CC SR 20251202 01 - Canterbury Sewer Easement Vacation
PUBLIC HEARING
Date: December 2, 2025
Subject:
Consider a request to vacate a portion of an abandoned sewer easement located at 5801
Crestridge Road (Canterbury Senior Living Facility).
Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES VACATING THE CITY’S INTEREST IN A PORTION OF AN ABANDONED
SEWER EASEMENT AT 5801 CRESTRIDGE ROAD.
1. Report of Notice Given: City Clerk
2. Declare Public Hearing Open: Mayor Bradley
3. Request for Staff Report: Mayor Bradley
4. Staff Report & Recommendation: Deanna Fraley, Principal Engineer
5. Council Questions of Staff (factual and without bias):
6. Public Testimony:
Principal Parties 10 Minutes Each. The appellant or their representative speaks first and will generally be allowed ten minutes. If the
applicant is different from the appellant, the applicant or their representative will speak following the appellant and will also be
allowed ten minutes to make a presentation.
Applicant: James S. Rothrock, Canterbury Senior Living Facility Representative
Mayor Bradley invites the Applicant to speak. (10 mins.)
7. Rebuttal: Mayor Bradley invites brief rebuttals by Appellant and Applicant. (3 mins)
Normally, the applicants and appellants will be limited to a three (3) minute rebuttal, if requested after all other interested persons have
spoken.
8. Council Questions of Applicant (factual and without bias):
9. Declare Hearing Closed/or Continue the Public Hearing to a later date: Mayor Bradley
10. Council Deliberation:
The Council may ask staff to address questions raised by the testimony, or to clarify matters. Staff and/or Council may also answer
questions posed by speakers during their testimony. The Council will then debate and/or make motions on the matter.
11. Council Action:
The Council may: vote on the item; offer amendments or substitute motions to decide the matter; reopen the hearing for additional
testimony; continue the matter to a later date for a decision.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/02/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Public Hearing
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider a request to vacate a portion of an abandoned sewer easement located at 5801
Crestridge Road (Canterbury Senior Living Facility).
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES VACATING THE CITY’S INTEREST IN A
PORTION OF AN ABANDONED SEWER EASEMENT AT 5801 CRESTRIDGE
ROAD.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the City for the recommended action. If
the City Council authorizes Staff to proceed with the request to vacate
a portion of the abandoned sewer easement at 5801 Crestridge Road,
the Applicant will bear the fee for processing the vacation request. Per
the adopted Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fee Schedule, the fee is $5,150 and
pays for public notices and staff time to process the vacation request.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Deanna Fraley, PE, Principal Engineer
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 2025-XX to vacate portion of City easement (page A-1)
B. Canterbury’s request to vacate letter (page B-1)
C. Site Map (page C-1)
D. 5801 Crestridge Road Sewer Vacation Exhibit (page D-1)
E. Sewer Easement O.R. 80-1142002 (page E-1)
F. City Council Resolution No. 90-93 (page F-1)
G. October 21, 2025, City Council Staff Report – Request to Vacate (page G-1)
H. Notice of Public Hearing – Daily Breeze (page H-1)
I. Notice of Public Hearing – Site Posting (page I-1)
J. P.C. Resolution No. 2025-09 (page J-1)
1
BACKGROUND:
A development currently owned and operated as the Canterbury Senior Living Facility
(Canterbury), located at 5801 Crestridge Road, was approved for a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP No. 41) on February 6, 1979, and building permits were issued in 1980. The
development included the construction of a sanitary sewer with a corresponding sewer
easement (Attachment E). At an unknown time thereafter, a portion of the sanitary sewer
within the easement was abandoned and relocated; however, no records were found
showing that the corresponding sewer easement was properly vacated.
DISCUSSION:
On September 30, 2025, the City received a request from the property owner/applicant
(Canterbury) to vacate the portion of the sewer easement where the sewer was
abandoned (Attachments B, C, and D) so that proposed building improvements could be
constructed in the area. Those improvements are described in the Additional Information
section of this report. The Applicant provided the following reasons for their request:
1. The sewer main originally located within the easement was abandoned and
relocated many years ago.
