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PC RES 1996-021 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 96 -21 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 191 AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 682 TO ALLOW A PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE (PCS) FACILITY AT THE OCEAN CREST APARTMENT COMPLEX AT 6507 OCEAN CREST DRIVE. WHEREAS, on January 29, 1996, Pacific Bell Mobile Services submitted applications for Conditional Use Permit No. 191 and Environmental Assessment No. 682 to allow a Personal Communication (PCS) Facility, which consists of four wall mounted panel antennas (63"H x 6"W x 2"D) with equipment boxes and two base transceiver stations (54"H x 27'W x 17.25"D), to be located adjacent to the elevator shaft and stairwell on the roof of the Ocean Crest Apartment Complex located at 6507 Ocean Crest Drive; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 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), the City has prepared an Initial Study, determined that with the project, as re- designed by the applicant on June 26, 1996, would not result in any potentially significant adverse effects on the environment, and is, therefore, categorically exempt (Class I); and, WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, a public hearing was held on August 13, 1996, before the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, 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 site for the intended use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate said use since the subject property is 37,800 square feet is size, the proposed project will be located within an area of the site that is already developed and the panel antennas and associated equipment boxes will be attached to the walls of an existing elevator shaft and the base transceiver stations will be placed on the roof of the five story apartment complex. The placement of the antennas and equipment on the roof would not alter or interfere with the existing use of the site or the surrounding properties. 0 0 Section 2: That the site for the proposed use relates to streets and highways properly designed to carry the type and quantity of traffic generated by the subject use in that the subject property is served by Hawthorne Boulevard and Ocean Crest Drive. Hawthorne Boulevard is identified in the General Plan as a major arterial roadway and Ocean Crest Drive serves as a local street for several condominium and apartment complexes to gain access to Hawthorne Boulevard. Although maintenance vehicles will occasionally visit the site to service the antennas and equipment, the project will not result in a significant increase in vehicular trips to and from the site. Therefore, the project will not result in any measurable change to the existing level of service on Hawthorne Avenue and Ocean Crest Drive. Section 3: That, in approving the subject use at the specific location, there will be no significant adverse effect on adjacent property of the permitted use thereof since the existing apartment complex is located in a fully developed multiple family residential area. The elevator shaft and stairwell on the roof of the complex are visible from Hawthorne Boulevard and the residential areas to the east (which are at a higher elevation than the subject property). The proposed antennas would not exceed the height of the elevator shaft and stairwell and would be painted to match the color of the building. The base transceiver stations would be placed between the elevator shaft and stairwell, would not exceed the height of the shaft or stairwell, and would also be painted to match the building. The proposed placement of the antennas and support equipment would minimize their visibility and aesthetic impact, as seen from Hawthorne Boulevard and the surrounding residential areas. City Staff conducted a view analysis from the residential streets to the east, including Stadia Hill Lane (RPV), Coral Tree Lane (RHE), Cresta Verde Drive (RHE), Sattes Drive (RPV) and Cachan Place (RPV). From these properties, the base transceiver stations would be shielded from view by the existing stairwell. Therefore, the Planning Commission finds that the new antenna panels and roof-mounted equipment would not create any view impairment or adverse aesthetic impacts, as seen from Hawthorne Boulevard or the surrounding residential areas. Furthermore, no adverse impacts associated with light, glare, or noise would result from the proposed project. other than a slight and temporary increase in noise and associated factors during the construction process. Section 4: That the proposed use is not contrary to the General Plan since the General Plan (page 100) states: "It shall be the goal of the City to ensure adequate public utilities and communication services to all residents, while maintaining the quality of the environment". With the recent increase in wireless telephone communication systems, there has been an corresponding increase in demand for antenna sites on the peninsula. Due to the unique topography of this area, there are only a limited number of sites available that meet all of the technical requirements for providing these services. In P.C. Resolution No. 96-21 Page 2 of 5 • • addition, some of these potential sites may be zoned residential, due to the predominance of this type of zoning in the City. Therefore, the City must balance the need to accommodate wireless telephone coverage in the community with protecting and maintaining the quality of the environment. The subject site is designated in the General Plan for Multiple Family Residential land uses. The proposed project would not change in the overall land use of the site and would be clearly subordinate to it. Furthermore, the design and placement of the proposed commercial antennas, as well as conditions of approval that can be incorporated into the project, would assure that the project maintains a harmonious correlation with the land use on the subject property, as well as adjacent land uses. Since the project would provide the community with improved wireless telephone communication services, would not alter the primary use of the subject property, and would not result in any adverse impacts to surrounding properties, the Planning Commission finds that the proposed project is consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan. Section 5: That in requiring certain safeguards, which are incorporated into the Conditions of Approval for the project, which are attached hereto as Exhibit "A", the Planning Commission deems that the following requirements have been addressed to protect the public health safety and welfare: a. Specific location placement of the antenna and support equipment on the roof of the building. b. Painting of the antenna and support equipment to match the building. Section 6: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of this decision may appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Section 17.56.070 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, any such appeal must be filed in writing with the City Clerk no later than fifteen (15) days following August 13, 1996, the date of the Planning Commission's final action. Section 7: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby approves Conditional Use Permit No. 191 and Environmental Assessment No. 682 for the unmanned Personal Communication Service (PCS) Facility at the property located at 6507 Ocean Crest Drive, subject to the conditions of approval in the attached Exhibit "A", which are necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare in the area. P.C. Resolution No. 96- 21 Page 3of5 . • PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 13th day of August 1996, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Cartwright, Whiteneck, Ng, and Chair Clark NOES: Commissioner Alberio ABSTENTIONS: Vice Chair Vannorsda l l ABSENT: Commissioner Franklin 6040.0.eoftta. Lawrence E. Clark Chairman Carolynn Pet Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement; and, Secretary to the Planning Commission P.C. Resolution No. 96- 21 Page 4 of 5 II 11 EXHIBIT "A" CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 191 6507 OCEAN CREST DRIVE 1. Within thirty (30) days following adoption of this Resolution, the applicant and the property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have read, understand, and agree to all Conditions of Approval contained in this Resolution. Failure to provide said written statement shall render this approval null and void. 2. This approval is for four panel antenna and two base transceiver stations. Any change shall require approval of a revision to Conditional Use Permit No. 191 by the Planning Commission and shall require a new and separate environmental review. 3. All project development on the site shall conform to the specific standards contained in these conditions of approval or if not addressed herein, the Multiple Family Residential (RM-12) development standards of the City's Municipal Code. Failure to comply with, and adhere to, all of these Conditions of Approval will be cause to revoke the approval of the project. 4. If Personal Communication Services (PCS) Facility has not been initiated (Building Permits obtained)within two years or if construction has not been completed to the within two years of Building Permit issuance, approval of project applications shall expire and be of no further effect, unless, prior to expiration, a written request for extension is filed with the Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement and approved by the Planning Commission. Otherwise a new Conditional Use Permit revision must be approved prior to further development. 5. In the event that any of these conditions conflict with the recommendations and or requirements of another permitting agency or City department, the stricter standard shall apply. 6. The hours of construction shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No construction shall be permitted on Sunday or on legal holidays. 7. All antenna and support equipment shall be painted and maintained to match the building and shall not exceed the height of the elevator shaft and stairwell. 8. Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be completed in substantial conformance to the plans as submitted to the City on June 26, 1996. P.C. Resolution No. 96-21 Page 5 of 5