PC RES 1991-051P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 91-51
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES MAKING CERTAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH
GRADING PERMIT NO. 1390 FOR REMEDIAL GRADING
REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 37885 AND CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT NO. 79 FOR 42 SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS
AND 2 OPEN SPACE LOTS LOCATED NORTH AND WEST
OF THE FORRESTAL DRIVE/PIRATE DRIVE INTERSECTION,
EAST OF KLONDIKE CANYON AND SOUTH OF THE CITY
OF ROLLING HILLS.
WHEREAS, an application was filed by J.M. Peters Company
with respect to real property located on a vacant 163+ acre
parcel located north and west of the Forrestal Drive/Pirate
Drive Intersection,' east of Klondike Canyon and South of the
City of Rolling Hills requesting the approval of Grading Permit
No. 1390 for remedial grading required to implement previously
approved Tentative Tract Map No. 37885 and Conditional Use
permit No. 79 for a 42 single-family lot Residential Planned
Development (RPD) with 2 open space lots; and
WHEREAS, the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Report (DSEIR) was prepared and circulated for a review period
of 30 days from August 5, 1991 through September 6, 1991, in
order to receive written comments on the adequacy of the
document from responsible agencies and the public; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho
- Palos Verdes held a public hearing on September 24, 1991 in
order to receive public testimony on the DSEIR, at which time
all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard'
and present comments on the environmental content of the, DSEIR;
and
WHEREAS, comments were submitted by certain responsible
agencies and individuals, and that written responses were
prepared for all substantive comments received on the DSEIR
during the circulation period; and
WHEREAS, the response to comments section together with
supplemental information to the DSEIR comprise the Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (FSEIR) which was
presented to the Planning Commission for certification on
October 8, 1991.
NOW THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The FSEIR identified as a potential significant
environmental impact the effect of Geotechnical hazards on the
site including slope stability, groundwater seepage and related
landslide stability, as well as potential rockfall from the
quarry slope on both a project specific and a cumulative basis.
Provisions'for reducing the impacts to a level of
insignificance have been incorporated into the project. To
minimize impacts on both a project specific and a cumulative
basis, all grading will be performed in accordance with the
mitigation measures specified by the City's consulting
geologist. Implementation of the mitigation measures will also
serve to improve existing slope stability problems and existing
rockfall hazards in the area. None of the proposed fills would
add driving force to existing landslides in the areas.
Section 2: The FSEIR identifies as a potential
significant environmental impact the effect on biological
resources due to the development and remedial grading of the
tract. Provisions for reducing these impacts to a level of
insignificance have been incorporated into the project. To
minimize impacts, general mitigation measures will be
implemented to reduce biological resource impacts. A Resource
Management Plan will also be enacted to mitigate impacts to the
California gnatcatcher and the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly. The
Resource Management Plan will set forth parameters for
protection of the habitat of the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly
and for preservation, replacement and enhancement of
gnatcatcher habitat, or coastal sage scrub, located on the
project site. After mitigation, cumulative impacts to the
declining California gnatcatcher habitat would stili be
considered significant, and therefore a statement of overriding
considerations has been adopted as discussed in Section 7
regarding the gnatcatcher habitat. All other impacts would be
reduced to a level of insignificance.
Section 3: The FSEIR identifies as a potential significant
environmental impact the effect of temporary impact to air
quality resulting from pollutants emitted by grading equipment
and dust generated during grading and site preparation.
Provisions for reducing the short-term (fugitive dust)
emissions to a level of insignificance have been incorporated
into the project. Fugitive dust emissions are not considered
significant as they will be strictly controlled through regular
watering, phasing and other dust preventative measures.
However, long-term Air Quality impacts from emissions generated
by motor vehicles once the project has been completed must be
considered significant on a cumulative level since the South
Coast Air Basin is a non -attainment area for pollutants, and
any increases in emissions must be considered significant. A
statement of overriding considerations has been adopted as
discussed in Section 7.
Section 4: The FSEIR identifies as a potential significant
environmental impact the effect of noise generation as a result
P.C. Resolution No. 91-51. .
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of site grading equipment such as trucks, graders, bulldozers,
and portable generators which represent a short-term impact to
the ambient noise levels at the project site. Provisions for
reducing the impacts to a level of insignificance have been
incorporated into the project. Mitigation measures for
project -related short-term noise impacts have been established
through conditions of approval for previously approved
Conditional Use Permit No. 79 which include limits on the hours
of operation for construction and grading and control over the
location of equipment storage and vehicle staging. Additional
mitigationmeasures would also be imposed as a condition of
approval of Grading Permit No. 1390 including surrounding on-
site noise sources such as compressors, generators or power
saws by a temporary plywood enclosure to serve as a noise
barrier, or by furnishing said equipment with hospital grade
mufflers for engine -driven sources. Long term noise impacts
are not anticipated as the low-density residential development
would not generate significant noise levels.
Section 5: The FSEIR identifies as a potential
significant environmental impact the effect the project will
have on public services and utilities. With the exception of
water service, project impacts to these services, including
Fire and Police Protection, Educational Facilities, Wastewater
Treatment, and all utilities, are not considered significant.
