PC RES 2020-020P.C. Resolution No. 2020-20
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P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS,
A HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, AND SITE
PLAN REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT A NEW 5,256 FT² (GARAGE
INCLUDED) TWO-STORY RESIDENCE AND ANCILLARY SITE
IMPROVEMENTS WITH 380 YD3 OF ASSOCIATED GRADING AT
10 TOPRAIL LANE (CASE NO. PLHV2019-0008).
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2019, Traci Watson (Applicant), submitted Height Variation,
Major Grading Permit, and Site Plan Review applications to the Community Development
Department, requesting approval to construct a new two-story residence and ancillary site
improvements with associated grading on an existing residential lot at 10 Toprail Lane;
and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2019, staff completed the initial review of the application,
at which time the application was deemed incomplete due to missing information on the
project plans. The Applicant submitted additional information on several occasions, and on
November 5, 2020, staff deemed the application complete for processing; and
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2020, the City issued a notice for a public hearing to
be held on December 8, 2020 before the Planning Commission to consider the project.
The notice was published in the Palos Verdes Daily Breeze and mailed to all property
owners within a 500-foot radius from the project site, providing a 30-day time period for the
submittal of comments; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources under Article 19, §15303(a) (New Construction), the City’s Local CEQA
Guidelines, the proposed project has been found to be categorically exempt under Section
15303 (New Construction) of the CEQA Guidelines. Specifically, the project involves the
demolition of a single-family residence to construct a new single-family residence in the
RS-2 zoning district, which is a residential zone.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 8, 2020,
at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES HEREBY FIND,
DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The recitals above are true and correct incorporated herein by
reference.
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Section 2: The project involves the construction of a new 5,256 ft2 (garage
included) two-story residence and ancillary site improvements with 380 yd3 of associated
grading on an existing residential lot at 10 Toprail Lane.
Section 3: The Planning Commission finds that the Height Variation for the
construction of a new 5,256 ft2 two-story residence measuring 26 feet in height, which
exceeds the 16 feet /20 feet by-right height limit is warranted based on the following:
A. The Applicant has complied with the early neighborhood consultation process
guidelines and procedures by obtaining six signatures (100%) from properties
within 100 feet and 22 signatures (38%) within 500 feet of the project site and have
provided required notifications.
B. The City’s General Plan identifies viewing points as turnouts along vehicular
corridors for the purposes of viewing, and viewing sites as public site areas, which
due to their physical locations on the Peninsula, provide a significant viewing
vantage. Views in the area are observed in an easterly direction, consisting of the
harbor, ocean, Los Angeles basin, city lights at night, and Vincent Thomas Bridge.
The residence will not be visible from the vehicular view corridor along Palos
Verdes Drive East, as the project site is blocked from view by existing development,
hillside, and vegetation. Furthermore, as the project site is located on a private
street and not near a public viewing area or viewing site, as defined by the General
Plan, there will be no significant view impairments from public property caused by
the project. Lastly, the project site is not located within the City’s Coastal Zone or
any other City specific plan.
C. The residence will not be located on a ridge or promontory, nor located on a
prominent mass of land that overlooks or projects onto a lowland or body of water
on two sides.
D. The project will not significantly impair a far or near view from the viewing area of
another property due to the orientation and location of the lots and topography of
the area. Based on aerial surveys and site visits to properties, views in the area
are observed in an easterly direction and consist of near view of the down sloping
ravine and a far view of the Los Angeles Basin, city lights, ocean, the harbor and
the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Views as observed from properties to the east of the
project site will not be impaired, as these properties are located approximately 300
feet away on Colt Road with a steep ravine traversing the properties. Views
observed from properties to the west of the project site are located approximately
30 to 40 feet above the building pad of the project site and will therefore not be
affected. Views observed from the properties to the north and south of the project
site are situated parallel to the project site and share the same easterly view
frames with no view in the direction of, or over, the project. As such, the project will
not significantly impair a view from the viewing area of another property.
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E. There is no view impairment from the viewing area of another parcel due to the
location of the site and topography in the area.
