PC RES 2025-004 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS,
A HEIGHT VARIATION PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 690 FT2 SECOND-STORY ADDITION
TO AN EXISTING 4,150 FT2 SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE FOR A
NEW TOTAL STRUCTURE SIZE OF 4,840 FT2 ALONG WITH
ANCILLARY SITE IMPROVEMENTS AT 20 ROCKINGHORSE
ROAD (CASE NO. PLHV2024-0006).
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2024, the Applicant, Russ Barto, submitted a Height
Variation Permit and Site Plan Review application, requesting to construct a 690 ft2
second-floor addition, located at 20 Rockinghorse Road, in the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2024, Staff completed an initial review of the
application, at which time the application was deemed incomplete for processing due to
missing information; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2025, the application was deemed complete for processing
after the Applicant submitted additional information on several occasions; and
WHEREAS, on June 5, 2025, a public notice announcing the proposed project and
date of the public hearing was published in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News and mailed
to all property owners within a 500-foot radius from the project site, providing a 30-day
time-period to submit comments; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Sections 21000 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq., the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines, the proposed project has been found to be categorically exempt under Section
15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA.
Specifically, the project includes the construction of a 690 ft2 second-story addition and
balcony to an existing single-story residence. As such, this project has been determined
not to have a significant impact on the environment because the addition is not greater
than 10,000 ft2 and the area in which the project is located is not in an environmentally
sensitive area and none of the exceptions to the categorical exemption set forth in CEQA
Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply and specifically this project does not present any
unusual circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 8, 2025, at
which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence.
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-04
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES HEREBY FIND,
DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The proposed project involves the construction of a 690 ft2 second-
story addition to an existing 4,150 ft2 single-story residence (garage included) for a new
total structure size of 4,840 ft2 (garage included) measuring 20.77 feet in height along with
ancillary site improvements including a new balcony along the front (north) façade of the
project residence.
Section 2: The Planning Commission determines the project is categorically
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 14 CCR 15301 (Existing
Facilities) as the project includes an addition to an existing structure that is less than
10,000 ft2; and is not in an environmentally sensitive area. Furthermore, none of the
exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, section
15300.2 applies to the project and specifically the project does not present any unusual
circumstances.
Section 3: The Planning Commission finds that the Height Variation Permit and
Site Plan Review for the construction of a 690 ft2 second-story addition to an existing
4,150 ft2 single-story residence (garage included) for a new total structure size of 4,840 ft2
(garage included) measuring 20.77 feet in height, which exceeds the 16 feet/ 20 feet by-
right building height envelope, is warranted based on the following findings:
A. The Applicant has complied with the early neighborhood consultation process
guidelines and procedures by notifying the local Homeowners Association and
obtaining 10 signatures (70%) from properties within 100 feet and 12 signatures
(25%) from properties within 500 feet of the project site.
B. There are no viewing points or viewing sites that will be significantly impaired or
impacted due to the proposed addition. Additionally, the project site is not located
within the City's Coastal Zone.
C. The project site is not located on a ridge or promontory or located on a prominent
mass of land that overlooks or projects onto a lowland or body of water on two
sides.
D. The project does not impact view from neighboring properties because of the
topographical terracing conditions of building pads in the area and the orientation of
views over the proposed project site, with residences located to the north and south
have views in the opposite direction and residences located to the east and west
have terracing pad lots that are not affected by the by-right height of structures.
E. The project will not cause significant cumulative view impairment by portions of the
structure which exceeds the 16 feet/20 feet "by-right" height because the existing
topography in the area, which slopes downward in a west to east direction results in
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-04
Page 2 of 9
approximately 20 to 30 foot transitional slopes between the project site and the
property to the east at 26 Rockinghorse Road. Furthermore, the property at 18
Rockinghorse is currently improved with an existing two-story residence and
continues to maintain views towards the west.
F. The proposed addition will comply with all other code requirements, including but
not limited to, setbacks, parking, maximum allowable lot coverage, and building
height.
G. The proposed project is compatible with the character of the immediate
neighborhood in terms of the scale, architectural style, and setbacks. The size of
the proposed addition (690 ft2) will result in the project residence being the fifth
largest in the immediate neighborhood. The scale of the project will continue to be
compatible with the immediate neighborhood as a result of the various articulations
along the front façade for the project residence, which will create visual interest.
Specifically, the design of the addition includes a varied roof design and roof
ridgeline elevations as well as a balcony above the garage that will soften the
appearance of bulk and mass. Additionally, the project will maintain the existing
streetscape, whereby other homes inside the immediate neighborhood also have
second-story additions which are constructed over the first-story garage. The
proposed second-story addition will also be setback from the front façade, thereby
reducing the sense of bulk and mass from the public right-of-way. The proposed
project will incorporate various finishes such as a hip and gable style roof with
asphalt shingles to match existing roof and a fiber cement horizontal siding exterior
finish, all of which are elements commonly found in the immediate neighborhood.