2. The easement area is no longer being used by the City for sewer purposes and no
longer serves a public utility function.
3. Vacating the sewer easement will help clear the title, eliminate unnecessary
encumbrances on the property, and allow for more effective use of the land (such
as proposed building improvements) while ensuring that no City facilities or
interests are impacted.
Staff performed an initial review of the request and presented it to the City Council for
consideration on October 21, 2025, at which time the City Council authorized staff to
proceed with the request to vacate a portion of the abandoned sewer easement
(Attachment G).
The procedure for vacating an easement generally consists of review by appropriate
committees and presentation of findings of Staff and committees to Council, preparation
of conditions of approval, and Council adoption of a resolution vacating the easement or
denial of the request, as more thoroughly described in City Council Resolution No. 90-93
(Attachment F).
Additionally, the California Streets and Highways Code § 8322(a) requires notice of a
hearing on a proposed sewer vacation to allow the City Council to “hear the evidence
offered by persons interested” in the vacation . Accordingly, notice was published in the
Daily Breeze for two successive weeks on November 18 and November 25 (Attachment
H). The California Streets and Highways Code § 8323 requires posting of notices of the
vacation along the line of the easement. Accordingly, notices were posted in three
conspicuous locations at the property site (Attachment I).
2
The proposed easement vacation was presented to the Planning Commission on October
28, 2025. The Planning Commission adopted P.C. Resolution No. 2025 -09 (Attachment
J) and found that the sewer easement vacation request was consistent with the City’s
General Plan and determined the sewer easement vacation is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act requirements.
Staff have determined that no conditions of approval are required to proceed with the
proposed vacation. The sewer main within the easement has already been abandoned
and rerouted, and all necessary easements are currently in place. Since the easement
was exclusively a City sewer easement, no additional utility companies or service
providers require notification.
If the City Council adopts the resolution of vacation, a certified copy of the resolution will
be recorded with the County, upon which time the vacation will become effective.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Canterbury has applied for a revision to their Conditional Use Permit (CUP No. 41)
to allow a 20,418 square foot addition, interior remodel, and ancillary site improvements.
The application is pending a completeness determination with the silhouette installation
and the vacation of the sewer easement as the two outstanding items needed to be
completed by the applicant prior to scheduling the required public hearing with the
Planning Commission. There are proposed improvements over the portion of the sew er
easement that are proposed to be abandoned.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) to
vacate a portion of the abandoned sewer easement located at 5801 Crestridge Road.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff’s Recommendations, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not vacate a portion of the sewer easement located at 5801 Crestridge
Road, and direct Staff to take no further action.
2. Take other action as the Council deems appropriate.
3
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES VACATING THE CITY’S
INTEREST IN A PORTION OF AN ABANDONED SEWER
EASEMENT AT 5801 CRESTRIDGE ROAD
WHEREAS, the development located at 5801 Crestridge Road was approved for
a Conditional Use Permit (CUP No. 41) on February 6, 1979, and building permits were
issued in 1980. The development included a sanitary sewer with a corresponding sewer
easement. At an unknown time thereafter, a portion of the sanitary sewer within the
easement was abandoned and relocated; h owever, no records were found showing that
the corresponding sewer easement was properly vacated; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2025, the property owner sent a written request to
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (City) requesting the City vacate the portion of the sewer
easement where the sewer was abandoned; and
WHEREAS, the legal description of the property which is the subject of this action
is as follows:
Parcel 2 of Parcel Map No. 3963, in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,
County of Los Angeles, State of California, filed in Book 66 Pages 25
and 26 of Parcel Maps, in the office of the County Recorder of said
County.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Division 9, Part 3 of the Streets and
Highways Code of the State of California and the City' s procedures for vacation of City
rights-of-way and easements, as established in City Council Resolution No. 90-93, the
City Council authorized staff to proceed with the vacation of a portion of the abandoned
sewer easement at 5801 Crestridge Road on October 21, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2025, the Planning Commission considered the
proposed vacation and found the proposed vacation to be consistent with the City's
General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the matter on
December 2, 2025; and
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
A-1
