PC RES 2020-015P.C. Resolution No. 2020-15
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P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES FINDING THAT THE
ACQUISITION OF A TAX-DEFAULTED PARCEL ABUTTING
AGUA AMARGA RESERVE (APN: 7583-022-012) IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CITY’S GENERAL PLAN.
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2019, the City Council authorized staff to pursue
the acquisition of a tax-defaulted parcel (vacant lot) abutting the Aqua Amarga Reserve
from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector to facilitate the expansion of
the City’s open space; and
WHEREAS, November 6, 2019, the City Council authorized the Mayor and City
Clerk to sign Chapter 8 Agreement 2795 to purchase said property; and
WHEREAS, Section 65402(a) of the California Government Code requires that,
“no real property shall be acquired by dedication or otherwise for street, square, park or
other public purposes,… if the adopted general plan or part thereof applies thereto, until
the location, purpose and extent of such acquisition… have been submitted to and
reported upon by the planning agency as to conformity with said adopted general plan
or part thereof”; and
WHEREAS, on October 13, 2020, the Planning Commission conducted a
meeting, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and
present evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The acquisition (APN: 7583-022-012) will be purchased from the
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector for the purposes of preserving and
expanding the 59-acre Agua Amarga Reserve. The acquisition of the property aligns
with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan goals and policies. More
specifically, with Land Use Element Goal No. 1.10 - “Preserve the rural and open
character of the City through zoning, cooperation with other jurisdictions, and acquisition
of open space land” and Conservation and Open Space Policy No. 2.27 -“Ensure the
maximum preservation of the natural scenic character and topography of the City
consistent with reasonable economic uses.” As such, the proposed acquisition is
consistent with the goals and policies of the City’s General Plan in that it ensures
continued preservation of the natural topography and character as well be used for
recreational use by the public.
Section 2: The acquisition Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), under Article 19, Section 15325
P.C. Resolution No. 2020-15
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(Transfers of Ownership in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical
Resources) of the California Guidelines for Implementation of the CEQA.
Section 3: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion
of this decision may appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Section 17.80.070 of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, any such appeal must be filed with the City, in
writing, setting forth the grounds of the appeal and any specific actions requested by the
appellant, and accompanied by the appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15)
days following October 13, 2020, the date of the Planning Commission’s final action.
Section 4: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the Staff Report and all other records of the proceedings, which are made a
part thereof by reference, the Planning Commission hereby finds that the acquisition of
a tax-defaulted parcel abutting the Agua Amarga Reserve (APN 7583-022-012) is
consistent with the goals and policies of the City’s General Plan.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of October 2020, by the following
vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS HAMILL, SAADATNEJADI, VICE-CHAIRMAN PERESTAM, AND
CHAIRMAN LEON
NOES: NONE
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER CHURA
Gordon Leon
Chair of the Planning Commission
Ken Rukavina, P.E.
Director of Community Development
and Secretary of the Planning Commission