PC RES 1995-029P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 95-29
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES FORWARDING A
FINDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE PROPOSED
STREET VACATION OF THE MAJORITY OF PASEO DEL
MAR IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES
OF THE GENERAL PLAN AND COASTAL SPECIFIC PLAN
WHEREAS, the applicant, Palos Verdes Land Holdings Company,
submitted a request to vacate the majority of the Paseo Del Mar
public right-of-way, which is located in Subregion 7 of the City's
Coastal Zone; and,
WHEREAS, on May 16, 1995, the City Council authorized the
applicant to proceed with the request, following the city-wide
Street Vacation Procedures established in Resolution No. 90-93;
and,
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1995, the Traffic Committee reviewed the
applicant's request with respect to traffic and circulation issues
and recommended that the applicant be permitted to continue with
the Street Vacation Procedures; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Section 2100 et.
seq. (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulation, Title 14, Sections 15000 et. seq., the City's Local
CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65952.5(e) (Hazardous
Waste and Substances Statement), the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
reviewed the request and determined that the proposed request would
not have a significant impact on the environment and has,
therefore, been determine to be categorically exempt (Class I);
and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a hearing on July
25, 1995, 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 the road is truly a local road and is not
needed as a thoroughfare in the collector and arterial network,
since access to the existing ocean Terrace condominiums and the
proposed 75 single family lots in the Ocean Trails project would be
provided by La Rotonda Drive, the remaining portion of Paseo Del
Mar or new local roads with access from Palos Verdes Drive South.
In addition, La Rotonda Drive and the realignment of Paseo Del Mar
would provide access to the public parking areas, parks and trails
along the coastline.
Section 2: That dedication of emergency fire access easement
and/or non -vehicular easements for utility purposes will be imposed
by the Public Works Department as part of the recordation of the
Final Tract Map(s) for the Ocean Trails project, as necessary and
appropriate.
Section 3: That, in the course of reviewing the Ocean Trails
project, the City determined that the provision of a continuous
bluff road in Subregion 7, as depicted on Figure 24 of the Coastal
Specific Plan, was infeasible. This determination was based on the
geologic and geotechnical constraints effecting the property, and
because such a road would require substantial alteration to the
natural canyon area on the western portion of the property commonly
known as "Forrestal Canyon." The City geologist and geotechnical
engineer each concluded that the land upon which such a road would
be built has not demonstrated sufficient stability to warrant the
construction of a permanent road in that location.
However, the City found that the provision of a minimum 8.9 acre
Bluff Top Access Corridor with a minimum width of 100 feet located
along the bluff top between Half Way Point Park and Shoreline Park
was consistent with the intent of the Coastal Specific Plan. The
City found that a Bluff Top Access Corridor would be similar in
average width and area to any coastal bluff road which would
otherwise be constructed. In addition, there would be no dwelling
units located seaward of this corridor. Therefore, the City found
that vacating the central portion of Paseo Del Mar in exchange for
the Bluff Top Access Corridor was consistent with the intent of the
Coastal Specific Plan, Subregion 7, Policy 19.
Section 4: Due to the geologic and geotechnical constraints of
the property, the residential portions of the project were limited
to the western and eastern extremes of the project site.
Therefore, only a limited portion of Paseo Del Mar would be
required to provide access to the small group of residential lots
located above the proposed golf course clubhouse. However, the
Coastal Specific Plan does allow for consideration of relocating
Paseo Del Mar southward or exchanging it for another access route
closer to the bluff edge. Therefore, the City found that vacating
the central portion of Paseo Del Mar and realigning the roadway as
a long bluff road cul-de-sac, which provided access to Half Way
Point Park and the Bluff Top Access Corridor from Palos Verdes
Drive South, was consistent with the intent of the Coastal Specific
Plan, Subregion 7, Policy 16.
P.C. Resolution No. 95-29;
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Section 5: For the forgoing reasons and based on the
information and findings contained in the Staff Report, Minutes,
and other records of the proceedings, which are attached hereto and
made a part thereof by reference, the Planning Commission hereby
forwards this matter to the City Council for further consideration
with the finding that the proposed Street Vacation of the majority
of Paseo Del Mar public right-of-way is consistent with the goals
and policies of the City's General Plan and Coastal Specific Plan.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 25th day of July 1995, by
the following vote:
AYES Commissioners Alberio, Vannorsdall,-Wang, Whiteneck, Vice Chair Hayes; and
Chairman MowIds
Planning Commission
(cpx otstvac res)
P.C. Resolution No. 95-29;
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