Resolution No. 2025-__
Page 2 of 3
Section 1. Pursuant to Section 892 of the Streets and Highways Code of the
State of California, the City Council hereby finds and determines that the portion of the
public service easement proposed to be vacated is not useful as non -motorized
transportation facility; and
Section 2. The City Council hereby determines that the public service
easement, which is proposed to be vacated and described herein, constitutes an excess
easement which is not required for present or prospective public use; and
Section 3. The City Council hereby finds that the public convenience and
necessity require the reservation and exception from the vacation of the easement the
right at any time, or from time to time, to construct, maintain, operate, replace, remove,
and renew sanitary sewer and appurtenant structures in, upon, over, and across the
portion of the public service easement which is being vacated, and pursuant any existing
franchise with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, or renewals thereof, or otherwise, to
construct, maintain, operate, replace, remove, renew, and enlarge lines of pipe, conduits,
cables, wires, poles, and other convenient structures, equipment, and fixtures for the
operation of gas pipelines, telegraphic, cable television and telephone lines, and for the
transportation or distribution of electric energy, and water, and for incidental purposes,
including access to protect these works from all hazards in, upon, and over the portion of
the easement proposed to be vacated pursuant to this Resolution; and
Section 4. The public service easement described herein, is hereby vacated
under the authority of the provisions of Division 9, Part 3 of the Streets and Highways
Code of the State of California; and
Section 5. Upon the authorization of the Director of Public Works, the City Clerk
is directed to cause a certified copy of this Resolution, attested by the City Clerk under
seal, to be recorded in the Office of the Recorder of County of Los Angeles. From and
after the date that the Resolution is recorded with the Los Angeles County Recorder, the
public service easement described herein shall not constitute a public service easement
of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes; and
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 2nd day of December 2025.
________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
A-2
Resolution No. 2025-__
Page 3 of 3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the
above Resolution No. 2025-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City
Council at a regular meeting thereof held on December 2, 2025.
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
A-3
An ECS Senior Living Community.9 58o1 crestridge Rd.Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
"".the#canterbury
The Art of Possibility
September 30,2025
Ramzi Awwad
Director of Public Works
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Subject:Request for Vacation of Sewer Easement (Book D3829 Page 730,Official Records,Los
Angeles County)
Dear Ramzi,
On behalf of Episcopal Communities &Services and The Canterbury,I am writing to respectfully
request that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes vacate a portion of the sewer easement recorded
in Book D3829,Page 730 of Official Records,Los Angeles County.
The basis for this request is that the sewer main originally located within this easement was
abandoned and relocated many years ago.As a result,the easement area is no longer being
used by the City for sewer purposes and no longer serves a public utility function.
Vacating this unused easement will help clear the title,eliminate unnecessary encumbrances on
the property,and allow for more effective use ofthe land while ensuring that no City facilities
or interests are impacted.
We appreciate your consideration of this request and are happy to provide any additional
documentation or coordinate with staff as needed to facilitate the process.
Thank you for your time and assistance.Please feel free to contact me at 626.403.5401 or
jrothrock@ecsforseniors.org with any questions.
Sincerely,hJamesS.Rothrock,President &CEO
Episcopal Communities &Services
2212 El Molino Avenue
Altadena,CA 91001
B-1
SEWER EASEMENT ABANDONMENT EXHIBIT
5801 CRESTRIDGE ROAD
FOR
APN: 7589-013-006
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RESOLUTION N0, 90 -93
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR VACATION OF CITY RIGHT -OF -WAY AND EASE-
MENTS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes has determined a requirement for establishing definite
rules and procedures for vacation of City right -of -way and eas-
ments; and
WHEREAS , the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes has determined that said rules and procedures can best be
established by setting them forth in a duly adopted City Resolu-
tion;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY RESOLVE TO OPERATE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Request for Vacation. A request for
vacation of City right -of -way or easement shall be in writing to
the Director of Public Works and shall include the following;
a ) Name, address and phone number of the person (s)
making the request.
b) A map clearly defining the area covered by the re-
quest and intended use of said area.
c) Justification for the requested action.
d) Signatures of at least 50% of the directly af-
fected property owners, as determined by the Director of Public
Works.
