PC RES 1996-007P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 96-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DENYING THE APPEAL
OF HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 814, THEREBY APPROVING
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT A NEW
1,700 SQUARE FOOT SECOND STORY ADDITION THAT
WILL MEASURE 26 FEET IN OVERALL HEIGHT AT 5925
CLINT PLACE
WHEREAS, the applicant, Mr Kevin Rehm, submitted an application for height
Variation No 814, to allow a 1,700 square foot second story addition to the existing single
story home on March 13, 1995, and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 2100 et. seq ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq , the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65952.5(e) (Hazardous Waste and Substances
Statement), Staff found no evidence that Height Variation No 814 would not have a
significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, the proposed project has been deemed
to be categorically exempt (Class I and III), and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the provisions of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, on October 31, 1995, the Director of Planning, Building, and
Code Enforcement approved the applicant's request, subject to conditions, and,
WHEREAS, on December 14, 1995, within the 15 day appeal period, Mr Danny
Lajeunesse, representing himself and other neighbors in the area, filed a written appeal
of Staffs decision, and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the provisions of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing
on January 23, 1996, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be
heard and present evidence, and,
WHEREAS, at the January 23, 1996 meeting, the Planning Commission continued
the matter to the applicant and the concerned neighbors an opportunity to address the
issues that were raised at the meeting, and,
WHEREAS, after a revised notice was issued by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
to all property owners within 500 feet of the subject property, the Planning Commission
continued the public hearing on February 13, 1996, 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 applicant has complied with the early neighbor consultation
process established by the City since out of the 85 residences that are located within 500
feet of the subject property, the applicant was able to contact and obtain signatures from
54 of the landowners in the area (64%), thereby satisfying the 60% minimum requirement.
Section 2: That the proposed structure does not significantly impair a view from
public property (parks, major thoroughfares, bike -ways, walkways, equestrian trails) which
has been identified in the City's General Plan, Coastal Specific Plan or City designated
viewing areas, since there are no such features in the subject area
Section 3: That the proposed structure is not located on a ridge or promontory
since the subject lot is part of a terraced residential subdivision and does not qualify as
either of these topographical features
Section 4: That the proposed structure is designed and situated in such a manner
as to minimize impairment of a view in that, due to the topographic differences between
the applicant's lot and those in the surrounding area, the views of the ocean that are
currently enjoyed over the applicant's existing single story house would be impaired by a
16 foot addition, which is the height that is allowed by right by the City's Municipal Code.
In addition, the distant mountain views above the 16 foot height measurement are not
protected by the City's Municipal Code
Section 5: That there is no significant cumulative view impairment caused by
granting the application since, for the same reasons stated in Section 4 of this P C
Resolution, if similar additions were built on surrounding properties (as that proposed by
the applicant), cumulative view impairment would not result since the views of the ocean
under the 16 foot height limit and the distant mountain views over the 16 foot height limit
are not protected views, as defined by the City's Municipal Code.
Section 6: That the proposed structure, when considered exclusive of existing
foliage, does not significantly impair a view from the viewing area of another parcel located
in a portion of a structure which was constructed without a Variance or Height Variation,
or which would have required a Variance or Height Variation when originally constructed.
View analyses were conducted from several homes in the area, and it was determined that
the views enjoyed by some of the residents along Clint Place would be impaired by a 16
foot structure on the applicant's lot, and that the distant mountain views above the 16 foot
height measurement, as well as views from the second story of other homes on the street,
are not protected by the Municipal Code
Section 7: That the proposed structure complies with all other Code requirements
such as satisfying (and/or exceeding) the Code's minimum setback and open space
requirements.
P C Resolution No 96-07
Page 2 of 6
Section 8: That the proposed structure is compatible with the immediate
neighborhood character in that, although the living area of the proposed home (3,506
square feet) would be 1,278 square feet larger than the average home in the surveyed
area (2,228 square feet), and 633 square feet larger than the largest home (2,873 square
feet) in the area, the manner in which the second story addition would be placed on the
lower level would create a home with significant facade articulation, especially as seen
from the street elevation This would be accomplished with the use of dormer type
windows, and varying roof lines and heights The second story addition would appear as
though it was an integral part of the design of the home, and not a "pop up" addition, with
little or no forethought.
