MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. June 5, 2017

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1 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills Estates was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 4045 Palos Verdes Drive North, by CHAIRMAN YOO. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CHAIRMAN YOO led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: Planning Director Wahba, Senior Planner Naughton, Associate Planner Thom, Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCOTT to, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 1, AUDIENCE ITEMS None 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE PRESENTED FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON TONIGHT S AGENDA AND ALL SUCH RESOLUTIONS SHALL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY. TO APPROVE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 6-A. 7. BUSINESS ITEMS A. RESOLUTION NO. PA-07-17; APPLICANT: MR. AND MRS. GARY CAMPBELL; LOCATION: 2620 PALOS VERDES DRIVE NORTH; A resolution to grant a Neighborhood Compatibility Determination to construct a new one-story residence. Multiple Variances are required to: 1) Encroach into the required front yard of a developed residential lot which projects beyond the established forward most building line; 2) Decrease the front yard setback by more than 10%; and 3) To allow an existing construction to remain in the front yard. COMMISSIONER SCOTT inquired about the condition for a 220V plug in the garage for electrical vehicle charging. Planning Director Wahba stated that it is required of all new construction or major remodel that involves an addition of more than 50%. COMMISSIONER SCOTT moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER CARMAN, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. PA

2 B. PLANNING APPLICATION NO: (PENINSULAR POINTE; APPLICANT: SCOTT DARNELL ON BEHALF OF SRE DCM PV, LLC; LOCATION: HAWTHORNE BLVD.; A request for a one year extension on Planning Application No , a series of entitlements to allow for the conversion on an existing office building into an 89-unit Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE). Senior Planner Naughton summarized the Staff Report (as per written material). COMMISSIONER SCOTT moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER CARMAN, TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR TIME EXTENSION FOR PLANNING APPLICATION NO , THE RESULTING EXPIRATION DATE WILL BE JULY 26, C. PLANNING APPLICATION NO ; APPLICATION: MR. NICHOLAS HUIZAR; LOCATION: 2 SHADOW LANE; A request to approve a Neighborhood Compatibility Determination to demolish an existing one-story home/garage, barn and associated buildings to construct a new one-story residence with an attached garage. Associate Planner Thom summarized the Staff Report (as per written material). TO APPROVE PLANNING APPLICATION NO PER STAFF S RECOMMENDATION. D. PLANNING APPLICATION NO ; APPLICANT: TKM INVESTMENT COMPANY; LOCATION: 715 SILVER SPUR ROAD; A request for a Master Sign Plan, including a new monument sign, for a commercial building. Associate Planner Thom summarized the Staff Report (as per written material). COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER inquired about the standards for the brightness of signs. Planning Director Wahba stated that there is no specific standard on sign lighting and stated that currently almost all signage use LED to save energy and are typically not as bright as other light sources. COMMISSIONER SCOTT stated that there should be standard brightness guidelines for white-back signs as the one in this case. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER agreed. Planning Director Wahba stated that staff will work with the sign manufacturer to make sure that the sign is not too bright. TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. PA PER STAFF S RECOMMENDATION. Planning Director Wahba stated that all Business Items were approved and that there is a 20- day appeal period for these items. Chairman Yoo stated that the Public Hearing Items will be taken out of order. 2

3 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS B. PLANNING APPLICATION NO ; APPLICANT: MR. AND MRS. JORGENSEN; LOCATION: 8 BUCKSKIN LANE; A request for a Neighborhood Compatibility Determination for a new 6 front-yard pool enclosure fence that exceeds 24. A variance is requested for the new relocated pool fence. Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson summarized the Staff Report (as per written material). Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson added that a petition opposing the project was submitted today and a copy of the petition has been provided to the Planning Commission for review. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER CARMAN, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. Erin Jorgensen, Property Owner/Applicant, commented that there are discrepancies with the measurements as cited in the staff report. Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson stated that measurements were taken from the pool to the old fence and to the new fence. Ms. Jorgensen stated that the staff report references planting in the easement, and stated that there are no plans to do so. Ms. Jorgensen stated that at the start of the installation of the fence, the City came to the property and stated that there were no problems with the fence and work could continue. Ms. Jorgensen stated that after the fence was installed with exception of painting, the City came back to the property and stopped work. Ms. Jorgensen stated that she is willing to lower the fence height or change the material but will not compromise on safety. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER asked how far the pool is from the property line. Ms. Jorgensen stated that it is approximately 40. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER asked how far the new fence has been moved from the old fence. Ms. Jorgensen stated that the new fence was moved by 5 in some places and as much as 14 in others. COMMISSIONER SHACHTER asked if there is a record of approval for the old fence. Planning Director Wahba stated that there is not and this may be due to the fence being setback at least 25 and therefore would not require a Variance as may have been applied at the time the pool was built. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER asked about the implied approval. Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson stated that there was some confusion when staff went out to the property. Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson stated that the existing fence was still there and what was removed was a three-rail fence and staff did not know that a full fence was going to be installed. COMMISSIONER SCOTT asked if plans or a permit application were submitted for the new fence. Planning Technician/Code Administrator Slawson stated, no. Ms. Jorgensen stated that she was not aware that a fence permit was required. Planning Director Wahba stated that a fence up to 6 does not require a building permit, but does require a zone clearance since there are height restrictions and other zoning provisions that apply. Alex Moratorio, 6 Buckskin Lane, stated that he is in support of the fence and stated that the aesthetics keep with the style of the neighborhood. Dennis Ault, 14 Buckskin Lane, Neighbor, stated that he is opposed to the fence. Most properties in the neighborhood have a three-rail fence. Mr. Ault stated that when he went to the City on a separate matter, he was told that the minimum setback from the centerline of the roadway was 27, and the measurement to this fence is Planning Director Wahba clarified that the 27 is measured from the centerline of the street. 3

4 Shane Lamb, contractor for the project, stated that he is a witness to the property owners doing their due diligence prior to installing the fence. Dale Allen, 39 Buckskin Lane, stated that several people who he has spoken with have issues with Neighborhood Compatibility and stated that if this is allowed then others will also follow. Mr. Allen stated that he measured from the center line to the fence line and it measured approximately Mr. Allen stated that when he spoke to Ms. Jorgensen she stated that the fence had to be 6 solid. Mr. Allen stated that he spoke to Planning Director Wahba who stated that the fence could be 5 and could be see through as long as the spacing between pickets was no more than 4. Mr. Allen stated that they put a petition together and got 30 signatures and stated that most people would prefer that it be in the old location and that a three-rail fence be installed back on the front property line. Ms. Jorgensen stated that they are negotiable to change the fence material and/or height. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCOTT, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER SHACHTER stated that the fence does not meet the Neighborhood Compatibility criteria and stated that this is not the typical fence seen throughout the neighborhood; the style is not consistent with the community; and violates zone restrictions. For those reasons, COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER stated that he is opposed to the new fence but would approve the fence at the old fence line. COMMISSIONER SCOTT stated that he drove through the neighborhood and this fence stands alone. There is only one precedent for it, at the property at 23 Sorrell Lane, where the wall is on the property line, however, the pool is very close to the fence. COMMISSIONER SCOTT stated that he will approve the fence at the old fence line minimum, require that a three-rail fence is installed at the property line, and in height from the highest existing grade creating a level top. COMMISSIONER CARMAN stated that she is leaning towards staying with the old fence line. CHAIR YOO agreed that he is in favor of granting a variance, but at the old fence line. TO CONTINUE PLANNING APPLICATION NO TO THE NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. Planning Director Wahba stated that the Planning Commission has moved to continue this item to the next Planning Commission meeting to allow time for staff to work with the applicant and prepare a resolution approving the Variance and the Neighborhood Compatibility Determination with the conditions that the fence be moved back to the existing fence line, that a white three-rail fence be erected on the front property line, a landscape plan be included between the white three-rail fence and the existing front fence, and that the new pool fence not exceed 5.5 with a level top. A. PLANNING APPLICATION NO ; APPLICANT: MR. AND MRS. JOHN JUGE; LOCATION: 4648 MARLOMA DRIVE; A request to approve a Neighborhood Compatibility Determination for the construction of a proposed one-story addition for a two-car garage and the conversion of the existing one-car garage to livable area. A Variance is required to decrease the front yard area by more than 10%. A second Variance is requested to encroach into the required front yard beyond the forward most building line. Associate Planner Thom summarized the Staff Report (as per written material). COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCOTT, TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. 4

5 John Juge, Property Owner/Applicant, stated that he cannot get a car in the one-car garage and stated that the driveway needs to be moved due to the septic system. In response to a question from COMMISSIONER SCOTT, Mr. Juge stated that he would like to have a minimum amount of concrete to keep a more natural look to the property. COMMISSIONER SCOTT stated that in the Resolution under Variance Findings Item 2, recommended the addition of, and greater than all properties on Marloma. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCOTT, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER moved, seconded by COMMISSIONER CARMAN, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. PA WITH COMMISSIONERS SCOTT S RECOMMENDATION. Planning Director Wahba stated that the Planning Commission has approved Resolution No. PA There is a 20-day appeal period for this item. 9. COMMISSION ITEMS COMMISSIONER SCOTT inquired if anyone has submitted applications to serve on the Planning Commission. Planning Director Wahba stated that a few applications have been received and encouraged the Planning Commission to let people know that the City is still recruiting. COMMISSIONER CARMAN stated that she received a notice from SCE for a two-week extension. COMMISSIONER CARMAN stated while replacing the electrical poles, they also installed equipment that is approximately 15 high and approximately 8 10 wide and is visible from several areas of her property. COMMISSIONER CARMAN stated that she will forward a letter to Greg Grammer, Assistant City Manager. COMMISSIONER SCHACHTER stated that the City Council was going to approve the Mendelson project, however, it was continued to allow the applicant time to address code violations on the property, which are conditions of approval. 10. DIRECTOR ITEMS Director Wahba stated that the July 3 rd meeting will be cancelled and rescheduled to either June 26 or July 10. The Planning Commissioner s stated that they are available on July 10 th. COMMISSIONER SCOTT recommended to move the July meeting to the second week in July for future years to avoid the July 4 th holiday. Director Wahba stated the City is still looking for applicants for the General Plan Advisory Committee. An informational sheet will be re-sent to the Planning Commissioners. 11. MATTERS OF INFORMATION A. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS OF MAY 24, 2017 B. DRAFT PARKS AND ACTIVITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (05/15/17) COMMISSIONER SCOTT moved to, RECEIVE AND FILE ITEMS 11-A AND 11-B. 5

6 12. ADJOURNMENT CHAIRMAN YOO adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. to the next Planning Commission meeting of July 10, Carol Corea Minutes Secretary Douglas R. Prichard City Clerk 6