PC MINS 20181023 4k
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 23, 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
Deputy City Attorney Laymon led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Nelson, Perestam, Leon, Vice Chairman Bradley and
Chairman James.
Absent: Commissioner Saadatnejadi
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Senior Planner Seeraty,
Contract Planner Bashmakian, Public Works Senior Engineer Eder, and Deputy City
Attorney Laymon.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Director Mihranian reported that at the October 2, 2018 meeting, the
City Council introduced an ordinance amending exception "T" of Chapter 15.20 to clarify
the allowable square footage and height limitations for the two properties in Zone 1, and
Repealed and replaced the City's Leaf and Debris Ordinance to prohibit the operation of
gas-powered blowers in single-family residential neighborhoods effective January 1, 2019.
He then reported that at the October 16, 2018 meeting, the City Council repealed and
replaced Title 16 pertaining to processing lot line adjustments, and introduced an
ordinance, pursuant to the Planning Commission's recommendation, to pre-zone three lots
on Rue Le Charlene as RS-2 as part of the property owners' annexation request. He also
reported that the City Council has tentatively scheduled to consider Commission
appointments at a Special Meeting on January 29, 2019.
Staff: Director Mihranian reported that the City Council-adopted update to the General
Plan is now available on the City's website and that the Commission will receive hard
copies in November. He also reported that he attended the American Planning
Association's conference in San Diego earlier this month.
Deputy City Attorney Laymon provided the Commission with an overview of the Federal
Communication Commission's recent order pertaining to the deployment of small wireless
facilities.
Commission: Commissioner Nelson commented on the FCC's ruling regarding small cell
deployment.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items):
Nadejda Georgieva expressed concerns regarding operational impacts at Green Hills.
Sharon Loveys spoke on the plat maps for the rooftop of the Inspiration Slope Mausoleum.
Lori Brown commented on operational impacts at Green Hills.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 P.C. MINUTES
The agenda was unanimously approved.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23,2018
Page 2
2. SALVATION ARMY ROOFTOP AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM: (CASE NO.
PLSR2018-0342) 30840 Hawthorne Blvd (AS)
Senior Planner Seeraty presented the staff report regarding a request to install an air
conditioning system consisting of two air conditioning condenser units, three fans, and
associated duct work on the roof of an existing building at the Salvation Army property.
VICE CHAIRMAN BRADLEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PERESTAM,
TO ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-26; CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE
INSTALLATION OF AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CONSISTING OF 2 AIR
CONDITIONING CONDENSER UNITS, 3 FANS AND ASSOCIATED DUCTWORK TO
BE SCREENED WITH A 6' TALL SCREENING WALL ON THE ROOF OF BUILDING
"B", ON A VOTE OF 4-0-1 WITH COMMISSIONER NELSON RECUSED SINCE HE
LIVES WITHIN A 500' RADIUS OF THE LOCATION.
3. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 10 —
AMENDING THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-
19 / Los Verdes Drive West of Avenida Classica (AB)
Contract Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report regarding a request to amend the
Conditions of Approval 16(c) and 17 of P.C. Resolution No. 2018-19 to allow the
Commission-required vaulted mechanical equipment to be placed in an above-ground
cabinet for ASG 10 due to existing underground facilities.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff in regards to reasons the
underground vault is no longer feasible. The Commission raised concerns regarding the
existing utilities and whether Staff contacted the utility companies to determine if the utility
lines could be relocated, the minimum clearances required for a vault near a utility line,
whether alternative sites were explored within the immediate vicinity, the size of the vaults,
and whether the vaults were sized at the minimum necessary to support the proposed
equipment or were sized for future equipment installation.
Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Areej Rajput representing Crown Castle, answered questions from the Commission
regarding vault placement. She indicated with the existing utility lines, it was infeasible to
use a vault at this location.
