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VRC MINS 19961205 APPROVED 0 0 JANUARY 16, 1997 QD 4 CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 5, 1996 The meeting was called to order by Chair R. Green at 7:03 P.M. at Hesse Park Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Pledge of Allegiance followed, led by Commissioner Karmelich. PRESENT: Commissioners Black, Boudreau, Goern, A. Green, Karmelich, Marshall, Vice Chair Sweetnam, Chair R. Green ABSENT: Commissioners Gee and Long were excused Also present were Principal Planner Rojas, Project Coordinator Nelson, Project Coordinator Carter, and Recording Secretary Peterson APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Boudreau moved to accept the agenda, as presented, seconded by Commissioner Black. Approved (8-0). COMMUNICATIONS Principal Planner Rojas distributed a copy of the City Council adopted Guidelines and Procedures for Preservation of Views and Resolution 96-100, which establishes the new fees for View Restoration Permit applications. NEW BUSINESS 1. INTRODUCTION OF CONSULTANTS Principal Planner Rojas introduced the consultants, Trayci Nelson and Harden Carter, to the Commission. 2. STATUS REPORT ON PREVIOUSLY FILED VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT APPLICATIONS Project Coordinator Nelson gave a summary of the backlog of suspended View Restoration permit cases and their current status. She explained that there were currently seven cases that required public hearings which Staff believed could begin on January 23, 1997. • ii Principal Planner Rojas requested direction from the Commission, explaining that based on scheduling and notice requirements, it would be more convenient to hold the next regular meeting on January 23 rather than the third Thursday in January, January 16. The Commissioners agreed that having the meeting on January 23 would allow more time for the Commissioners to review the cases. Any procedural questions could be answered at the upcoming December 19 View Restoration Commission meeting. The Commissioners felt that it would be better to wait until the first meeting in February to hear the first three cases. Principal Planner Rojas added that, after checking with the City Attorney, the 7 cases that need public hearings would have to be heard under the old Proposition M requirements, not the new Proposition M that was recently adopted by the City Council. However, as a result of the Council actions regarding the new Guidelines, Staff does have to go back and amend Proposition M again. The City Attorney believes that language could be added added to the new adopting resolution so that these seven cases would come under the new Proposition M requirements. Vice Chair Sweetnam requested some information from the Consultants as to their philosophies and background and suggested the Commission relay their feelings and philosophies on what they are looking for from the Consultants. He also requested that at a future meeting, for the benefit of the new Commissioners, the Brown Act and it's requirements be discussed. Principal Planner Rojas responded that he would discuss that with the City Attorney. Vice Chair Sweetnam then summarized the procedures the past View Restoration Commission used in their site inspections and the contents of the staff reports that were prepared for the Commission. Commissioner Boudreau added that the staff reports should have as broad a spectrum as possible. She added they were trying to be fair on all sides and there can be several options other than cutting down a tree. Principal Planner Rojas explained to the Commisison that beginning January 1, 1997 a new State law will go into effect dealing with permit streamlining which essentially says that any application that is determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA, which almost all of the View Restoration Permits will be, must be processed within two months. The two month time period is from the day the application is deemed complete to the day a decision is made. Principal Planner Rojas stated that there may be time View Restoration Commission Minutes December 5, 1996 Page 2 a processing problems and several ideas have been discussed by Staff to avoid being overwhelmed by applications, including putting a quota on the number of applications received per month. A discussion followed among the Commissioners regarding the fees charged for the View Restoration Permit process and how the fees will be set. Project Coordinator Nelson explained that Staff will be keeping a very detailed accounting of how time will be charged to the trust deposits. At Vice Chair Sweetnam's request, Project Coordinators Nelson and Carter briefly explained their planning backgrounds and the different types of planning projects they have worked o n. 3. STATUS REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT GUIDELINES Principal Planner Rojas began by stating the City Council had adopted the Height Variation Guidelines as well as the View Restoration Guidelines. There were minor changes made to the Guidelines dealing with how the viewing area outside of the structure is determined. The issue of covenants was also discussed. Vice Chair Sweetnam added comments on other minor changes the City Council made to the View Restoration Guidelines. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS Chair R. Green requested that the Brown Act, procedures for site visits, and public hearings procedures be discussed at the December 19 meeting. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Black moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Commissioner Goern. The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:35 P.M. to Thursday, January 16, 1997 at Hesse Park, 7:00 P.M. N:\GROUPIPLANNING\VRCMMIN12.5 View Restoration Commission Minutes December 5, 1996 Page 3