PC RES 2001-020P.G. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING, WITH
CONDITIONS, HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 918 AND SITE PLAN
REVIEW NO. 9165 TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTIOW OF_ -A
1,967 SQUARE -FOOT ADDITION TO AN EXISTING 2,526
SQUARE -FOOT TWO-STORY, SPLIT-LEVEL, SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENCE AT A PROPOSED HEIGHT OF 24'-9", AS
MEASURED FROM THE LOWEST FINISHED GRADE COVERED
BY STRUCTURE. THE ADDITION CONSISTS OF A 564 SF
EXPANSION TO THE EXISTING LOWER LEVEL (OF WHICH 240
SF WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING GARAGE), A 693 SF
EXPANSION TO THE MIDDLE (ENTRANCE) LEVEL, AND A 710
SF EXPANSION TO THE SECOND STORY ABOVE THE
EXISTING GARAGE ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 28924
MORO BAY DRIVE.
s.
WHEREAS, on August 28, 2000 an application for Height Variation No.
918 and Site Plan Review No. 9165 were submitted to the Planning Department
to allow the construction of a 1,967 square -foot addition to an existing 2,526
1 square -foot, two-story, split-level, single-family residence at a height of 24'-9" as
`. measured from the lowest finished grade covered by structure, and
WHEREAS, on November 9, 2000 and January 2, 2001 Staff reviewed the
subject applications and deemed them incomplete for processing due to
insufficient information; and,
, WHEREAS, on May 8, 2001 the information needed to deem the subject
applications complete was submitted to the Planning Department for processing,
and,
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2001 the subject applications were deemed
complete for processing by Staff; and,
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2001 the required public notices were mailed out
to property owners within a 500' foot radius of the subject property informing
them of the proposed project and the scheduled public hearing on July 24, 2001
Furthermore, a notice was published in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News on
June 23, 2001; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provision of the California 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
P.C. Resolution No. 2001-20
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and Substances Statement), Staff found no evidence that Height Variation No
918 and Site Plan Review No 9165 would have a significant effect on the
environment, and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be
categorically exempt (Class 1, Section 15303(a)); and,
WHEREAS, after notices issued pursuant to the requirements of Rancho
Palos Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing on July 24, 2001, at which all interested parties were given the
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 applicants successfully completed the Early
Neighborhood Consultation process by obtaining a minimum of 60% of property
owner signatures from properties within the 500' radius (58 of 90 or 64%)
Section 2:, The subject lot is not located in an area designated by the
City's General Plan and the City's Coastal Specific Plan as a viewing area and
therefore the proposed structure does not impair any public views.
Section 3: The subject lot is located on a manufactured slope that was
created at the time
me the building pads for the subject tract were graded and is not
located on a ridge or promontory, as defined by the City's developmen)t Code.
Section 4: The proposed project has been designed to minimize the
impairment of "protected views" from surrounding properties As proposed, the
applicants' request to add a second story over 60% the existing garage, increase
the overall height of the home by 2'-9", and expand to the north side of the lot
does not impair any views. Properties with views are located approximately 35'
above the subject site along Oceanridge Drive A silhouette of the second -story
addition constructed per City requirements revealed no additional view
obstruction. As such, the structure is designed and situated in such a manner as
to minimize impairment of a view
Section 5: The homes located on the same street as the subject site,
Moro Bay Drive, are all "non -view" lots Moro Bay Drive is located between and
perpendicular to Oceanridge Drive on the southwest and Mistridge Drive on the
northeast. These two streets were created in a tier with an approximate
elevation difference of 35' to allow for view lots. The view lots are located on the
north side of both streets, facing inland city lights and the harbor area. Due to
the substantial difference in elevation, the view lots on Oceanridge Drive will not
be affected by the subject 24'-9" high addition. The view lots on Mistridge Drive
have views that face directly opposite from the subject site and, therefore, are
unaffected as well. As such, the granting of this application will cause no
significant cumulative view impairment.
P C Resolution No. 2001-20
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Section 6. The proposed project will not create a view impairment from
surrounding properties in that the surrounding properties are located at a similar
or higher elevation to that of the subject property, with views oriented in the
opposite direction or laterally over the subject property Therefore, the proposed
project does not significantly impair views from surrounding properties
Section 7: The proposed structure complies with the residential
development standards for a RS -4 zoning district in terms of open space, height
requirements, set backs, etcetera, with the exception of the hillside setback.
