PC MINS 20171024 ADJ Approved 11/28/17 %1
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cruikshank at 5:11 p.m.at the Fred Hesse
Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chairman James led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Bradley, Emenhiser, Leon (arriving during item #4), Nelson,
Tomblin, Vice Chairman James, and Chairman Cruikshank.
Absent: None
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Special Counsel Lopez,
Associate Engineer Eder, RF Engineer Mike Afflerbach.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
Director Mihranian reported that at the October 17th meeting, the City Council received and
filed a report on the conflict of interest and recusal procedures and that staff is working with
the City Attorney's office to determine if the Planning Commission Rules and Procedures
should be amended. Also, the City Council approved a service agreement with Matrix
Imaging to scan and digitize documents in the Community Development Department.
Director Mihranian handed out late correspondence for Agenda Item No. 8; reported that at
the October 10th meeting, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution amending its Rules
and Procedures to go from detailed minutes to action minutes.
Director Mihranian also reported that Staff continues to work with SCE representatives to
discuss requirements for collocating wireless facilities on utility poles.
Special Counsel Lopez also briefed the Planning Commission on the Governor's veto of SB
649.
Commissioner Emenhiser asked a question regarding the Planning Commission Rules and
Procedures pertaining to the 500' radius recusal requirement.
Director Mihranian responded that Staff is exploring whether that provision can be
amended based on the City Attorney's memo.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda item):
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 P.C. MINUTES
Approved on a vote of 5-0-1. Commissioner Tomblin abstaining because he was absent.
Commissioner Leon was not present to vote on the motion.
2. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 69: Across
3486 Seaglen Drive (AB)
Director Mirhranian stated this items was denied, without prejudice, at the October 10, 2017
meeting and the Planning Commission directed Staff to bring back the denial Resolution at
tonight's meeting.
Commissioner Emenisher moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2017-37 denying, without prejudice, Major Wireless
Telecommunication Facilities Permit ASG No. 69 on a vote of 5-0-1 with Chairman
Cruikshank abstaining because he was not present at the October 10th meeting
(Commissioner Leon was not present to vote on the motion).
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 08: Across
from 30505 Calle de Suenos (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and a power point presentation
recommending that this item be continued to December 12, 2017 to allow the Applicant
additional time to explore relocating the proposed facility.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
Page 2
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing
Noel Park spoke in opposition of this item.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing.
Vice Chair James moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to continue the public
hearing for the proposed Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No.
08 to December 12, 2017 in order to allow the Applicant additional time to relocate the
proposed wireless facility on a new pole approximately 600' north of the proposed
location on Calle de Suenos on a vote of 6-0 with commissioner Leon not present to
vote on the motion.
4. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 35: 6722
Abbottswood Drive (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending that this application be continued to November 28, 2017.
Commissioner Emenhiser asked for clarification on Section 6409 of the Federal Middle Class
Tax Relief Act.
Special Counsel Lopez gave a brief explanation on how it relates to wireless
telecommunications that are existing and proposed to be modified.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the design, location and
coverage and capacity matters related to the proposed wireless telecommunication facility.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing
Aaron Sydner gave a brief overview of the proposed wireless telecommunication facility with
discussion amongst the Commission.
John Hurrell spoke in opposition of adding poles in the Los Verdes area.
Jeff Calvagna recommended staff look into the legality of sites in violation general order 95
and restrictions and if they qualify for provisions of Section 6409 of the Federal Middle
Class Tax Relief Act.
Noel Park thanked staff and is in favor of relocating the proposed site. He also spoke on
the location and mock up designs.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Vice Chairman James, to continue the
public hearing to November 28, 2017, contingent upon the proposed project not
falling within the provisions of Section 6409 of the Federal Middle Class Tax Relief
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October 24,2017
Page 3
Act, on a vote of 5-1-1 with Commissioner Emenhiser dissenting and Commissioner
Leon abstaining.
5. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO.37: Northside of
Ridgegate Drive (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending that this application be continued to November 28, 2017.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the design, location and
coverage and capacity matters related to the proposed wireless telecommunication facility.
Director Mihranian recommended that the Commission visit the existing wireless facility at
the intersection of Ridgegate Drive and Highridge Road to view an underground vault.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing.
Katrine Otsuki spoke in opposition of the Ridgegate location and provided a neighborhood
petition in opposition for the record.
Noel Park expressed opposition of the proposed location and supported relocating the
facility.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing.
Vice Chair James moved, seconded by Commissioner Bradley to continue the public
hearing to November 28, 2017 to allow the Applicant additional time to explore an
alternative site for the proposed wireless facility at the intersection of Ridgegate Drive
and Highridge Road on a vote of 7-0.
6. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 45: San Nicolas Drive
West of Lomo Drive (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending that this application be continued to November 28, 2017.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing.
