PC MINS 20200714 Approved 7/28/2020
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 14, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Interim Deputy Director Silva provided information related to participation options available to
the public.
LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Interim Deputy Director Silva informed the Planning Commission that late correspondence was
received and distributed prior to the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Hamill led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Chura, Hamill, James, Saadatnejadi, Santarosa, Vice Chair Perestam
and Chair Leon.
Absent: NONE
Also present were Director of Community Development Rukavina, Interim Deputy Director
Silva, Senior Planner Seeraty, Associate Planner Yoon, Associate Planner Nemeth and City
Attorney Gerli and Ash.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
Page 2
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items:
NONE
Staff:
Interim Deputy Director Silva informed the public that the public counters are an appointment
only basis and provided scheduling information. Interim Deputy Director Silva also welcomed
new Director of Community Development, Ken Rukavina.
Commission:
NONE
Comments from the audience (regarding non‐agenda items): NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 23, 2020 P.C. MINUTES
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ‐ CODE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTERS 17.02 (SINGLE‐
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RS) DISTRICTS), 17.04 (MULTIPLE‐FAMILY 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. PLCA2020‐0001): Citywide (AS)
Senior Planner Seeraty presented the staff report with a request to amend Chapters 17.02
(Single‐Family Residential ((RS)) Districts), 17.04 (Multiple‐Family Residential ((RM)) Districts),
and 17.96 (Definitions), and repeal and replace Chapter 17.10 (Accessory Dwelling Unit
Development Standards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to
update the development standards for accessory dwelling units and to create development
standards for junior accessory dwelling units.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the proposed project
related to the proposed revisions to the definitions.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
Page 3
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Interim Deputy Director Silva read public comments from Andrea Joannou and Matt Gelfand.
Staff presented the proposed changes to the ADU ordinance, while at the same time the
Planning Commission discussed these changes and asked questions of Staff. Concerns were
raised by the Chair and other Commissioners regarding several of the proposed changes.
These concerns included the proposed requirement that a detached ADU be located behind
the primary dwelling, the proposed requirement for screening landscaping around the ADU,
and the requirement that an ADU be located on a property that has at least two streets of
access that are both at least 24 feet wide.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing and proposed that because of the lengthiness of this item,
that this item be placed on hold, that the other public hearings take place, and then the
Planning Commission would come back to this item at the end of the meeting.
After items 3‐5 were presented, Chair Leon reopened the public hearing and heard the last
public speaker, Mr. Tom North. Due to the lateness of the hour, the Commission considered
continuing the discussion to the next meeting.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAMILL TO CONTINUE THE
PUBLIC HEARING TO THE JULY 28, 2020 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. THE MOTION
PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
NONE
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. COMPLIANCE REVIEW OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR CHASE BANK (CASE NO.
PLCU2020‐0003): 28300 S. Western Avenue (AS)
Senior Planner Seeraty presented the staff report providing background on the project and
requesting a review of Chase Bank’s compliance with the Planning Commission‐adopted
Conditions of Approval for the Conditional Use Permit approved pursuant to P.C. Resolution
No. 2019‐17. Staff believes that Chase Bank is in compliance with the Conditions of approval.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Dan Popa‐ Architect for Chase Bank thanked staff for their support with the project.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
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COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAMILL TO RECEIVE AND FILE
A REPORT FINDING THAT THE CHASE BANK PROPERTY LOCATED AT 28300 S. WESTERN
AVENUE IS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR THE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPROVED PURSUANT TO P.C. RESOLUTION 2019‐17 (WHICH
SUPERSEDED P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2018‐04). THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
4. SITE PLAN REVIEW, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, AND VARIANCE (CASE NO. PLSR2019‐
006548): 48 Rockinghorse Road (JY)
Associate Planner Yoon presented the staff report with a request to allow the construction of a
new 4,594ft2 (garage included) split‐ level residence and ancillary site improvements with
1,037yd3 of associated grading on a vacant lot.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the proposed project
related to drainage on the lot.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
