PC RES 2004-006P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2004-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING CASE NO. ZON2003-00452, A
HEIGHT VARIATION FOR A SECOND STORY ADDITION AND A SITE
PLAN REVIEW FOR A ONE-STORY ADDITION ALONG THE STREET
SIDE, ON A DEVELOPED PARCEL LOCATED AT 30003 MATISSE
DRIVE.
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2003, the applicant, Kurt Beckmeyer, representing
property owner Vicki Poponi, submitted a Height Variation (hereinafter referred to as
ZON2003-00452), requesting approval for an expansion to the existing one-story residence
and a new second story addition at an overall height of 20.83', for property located at
30003 Matisse Drive; and,
WHEREAS, on September 11, 2003, the application was deemed incomplete
pending the submittal of additional information and a Site Plan Review application; and,
WHEREAS, on November 20, 2003, upon submittal of the required
information, including the required Site Plan Review application, and the construction and
certification of the temporary silhouette, Staff deemed the applications generally complete
for processing; 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), Staff found no evidence that ZON2003-00452 would have a significant effect
on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has been found to be categorically
exempt under Class 1 (Section 15301) since the project involves the construction of
additions to an existing single-family residential structure, 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
January 13, 2004, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard
and present evidence; and,
WHEREAS, at the January 13, 2004 Planning Commission meeting, the Planning
Commission expressed concerns regarding view impairment upon the property at 30004
Matisse Drive resulting from the proposed project, and continued the item to the February
24, 2004 Planning Commission meeting, and,
WHEREAS, at the January 13, 2004 Planning Commission meeting, the applicant
verbally agreed to an extension to the Permit Streamlining Act deadline, and
WHEREAS, on February 11, 2004, the applicant submitted plans for a redesigned
project, and,
WHEREAS, after continuing the item from the January 13, 2004 meeting, the
Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on February 24, 2004, 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 applicant has complied with the Early Neighborhood Consultation
process established by the City by obtaining acknowledgement signatures from 80% of the
property owners within 100 -feet of the subject property and 25 8% of the property owners
within 500 -feet of the subject property, who have reviewed the plans.
Section 2: The proposed second story addition and roofline modifications do not
significantly impair a view from public property which have been identified in the City's
General Plan or Coastal Specific Plan as a City -designated viewing area because there are
no such areas that overlook the subject property.
Section 3: The property is not located on a ridge and promontory as there are
other parcels with varying pad elevations, the subject parcel is not located on a hilltop or
elongated crest, and it is not located on a mass of land which overlooks or projects onto a
lowland
Section 4: The project has been designed in such a manner as to minimize
impairment of a view, since the majority of the project is located behind the garage and will
not be visible. Further, the project provides for minimum plate heights and roof pitches so
that the second story is kept low
Section 5: There is no significant cumulative view impairment caused by granting
the application since only the residence across the street at 30004 Matisse Drive maintains
a view in the direction of the subject property, and the view is wholly over the subject
property. Thus, if any other parcels in the immediate neighborhood construct a second
story addition, they would not contribute towards view impairment since the other
residences are not within the viewshed.
Section 6: The proposed new entry and foyer, when considered exclusive of
foliage, will not significantly impair a view from the viewing area of 30004 Matisse Drive
since the existing ndgeline elevations will be maintained and therefore will not project into
the view of the Santa Monica Bay.
P.C. Resolution No. 2004 -06
Page
Section 7: The proposed second story addition complies with all other Code
requirements in that all the development standards of the RS -2 district are met and the
minimum setback and lot coverage requirements are met.
Section 8: The proposed addition is compatible with the immediate neighborhood
character and will blend with the existing residence, and will provide features, such as roof
materials and roof type that are found in the neighborhood. Further, the addition will not
result in a bulky or massive structure, since the majority of the second story addition will be
concentrated to the rear of the residence.
Section 9: The proposed second story addition does not create an unreasonable
infringement on the privacy of the occupants of abutting residences due to the topography
of the area.
Section 10: The proposed 243 square foot first story addition along the street side
of the property complies with all Development Code standards, including setbacks and lot
coverage, and a foliage analysis determined that there is no foliage on the subject property
that significantly impairs a view from the viewing area of another parcel.
Section III: The proposal continues to comply with the findings modified by
Ordinance No. 400-U, an urgency ordinance adopted by the City Council on February 17,
2004, since the addition along the street -side of the residence that will be less than 16 -feet
in height will not project up into the view from the viewing area at 30004 Matisse Drive.
Further, the proposed addition, as redesigned, has been designed in such a manner as to
reasonably minimize the impairment of a view since the ridgeline over the entry will not be
raised and is kept at the existing ridgeline elevation.
Section 12: Any interested person may appeal this decision or any portion of this
decision to the City Council Pursuant to Section 17.02-040 C I.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 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 Case NO. ZON2003-
00452, a Height Variation and Site Plan Review for one- and two-story additions, subject to
the conditions contained in the attached Exhibit "A".
