PC MINS 20200922 Approved 10/13/2020
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Deputy Director Silva provided information related to participation options available to the public.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Director Silva 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, Deputy Director Silva,
Associate Planner Yoon, City Attorney Lopez, and RF Consultant Afflerbach
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Director Rukavina informed the planning commission City Council’s action on
September 15th regarding the proposed ADU Ordinance.
Staff: Director Rukavina informed the planning commission of Deputy Director Silva’s promotion to
permanent Deputy Director.
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non-agenda items) None
Planning Commission Minutes
September 22, 2020
Page 2
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 P.C. MINUTES
APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH TYPO CORRECTION ON PAGE 3.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. 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 and provided background on the request to
amend 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.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and staff regarding the proposed code
amendment in terms of the difference between an oil derrick and lattice style structure, the
requirement for ham radio operators to demonstrate and certify that there will be no radio
frequency emissions and interference, the meeting outcome between staff and ham radio
operators, the urgency of the code amendment, and clarification on legal challenges.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Don Huseman – Stated that ham radios are crucial during times of emergency and most reliable
antennas need to be a minimum 35 feet tall to be effective.
Dale Hanks – Stated that the existing ordinance served its purpose for the past 20 years with a
limited number of applications processed by the City and should remain as-is with no
amendments.
Miriam Varend – Spoke in support of the proposed code amendment and suggested additional
provisions that should be included such as a periodic compliance review by the City and a
nontransferable clause as a condition of approval, as well as requirements to certify photo
simulations.
Kathy Edgerton - Spoke in support of the proposed code amendment and stated that other HOAs
in the City are also in support of the proposed changes.
Rick Eastwood – Spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment as there is no urgency in
amending the code with only five applications processed since the code was updated 20 years
Planning Commission Minutes
September 22, 2020
Page 3
ago. He also stated that the existing code should not be modified as the proposed language will
not be defendable in court, and that a committee should be formed if the code is to be amended.
Mark Abrams – Stated that the proposed code amendment will make antennas cost prohibitive,
result in 95% loss of signal if antennas are reduced in height from 41 feet to 28 feet, and does not
satisfy reasonable accommodation for ham operators. He also stated that enacting the proposed
ordinance will result in litigation with the City.
Diane Feinberg – Spoke in opposition of the proposed code amendment as means for emergency
communications needs to be expanded with consideration of the various topography in the City
which hinders operability of antennas. She also stated that the existing code should be
maintained and that the proposed ordinance will increase costs associated with antennas.
Stuart Chuck – Comments submitted were read into the record by Deputy Director Silva which
stated that they are in support of the proposed code amendment and that antenna setbacks
should be reconsidered due to public safety concerns.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and staff regarding the fees associated with
a noncommercial radio antenna application, the City’s code enforcement policies, how the view
ordinance is applied, the transferability issues of antennas, and the height threshold that
determines a Director or Planning Commission review.
City Attorney Lopez read into the record a new provision to be added to the proposed ordinance
so as to restrict transferability of antennas upon sale of the property.
COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI TO
ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-14, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT AN
ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED 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 FOR NONCOMMERCIAL AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNAS WITH MODIFICATIONS
INCLUDING THE ELIMINATION OF A PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW FOR ANTENNAS UNDER
41 FEET IN HEIGHT AND THE INCLUSION OF RESTRICTING THE TRANSFERABILITY OF PERMIT
APPROVALS. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6-1, WITH COMMISSIONER CHURA DISSENTING.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
Planning Commission Minutes
September 22, 2020
Page 4
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
3. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 13, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
4. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 27, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
ADJOURNMENT: 8:59 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3731?view_id=5&redirect=true