09 - Public Correspondence received after the Sept. 30, 2015 CC hearingPublic Correspondence
received after the
September 30, 2015 CC Meeting
ATTACHMENT - 1
From:
Madeline Ryan
To:
So Kim
Cc:
Joel Roias
Subject:
#10 chaparral
Date:
Sunday, July 12, 2015 6:53:45 PM
Hello So, please include my comments to the CC in time for their meeting
on July 21. Thank you.
Mayor and City Council Members
The subject property must be the only property in Rancho Palos Verdes
that has changed ownership as many times as it has come before the
Planning Commission and City Council.
Over the last decade or so, with each new owner came a new application
and a new design proposal, but all applicant/owners had to request
variances, zone changes, General Plan Amendments, relocation of
boundary lines, and retaining walls of varying heights for stabilization
which would require caisson foundations.
In order to achieve the end result for this particular applicant, a 6781sf
structure, including garage, there would be 7010yds of excavation and
balancing on this lot, which means spreading the 7010 yds of dirt across
the flat area and filling the canyon and natural areas of this parcel to
accommodate same.
Not all vacant parcels can be developed nor should they be when there are
so many challenges attached to the bare land. And, what of the impact
on the immediate neighbors?
I believe #10 Chaparral Lane meets the criteria for an unfavorable building
site with a plethora of documentation that deems this parcel a high risk
for landslide.
It's admirable that the owner is willing to donate the remainder of the land
to the City for future trail development, and, even if trails cannot be
secured, there will, in perpetuity, be this 'open space' that RPV is noted
for and I am extremely grateful for that. However, for me and others,
more importantly is the offer of trail dedication of the historically used
trail already established and described in the Staff Report. To lose this
connection to the RHE Nature Trail, which links to Peninsula trails, for the
immediate residents and those of us living on the Eastside would be a
travesty and would go against the headway the City has made in
preserving and restoring trails and connections within the 'Q' Districts.
In closing, there are many documented negatives, all of which have been
ATTACHMENT - 2
submitted to City Staff, against this property for development. Only the
CC can decide if the offers of trails and open space outweigh the future
risks of owning a slippery slope.
Thank you for your careful consideration.
Madeline Ryan
28328 Palos Verdes Drive East
RPV
"May the Trails be with you..." Madeline
ATTACHMENT - 3
From: Ray Madeline
To: So Kim; CC; Susan Brooks; Jim Knight
Subject: 10 Chaparral Lane
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 9:26:28 AM
It is with horror that I looked at and visited this proposed development on Chaparral.
What a huge monstrosity to cut RPV residents off from the natural beauty
of this area. Another RPV tragedy lost to residents again.
This monstrous house only makes sense if it is set way back from the cliff
edge and doesn't visually interfere with the ecological beauty of this
area.
Not only does it impair the view of never to be repeated natural beauty it
also severs access to the George F Canyon Preserve Nature Reserve Nature
Trail.
This is a travesty......
Rancho Palos Verdes residents will no longer be able to access this
beautiful Nature Trail.
This land should never have been sold to a private developer in the first
place. It should have been purchased by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
for all of RPV residents to enjoy. Now that you have allowed this travesty
to happen it is your responsibility to ensure that this trail access
remains open for all users.
Ray Van Dinther
RPV (seriously disenchanted resident)
ATTACHMENT - 4
From: Damon Swank
To: So Kim
Subject: Fwd: To Ms.So Kim, Senior Planner: 10 CHAPARRAL LANE: USE OF LANE BY LARGE AND HEAVY VEHICLES
Date: Monday, July 13, 2015 2:26:16 PM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Damon Swank <damon.swankl685(a gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 13, 2015 at 1:26 PM
Subject: To Ms.So Kim, Senior Planner: 10 CHAPARRAL LANE: USE OF LANE BY
LARGE AND HEAVY VEHICLES
To: Susan Swank <susanmswank(agmail.com>
Re: Hearing July 21, 2015
Issues
Chaparral Lane is privately owned in common by its residents. It is narrow, lightly
paved, and entirely unsuitable for large, long, and heavy vehicles such as trucks
transporting earth -moving equipment. The Applicant is requesting that the City, by
issuing various permits, authorize use of this private property for massive heavy -
equipment purposes over an extended period of time.
The Issues:
1) Likely consequences of applicant's proposed activity
2) Suggested restrictions and remedies
Consequences
1) Damage to pavement: The Lane is very lightly paved. It is used almost
exclusively by automobiles and light trucks. Regular use by larger vehicles will
assuredly destroy the pavement entirely. Although an occasional larger vehicle
(say, fire truck) has used the Lane without significant damage, full-sized garbage
trucks pose a threat. Small garbage pickup trucks ("Pup Trucks") are used instead.
2) Damage to owners' property adjoining the Lane: Many of the properties have
improvements such as retaining walls, fences, and tiled or stuccoed mailbox
structures at the curbside. It is almost inevitable that these face damage by cement
mixers, lumber trucks, and the like. The Lane is narrow, so it will be difficult for
these vehicles to pass each other, making curbside accidents likely.
3) Possible collapse of the roadway itself. This is, hopefully, unlikely. However,
ATTACHMENT - 5
the Lane is simply a dirt road cut into the hillside. Not only would expensive
emergency repairs be required, but a vehicle could leave the Lane and cause
damage to a down slope property.
Suggested Remedies
1) Require that the Applicant agree to restore the Lane and its adjacent structures
to their present condition before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Applicant to
repair or reconstruct any collapse or damage to the structure of the Lane
immediately.
2) Provide a funding source: require Applicant to purchase insurance to cover all
these expenses and to maintain uninterrupted coverage.
3) Designate an appropriate independent person or entity to receive any claims
of damage, to determine that all claims have been satisfied, and to certify that a
Certificate of Occupancy can properly be issued.
Conclusion
The problems here are readily apparent. They can easily be addressed now, at the
outset.
By approving the project, and issuing construction permits authorizing the
Applicant to use his neighbors' property, the
City is mandating the acquiescence of the owners of the Lane.
The Calif. Vehicle Code (35720c) provides that no restrictions may be placed on the
weight or size of a vehicle that is proceeding to a job site pursuant to a valid
construction permit.
Note
I will provide photographs of Chaparral Lane, hopefully by Wednesday, July 15,
2015.
Thank you.
Damon Swank
7 Chaparral Lane RPV 90275
ATTACHMENT - 6