OFFICIAL MINUTES. The meeting was called to order by the Commission President at 4:40 p.m.

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1 OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY OF LOS ANGELES West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission September 17, 2003, 4:30 p.m. Henry Medina West Los Angeles Parking Enforcement Facility, 2 nd Floor W. Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, California MINUTES OF THE WEST LOS ANGELES AREA PLANNING COMMISSION HEREIN ARE REPORTED IN ACTION SUMMARY FORM ONLY. COMPLETE DETAILS, INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF EACH ITEM, ARE CONTAINED IN THE HEARING TAPES FOR THIS MEETING. COPIES OF TAPES ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING CENTRAL PUBLICATIONS, AT (213) The meeting was called to order by the Commission President at 4:40 p.m. Commissioners present: Matthew Rodman, Flora Gil Krisiloff, Robin Ritter Simon. Commissioners absent: Elvin W. Moon. 1. Departmental Report. None 2. Commission Business A. Advance Calendar B. Commission Requests Commissioner Krisiloff asked staff to investigate a letter of complaint sent to the WLAAPC regarding the incompleteness of the conditions set forth in the commission s determination for a project at 20 Wavecrest Ave in Venice. She requested staff report back at the meeting. 3. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO A1, A2 Location: Main Street Plan: Venice, Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan CEQA: ENV MND Expiration Date: (Extended) Appeal Status: Further appealable to Council TWO APPEALS, from the decision of the Deputy Advisory Agency in approving Vesting Tentative Tract (VTT) No , to permit a 35-unit joint living and work condominium development. APPLICANT: RAD Venice, LLC APPELLANTS: Billy Al Bengston and Wendy Al (A1) RAD Venice, LLC (A2)

2 Page 2 STAFF RECOMMENDS GRANT THE APPEAL (A2) IN PART, AND DENY THE APPEAL (A1). Emily Gabel-Luddy, (213) Discussion: The Deputy Advisory Agency stated that Appellant 1 (A1) withdrew their appeal and that two conditions will be added pursuant to the appeal filed by the Applicant/Appellant (A2), thereby granting the appeal in part by allowing the Applicant/Appellant to identify an off site location for the construction of the required affordable housing units. The Deputy Advisory Agency also stated that another condition was being proposed which required that no certificate of occupancy would be granted for the market rate units until a building permit had been secured for the affordable units. The Chair opened the public hearing. Applicant/Appellant (A2) concurred with staff s proposed conditions, however, requested that the language be modified to change the word site to sites. He also requested that the number of parking spaces be reduced from 109 to 102 since the number of units was reduced to 35. One speaker testified that parking would still be an issue. Council office representative was in accord with the proposed conditions, however, recommended that the affordable units be placed within the coastal zone and that the number of parking spaces remain at 109 spaces as proposed. The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Rodman asked the applicant what type of a cost analysis was used to prove the infeasibility of locating affordable housing units on site. The representative could not immediately provide the information and the item was tabled. The Item was taken up again after Item Nos. 4 and 5. The representative indicated that, at this time, his analysis anticipated a cash return of approximately 5 to 6 percent. Additionally, he proposed 106 parking spaces in lieu of the required 109. The Council representative and the Deputy Advisory Agency were in concurrence with his proposal. Commissioner Rodman also proposed that Condition No. C2 be deleted since it was

3 Page 3 being replaced with new Condition No. 11.3, allowing the relocation of the affordable housing units to various sites within the coastal zone. The Commission unanimously agreed with the modifications. MOVED: Rodman moved to deny the appeal by A1; grant the appeal, in part, filed by A2, thereby allowing the relocation of the required affordable housing units to various sites, provided these sites are in the coastal zone; sustain the Deputy Advisory Agency s decision and findings; modify the parking requirement to 106 spaces; add Conditions 11.3 and 11.4 and delete Condition C-2; Ritter-Simon seconded. 4. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO AND ZA CDP-CU-SPP- MEL-A1, A2, A3 Location: 701 Ocean Front Walk Plan: Venice, Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan CEQA: ENV MND Expiration Date: (Extended) Appeal Status: Further appealable to City Council THREE APPEALS, from the decision of the Deputy Advisory Agency/Zoning Administrator in approving Vesting Tentative Tract (VTT) No and ZA CDP-CU-SPP-MEL, to permit a 6-unit joint living and work condominium and one unit commercial condominium. APPLICANT: Venice Park Associates APPELLANTS: Horsens Brittan (A1), Joyce Haskell (A2), Steve Schlein (A3) STAFF RECOMMENDS DENIAL OF THE APPEALS. Emily Gabel-Luddy, (213) Discussion: Items 4 and 5 were taken together. Deputy Advisory Agency gave overview of appeals. The Chair opened the public hearing. Appellants A1, A2, A3 testified and in summary stated that the Deputy Advisory Agency erred in the setback and height and in determining that the proposed project fronts on Ocean Front Walk; that the proposed project will have an adverse effect on views and setbacks; that large trucks which may service the proposed project will

