PC MINS 20171010 ADJ Approved 11/28/1 •;
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 10, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman James at 6:20 p.m.at the Fred
Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Bradley led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Bradley, Emenhiser, Leon, Nelson, and Vice Chairman
James.
Absent: Commissioner Tomblin (excused) and Chairman Cruikshank (excused).
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Deputy Community
Development Director Kim, Contract Planner Bashmakian, Assistant City Attorney
Laymon, RF Engineer Michael Afflerbach, and Associate Engineer Eder.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Commissioner Emenhiser, seconded by Commissioner Bradley, to approve
the agenda as modified, Agenda Items No. 4 and No. 5 will be heard after Agenda Item
No. 8.
COMMUNICATIONS
Director Mihranian informed the Commission that the City Council conducted a workshop
on Monday, October 3rd on the City's Draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan
(NCCP) and at its regular meeting on October 4th authorized Staff to move forward with
the acquisition of city street lights from Southern California Edison.
Director Mihranian announced that late correspondence was distributed including
revisions to three resolutions reflecting wordsmith edits suggested by Vice-Chairman
James. Director Mihranian then introduced the City's new Director of Public Works,
Elias Sassoon.
Commissioner Emenhiser announced that the Long Point HOA will be conducting a City
Council Candidate Debate on October 11th at 7:00 P.M. at PVIC.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda item):
Les Chapin, expressed concerns with a future agenda item on Major Wireless
Telecommunication Facility Permit No. ASG No. 34.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 P.C. MINUTES
Commissioner Bradley moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by
Commissioner Nelson. Approved, (4-0-1-2) with Commissioner Leon abstaining
and Commissioner Tomblin and Chair Cruikshank absent.
2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 P.C. MINUTES
Commissioner Leon moved to approve the minutes as amended with a minor edit
to the continuance date on Page 8. Approved, (5-0-2) with Commissioner Tomblin
and Chair Cruikshank absent.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 43: Across from
5721 Crestridge Road (AB)
Art Bashmakian, Contract Planner presented the staff report and power point
presentation.
Vice Chairman James declared the public hearing open; the following people spoke:
Aaron Snyder, Crown Castle, gave an overview of the permit request to install two 21.4"
panel antennas to a new 18'-4" tall pole to accommodate a wireless telecommunication
facility with related vaulted mechanical equipment.
Jeff Calvagna, thanked Staff for looking into alternatives and questioned if the sites along
Hawthorne Blvd. were installed in compliance with the City's code. Mr. Calvagna also
stated he could support this application request.
Noel Park, expressed his concern with the increasing amount of cell towers on the City's
arterial streets and the aesthetic impact it will have in the future.
With no other requests to speak, Vice Chair James declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Council Members and Staff regarding the design and
location of the proposed wireless facility.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 2
Commissioner Bradley moved, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser, to adopt
P.C. Resolution No. 2017-33 approving, with conditions, Major Wireless
Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 43. Approved, (5-0-2)with
Commissioner Tomblin and Chair Cruikshank absent.
Director Mihranian announced that there is a 15-day appeal expiring on October 25,
2017.
Per the re-order of the agenda, Vice Chair James moved to Agenda Item No. 6
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 69:
Across 3486 Seaglen Drive (AB)
Art Bashmakian, Contract Planner presented the staff report and power point
presentation.
All Commissioner announced that they had visited the proposed cell site.
Vice Chairman James declared the public hearing open; the following people spoke:
Aaron Snyder, Crown Castle, gave an overview of the request to install a wireless
telecommunication facility (two panel antennas) with related mechanical equipment to a
24' tall replacement street light pole.
Denise Van Deuren, Jeffery Thompson, Theresa Mohaddes, Jeff Calvagna, Noel Park,
Nasar Razepoor, Camille Feldman, Danny Babich, and Joan Davidson spoke in
opposition of the proposed Wireless Telecommunication Facility expressing concerns
with the design, location, compatibility with the neighborhood, and the need for a
wireless facility in the neighborhood.
With no other requests to speak, Vice Chair James declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff, including the City's RF Engineer
Mr. Afflerbach, regarding the coverage and capacity gaps in the area, the design and
location of the proposed wireless facility.
Commissioner Leon moved, seconded by Commissioner Bradley, to deny without
prejudice, Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 69, and
directed Staff to bring back the denial Resolution at its October 24, 2017, meeting.
Approved, (5-0-2) with Commissioner Tomblin and Chair Cruikshank absent.
Vice Chair James called for a brief recess.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 3
7. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 42:
29756 Crenshaw Boulevard (AB)
Art Bashmakian, Contract Planner presented the staff report and power point
presentation.
