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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman James at 7:06 p.m.at the Fred Hesse
Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Emenhiser led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Bradley, Emenhiser, Leon, Nelson, Tomblin, and Vice
Chairman James.
Absent: None
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Deputy Community
Development Director Kim, Senior Planner Alvarez, Senior Planner Silva, Associate
Planner Nemeth and Assistant City Attorney Gerli.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council:
Director Mihranian reported that at the February 6th meeting, the City Council conducted
the annual review for Green Hills Memorial Park and adopted certain amendments to the
Conditions of Approval, and introduced Ordinance No. 605 that expands the definition of
Short Term Rentals to include commercial operations. He added that the City Council will
conduct a special meeting on Thursday, February 15th at 5:00 p.m. to consider certain
appeals filed by Crown Castle; and that at its February 20, 2018 meeting, the City Council
will consider an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of the project at 27581
Palos Verdes Drive East, and will appoint new Planning Commissioners and select the
Planning Commission Chairman.
Staff:
Director Mihranian reported that 1) An appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of
the Chase Bank on Western Avenue was filed last week by the neighboring property
owner; 2) The League of California Cities will hold its annual Planning Commissioner's
Academy on April 4th in Monterey; 3) Code Enforcement Officer Julie Peterson retired last
week after nearly 30 years of service; and 3) Late correspondence has been provided for
agenda item nos. 3 and 6.
Planning Commission:
Commissioner Bradley inquired about the appeals being considered by the Council at its
February 15th meeting; Commissioner Nelson requested to receive a report on the state's
housing legislation at a future meeting; Vice Chairman James congratulated former Code
Enforcement Officer Julie Peterson on her retirement, congratulated Assistant City
Attorney Elena Gerli on making partner with Aleshire and Wynder, and thanked
Commissioner Emenhiser on his 8 years of service on the Planning Commission and
handed him a gift on behalf of the entire Planning Commission; and Commissioner
Emenhiser expressed his appreciation serving the community while on the Commission,
and thanked his Colleagues and Staff.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of the January 23, 2018 P.C. Minutes
Approved as amended on a vote of 6-0.
2. Approval of the January 30, 2018 P.C. Minutes
Approved as amended on a vote of 6-0.
3. General Plan Update
Deputy Director Kim presented a status report on the progress of the General Plan
update noting that Staff intends to bring the updated General Plan document to the
Commission for its review on March 27th
A discussion ensued between Staff and the Commission regarding additional elements
that will be included in the updated General Plan based on new requirements mandated
by the State.
Director Mihranian noted there will be a special City Council meeting on April 26, 2018 to
consider the updated General Plan recommended by the Planning Commission. He
added that the City Council will be asked to adopt the required environmental document
associated with the update.
Commissioner Emenhiser asked for an explanation of the new Environmental Justice
element that will be added to the updated General Plan.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13,2018
Page 2
Assistant City Attorney Gerli gave a brief overview of the meaning and areas affected
particularly how it relates to the City.
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Bradley, to receive and
file a status report on the General Plan update, on a vote of 6-0.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
4. Amendment to Conditions Of Approval For P.C. Resolution No. 2007-56: (Case
No. VRP2007-00007): 2143 Daladier Drive
Associate Planner Nemeth presented the staff report requesting to amend Condition Nos.
3 and 4 of P.C. Resolution No. 2007-56 to change the view restoration trimming
requirements for Tree Nos. 12 through 15 located at 2143 Daladier Drive. He stated that
the request involves crown raising Pine Tree Nos. 12 and 13 and discontinuing the
method of lacing for Pine Tree Nos. 12 through 15 located at 2143 Daladier Drive.
Discussion ensued between Staff and the Planning Commission on the background of
the conditions of approval, where the viewing area is taken from, and agreement made
between the various parties.
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Emenhiser, to adopt
P.C. Resolution No. 2018-07; thereby approving a request to amend Conditions
Nos. 3 and 4 of P.C. Resolution No. 2007-56 to change the view restoration trimming
requirements for Tree Nos. 12-15 located at 2143 Daladier Drive upon finding that
all applicable findings of Section 17.02.040(c)(2)(c) of the Municipal Code have
been met on a vote of 6-0.