With regard to water, however, the water demand factor of the
development, along with the future irrigation water for
landscaped ares and short-term water demand for project grading
and dust control are considered to be significant adverse
impacts in light of the current Southern California water
shortage. Proposed mitigation measures will reduce the
project -specific water demand by installing low -flow plumbing
fixtures and controls on landscaping and irrigation. However,
even after mitigation, the project -specific and cumulative
impacts to water demand will remain significant. A statement
of overriding considerations has been adopted as discussed in
Section 7. The future significance of water demand impacts on
a regionwide and state-wide basis will depend on the success of
conservation measures, improvements to delivery and water
storage facilities, and the duration of the current drought,
Section 6: The FSEIR identifies as a potential
significant environmental impact the effect of landform
modifications (visual character) to portions of the subject
property. Provisions for reducing the impacts to a level of
insignificance have been incorporated into the project.
Project modification of the current steep quarry face along
Forrestal Drive will result in a 225 foot high, 1.5:1
artificial cut slope.
Visual mitigation measures have already been adopted as part of
the conditions of approval for previously approved Conditional
Use Permit No. 79 and Tentative Tract Map No. 37885. These
mitigation measures include requiring a landscape plan and
residential unit lighting pian for the project to avoid direct
P.C. Resolution No. 91-51 .
page 3
off-site illumination. Additional mitigation measures will
regulate the extent of re -vegetation for the graded areas to
further reduce the project's visual impacts to a level of
insignificance.
Section 7: The geotechnical and recreational
benefits provided by the project outweigh any unavoidable
significant adverse environmental impacts that may occur to
biological resources and water services. The project
implements the Residential Single Family designation (RS -1) of
the general plan and zoning map while preserving 142 (87%) of
the site as natural open space with public trails, drainage
improvements, and habitat area. Exhibit "A" attached hereto
contains a statement of overriding considerations, pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act, which is hereby
adopted by the Planning Commission and incorporated herein by
this reference.
Section 8: That the Planning Commission does hereby
declare that a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
was prepared in compliance with CEQA and State and local
guidelines and that the Commission has reviewed and considered
the contents of the EIR in reaching its decision.
Section 9: For the foregoing reasons and based on the
information and findings included in the Draft and Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, Staff Reports,
minutes, and records of proceedings, the Planning Commission of
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has reviewed and considered the
information contained in the FSEIR and hereby finds that the
FSEIR was completed in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act and certifies the FSEIR.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 8th of October, 1991.
Peter Vo Hagen
Chairman
4y— Bena d, Directo of
nmental Service and
Secretary to the Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 91-51 .
page 4
EXHIBIT "A"
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
The Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
finds that the mitigation measures discussed in the
Environmental Impact Report will, when implement, mitigate or
substantially reduce all but three of the significant effects
identified in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact
Report. The biological resources, water service, and air
quality effects of the project are found to be unavoidable
even after incorporation of all feasible mitigation measures.
The Planning Commission has balanced the benefits of the
project against these effects in recommending approval of the
proposed project. In this regard, the Planning Commission of
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby finds that all
feasible mitigation measures identified in the Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, which are listed in
the Summary of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures
of the document, have been and will be implemented with the
project through the mitigation monitoring program. The three
remaining significant unavoidable effects are acceptable due
to the following specific benefits which outweigh the
significant environmental effects and justify approval of the
project with the following conditions:
1. Although the project will cause a significant
cumulative impact on Biological Resources due to
the reduction of habitat area throughout the
peninsula, portions of the common open space area
on the property will be revegetated with native
plant species to enhance, improve and re-establish
wildlife habitat areas. The degree of the slope,
especially at the quarry bowl, currently presents a
danger and hazard tohikers. The proposed project
will provide recreational opportunities by
preserving and rendering usable 142 acres of the
site as common open space with the dedication of
public trail easements within the development, and
will provide linkage to the City's trail system.
2 . Impacts to water service are unavoidable when new
housing is created. However, in accordance with
projected housing needs for the City, and the
Single Family designation of the City's Zoning Map
and General Plan, the project will provide 42
additional dwelling units in the City. To mitigate
the impacts to waterservice, the project will
install low-flush toilets, showerheads and sink
faucets, and the landscaping of open space areas
will be vegetated with drought-tolerant material.
The future significance of water demands on a
P.C. Resolution No.91-51
Exhibit A
Page 1 of 2
regionwide and state-wide basis will depend on the
success of conservation measures, improvements to
delivery and water storage facilities, and the
duration of the current California drought.
3 . Fugitive dust generation will be temporary and
controlled, however, vehicular emissions related to
long-term air quality will cause on impact on a
cumulative basis. Although the project will only
generate approximately 420 vehicle trips per day
which will not result in a significant amount of
emissions, the South Coast Air Basin is a non-
attainment area for pollutants, any, increases in
emissions must be considered significant on a
cumulative basis. However, in accordance with
projected housing needs for the City, and the
Single Family designation of the City's Zoning Map
and General Plan, the project will provide 42
additional dwelling units in the City.
P.C. Resolution No. 91-51
Exhibit A
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