Aaron Synder gave a brief review of the location and design of the proposed wireless
telecommunication facility.
Joseph Thomas spoke in opposition of the proposed facility and location expressing adverse
impacts to his home which is directly in front of the proposed facility.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
Page 4
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Leon to continue the
public hearing to November 28, 2017 contingent upon the proposed project not falling
within the provisions of Section 6409 of the Federal Middle Class Tax Relief Act on a
vote of 7-0.
7. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 48: Terminus of(lower)
Mossbank Drive west of Basswood Avenue (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending approval, with conditions, the proposed wireless facility.
Director Mihranian stated this item was last heard by the Planning Commission on
September 28, 2017 at which time the Applicant requested to continue the matter to allow
additional time to explore the need and location of the proposed facility in light of the City's
approval of a wireless facility on Silver Spur Road.
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.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing.
Aaron Snyder presented a brief presentation on the proposed installation of ASG No. 48
discussing the proposed RF location and alternate locations and answered Commission and
Staff regarding coverage and capacity gaps.
Jeff Calvagna spoke in opposition and disagreement with the proposed site.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners, Staff and the City's RF Engineer Mr.
Afflerbach, and Aaron Synder regarding the coverage and capacity gaps at Mossbank
Drive west of Basswood Avenue and alternative options. The Planning Commission raised
concerns regarding the proposed facility and its adverse impacts to the residential
neighborhood.
Vice Chairman James moved, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser, to deny,
without prejudice, Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 48 and
directed Staff to bring back the denial resolution at its November 14, 2017 meeting, on
a vote of 6-1 with Commissioner Nelson dissenting.
8. MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 36: Across 28907
Doverridge Drive (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending that this application be denied, without prejudice, because the proposed
facility would be installed on a new pole in a neighborhood that has existing streetlight poles
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
Page 5
that can accommodate the proposed wireless facility and that the proposed wireless facility
would adversely impact the character of the immediate neighborhood.
Director Mihranian stated that the Applicant is requesting to continue the public hearing to
allow additional time to explore alternatives. He deferred to the Applicant to explain the
continuance request which was submitted this afternoon.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing.
Stephen Garcia from Crown Castle stated they have reached out to AT&T for alternative
design of the proposed site. The request to continue is based on receiving information and
taking into consideration the alternative design for the proposed wireless telecommunication
facility.
Louise Ewing, Duffy Persons, Denise Van Deuren, Jeff Calvagna, Megan Wescott, Tony
Deley, Jamie Ehrl, Darren Chehrazi, Leyla Nejad, Andy Ebilane and Carolyn Clark, spoke in
opposition of the proposed wireless telecommunication facility stating issues with location,
design, noise, compatibility with the neighborhood, property value, and coverage needs.
Stephen Garcia stated they would like time to examine the latest package from AT&T to
consider proposed new alternative locations and design options.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Emenhiser moved, seconded by Vice Chairman James, denying
without prejudice Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 36 on
a vote of 7-0.
Chairman Cruikshank called for a brief recess.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 25: 27659
Longhill Drive (AB)
Commissioner Tomblin moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to continue the
public hearing to November 28, 2017 to allow the Applicant additional time to explore
an alternative site for the proposed wireless facility on an existing wood utility pole on
the north side of Longhill Drive between Warrior Drive and Flaming Arrow Drive on a
vote of 7-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
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10. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 34:
Between 6954 and 6960 Verde Ridge Road (AB)
Associate Engineer Eder presented the staff report and power point presentation
recommending that this application be continued to November 28, 2017.
Director Mihranian reported that Staff visited the site with the Applicant and identified an
alternative location on an existing streetlight pole on the Rock Park Drive cul-de-sac that
would minimize impacts to the immediate neighborhood.
Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the design, location and
coverage and capacity matters related to the proposed wireless telecommunication facility.
All Commissioners announced that they visited the site.
Chairman Cruikshank opened the public hearing.
Noel Park and Sharon Fair addressed the Commission and stated their opposition of the cell
site design and location, indicating that the proposed wireless facility should be located
across the canyon on an existing facility and out of the immediate neighborhood.
Chairman Cruikshank closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Tomblin moved, seconded by Vice Chairman James, to continue the
public hearing to December 12, 2017 to allow the Applicant additional time to explore
an alternative site for the proposed wireless facility on a replacement streetlight pole
on Rock Park Drive on a vote of 7-0.
NEW BUSINESS
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
11. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 14, 2017
Accepted as presented on a vote of 7-0.
12. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 28, 2017
Accepted as presented on a vote of 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 P.M.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
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For the complete video archiving of this Planning Commission meeting go to: and
http://rpv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view id=5&clip id=2918 click on the
agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 24,2017
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