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PC MINS 20190709 APPROVED 7/23/19 .: l'' CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Santarosa led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. ATTENDANCE: Present: Commissioners Nelson, Perestam, Santarosa, James, and Vice Chairman Leon. Absent: Commissioner Saadatnejadi and Chairman Bradley. Also present were Community Development Director Mihranian, Deputy Director/Planning Manager Kim, Senior Planner Silva, Senior Planner Seeraty and Assistant City Attorney Gerli. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: COMMISSIONER NELSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA, MOVED TO CONSIDER AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 AFTER AGENDA ITEM NO. 2. THE MOTION PASSED 5-0. COMMUNICATIONS: City Council Items: Director Mihranian reported that the City Council, at its July 16th meeting, will receive a report on wildfire prevention efforts for City-owned properties and a report on the City's Go Green RPV building programs and incentives. Staff: Director Mihranian reported that there is late correspondence for Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 4; the City's July 4th event was a success; last week Chairman Bradley submitted a Memorandum to the City Council requesting their consideration to have Staff develop a Master Plan for the 5G deployment; and that today is Commissioner James' birthday. Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 1 APPROVED 7/23/19 Commission: Commissioner Nelson reported that he attended the July 8th Civic Center Ad- hoc Committee Meeting. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (regarding non-agenda items): NONE CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 25, 2019 P.C. MINUTES APPROVED AS PRESENTED ON A VOTE OF 5-0. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. HEIGHT VARIATION AND SITE PLAN REVIEW- (CASE NO. ZON2016-00358): 5325 Bayridge Road / Chen (OS) Senior Planner Silva presented the Staff Report providing background of the original proposal presented at the May 14th Planning Commission meeting. He noted that tonight's meeting was continued from June 25th because the silhouette was not revised to provide the public adequate time to submit comments. He described the project as a request to demolish an existing single-story residence to accommodate the construction of a new 4,560ft2 two-story residence measuring 22.8' in height with ancillary site improvements. He stated that the proposed residence was reduced in size and height, and that the second story along the east façade was recessed by 5' near the front and 10' at the rear of the residence and that the rear façade decks were reduced in size. He reported that Staff believes the project revisions adequately address all the previous concerns expressed at the May 14th meeting, and therefore Staff recommends approval. Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the size and screening of the rear façade decks, the size of the residence, grading as it relates to similar approved projects on Bayridge Road, windows along the east façade, the height of the chimneys, and potential view impacts. Vice Chairman Leon opened the public hearing. Ben Cauthen, Architect, addressed questions regarding grading, mass and bulk, and height of the ceiling and chimneys. He indicated that the chimney on the west elevation could be eliminated and the height of the structure reduced to 22.42' in response to recent public comments. Susan Semelka, 5329 Bayridge Rd., requested that the Commission require the Applicant to notch the structure into the grade similar to what the City required for her project in order to be compatible with the neighborhood as it descends in elevation to the terminus of the Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 2 APPROVED 7/23/19 cul-de-sac. She also expressed concerns regarding privacy from the balcony and chimney venting towards her property. Vice Chairman Leon closed the public hearing. COMMISSIONER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED TO ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-16, APPROVING A HEIGHT VARIATION AND SITE PLAN REVIEW TO ALLOW THE DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 4,560FT2 (GARAGE INCLUDED) TWO-STORY RESIDENCE WITH ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND WITH A MODIFIED OVERALL STRUCTURE HEIGHT OF 22.42' AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE WEST CHIMNEY, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A". THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 5-0. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. CHASE BANK VARIANCE FOR LIGHT STANDARDS (CASE PLVA2019-0001): 28300 S. Western Avenue / JP Morgan Chase bank, N.A. (AS) Senior Planner Seeraty presented the Staff Report by providing an overview of the Chase bank project approved by the Planning Commission in January 2018. She stated that construction commenced soon thereafter, and the project is near complete. She added that during a final inspection, it was discovered that the parking lot light standards exceeded the Commission-approved height limit of 10' and that the Applicant is requesting a Variance to allow the installed 12.5' tall light standards to remain on the property. Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the existing light standards, the proposed height, vehicular impacts, and- Code requirements for bank security purposes. Vice Chairman Leon opened the public hearing. Dan Popa, Applicant, spoke on the light requirements for banks and the height of the installed parking lot light standards. Vice Chairman Leon closed the public hearing. COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NELSON, TO ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-17; AMENDING CONDITION NOS. 23, 52, AND Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 3 APPROVED 7/23/19 59 OF P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-04 THEREBY APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE INSTALLED 12.5' TALL LIGHT STANDARDS TO REMAIN ON THE PROPERTY. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 5-0. 3. ZONING CODE AMENDMENT TO ALLOW EMPLOYEE HOUSING AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT (CASE NO. PLCA2019-0005): Citywide (SK) Deputy Director/Planning Manager Kim presented the Staff Report by stating that the request to amend Section 17.02 (Single-Family Residential Districts) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to allow employee housing as a permitted use in the City's residential zoning districts is being proposed in accordance with the Council-adopted Housing Element Program No. 9 and to comply with State law. She noted that the Planning Commission's role is advisory and is to provide the City Council with a recommendation. Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the State's Government Code, the current language stated in the Zoning Code for Residential Zoning Districts which already allows the use, the Employee Housing Act does not require Employee Housing to be listed in the Zoning Code, the proposed code amendment may result in unintended consequences if State law changes in the future, and the City should not be proactive in these types of issues. Vice Chairman Leon opened the public hearing. No public speakers Vice Chairman Leon closed the public hearing. Discussion ensued amongst the Planning Commission on the need to make the proposed changes to the existing Zoning Code. COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PERESTAM, TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO PROCEED WITH AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 17.02.020 (USES AND DEVELOPMENT PERMITTED) TO ALLOW EMPLOYEE HOUSING CONSISTING OF 6 OR FEWER PERSONS AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT AS ITS ALREADY IMPLICITLY ALLOWED BY THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO BRING BACK A RESOLUTION MEMORIALZING THE MOTION AT THE JULY 23, 2019 MEETING. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 5-0. 4. SECOND DWELLING UNITS - CODE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTERS 17.02 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS) DISTRICTS), 17.04 (MULTIPLE-FAMILY Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 4 APPROVED 7/23/19 RESIDENTIAL (RM) DISTRICTS), 17.10 (SECOND UNIT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS), AND 17.96 (DEFINITIONS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE (CASE NO. PLCA2018-0008): Citywide (AS) Senior Planner Seeraty presented the Staff Report by stating that the request to amend Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family Residential ((RS)) Districts), 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential ((RM)) Districts), 17.96 (Definitions), and Chapter 17.10 (Second Units) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code is intended to update the development standards for second dwelling units to create more housing options. She reported that an accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU, is defined as a secondary dwelling unit with complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is attached or detached from the primary dwelling unit or the unit is located within an existing primary dwelling unit or accessory structure. She also presented specific parking updates and the definition of Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit as outlined in the state law. She stated that the proposed development standards take into account that the majority of the City is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Area. Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding current requirements and the proposed amendments, including parking and setback standards for accessory dwelling units. Vice Chairman Leon opened the public hearing. Jim Beggans, commented on the planning and permit requirements of an ADU and provided suggested edits to clarify the intent of the amended Code language. The Commission reviewed the proposed amended Code language section-by-section, and provided Staff with suggested clarification edits, as well as suggested that the Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit be eliminated from the ordinance since it is not mandated by the State. Vice Chairman Leon closed the public hearing. COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PERESTAM, TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO AUGUST 13TH AND TO BRING BACK MODIFICATIONS TO THE DRAFT ORDINANCE PROPOSING TO AMEND CHAPTERS 17.02 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ((RS)) DISTRICTS), 17.04 (MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ((RM)) DISTRICTS), AND 17.96 (DEFINITIONS), AND CHAPTER 17.10 (SECOND UNITS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, AND TO REMOVE ANY CODE REFERENCES TO JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. THE MOTION PASSED 3-2 WITH COMMISSIONERS NELSON AND SANTAROSA DISSENTING. Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 5 APPROVED 7/23/19 NEW BUSINESS: NONE ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS: 5. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JULY 23, 2019 APPROVED WITH THE ADDITION OF CHAIRMAN BRADLEY'S 5G MASTER DEPLOYMENT PLAN MEMORANDUM AND THE EMPLOYEE HOUSING CODE AMENDMENT RESOLUTION, ON A VOTE OF 5-0. 6. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON AUGUST 13, 2019 APPROVED WITH THE ADDITION OF THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT CODE AMENDMENT ITEM, ON A VOTE OF 5-0. ADJOURNMENT: 10:18 P.M. For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to: http://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3455?view id=.5 Click on the agenda item below the video. Planning Commission Minutes July 9,2019 Page 6