CC SR 20160719 R - LME Ordiance 577 and Urgency OrdinanceRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
MEETING DATE: 07/19/2016
AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
Consideration and possible action to adopt an Urgency Ordinance and Ordinance to
amend Ordinance No. 577, thereby clarifying the code language for Chapter 15.20.040
(H), (K), (N), and (P).
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. U, an urgency ordinance of the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes, amending Ordinance No. 577 clarifying that the Council's adoption
of Ordinance No. 577 solely established an exception category ("T") to allow
residential development within the Landslide Moratorium Boundary Area of Zone
1 and did not amend any of the existing exception categories ("H," "K," "N," and
"P") to the Landslide Moratorium Ordinance (Chapter 15.20 of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code.
(2) Introduce Ordinance No. amending Ordinance No. 577 clarifying that
Ordinance No. 577 solely established an exception category ("T") to allow
residential development within the Landslide Moratorium Boundary Area of Zone
1 and did not amend any of the existing exception categories ("H," "K," "N," and
"P") to the Landslide Moratorium Ordinance (Chapter 15.20 of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Leza Mikhail, Senior Planner
REVIEWED BY: Ara Mihranian, Community Development Director
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager."w''•'", ;
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Urgency Ordinance No. U (Page A-1)
B. Ordinance No. (Page B-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On January 19, 2016, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 577 which established
exception category "T" of Chapter 15.20.040 of the City's Moratorium on Land Use
Permits. Exception category "T" allows vacant undeveloped parcels within Zone 1 of the
Landslide Moratorium Area to be developed with single-family residences and
01203.0005/303734.1
1
accessory structures up to a cumulative total of 8,000 square feet. The actual
Ordinance that was prepared included the full text of Chapter 15.20.040, with the new
text of exception category "T" underlined to demonstrate clearly the full language of the
new exception category. However, incorrect text of Section 15.20.040, subsections H,
K, N and P were inadvertently included in the Ordinance that was eventually adopted by
the Council.
As a result, the updated text in the Municipal Code now includes incorrect text of
Section 15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" which needs to be corrected to
accurately reflect the respective Council -adopted ordinances. As such, in order to
preserve the public peace, health and safety of the City, pursuant to Government Code
Section 36937(b), the City Council may adopt an Urgency Ordinance declaring the facts
constituting the urgency until the corrected ordinance is adopted. By not adopting the
urgency ordinance, which would immediately correct the incorrect text of Section
15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P", it would invite confusion among City
residents and Staff in applying development standards in the landslide moratorium area.
Furthermore, the public was never provided notice of revisions to subsections "H," "K,"
"N," or "P", and there was no consideration by the City Council to amend sections "H,"
"K," "N," or "P".
As such, Staff recommends that the City Council amend Ordinance No. 577, sections
"H," "K," "N," and "P" as noted in the attached Urgency Ordinance and Ordinance. If
adopted, the urgency ordinance will go into full force and effect immediately after
adoption. Additionally, if adopted, the regular Ordinance will be introduced this evening,
and will be adopted at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
01203.0005/303734.1
2
ORDINANCE NO. U
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 577 CLARIFYING THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL'S ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 577 SOLELY
ESTABLISHED AN EXCEPTION CATEGORY ("T") TO ALLOW
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE
MORATORIUM BOUNDARY AREA OF ZONE 1 AND DID NOT AMEND
ANY OF THE EXISTING EXCEPTION CATEGORIES ("H," "K," "N," OR
"P") TO THE LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM ORDINANCE (CHAPTER
15.20 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE)
WHEREAS, on January 19, 2016 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 577
establishing exception category "T" to allow vacant undeveloped parcels within Zone 1
of the Landslide Moratorium Area to be developed with single-family residences; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 577 purported to include the full text of Section
15.20.040 of Chapter 15.20 of Title 15 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code,
with the new text of exception category "T" underlined to demonstrate clearly the full
language of the new exception category; and
WHEREAS, due to a typographical error, the incorrect text of Section 15.20.040,
subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" were included in Ordinance No. 577; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the typographical error in Ordinance No. 577, the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code printers (Municipal Code Corporation) included
the incorrect text of Section 15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" in the updated
printed version and online version of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the updated Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code was uploaded to
the City's website and printed copies were made available in May of 2016; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 36937 (b), the City Council
may adopt an urgency ordinance which takes effect immediately if the ordinance is for
the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, the ordinance contains
a declaration of the facts constituting the urgency, and is passed by a four-fifths vote of
the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the incorrect text of Section 15.20.040,
subsections "H," "K," "N,' and "P" which was included in Ordinance No. 577 and which is
now improperly included in the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code was not properly
noticed as an amendment to the municipal code, nor was it considered by the City
Council, thereby making it an improper addition to the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal
Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the allowing the incorrect text of Section
01203.0005/303737.1
A-1
15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" to remain in the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code would invite confusion among City residents and staff in applying
development standards in the landslide moratorium area, and would not provide the
clarity needed for residents considering whether to submit development applications;
and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the immediate clarification of the
language of Section 15.20.040, subsection "P" is necessary to preserve the public
health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council finds that the recitals contained in this ordinance
are true and correct, relies upon them in passing this ordinance, and incorporates them
herein as though set forth in full herein.
