PC MINS 20180410 Approved 4/ 4/18
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 10, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room,
29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant City Attorney Gerli led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Leon, Nelson, Perestam, Saadatnejadi, Tomblin, and
Chairman James.
Absent: Vice Chairman Bradley
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Assistant City Attorney
Gerli, Senior Planner Silva, Assistant Planner Arellano, Public Works Director Sassoon,
and Principal Engineer Dragoo.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously approved
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Director Mihranian reported that the rescheduled City-hosted whale-
of-a-day event will be held this Saturday at Lower Point Vicente; and the City Council, at
its April 17th meeting, will consider the Planning Commission's recommended code
language codifying a compliance review process for Conditional Use Permits and will
consider initiating a General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map amendment to consider
annexing three lots on Rue Le Charlene that are in the City of Los Angeles but have
access via street in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Staff: Director Mihranian noted that late correspondence has been handed out for
Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 3; that he, along with Commissioners Saadatnejadi and
Perestam, attended the League of California Cities Planning Commission Academy in
Monterey; and the Cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, and Rolling Hills
Estates will jointly conduct a coyote public workshop on the California Department Fish
And Wildlife's administered Wildlife Watch program at Hesse Park at 6:30 p.m. on April
18th.
Commission: Commissioner Nelson stated he attended the March 29th City Council
meeting on the NCCP; Commissioner Saadatnejadi reported that she attended the
League of California Cities Planning Commission Academy and requested a future
agenda item on the State's housing bills; Commissioner Perestam reported that he also
attended the League of California Cities Planning Commission Academy; Chairman
James reported that he attended the Mayor's breakfast and noted that the City Council
will receive a report on May 21st on a community-proposal to create a charter city.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items): Debbie Landis
updated the Commission on the lawsuit between Vista Verde condominium residents and
Green Hills; Sharon Lovey's spoke on the City's past investigation on Green Hills and City
staff; Brain Carter requested information on liquefaction mapping related to Green Hills
based on the State's seismic code; and Lori Brown commented on Green Hills as it relates
to the Vista Verde condominium complex.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of the March 27, 2018 P.C. Minutes
COMMISSIONER NELSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LEON, MOVED TO
APPROVE THE MARCH 27, 2018 MINUTES WITH A SPELLING CORRECTION TO
COMMISSIONER NELSON'S NAME, ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. HEIGHT VARIATION AND SITE PLAN REVIEW: (CASE NO. ZON2017-00245):
5408 Littlebow Road (OS)
Senior Planner Silva presented the staff report providing an overview of the site and the
proposed request to demolish an existing 2,396 single-story residence in order to
construct a new 3,891 square foot (garage included), two-story single-family residence
with related ancillary site improvements. He stated that Staff's assessment determined
that the proposed two-story residence would create a significant view impairment as
observed from the viewing area of the property located at 26630 Shorewood Road, and
Planning Commission Minutes
April 10,2018
Page 2
noted that because of this, Staff recommends denying, without prejudice, the requested
Height Variation and Site Plan Review applications.
Commissioner Leon inquired about the proposed project's privacy impacts to
neighboring properties and Senior Planner Silva indicated that Staff's assessment
concluded that the project does not result in privacy impacts.
Director Mihranian informed the Commission that the Applicant submitted late
correspondence, which proposed modifications to the project design, so as to eliminate
the view impairment. He indicated that in the event that the Commission continues the
application request, the Applicant will be asked to provide a 90-day time extension
pursuant to the Permit Streamline Act.
Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Aiping Ma, the property owner, stated the project is being proposed in response to a
house fire that occurred in 2016, and that the project is intended to enhance the
neighborhood. She described the various elements of the project.
Discussion ensued between Commissioners and Staff regarding the roof ridgeline,
potential view impacts, foliage on and around the subject property, the transitioning
neighborhood, and potential project revisions.
Rick Yeh, architect, addressed the Commissions concerns by describing changes the
property owner is considering including reducing the roof ridgeline and lower the building
pad.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between Commissioners and Staff on Neighborhood Compatibility,
structure size, lot coverage, and the Height Variation requirements.
Chairman James re-opened the public hearing.
Aiping Ma indicated that she would provide the City with a written 90-day time extension
to the Permit Streamline Act.
COMMISSIONER NELSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI,
MOVED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO MAY 8, 2018, CONTINGENT ON
THE APPLICANT PROVIDING STAFF WITH A WRITTEN ONE-TIME 90 DAY TIME
EXTENSION, ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
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April 10,2018
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3. 2018 FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN GENERAL PLAN
CONSISTENCY FINDING: Citywide (MA)
Assistant Planner Arellano presented the staff report and provided an overview of the
proposed capital projects and programs. He indicated that the request is to find that the
2018 Capital Improvement Plan is consistent with the General Plan.
Director Mihranian reported that Public Works Director Sassoon and Principal Engineer
Dragoo are available to answer any questions.
COMMISSIONER LEON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NELSON, MOVED TO
ADOPTED P.C. RESOLUTION 2018-13, FINDING THAT THE PROJECTS
CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSED 2018 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN ARE
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
4. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON APRIL 24, 2018
APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
5. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON MAY 8, 2018
APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:59 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to:
http://rpv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view id=5&clip id=3129
Click on the agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
April 10,2018
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