Marc Cram representing Crown Castle, responded to the Commission's questions
regarding the site plan and existing improvements including utilities, the different vault
sizes, the minimum clearance required between the vault and the existing utility lines,
proposed screening of the above-ground cabinet, and the maximum distance between the
mechanical equipment and antenna panels.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23,2018
Page 3
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff regarding the responses to the
Commission's questions and the vetting process the Applicant's request underwent by
Staff. The Commission expressed a concern that the request may end up applying to all
past approvals and that the issues raised this evening should have been analyzed prior to
the Commission making the finding for the original decision. The Director concurred with
this concern and stated that in the future, an applicant's ability to actually do what it is
proposing, in this case undergrounding, will be required in connection with all initial
applications. There was also a question raised as to whether a proposal to, from an
aesthetic viewpoint, significantly change a previously approved application should require
a new public notice. Some Commissioners stated that they had received inconsistent
responses concerning the space required for a vault and that they had not been provided
with any information whether a new site, e.g., 60' one way or the other, would allow
undergrounding while still meeting Crown Castle's coverage objectives and/or that they
were not comfortable with the level of analysis or the presentation of facts supporting the
instant request to amend the conditions of approval, but were not opposed to reconsidering
this or a similar application in the future.
COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LEON, TO
AMEND CONDITION NOS. 16(C) AND 17 OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-19 TO
ALLOW THE PLACEMENT OF THE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH
THE WIRELESS FACILITY IN AN ABOVE-GROUND CABINET WITH ADDED
LANGUAGE RESERVING THE CITY'S RIGHT TO REQUIRE FUTURE
UNDERGROUNDING. THE MOTION FAILED ON A VOTE OF 1-4, WITH
COMMISSIONERS LEON, PERESTAM, VICE-CHAIRMAN BRADLEY, AND
CHAIRMAN JAMES DISSENTING.
4. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 55
AMENDING THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-
31 / Between 30001 and 30002 Via Rivera (AB)
Director Mihranian reported that the Applicant is requesting to continue this item to
November 13th to allow additional time to explore alternatives. He stated that in light of
the discussion on the previous item, he recommends that this public hearing be continued
to a date uncertain to allow adequate analysis to be completed.
VICE CHAIR BRADLEY MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PERESTAM, TO
CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO A DATE UNCERTAIN TO CONSIDER THE
APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO AMEND CONDITION NOS. 15(C) AND 16 OF P.C.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23,2018
Page 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-31 TO ALLOW THE PLACEMENT OF THE MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE WIRELESS FACILITY IN AN ABOVE-GROUND
CABINET, ON A VOTE OF 5-0. THE MOTION PASSED.
5. MAJOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT ASG NO. 43
AMENDING THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-
33 /Across 5721 Crestidge (AB)
Contract Planner Bashmakian presented the staff report regarding a request to amend the
Conditions of Approval Nos. 15(E) and 16 of P.C. Resolution No. 2017-33 to allow the
Commission-required vaulted mechanical equipment to be placed in an above-ground
cabinet for ASG 43 due to existing underground facilities.
The Planning Commission reiterated its concerns as discussed under Agenda Item No. 3
for this request.
Discussion ensued between the Commission and Staff on whether the vault could be
placed in the street or located on the other side of the street, and whether the public right-
of-way extended beyond the sidewalk.
Chairman James opened the public hearing.
Marc Cram representing Crown Castle, addressed questions regarding the proposed site
and the issues with the location of the Cal Water lines, as well as other utilities, that prevent
the underground vault installation within the sidewalk or parking lane along the street.
Jeff Calvagna commented on the FCC ruling and the location of underground vaults.
Chairman James closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY CHAIRMAN JAMES, TO AMEND
CONDITION NOS. 15(E) AND 16 OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-33 TO ALLOW THE
PLACEMENT OF THE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE
WIRELESS FACILITY IN AN ABOVE-GROUND CABINET FAILED, ON A VOTE OF 2-
3 WITH COMMISSIONERS LEON, PERESTAM, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN BRADLEY
DISSENTING.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23,2018
Page 5
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS
6. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 13, 2018
Approved as presented.
7. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 27, 2018
Approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourned at 9:04 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=3264
Click on the agenda item number on the video.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23,2018
Page 6