PC RES 1999-023z / :;,
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
VARIANCE NO. 452 AND SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 8663,
THEREBY ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAXIMUM
11 -FOOT -TALL ENTRY WALLS, NON -CLOSING
DECORATIVE GATES AND MAXIMUM 30 -INCH -TALL
PILASTERS WITHIN THE PRIVATE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF
CHAPARRAL LANE, LOCATED WEST OF CAYUSE LANE
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1998, the Director of Public Works awarded Beautification
Grant No 9-169 to the Chaparral Lane Homeowners' Association for proposed
improvements at the entry to the Chaparral Lane neighborhood, and,
WHEREAS, on May 20, 1999, the applicant, the Chaparral Lane Homeowners'
Association, submitted applications for Variance No. 452 and Site Plan Review No. 8663
to allow the construction of walls, decorative gates and pilasters at the entry to the
Chaparral Lane neighborhood, and,
WHEREAS, on July 1, 1999, the applications for Variance No 452 and Site Plan
Review No 8663 were deemed complete by Staff, 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 Regulations, 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 Variance No 452 and Site Plan Review No 8663
would have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has
been found to be categorically exempt (Section 15303(e)), 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 July 27, 1999, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard
and present evidence.
A1411k,41 i! i i i' 2001 e i
Section 1: The Planning Commission hereby makes the following findings of fact
with respect to the application for Variance No. 452 for the entry walls and decorative
gates in excess of forty-two inches (42") in height
A There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to
the property involved, or to the intended use of the property, which do not apply
generally to other property in the same zoning district because, while the intended
use of the subject properties is to beautify the entry to the Chaparral Lane
neighborhood, the strict enforcement of the front setback requirements for the two
flag lots would require the proposed entry walls and gates to be located more than
three hundred feet (300') further down Chaparral Lane and would defeat the
purpose of the structures to enhance the entry to the neighborhood.
B. Such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial
property right of the applicant, which right is possessed by other property owners
under like conditions in the same zoning district because many other
neighborhoods this area of the City have entry walls or similar structures that
enhance the appearance of their communities, and the applicant's request for
similar improvements to the entrance to the Chaparral Lane neighborhood is
consistent with the types of entry features that are enjoyed by other neighborhoods
in this area.
C Granting 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
because the proposed structures do not encroach into the intersection visibility
triangle at Chaparral and Cayuse lanes, do not impair protected views from the
adjacent property at 14 Cayuse Lane, are set back from Cayuse Lane a similar
distance as the residences on the adjacent properties at 14 and 22 Cayuse Lane;
and will require building permits and Fire Department clearances prior to
construction.
D Granting the variance will not be contrary to the objectives of the General Plan or
the policies and requirements of the Coastal Specific Plan because this variance
is requested as a part of a project undertaken through the City's Beautification
Grant program, which provides incentives for homeowners' associations and small
neighborhood groups to enhance the identity and appearance of their communities,
and this is consistent with the goals of the Urban Environment Element of the
General Plan "to enhance the visual character and physical quality of existing
neighborhoods" and "provide residents with a safe and efficient system of roads,
trails and paths." The project site is not located within the City's Coastal Specific
Plan district
Section 2: The four low pilasters flanking the roadway, which are the subject of
the application for Site Plan Review No. 8663, are consistent with the provisions of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code because they will not exceed thirty inches (30")
in height within the intersection visibility triangle at Chaparral and Cayuse lanes, and will
P C. Resolution No 99-23
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also be placed so as not to interfere with access to the existing driveway for the adjacent
property at 22 Cayuse Lane.
Section 3: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council Pursuant to Section 17.64.060 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 July 27, 1999, the
date of the Planning Commission's final action
Section 4: 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 Variance No 452 and
Site Plan Review No 8663, thereby allowing the construction of maximum 11 -foot -tall entry
walls, non -closing decorative gates and maximum 30 -inch -tall pilasters within the private
right-of-way of Chaparral Lane, located west of Cayuse Lane, 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.
w a a+! f •. • s s• i — • i # f—
AYES Commissioners Slayden, Vannorsdall, Vice -Chair Lyon, and
Chairman Cartwright.
NOES Commissioners Alberio and Paris.
ABSTENTIONS
ABSENT- Commissioner Clark.
4- �L �,V. R.
Joe Rojas, AICP
Director of Planning, Building
and Code Enforcement, and, Secretary
to the Planning Commission
Son S Cartwright
Chairman
PC Resolution No 99-23
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A�
EXHIBIT'A'
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE NO. 452 AND SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 8663
(Chaparral Lane, west of Cayuse Lane)
The applicant and the property owners 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 within ninety
(90) days of adoption of this Resolution shall render this approval null and void
2 This approval is for entry walls, non -closing decorative gates and low pilasters
within the private right-of-way of Chaparral Lane The height of the entry walls shall
vary from six feet six inches (66") to a maximum of eleven feet (11'0") The
maximum height of the low pilasters shall be thirty inches (30") All of the approved
structures shall be placed on private property and not within the public right-of-way
of Cayuse Lane Any substantive change to the project shall require approval of
a revision to Variance No 452 and/or Site Plan Review No 8663 by the Planning
Commission and shall require 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, in the RS -2 district
development standards of the City's Municipal Code
4 Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may be
cause to revoke the approval of the project by the Planning Commission after
conducting a public hearing on the matter
5 If the project has not been established (i e , submitted into Building and Safety plan
check) within one (1) year of the final effective date of this Resolution, or if
construction has not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days of the
issuance of building permits, approval of the project 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 variance and site plan review revision must be
approved prior to further development.
6 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
P C Resolution No 99-23
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7 Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be
completed in substantial conformance with the plans submitted to the City on July
1, 1999, entitled "New Entry Portal for the Chaparral Lane Homeowners'
Association," prepared by Miles E. Pritzkat and dated June 28, 1999
8. The structures shall comply with the setbacks depicted on the approved plans
9. The maximum height of the entry walls shall not exceed 117 5' (as measured from
the existing roadway elevation of 106 5') Height certification required prior to
building permit final inspection.
10 The maximum height of the four (4) low pilasters shall not exceed thirty inches (30")
above the elevation of the roadway
11 No grading of three feet (3'0") or more in depth of cut or fill, and/or twenty cubic
yards (20 yd 3) of material, is permitted by this approval
12. The entry gates shall be decorative, non -closing and fixed in the fully -open position
Any future proposal for operable gates shall require City approval.
13 No lighting or signage is included as a part of this approval. Any future proposal
for lighting and/or signage shall require City approval.
14. The low pilasters shall be placed so as not to interfere with vehicular access to the
property at 22 Cayuse Lane
15. Prior to the issuance of building permits by the Building and Safety Division, the
applicant shall obtain any necessary clearances from the Los Angeles County Fire
Department.
16 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 material may include, but not be limited to. the accumulation of debris,
garbage, lumber, scrap metal, concrete asphalt, piles of earth, salvage materials,
abandoned or discarded furniture, appliance or other household fixtures
17. The hours of construction shall be limited to 7 00 AM to 7 00 PM, Monday through
Saturday No construction shall be permitted on Sundays or on legal holidays.
M TrojectsWAR 452—SPR 8663 (Chaparral Lane)lt 9994727 Reso_PC doc
PC Resolution No 99-23
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