PC MINS 20180612 Approved 6/26/18 4,
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 12, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Fred Hesse Community Room,
29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Nelson led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Nelson, Perestam, Saadatnejadi, Vice Chairman Bradley,
and Chairman James.
Absent: Commissioner Leon
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Deputy City Attorney
Laymon, Contractor Planner Bashmakian, Public Works Director Sasson, Assistant
Planner Yoon, and R.F. Consultant Michael Afflerbach via telephone.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Director Mihranian reported that at the May 15th meeting, the City
Council upheld the Planning Commission's validation of the Director's decision approving
a Fence/Wall Permit at 32 Via Del Cielo; at the June 5th meeting, the City Council
approved Revision "A" to the Vesting Tract Map on Nantasket Drive and recognized
former Commissioner Dave Tomblin for his 8 years of service on the Planning
Commission; and at its upcoming June 19t" meeting, the City Council will consider: 1)the
Planning Commission's recommendation to approve ASG No. 33 on Hawthorne Blvd, 2)
an amendment to the City's Master Fee Schedule to establish a flat fee for wireless
telecommunication facility applications; and to amend the conditions of approval and
update the Public Amenities Plan for the Trump National Golf Club.
Staff: Director Mihranian reminded the Commission that all City communication should
occur using the assigned rpvca.gov email address. The Director also distributed late
correspondence for Agenda Item No. 6.
Commission: Commissioner Nelson indicated that he attended the June 5th City Council
meeting recognizing former Commissioner Tomblin; and Vice Chairman Bradley reported
that he attended the May 25th Mayor's breakfast and updates were given on the Civic
Center Master Plan, Sheriff's Report on arrests made related to tagging incidents in
Portuguese Bend and on the ALPR cameras, and that the Public Utility Commission has
approved the City's purchase of the SCE-owned street lights.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items):
Sharon Loveys spoke on the Commission's upcoming consideration of an appeal filed on
the Director's approval of a Major Grading Permit at Green Hills Memorial Park and the
density impacts.
Debbie Landis supported Sharon Lovey's comments on the appeal.
Joanna Jones-Reed spoke on the Green Hills Master Plan approved by the City Council
and comments made by the City Council at its June 5th meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of the May 8, 2018 P.C. Minutes
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Vice Chairman Bradley, to
approve the May 8, 2018 Planning Commission minutes on a vote of 5-0.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 48: Terminus of
(lower) Mossbank Drive west of Basswood Avenue / Crown Castle (AB)
Contract Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report describing the Applicant's
request to install a wireless telecommunication facility encased in a canister shroud
measuring 2' tall and 14.6" in diameter to an existing utility pole with related vaulted
mechanical equipment.
Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
Page 2
Becky Karlmann spoke in opposition to the location due to a view impairment from her
residence and stated that the wireless facility is not necessary in the area. She also
stated there is no significant gap in coverage.
Andrew Leet indicated he was in opposition of the wireless telecommunication facility
and questioned why previous decisions were not upheld to deny the wireless facility.
Mr. Leet also stated there is no significant gap in coverage in the area.
Kevin Peacock expressed his opposition of the location of the wireless facility within
the proposed neighborhood.
Stephen Garcia representing Crown Castle addressed questions and concerns raised
by the speakers, and stated that the location, when considering the alternative
locations, is identified to be the least intrusive.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued amongst the Commission and the RF Consultant regarding
bandwidth and using a baseline to determine network functionality.
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Saadatnejadi, to
adopt P.0 Resolution No. 2018-17 recommending to the City Council to approve,
with conditions, Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No.
48 to allow the installation of antennas encased in a canister that is to be rotated
and measures 2' tall and 14.6" in diameter mounted on a 4' mast arm of an
existing 40.5' tall wood utility pole with vaulted accessory equipment, on a vote
of 5-0.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. Major Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 37: West side of Highridge Road
110' North of Ridgegate Drive / Crown Castle (AB)
Contract Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report describing the Applicant's
request to replace an existing 28'-9" tall streetlight pole with a 30'-7" tall streetlight
pole to accommodate the installation of a wireless telecommunication facility encased
in a 2' tall and 14.6" in diameter canister mounted to the top of the pole with related
vaulted mechanical equipment. He stated that this matter was first heard in September
2017 and continued a number of times to allow the Applicant time to explore relocating
the facility to a least intrusive location on an arterial street.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the original and
proposed locations, and public comments submitted regarding the visual impacts to
the neighboring properties.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
Page 3
Chairman James opened the public hearing
Harman Jahanbaksh spoke in opposition of the location and provided photos from his
residence. He stated there is no reception problem in the area and that he feels the
wireless telecommunication facility is not needed.