4 Page 4 block traffic on Speedway Alley; and that Speedway Alley cannot provide safe access for Fire Department vehicles nor for the community; that the height limit should be retained at 28 feet pursuant pursuant to the Venice Specific Plan. Appellant A1 proposed that a 2-foot block wall be built along Ocean Front Walk to prevent sand from blowing onto the walkway. He also testified that the required posting of a No Parking sign on Speedway Alley will be unenforceable. Applicant s representative displayed several diagrams and design plans and responded to several of the issues. Eight speakers testified in support of the appeals and in opposition to the proposed development. The chair closed the public hearing. The Applicant s representative rebutted some of the issues. Council office representative testified in support of the project, however, proposed some modifications; that all construction parking be off site and that a 24-hour contact number be provided in the event problems arise. The Chair closed the public hearing. Lengthy deliberation took place with the Deputy Advisory Agency and the Commission over the issue of adequate access for emergency vehicles and whether or not the Planning Department s clarification, allowing a height in excess of the 28 feet, applies to this project. The Commission unanimously concurred in support of the project. Commissioner Rodman proposed that the applicant apply to the Department of Transportation for the posting of a No Stopping Anytime sign on Speedway Alley and that the Commission adopt the exhibits as displayed at this hearing. MOVED: Ritter-Simon moved to deny the three appeals; sustain the Deputy Advisory Agency s decision and findings and, modify the conditions to require that construction vehicles park off site; that a 24-hour hot line number be provided; that applicant apply to the Department of Transportation for the posting of a No Stopping Anytime sign on Speedway Alley and that the Exhibits displayed and entered into the record at this hearing be adopted; Rodman seconded.

5 Page 5 5. VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO AND ZA CDP-CU- SPP-MEL-A1, A2, A3. Location: 619 Ocean Front Walk Plan: Venice, Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan CEQA: ENV MND Expiration Date: (Extended) Appeal Status: Further appealable to Council THREE APPEALS, from the decision of the Deputy Advisory Agency/Zoning Administrator in approving Vesting Tentative Tract (VTT) No and ZA CDP-CU-SPP-MEL, to permit a 4-unit joint living and work condominium and one unit commercial condominium. APPLICANT: Venice Park Associates APPELLANTS: Horsens Brittan (A1), Joyce Haskell (A2), Steve Schlein (A3) STAFF RECOMMENDS DENY THE APPEALS. Emily Gabel-Luddy, (213) Discussion: See discussion under Item No. 4. MOVED: Ritter-Simon moved to deny the three appeals; sustain the Deputy Advisory Agency s decision and findings and, modify the conditions to require that construction vehicles park off site; that a 24-hour hot line number be provided; that applicant apply to the Department of Transportation for the posting of a No Stopping Anytime sign on Speedway Alley ; and that the Exhibits displayed and entered into the record at this hearing be adopted; Rodman seconded. 6. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO A1 Location: Montana Avenue Plan: Brentwood CEQA: ENV MND Expiration Date: Appeal Status: Further appealable to City Council. AN APPEAL, from the decision of the Deputy Advisory Agency in approving Tentative Tract No , to permit a 4-unit residential condominium development.

6 Page 6 APPLICANT: Anatoly Shamisvo APPELLANT: Buttwinick Family Trust c/o Linda Buttwinick (A1) STAFF RECOMMENDS DENY THE APPEAL. Emily Gabel-Luddy, (213) Discussion: The Deputy Advisory Agency stated that the appellant is concerned over the current absence of a sewer line to the subject property. She stated that most of the conditions required by the Bureau of Engineering, the S conditions, require a sewer connection which the applicant must clear prior to recording the final tract map. The Chair opened the public hearing. No speakers. The Chair closed the public hearing. MOVED: Ritter-Simon moved to deny the appeal; Rodman seconded. 7. ZA ZAD-A1 Location: South Church Lane Plan: Brentwood-Pacific Palisades CEQA: ENV CE Expiration Date: Appeal Status: Not further appealable. AN APPEAL, of conditions, elements or parts of an Associate Zoning Administrator s approval pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code section X, 7, approving the construction, use and maintenance of a brick pillar/wood lattice fence varying in height from 4 to 6 feet within the front yard setback area in lieu of a maximum fence height of 3 feet, 6 inches. APPLICANT: Teresa Harding APPELLANT: Same (A1) STAFF RECOMMENDS DENY THE APPEAL. David Kabashima, (213) Discussion: The Zoning Administrator stated that the fence was illegally built and was out of character with the neighborhood and an eyesore; that the proposed conditions will mitigate the unevenness of the fence, the unattractive base of the fence and provide

7 Page 7 more visibility from the driveway. The Chair opened the public hearing The Appellant testified that she filed her application in order to modify the fence and that the Zoning Administrator redesigned it; which will cause her undue hardship since removing the fence setting it back would interfere with the irrigation system. She distributed photos to demonstrate that her fence is no more out of character than other fences in the area. She concluded her testimony by stating that the proposed 3-foot setback is excessive; that she is willing to catty corner the fence; but that removing the entire fence would require moving concrete posts and to accommodate the grade would create a space where her small animals could go through. The Chair closed the public hearing. Commissioner Rodman commented that the fence on this property is not in harmony with the neighboring fences and concurred with the Zoning Administrator s decision, however, he proposed that the appellant be permitted to keep the existing brick pilasters with the fence tying into them at a 90 degree angle. The Zoning Administrator indicated that Condition No. 8 could be modified to include that language. The Commission unanimously agreed with this proposal. MOVED: Rodman moved to deny the appeal; sustain the Zoning Administrator s decision and findings and to modify Condition No. 8 to include language that the two existing brick pilasters may remain with the fence tying into them at a 90 degree angle; Krisiloff seconded.0 8. PUBLIC COMMENT One speaker commented that a density bonus project at 550 E. Venon Avenue, previously approved by the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, was not adhering to the design plans as approved by the Commission. Staff indicated the matter would be investigated and coordinated with Building and Safety. There being no further business before the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. ATTEST:

8 Page 8 Flora Gil Krisiloff, President Gabriele Williams, Commission Executive Assistant West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission