PC RES 1998-002P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 98-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING HEIGHT VARIATION
NO. 849 AND MINOR EXCEPTION PERMIT NO. 523, THEREBY
APPROVING A 570 SQUARE FOOT, SECOND STORY ADDITION
ABOVE AN EXISTING 680 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE WITH A
PROPOSED HEIGHT OF TWENTY-ONE FEET THREE INCHES
(21'3") FROM FINISHED GRADE TO AN EXISTING 3,691 SQUARE
FOOT, TWO STORY RESIDENCE, AND ALLOWING A THREE FOOT
EIGHT INCH (3'8") REDUCTION IN THE FRONT YARD SETBACK
FOR PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 6448 LE BLANC PLACE.
WHEREAS, on September 25, 1997, the applicant, Mr & Mrs Jen Shyang Wu
submitted an application for Height Variation No 849 to construct a second story addition
of 570 square foot above the existing 680 square foot three -car garage with a proposed
height of twenty-one three inches (21'3") to an existing 3,691 square foot, two-story
residence and a Minor Exception Permit No 523 for the reduction of the front yard setback
from 20'0" to 164", located at 6448 Le Blanc Place, and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provision of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Section 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 849 would have a significant
effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be
categorically exempt (Class 1, Section 15301 (e)(1)), and,
WHEREAS, after notices issued pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Codes, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing
on January 27, 1998, at which 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 DO 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 acknowledgment signatures from 41 % of the
property owners within 500' of the subject property, and 75% of the owners within 100' of
the project site 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 since there are no City -designated public viewing areas located
in this subdivision; 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 since
the property is located within a tract development, where the lots are relatively flat. Also,
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 due
to the orientation of the house and the significant difference in the elevation of adjacent
lots Also, the view of the adjoining properties will not be impaired or impacted since the
proposed addition will not be visible from the rear of the property
Section 5: There is no significant cumulative view impairment caused by granting
the applicant since no protected views are impacted by the proposed addition
Section 6: Since no protected views from the surrounding properties would be
significantly impacted by the proposed project, and the design of the proposed addition will
be situated above the existing garage as if the addition was originally constructed at that
size, without exceeding the existing ndgeline 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 will be constructed in accordance with the
residential development guidelines of the City's Municipal Code with the exception of a
20% reduction of the front yard setback requirement per Minor Exception Permit No 523
Also, the proposed addition will be required to comply with the Uniform Building Codes,
and reviewed, inspected and approved by the Building and Safety Division
Section 8: The proposed structure is compatible with the immediate
neighborhood character since the total project bulk and mass is comparable with the
surrounding residences sizes in which many of the homes have similar floor plans The
proposed addition will only be located above the existing two -car garage, however the front
yard setback will be reduced from twenty (20'0") to sixteen feet four inches (164"), per the
Minor Exception Permit for a balcony area above the existing eave projection
Section 9: The proposed addition will not infringe on the privacy of the occupants
of the abutting residences, since the lot to the north is vacant and the view from the
proposed addition will overlook the neighbor's front yard at 6438 Le Blanc Place, and allow
no visibility into the adjacent residence. Therefore, the proposed addition will not create
unreasonable infringement to the interior and outdoor privacy on any abutting properties
P C. Resolution No 98-02
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Section 10: A Foliage Analysis was conducted by Staff in conjunction with the
Height Variation No 849 application and no forage on the project site was determined to
significantly impair a protected view from a surrounding residences, therefore no foliage
removal is required.
Section 11: Any interested person may appeal this decision or any portion of this
decision 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 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 849
and Minor Exception Permit No. 523, thereby approving a 570 square foot, second -story
addition above the existing three -car garage, with a proposed height of 21'3" and maximum
elevation of 117.83, to an existing 3,691 square foot, two-story residence and allowing a
three foot eight inch (38") reduction in the front yard setback, for property located at 6448
Le Blanc Place, 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.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 27th day of January 1998, by the following
vote:
AYES:- ALBERIO, CARTWRIGHT, LYON, SLAYDEN, CLARK
NOES:
ABSENTATIONS:
ABSENT: VANNORSDALL
Jofl Roj s, AICP
AckrigArector of Pla Ung, Building
and Code Enforcement; and,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
Lawrence E. Clark
Chairman
P.C. Resolutions No 98-02
Page 3 of 3
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
FOR HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 849 AND
MINOR EXCEPTION PERMIT NO. 523
(6448 Le Blanc Place)
Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety "plan check" process, the
applicant shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have read,
understand and agree to all the conditions of approval contained in this Resolution
Failure to provide said written statement within 90 days shall render this approval
null and void
2 The approval shall be null and void after 180 days from the date of approval unless
the approved plans are submitted to the Building and Safety Division to initiate the
"plan check" review process, pursuant to Section 17 86 070 of the City's
Development Code This approval shall become null and void if after initiating the
"plan check" review process, or receiving a building permit to begin construction,
said "plan check" or permit is allowed to expire or is withdrawn by the applicant.
3 The Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement is authorized to make
minor modifications to the approved preliminary plans or any of the conditions if
such modifications shall achieve substantially the same results as would strict
compliance with said plans and conditions
4 The abandonment or non-use of this approval after a period of six months shall
terminate the approval and any privileges granted hereunder shall become null and
void
5 The proposed addition (including the balcony) shall not exceed 570 square feet and
twenty one feet three inches (21'3") in height from lowest existing grade to the
proposed ridgeline, which is a maximum ridgeline elevation of 117 83'
6 The front yard setback shall not be reduced more than 38" from 20'0" to 164" The
roof eave may project into the front yard setback, but must conform to the
Development standards in the Municipal Code However, the minimum side and
rear setbacks must conform to the approved plans, but in no case shall be less
than
Front: 164" (proposed ) Side 5' interior Rear- 15'
7 The applicant shall provide to the Building and Safety Division a certification that
the proposed ridgeline does not exceed twenty-one feet three inches (21'3") from
finished grade to the proposed ridgeline RIDGE HEIGHT CERTIFICATION
REQUIRED.
P C Resolution No 98-02
Exhibit "A"
Page 1 of 2
8 No grading has been approved in conjunction with the construction of this project.
9. A minimum of sixty (60%) percent of open space shall be maintained on the
property (proposed 65%)
10 In the event that the Planning and Building and Safety requirements are in conflict
with one another, the stricter standard shall apply
11. The project shall be in substantial conformance with the plans stamped and
submitted to the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement on
December 4, 1997
12. 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 Sundays or on legal holidays
13 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 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
14 The applicant shall maintain a minimum, unobstructed interior dimension of 18'0"
(width) by 20'0" (depth) for the parking and storage of automobiles with the existing
garage on the subject property.
15 The appearance of the exterior finishes of the proposed addition must be
compatible with the existing structure
16 No foliage removal is required in conjunction with the proposed addition
P.C. Resolution No 98-02
Exhibit "A"
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