PC MINS 20190514 itAApproved 6/11/19
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 14, 2019
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:
Vice Chairman Leon led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE:
Present: Commissioners Nelson, Perestam, Santarosa, James, Vice Chairman Leon
and Chairman Bradley arriving at 7:21 P.M.
Absent: Commissioner Saadatnejadi
Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Senior Planner Silva,
Senior Planner Seeraty, Assistant Planners Caraveo and Yoon, and Assistant City
Attorney Gerli.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The agenda was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS:
City Council Items: Director Mihranian reported that the City Council, at its May 7th
meeting, introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 8.24 of the Municipal Code, the
City's Public Nuisance Ordinance, finding noise generated by mechanical equipment
exceeding 65 dba at the property line as a public nuisance.
Staff: The Director handed out late correspondence for Agenda Item No. 5.
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May 14,2019
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Commission: The IT Manager Lukasz Buchwald presented the Commission with iPads
and explained the features of the Granicus iLegislate application. The Director
mentioned that from this point forward the Commission will no longer receive paper
copies of agenda packets unless requested.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items): None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 14, 2019 P.C. MINUTES
APPROVED AS PRESENTED ON A VOTE OF 5-0.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT- (CASE NO. PLCU2019-0002): 28901 Western
Ave. Terraces (JC)
Assistant Planner Caraveo presented the staff report with respect to an application for a
Conditional Use Permit to allow Body One Fitness to operate a fitness studio, 6 days a
week, within an existing 2,000ft2 unit on the first level of the Terraces shopping center
on Western Ave. Vice Chairman Leon opened the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding clarification
of the references to the Municipal Code and the Development Code stated in the staff
report, and regarding the noise levels from the Fitness Studio.
Chairman Bradley closed the public hearing
VICE CHAIRMAN LEON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NELSON, TO
ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-08 APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW BODY ONE FITNESS TO OPERATE A
FITNESS STUDIO, 6 DAYS A WEEK, WITHIN AN EXISTING 2,000FT2 UNIT ON THE
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FIRST LEVEL OF THE TERRACES SHOPPING CENTER. THE MOTION PASSED
ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
3. HEIGHT VARIATION, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, AND SITE PLAN
REVIEW (CASE NO. PLHV2018-0010): 3420 Starline Drive (JY)
Assistant Planner Yoon presented the staff report describing the Applicant's request to
demolish an existing detached garage to accommodate the construction of a new 24'-7"
tall, 1,635ft2 two-story detached structure consisting of a second unit above a garage.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding setbacks
and compliance related to the City's standards for second dwelling units.
Chairman Bradley opened the public hearing.
There were no public speakers.
Chairman Bradley closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PERESTAM,
TO ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-09 APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A
HEIGHT VARIATION, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW TO
ALLOW THE DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING DETACHED GARAGE TO
ACCOMMODATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 24'-7" TALL, 1,635FT2 TWO-
STORY DETACHED STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF A 780FT2 SECOND DWELLING
UNIT ABOVE AN 855FT2 THREE-CAR GARAGE. THE MOTION PASSED ON A
VOTE OF 6-0.
4. HEIGHT VARIATION, GRADING PERMIT, AND SITE PLAN REVIEW (CASE
NO. PLSR2018-0251): 4348 Via Frascati (JY)
Assistant Planner Yoon presented the staff report describing the Applicant's request to
construct a new 5,292ft2 split-level residence and ancillary site improvements with
701yd3 of associated grading. She described the project's background including the
previous Commission-approved project, as well as modifications made to the project to
address concerns regarding neighborhood compatibility as it relates to mass, bulk and
scale. She added that to address potential privacy concerns Staff is recommending that
the living room window along the easterly façade either be removed or raised to a
clerestory measuring at least 5' above the interior finished floor elevation.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the structure
size, neighborhood compatibility, grading, and recommended condition pertaining to
potential privacy concerns with the living room window.
Chairman Bradley opened the public hearing.
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John Deliva - Property owner spoke on Staff's recommended condition related to the
living room window's privacy assessment along the easterly façade and noted that he is
willing to modify the windows accordingly and would work with Staff.
Chairman Bradley closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIRMAN LEON, TO
ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-10 APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A
HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 5,292FT2 SPLIT-LEVEL RESIDENCE
MEASURING 26' IN HEIGHT AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS WITH
701YD3 OF ASSOCIATED GRADING. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
5. HEIGHT VARIATION AND SITE PLAN REVIEW (CASE NO. ZON2016-
00358): 5325 Bayridge Road (OS)
Senior Planner Silva presented the staff report with respect to an application for a
proposed demolition of an existing single-story residence to accommodate the
construction of a new 5,304ft2 two-story residence measuring 24.6' in height with
ancillary site improvements. He described Staff's concerns regarding the project's
compatibility with the neighborhood, privacy, height, and structure size. He noted that
Staff is seeking the Commission's direction regarding these concerns.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the structure
size, height, mass and bulk, privacy, second story setbacks, and views from the
neighboring properties.
Chairman Bradley opened the public hearing.
Ben Cauthen -Applicant, discussed the background of the project and answered the
Commission's questions on bulk and mass, and size of the structure.
Rachel Enders - representing the neighboring property owner, spoke in opposition to
the project, stating view and lighting issues.
Francine Demetz - spoke in opposition to the project stating view impairment issues
from her second story roof deck.
Chairman Bradley closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA,
TO CONTINUE THE HEARING CONDITIONED UPON THE APPLICANT AGREEING
TO A 90-DAY TIME EXTENSION PURSUANT TO THE PERMIT STREAMLINING
ACT; AND THE COMMISSION CONTINUED THE PUBLIC HEARING TO JUNE 25,
2019 TO ALLOW THE APPLICANT TO WORK WITH STAFF AND THE NEIGHBORS
IN REDESIGNING THE PROJECT BY LOWERING THE RIDGELINE, INCREASING
THE UPPER FLOOR SETBACK ALONG THE EAST FACADE, AND REDUCING THE
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OVERALL STRUCTURE SIZE FOR THE COMMISSION'S CONSIDERATION, ON A
VOTE OF 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY OVERVIEW (AM)
Senior Planner Seeraty presented an overview on the recent Council-adopted
amendments to Chapter 12.18 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC)
regarding regulations for wireless telecommunication facilities in the public right-of-way
focusing primarily on the new design standards for small wireless facilities.
Assistant City Attorney Gerli and Director Mihranian addressed questions from the
Commission on the Council-adopted amendments related to future Commission review,
eligible facility requests, small wireless facilities, the appeal process, and the appeal
fees.
COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES, TO
RECEIVE AND FILE THE REPORT ON THE RECENT COUNCIL-ADOPTED
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 12.18 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE (RPVMC) REGARDING REGULATIONS FOR WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. THE
MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6-0.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
7. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON MAY 28, 2019
The Commission voted to cancel this meeting due to lack of agenda items.
8. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JUNE 11, 2019
Approved as presented
ADJOURNMENT: 9:43 P.M.
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May 14,2019
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