Vice Chairman James declared the public hearing open; the following people spoke:
Aaron Snyder, Crown Castle, gave an overview of the request to install a wireless
telecommunication facility (two panel antennas) with related vaulted mechanical
equipment panel to an existing 48' tall utility pole.
Noel Park, raised several questions concerning the wireless telecommunication facilities
stating that the significant gap in coverage needs to be defined and clarified, additional
research on alternative designs that are more aesthetically pleasing and less intrusive
needs to be done, and suggested a cell tower mock-up that residents can view and
listen to the noise emitted by the facility.
With no other requests to speak, Vice Chair James declared the public hearing closed.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the design, location,
coverage and capacity matters related to the proposed wireless facility.
Commissioner Leon moved, seconded by Commissioner Bradley, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2017-34, approving with conditions, Major Wireless
Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 42. Approved, (5-1-2) with
Commissioner Emenhiser dissenting and Commissioner Tomblin and Chair
Cruikshank absent.
Director Mihranian announced that there is a 15-day appeal expiring on October 25,
2017.
8. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 44:
28651 Meadowmist Drive (AB)
Art Bashmakian, Contract Planner presented the staff report and power point
presentation.
Vice Chairman James declared the public hearing open; the following people spoke:
Aaron Snyder, Crown Castle, gave an overview of the request to install a wireless
telecommunication facility (two panel antennas) with related vaulted mechanical
equipment to a 25.9' tall replacement street light pole and expressed its support to
continue the agenda item to allow additional time to explore alternative locations.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 4
Jeff Calvagna, thanked Staff for looking into alternatives and opposed the location of the
cell site recommending that the facility be located in front of the church property.
With no other requests to speak, Vice Chair James declared the public hearing closed.
Vice Chair James announced that Commissioner Nelson left the meeting and was
excused for the remainder of the evening.
All Commissioner announced that they had visited the proposed cell site.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding Staff's recommendation
to locate the proposed facility on Armaga Springs Road because of the density of the
residential neighborhood.
Vice Chairman James re-opened the public hearing to allow further public comments.
The Commission and Aaron Snyder, Crown Castle, discussed relocating the proposed
Wireless Telecommunications Facility to an alternative location on Armaga Springs
Road.
Noel Park, urged the Commission to continue the item to allow Staff to notify the
neighbors of the revised location.
Camille Feldman, suggested alternative cell sites and spoke in opposition of the cell site
proposed and urged the Commission to continue the item to November 14, 2017.
Vice Chair James moved, seconded by Commissioner Bradley, to direct the
Applicant to explore relocating the proposed Wireless Telecommunications
Facility on an existing streetlight pole on Armaga Springs Road located
approximately 100 feet east of the centerline of the Meadowmist and Armaga
Springs Road intersection and continued the public hearing to November 14,
2017 provided that the Applicant toll the shot clock in writing within 24 hours to
November 21, 2017, and if that hasn't been done, to come back with a denial
resolution at the October 24, 2017 meeting. Approved, (4-0-3) with
Commissioners Tomblin and Nelson, and Chair Cruikshank absent.
Per the re-order of the agenda, Vice Chair James moved to Agenda Item No. 4,
followed by Agenda Item No. 5.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
4. AMENDMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION RULES AND PROCEDURES:
(AM)
Director Mihranian gave a brief staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 5
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the expectations with
going from detailed minutes to action minutes.
Commissioner Bradley moved, seconded by Commissioner Leon, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2017-35 amending P.C. Resolution No. 2011-25, Planning
Commission Rules and Procedures, to move from detailed minutes to action
minutes. Approved, (4-0-3) with Commissioners Tomblin and Nelson, and Chair
Cruikshank absent.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. CODE AMENDMENT TO TITLE 17 OF THE RPVMC (Z0N2017-00430): Citywide
(SK)
So Kim, Deputy Director of Community Development gave a staff report.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff on State laws and how it would
apply to the City emphasizing the City's desire to retain local control.
Vice Chair James moved, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2017-36, recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed
changes to Title 17 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to prohibit
commercial marijuana activities throughout the City. Approved, (4-0-3) with
Commissioners Tomblin and Nelson, and Chair Cruikshank absent.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
9. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 24, 2017
The Commission reviewed and approved the pre-agenda with the addition of the denial
Resolution on the Consent Calendar for Major Wireless Telecommunication Permit ASG
No. 69.
10. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 14, 2017
The Commission reviewed and approved the pre-agenda with the addition of the
continued public hearing for Major Wireless Telecommunication Permit ASG No. 44.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 P.M.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 6
For the complete video archiving of this Planning Commission meeting go to:
http://rpv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view id=5&clip id=2913 and click on
the agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 10,2017
Page 7