PC RES 1997-069P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 97-69
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING VARIANCE
NO. 388 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 2,465 SQUARE
FOOT, ONE STORY VISITORS CENTER LOCATED WITHIN THE
REQUIRED SIDE SETBACK AREA ON PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH, WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY'S LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM
AREA
WHEREAS, on September 20, 1994, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes approved Landslide Moratorium Exception No 10 to allow the Wayfarers Chapel to
proceed with the submittal of appropriate applications for construction of a new 2,400 square
foot two-story Visitors Center to replace a similar structure which had been damaged by
landslide activity on property located at 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, which is located
within the boundaries of the City's Landslide Moratorium Area, and,
WHEREAS, on February 8, 1995, pursuant to the approval of Landslide Moratorium
Exception No 10 by the City Council, the Wayfarers Chapel submitted applications for
Conditional Use Permit No 185, Variance No 388, and Grading Permit No 1793 to allow
construction of a new 2,400 square foot two-story Visitors Center, improvements to an
existing amphitheater area, and remedial grading on the subject property, and,
WHEREAS, on October 17, 1996, the Wayfarer's Chapel submitted a revised plan that
consisted of a 2,065 square foot one story structure, improvements to an existing
amphitheater, and remedial grading for the structure, and,
WHEREAS, the Institutional zoning district in which the subject property is located
allows for the continued use of the subject property as a religious facility, as well as for the
expansion of the facilities for related uses, and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. seq ("CEQA"), the State CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, 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 prepared an Initial Study and determined that,
by incorporating mitigation measures into the Negative Declaration and project approval, there
is no substantial evidence that the approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 185, Variance No
388, and Grading Permit No 1793 would result in a significant adverse effect on the
environment Accordingly, a Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared and
notice of that fact was given in the manner required by law, and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act, a Mitigation Monitoring Program has been prepared, and is attached hereto by
reference, and,
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WHEREAS, after issuing notice pursuant to the requirements of the City's
Development Code and the State CEQA Guidelines, the Planning Commission of the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes held a public hearing on July 11 and 25, 1995, August 2 and 8, 1995,
September 12, 1995, December 12, 1995, January 23, 1996, February 3, 1996, March 12,
1996, April 23, 1996, June 11, 1996, September 10, 1996, October 22, 1996, November 12,
1996, August 26, 1997, September 9, 1997, and November 11 and 25, 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 HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS
Section 1 Although the site is 151,589 square feet in area, in order to lessen risks
associated with landslide movement, minimize the number of on-site parking spaces lost due
to construction, and provide adequate circulation around the facility, the applicant has
proposed construction of the new Visitor's Center building within the required side yard
setback area, adjacent to the western side property line In approving Variance No 388, the
Planning Commission finds that the existing landslide conditions on the property severely limit
the area in which new construction may occur, which is not typical for other properties located
in the Institutional zoning district In addition, the configuration of the existing parking and
circulation on the site limits the areas available for new construction to occur For this reason,
the Planning Commission finds that there are exceptional or extraordinary conditions on the
subject property which warrant the granting of the Variance for reduction in the required side
yard setback
Section 2: That such a variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment
of a substantial property right, which right is possessed by other property owners under like
conditions in the same zoning district since, in order to maximize the public benefit, it is typical
that other religious facilities in the community provide similar services on the same property as
the church or sanctuary. For this reason, the Planning Commission finds that the Vanance is
necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right, which is
currently enjoyed by other Institutional/religious uses in the City
Section 3 The Initial Study prepared for this project indicated that there may be
impacts related to Earth, Noise, Light and Glare, Transportation/Circulation, Aesthetics, and
Cultural Resources resulting from the proposed construction However, imposition of certain
Mitigation Measures as identified in the Initial Study should reduce these impacts to less than
significant levels In consideration of the fact that the subject property is located within the
boundaries of the Landslide Moratorium Area, the applicant prepared the necessary geologic
studies for the proposed construction prior to approval of the project, which provide evidence
that the proposed project will not aggravate the existing geologic conditions, nor adversely
impact adjacent properties The geologic studies were reviewed and approved by the City's
Geotechnical Staff on October 11, 1995 Conditions of Approval have been imposed which
require landowners to comply with all recommendations and requirements of the City's
Geotechnical Staff, as well as those of the Division of Building and Safety Additionally, all
drainage deficiencies on the property which are contributing to the failure of a landslide scarp
located towards the eastern side of the property shall be corrected, and the Chapel will be
required to connect to the City's new sewer system, upon completion in the general area of
the Chapel property View analyses have been conducted from surrounding properties, and
i i * •
the proposed construction will not significantly impact views Therefore, 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
Section 4 The General Plan designates the subject property for
Institutional/Religious uses Since the property will continue to be used for religious purposes,
and no change in land use is proposed, the project is not contrary to the General Plan The
subject property is not located within the boundaries of the State's established Coastal Zone
Section 5 Any interested person aggrieved of 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 with the City, in writing and with the
appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15) days following November 25, 1997, the date
of the Planning Commission final action
Section 6 For the foregoing reasons and based on information and findings
contained in the Staff Reports, minutes, and records of the proceedings, which are all
attached hereto by reference, the Planning Commission hereby approves Variance No 388 to
allow construction of a new 2,065 square foot, one story Visitors Center within the required
side yard setback area on the Wayfarers Chapel property located at 5755 Palos Verdes Drive
South, subject to Conditions of Approval contained in the attached Exhibit "A", which are
necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 25th day of November, 1997 by the
following roll call vote
AYES Commissioners Cartwright, Clark, Slayden, Vice Chairman Whiteneck,
and Chairman Vannorsdall.
NOES Commissioner Alberio.
ABSTENTIONS None.
ABSENT Commissioner Ng.
Donald E Vannorsdall
Chairman
Carolynn Pe ru, AICP
Director of Planning, Building,
and Code Enforcement; and,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
P C Resolution No 97- 0
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EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
VARIANCE NO. 388
5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
WAYFARERS CHAPEL
General
Within thirty (30) days of this approval, landowner shall submit to the City a statement,
in writing, that they have read, understand, and agree to all Conditions of Approval
contained in this document. Failure to provide such statement shall render this
approval null and void.
2 The landowner shall comply with all Mitigation Measures and Conditions of Approval
contained in P C Resolution Nos 97-67 and 97-68 granted in association with
Environmental Assessment No 679 and Conditional Use Permit No 185 and all
Conditions of Approval for and Grading Permit No 1793, as well as with all Conditions
of Approval of Landslide Moratorium Exception No 10, as approved by the City
Council on September 20, 1994
3 The Visitor Center building shall be setback a minimum of 4'-0" from the side property
line at the northwest corner of the structure and 10'-8" from the side property line at the
southwest corner of the structure Certification of minimum setbacks is required at the
time of building foundation form inspection
4. All construction shall be completed in substantial conformance to the plans as
approved by the Planning Commission on November 25, 1997
5. The landowner shall comply with all recommendations and requirements of the Division
of Building and Safety, and the City's Geotechnical Staff.
6 The landowner shall use their best efforts to obtain a Lot Line Adjustment to relocate
the western side property line in such a manner that the new Visitors Center budding
maintains a minimum setback of twenty (20) feet Said Lot Line Adjustment shall be
subject to review and approval by the Director of Planning, Building, and Code
Enforcement.
N \GROUP\PLANNING\RESOS\PC\REVAR388 PC
P.C. Resolution No 97-69
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