H. The proposed second-story addition will not result in an unreasonable infringement
of privacy. The northern façade of the proposed second-story addition is designed
with two windows which will directly face the private road and the front yards of the
closest properties across the private road. The easterly façade of the proposed
second-story addition is designed with two windows that will face the slope and
hedges planted along the upper pad level of the neighboring parcel. The design of
the second-story addition does not include the installation of windows along the
south or east façades of the residence.
Section 4: The construction of the second-story balcony at the front façade of the
project residence meets all the applicable Municipal Code requirements including, but
not limited to setbacks, height, and lot coverage in the RS-2 zoning district. The
proposed balcony will not create an unreasonable infringement of privacy of the
occupants of abutting residences because the property to the west of the project site
have direct views in the opposite direction of the westerly neighboring property. The
proposed balcony will not result in privacy impacts to the property to the east because
views will be screened by existing building rooflines and improvements on the project
site. The proposed balcony will not impact the privacy of neighboring properties to the
north of the project site because the balcony will face the street of access
P C Resolution No. 2025-04
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(Rockinghorse Road) and the front yard areas of these properties. Lastly, the proposed
balcony will not result in privacy impacts to the property to the south of the project site
at 2810 Via El Miro because this property is located behind and below the pad level of
the project site.
Section 5: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion of
this decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall be 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, July 23, 2025. A $3,100.00 appeal fee must accompany any appeal letter. If
no appeal is filed in a timely manner, the Planning Commission's decision will be final at
5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Section 6: 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. 2025-
04 approving, with conditions, a height variation permit and site plan review for the
construction of a 690 ft2 second-story addition to an existing 4,150 ft2 single-story
residence for a new total structure size of 4,840 ft2 along with ancillary site improvements
at 20 Rockinghorse Road (CASE NO. PLHV2024-0006).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of July 2025 by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS CHURA, O'CONNOR, SANTAROSA, VICE-CHAIR BRACH
AND CHAIR NULMAN
NOES: COMMISSIONER GEORGE
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: NONE ,-
y
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER CHRISTEN iI
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Eric Nullmanj
Chair
Br fn:�< : bes AV'P�
Director of Community Development; and,
Secretary of the Planning Commission
P C. Resolution No. 2025-04
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EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
PLANNING CASE NO. PLHV2024-0006
HEIGHT VARIATION PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW
20 ROCKINGHORSE ROAD
General Conditions:
1. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the Applicant
and/or the 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.
P.C. Resolution No 2025-04
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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
§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 180 days 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
placed in a location that will minimize disturbance to the surrounding property
owners, to the satisfaction of the City's Building Official.
P.C. Resolution No 2025-04
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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
calendar 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, 9:00AM to 5:00PM 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. The Applicant shall remove the project silhouette within seven (7) days after a final
decision has been rendered and the City's appeal process has been exhausted.
Project Specific Conditions:
The proposed project consists of the following improvements:
• Construct a 690 ft2 second-story addition to an existing 4,150 ft2 single-story
residence for a new total structure size of 4,840 ft2 (garage included); and,
P.0 Resolution No. 2025-04
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• Construct ancillary improvements including a new 52 ft2 balcony at the front façade
of the second-story addition.
BUILDING AREA CERTIFICATION REQUIRED, to be provided by a licensed land
surveyor or civil engineer prior to the framing inspection.
20. The proposed project will measure 18.6 feet, as measured from highest elevation of
the existing grade covered by the structure (elev. 783.20 feet) to the highest
proposed roof ridgeline (elev. 801.8 feet); and an overall height of 20.77 feet, as
measured from lowest finished grade adjacent to the structure (elev. 781.03 feet) to
the highest proposed roof ridgeline (elev. 801.8 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.
21. The proposed project shall maintain setbacks of 15-foot front, 21-foot west side,
41.5-foot east side, and 126-foot rear.
BUILDING SETBACK CERTIFICATION REQUIRED, to be provided by a licensed
land surveyor or civil engineer prior to framing inspection.
22. Unless modified by the approval of future planning applications, the approved
project shall maintain a maximum of 40% lot coverage.
23. 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 feet vertical
clearance. An unenclosed parking space shall have an unobstructed ground space
of no less than 9 feet in width by 20 feet in depth.
24. All colors and materials for the structure and roof shall be as shown in the stamped
APPROVED plans.
25. No more than 50% of any existing interior and exterior walls or existing square
footage may be removed or demolished. Residential buildings that are remodeled
or renovated such that 50% or greater of any existing interior or exterior walls or
existing square footage is demolished or removed within a two-year period shall be
considered a new residence and shall then conform to all current development
standards for that zoning district and the most recently adopted version of the
California Building Code.
26. All Conditions of Approval established in Case No. (Z0N2016-00121) related to
foliage trimming shall remain in effect.
P.C. Resolution No 2025-04
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PRIOR TO BUILDING PERMIT OR GRADING PERMIT ISSUANCE
27. All applicable soils/geotechnical reports, if required by the Building and Safety
Division, shall be approved by the City's Geologist.
28. A drainage plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Department
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