F. There is no significant cumulative view impairment caused by granting the Height
Variation because there will be no view impairment for portions of the structure
which exceed the 16 feet in height as seen from the viewing area of another parcel
located within the City’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, an analysis of similar projects at
8, 11 and 12 Toprail Lane would not result in a significant view impairment as
these properties are located 30 feet below the building pads of properties located
to the west, which continue to observe views above the established roofline
heights.
G. The project complies with all other Code requirements, including, but not limited to,
minimum required setbacks, maximum allowed lot coverage and parking.
H. The project is compatible with the character of the neighborhood. More specifically,
the immediate neighborhood is comprised primarily of single-story homes with a
few two-story homes that range in total structure size between 1,872 ft2 and 4,626
ft2. The resulting structure size for the project, 5,256 ft2, will be the largest home in
the immediate neighborhood and will be larger than the neighborhood average of
2,857 ft2. Based on the existing topography of the lot, the residence will be located
approximately 25 feet below the street of access (Toprail Lane), which minimizes
the scale of the residence as observed from the road and maintains the existing
streetscape. Furthermore, the two-story residence will not appear out of scale as
the various façade architectural treatments such a numerous low-pitched hip roofs
with varying ridgeline heights create visual interest and soften the appearance of
bulk and mass.
The project is within the maximum allowable lot coverage in the RS-2 zoning district
(40%), as the project will be at 39.7% lot coverage. The lot coverage is consistent
with other neighborhood properties based on an aerial survey. Many lots in the
immediate neighborhood appear to have relatively large spread out single story
homes with large improved driveways and patio areas with comparable lot
coverage averages. As such, the subject site is consistent with the neighboring lots
as the both have similar improvements and resulting lot coverages as that of the
project site.
The majority of the existing neighborhood is comprised of residences, which
primarily consist of California Ranch-style homes with elements found in other
architectural styles such as Mediterranean and modern. Most of the homes within
the immediate neighborhood have designs that include varying exterior materials
(sidings, stucco, brick, stone, etc.) and roof designs (gable and hip, with shingle or
tile). The residence incorporates similar architectural features commonly found
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within the immediate neighborhood such as stucco walls and ceramic tile roofing.
The appearance of bulk and mass of the residence will be minimized by the varying
design elements that provide articulation such as the enhanced setbacks between
the upper and lower levels on the south elevation, and extended “eyebrow”
overhang between the two levels of the residence, and varying low-pitched roof
planes. The balcony and covered patio along the rear façade and the entry porch in
the south elevation will also serve as visual breaks to the façade. In terms of open
space, the residence will exceed the required minimum setbacks between adjacent
properties that allow sufficient light, air, and privacy between structures.
The project exceeds the required setbacks in the rear and south side yard, in part
because of the location of the existing building pad. The residence will maintain
similar setbacks as the existing building pad and will comply with all setback
regulations. The setbacks will be compatible with other homes in the immediate
neighborhood.
I. The balcony and upper floor windows do not create privacy impacts to neighboring
properties as the properties to the east are located approximately 300 feet away
on Colt Road with a steep ravine traversing the properties and properties to the
west are located approximately 30 feet to 40 feet above the building pad of the
project site. The property to the south of the project site (12 Toprail Lane) is
situated about 200 feet away from the residence and improved with mature foliage.
The balcony is designed to be in far proximity to the northern adjacent neighbor at
8 Toprail Lane. Two windows are placed on the north façade with one being a
bathroom window which will be required to the fogged as part of the Building &
Safety review process, and the other window observing views over the abutting
neighbors roof at 8 Toprail Lane. Additionally, both adjacent lots are oriented east
and enjoy views of the ravine, Los Angeles basin, city lights, the harbor and the
Vicente Thomas Bridge. The balcony and upper level windows will not create an
unreasonable infringement of privacy to the neighboring properties.
