PC RES 1989-070P.C. RESOLUTION 89 - 70
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 147, VARIANCE
NO. 236, AND GRADING APPLICATION NO. 1274
FOR A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 31270 PALOS
VERDES DRIVE WEST AND APPROVING A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 578.
WHEREAS, Pan Asian Cultural Enterprise Incorporated has
requested approval of a conditional use permit, variance, and
grading application for a 28000 square foot commercial
building with subterranean parking; and
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the provisions
of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, public hearings
were held on October 10, November 14, and November 28, 1989
at which time all interested parties were given the
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 the Planning Commission has reviewed the
initial study prior to making a decision on this project and
determined that the project will not have a significant
effect on the environment if the recommended mitigation
measures are incorporated into the project.
Section 2: That the site for the intended use is
adequate in size and shape to accommodate said use subject to
the conditions of approval included in Exhibit 'A' attached
hereto.
Section 3: That the site is serviced by Palos Verdes
Drive West, a major arterial street, whose traffic capacity
is adequate to serve the site without a significant effect on
level of service, and the applicant has been required in
Exhibit 'A', attached hereto, to post security for various
traffic and circulation improvements that will further
improve access to the site.
Section 4: That the proposed grading meets the intent of
the City's grading criteria contained in the Development Code
and is not excessive in terms of the proposed development of
the site. Finished contours are reasonably natural, and
lowering of the natural grade has been permitted to protect
the views of adjacent residents.
Section 5: That there are extraordinary or exceptional
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 in that the project site is substantially smaller
than the minimum lot size of the CN District, and is located
directly adjacent to residential development (at a higher
elevation) and a church.
Section 6: 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 in
that the applicant has lowered the elevation of the building
and provided subterranean parking to reduce the visual impact
of the building to the adjacent upslope residents. In
addition, the site is bordered by residential and
institutional use. As a result, placement of loading spaces
in a location permitted by the Development Code could not be
accommodated without negative effects on adjacent properties.
Consequently, location of'loading spaces within the front
yard setback, subject to the conditions of approval in
Exhibit 'A' attached hereto, minimizes adverse impacts on
adjacent properties.
Section 7: 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 in that the loading spaces will be surfaced with a
turfblock material and screened by landscaping to minimize
their visual impact.
Section 8: That the granting of the variance and
conditional use permit will not be contrary to the General
Plan in that the proposed use is consistent with the general
plan land use designation for the site and the design and
siting of the building is such that negative sensory and
visual impacts on adjacent properties are avoided.
Section 9: For the foregoing reasons, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes does hereby
approve a final Negative Declaration for Environmental
Assessment No. 578, and approves Conditional Use Permit No.
147, Variance No. 236, and Grading Application No. 1274
subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit "A", attached
hereto and made a part hereof, said conditions being
necessary to preserve the public health, safety, and general
welfare.
P.C. Resolution No. 89 - 70
Page 2
111
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of November,
1989.
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Luell
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Luella L. Wike
Chairperson
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ob rt Benard, Direct r
of Environmental Sery ces
and Secretary to the
Commission
P.C . Resolution No . 89 - 70
Page 3
EXHIBIT "A"
Conditions of approval for Conditional Use Permit No. 147,
Variance No. 236 and Grading No. 1274:
Standard Conditions:
1. These approvals shall expire one year from the date of
this action unless application for building permits is
made. One, one year extension may be granted by the
Planning Commission if requested prior to expiration.
2. All of the recommendations made by the City Engineer and
the City Geotechnical Consultant during their ongoing
review of the project shall be incorporated into the
approved plans.
3. Sign permits shall be obtained for all signs from the
Environmental Services Department.
4. Trash areas shall be completely enclosed, shall have
solid, self-closing gates, and shall be located at the
front of the building.
5. All utilities exclusively serving the site shall be
provided underground, including cable television,
telephone, electrical, gas and water. All appropriate
permits shall be obtained for their installation. Cable
television shall be connected to the nearest trunk line
at the developer's expense.
6. All site runoff and drainage shall be approved by the
City Engineer and conducted to existing storm drain
systems via approved methods. Preparation and City
approval of an erosion control plan shall be required
prior to issuance of a grading permit.