Section 2: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "H" with the following language:
H. Minor projects on a lot that is in the 'landslide moratorium area,' as outlined in
red on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, and currently
is developed with a residential structure or other lawfully existing nonresidential
structure and involves an addition to an existing structure, enclosed patio,
conversion of an existing garage to habitable space or construction of a
permanent attached or detached accessory structure and does not exceed a
cumulative projects) total of 1,200 square feet per parcel; provided that a
landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director and provided
that the prosect complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
(Landslide Mitigation Measures Required) and does not include any additional
plumbing fixtures, unless the lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. The 1,200
square foot limitation on cumulative projects that can be approved on a lot
pursuant to this subsection includes the construction of a new garage, which can
be approved pursuant to subsection L of this section. November 5, 2002, is the
date that shall be used for determining the baseline square footage, based upon
city and county building permit records, for purposes of calculating the square
footage of any cumulative projects) and of any additions that may be
constructed pursuant to this subsection H. Minor projects involving the
construction of an enclosed permanent detached accessory structure shall
include a requirement that a use restriction covenant, in a form acceptable to the
city, that prevents the enclosed permanent detached accessory structure from
being used as a separate dwelling unit is recorded with the Los Angeles County
Registrar -Recorder. Such covenant shall be submitted to the director prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Prior the approval of a landslide moratorium
exception permit for such minor projects, the applicant shall submit to the director
any geological or geotechnical studies reasonably required by the city to
01203.0005/303737.1
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Page 2 of 5
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demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city -geotechnical staff that the proposed
project will not aggravate the existing situation;
Section 3: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "K" with the following language:
K. Minor projects on a lot that is in the 'landslide moratorium area,' as outlined in
blue on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, and currently
is developed with a residential structure or other lawfully existing nonresidential
structure and involves an addition to an existing structure, enclosed patio,
conversion of an existing garage to habitable space or construction of a
permanent attached or detached accessory structure and does not exceed a
cumulative project(s) total of 1,200 square feet per parcel; provided that a
landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director and provided
that the project complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
(Landslide Mitigation Measures Required) and does not include any additional
plumbing fixtures, unless the lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. The 1,200
square foot limitation on cumulative projects that can be approved on a lot
pursuant to this subsection includes the construction of a new garage, which can
be approved pursuant to subsection L of this section. November 5, 2002, is the
date that shall be used for determining the baseline square footage, based upon
city and county building permit records, for purposes of calculating the square
footage of any cumulative project(s) and of any additions that may be
constructed pursuant to this subsection K. Minor projects involving the
construction of an enclosed permanent detached accessory structure shall
include a requirement that a use restriction covenant, in a form acceptable to the
city, that prevents the enclosed permanent detached accessory structure from
being used as a separate dwelling unit is recorded with the Los Angeles County
Registrar -Recorder. Such covenant shall be submitted to the director prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Prior the approval of a landslide moratorium
exception permit for such minor projects, the applicant shall submit to the director
any geological or geotechnical studies reasonably required by the city to
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city geotechnical staff that the proposed
project will not aggravate the existing situation;
Section 4: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "N" with the following language:
N. Minor aroiects on those lots that are currently develoaed with a residential
structure, which do not involve new habitable space or the addition of a
swimming pool or spa, which cannot be used as a gathering space and viewing
area, and which do not constitute lot coverage;
Section 5: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "P" with the following language:
P. The construction of residential buildings. accessory structures. and aradina
01203.0005/303737.1
Ordinance No.
