PC RES 1997-0740
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 97-74
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A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 153 - REVISION NO.3 FOR A
HAND CAR WASH AT THE EXISTING UNOCAL -76 SERVICE
STATION AT 31186 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD
WHEREAS, on March 19, 1997, the applicant, Nasser Novinshoar, submitted an
application for Conditional Use Permit No. 153 - Revision No 3 to allow a hand car wash at the
existing Unocal -76 service station, 31186 Hawthorne Boulevard, 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), this
project is categorically exempt from CEQA per Section 15301, 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 November
11, 1997 and December 9, 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 site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed hand
car wash as the subject property is approximately 21,750 square feet, whereas the proposed car
wash area is only 480 square feet, which is consistent with the City's Development Code Section
17 76 090 (Automobile Service Stations). Additionally, because the proposed car wash is located
behind the existing service station building, it will not interfere with the primary gas servicing and
auto repair functions of the site.
Section 2: 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, because it is not
expected that the proposed use will cause any detectable increase in the level of traffic that these
two streets (Hawthorne Boulevard and Palos Verdes Drive West) currently service
Section 3: In approving the subject use at the specific location, there will not be a
significant adverse effect on adjacent property or the permitted use thereof because since the
vehicles will be washed and dried by hand, there will be no noise impacts as is often found in
mechanized car washes. Additionally, the proposed vacuum system is to be located on the south
side of the existing service station use which is over 200 feet from the existing residential
neighborhood located on the north side of Hawthorne Boulevard and the proposed Subregion 1
residential neighborhood to be located on the west side of Palos Verdes Drive West
Section 4: The proposed use is not contrary to the General Plan because the project has
been designed to be consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan, including Policy
No 7 (General Plan, page 85), "Require adequate provisions to be incorporated into commercial
site design to reduce negative impacts on adjoining residential areas", where the proposed
vacuum system is located a sufficient distance away from residential areas to ensure that there
will be no significant noise impacts and the proposed utility area will be aesthetically enclosed,
and Policy No 5 (General Plan, page 85), "Require commercial sites to limit the exposure of
parking and exterior service areas from the view of adjoining sites and circulation routes", as the
proposed car wash use will be located behind the existing service station building and will have
an aesthetic entry and exit as viewed from Palos Verdes Drive West and Hawthorne Boulevard
Section 5: The site of the proposed use is within the overlay control districts established
by chapter 17.40 (Overlay Control Districts) of this title, and the proposed use complies with all
applicable requirements of that chapter.
Section 6: In providing certain requirements for special setbacks and additional
screening through the use of fencing, painting and landscaping, the project will provide the
minimum necessary safeguards to protect the health, safety and general welfare as the proposed
vacuum system will be setback a sufficient distance from the neighboring residential uses, the
proposed project will not significantly impact the circulation pattern on-site or off-site, the existing
restrooms will be screened from the public right of way, and additional landscaping will be
installed along the public right-of-way, and in front of the exit gateway, restrooms and customer
waiting area
Section 7: 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 with the City, in writing, and with the
appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15) days following December 9, 1997, the date of
the Planning Commission's final action
Section 8: 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 153 - Revision No.
3, thereby approving a hand car wash at the existing Unocal -76 service station, 31186 Hawthorne
Boulevard, subject to the conditions of approval contained in the attached Exhibit "A" which are
necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare
P C Resolution No 97-74
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 9th day of December 1997, by the following
vote
AYES- Commissioners Alberio, Cartwright, Clark, Ng, Slayden, and
Chairman Vannorsdall.
NOES. None.
ABSTENTIONS None.
ABSENT Vice Chairman Whiteneck.
Carolynn Pe u, AICP
Director of Planning, Building and
Code Enforcement; and, Secretary
to the Planning Commission
Donald E Vannorsdall
Chairman
P C Resolution No 97- 74
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EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 153 - REVISION NO. 3
31186 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD
Within thirty (90) 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 Pursuant to Development Code Section 17 60 070, this permit shall be valid for one (1)
year from the date of final action on the permit The permit shall be null and void after that
time unless the applicant has commenced upon the use, as that phrase is defined in
Development Code Section 17 86 070(A), or if the applicant has requested an extension
by the Planning Commission prior to the expiration date. The Commission may grant a
one time extension for up to one additional year
3 All construction shall be completed in substantial conformance to the plans approved by
the Planning Commission on December 9, 1997, as prepared by S K Architect (dated
revised on December 1, 1997), and dated received by the Department of Planning
Budding and Code Enforcement on December 4, 1997 This approval does not include
any approval for proposed signage, as shown on said plans Approval of a separate sign
permit is required prior to installation of any signage
4 This approval is for a hand car wash that consists of a 480 square foot 12'-10" high
canopy above the car wash area, a 14'-0" high entry gateway, a 16'-0" high exit gateway,
vacuums, new trash enclosure, detail canopy, utility equipment enclosure, relocation of
existing telephones, and the addition of customer waiting area, restroom screening,
planter boxes, and other landscaping
5 Prior to issuance of building permits, the Director of Public Works shall review and
approve the budding plans to confirm that the new concrete slab to be constructed below
the car wash area shall be sloped in a way that water used in the washing of cars is
directed into a new surface drain that is connected to the on-site sewer system No used
water shall be allowed to wash into the storm drain system Additionally, all drainage shall
comply with the municipal code and any other applicable laws
6 Prior to issuance of budding permits, the applicant shall comply with all recommendations
and requirements of the Division of Building and Safety
7 Prior to issuance of budding permits, the applicant shall submit a landscape plan to be
approved by the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement for the landscaping
proposed within the new planter areas. All landscaping shall be installed prior to issuance
of a certificate of use and occupancy
P C Resolution No 97-74
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8. Prior to issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy, subject to approval by the Director
of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, the car wash canopy, entry and exit
gateways, trash enclosure, and utility enclosure shall be painted to match the colors of the
existing service station.
9. The operation of the new car wash shall be reviewed by the Director of Planning, Building
and Code Enforcement within six (6) months of the commencement of the car wash use
to determine if any additional conditions of approval and/or modifications to assure the
general health, safety, and welfare of the public are needed If the Director determines
that additional and/or modified conditions are required, the project shall be referred to the
Planning Commission for review through a public hearing.
10. Prior to the six month review required in Condition No 9, the applicant shall contact the
property owner of the Golden Cove shopping center regarding the creation of a reciprocal
parking and access agreement between the two properties. Subject to review and
approval by the Director of Planning, Budding and Code Enforcement, said agreement
shall be recorded on both properties and copy of recorded document submitted to the City
prior to final certificate of use and occupancy on the car wash use. If the owner of the
Golden Cove shopping center is unwilling to participate in such an agreement, then
subject to review and approval of the Director of Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement, the applicant shall submit to the City, a letter from the shopping center
owner indicating an unwillingness to participate in such a program
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P C Resolution No 97-74
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