David Retz‐The property owner discussed the drainage and the recorded Covenant as well as
his willingness to work with the neighboring property at 46 Rockinghorse Road to continue
filling the adjacent wall along the shared side property line.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the proposed project
related to the deviations from the grading criteria and Variance requests to accommodate the
proposed residence and ancillary site improvements. The Planning Commission suggested and
the Applicant agreed to a 90‐day time extension to continue the item to August 11, 2020, in
order to provide the Applicant with an opportunity to further address the grading concerns
and construction on extreme slope.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA TO CONTINUE
THE PUBLIC HEARING TO THE AUGUST 11, 2020 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. THE
MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
Page 5
5. SITE PLAN REVIEW, VARIANCE, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, AND MINOR
GRADING PERMIT (CASE NO. PLSR2019‐0282): 104 Spindrift Drive (JY)
Associate Planner Yoon presented the staff report with a request to allow the construction of a
727ft² addition to an existing, split‐level residence consisting of a 690ft2 addition to the lower
level and a 37ft2 addition to the upper level for a total structure size of 2,203ft² (garage
included) and ancillary site improvements with 44yd3 of associated grading.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the proposed
Variance request for a reduced front yard setback.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Alberto Juarez‐ The project applicant stated the he was available to answer any questions
about the plans.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA ADOPT
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020‐09: APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A SITE PLAN REVIEW,
VARIANCE, COASTAL PERMIT, AND MINOR GRADING PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A 727FT²
ADDITION TO AN EXISTING, 1,476FT2 SPLIT‐LEVEL RESIDENCE CONSISTING OF A 690FT2
ADDITION TO THE LOWER LEVEL AND A 37FT2 ADDITION TO THE UPPER LEVEL FOR A TOTAL
STRUCTURE SIZE OF 2,203FT² (GARAGE INCLUDED) AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS
WITH 44YD3 OF ASSOCIATED GRADING AT 104 SPINDRIFT DRIVE. THE MOTION PASSED ON A
VOTE OF 7‐0.
6. HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, MINOR EXCEPTION PERMIT & SITE
PLAN REVIEW (CASE NO. PLHV 2018‐0003): 3015 Crest Road (RN)
Vice Chair Perestam recused himself as he lives within 500 feet of the project site.
Associate Planner Nemeth presented the staff report with a request to demolish two existing
accessory structures, and the construction of a new 5,344ft2 (garage and basement included),
two‐story residence with 538yd3 of associated grading and ancillary site improvements.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the proposed project
related to the lot coverage, sewer easement and the proposed accessory dwelling unit
language (ADU).
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
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Ted Logan‐ The property owner at 3001 Crest Road supported the project and the proposed
condition of approval maintaining the absence of second story windows and a 6’ privacy
screen on the rear balcony.
Sylvia Soong‐ The property owner at 3027 Crest Road supported the condition of approval
maintaining the absence of second story windows and a 6’ privacy screen on the rear balcony.
She requested a condition of approval, in which the City will enforce the removal of
improvements on the sewer easement at 3015 Crest Road for sewer repair.
Skye Zhang‐ The Co‐Applicant stated that he was present to answer any Planning Commission
questions.
Ying Mou‐ The Applicant provided additional clarification regarding issues with the proposed
lot coverage area.
Chairman Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission regarding the project’s proposal to
exceed lot coverage requirements. The Planning Commission also discussed the addition of a
condition of approval concerning physical improvements in the sewer easement at 3015 Crest
Road. Lastly, the Planning Commission discussed revision of the project Resolution to include
the exact language of the RPVMC when referencing the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) within
the existing space of the detached accessory game room structure. The Planning Commission
discussed continuing the item to allow the Applicants an opportunity to address lot coverage
concerns and for Staff to revise the Resolution concerning the sewer easement and ADU. The
Applicants agreed to waiving the August 5, 2020 action deadline and continuing the item to
the August 11, 2020 Planning Commission meeting.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHURA TO CONTINUE THE
PUBLIC HEARING TO THE AUGUST 11, 2020 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. THE MOTION
PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6‐0, WITH VICE‐CHAIR PERESTAM RECUSSING.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
7. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JULY 14, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
8. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JULY 28, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Planning Commission Minutes
July 14, 2020
Page 7
ADJOURNMENT: 12:26 A.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3701?view_id=5