PC MINS 20210511 Approved 6/8/2021
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 11, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Leon called the virtual meeting to order at 7:02 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 Commissioner Chura.
ATTENDANCE
Present: Commissioners Chura, Hamill,James, Saadatnejadi, Santarosa, Vice Chair Perestam, and
Chair Leon.
Absent: None
Also present were Director of Community Development Rukavina, P.E, Deputy Director Silva,
Senior Planner Yoon, Senior Planner Alvarez, Associate Planner Nemeth, Assistant Planner
Guillean, Public Works Principal Engineer Dragoo, and City Attorney Gerli.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Items: None
Staff: Deputy Director Silva informed the Planning Commission that late correspondence related
to Agenda Item Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 was distributed prior to the meeting.
Commission: None
Comments from the audience (regarding non-agenda items): None
CONSENT CALENDAR
COMMISSIONER HAMILL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES, TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT CALENDAR.THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE 7-0.
1. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 27, 2021 P.C. MINUTES
2. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (JY)
Request: Find that the projects and programs contained in the proposed FY 2021-22 Capital
Improvement Program are consistent with the goals and policies of the Rancho Palos Verdes
General Plan.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS:
3. HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, VARIANCE, SITE PLAN REVIEW, AND
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT- (CASE NO. PLVA2018-0001): 28160 Palos Verdes Drive East (JY)
Commissioner Hamill and Santarosa recused themselves from consideration of the project
proposal.
Senior Planner Yoon presented the staff report of the revised project, which involves the
construction of a new 5,285 ft2 (garage included), 3-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 the discrepancies and
assumptions made in the Traffic Safety Committee staff reports as it relates to speed and stopping
sight distances; factors affecting the driveway elevation; and the status of adding a center lane
dedicated to left turns along Palos Verdes Drive East.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
David De Langis-The property owner, clarified the speed and stopping sight distance presented
to the Traffic Safety Committee for their review and approval.
Luis DeMoraes-The Project Architect, provided a brief presentation on different options that
were explored to reduce the overall height of the residence.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
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May 11,2021
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The Planning Commission continued to express concerns with the overall height, traffic safety,
and grading.
COMMISSIONER JAMES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI,TO DENY A
HEIGHT VARIATION, MAJOR GRADING PERMIT, VARIANCE, SITE PLAN REVIEW, AND
ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 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. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE 5-0, WITH
COMMISSIONERS HAMILL AND SANTAROSA RECUSING.
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS:
4. AN APPEAL OF A DIRECTOR-APPROVED SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH NEIGHBORHOOD
COMPATIBILITY- (CASE NO. PLSR2019-0365) 30137 Avenida Tranquila (MG)
Assistant Planner Guillean presented the staff report for an appeal of the Director-level approval
of a 305 ft2 addition and 881 ft2 roof deck to an existing split-level residence.
The Planning Commission discussed the project scope and asked questions related to building
code requirements and Los Angeles County Assessor records.
Chair Leon opened the public hearing.
Bill & Gina Whittlesey- The Appellants, expressed concerns with the project as outlined in the
appeal letter including, but not limited to, privacy, neighborhood compatibility and view
impairments.
Rick & Rosy Morales- Interested parties, expressed concerns with the project with regards to
combability and compliance with Building Code requirements.
Scott Wellman- The Property Owner's Attorney, spoke in support of the proposed project and
its consistency with code requirements.
Kenneth & Marie Scott- An interested party, spoke in support of the proposed project as
designed.
Tatiana Kivachook-The Property Owner,spoke in support of the project and answered questions
from the Planning Commission.
Chair Leon closed the public hearing.
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May 11,2021
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Discussion ensued amongst the Planning Commission and staff about the merits of the appeal
including building height, compatibility of the project with the surrounding neighborhood and
compliance with the Building Code.
COMMISSIONER HAMILL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES, TO ADOPT P.C.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-07,THEREBY DENYING AN APPEAL AND UPHOLDING THE DIRECTOR'S
DECISION TO APPROVE A SITE PLAN REVIEW WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY TO
ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 305 FT2 THIRD-STORY ADDITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A
881 FT2 ROOF DECK. THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE 5-2, WITH COMMISSIONER
SAADATNEJADI AND CHAIR LEON DISSENTING.
5. VIEW RESTORATION PERMIT - (CASE NO. PLVR2020-0013): Applicant Jon Holland at 31222
Floweridge Drive. Foliage owners Francesco Riviera and Tamara Davtyan at 31316 Floweridge
Drive (RN)
Associate Planner Nemeth presented the staff report with a request to restore the view from
the viewing area located.at 31222 Floweridge Drive.
Discussion ensued amongst staff and the Planning Commission.
Jon Holland-The Project Applicant, spoke in support of the staff report recommendation.
Tamara Davtyan-The Foliage Owner, expressed concerns about legal liability and slope failure if
the trees are removed.
Chairman Leon closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Hamill stated although the findings could be made, she expressed concerns about
the possible impact on slope with tree removal.
Vice-Chairman Perestam stated that definitive answers were needed concerning slope erosion
and legal liability.
Attorney Gerli stated that failure of a slope due to tree removal is a private liability that must be
determined between owners; in contrast,the City Attorney's Office reviews the extent of liability
to the city and that the city is immune to liability because the view application is a discretionary
decision.
Chairman Leon asked if the City is liable if the City's Geologist report stated that removal of trees
will remove pressure on the slope; however, Attorney Gerli stated that the city is immune to
liability because the view application is a discretionary Planning Commission decision.
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May 11,2021
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Commissioner Chura noted that slope failure could involve the lack of the foliage owner's slope
maintenance in the future.
Commissioner Saadatnejadi also stated that slope failure could also involve the impact from
upslope properties in the future.
Director Rukavina, P.E., opined that the slope would have been designed and constructed to be
stable without trees and that the recommendation to plant foliage was likely to prevent surficial
slope erosion, not for overall slope stability.
COMMISSIONER SAADATNEJADI MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SANTAROSA, TO
ADOPT P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-08, CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A VIEW RESTORATION
PERMIT APPLICATION (CASE NO. PLVR 2020-0013), REQUIRING THE FOLIAGE OWNERS TO
CROWN REDUCE, WITH THE OPTION TO REMOVE AND REPLACE, THREE PINE TREES AND
MULTIPLE JUNIPER TREES AT 31316 FLOWERIDGE DRIVE, IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE
APPLICANT'S VIEW.THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF 7-0.
NEW BUSINESS: None
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON FUTURE AGENDAS:
6. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON MAY 25, 2021
Approved as presented.
7. PRE-AGENDA FOR THE MEETING ON JUNE 11, 2021
Approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: 10:45 P.M.
For the complete video archive of this Planning Commission meeting go to
http://rpv.granicus.com/EditFile.php?clip id=3931
Planning Commission Minutes
May 11,2021
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