The Principal Planner informed the Commission of the following items of interest:

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL CITY OF LOS ANGELES North Valley Area Planning Commission Minutes January 18, :30 PM California State University-Northridge - Student Union-Grand Salon Room Nordhoff Street Northridge, California MINUTES OF THE NORTH VALLEY AREA PLANNING COMMISSION HEREIN ARE REPORTED IN SUMMARY FORM. COMPLETE DETAILS RELATING TO 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 4:38 p.m. Commissioners present: Sandor Winger, Victor Sampson, Ernesto Cardenas, George Stavaris. Commissioners absent: Stephany Payne 1. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT - ITEMS OF INTEREST The Principal Planner informed the Commission of the following items of interest: A. Copies of Mission Hills-Panorama City-North Hills and Granada Hills-Knollwood Community Plans distributed to the Commissioners. B. Dayton Canyon Development Agreement approved by the City Council. C. Sunland Tujunga Guidelines, Sun Valley Community Design overlay hearing. 2. COMMISSION BUSINESS A. Advance Calendar The new permanent North Valley Area Planning Commission (NVAPC) meeting location will become effective on February 15, 2001 at St. Nicholas Grande Ballroom in Northridge. The new location is currently being noted on the regular NVAPC meeting agendas to give advance notice to the public. The Planning Department website is also being updated on the new location, including a map and directions. B. Commission Requests There were no Commission requests. C. Adoption of January 04, 2001 Meeting Minutes Adopted by consent.

2 Page 2 3. CPC (SP) REVIEW AND COMMENT on the Design Guidelines and Standards Manual for the Foothill Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan. The Foothill Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan extends approximately 4.2 miles along Foothill Boulevard and Sunland Boulevard, from the 210 Foothill Freeway on the west, Lowell Avenue on the east, as far north as Jayseel Street, and as far south as St. Esteban Street. Planning staff gave the presentation, summarizing the chronology of the process to date. Referenced an exhibit outlining the process general categories. The Commission discussed: methods used to address issues of aesthetics, code and guideline requirements, and parking. 4. ZA (ZAA) AN APPEAL of the Zoning Administrator s Determination pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section approving an adjustment from Section C,5(a) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to permit the construction, use and maintenance of additional stalls as a part of an existing horse keeping facility, with the stalls observing a westerly distance of 40 feet from the adjacent neighbor dwelling and an easterly distance of 33 feet from the neighbor dwelling in lieu of the 75 feet required by the Code in the RA-1 Zone. Staff recommended denial of the appeal. The Zoning Administrator gave the description, background and history of the case; that at the public hearing there was no opposition; issues raised by the appellant regarding feed storage and rodent control can be conditioned to approve the project; dust mitigation measures are needed. The Applicant addressed issues including: that his other neighbors have no complaints on rodents; keeps his feed about 3-4 feet above ground; sweeps regularly so rodents don t nest; does water exercise area to hold down dust; exercises horses away from neighbor s side; going to install a fly killer spray system; keeps stalls clean and shades them to combat odors and keeps droppings in barrels; the grain is kept in closed containers; not aware of health conditions of the neighbor s wife. The Appellant read from his mailed in letter describing his nuisance issues including noise, odors, rodent infestation.

3 Page 3 The Commission discussed the issues raised and possible mitigating measures. The motion was made to deny the appeal and follow the Zoning Administrator s recommendation with added Conditions imposed and modification of prior Conditions. MOTION: Sampson moved; Cardenas seconded VOTE: 4-0, Payne absent 5. APCNV (ZC)(BL) A REQUEST for a Zone Change from RA-1 to (Q) R3-1 AND a Building Line Removal, pursuant to Section F of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, for construction of an approximately 51,892 square-foot, 3-story apartment building, approximately 45 feet high, containing 40 two-bedroom units and providing approximately 92 parking spaces on an approximately 0.74 net acre, irregular, level, corner lot and a requested removal of the existing 17- foot building line. Staff recommended disapproval of the Zone Change as filed and approval of RA-1 to (T)(Q)R3-1, AND approval of the Building Line Removal. Planning staff gave the description, history and background of the case. The Applicant s representative spoke in support of the project and along with the project architect responded to questions from the Commission regarding the tandem parking arrangements. During deliberation the Commission discussed issues including the following: parking attendants and on-site managers; parking spaces, signage; noise mitigation, addition and modification of Conditions. MOTION: Cardenas moved; Sampson seconded

4 Page 4 VOTE: 4-0, Payne absent The Commission President called a recess at 5:47 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 6:13 p.m. 6. ZA (CU) AN APPEAL of the Zoning Administrator s approval, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section W,5, of a Conditional Use Permit, authorizing the use and maintenance of two 10- stall barns and the establishment of a horse boarding and riding instruction facility for a maximum of 24 horses; AND of the Zoning Administrator s Dismissal, pursuant to Charter Section 562 and Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.27, of a variance from Section C,5(a) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to permit an animal-keeping structure for the housing of equines 20 feet from the side lot line in lieu of the 25 feet required. Staff recommended denial of the appeal. The Zoning Administrator distributed a presentation packet and referred to it during his presentation; addressed the Appellants issues The Applicant stated that she has complied with all the conditions and the mitigation measures and described improvements and all she has done to upgrade the property and mitigate impact to the neighbors; she submitted four items for Commission review. There were speakers in support of the Applicant who testified on issues including the following: the proposed project would not impact emergency access to the area; that the project is compatible; that the property is well maintained and has had substantial improvements; that the Applicant is a good neighbor; that there is no negative traffic impact; that flooding and drainage is not a problem; that the use will provide a positive activity for children. The four Appellants each spoke in turn and discussed their issues, including: the location is not in the public interest; use is not compatible; rain erosion is a problem and will be worsened by the project; emergency access; lack of horse trails in the area; private roads maintained locally; speeding traffic; traffic volume and overflow; disruption of peaceful nature of the area; political pressure affecting Planning Department s decisions; local resident opposition; Applicant s

5 Page 5 demeanor being unneighborly; negative impact on property values; residential versus commercial use; intrusion by others living outside of the area. President Winger read a letter submitted by Councilmember Bernson in favor of the project. The Commission discussed the issues and the motion was made to deny the appeal and follow the Zoning Administrator s recommendation. MOTION: Stavaris moved; Sampson seconded VOTE: 4-0 Payne absent 7. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD There was no public comment. There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7: 33 p.m. ATTEST: Sandor L. Winger, President Greg Bartz, Commission Executive Assistant North Valley Area Planning Commission