guidelines were consistent, and that no modifications were needed at this time. Vice Chairman Clark moved to table the item, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. The item was tabled, (5-1) with Commissioner Long dissenting. 7. Staff Report Vicinity Maps Commissioner Paulson stated that since staff began including Thomas Guide references on the corner sheets of staff reports and on project notes he had not had a problem with the map information and his needs had been met. Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 6 The Commission agreed that the changes made by staff regarding the vicinity maps are acceptable and meet their needs in finding difficult area to find COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Lois Larue 3136 Barkentine Road informed the Planning Commission that although the City Council may hear a number of speakers on an item, it may not mean they are listening. She also asked about a remodel of a house in Seacliff Hills. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Commissioner Long requested that at the next meeting a discussion be included on the possibility of requiring site visits by Planning Commissioners ADJOURNMENT Vice Chairman Clark moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. to September 26, 2000. Planning Commission Minutes September 12, 2000 Page 7