Section 4: The Major Grading Permit to conduct 380 yd3 of associated grading
(269 yd3 of cut and 111 yd3 of fill with 158 yd3 of import), is warranted based on the
following findings:
A. The grading does not exceed that which is necessary for the permitted primary use
of the lot. The Applicant is proposing to conduct grading in order to accommodate
the residence and ancillary site improvements. The primary reason for the grading
is to accommodate the expansion of the driveway to allow for enhanced ingress and
egress from the project site. Due to the topographic sloping hillside within the front
setback, current vehicular ingress and egress is difficult with the existing 22%
sloping driveway. The proposed 166 yd3 of cut and 50 yd3 of fill along the front of
the residence will allow for the driveway to be expanded in a crescent moon design
to allow to greater vehicular access and provide for a 25 foot turning radius in front
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of the garage. As most of the property is sloping in nature, the usable portion of the
lot is limited to the area where the building footprint lies. As such, a 1,217 ft2 play
area is proposed on the south side of the property, which would requires 28 yd3 of
cut and 61 yd3 of fill. The proposed grading will enhance accessibility throughout
the project site and increased usable area of the lot.
B. Due to the topography of the neighborhood and based on the viewing areas from
key adjacent properties, the proposed grading and retaining walls will not impact
visual relationships nor the views from the viewing area of neighboring properties.
The 6 feet -9 inch high combination wall and railing along the eastern edge of the
proposed play area will be mostly hidden from view from neighboring properties as
the wall is approximately 14 feet lower than the street of access (Toprail Lane). It
will also be screened from neighboring properties because it will be screened with
new landscaping. The proposed grading and related construction will not affect the
visual relationships with, nor the views from the viewing area of neighboring
properties.
C. The proposed grading for the primary residence and ancillary site improvements
are minimal, as most of the excavation and fill of the soil is to accommodate the
driveway expansion which will have a maximum slope of 20%, which is consistent
with the sloping nature of the lot. The key grading that modifies the existing natural
contours includes 28 yd3 of cut and 61 yd3 of fill proposed to create a play area.
The location of the play area will not be seen from neighboring properties, as the
elevation is approximately 14 feet lower in elevation from the street of access
(Toprail Lane). The overall finished contours are reasonably natural and that the
grading will minimize disturbance to the natural contours at the upper portion of the
lot, which is visible from adjacent properties.
D. The grading will cause minimal disturbance to the natural contours and the finished
contours will remain reasonably natural. Land sculpturing will be utilized for the
driveway expansion and will blend with the existing sloping nature of the front
hillside. The proposed grading activities that affect the existing topography is along
the south side of the property in order to accommodate a proposed play area.
However, the grading will take place in the lower portion of the slope, while the
upper portion of the slope that is visible to other neighboring properties will be
preserved. Furthermore, this grading provides for additional recreational space
because of the limited usable area due to topographic conditions of the lot.
E. Grading in excess of the Grading Criteria (grading on slopes over 50% and higher
retaining walls) is warranted as the grading will permit reasonable development of
land, ensuring the maximum preservation of natural scenic character of the area
consistent with the reasonable economic use of the property; and the project
complies with all goals and polices of the General Plan, any specific plan, and any
amendments.
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Specifically, grading will occur on an existing slope over 50% along the westerly
front yard in order to accomplish accessibility to the garage and parking area on the
south side of the house and to provide enhanced vehicular access to the site. The 5
foot high retaining wall located to the west of the residence is necessary in order to
support the driveway expansion described above. The 6 foot-9 inch high
combination/retaining wall on the south side of the property is necessary to support
the excavation and fill associated with the play area. The intention of the
combo/retaining wall is to support the play area, which will allow for additional
recreational area due to the limited topographic conditions of the lot. The project
does not impact existing natural scenic character of the area will not result in any
fire hazards or cause impacts associated with flooding, earth movement or other
similar hazards. The project has been reviewed by applicable agencies and
departments and has received conceptual approvals to proceed through the
entitlement phase. In addition, the approval of the requested grading permit will not
constitute a special privilege, as retaining walls at various heights are typically
found throughout the neighborhood as a result of the existing sloping topography
and slope conditions in the area.
The grading on a slope over 50% and the construction of the retaining wall in
support of the expanding driveway in excess of grading criteria will not result in
adverse impacts to neighboring properties as the City’s Geotechnical Engineer has
reviewed the project plans and provided conceptual approval. Furthermore, the
project will have to comply with all requirements of the Building Code, obtain the
City geotechnical consultant’s final approval, and once a building permit is issued, a
series of inspections will be required throughout project construction. Therefore, the
deviation will not be detrimental to the public safety nor to other properties.