Section 2: Initial Review. Staff will review the
application and present it at the first available Council meet-
ing. Council will then decide if the request is to be pursued.
Section 3: Vacation Procedure., If Council agrees
to proceed with the vacation, the following procedure shall be
f o l l owed ;
a) Review Fee - A trust deposit account will be re-
quired by the applicant, once Council has decided to proceed with
the vacation investigation. Charges against this trust deposit
will only 'be for work expended on the project. Deposit amount to
be $2,000.00.
b) Title Report - A title report will be commissioned
to determine underlying fee of the property in question and paid
by the applicant.
F-1
c) Committee Review - The request will then be
reviewed by the appropriate committees and recommendations for-
warded to Council.
d) Intent to Vacate - The findings of staff and the
committees will be presented to Council for adoption of resolu-
tion of "Intent to Vacate" or denial of the request.
e) Utilities - All utilities will be notified so that
existing facilities can be protected.
f) Planning Commission - The Planning Commission will
review the project to determine its compatibility with the City's
general plan.
g) Conditions of Approval - Staff will prepare a set
of conditions of approval for Council's review.
h) Vacation - Council will deny the request or adopt
a resolution of vacation. Staff will prepare legal descriptions
and documents. Once the conditions of approval have been met,
the notice of vacation will be filed.
i) Excess Funds - Any funds left in the trust deposit
shall be returned to the applicant.
Section 4: These procedures shall be implemented in
compliance with provisions as contained in the Streets and High-
ways Code.
19900
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1 h DAY F DECEMBER,
MAYOR
County of Los Angeles
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ss
I , JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 90 -93 was
duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at
a regular meeting thereof held on December 18, 1 0.
n_ J/ _ / /1"', )
City 4'rk
City 0# Rancho Palos Verdes
F-2
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 10/21/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider a request to vacate a portion of a sewer easement located at 5801 Crestridge
Road (Canterbury Senior Living Facility)
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize staff to proceed with a request from the Canterbury Senior Living Facility
to vacate a portion of an abandoned sewer easement located at 5801 Crestridge
Road; and
(2) Allow staff to determine that the easement vacation for the abandoned sewer need
not be an application completeness item for the Canterbury’s proposed renovation
and expansion project but that the easement must be vacated prior to the Planning
Commission’s consideration of the proposed project.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the City for the recommended action. If
the City Council authorizes staff to proceed with the request to vacate
a portion of the abandoned sewer easement at 5801 Crestridge Road,
the applicant will bear the cost of processing the request including
staff costs.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Deanna Fraley, PE, Principal Engineer
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
Brandy Forbes, Director of Community Development
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Canterbury’s request to vacate letter (page A-1)
B. Site Map (page B-1)
C. 5801 Crestridge Road Sewer Vacation Exhibit (page C-1)
D. Sewer Easement O.R. 80-1142002 (page D-1)
E. City Council Resolution No. 90-93 (page E-1)
G-1
BACKGROUND:
The development, which is currently owned and operated as the Canterbury Senior Living
Facility (Canterbury), is located at 5801 Crestridge Road and was approved for a
Conditional Use Permit (CUP No. 41) on February 6, 1979, and building permits were
issued in 1980. The development included a sanitary sewer with a corresponding sewer
easement (Attachment D). At an unknown time thereafter, a portion of the sanitary sewer
within the easement was abandoned and relocated; however, no records were found
showing that the corresponding sewer easement was properly vacated.
On September 30, 2025, the City received a request from the property owner/applicant
(Canterbury) to vacate the portion of the sewer easement where the sewer was
abandoned (Attachments A, B, and C) so that proposed improvements could be
constructed in the area. The applicant provided the following reasons for their request:
1. The sewer main originally located within the easement was abandoned and
relocated many years ago.
2. The easement area is no longer being used by the City for sewer purposes and no
longer serves a public utility function.
