CC SR 20230117 J - Code Amendment Initiation Event Centers
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 01/17/2023
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
Consideration and possible action to initiate code amendment proceedings to Chapter
17.02 (Single-Family Residential (RS) Districts) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code to allow event centers in RS Districts as conditionally permitted
land uses.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Initiate code amendment proceedings to Chapter 17.02 (Single -Family Residential
(RS) Districts) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to
allow event centers in RS Districts as conditionally permitted land uses.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Octavio Silva, Interim Director of Community Development
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVMC) consists of many
chapters that establish the framework for the City’s zoning regulations. From development
in the Coastal Zone to the implementation of the City’s View Ordinance, Title 17 of the
RPMVC, in coordination with the General Plan , serve as a blueprint for the future
development of the City.
A major chapter of Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC is Chapter 17.02 (Single-Family
Residential (RS) Districts), which outlines provisions for the development of the City’s RS
districts. More specifically, Chapter 17.02.020 and 17.02.025 define the land uses that
are permitted “by right” in the zoning district and those that are conditionally permitted via
a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), respectively. The chapter also establishes the
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development standards (i.e., minimum lot size, setbacks, structure height and parking) by
which such uses are regulated.
Title 17 (Zoning) is amended from time to time by the City Council to reflect updates in
technology and, in some cases, to address state mandates related to housing and
environmental protection. As the RPVMC is meant to be a living and breathing
document, it is necessary to continually analyze code provisions , including permitted
and conditionally permitted land uses within the zoning districts, to ensure consistency
with planning trends in the community.
Conditionally permitted land uses in the City’s RS districts include a wide variety of uses
and developments, including but not limited to bed and breakfast inns, outdoor
recreational facilities, and golf courses with related ancillary uses. In Staff’s analysis of
conditionally permitted uses in the RS districts, Staff found that event centers such as
the Catalina View Gardens located at 6001 Palos Verdes Drive South were developed
as part of a master use plan that involved a combination of land uses and regulations
including requiring a golf course in order to operate an event center as an ancillary use.
As an event center that has the potential to impact adjacent properties, Staff believes
that a code amendment initiation is warranted to require such a land use to be subject
to its specific CUP and environmental analysis of impacts. By establishing an event
center as a conditionally permitted land use in the RS District, Staff can also prepare
specific development standards and criteria related to noise and parking to ensure
potential impacts to neighboring properties are minimized without requiring a golf
course.
If initiated by the City Council, the proposed code amendments will be reviewed by the
Planning Commission, who will then forward a recommendation to the City Council for
its consideration. Both reviews will occur at duly noticed public hearings.
CONCLUSION:
As such, Staff recommends the City Council initiate code amendment proceedings to
Chapter 17.02 (Single-Family Residential (RS) Districts) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to allow event centers in RS Districts as
conditionally permitted land uses. Through the code initiation process, Staff will have the
opportunity to work with the public and the City’s Planning Commission to develop the
regulatory framework to ensure event centers complement other land uses in the City.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify specific code criteria within Chapter 17.02 that should or should
not be amended.
2. Direct Staff to take no action at this time.
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