PC MINS 20210323 Approved 4/27/2021
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 23, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:09 P.M.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Deputy Director Silva provided information related to participation options available to the public .
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Director Rukavina.
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, Senior
Planner Yoon, Public Works Principal Engineer Dragoo, City Traffic Consultant Munoz, and City
Attorney Gerli.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: Deputy Director Silva informed the Planning Commission that the City Council
will be considering the appeal of the Ladera Linda Community Center and Park project on April 6,
2021 and invited the commissioners to participate in the appeal hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 23, 2021
Page 2
Staff: None
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non-agenda items): None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 9, 2021 P.C. MINUTES
Approved as presented.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, VARIANCE, SITE PLAN REVIEW, AND
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT- (CASE NO. PLVA2018-0001): 28160 Palos Verdes Drive East (JY)
Senior Planner Yoon presented the staff report of the revised project requesting to construct a
new 5,285 ft² (garage included), three-story, single-family residence, and ancillary site
improvements with 1,697 yd3 of associated grading on a vacant lot.
Discussion ensued amongst the Planning Commission and staff regarding traffic safety along the
curvature of Palos Verdes Drive East. The City’s traffic consultant answered questions regarding the
sight lines, stopping sight distance, and specific traffic concerns. Additional aspects of the project
were discussed regarding the shrubbery removal along Palos Verdes Drive East, City liability in
terms of potential traffic accidents, improving the sight line, privacy concerns to the neighboring
property to the east, structural deck versus grading in the public right-of-way for the two-way
driveway approach, alternative traffic calming measures, and road widening of Palos Verdes Drive
East.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
David deLangis- The property owner gave a brief review of the project history and revisions as it
relates to the numerous traffic studies that went before the Traffic Safety Committee (TSC). He
reiterated that there is no traffic safety issue as proposed and is compliant with the American
Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 23, 2021
Page 3
Louis deMoraes – Project applicant gave a presentation on the history of the project and concerns
raised at the previous Planning Commission meeting, along with how each concern has been
addressed with the revised plans.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
The applicant and property owner answered questions regarding grading, overall height, and
construction phase parking and traffic control plans. Discussion ensued amongst the Planning
Commission and staff regarding the grading criteria, potential widening of Palos Verdes Drive East,
and the encroachment permit including the bulk and mass of the proposed 14-feet tall retaining
wall and two-way driveway.
The Planning Commission continued to express concerns with traffic safety, the overall height, legal
ramifications to the City, and grading.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Discussion ensued amongst the Planning Commission, staff, and the applicant to add an escape
lane, to which the analysis and cost would be borne by the applicant and may require TSC review.
In order to conduct the analysis and address the concerns raised during the meeting, the applicant
agreed to a 90-day extension.
The Planning Commission clarified items that will need to be addressed when the project comes
back for further consideration at its May 11, 2021 meeting that include reviewing the feasibility of
an escape lane; legal liability from the City’s perspective if traffic accidents are to occur along the
hairpin curve; possible traffic calming measures for implementation; and revisions to reduce the
overall height.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
VICE CHAIR PERESTAM MOVED, SECONDED BY CHAIRMAN LEON TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC
HEARING TO MAY 11, 2021 TO PROVIDE THE APPLICANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS
PLANNING COMMISSION CONCERNS. MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE 5-0, WITH COMMISSIONER
HAMILL AND SANTAROSA RECUSING.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
7. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON APRIL 13, 2021
Approved as presented.
8. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON APRIL 27, 2021
Approved as presented.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 23, 2021
Page 4
ADJOURNMENT: 10:08 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
https://rpv.granicus.com/player/clip/3892?view_id=5&redirect=true