Stephen Garcia representing Crown Castle addressed the questions and concerns
raised by Mr. Jahanbaksh and the public comments attached to the Staff Report. He
described the various alternative locations including a proposed alternative location to
the south of the primary location on Highridge Road.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Mr. Garcia regarding the
various alternative locations presented including the viability of the new proposed
alternative location.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Perestam moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to
continue the public hearing to July 10, 2018, to allow the Applicant to explore
installing the proposed wireless facility on an existing alternative streetlight
pole located south of the primary location, to install a new mock-up, and to issue
a new public notice, on a vote of 5-0.
4. Major Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 36: Adjacent to 28716 Circlet
Drive / Crown Castle (AB)
Contractor Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report with an overview of the
original proposal that was denied by the Planning Commission on October 24, 2017
and appealed by the Applicant on November 8, 2017. He stated that the City Council
referred the project back to the Commission, while maintaining its jurisdiction over the
appeal, to identify a least intrusive location and a slimmer design. He stated that the
Applicant's request is to replace an existing 26'-6" tall existing streetlight pole with
mast arm and luminaire with a 37' tall streetlight pole with two 23.3" panel antennas
side-mounted to the pole for a wireless telecommunication facility with related vaulted
mechanical equipment.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the proposed
location, the height of the replacement streetlight pole, potential light impacts to
neighboring properties, and maintenance of the streetlight pole.
Chairman James opened the public hearing
Andy Smith spoke in favor of the location of the wireless facility and stated he is
looking forward to improved cell reception.
Jeff Calvagna question the 37' height of the pole and asked the Commission to
consider its aesthetic impacts in their decision.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
Page 4
Stephen Garcia stated that the height is necessary for the proposed location.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the impacts related
to the height of the pole in regards to luminaire and the location of the canister.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Bradley moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adopted
P.C. Resolution No. 2018-18 recommending to the City Council the approval,
with conditions, Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No.
36 to allow the installation of antennas encased in a canister measuring 2' tall
and 14.6" in diameter to a replacement streetlight pole measuring 37' tall with
the luminaire mast arm remaining at its current height and with related vaulted
mechanical equipment, on a vote of 5-0.
5. Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No. 10: Los Verdes Drive
west of Avenida Classica / Crown Castle (AB)
Contractor Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report describing the Applicant's
request to amend the Conditions of Approval of P.C. Resolution No. 2017-22 to
accommodate the installation of two 23.3"tall tilted panel antennas affixed to a 24' tall
replacement streetlight pole with related vaulted mechanical equipment. He stated
that the Applicant's request is based on past direction from the Planning Commission
and the City Council to relocate ASG No. 9 from the residential street of Camino
Porvenir.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the original approval
of ASG No. 10, its location, the vaulted equipment, and the withdrawal of ASG No. 9.
Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Jeff Calvagna thanked Crown Castle for coming up with a solution for ASG 10 thereby
eliminating ASG No. 9 from the residential neighborhood.
Stephen Garcia thanked Jeff Calvagna on his kind comments and thanked the
Commission for their direction to come up with a better solution at this location.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Applicant regarding the tilt angel on
the equipment, luminaire, and the height of the pole.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Nelson moved, seconded by Commissioner Perestam, to
adopted P.0 Resolution No. 2018-19 approving an amendment to the
Commission-adopted Conditions of Approval of P.C. Resolution No. 2017-22 for
Major Wireless Telecommunications Facility Permit ASG No.10 to
accommodate the installation of two 23.3" tall tilted panel antennas affixed to a
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
Page 5
24' tall replacement streetlight pole with the luminaire mast arm remaining at its
current height and with related vaulted mechanical equipment, on a vote of 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. General Plan Consistency Review: 5741 Crestridge Road / Los Angeles Regional
Interoperable Communications System Authority (JY)
Director Mihranian introduced Ms. Yoon to the Commission as the City's newest
Assistant Planner.
Assistant Planner Yoon presented the staff report providing a background on the Los
Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System as it relates to the City. She
stated that the Applicant's request is to remove the existing tower that was built prior
to the City's incorporation to replace it with a new slimmer tower that resembles a
pyramid design. She stated that the Commission is being asked to determine whether
the project is consistent with the General Plan, and not on the merits of the project
because it is a County-owned facility.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the relevance to the
General Plan, whether the City has jurisdiction over the site, the height and design of
the new tower, views, and public safety. The Commission expressed the public safety
importance of the proposed facility and that its appearance will be improved when
compared to the existing tower.
Chairman James moved, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adopt P.C.
Resolution No. 2018-20, finding the installation of a new 150' tall lattice tower to
accommodate Land Mobile Radio (LMR) antennas along with the construction
of a 400 square foot equipment structure, 100kw generator, and 2,000 gallon
diesel fuel tank within a 9'-4" enclosure is consistent with the overall goals and
policies of the City's General Plan, on a vote of 4-1 with Commissioner Perestam
dissenting.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
7. Pre-agenda for the meeting on June 26, 2018
The June 26th pre-agenda was approved.
8. Pre-agenda for the meeting on July 10, 2018
The July 10th pre agenda was approved.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
Page 6
Adjournment: 9:30 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=3173
Click on the agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 12,2018
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