PC MINS 20200728 APPROVED 8/11/2020
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
DRAFT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 28, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Interim Deputy Director Silva provided information related to participation options available to
the public.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Santarosa 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, RF Consultant Afflerback and City
Attorney Lopez and Ash.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Planning Commission amended the Agenda to consider Agenda Item No. 3 first, followed by
Item No. 4 and then Item No. 2.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2020
Page 2
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items
None
Staff
Interim Deputy Director Silva informed the Planning Commission that late correspondence was
received for agenda Item Nos. 2 & 4. Interim Deputy Director Silva also provided information
regarding a new temporary special use permit that will be available for restaurants, fitness and
personal care facilities to conduct limited outdoor operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Commission
None
Comments from the audience (regarding non-agenda items): None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 14, 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 requesting the Planning Commission provide
input related to proposed amendments to Chapters 17.02 (Single-Family Residential (RS)
Districts), 17.04 (Multiple-Family Residential (RM) Districts), and 17.96 (Definitions), and
repealing and replacing Chapter 17.10 (Accessory Dwelling Unit Development Standards) of Title
17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to update the development standards
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2020
Page 3
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 code
amendment and related provisions. The Planning Commission provided input with respect to
the City’s designation as a High Fire Severity Zone and applicability to the proposed code
amendments.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Matthew Gelfand – statement submitted and read by Interim Deputy Director Silva.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAMILL TO CONTINUE THE
REVIEW OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 17.02 (SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (RS) DISTRICTS), 17.04 (MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (RM) DISTRICTS), AND
17.96 (DEFINITIONS), AND REPEALING AND REPLACING 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; 2) PROVIDE INPUT TO STAFF REGARDING THE PROPOSED CODE
AMENDMENT LANGUAGE; AND 3) CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO AUGUST 11, 2020, TO
ALLOW STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCORPORATE ANY CODE AMENDMENT UPDATES. THE
MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7-0.
3. HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, VARIANCE, SITE PLAN REVIEW, AND
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT (CASE NO. PLVA2018-0001): 28160 Palos Verdes Drive
East (JY)
Commissioners Hamill, Saadatnejadi and Santarosa recused themselves.
Associate Planner Yoon gave a brief background on the project and presented the staff report,
which includes a request to construct a new 5,923 ft² (garage included), three-story, single-
family residence and ancillary site improvements with 1,517 yd3 of associated grading on a
vacant lot. Staff requested a continuance of the item to a date uncertain as the Traffic Safety
Committee has postponed their review until August 31, 2020, in order to reassess the sight
distance visibility analysis.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing
No speakers
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2020
Page 4
Chair Leon closed the public hearing
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHURA TO RECEIVE AND FILE
A STATUS REPORT ON THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT A NEW 3 -STORY
RESIDENCE AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS WITH ASSOCIATED GRADING ON THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 28160 PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST AND CONTINUE THE PUBLIC
HEARING RELATED TO THIS ITEM TO A DATE UNCERTAIN. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE
OF 4-0, WITH COMMISSIONERS HAMILL, SAADATNEJADI AND SANTAROSA RECUSING
THEMSELVES.
4. NONCOMMERCIAL AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNA - CODE AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS
17.76.020(C) & (D) OF CHAPTER 17.76 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL
CODE (CASE NO. PLCA2020-0003): Citywide (JY)
Associate Planner Yoon presented the staff report requesting that the Planning Commission
provide input related to proposed amendment to Sections 17.76.020(C) (Noncommercial
amateur radio antennas) and (D) (Noncommercial amateur radio antenna permit) of Chapter
17.76 (Miscellaneous Permits and Standards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code to update the regulations and review procedures for noncommercial amateur
radio antennas. Ms. Yoon also provided an outline of the draft proposed ordinance.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and staff regarding the number of
noncommercial amateur radio antenna applications received in the past. City Attorney Lopez
also spoke on the legality of noncommercial amateur radio antennas and that the proposed
amendment is not to prohibit the use but to change the review procedures.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing
Michael Afflerbach- RF Consultant to City Attorney stated that the proposed language from a
technological perspective does not disqualify any antennas.
Diane Feinberg- Spoke in opposition of the proposed draft and expressed concerns related to
the negative impacts it may have on emergency communications. She also requested that the
exempt antenna height remain as 16 feet due to the steep terrain and geography of the
peninsula.
Rick Eastwood- Spoke in opposition of the proposed draft and requested that the existing
ordinance remain in place. He also stated that the noncommercial amateur radio antenna
ordinance was amended several years ago regarding the height threshold, which was reduced
from 75 feet to the current 41 feet in height.
Mark Lidikay- Spoke in opposition of the proposed draft as it will compromise coverage and
provided an anecdote on how a ham radio antenna was used in a life -threatening event.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2020
Page 5
Summer Hansen- Spoke in opposition of the proposed draft, particularly related to the
structure types that will be prohibited, but supports the new general provision related to
signage.
Kathy Edgerton- Spoke in favor of the proposed draft as it balances the visual impacts and
operability of antennas.
Megan Moore- Spoke in favor of the proposed draft as it will help preserve the residential
character of the community.
Dale Hanks- Provided a statement in opposition of the proposed draft related to review of
applications regarding the structural integrity of the antenna, mock-up requirements, and
violation of VRB 1.
Mark Abrams- Voicemail presented and heard by Commission, the existing ordinance is already
restrictive and opposes the proposed draft.
Joan Olenick - Comments in favor of the proposed draft were read into the minutes by Interim
Deputy Director Silva.
Linda Hern - Comments in favor of the proposed draft were read into the minutes by Interim
Deputy Director Silva.
Miriam Varend - Comments in favor of the proposed draft were read into the minutes by
Interim Deputy Director Silva.
Glenn Cornell - Comments in favor of the proposed draft were read into the minutes by Interim
Deputy Director Silva.
Dale Hanks- Comments in opposition of the proposed draft were read into the minutes by
Interim Deputy Director Silva.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission, City Attorney Lopez, and staff regarding
the functionality of a 12-foot antenna; grandfathering provisions; how noncommercial amateur
radio antennas are utilized with the City’s Emergency Operations Center; how different antenna
heights impact its technical capability; structural engineering of antennas and structure types
that are proposed to be prohibited; public notice boundaries; and clarification on the retracting
requirement.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA TO REVIEW THE
DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 17.76.020(C) (NONCOMMERCIAL AMATEUR RADIO
ANTENNAS) AND (D) (NONCOMMERCIAL AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNA PERMIT ) OF CHAPTER
17.76 (MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS AND STANDARDS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE THE REGULATIONS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2020
Page 6
FOR NONCOMMERCIAL AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNAS; 2) PROVIDE INPUT ON THE PROPOSED
CODE AMENDMENT; AND 3) CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO AUGUST 25, 2020, TO
ALLOW STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCORPORATE ANY CODE AMENDMENT UPDATES. THE
MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
5. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON AUGUST 11, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
6. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON AUGUST 28, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
ADJOURNMENT: 10:11 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3706?view_id=5