PC RES 1997-058A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING HEIGHT
VARIATION NO. 846, THEREBY APPROVING A 444
SQUARE FOOT, SECOND -STORY ADDITION ABOVE THE
SINGLE -STORY PORTION AND EXTERIOR DECK,
MATCHING THE EXISTING RIDGELINE HEIGHT OF
TWENTY-ONE FEET AND SIX INCHES (21'6") OF AN
EXISTING 4,050 SQUARE FOOT, TWO-STORY
RESIDENCE, LOCATED AT 24 AVENIDA DE AZALEA
WHEREAS, on August 6, 1997, the applicant, Mr. & Mrs. Amstock, submitted an
application for Height Variation No 846 to allow a 444 square foot, second -story addition
above the single -story portion and exterior deck, matching the existing ndgelme height of
twenty-one feet and six inches (21'6") of an existing 4,050 square foot, two-story
residence, located at 24 Avenida De Azalea, 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 65962 5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances
Statement), Staff found no evidence that Height Variation No 846 would have a significant
effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed protect has been found to be
categorically exempt (Class 1, Section 15301(e)(1)), and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing
on October 28, 1997, 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: The applicant has complied with the Early Neighbor Consultation
process established by the City by obtaining acknowledgement signatures from 64% of the
property owners within 500' of the subject property, who have reviewed the plans.
Section 2: The structure does not significantly impair a view from public property
which has been identified in the City's General plan or Coastal Specific Plan as City -
designated viewing areas because there are no City -designated public viewing areas
located in this subdivision, Rancho Palos Verdes Estates, and the subject property is not
located within the Coastal Specific Plan area
Section 3: The proposed structure is not located on a ridge or promontory because
the property is located in a hillside tract adjacent to San Pedro Hill, with residents above
and below the subject property, and there are no canyons located adjacent to this
neighborhood and the property is not situated along the coastal bluffs
Section 4: The proposed second -story addition, when considered exclusive of
foliage, does not significantly impair a view from the viewing area of another parcel,
because this section of the subdivision is designed so that each row residences has a
significant change in elevation to prevent the downslope residence and ridgeline from
impairing the upslope residence's view. This configuration allows for large two-story
residences that do not impair the views of the upslope, adjacent lots Therefore, the
proposed project, exclusive of existing foliage, will not significantly impair a view from the
viewing area of another parcel
Section 5: There is no significant cumulative view impairment caused by granting
the application because all the residences along the Avenida De Azalea enjoy direct rear
views out to San Pedro Harbor and Catalina Island and any second -story addition similar
to the proposed project filling in the "air space" of the first -story portion of the structure
could only result in possible impairment to the extreme edge of a view on a neighboring
property, which would not be considered significant view impairment
Section 6: Since no protected views from the surrounding properties would be
significantly impacted by the proposed project, and the design and location of the addition
will fill in the "air space" above the single -story portion and exterior deck of the residence,
without exceeding the existing ridgeline of the second -story portion of the residence, the
project is designed and situated in such a way to minimize view impairment.
Section 7: The proposed structure complies with all other Code requirements
because no additional building footprint shall be created, thereby maintaining the existing
minimum building setbacks from property lines and the amount of required open space
The new skylight will not project above the existing ridgeline, complying with the
Development Code's residential building height regulations
Section 8: The proposed structure is compatible with the immediate neighborhood
character because the total project bulk and mass is comparable with the surrounding
residence sizes and similar second -story floor footprints, the architectural style will
maintain the Mediterranean design of the surrounding neighborhood, and the proposed
addition is located at the rear of the residence, which will not result in a change to the
existing 20' front yard setback.
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Section 9: The proposed structure does not result in an unreasonable infringement
of privacy of the occupants of abutting residences, because the subject property is
abutted on two sides by private streets, on one side by a common open space and only
one abutting property has a residence that is located on the opposite side (east) of the
subject residence from where the second -story addition is proposed (west side)
Section 10: A Foliage Analysis was conducted by Staff in conjunction with the
Height Variation No 846 application and no foliage on the project site was determined to
significantly impair a protected view from a surrounding residence
Section 11: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council Pursuant to Section 17 02 040(C)(1)(j) of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, any such appeal must be filed with the City, in
writing, and with the appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15) days following
October 28, 1997, the date of the Planning Commission's final action
Section 12: 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 Height Variation
No 846, thereby approving a 444 square foot, second -story addition above the single -
story portion and exterior deck, matching the existing ridgeline height of twenty-one feet
and six inches (21'6") of an existing 4,050 square foot, two-story residence, located at 24
Avenida De Azalea, subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit'A', attached hereto and
made a part hereof, which are necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare
in the area
P C Resolution No 97 - 58
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 28 th day of October 1997, by the following
vote,
AYES ALBERIO, WHITENECK, VANNORSDALL, CLARK, CARTWRIGHT, NG, SLAYDEN
NOES
ABSTENTIONS NONE
ABSENT NONE
Carolynn P tru, AICP
Director of Planning, Building and
Code Enforcement; and, Secretary
to the Planning Commission
Donald E Vannorsdall
Chairman
P C Resolution No 97 - 58
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