PC RES 1995-003 f
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 95 -03
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING VARIANCE
NO. 384 FOR A 6'-0" MAXIMUM HEIGHT BLOCK WALL
WITHIN THE STREET SIDE SETBACK AREA AND 42"
MAXIMUM HEIGHT BLOCK WALL WITHIN THE
INTERSECTION VISIBILITY TRIANGLE AND FRONT
SETBACK AREA AT 2845 SAN RAMON DRIVE.
WHEREAS, on December 23, 1994, the applicant, Mr. and Mrs.
Dunlap, submitted Variance No. 384 to the Department of Planning,
Building and Code Enforcement for a 7'-6" high block wall (with 8'-
0" pilasters) located within the street-side setback area and 4'-8"
high block wall within the intersection visibility triangle at the
property located at 2845 San Ramon Drive; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 2100 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 65952 . 5 (e) (Hazardous Waste
and Substances Statement) , there was no evidence that Variance No.
382 would have a significant effect on the environment.
Accordingly, the proposed project has been found to be
categorically exempt (Class III) ; and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, a public hearing was held
on February 14, 1995, before the Planning Commission of the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes, 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: That there are exceptional or extraordinary
circumstances which apply to this property which do not apply
generally to other property in the same zoning district since the
lot is of a substandard size (10, 000 square feet in a minimum
20, 000 square foot lot district) and approximately half of the lot
area is part of a steep slope that descends into the adjacent
canyon. The small size of the lot, in combination with the limited
level yard area, restricts the landowner's ability to adequately
fence the property and preserve the maximum amount of useable yard
area, while also complying with the Code's minimum setback
requirement (1O"-O" on a street side) . Additionally, the property
is adjacent to a major arterial roadway (Palos Verdes Drive East)
and an institutional educational facility (Marymount College) ,
which constitutes a land use configuration which does not generally
apply to other properties within the RS-2 zoning district.
•
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Section 2 : That the variance is necessary for the
preservation and enjoyment of the substantial property right of the
applicant, and that this right is possessed by other property
owners under like conditions in the same zoning district, since, in
1990 the Planning Commission granted a property located at the
corner of Basswood Avenue and Silver Spur Road, across from
Peninsula High School, a similar wall due to excessive traffic and
noise considerations not typically found in a single family
residential zoning district.
Section 3 : That the granting of the variance will not be
materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the
property and improvements in the area in which the property is
located since the height and placement of the wall would not
interfere with pedestrian traffic, impact the views of adjacent
property owners nor, as conditioned in Exhibit "A" , appear visually
obtrusive from surrounding properties and the public right-of-way.
Section 4: That the granting of the variance will not be
contrary to the objectives of the General Plan since the proposed
project, as conditioned, would constitute an improvement to the
existing neighborhood, would not result in any impacts to
surrounding properties and the primary use of the property will
remain single family residential. The project is not subject to
the requirements of the Coastal Specific Plan since the property is
not located within the coastal zone.
Section 5: 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. 384 for a
6'-0" block wall within the street-side setback area and 42" in
height within the intersection visibility triangle and front yard
setback for the property located at 2845 San Ramon Drive subject to
the Conditions of Approval contained in the attached Exhibit "A",
which are necessary to protect and preserve the public health
safety and welfare.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 14th day of February 1995,
by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Alberio, Ferraro, Vannorsdall , Whiteneck, Vice
Chair Hayes, Chairman Mowlds
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: WANG
P.C. Resolution No. 95 - 03
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Director of P anning, Building,
and Code Enforcement; and,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 95 - 03
Page 3 of 5
411 411
Exhibit "A"
Conditions of Approval
Variance No. 384
2845 San Ramon Drive
p
1. The applicant shall submit three copies of a revised plot plan
and elevations which match the height of the wall at 2844 San
Ramon
Drive (refer to "Wall Measurement Chart") , to the
Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.
2 . The
portion of the wall which extends behind the residence
(adjacent to PVDE) shall not of exceed a maximum 8'- 6" in height
of as measured from the sidewalk to the top of the wall
(including pilasters) .
3 . The block wall shall be setback one foot from the inside of
the sidewalk facing Palos Verdes Drive East to create a
planter area, and the one foot setback for the new
freestanding tandin g block wall shall beginning eight feet from the
front facade of the home (northwest elevation} .
plan which indicates the type of vegetation
4 . A landscape �.
proposed to screen the new block wall shall be submitted.ted to
PlanningDivision for review and approval by the Director
the
of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement prior to submittal
of plans
to the Building and Safety Division for plan check.
retainingwall adjacent to the sidewalk facing
5, The existing
San Ramon and Palos Verde Drive East shall be stuccoed with a
brick trim cap above i t.
6. The block wall on the interior side yard shall not exceed
6'- 0" in height.
7 . The driveway and parking arkin area shall not exceed 50% of the
required 20'-0" front yard setback area.
8 . The completed walls shall substantially conform to revised
plans
as stamped and approved by the Planning Division.
9 . A
gradingapplication shall be filed for any grading in excess
PP
of 20 cubic yards and/or 3 ' of cut or fill.
P.C. Resolution No. 95 - 3
Page 4 of
that11/0 110
a PlanningDivision requirement• and a
10. In the event conflict with one
Building and Safety requirement are in
another the stricter standard shall apply.
11. The construction site shall be kept free of all loose
• resemblingtrash and debris in excess of that
materials ur oses. Such
material used for immediate construction purposes.t
not limited o the
excess material may include, but is no..
of debris, garbage lumber, scrap metal, concrete
asphalt, piles of earth, salvaged materials, abandoned or
discarded furniture, appliances liances or other household fixtures.
12 . In the future, should the Homeowner's Association request a an
l• sign/logo for the tract, a sign shall be
identification
allowed to be placed on the wall facing Palos alos Verdes Drive
East, with the appropriate permits from the City, and all
p
expenses shallpaidby
be the Homeowner's Association.
DSK#I4SKK]VAR384.RES)
P. C. Resolution No. 95 - 3
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