3. Vacating the sewer easement will help clear the title, eliminate unnecessary
encumbrances on the property, and allow for more effective use of the land while
ensuring that no City facilities or interests are impacted.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has a proposed renovation and expansion project of the Canterbury Senior
Living Facility that is pending a completeness determination by the City’s Planning
Division upon the vacation of the sewer easement. The proposed project includes
improvements over the sewer easement that must be formally vacated prior to allowing
improvements to be constructed. The California Street and Highway Code (§ 8320 (b), §
8322(a), and § 8323), as well as City Council Resolution No. 90-93 (Attachment E)
establish the procedure for easement vacation requests.
The procedure begins with a written request to vacate an easement, followed by initial
staff review, then City Council consideration to proceed with the vacation request. Should
the City Council agree to proceed with the vacation, specific documents required of the
applicant will be reviewed by Staff and the Planning Commission (for General Plan
consistency), other utilities will be notified, and findings will be eventually presented to the
City Council for consideration to vacate the easement at a future duly noticed public
hearing.
This evening, the City Council is only being asked to consider authorizing staff to proceed
with the partial sewer easement vacation review process, which was partially abandoned
years ago, and not whether to vacate the easement. If the City Council decides to proceed
with the request, the City Council will determine whether to approve or deny the partial
sewer easement vacation at a future duly noticed public hearing, as noted above.
G-2
The Canterbury has applied for a revision to their Conditional Use Permit (CUP No. 41)
to allow a 20,418 square foot addition, interior remodel, and ancillary site improvements.
The application is pending a completeness determination with the silhouette installation
and the vacation of the sewer easement as the two outstanding items needed to be
completed by the applicant prior to scheduling the required public hearing with the
Planning Commission. There are proposed improvements over the portion of the sew er
easement that is proposed to be abandoned. Staff cannot proceed with a completeness
determination until the sewer easement has been vacated. To avoid further application
processing delays caused by the sewer vacation process, the City Council is being asked
to allow staff to defer the completeness item for the sewer vacation to prior to the Planning
Commission’s consideration of the proposed Canterbury project.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to proceed with the process of
vacating part of a sewer easement located at 5801 Crestridge Road due and to allow the
abandoned sewer easement to be formally vacated prior to Planning Commission’s
consideration of the proposed Canterbury project.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff’s Recommendations, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Reject the request to vacate a portion of the sewer easement located at 5801
Crestridge Road, and direct Staff to take no further action.
2. Take other action as the Council deems appropriate.
G-3
An ECS Senior Living Community.9 58o1 crestridge Rd.Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
"".the#canterbury
The Art of Possibility
September 30,2025
Ramzi Awwad
Director of Public Works
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Subject:Request for Vacation of Sewer Easement (Book D3829 Page 730,Official Records,Los
Angeles County)
Dear Ramzi,
On behalf of Episcopal Communities &Services and The Canterbury,I am writing to respectfully
request that the City of Rancho Palos Verdes vacate a portion of the sewer easement recorded
in Book D3829,Page 730 of Official Records,Los Angeles County.
The basis for this request is that the sewer main originally located within this easement was
abandoned and relocated many years ago.As a result,the easement area is no longer being
used by the City for sewer purposes and no longer serves a public utility function.
Vacating this unused easement will help clear the title,eliminate unnecessary encumbrances on
the property,and allow for more effective use ofthe land while ensuring that no City facilities
or interests are impacted.
We appreciate your consideration of this request and are happy to provide any additional
documentation or coordinate with staff as needed to facilitate the process.
Thank you for your time and assistance.Please feel free to contact me at 626.403.5401 or
jrothrock@ecsforseniors.org with any questions.
Sincerely,hJamesS.Rothrock,President &CEO
Episcopal Communities &Services
2212 El Molino Avenue
Altadena,CA 91001
G-4
SEWER EASEMENT ABANDONMENT EXHIBIT
5801 CRESTRIDGE ROAD
FOR
APN: 7589-013-006
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RESOLUTION N0, 90 -93
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
FOR VACATION OF CITY RIGHT -OF -WAY AND EASE-
MENTS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes has determined a requirement for establishing definite
rules and procedures for vacation of City right -of -way and eas-
ments; and
WHEREAS , the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes has determined that said rules and procedures can best be
established by setting them forth in a duly adopted City Resolu-
tion;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY RESOLVE TO OPERATE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Request for Vacation. A request for
vacation of City right -of -way or easement shall be in writing to
the Director of Public Works and shall include the following;
a ) Name, address and phone number of the person (s)
making the request.
b) A map clearly defining the area covered by the re-
quest and intended use of said area.
c) Justification for the requested action.
d) Signatures of at least 50% of the directly af-
fected property owners, as determined by the Director of Public
Works.