Section 5: The Site Plan Review is approved for the 5,256 ft2 residence and
ancillary site improvements, which includes the construction of a 398 ft2 balcony and 454
ft2 covered patio along the easterly rear façade of the proposed residence, related pool
equipment in the north side yard, 438 ft2 pool and spa in the easterly rear yard, an air
conditioning unit along the south façade of the residence, 1,217 ft2 play area in the south
side yard, construction of freestanding walls, combination walls and retaining walls up to 6
feet 9 inches in height, and related hardscape improvements. The proposed ancillary
improvements comply with all applicable Code requirements for the RS-2 zoning district,
including, but not limited to, minimum required setbacks, accessory structure heights, and
maximum allowed lot coverage.
Section 7: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall set forth in writing, the
grounds for appeal and any specific action being requested by the appellant. Any appeal
letter must be filed within 15 calendar days of the date of this decision, or by 5:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 23, 2020. A $2,275.00 appeal fee must accompany any appeal
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letter. The City Council’s decision is final if no appeal is filed timely: The Planning
Commission’s decision will be final at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Section 8: Any challenge to the City Council’s decision and the findings set forth
therein, must be filed within the 90-day statute of limitations set forth in Code of Civil
Procedure §1094.6 and Section 17.86.100(B) of the RPVMC.
Section 9: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the staff Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby adopts P.C. Resolution No. 2020-
20, approving a Height Variation Major Grading Permit and Site Plan Review, to allow the
construction of a 5,256 ft² (garage included), two-story residence and ancillary site
improvements with 380 yd³ of associated grading an existing residential lot, subject to the
Conditions of Approval contained in the attached Exhibit “A”.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of December 2020 by the following
vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS CHURA, HAMILL, SAADATNEJADI, SANTAROSA, VICE-
CHAIRMAN PERESTAM, AND CHAIRMAN LEON
NOES: COMMISSIONER JAMES
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Gordon Leon
Chair of the Planning Commission
Ken Rukavina, P.E.
Director of Community Development
Secretary of the Planning Commission
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EXHIBIT ‘A’
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
PLANNING CASE NO. PLSR2019-0008
(HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW)
10 TOPRAIL LANE
General Conditions:
1. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the Applicant
and/or property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have
read, understand, and agree to all conditions of approval contained in this Exhibit
“A”. Failure to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days following the
date of this approval shall render this approval null and void.
2. The Applicant shall indemnify, protect, defend, and hold harmless, the City, and/or
any of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities thereof, from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, writs of
mandamus, and other actions and proceedings (whether legal, equitable,
declaratory, administrative or adjudicatory in nature), and alternative dispute
resolutions procedures (including, but not limited to arbitrations, mediations, and
other such procedures) (collectively “Actions”), brought against the City, and/or any
of its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities thereof, that challenge, attack, or seek to modify, set aside, void,
or annul, the action of, or any permit or approval issued by, the City and/or any of
its officials, officers, employees, agents, departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities thereof (including actions approved by the voters of the City), for or
concerning the project.
3. Prior to conducting any work in the public right of way, such as for curb cuts,
dumpsters, temporary improvements and/or permanent improvements, the
Applicant shall obtain an encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works.
4. Approval of this permit shall not be construed as a waiver of applicable and
appropriate zoning regulations, or any Federal, State, County and/or City laws and
regulations. Unless otherwise expressly specified, all other requirements of the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) shall apply.
5. Pursuant to RPVMC §17.78.040, the Director of Community Development is
authorized to make minor modifications to the approved plans and any of the
conditions of approval if such modifications will achieve substantially the same
results as would strict compliance with the approved plans and conditions.
Substantial changes to the project shall be considered a revision and require
approval by the final body that approved the original project, which may require new
and separate environmental review and public notification.
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6. The project development on the site shall conform to the specific standards
contained in these conditions of approval or, if not addressed herein, shall conform
to the residential development standards of the RPVMC, including but not limited to
height, setback and lot coverage standards.
7. Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may be
cause to revoke the approval of the project pursuant to the revocation procedures
contained in RPVMC §17.86.060 or administrative citations as described in RPVMC
Chapter 1.16.
8. If the Applicant has not submitted an application for a building permit for the
approved project or not commenced the approved project as described in RPVMC
§17.86.070 within one year of the final effective date of this Notice of Decision,
approval of the project shall expire and be of no further effect unless, prior to
expiration, a written request for extension is filed with the Community Development
Department and approved by the Director.
