VRC MINS 19961017 0 0 APPROVED
JANUARY 16, 1997
. C4,
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 17, 1996
The meeting was called to order by Chair R. Green at 7:05 P.M. at Hesse Park
Community Building, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Pledge of Allegiance followed
led by Commissioner Goern.
PRESENT: Commissioners Boudreau, Goern, A. Green, and Chair R. Green
ABSENT: Commissioners Black, Gee, Karmelich, Long, Marshall, and Vice Chair
Sweetnam were excused
Also present were Principal Planner Rojas, City Attorney Carol Lynch and Recording
Secretary Peterson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved without objection, (4-0).
REVIEW OF DRAFT VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT GUIDELINES
City Attorney Carol Lynch began the discussion by explaining to the Commission that
they had a marked up version of the Guidelines and pointed out the various changes
that were being proposed. She began with the first significant change which was in
regards to viewing area. She explained that the new proposed language was not as
restrictive.
Commissioner Boudreau asked for a better explanation. She was uncomfortable with
the language in regards to the measurement being taken from no farther than five feet
from the structure.
The City Attorney explained that the language was taken directly from the Planning
Commission Guidelines which was trying to define an area where people congregate.
Commissioner Boudreau objected that this was too restrictive and didn't take outside
view into account at all.
A discussion followed among the Commissioners as to how restrictive the language in
the Draft Guidelines could be, with different scenarios being suggested, and what the
intent of Proposition M was.
The City Attorney suggested going back to the language in the last approved draft of
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the View Restoration Commission's Guidelines with a few minor modifications. When
the guidelines are taken back to the City Council they will be informed that this was the
approach the View Restoration Commission preferred over the language in the
Planning Commissions Guidelines. It will then have to be a policy decision that the City
Council will give direction on.
Chair R. Green reminded the Commission not to get too extreme in their suggestions
for the Guidelines. They have to remember that the people who own the trees have an
interest to be protected as well as the person who has lost their view from the trees.
City Attorney Lynch went on to point out minor changes made to the language to
address the Commission's concerns regarding views from primary living areas of a
residence.
The Commission then discussed viewing areas and what would be considered the best
and most important view or viewing area.
City Attorney Lynch pointed out other minor changes in language to the document to
the Commission.
Chair R. Green asked City Attorney Lynch what kind of time frame the Commission had
in making a decision on View Restoration cases.
City Attorney Lynch responded that once an application is deemed complete, the
Commission has three months to make a determination. If a determination is not made
within three months, the application is deemed approved.
Principal Planner Rojas added that an application is only deemed approved if no action
or hearing is taken within three months. However, Staff could recommend denial if they
knew they could not make the time line. Staff could also request an extension from the
applicant, which is most often granted.
Commissioner Goern made a motion directing the City Attorney to make the
changes discussed and present the proposed guidelines to the City Council,
which was seconded by Commissioner A. Green. The motion passed, (4-0).
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
Staff:
A presentation by the new Staff consultants to the View Restoration Commission at a
VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 17,1996
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future meeting on the status and plan of action for the suspended view restoration
cases was proposed by Staff.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner A. Green moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by
Commissioner Boudreau. The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:18 P.M.
The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, 1996 at Hesse Park,
7:00 P.M.
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VIEW RESTORATION COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 17, 1996
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