Page 3 of 5
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totaling less than one thousand cubic yards of combined cut and fill and
including no more than fifty cubic yards of imported fill material on the sixteen
(16) undeveloped lots in Zone 2 of the "landslide moratorium area" as outlined in
green on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, identified
as belonging to the plaintiffs in the case "Monks v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
167 Cal. App. 4th 263, 84 Cal. Rptr. 3d 75 (Cal. App. 2 Dist., 2008)", provided,
that a landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director, and
provided that the project complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
LLandslide Mitigation Measures Required) of this chapter. Such projects shall
qualify for a landslide moratorium exception permit only if all applicable
requirements of this code are satisfied, and the parcel is served by a sanitary
sewer system. Prior to the issuance of a landslide moratorium exception permit,
the applicant shall submit to the director any geological or geotechnical studies
reasonably required by the city to demonstrate to the satisfaction of thecity
_geotechnical staff that the proposed project will not aggravate the existing
situation.
Section 6: The City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections
15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that it will not have a significant effect
or physical change to the environment.
Section 7: Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
place, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remainder of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have
adopted this ordinance, and each and every section, subsection, subdivision, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared
invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 8: The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in three (3)
public places in the City within fifteen (15) days after its passage, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 36933 of the Government Code. The City Clerk shall further
certify to the adoption and posting of this Ordinance, and shall cause this Ordinance
and its certification, together with proof of posting, to be entered in the Book of
Ordinances of the Council of this City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Section 9: This Ordinance shall go into effect immediately.
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A-4
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 19th day of July 2016.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Carla Morreale, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby
certify that the whole numbers of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Ordinance No. U was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at
a regular meeting thereof held on July 19, 2016 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
City Clerk
01203.0005/303737.1
Ordinance No.
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A-5
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 577 CLARIFYING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL'S ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 577 SOLELY
ESTABLISHED AN EXCEPTION CATEGORY ("T") TO ALLOW
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE LANDSLIDE
MORATORIUM BOUNDARY AREA OF ZONE 1 AND DID NOT AMEND
ANY OF THE EXISTING EXCEPTION CATEGORIES ("H," "K," "N," OR
"P") TO THE LANDSLIDE MORATORIUM ORDINANCE (CHAPTER
15.20 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE)
WHEREAS, on January 19, 2016 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 577
establishing exception category "T" to allow vacant undeveloped parcels within Zone 1
of the Landslide Moratorium Area to be developed with single-family residences; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 577 purported to include the full text of Section
15.20.040 of Chapter 15.20 of Title 15 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code,
with the new text of exception category "T" underlined to demonstrate clearly the full
language of the new exception category; and
WHEREAS, due to a typographical error, the incorrect text of Section 15.20.040,
subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" were included in Ordinance No. 577; and
WHEREAS, the updated Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code was uploaded to
the City's website and printed copies were made available in May of 2016; and
WHEREAS, City staff has not received any applications for development under
Section 15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," or "P" since the incorrect version of these
sections were printed in the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the incorrect text of Section 15.20.040,
subsections "H," "K," "N,' and "P" which was included in Ordinance No. 577 and which is
now improperly included in the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code was not properly
noticed as an amendment to the municipal code, nor was it considered by the City
Council, thereby making it an improper addition to the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal
Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the allowing the incorrect text of Section
15.20.040, subsections "H," "K," "N," and "P" to remain in the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code would invite confusion among City residents and staff, and would not
provide the clarity needed for residents considering whether to submit development
applications; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the immediate clarification of the
language of Section 15.20.040, subsection "P" is necessary to preserve the public
01203.0005/303741.1
B-1
health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council finds that the recitals contained in this ordinance
are true and correct, relies upon them in passing this ordinance, and incorporates them
herein as though set forth in full herein.
Section 2: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "H" with the following language:
H. Minor aroiects on a lot that is in the 'landslide moratorium area.' as outlined in
red on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, and currently
is developed with a residential structure or other lawfully existing nonresidential
structure and involves an addition to an existing structure, enclosed patio,
conversion of an existing garage to habitable space or construction of a
permanent attached or detached accessory structure and does not exceed a
cumulative proiect(s) total of 1,200 square feet per parcel; provided that a
landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director and provided
that the prosect complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
(Landslide Mitigation Measures Required) and does not include any additional
plumbing fixtures, unless the lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. The 1,200
square foot limitation on cumulative projects that can be approved on a lot
pursuant to this subsection includes the construction of a new garage, which can
be approved pursuant to subsection L of this section. November 5, 2002, is the
date that shall be used for determining the baseline square footage, based upon
city and county building permit records, for purposes of calculating the square
footage of any cumulative project(s) and of any additions that may be
constructed pursuant to this subsection H. Minor projects involving the
construction of an enclosed permanent detached accessory structure shall
include a requirement that a use restriction covenant, in a form acceptable to the
city, that prevents the enclosed permanent detached accessory structure from
being used as a separate dwelling unit is recorded with the Los Angeles County
Registrar -Recorder. Such covenant shall be submitted to the director prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Prior the approval of a landslide moratorium
exception permit for such minor projects, the applicant shall submit to the director
any geological or geotechnical studies reasonably required by the city to
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city geotechnical staff that the proposed
proiect will not aggravate the existing situation;
Section 3: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "K" with the following language:
K. Minor protects on a lot that is in the 'landslide moratorium area,' as outlined in
blue on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, and currently
is developed with a residential structure or other lawfully existing nonresidential
01203.0005/303741.1
Ordinance No.
