PC RES 2000-015P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2000-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING HEIGHT
VARIATION NO. 827 -REVISION `A' AND GRADING PERMIT
NO. 1887 -REVISION 'A' FOR MODIFICATIONS TO AN
UNDER -CONSTRUCTION SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE AT
7455 ALIDA PLACE
WHEREAS, on June 9, 1998, the Planning Commission adopted P C. Resolution
No. 98-23, thereby approving Height Variation No. 827 and Grading Permit No. 1887 on
appeal, including specific design -critical conditions and modifications (Conditions 8a, 8b
and 8c) to address the concerns of neighboring property owners; and,
WHEREAS, Condition 8c of P C. Resolution 98-23 required that the garages be
reversed to face towards the central motorcourt and that the area of the east -side
motorcourt be reduced by one-half in order to address a neighbor's concerns about vehicle
noise and hardscape coverage; and,
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2000, the property owner, Forrest Ebbs, submitted
applications for Height Variation No. 827 -Revision 'A' and Grading Permit No 1887 -
Revision 'A,' requesting the deletion of Condition 8c of P C. Resolution No 98-23 to allow
the garages and east -side motorcourt to be constructed as originally proposed by the
previous property owner; and,
WHEREAS, on April 13, 2000, the applications for Height Variation No. 827 -
Revision 'A' and Grading Permit No. 1887 -Revision 'A' were deemed complete by Staff;
and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 21000 of 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 Height Variation No. 827 -Revision 'A' and Grading
Permit No. 1887 -Revision 'A' would have a significant effect on the environment and,
therefore, the proposed project has been found to be categorically exempt (Section
15303(a)); 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 May 23, 2000 and June 13, 2000, 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
Z -
Section 1: The deletion of Condition 8c of PC Resolution No. 98-23 is
appropriate for the following reasons:
A. If the project were constructed pursuant to Condition 8c of P C. Resolution
No. 98-23, it would result in a driveway that exceeds the maximum 20 -percent slope
allowed by the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code. Although the project
could be modified to comply with the City's maximum 20 -percent slope requirement,
this would require additional grading and would still result in a very steep, short
driveway that future residents of the house would finding difficult to use. Restoring
the garage doors and east side motorcourt to their originally -proposed location and
size, respectively, will allow for a "flatter" driveway that will be more functional for
future residents of the house.
B. If the project were constructed pursuant to Condition 8c of P.0 Resolution
No 98-23, the front yard of the house would be dominated by the hardscape of the
central motorcourt. Restoring the garage doors and east side motorcourt to their
originally -proposed location and size, respectively, will allow the central courtyard
area to be used as a more pedestrian -friendly open space area for the future
residents of the house. In addition, the placement of the garage doors and parking
area on the east side of the house will allow them to be more effectively screened
from view from the street, thereby enhancing the streetscape of the Alida Place
neighborhood.
C. Condition 8c of P C Resolution No. 98-23 was originally imposed upon the property
to address concerns raised by four Alida Place neighbors who had appealed the
approval of the project to the Planning Commission. Three of the four original
appellants still reside or own property on Alida Place and all of them were provided
with public notice of the proposed deletion of Condition 8c. Dr. Harold Reaves, the
owner of 7435 Alida Place and the property owner most directly affected the deletion
of Condition 8c, has stated to both Staff and the applicant that he is neutral towards
the proposed revision, and none of the other former appellants attended the public
hearing or submitted written comments in opposition to this proposal Therefore, the
Planning Commission concludes that the neighbors—whose concerns about noise
and aesthetics were the impetus for Condition 8c in the first place—are not
particularly concerned about or opposed to the proposed deletion of this condition,
and the continued imposition of Condition 8c serves no useful purpose.
Section 2: For all of the reasons articulated above, Condition 8c of P.0
Resolution No. 98-23 is hereby rescinded. All other conditions of approval contained in
P.C. Resolution No 98-23 remain in full force and effect
Section 3: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Sections 17 02.040(C)(1)(j) and
P.0 Resolution No. 2000-15
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17 76 040(E)(9)(e) 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 June 13, 2000, 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 approves Height Variation No 827 -
Revision 'A' and Grading Permit No 1887 -Revision 'A' for modifications to an under -
construction single-family residence at 7455 Alida Place
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 13th day of June 2000, by the following vote
AYES Chairman Lyon, Commissioners Cartwright, Mueller and Paulson
NOES none
ABSTENTIONS Commissioner Lang
ABSENT Vice Chairman Clark and Commissioner Vannorsdall
Frank Lyon
Chairman
J el Roj s, AICP
Di ecto of Planning, B ' ing
and Code Enforcement; and, Secretary
to the Planning Commission
MAProjects\HV 827 -Rev 'A'_GR 1887 -Rev 'A' (Ebbs)\20000613_Reso_PC.doc
P C Resolution No 2000-15
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