9. In the event that any of these conditions conflict with the recommendations and/or
requirements of another permitting agency or City department, the stricter standard
shall apply.
10. Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be
completed in substantial conformance with the plans stamped approved by the City
with the effective date of this approval.
11. This approval is only for the items described within these conditions and identified
on the stamped approved plans and is not an approval of any existing illegal or
legal non-conforming structures on the property, unless the approval of such illegal
or legal non-conforming structure is specifically identified within these conditions or
on the stamped approved plans.
12. The construction site and adjacent public and private properties and streets shall be
kept free of all loose materials resembling trash and debris in excess of that
material used for immediate construction purposes. Such excess material may
include, but not be limited to: the accumulation of debris, garbage, lumber, scrap
metal, concrete asphalt, piles of earth, salvage materials, abandoned or discarded
furniture, appliances or other household fixtures.
13. All construction sites shall be maintained in a secure, safe, neat and orderly
manner, to the satisfaction of the City’s Building Official. All construction waste and
debris resulting from a construction, alteration or repair project shall be removed on
a weekly basis by the contractor or property owner. Existing or temporary portable
bathrooms shall be provided during construction. Portable bathrooms shall be
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placed in a location that will minimize disturbance to the surrounding property
owners, to the satisfaction of the City’s Building Official.
14. Construction projects that are accessible from a street right-of-way or an abutting
property and which remain in operation or expect to remain in operation for over 30
days shall provide temporary construction fencing, as defined in RPVMC
§17.56.050(C). Unless required to protect against a safety hazard, temporary
construction fencing shall not be erected sooner than 15 days prior to
commencement of construction.
15. Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday
through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, with no construction activity
permitted on Sundays or on the legal holidays specified in RPVMC §17.96.920.
During demolition, construction and/or grading operations, trucks shall not park,
queue and/or idle at the project site or in the adjoining street rights-of-way before
7:00 AM Monday through Friday and before 9:00 AM on Saturday, in accordance
with the permitted hours of construction stated in this condition. When feasible to do
so, the construction contractor shall provide staging areas on-site to minimize off-
site transportation of heavy construction equipment. These areas shall be located to
maximize the distance between staging activities and neighboring properties,
subject to approval by the Building Official.
16. Exterior residential lighting shall comply with the standards of RPVMC §17.56.030.
All exterior lighting shall be so arranged and shielded as to prevent direct
illumination of abutting properties and of vehicles passing on the public right-of-way.
Luminaries shall be of a low-level indirect and diffused type. All fluorescent bulbs or
other lighting under canopies or on the building shall be covered with diffusing
lenses and shielded.
17. For all grading, landscaping, and construction activities, the Applicant shall employ
effective dust control techniques, either through screening and/or watering.
18. PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF ANY GRADING AND/OR BUILDING PERMIT,
whichever occurs first, an earth hauling permit shall be approved by the Public
Works Department.
19. PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF ANY GRADING AND/OR BUILDING PERMIT, the
applicant shall obtain authorization from the legal holders of the road easement for
any construction of any structures or improvements within the easement.
20. The Applicant shall remove the project silhouette within seven days after a final
decision has been rendered and the City’s appeal process has been exhausted.
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Project Specific Conditions:
21. This approval shall allow for the following improvements on a down-sloping vacant
lot:
A. Demolish an existing 3,051 ft2 two-story residence to accommodate the
construction of a 4,750 ft2 two-story residence with an attached 506 ft2
garage, resulting in a total structure size of 5,256 ft2;
B. Construct a 398 ft2 balcony and a 454 ft2 covered patio along the easterly
rear façade of the proposed residence;
C. Conduct 380 yd3 of grading consisting of 269 yd3 of cut and 111 yd3 of fill
along with 158 yd3 of export and a maximum cut and fill of 5 feet each;
D. Construct freestanding walls, combination walls and retaining walls up to 6
feet 9 inches in height in support of the proposed improvements;
E. Construct ancillary site improvements including an expanded driveway, a
438 ft2 pool and spa, 1,217 ft2 play area, mechanical equipment and related
hardscape improvements.