Page 2 of 5
B-2
structure and involves an addition to an existina structure. enclosed
conversion of an existing garage to habitable space or construction of a
permanent attached or detached accessory structure and does not exceed a
cumulative project(s) total of 1,200 square feet per parcel; provided that a
landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director and provided
that the project complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
(Landslide Mitigation Measures Required) and does not include any additional
plumbing fixtures, unless the lot is served by a sanitary sewer system. The 1,200
square foot limitation on cumulative projects that can be approved on a lot
pursuant to this subsection includes the construction of a new garage, which can
be approved pursuant to subsection L of this section. November 5, 2002, is the
date that shall be used for determining the baseline square footage, based upon
city and county building permit records, for purposes of calculating the square
footage of any cumulative project(s) and of any additions that may be
constructed pursuant to this subsection K. Minor projects involving the
construction of an enclosed permanent detached accessory structure shall
include a requirement that a use restriction covenant, in a form acceptable to the
city, that prevents the enclosed permanent detached accessory structure from
being used as a separate dwellinq unit is recorded with the Los Angeles County
Registrar -Recorder. Such covenant shall be submitted to the director prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Prior the approval of a landslide moratorium
exception permit for such minor projects, the applicant shall submit to the director
any geological or geotechnical studies reasonably required by the city to
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city geotechnical staff that the proposed
proiect will not aggravate the existing situation;
Section 4: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "N" with the following language:
N. Minor projects on those lots that are currently developed with a residential
structure, which do not involve new habitable space or the addition of a
swimming pool or spa, which cannot be used as a gathering space and viewing
area, and which do not constitute lot coverage;
Section 5: The City Council hereby amends Ordinance No. 577 to replace the
language of exception category "P" with the following language:
P. The construction of residential buildings, accessory structures, and grading
totaling less than one thousand cubic yards of combined cut and fill and
including no more than fifty cubic yards of imported fill material on the sixteen
(16) undeveloped lots in Zone 2 of the "landslide moratorium area" as outlined in
green on the landslide moratorium map on file in the director's office, identified
as belonging to the plaintiffs in the case "Monks v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
167 Cal. App. 4th 263, 84 Cal. Rptr. 3d 75 (Cal. App. 2 Dist., 2008) "; provided,
that a landslide moratorium exception permit is approved by the director, and
provided that the proiect complies with the criteria set forth in Section 15.20.050
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Page 3 of 5
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(Landslide Mitigation Measures Required) of this chapter. Such projects shall
qualify for a landslide moratorium exception permit only if all applicable
requirements of this code are satisfied, and the parcel is served by a sanitary
sewer system. Prior to the issuance of a landslide moratorium exception permit,
the applicant shall submit to the director any geological or geotechnical studies
reasonably required by the city to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city
geotechnical staff that the proposed project will not aggravate the existing
situation.
Section 6: The City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections
15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that it will not have a significant effect
or physical change to the environment.
Section 7: Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
place, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remainder of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have
adopted this ordinance, and each and every section, subsection, subdivision, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared
invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 8: The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in three (3)
public places in the City within fifteen (15) days after its passage, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 36933 of the Government Code. The City Clerk shall further
certify to the adoption and posting of this Ordinance, and shall cause this Ordinance
and its certification, together with proof of posting, to be entered in the Book of
Ordinances of the Council of this City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Section 6: Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in effective on the thirtieth
(30th) day after the day of its adoption.
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PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 19th day of July 2016.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, CARLA MORREALE, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby
certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the
foregoing Ordinance No. passed first reading on July 19, 2016, was duly and
regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof held on
and that the same was passed and adopted by the following roll call
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CITY CLERK
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