VRC MINS 19961219 APPROVED
FEBRUARY 20, 1997
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 1996
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Sweetnam at 7:10 P.M. at Hesse Park
Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Pledge of Allegiance followed,
led by Commissioner Long.
PRESENT: Commissioners Black, Boudreau, Gee, Goern, Karmelich, Long, Marshall,
Vice Chair Sweetnam, Chair Green arrived at 7:14 P.M.
ABSENT: Commissioner A. Green was excused
Also present were Principal Planner Rojas, Project Coordinator Carter, and Recording
Secretary Peterson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved without objection, (10-0).
COMMUNICATIONS
Staff distributed a copy of the pre-agenda for the February 6, 1997 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1. DISCUSSION OF THE BROWN ACT
Principal Planner Rojas began by verifying that all Commissioners had copies of the
Brown Act materials distributed to them in January.
Chair R. Green summarized the Brown Act for the Commissioners and how it applied to
the View Restoration Commission, their meetings, and their site visits.
2. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES FOR SITE VISITS
Principal Planner Rojas verified with the Commission that as part of their packet of
orientation materials they received VRC Resolution 94-1 that sets the procedural rules
for the Commission. All Commissioners and alternates were strongly encouraged to
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make all site visits since they were not permitted to vote on any case where they had
not made a site visit .
Vice Chair Sweetnam summarized the procedures used by the past View Restoration
Commission in their site visits.
Commissioner Boudreau noted that Staff had contacted the applicants and foliage
owners to get a good window of time that was best for site visits. That information was
placed in the Staff Report. The Commissioners would then call the foliage owners to
set up a time for their site visit.
Commissioner Black wondered how much the Commissioners should talk to the
applicant or the foliage owner when they were doing their site visits.
Chair R. Green responded that the Commission may want to make a policy whereby
they could inform the applicants and foliage owners that because of the Brown Act, any
additional information should be presented to the entire Commission at the meeting,
rather than to the individual Commissioners at the site visit.
Commissioner Long suggested there be a form letter sent to the applicants and foliage
owners which says the Commissioners will be out for a site visit and points out they will
not be able to discuss the case with them when they are out there. It should also
emphasize that all evidence should be presented either orally or in writing at the time of
the public hearing.
The Commissioners discussed and agreed it would be best to do site visits in teams of
two or three whenever possible.
3. DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS PROCEDURES
Chair R. Green reviewed with the Commission the procedure he would like to follow at
a meeting. He stressed the meetings are public hearings and anyone who would like to
speak was entitled to do so.
Vice Chair Sweetnam suggested for clarity and simplification that when it was
determined which seven, or less, Commissioners were going to hear a particular case,
the remaining Commissioners should sit to the side to avoid confusion.
VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 1996
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ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Black moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by
Commissioner Goern. The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
The next regular meeting will be held Thursday, January 16, 1997 at Hesse Park, 7:00
P.M.
VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 1996
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