RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_08_06_E_Planning_Application_Fee_Waiver_Request_LAC_Sanitation_DistCrrYOF
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS, COMMUNIT~~PMENT DIRECTOR
AUGUST 6, 2013 u V
REQUEST FOR A FEE WAIVER FROM PLA,NNING
APPLICATION FEES FOR TWO PROJECTS PROPOSED BY
THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS
CAROLYN LEHR, CITY MANAGER n~
' .. ~
Project Manager: Gregory Pfost, AICP, Deputy Community Development Directo~
RECOMMENDATION
Find that the L.A. County Sanitation Districts proposed projects to install an emergency
generator at its Abalone Cove Sewer Pumping Plant, and addressing an exposed main
trunk sewer line at the Trump National Golf Club site ''provide a substantial benefit to the
public", and therefore waive the planning application fees associated with each project.
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (District) will be submitting two separate
planning applications for work in the City. The first application involves modifications to the
existing Abalone Cove Sewer Pumping Plant, wherein the District is required by the
Environmental Protection Agency to install an emergency generator. As part of the project,
the District is also proposing additional fencing and landscaping to screen the proposed
generator and other existing on-site equipment. The existing Plant is located on the north
side of Palos Verdes Drive South, across from Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, and
immediately adjacent to the driveway entrance to the Point View property. This application
requires the City's approval of a Site Plan Review Permit, Grading Permit and Minor
Exception Permit.
The second application involves modifications to La Rotonda Canyon, which is located at
the Trump National Golf Club site. More specifically, the District's main trunk sewer line
that serves the Peninsula traverses the Trump National site and La Rotonda Canyon. Over
the years, drainage in the canyon has eroded the canyon bottom and walls and has
subsequently exposed the Districts sewer line, which could fail unless repair efforts are
undertaken. The District's project to protect the sewer line requires approval of a Coastal
Development Permit by the City. Additionally, a City issued Geological Investigation Permit
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is necessary to conduct a geologic investigation of the immediate area.
As shown in the attached letters, the District has requested that the City waive the planning
permit application fees forthe two projects. Municipal Code Section 17.78.010.B indicates
that the City Council may, in its discretion, grant a fee waiver if it finds:
1. The applicant or the beneficiary of the use or activity proposed by the
applicant is a nonprofit corporation registered with the state of California;
2. The use or activity proposed or the activities of the beneficiary of the use or
activity proposed are charitable, educational or otherwise provide a
substantial benefit to the public; or
3. The applicant has demonstrated a financial hardship, as determined by the
City Council, on a case by case basis."
Staff feels that finding #2 above applies in this case as both projects provide a substantial
benefit to the public.
FISCAL IMPACT
The following is a summary of the fees required for both projects:
• Abalone Cove Pumping Plant Generator
Site Plan Review Permit = $ 326
Grading Permit = $2,345
Minor Exception Permit = $1,707
Encroachment Permit = $ 187
Total = $4,565
• La Rotonda Canyon Improvements
Coastal Dev. Permit = $1,900
Geologic Inv. Permit = $ 327
Total = $2,227
The total fees for both projects combined would be $6, 792. If the fee waiver is approved,
then the cost of City Staff's review would be borne by the City's General Fund. It is
important to note that any necessary review of these projects by the City's contract
consultants (i.e. City Geologist, Biologist, Public Works Inspector, etc.) will require the
Districts to pay for that service and would not be waived.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council find that the proposed projects ''provide a
substantial benefit to the public" and therefore waive the planning application fees.
ATTACHMENTS
Request Letters from the L.A. County Sanitation Districts
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COUNTY SANITATION DI T iC
1955 Workman Mill Road, Whiltier, CA 90601-1400
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4998, Whittier, CA 90607-4998
Telephone: (562) 699-741 i, FAX: (562'1 699-5422
www.lacscl.or~J
Mr. Gregory Pfost, AICP
Deputy Community Development Director
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verd..es, CA 90275-5391
Dear Mr. Pfost;
OF LOS ANGELES CDUl'-,fTY
July 19, 2013
GRACE ROBINSON CHM ... .:
Chief Engineer and (;t'::nero! lV\onoger
JUL 222013
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
Abalone Cove Pumping Plant Generator Installation -Fee Waiver Request
As you are aware, the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Districts) are nearing the
completion of design phase for the subject project. The Districts, in accordance with a 2004 settlement agreement
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are required to install an emergency generator at all
wastewater pumping plants. The installation of an emergency generator will ensure that the pumping plant will
continue to operate to convey wastewater and avoid sewer overflows in the event of a power failure. This is
necessary to protect public health and safety.
The Districts previously spoke to adjacent property owners in an attempt to obtain an easement for the
emergency generator. However, discussion between Districts' staff and Messieurs Steven Freeman and Marvin
Baldwin of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Prevention Special Units, Petroleum/Chemical Unit,
yielded a better option. The Districts would be allowed to reconfigure the layout of the Abalone Cove Pumping
Plant to accommodate the permanent placement of the emergency generator. As part of the Fire Department process
to review and sign off on the Districts' project, Mr. Baldwin is requiring the Districts to complete a City Planning
and permit review from the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (City). The proposed installation is shown on the attached
Site Plan.
As this project provides a substantial benefit to protecting public health and safety, and as typical courtesy
between member agencies of the District, the Districts requests a fee waiver from the City for applicable City
Planning application/building permit fees.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact Mr. Philip Kang at (562) 908-4288,
extension 2161.
JCF:ddg
cc: Margarita E. Cabrera
Philip Kang
DOC#2676511
Very truly yours,
Grace Robinson Chan
~C·~~~
"-"" Jane C. Fong
Senior Engineer
Property Management Section
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UNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS
OF LOS ANGELFS COUNTY
1955 Workman Mill Rood, Whiitier, CA 90601-1400
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4998, Whittier, CA 90607-4998
Teiephone: (562) 699-7411, FAX: (562) 699-5422
www.lacsd.org
Mr. Gregory Pfost, AICP
Deputy Director of Community Development
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
309040 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Ver'c:Ies, CA 90275-5391
Dear Mr. Pfost:
GRACE ROBINSON CHAN
Chief Engineer and General Manager
June 26, 2013
File No. JOJ-1E.10-00
Joint Outfall "J" Unit lE, Section 3 Trunk Sewer Protection (La Rotunda Canyon}
The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (District) owns and operates the subject trunk sewer,
which crosses the La Rotunda Canyon in property owned by the Trump National Golf Club (TNGC) and
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (City). In March 2000, the sewer was exposed at the La Rotunda
Canyon crossing due to storm water runoff. Shortly after being notified by the golf course owner of the
sewer exposure, the District installed a concrete encasement to prevent a possible sewer failure. Since
that time, a hole with dimensions of about 14-foot diameter by 5-foot deep has formed just upstream of
the concrete encasement, among other signs of erosion in the canyon. The District has proposed a project
to augment the existing sewer protection and to repair the hole, as shown on the attached conceptual
drawing.
After a meeting with the City geologist and other City representatives at the site in May 2, 2012,
the City required a geologic investigation for the subject project. The District is currently in the process of
obtaining various permits for the project, including a permit required by the City for the geologic
investigation. As is typical courtesy between member agencies of the District, the District requests the
pennit application fee(s) to be waived for the geologic investigation as well as for other City permits that
will be required for the subject project.
If you have any questions regarding this letter; please contact the undersigned at (562) 908-4288,
extension 1604.
BDP:mg
Enclosure
cc: Ganz
Tatalovich
Doc. # 2639563
Very truly yours,
Grace Robinson Chan
Brian D. Pasion
Project Engineer
Sewer Design Section
RECEIVED
JUN 2-.8 2013
COMMl.:IN!TY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
f<ecyc!ed Paper E-4