PC RES 1988-060P.0 RESOLUTION 88-60
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
GRADING APPLICATION NO. 1177 FOR A NEW SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENCE AND VARIANCE NO. 213 FOR A DECK
EXTENDING 15 FEET OVER AN EXTREME SLOPE AT 2973
CROWNVIEW DRIVE.
WHEREAS, Joe Jeffers has requested grading approval for
a new single family residence on a lot with an average slope
exceeding thirty-five (35) percent and for a variance to
allow a 400 square foot cantilevered deck to extend twenty
(20) feet over an extreme slope in conjunction with the
construction of the single family residence at 2973 Crownview
Drive; and
WHEREAS, after notice .issued pursuant to the provisions
of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, a public hearing
was held on October 25, 1988 at which time all interested
parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That there are exceptional or extraordinary
circumstances or conditions applicable to the property
involved, or to the intended use of the property, which do
not apply generally to other property in the same zoning
district since the developable portion of the applicant's
property is approximately 240 less than the developable
portion of properties that meet the minimum development
requirements for the RS -2 zoning district. In addition,
the proportion of open space on the applicant's property
substantially exceeds the minimum amount of open area
prescribed by the RS -2 standards; however, such open area
exists of necessity due to the extreme slope of the site and
is therefore not considered to be useable recreation space or
developable.
Section 2: That such variance is necessary for the
preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of
the applicant, which right is possessed by other property
owners under like conditions in the same zoning district
since the exceptional circumstances outlined above, in
conjunction with the City regulations restricting
construction on extreme slopes (which comprise 84% of the
applicant's property), prevent the applicant from developing
a residence and useable outdoor recreational space as other
property owners in the RS -2 district would be able to
r
develop. As a result, an exception to the City's Development
Code standards restricting construction on or over extreme
slopes would be justified to provide useable outdoor
recreational space for the applicant.
Section 3: That the granting of the variance will not be
materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to
property and improvements in the area in which the property
is located since conditions of approval for this variance
will minimize or compensate for the visual prominence of the
deck from surrounding property as well as ensure that public
health and safety concerns relating to geology, drainage, and
construction are addressed.
Section 4: That the granting of such a variance will not
be contrary to the objectives of the general plan or the
policies and requirements of the coastal specific plan since
the intent of the general plan is to encourage high quality
residential development, with adequate open space and
landscaping, which does not unnecessarily alter natural
terrain or impair scenic views from surrounding properties.
The proposed deck, as controlled by the conditions of
approval found in Exhibit 'A', would provide needed useable
open space for this property in a manner that does not alter
the underlying extreme slopes or substantially impair scenic
views from surrounding properties.
Section 5: That this project is categorically exempt
(Class III) from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act.
Section 6: That the proposed grading for the single
family residence is not excessive beyond that necessary for
the permitted primary use of the lot; the grading does not
significantly adversely affect the visual relationships with,
nor the views from, neighboring sites; and the nature of the
grading minimizes disturbance to the natural contours leaving
finished contours in a reasonably natural state.
Section 7: For the foregoing reasons, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby approves
Variance No. 213 subject to the conditions of approval in
Exhibit 'A', said conditions being necessary to preserve and
protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 88-60
Page 2
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of October,
1988.
r
obit Benar , Director of
Environmental Services and
Secretary to the Commission
Leo Connoll
Chairman
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 88-60
Page 3
EXHIBIT 'A'
Conditions of Approval for Variance No. 213:
1) Construction of the deck shall be in substantial
conformance with the plans reviewed and approved by the
Planning Commission and with all conditions of this
permit except that the deck shall not extend more than
fifteen (15) feet over the extreme slope.
2) Construction of the deck shall conform to all applicable
Building Code and Development Code standards.
3) A geology report and drainage plan shall be submitted for
the review and approval of the Building Official prior to
issuance of a building permit.
4) A landscaping plan for the site shall be submitted for the
review and approval of the Environmental Services Director
prior to issuance of a building permit. Said plan shall
address screening for the deck and low growing plant
materials (to be maintained at a height equivalent to the
ground floor elevation of the residence) within the view
sensitive corridor in the rear and north side yard of the
proposed residence.
5) The color of the deck shall be reviewed and approved by
the Director of Environmental Services prior to issuance
of a building permit.
6) Approval of this variance is subject to approval of Height
Variation No. 561.
7) No further at -grade construction or expansion shall be
permitted beyond plans approved in conjunction with
Grading Application No. 1177 and Height Variation No. 561.
Minimum open space to be provided on this property shall
not be less than 84% of the entire lot.
8) A detailed lighting plan for the exterior of the residence
shall be submitted for the review and approval of the
Director of Environmental Services prior to issuance of a
building permit for the residence.
9) The height of any wall or plant material shall be limited
to not more than 30 inches in a 10 by 60 foot area north
of the existing driveway curb cut at Crownview Drive and
parallel to the existing edge of pavement for Crownview
Drive. Said wall or plant material must conform with this
condition prior to City approval for occupancy of the
residence.
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 88-60
Page 4
10) The height of any existing or future trees planted
between the front of the proposed residence and Crownview
Drive shall not exceed the average elevation of Crownview
Drive adjacent to this property. Said trees must conform
with this condition prior to City approval for occupancy
of the residence.
11) Any wall between the northern property line and the
proposed residence shall not exceed a height of 42 inches
above the finished pad elevation of the residence.
12) Written acceptance of this permit and all conditions of
approval shall be provided to the Director of
Environmental Services within thirty (30) days of final
approval. Said conditions of approval shall be recorded
as a covenant, running with the land, between the City
and the property owner.
13) This approval shall expire in one year unless extended by
the Planning Commission prior to expiration.
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 88-60
Page 5