BUILDING AREA CERTIFICATION REQUIRED, to be provided by a licensed land
surveyor or civil engineer PRIOR TO THE FRAMING INSPECTION.
22. The height of the proposed residence will measure 25.06 feet, as measured from
the highest elevation of the existing grade covered by the structure (elev. 740.33
feet) to the highest proposed roof ridgeline (elev. 765.39 feet) and 26.00 feet, as
measured from the lowest finished grade adjacent to the structure (elev. 739.39
feet) to the highest proposed roof ridgeline (elev. 765.39 feet).
BUILDING HEIGHT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED, to be provided by a licensed
land surveyor or civil engineer PRIOR TO ROOF SHEATHING INSPECTION,
based on the above mentioned instructions.
23. The approved residence shall maintain a 20 feet front, 6.67 feet north side, 160 feet
south side and 26.1 feet rear yard setbacks.
SETBACK CERTIFICATION REQUIRED, to be provided by a licensed land
surveyor or civil engineer PRIOR TO POURING FOUNDATIONS.
24. Unless modified by the approval of future planning applications, the approved
project within the RS-2 zoning district shall maintain a maximum of 39.7% lot
coverage.
25. The project site shall maintain a minimum of two enclosed parking spaces at all
times. An enclosed parking space shall have an unobstructed ground space of no
less than 9 feet in width and 20 feet in depth, with a minimum 7 foot vertical
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clearance. An unenclosed parking space shall have an unobstructed ground space
of no less than 9 feet in width by 20 feet in depth.
26. All colors and materials for the structure and roof shall be as shown in the stamped
APPROVED plans.
27. Exterior residential lighting shall comply with the standards of RPVMC §17.56.030.
All exterior lighting shall be so arranged and shielded as to prevent direct
illumination of abutting properties and of vehicles passing on the public right-of-way.
Luminaries shall be of a low-level indirect and diffused type. All fluorescent bulbs or
other lighting under canopies or on the building shall be covered with diffusing
lenses and shielded.
28. The approved A/C units shall comply with the required side setbacks and shall be
screened from view from adjacent public right-of-way with foliage or other
appropriate screening.
29. The maintenance or operation of mechanical equipment, including but not limited to
AC units or pool filters, generating noise levels in excess of 65dBA as measured
from the closest property line shall constitute a public nuisance in accordance to
Chapter 8.24 of the RPVMC.
30. Any outdoor furnishings, accessories or plants located on the balcony shall not
exceed a height of 8 feet or the bottom of the roof eave, whichever is lower, as
measured from the finished floor of the deck.
31. Any outdoor furnishings, accessories or plants located on the balcony which exceed
the height limits established in RPVMC §17.02.040, shall not significantly impair a
view from surrounding properties.
32. PRIOR TO PLAN CHECK SUBMITTAL the applicant shall obtain easement holder
authorizations for any proposed improvements within easement areas as required
by Section 17.48.030(F) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
PRIOR TO BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE
33. PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS all applicable soils/geotechnical
reports, if required by the Building and Safety Division, shall be approved by the
City’s Geologist.
34. A drainage plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Department.
35. Review and approval by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health,
Environmental Health Division (Department) is required for the proposed septic
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tank, including the designation of future expansion areas in the event that the septic
system fails. For additional information regarding this review and process, please
contact the Department at (888) 700-9995 or by visiting the Departments website at
www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh.
PRIOR TO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
36. The Applicant shall submit complete Landscape Plans and associated Trust
Deposit to the Planning Division for review and approval by the Director of
Community Development. The final approved landscaping shall be installed prior to
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the residence. The landscape plans may
be required to comply with the State of California Water Efficient Landscape
requirements, as determined by the City’s Landscape Architect.
Upon completion of the installation of the landscaped areas or altered landscaped
area subject to Chapter 15.34, the project Applicant shall submit a certificate of
completion, in the form provided by the City, for review and approval by the Director
of Community Development. The certificate of completion shall be executed by
either the licensed landscaped architect, licensed landscape contractor or the
certified irrigation designer that signed any of the documents submitted as part of
the landscape documentation package.
37. All utility lines installed to service the building shall be placed underground from an
existing power pole or other point of connection off-site prior to Certificate of
Occupancy.