Section 2: Initial Review. Staff will review the
application and present it at the first available Council meet-
ing. Council will then decide if the request is to be pursued.
Section 3: Vacation Procedure., If Council agrees
to proceed with the vacation, the following procedure shall be
f o l l owed ;
a) Review Fee - A trust deposit account will be re-
quired by the applicant, once Council has decided to proceed with
the vacation investigation. Charges against this trust deposit
will only 'be for work expended on the project. Deposit amount to
be $2,000.00.
b) Title Report - A title report will be commissioned
to determine underlying fee of the property in question and paid
by the applicant.
G-11
c) Committee Review - The request will then be
reviewed by the appropriate committees and recommendations for-
warded to Council.
d) Intent to Vacate - The findings of staff and the
committees will be presented to Council for adoption of resolu-
tion of "Intent to Vacate" or denial of the request.
e) Utilities - All utilities will be notified so that
existing facilities can be protected.
f) Planning Commission - The Planning Commission will
review the project to determine its compatibility with the City's
general plan.
g) Conditions of Approval - Staff will prepare a set
of conditions of approval for Council's review.
h) Vacation - Council will deny the request or adopt
a resolution of vacation. Staff will prepare legal descriptions
and documents. Once the conditions of approval have been met,
the notice of vacation will be filed.
i) Excess Funds - Any funds left in the trust deposit
shall be returned to the applicant.
Section 4: These procedures shall be implemented in
compliance with provisions as contained in the Streets and High-
ways Code.
19900
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1 h DAY F DECEMBER,
MAYOR
County of Los Angeles
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ss
I , JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 90 -93 was
duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at
a regular meeting thereof held on December 18, 1 0.
n_ J/ _ / /1"', )
City 4'rk
City 0# Rancho Palos Verdes
G-12
NPH Vacation of Sanitary Sewer Easement - Page 2 of 2H-1
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P.C. RESOLUTION 2025-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES FINDING THE CITY'S
VACATION OF THE SEWER EASEMENT ON 5801
CRESTRIDGE ROAD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S
GENERAL PLAN AND DETERMINE THE SEWER EASEMENT
VACATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT REQUIREMENTS (CASE
NO. PLSR2025-0349).
WHEREAS, on February 6, 1979, the City Council approved Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) No. 41 and Variance No. 34, allowing the construction of a new retirement
care facility (`Canterbury Gardens') to be constructed on a vacant lot located at 5801
Crestridge Road. The development included a sanitary sewer with a corresponding sewer
easement. At an unknown time thereafter, a portion of the sanitary sewer within the
easement was abandoned and relocated. However, no records were found showing that
the corresponding sewer easement was properly vacated; and
WHEREAS, On December 18, 1990, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 90-
93, which established procedures for vacation of City Right-of-Way and Easements; and
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2024, the Applicant (HBA Architects) submitted a CUP
Revision for the construction of a 20,418 ft2 addition, interior remodel of existing spaces
and ancillary site improvements; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2025, the Applicant submitted a request to vacate
a portion of the sewer easement to accommodate the proposed improvements; and
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2025, the City Council authorized Staff to proceed with
the process of vacating part of the sewer easement and Staff initiated a General Plan
Consistency Finding for the vacation of the sewer easement on the subject property; and
WHEREAS, Section 8313 of the California Street and Highways Code requires
compliance with Section 65402(a) of the California Government Code before vacating a
street or public service easement that is within an area for which a general plan has been
adopted; and
WHEREAS, Section 65402(a) of the California Government Code requires that
no real property shall be disposed of, and no street shall be vacated or abandoned if the
adopted general plan or part thereof applies thereto, until the "location, purpose, and
extent" of such vacation or abandonment have been submitted to and reported upon by
the planning agency as to conformity with said adopted general plan or part thereof, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. seq ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-09
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Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., the City's
Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste
and Substances Statement), the Planning Commission found no evidence that the
sewer easement vacation will have significant effect on the environment, therefore, the
easement vacation is exempt under 15060 (c)(3) and 15061 (b)( 3); and
WHEREAS, the custodian of records for all materials that constitute the record of
proceeding upon which this decision is based is the Community Development
Department, and those documents are available for public review in the Community
Development Department located at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275;
and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public
meeting, within forty (40) days of the date the request was initiated, at which time all
interested parties were given opportunity to be heard and present evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES AND RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The facts set forth in the recitals of this Resolution are true and
correct and incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full.
