PC RES 2004-010P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2004-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DENYING THE HEIGHT
VARIATION CASE NO. ZON2003-00180 FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF 519 SQUARE FEET OF FIRST STORY
ADDITIONS AND A 902 SQUARE FOOT SECOND STORY
ADDITION TO RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 2043 BEECHAM
DRIVE.
WHEREAS, On April 11, 2003, Height Variation Permit Case No
ZON2003-00180 was submitted to the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
Department for processing; and,
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2003 the subject application was deemed
incomplete due to insufficient information on the submitted plans; and,
WHEREAS, on December 23, 2003 the subject application was deemed
complete for processing by Staff; and,
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2004 a public notice was mailed to property
owners within a 500 foot radius of the subject property informing them of the
proposed project Furthermore, a notice was published in the Palos Verdes
Peninsula News on January 10, 2004, 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
and Substances Statement), Staff found no evidence that Height Variation Case
No ZON2003-00180 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 February 10, 2004 and on March 9, 2004 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 Planning Commission finds that the applicant
successfully completed the Early Neighborhood Consultation process by
P.C. Resolution No. 2004-10
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obtaining 33 of the 123 properties within the 500' radius, which is 26.8%, and 12
of the 13 properties within the 100' radius, which is 92 3%
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 the building pads for the subject tract were graded and is not
located on a ridge or promontory, as defined by the City's development Code
Section 4: Based on an analysis of the existing neighborhood, the
surrounding residences do not have any views through the proposed addition
Views from the viewing areas of the homes on Beecham Drive are currently
impaired by the adjoining home, which are at slightly lower elevations, and the
view of the Harbor from the viewing area of the homes located at the end of Van
Karajan Drive is over the roofs of the homes located on Beecham Drive
Therefore, the additions will not significantly impair a view from another parcel's
viewing area.
Section 5: The proposed project will not create a cumulative view
impairment from surrounding properties in that the properties in the immediate
vicinity either do not contain any views of the Harbor or he views are not impaired
by the homes located on Beecham Drive
Section 6: The proposed structure has been designed to minimize the
impairment of views from surrounding properties since the proposed structure us
proposed to be lower than the existing structure.
Section 7: The proposed structure complies with the residential
development standards for a RS -4 zoning district in terms of open space, height
requirements, and setbacks Furthermore, in addition to obtaining Planning
approval, 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 structure including the first and second story
additions will not be compatible with the scale of the immediate neighborhood in
that the final square footage will be approximately 1,500 square feet larger than
the average square footage found in the neighborhood. Additionally, the
proposed front door entrance is not proportional to the scale of the front door
entrances of the homes found in the immediate neighborhood, since its design
dominates the appearance of the structure, increasing the bulk and mass.
Further, the east elevation contains an unbroken wall, which increases the bulk
and mass of the proposed structure.
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Section 9: The proposed architectural style will be compatible with the
proposed architectural style of the immediate neighborhood in that the
surrounding homes consist mainly of stucco finish with wood trim, and the roof
material is mainly imitation wood shake The proposed structure is also
proposed to be finished with stucco and wood trim with tile roof material, similar
materials as the ones found in the neighborhood, therefore the architectural style
of the proposed structure will be compatible with the architectural style of the
homes found in the immediate neighborhood
Section 10: The proposed structure will not be compatible with the front,
sides and rear yard setback of the immediate neighborhood in that the proposed
front additions will eliminate the "L" shaped footprint design of the residence, and
create a front yard setback that is not consistent with the front yard setbacks
found in the immediate neighborhood.
Section 11: The proposed structure will be compatible with the side and
rear yard setbacks of the immediate neighborhood in that other properties also
contain 5'-0" side yard setbacks and the proposed project will not significantly
reduce the rear yard setback
Section 12: According to the layout of the proposed addition in relation to
the surrounding neighboring, the proposed second -story addition will not result in
an unreasonable infringement of pnvacy since the windows proposed on the
west elevation of the second story addition will be located approximately 22'-0"
from the west side property line, and there is currently a second story balcony
along the east elevation and windows on the second story rear elevation.
Section 13: A Notice of Decision shall be given to the applicant and to all
interested parties informing them of the Planning Commission's decision.
Section 14: 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
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 15: 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 denies the
Height Variation Case No. ZON2003-00180, thereby denying the construction of
519 square feet first -story additions, and a 902 square foot second -story addition
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 9th day of March, 2004, by the
following vote:
AYES: Tetreault, Knight, Cute, Mueller
NOES: Gerstner, Karp
ABSTENTIONS:
None
ABSENT: Van Wagner
Joel ojas, AICP
Dire tor f Plannin uilding
and o Enforcement; and,
Secre ary to the Planning Commission
•
rai • Mueller
V''e Chairman
P.C. Resolution No. 2004-10
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