7. All exterior lighting shall be kept to minimum safety
standards. Fixtures shall be shielded so that only the
project site is illuminated. There shall be no light
spillover allowed onto adjacent residential properties.
8. Roof -mounted mechanical equipment or antennae (including
satellite dishes) shall not be permitted with the
exception of elevator penthouses as approved by the
Director of Environmental Services.
9. Construction (including height, setbacks, lot coverage,
parking, and building configuration) shall substantially
conform to the plans approved by the Planning Commission.
In no event, shall the maximum elevation of any part of
the structure (except elevator penthouses approved by the
director) exceed 258' elevation (as shown on the approved
plans).
P.C. Resolution No. 89774
Page 4
10. All grading, haul routes, landscaping, irrigation,
exterior lighting, walls and fencing, mechanical
equipment and signage, shall be subject to the review and
approval of the Director of Environmental Services prior
to issuance of permits.
11. Traffic impact fees, as determined by the Director of
Public Works, shall be paid prior to issuance of
certificate of occupancy.
12. Bonding, or equivalent security acceptable to the
Director of Public Works, shall be provided for all
necessary public improvements related to the project.
These improvements include, but are not limited to: a
left turn pocket at Palos Verdes Drive West to serve the
project; curb, gutter, sidewalk, street overlay, median
improvements, median and parkway landscaping, bicycle
path and associated signage and striping for the
preceding improvements. The amount and duration of such
security shall be determined by the Director of Public
Works.
Environmental Services Conditions:
13. A minimum of 140 parking spaces (20% maximum compact) and
two (2) loading spaces shall be provided. Fifty parking
spaces shall be made available to St. Paul's Lutheran
Church as specified in P.C. Resolution No. 88-52.
14. Deliveries shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 2:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. on weekends.
15. Construction activities shall be limited to weekdays only
from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All grading equipment shall
be fully equipped with mufflers to reduce noise levels
during grading activities.
16. All mechanical equipment shall be housed in enclosures
designed to attenuate noise to a level of 45 dBA at the
rear property line. No mechanical equipment shall be
allowed within the rear setback area.
17. Uses shall be limited to those uses permitted within the
CN (Commercial Neighborhood) District except as follows:
restaurants, night clubs, bars, commercial entertainment,
and medical clinics are prohibited.
18. No retail use shall open for business between 12:00
midnight and 7:00 a.m.
P.C, Resolution No. 89-70
Page 5
19. Architectural elevations shall be subject to the review
and approval of the Director of Environmental Services.
The Director shall use, but not be limited to the
following criteria in reviewing the elevations:
-privacy of adjacent uses
-view impact
-variations in vertical and horizontal planes
-use of materials and colors that complement adjacent
structures
-no space frame
20. Operable windows shall be required.
21. Reflective or mirrored glass shall not be permitted on
the exterior of the building.
22. Lot sweeping garbage collection or other site
maintenance activities shall not occur between the hours
of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Mechanical Blowers shall
only be used as specified by Chapter 8.16 of the
Municipal Code.
23. A City view covenant shall be submitted prior to issuance
of building permits. The covenant shall specify that
vegetation shall not be permitted to grow higher than the
approved ridgeline of the structure.
24. Access to subterranean parking shall be controlled during
non -business hours.
25. Loading areas shall be surfaced with turfblock.
26. A portion of the central courtyard between the two
building wings (as shown on the approved plan) shall be
reserved for the display of art object(s). Said
object(s) shall be prominently displayed in a manner and
location that maximizes its/their visibility from the
Palos Verdes Drive West right-of-way. Said art object(s)
shall be put in place by the applicant within six months
of building occupancy.
27. Final approval of the proposed surface parking and
loading configuration is subject to the applicant
obtaining an access easement from St. Paul's Lutheran
Church to ensure that necessary back-up and driveway
areas remain available.
28. The applicant shall, within 30 days of this approval,
acknowledge In writing that all conditions of approval
have been read, understood and accepted; otherwise, this
Conditional Use Permit shall be void.
P.C. Resolution No. 89-70
Page 6
29. The stairway connecting the project to the adjacent
Golden Cove Shopping Center shall be relocated westward
to a location approved by the Director of Environmental
Services.
P.C. Resolution No. 89-70
Page 7