Director Mihranian stated there is a 15 day appeal period.
5. Appeal Of Director-Approved Fence/ Vall Permit: (Case No. ZON2016-00377): 32 Via
Del Cielo
Senior Planner Seeraty presented the staff report to overturn the Director's approval of a
Fence/Wall Permit that allows a 3.5' to 4' tall fence at the top of the slope along the east
property line at 32 Via Del Cielo. Staffs presentation compared the seated and standing
views from the view location of the upslope property at 70 Calle Cortada.
Discussion ensued between Staff and the Planning Commission regarding the viewing
area, how the view frame is established, the fence material, and the requirements of the
City's View Ordinance as it relates to whether a view is documented in the seated or
standing position.
Vice Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13,2018
Page 3
Jim Hudnall, Applicant, addressed the Commission giving historical information of his
property. He presented a PowerPoint presentation on his proposal referring to the tract
conditions pertaining to fencing.
The Commission asked the Applicant questions regarding insurance liability, the
proposed fence height, and the fence material found within the neighborhood.
Tom Vice, Appellant, addressed the Commission with a background of his property and
reasons for moving to the City. He expressed his areas of agreement and areas he is
opposed to with regards to the proposed location and height of the fence stating that he
could support a 2' tall fence within the front yard portions.
A conversation ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the two properties,
fence location, viewing positions, and foliage planted on the slope.
Vice Chairman James closed the public hearing to allow the Applicant and Appellant to
discuss a possible compromise with Staff, and then come back to reopen the public
hearing after the next agenda item was completed.
Meeting moved to Agenda Item No. 6
6. Conditional Use Permit Code Amendment: (Case No. ZON2017-00595): City-
Wide
Senior Planner Silva presented the staff report and overview of the current Conditional
Use Permit conditions and to consider amending Section 17.60 (Conditional Use
Permits) of the Development Code clarifying the governing bodies that are able to
conduct annual and update reviews and to require an application fee for such reviews
and updates of Conditional Use Permits.
A discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the proposed ordinance
language, the fees the City collects for processing Conditional Use Permit, the number
of Conditional Use Permit applications that have been processed by the City over the
years, the amount of Staff time it takes to process Conditional Use Permit, why the code
amendment was initiated by the City Council, and concerns that such reviews and
updates should be conducted by the Planning Commission rather than burdening the
City Council.
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tomblin, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2018-08, recommending that the City Council adopt proposed
amendments to Chapter 17.60 (Conditional Use Permit) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to clarify that the final deciding body, unless
expressly stated in the adopted conditions of approval, shall conduct future
reviews and updates of Conditional Use Permits and that the City Council should
consider establishing a fee to recover City costs for processing such reviews, on
a vote of 5-1 with Commissioner Emenhiser dissenting.
The Planning Commission returned to Agenda Item No. 5
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February 13, 2018
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Vice Chairman James re-opened the public hearing.
Both the Applicant and Appellant updated the Commission on the discussion that
occurred during the break regarding liability, and fence height and location clarifications.
Both parties reported that they were unable to come to an agreement at this time.
Vice Chairman James closed the public hearing.
A discussion ensued among Commissioners and Staff regarding the Director's decision
and whether the points of the appeal were warranted to overturn the decision. The
Commission expressed an interest in seeing the parties work on coming to an agreement
for the Commission's consideration at its next meeting.
Commissioner Emenhiser moved to approve Staff's recommendation, seconded
by Commissioner Tomblin. After discussion ensued between the Commissioners
on the Motion, Commissioner Emenhiser withdrew his motion,which was accepted
by Commissioner Tomblin.
Commissioner Bradley moved, seconded by Commissioner Leon, to continue the
Public Hearing to March 13, 2018 with the Applicant agreeing to extend the Permit
Streamlining Action deadline to March 20, 2018, on a vote of 5-1 with Commissioner
Nelson dissenting.
7. Pre-Agenda for the Meeting On February 27, 2018
Accepted as presented
8. Pre-Agenda for the Meeting On March 13, 2018
Accepted as presented
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 P.M.
For the complete video archiving of this Planning Commission meeting go to:
http://rpv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view id=5&clip id=3082 and click on the
agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 13,2018
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