The proposed house would respect the same setbacks, and retain a similar amount of
open space as compared to the other homes in the area In addition, the subject
residence would utilize building materials similar to those already found along Clint Place
The layout of many of the homes along Clint Place utilize an "L" configuration, with an
indirect access garage being located closed to the street. The proposed residence would
continue to use an "L" layout, but the garage would be converted to direct access, which
is also found along the street. Therefore, the proposed residence with its new second
story addition would be compatible with the character of the existing neighborhood
Section 9: The time within which the judicial review of the decision reflected in this
Resolution, if available, must be sought is governed by Section 1094 6 of the California
Code of Civil Procedure
Section 10: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the Staff Report, Minutes, and all other records of the proceedings, the
Planning Commission hereby Denies the Appeal of Height Variation No 814, thereby
Approving the construction of a 1,700 square foot second story addition on the property
located at 5925 Clint Place, subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in the
attached Exhibit "A", which are necessary for the public's general health, safety, and
welfare
P C Resolution No 96-07
Page 3 of 6
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 13th day of February 1996, by the following
vote -
AYES Commissioners Alberio, Cartwright, Franklin, Nq, Whiteneck, Vice -Chair
Vannorsdall, and Chairman Clark
NOES
ABSTENTIONS -
0
Bret B Pernlird, AlCf
Direct at of P anninyBuilding, and Code
Enforcement; and, Secretary to the Planning
Commission
Lawrence E Clark,
Chairman
P C Resolution No 96-07
Page 4 of 6
s
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 814
(5925 Clint Place/Rehm)
a) The maximum height of the two story structure shall not exceed, including
roofing materials, 26'-0" (or a ridge elevation of 127.1' as measured from
pad elevation 101 1'). The height of the garage, including the guardrail
around the deck over the garage, shall not exceed 12'-0" (el - 112 0', as
measured from datum point 100 0') RIDGE HEIGHT AND GUARDRAIL
HEIGHT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.
b) The following minimum setbacks shall be maintained
• 20'-0" front yard
0 15'-0" rear yard
0 5'-0" side yards
c) A minimum of 47 5% open space shall be maintained on the property.
d) Construction of the project shall substantially conform to plans stamped as
received by the City on March 13, 1995.
e) In the event that a Planning requirement and Building & Safety requirement
are in conflict with one another, the stricter standard shall apply.
f) The construction site shall be kept free of all loose materials resembling
trash and debris in excess of that material used for immediate construction
purposes Such excess material may include, but is not limited to the
accumulation of debris, garbage, lumber, scrap metal, concrete, asphalt,
piles of earth, salvage materials, abandoned or discarded furniture,
appliances or other household fixtures
g) A completed and notarized City of Rancho Palos Verdes "Covenant to
Protect Views" form shall be submitted to the Planning Department prior to
the submittal of the approved plans into the Building and Safety Division's
Plan Check process
h) This permit is contingent upon full compliance with the Conditions of
Approval for Grading Permit No 1805 for the grading that has been
approved in conjunction with the project.
i) The maximum eave projection allowed into the required setback areas shall
not exceed 4 inches for each 1 foot of required setback
Page 5 of 6
J) A minimum two car garage with a minimum interior dimension of 18 feet in
width and 20 feet in depth, shall be provided on the site and shall be
maintained for the storage of vehicles only.
k) The bathroom window on the east side of the addition shall incorporate
translucent material The bedroom window on the east side of the addition
shall incorporate some sort of window covering to protect the privacy in the
rear yard of the property to the east
1) No furniture or similar items shall be allowed on the garage -top deck that
exceeds the height of the safety railing around the perimeter of the deck
m) The depth of the deck along the rear of the house on either end shall be
reduced to 4 feet
n) The roof top area (of the house) shall not be used as a deck for viewing or
recreational purposes Said area shall only be used as a location for roof
mounted equipment, such as for solar heating, which do not exceed the
height of the parapet wall
o) The applicant shall submit a landscaping plan to the Director of Planning,
Building, and Code Enforcement for review prior to the issuance of a
Building Permit to screen and soften the appearance of the structure as
viewed from the street. At least 50% of the front yard setback area (20
feet) shall be maintained as landscaping
M IUSERSWABIODIWPWIN60\RESOLUTN1HV814RE WPCs
• C. Resolution N• 96-07
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