PC MINS 20201208 Approved 1/26/2021
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 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
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, Deputy Director Silva,
Associate Planner Nemeth, Assistant Planner Sagarnaga‐Guillean and City Attorney Lopez.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Deputy Director Silva provided an update of the December 1, 2020 City
Council meeting, which included a reorganization of the City Council and a continuance of the
draft accessory dwelling unit ordinance.
Staff: Deputy Director Silva noted that late correspondence was received by the Planning
Commission for item #4
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2020
Page 2
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non‐agenda items):
Mayor Pro Tem David Bradley greeted the Planning Commission, thanked them for their service
and wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Jeremy Vanderhal spoke regarding the process and cost to initiate a code interpretation by the
Planning Commission.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 24, 2020 P.C. MINUTES
Approved as presented
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. SITE PLAN REVIEW, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, HEIGHT VARIATION, AND NEIGHBORHOOD
COMPATIBILITY: (CASE NO. PLHV2019‐0009): 2958 Crownview Drive (AB)
A request to construction of a new 8,383 ft² two‐story residence with an attached 708 ft² three‐
car garage with 1,390 yd³ of total grading and ancillary site improvements.
Deputy Director Silva presented the staff report requesting a continuation of the item to a date
uncertain.
COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA MOVED SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI TO RECEIVE
AND FILE A STATUS REPORT ON THE PROJECT; 2) PROVIDE THE APPLICANT WITH AN
OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER PROJECT REVISIONS; AND 3) CONTINUE THE ITEM TO A MEETING
DATE UNCERTAIN. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7 TO 0.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3.VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT APPLICATION‐ (CASE NO. PLVR2019‐0017): Applicants Bob Daly,
property owner at 6844 Vallon Drive; Abbas Saadat, property owner at 6854 Vallon Drive; Chris
Klodnicki, property owner at 6862 Vallon Drive. Foliage Owner Asghar Ghassemy, property
owner at 30739 Via La Cresta (RN).
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2020
Page 3
Commissioner Chura recused since he lives within 500 feet of the subject properties.
Commissioners Hamill and Saadatnejadi recused as they did not visit the applicants’ properties,
as required by the City’s View Guidelines in order to participate and vote on the item.
Associate Planner Nemeth presented the staff report with a request to restore the view from the
viewing areas located at 6844, 6854 and 6862 Vallon Drive.
Chairman Leon opened the public hearing.
Applicant Bob Daley spoke in support of the staff report.
Applicant Abbas Sadaat spoke in support of the staff report.
Foliage owner Asghar Ghassemy spoke against the staff report alleging a loss of privacy and
potential slope instability.
Mike Valentino concurred with Mr. Ghassemy’s objections.
Maria and Robert Popoli stated that the Pine trees block their view.
Mr. Ghassemy rebutted that the Pine trees were in the middle of the rear yard slope.
Chairman Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensured amongst staff and the Planning Commission.
Chairman Leon inquired about a legal case within the City of Rolling Hills referenced by Mr.
Ghassemy. City Attorney Christy Marie Lopez stated that in 2012 the L.A. Superior Court
overturned the City of Rolling Hills’ view ordinance. Commissioner Santarosa inquired about the
responsibility of the foliage owner’s drainage swale. Planner Nemeth stated that it was the
responsibility of the foliage owner. Commissioner Santarosa inquired if there was an ordinance
prohibiting removal of tree roots. Planner Nemeth stated that the view guidelines do not
recommend tree root removal.
Chairman Leon asked if the surface roots would be cut. Senior Planner John Alvarez answered
no.
Commissioner James asked if the Guidelines specify the location of replacement trees. Planner
Nemeth answered no.
Vice‐Chairman Perestam asked if cutting tree trunks flush or to stump qualify as removal.
Planner Nemeth answered yes.
Attorney Lopez stated that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes view ordinance has been upheld in
court. Commissioner James opined that the Pine trees do not offer privacy and he was not
convinced of catastrophic slope failure if the Pine trees were removed leaving the roots. He
stated that after tree removal and trimming of the remaining foliage privacy would not be lost
from Mr. Daly or Mr. Klodnicki’s end properties.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2020
Page 4
Vice Chairman Perestam motioned to support staff’s recommendation. Commissioner Santarosa
seconded the motion.