P C. Resolution No 2004-06
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 24th day of February 2004, by the following
vote:
AYES: Cote, Gerstner, Karp, Knight, Mueller, Tetreault, Van Wagner
NOES, None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
J01 ojas, Ai
C
Ditec)br of PlaLng, Building and
Co'66 Enforcement, and, Secretary
to the Planning Commission
Craig Mueller
Chairman
PC Resolution No 2004-06
Page—4
Exhibit "A"
Conditions of Approval
Case No. ZON2003-00452
(Height Variation and Site Plan Review)
1. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building 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. The approval shall become null and void after one year from the date of approval unless
the approved plans are submitted to the Building and Safety Division to initiate the "plan
check" review process.
3 Approval is for the construction of 647 square feet of one-story additions, which includes
a 243 square foot addition along the street (east) side of the residence to enlarge the
master bedroom and bath The one-story addition also includes a 327 square foot
addition along the rear to enlarge the kitchen, family and dining rooms, and a 77 square
foot addition to the front entry to create a mechanical equipment room, and relocate the
entry to the new upper level (second story) This modified entry to the new second floor
also provides access to a new 695 square foot second story addition, located behind
the garage (on the west side of the structure) and over the existing and expanded
portions of the kitchen, dining and family rooms.
4 The following minimum setbacks shall be maintained:
• Front yard: 20'-0" minimum (proposed, no change to existing 64'-0" setback)
• Interior side yard. 5'-0" minimum (proposed: 8.3 -feet)
• Street side yard: 10'-0" minimum (proposed: 10 -feet)
• Rear yard: 15'-0" minimum (proposed. 39'-7")
SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, A STREET
SIDE YARD SETBACK CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY A LICENSED SURVEYOR,
ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT PRIOR TO THE POURING OF FOOTINGS.
5 The ridgeline over the new entry to the residence shall not be raised and shall be
maintained at the current height of 16.62 -feet as measured from the highest pad
elevation covered by structure and 18.21 -feet as measured from the lowest finish grade
elevation covered by structure. The maximum ridgeline elevation over the new entry
shall be limited to 111 62 -feet The second story addition behind the garage shall be
limited to 20.83 -feet (as measured from highest pad elevation covered by structure),
and shall not project higher than the ridgeline elevation of the garage. The highest pad
P.C. Resolution No. 2004-06
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elevation covered by structure (95.00') is located at the southwest corner of the existing
structure, while the lowest pad elevation covered by structure (93.4') is located at the
northwest corner of the new one-story addition. SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND
APPROVAL BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, A RIDGE HEIGHT CERTIFICATION IS
REQUIRED BY A LICENSED LAND SURVEYOR OR ENGINEER PRIOR TO
INSTALLATION OF ROOF MATERIALS.
6. The 1,342 square feet of additional area will result in a 4,480 square foot residence
(garage included). Thus, the maximum structure size of the residence, including
garage, shall be limited to a total area of 4,480 square feet. SUBJECT TO REVIEW
AND APPROVAL BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, A STRUCTURE SIZE
CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY A LICENSED SURVEYOR, ENGINEER OR
ARCHITECT PRIOR TO FRAMING SIGN -OFF BY THE BUILDING AND SAFETY
DIVISION.
7 A maximum of two garden walls (less than 3 -feet in height), and less than 20 cubic
yards of grading, are allowed along the transitional (down) slope at the front of the
property
8. A minimum of two enclosed garage spaces shall be maintained, with each space being
individually accessed and each maintaining a minimum unobstructed dimension of 9 -
feet -wide by 20 -feet -deep by 7 -feet -vertical clearance.
9 No improvements, grading or structures shall be allowed on the transitional slope at the
rear of the parcel, unless separate approval has been granted by the City.
10. The tree adjacent to the north side elevation of the garage shall be trimmed down and
maintained at a height that does not exceed the ridgelme elevation over the new entry.
The initial trimming shall occur, to the Director's satisfaction, prior to the issuance of a
budding permit for the project.
11 Construction of the project shall substantially conform to the plans stamped as
approved by the Planning Department with the effective date of this approval
12 Due to the subject property's location in the RS -2 zoning district, a maximum of forty
(40%) percent lot coverage shall be allowed on the lot.
13. In the event that a Planning requirement and a Building & Safety requirement are in
conflict with one another, the stricter standard shall apply
14. 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.
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15. The construction site and all adjacent private and public property 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 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
16. The maximum eave projection allowed into the required setback areas shall not exceed
6 -inches for each 1 -foot of required setback.
17. The construction site shall be temporarily enclosed with a six (6'-0") foot high chain-link
fence during the length of construction of the residential structure.
18. 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 shall
achieve substantially the same results as would strict compliance with said plans and
conditions.
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