However, the proposal has been conditioned to be revised or obtain a Minor
Exception Permit for the hillside setback reduction Furthermore, in addition to
obtaining Planning approval, approvals must be obtained from the City's
Geotechnical Consultant in the Building stage, and building and grading permits
must also be obtained for compliance with the Uniform Building Code, the
Development Code and the City's Municipal Code
Section 8: The proposed addition of 1,967 square feet is compatible
with the character of the immediate neighborhood in that, although the proposed
addition will make the home 1,722 SF larger than the average home in the
vicinity, a large part of the addition is located on the south portion of the lot. This
area faces the upslope, which hides it from the street and surrounding properties
In addition, the home was built with its front plane parallel to the length of the
street. This configuration, as well as the location of the home at the end of the
cul-de-sac, hide the bulk of the structure and make the proposed additions even
less noticeable
Section 9: The second -story expansion is currently proposed with
windows facing the neighbors adjacent to the north These neighbors have
voiced their concern over the second -story windows, which provide a view into
their side and rear yards Since they are downslope from the subject site, Staff
believes the proposed windows may infringe on the neighbors' privacy Based
on a survey of the street, Staff found that the majority of homes with second
stories that face a neighbor on a downslope only have bathroom windows on that
particular elevation In order to mitigate a potential privacy infringement, a
condition that restricts the second story rear bedroom and master bathroom to
clear story and/or translucent windows on the sides that face the neighbor to the
north has been included No other comments were received during the public
noticing period with regards to infringement of privacy Therefore, Staff believes
the proposed project will not create an infringement of privacy with the added
condition of approval
Section 10: A Notice of Decision shall be given to the applicant and to all
interested parties informing them of the Planning Commission's decision
Section 12: Any interested party 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
P C Resolution No 2001-20
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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 adoption of this resolution
Section 13: 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 918 and Site Plan Review No 9165, thereby approving the
construction of a 1,967 square -foot addition to an existing 2,526 square -foot, two-
story, split-level single-family residence at a proposed height of 24'-9", as
measured from the lowest finished grade covered by structure to the top of the
highest roof ridgeline, subject to the conditions of approval in Exhibit "A"
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 24th day of July, 2001, by the
following vote:
AYES: Chairman Lyon, Vice -Chairman Clark, Commissioners Cartwright,
Long, Paulson and Vannorsdall
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Mueller
Jo Roja , AICP
Dir ctor PlanninOlding
and a Enforceand,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
&_Xl,ko9n
Frank Lyo
Chairman
P C Resolution No 2001-20
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EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 918 AND
SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 9165
GENERAL
Prior to the submittal of plans into Budding and Safety plan check, the applicant
and/or property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have
read, understand and agree to all conditions of approval contained in this approval
Failure to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days following the date of
this approval shall render this approval null and void.
2. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the applicant
and/or property owner shall correct all existing property maintenance violations to the
satisfaction of the City's Code Enforcement Officer Failure to correct all violations
within thirty (30) days following the date of this approval shall render this approval
null and void
3. The approval shall become null and void after one (1) year from the date of approval
by the Planning Commission, unless the approved plans are submitted to the
Budding and Safety Division to initiate the "plan check" review process
4 The proposed project shall be constructed in substantial compliance with the plans
approved and stamped by the Planning Department with the effective date of this
approval
5. The Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement is authorized to make
minor modifications to the approved plans or any of the conditions if such
modifications achieve substantially the same results as would strict compliance with
said plans and conditions
6. In the event that a Planning requirement and a Building & Safety requirement are in
conflict with one another, the stricter standard shall apply
7 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
8 The construction site shall be kept free of all loose materials resembling trash and
debris Mn excess of that material used for immediate construction purposes Such
excess material 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
Exhibit "A"
P.C. Resolution No. 2001-20
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9 The proposed addition shall not exceed 1,967 square feet unless otherwise approved
by the City and shall be in substantial conformance with the approved plans as
reviewed by the Planning Commission The addition consists of a 564 SF expansion
to the existing lower level (of which 240 SF will be added to the existing garage), 693
SF to the middle entrance) level, and a 710 SF expansion to the second story above
the existing garage BUILDING AREA CERTIFICATION SHALL BE REQUIRED
PRIOR TO APPROVAL OF FRAMING BY BUILDING AND SAFETY
10 The property owners shall maintain all site foliage that exceeds 16 feet in height in a
manner that does not significantly impair the views of the lots to the south along
Oceanridge Drive or any other property with a view
HEIGHT VARIATION
11 The proposed structure shall not exceed 24'-9" in height as measured from the
lowest finished grade elevation covered by structure (1244.21') to the top of the
highest roof ridge line (1268 96') RIDGE HEIGHT CERTIFICATION SHALL BE
REQUIRED IN THE BUILDING AND SAFETY STAGE.
SITE PLAN REVIEW
12 The open space requirement for the subject property located in the RS -4 zoning
district shall be no less than fifty (50) percent (proposed 33%).
13 The following minimum setbacks shall be maintained for the proposed addition
Front Yard 20' minimum (proposed
21')
Side Yard 5' minimum (proposed
13')
Rear Yard 15' minimum (proposed
22'-6")
Hillside 15' minimum (proposed
13' - refer to condition 14)
15 Prior to plan check submittal to the Building and Safety Department, applicant shall
either revise plans to meet the required 15' hillside setback or submit and obtain
approval for a Minor Exception to allow the proposed 13' hillside setback. In either
case, the plans shall also comply with Section 19 48 030(E)(1) of the City's
Development Code pertaining to allowable projections into required yard setbacks.
Revised plans shall indicate bay windows with no vertical supports/foundation along
the elevation facing the hillside in order to allow their encroachment into the hillside
setback.
16 Any request to reduce the hillside setback must comply with Section 1806 5 6 of the
Uniform Building Code, which requires the applicants to hire an engineering
professional to propose an alternative setback to slope if a reduction is requested
MAHEIGHWAXW9181CONDITIONS.doc
Exhibit "A"
P C Resolution No 2001-20
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