PC MINS 20200908 Approved 9/22/2020
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Interim Deputy Director Silva provided information related to participation options available to
the public.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Saadatnejadi 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,
Associate Planner Yoon, and City Attorney Gerli.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Director Rukavina provided an update on the September 1, 2020 City Council
meeting, in which the City Council considered proposed code amendments to the City’s Accessory
Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
Staff: None
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non‐agenda items) a request was submitted, however,
Planning Commission Minutes
September 8, 2020
Page 2
the speaker did not join the meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 25, 2020 P.C. MINUTES
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. VARIANCE, COASTAL PERMIT, GRADING PERMIT, AND SITE PLAN REVIEW (CASE NO.
PLVA2019‐0002): 36 Sea Cove Drive (AS)
A request to demolish an existing residence and detached garage and construct a new 8,977 ft2
single‐story residence with basement (8,039 ft2 residence and 938 ft2 garages) at 19.95 feet in
height, with a 490 ft² covered patio, swimming pool and spa partially located within the City’s
Coastal Structure Setback Zone, and to conduct 1,547 yd3 of grading (970 yd3 of cut and 577 yd3
of fill) with retaining walls to accommodate the improvements.
Interim Deputy Director Silva requested a continuation on behalf of the applicant.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAMILL TO CONTINUE THE
PUBLIC HEARING TO THE OCTOBER 13, 2020 MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF THE APPLICANT TO
ALLOW THE APPLICANT ADDITIONAL TIME TO REVISE THE PROPOSED PROJECT AS IT RELATES
TO THE LOCATIONS OF IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE COASTAL SETBACK ZONE AND THE
COASTAL STRUCTURAL SETBACK ZONE. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
3. SITE PLAN REVIEW, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, AND VARIANCE (CASE NO. PLSR2019‐0065):
48 Rockinghorse Road (JY)
Associate Planner Yoon presented the staff report for construction of a new 4,594 ft² (garage
included) two‐story residence and ancillary site improvements with 1,056 yd³ of associated
grading on a vacant lot.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing
David Rentz, the applicant, gave a brief review of the history of the project and the process he
went through to gain approval. Mr. Rentz also answered questions from the Commission
regarding grading on extreme slope, particularly over 50% steepness, and which exterior
stairway design was more preferred.
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September 8, 2020
Page 3
Rob Simonson, the Architect, spoke on the alternative exterior stairway design that eliminates
the need for a Variance and responded to concerns on the extreme slope and grading with
additional information from the geology report.
Mr. Rentz spoke on the extreme slope and artificial fill that should warrant construction and
grading with a Variance.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued between the Planning Commission and staff regarding liability on the City if the
project is approved, questions on the slope stability, and an alternative stairway design.
COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI TO
REVIEW THE APPLICANT’S PROJECT REVISIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S
REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT THE JULY 14TH AND AUGUST 11TH MEETINGS; AND,
ADOPTED P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020‐13; APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A SITE PLAN
REVIEW, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, AND VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A NEW 4,594 FT2 (GARAGE
INCLUDED) SPLIT‐LEVEL RESIDENCE AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS WITH 1,056 YD3 OF
ASSOCIATED GRADING ON A VACANT LOT. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6‐1, WITH
COMMISSIONER JAMES DISSENTING.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
1. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
2. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 13, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Planning Commission Minutes
September 8, 2020
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT: 8:06 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3717?view_id=5&redirect=true