PC RES 1992-052 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 92-52
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
VARIANCE NO. 336 TO ALLOW A MULTI-LEVEL DECK
TO EXTEND TEN FEET (10 '-0") OVER AN EXTREME
SLOPE AND TO ALLOW THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THE
RESIDENCE AT 30433 GANADO DRIVE TO MEASURE
THIRTY-SIX FEET IN OVERALL HEIGHT.
WHEREAS, the applicants, Mr. Jeff Henry and Ms. Judy Krehbiel
have requested a Variance to allow a multi-level deck to extend
ten feet (10 '-0") over an extreme slope and to allow the maximum
height of the residence at 30433 Ganado Drive to measure thirty-six
feet (36 '-O") in overall height; and
WHEREAS, after notice pursuant to the provisions of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Development Code, a public hearing was held on August
11, 1992, 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 inthe same zoning district in that even though
the applicants' lot is in excess of 40, 000 sq. ft. in area,
over 90% of the property cannot be developed due to the
extreme slope characteristic of the lot. The applicants are
unable to pursue any improvements to the residence or rear yard
area without the granting of a Variance..
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 without the
Variance, the applicants are unable to improve the property.
Making improvements to one's property, whether it be a room
addition, a pool or spa addition, or a complete tear-down and
rebuild is a substantial property right enjoyed by citizens of
this City. Many property owner's are limited in the scope of
improvements that may occur on their properties due to various
physical constraints, i.e. substandard lot sizes, existing non-
conforming structures, and undevelopable extreme slopes.
However, most lots within the City have area available for the
development of usable outdoor living area without the necessity
of submitting a Variance. In the applicants' case, there is no
opportunity for improvement without the granting of a Variance.
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 the proposed multi-level deck will not impair views
from neighboring properties and the project will be reviewed by the
City's Building and Safety Division to assure that the deck will
be structurally correct. Residents of properties located in
this area of Ganado Drive, including the applicants, enjoy
sweeping views of the ocean, Catalina Island, and the City's
coastline up to Long Point.
A view analysis from the property immediately upslope from the
subject property, at 30427 Ganado Drive, the only property from
which any impact might result from the project. The upslope
residence shares similar physical constraints as that of the
applicants. Multiple level decks have been constructed to the
sides and rear of this property in order to maximize the views.
Thus, the view analysis was performed from these various deck
levels. It is the Commission's opinion that the proposed
project will not cause significant view impairment because of
following reasons:
the p
a) The physical configuration of the upslope residence
varies from the subject house in that it has a
northerly aspect, whereas the subject residence is
directed more towards the west. The layout of the
adjacent neighbor's decks is such that the
predominant features enjoyed from the viewing
areas are the ocean, Catalina Island, and coastline,
not the subject residence.
b) The material to be incorporated into the railing for
the proposed decks will be glass/plexiglass which
will not cause any visual impact from the adjacent
property.
Section 4: That the granting of such a Variance will not be
contrary to the objectives of the General Plan or the or the
policies and requirements of the Coastal Specific Plan since the
General Plan encourages development within the City that upholds
and upgrades the standards of existing neighborhoods without
creating adverse impacts to the surrounding area. It is the
Commission's opinion that the proposed project will not create
an adverse impact to any property within the area.
P.C. Resolution No. 92- 52
Page 2
Section 5: For the foregoing reasons and based on the
information and findings included in the Staff report, and records
of the proceedings, the Planning Commission hereby approves
Variance No. 336 subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit "A"
attached hereto and made a part hereof, which are necessary to
preserve the public health, safety, and general welfare in the
area.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 11th day of August, 1992 .
/14 a
;obert Katherman
Chairman
C) ‘
Dudley 0 :erdonk, Director
of Environmental Services and
Secretary to the Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 92-52
Page 3
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
VARIANCE NO. 336 (30433 GANADO)
1) Maximum projection of deck beyond the top of the extreme slope
shall not exceed ten feet (10'-0") .
2) Maximum height of the upper level deck, including the
handrail, shall not exceed twenty-eight feet-ten inches (28 '-
10") or elevation: 104.8 ' , as measured from grade adjacent to
the lowest support member.
3) The applicants shall submit a completed and notarized Covenant
to Protect Views (Landscape Covenant) prior to the issuance of
building permits.
4) The applicants shall landscape the area immediately adjacent
to the lower level support members on each side of the deck
such that those members will be screened from view. A
landscape plan shall be submitted to the Director of
Environmental Services for review and approval prior to the
issuance of building permits.
5) The decks' railing material shall only be of a material that
will allow the passage of 90% light and air.
Page 4
P.C. Resolution No. 92-52
Exhibit A