The Commission discussed the trimming level for the Bougavillea trees. Planner Nemeth clarified
that the trimming level is at the height of the rear block wall and not at the height of the glass
partition at the Saadat property at 6854 Vallon Drive. Vice‐Chairman Perestam stated because of
the fast growth rate of Bougavillea trees and Bottlebrush trees that he preferred his original
motion to support staff’s recommendation. Commission Santarosa reconfirmed his second on
the original motion. Vice‐Chairman Perestam affirmed that the original motion would include
amended condition No. 10, which was read into the record, that allowed the Community
Development Director to extend a 90‐day foliage removal and/or trimming deadline if the City
approved tree contractor should contact the City.
VICE CHAIR PERESTAM MOVED SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA TO ADOPT P.C.
RESOLUTION 2020‐19, CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT (CASE NO.
PLVR 2019‐0017), REQUIRING THE FOLIAGE OWNER TO CROWN REDUCE, WITH THE OPTION TO
REMOVE AND REPLACE, FOUR MONTEREY PINE TREES AND TO CROWN REDUCE THE
BOUGAINVILLEA TREES, PITTOSPORUM TREES, BOTTLEBRUSH TREES, AND BRAZILIAN PEPPER
TREES AT 30739 VIA LA CRESTA AS DESCRIBED IN CONDITION OF APPROVAL NOS. 3 THRU 4
AND AS ILLUSTRATED IN ATTACHMENT NO. 4, IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE APPLICANTS’ VIEWS.
MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 4‐ 0 WITH COMMISSIONERS CHURA, HAMILL AND
SAADATNEJAD RECUSING.
4. SITE PLAN REVIEW AND HEIGHT VARIATION‐ (CASE NO. PLHV2019‐0008): 10 Toprail Lane (MG)
Assistant Planner Sagarnaga‐Guillean presented the staff report requesting to demolish an
existing 3,051 ft2 two‐story residence to accommodate the construction of a new 5,256 ft2
(garage included) two‐story residence and ancillary site improvements as well as to conduct
380 yd3 of associated on‐site grading.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Kevin Ramsey spoke in support of the project and was available to answer any questions the
commissioners had.
Sunshine raised concerns with the nearby conceptual trails in the area but identified no trails
traversed through the subject site.
Bejarano, engineer for the project, answered questions relating to the driveway design and how
they complied with the development standards of the City.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensured amongst staff and the Planning Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2020
Page 5
Commissioner James raised concerns regarding grading on an extreme slope in particular for the
proposed play area. Staffs recommendation was the grading was necessary for the lot due to the
topographic nature of the lot and the need for recreation area.
Commissioner Chura had a question relating to a public comment submitted. Staff reported that
concerns from a neighbor were regarding the potential privacy impacts from the balcony. Staff
asserted that based on a privacy analysis conducted, the balcony was designed to be oriented
away from the property and would not create adverse impacts.
Vice Chair Perestam asked if there are any guidelines for driveway slope. Deputy Director Silva
clarified that the maximum slope for a driveway is 22%.
Vice Chair Perestam was concerned with the proposed side setback. Staff explained that the
setbacks will be in compliance with the required 5‐foot setback and that as part of the conditions
of approval all setbacks will need to be certified by a licensed land surveyor.
Discussion ensued around the geotechnical in concept approval. Deputy Director Silva and
Director Rukavina explained the process and assured the Commissioners that the proposed
improvements on the lot will not be carried out until the geotechnical staff deems the project
safe to build.
COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA MOVED SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI TO ADOPT
P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020‐20, APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS, A HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR
GRADING PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING 3,051 FT2 TWO‐STORY
RESIDENCE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 5,256 FT2 (GARAGE INCLUDED)
TWO‐STORY RESIDENCE AND ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL AS TO CONDUCT 380 YD3
OF ASSOCIATED ON‐SITE GRADING. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 6 TO 1 WITH
COMMISSIONER JAMES DISSENTING.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
3. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON DECEMBER 22, 2020
APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH A REQUEST TO CANCEL THE MEETING FOR DECEMBER 22, 2020,
FOR LACK OF AGENDA ITEMS.
4. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JANUARY 12, 2021
APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2020
Page 6
ADJOURNMENT: 9:13 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3788?view_id=5&redirect=true