PC MINS 20210126 Approved 2/9/2021
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 26, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:01 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, City Attorney Geril, City Manager Mihranian, City Council‐Planning Commission
Liaison Dyda, Director of Recreation and Parks Linder, and Steve Johnson of Johnson
Favaro.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2021
Page 2
City Council Items: Deputy Director Silva provided an update of the January 19, 2021
City Council meeting, which included the 2
nd reading and approval of the new
Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance as well as the initiation of code amendment
proceedings to adopt treehouse development standards. Director Rukavina informed
the Planning Commission that an urgency ordinance will be presented to the City
Council on February 2, 2021, to establish a moratorium on the acceptance and
processing of development applications, issuance of permits, and the construction of
treehouse structures.
Staff: None
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non‐agenda items): None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 8, 2020 P.C. MINUTES
Approved as presented.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. HEIGHT VARIATION PERMIT, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT & SITE PLAN REVIEW
(CASE NO. PLHV2020‐0004): 7255 CREST ROAD (OS)
Deputy Director Silva presented the staff report with a request to demolish an
existing two‐story residence and construct a new 5,314 ft2 (3‐car garage included)
two‐story residence, ancillary site improvements and 497 yd
3 of grading to
accommodate the proposed improvements.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2021
Page 3
Discussion ensured amongst staff and the Commission regarding the square footage,
neighborhood compatibility, privacy concerns, grading permits and use of a future
an accessory dwelling unit.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Domingo Otelia, project architect, gave an overview of the updates to the project
plans.
Jimmy Leong, property owner, spoke on the overall project and size of the proposed
residence.
Robert Hecht, Eun Lee and Ben Chan, adjacent neighbors, spoke in opposition of the
project based on neighborhood compatibility, view, privacy, and structure size.
Discussion ensued amongst the Commission and staff regarding clarification of
grading for the whole project and neighborhood compatibility.
The project architect was asked to approve continuing the hearing to allow time for
a more suitable design. The project architect agreed to provide a 90‐day extension
to the Permit Streamlining Act.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
The Planning Commission expressed concerns with the project grading, structure size
setbacks, and the accessory dwelling unit.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA TO
CONTINUE TO THE PUBLIC HEARING TO A MEETING DATE UNCERTAIN IN ORDER TO
PROVIDE THE APPLICANT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH STAFF TO
INCORPORATE PLANNING COMMISSION INPUT REGARDING THE PROPOSED
PROJECT. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, VARIANCE, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT & SITE PLAN
REVIEW (CASE NO. PLCU2020‐0007): 32201 FORRESTAL DRIVE (OS)
Deputy Director Silva presented the staff report on the proposed project, which
included the consideration of planning applications and applicable Zoning
Regulations for the City Council design‐approved Latera Linda Park and Community
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2021
Page 4
Center (32201 Forrestal Drive). As presented, the project scope included the
demolition of existing buildings, landscaping and ancillary site improvements and for
the construction of a new replacement Community Center, play areas, landscaping,
ancillary site improvements and associated grading.
Steve Johnson of Johnson Favaro provided a presentation of the project timeline,
design, and community input process. He noted that City Council had previously
approved the project design in August 2019.
City Manager Mihranian also provided a summary of the project and overview of the
Planning Commission’s review of the proposed project.
Discussion ensued amongst the Planning Commission and staff regarding questions
on the preparation of traffic studies in the area and safety concerns.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
There was a total of 32 public comments provided during the public hearing, which
included 25 speakers, six recorded messages and one letter that was read into the
public record. The public comments received spoke both in support and opposition
to the proposed project. Project concerns raised by the public include design, traffic,
lighting, parking, park safety and security, cost, staffing, and park programs.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
The Planning Commission requested additional information be provided regarding
traffic studies, safety and security, resident‐only park usage and crime statistics in
the area.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CHURA TO REVIEW
PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LADERA LINDA PARK AND COMMUNITY
CENTER AT 32201 FORRESTAL DRIVE, AS IT RELATES TO CHAPTER 17 (ZONING) OF
THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE AND COLLECTED INPUT FROM THE
PUBLIC REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROJECT’S COMPLIANCE WITH ZONING
REGULATIONS AND DRAFT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL; AND CONTINUED THE
PUBLIC HEARING TO THE FEBRUARY 23, 2021 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN
ORDER TO PROVIDE STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASSESS INPUT AND INCORPORATE
PROJECT FEEDBACK AS NECESSARY. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7‐0.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 26, 2021
Page 5
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
4. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9, 2020
Approved as presented.
5. PRE‐AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: 11:55 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3823?view_id=5&redirect=true