Section 2: The Planning Commission herby finds as follows with respect to the
location, purpose and extent of the abandonment and vacation of the sewer easement,
as described and depicted on Exhibit A and B, that is located on the western side of 5801
Crestridge Road:
A. The location of the vacation of the easement is consistent with the Rancho
Palos Verdes General Plan. The General Plan's infrastructure goal states that
it shall be the goal of the City, "to ensure adequate public utilities and
communications services to all residents, while considering environmental,
aesthetic and view impacts"(General Plan Page preceding page No. C-5). The
vacation of the sewer easement will not adversely affect the existing sewer
service, as the site will continue to be serviced by Los Angeles County, and the
site will continue to have access to all public utilities. Additionally, the location
is not required for public utilities, communications services, roads, trails or
paths, and eliminating the easement would not obstruct the General Plan's
Infrastructure Goal. As such, the location of the easement is not required to
further the objectives and policies of the General Plan, and vacation of the
sewer easement is consistent with the Rancho Palos Verdes General Plan.
B The purpose of the sewer easement was originally to provide sanitary sewer to
the initial development constructed in 1980. However, at an unknown time
thereafter, a portion of the sanitary sewer within the easement was abandoned
and relocated. No records were found showing that the corresponding sewer
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-09
Page 2 of 4J-2
easement was properly vacated, however, the sewer easement is no longer
being used by the City for sewer purposes. Additionally, the City's General Plan
Land Use Element goal states it shall be the goal of the City to, "encourage the
development of institutional facilities to serve the needs to the residents"
General Plan page No. L-6). As the sewer easement is proposed to be vacated
to accommodate new development and enhanced uses for the existing
institutional facility, it will further serve the needs of the residents.
C. The existing site is serviced by Los Angeles County sewer lines off of
Crestridge Road running from south to north and west to east along the
property. The sewer easement proposed to be vacated is located in the
western, center portion of the property. The extent of the abandonment and
vacation is limited to the 6-foot-wide sewer easement. The vacation of the
easement would continue to allow for the development and use of the existing
institutional lot. As such the extent of the easement vacation is consistent with
the aforementioned goals and policies of the Rancho Palos Verdes General
Plan.
Section 3: CEQA Compliance The Planning Commission determines The
vacation of the sewer easement is exempt from CEQA because the vacation of the
easement is not a "project" as that term is defined by California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA") Guidelines as this ordinance constitutes general policy and procedure making
and does not result in any physical change to the environment (14 CCR §§ 15060 (c)(3),
15378 ); in addition, the easement vacation is exempt from CEQA'S requirements
because there is no possibility that the vacation of the easement would have a significant
adverse effect on the environment (14 CCR § 15061 (b)(3)).
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission forward a copy of this
resolution to the City Council so the Council will be informed of the action and
recommendations of the Planning Commission
P C Resolution No. 2025-09
Page 3 of 4J-3
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 28th day of October 2025, by the
following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS CHRISTEN, CHURA, GEORGE, O'CONNOR, SANTAROSA,
AND CHAIR NULMAN
NOES: NONE
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
RECUSALS: NONE
ABSENT: VICE CHAIR BRACH
Eric Nul an
Chair
Brridy or. , ACP
Director of Community Development; and,
Secretary of the Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 2025-09
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