Planning Commission Adjourned Regular Meeting 08-16-2016CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I am a citizen of the United States. I am over the age of eighteen years and not a party to the
within proceeding; my business address is 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
On the 12th day of Auugst, 2016, I serve the within
Planning Commission Meeting Agenda
Adjourned Regular Meeting - 08/16/2016
a copy of which is annexed hereto and made a part hereof, on the person, or persons, named
below by placing a true copy thereof enclosed in a sealed envelope with postage thereon fully
prepaid, in the United States mail at Rolling Hills, California addressed as follows:
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Assistant
RH ListSery Interested City Attorney
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Also posted at City Hall and at www.Rolling-Hills.org
City Manager
Planning Commission
1 certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on the 12ih day of August, 2016 at Rolling Hills, California.
Ewa Nikodem
Administrative Assistant
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274
(310) 377-1521
FAX (310) 377-7288
AGENDA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
7:30 AM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016
MEET AT 7 SOUTHFIELD DRIVE
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
4. FIELD TRIPS
ZONING CASE NO. 909. Request for a Site Plan Review to construct a 630 square foot
covered porch with an out -of -grade condition, with a trellis and accessory structures, and a
Variance from the requirement to provide a set -aside area for a stable and corral at 7
Southfield Drive (Lot 4-SF) Rolling Hills, CA, (Klerman).
The project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15303.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Documents pertaining to an agenda item received after the posting of the agenda are available for
review in the City Clerk's office or at the meeting at which the item will be considered.
-1-
Agenda Item No: 4
Mtg. Date: 08/16/16
MEMORANDUM TO RECUSE
TO: Honorable Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
FROM: Heidi Luce, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Zoning Case No. 909 - 7 Southfield Drive
DATE: August 16, 2016
Due to the proximity of his property to the subject property, Commissioner
Kirkpatrick should recuse himself from consideration of Zoning Case No. 909 at 7
Southfield Drive. He may however participate as a resident.
at al Ram
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING HILLS, CA 90274
(310) 377-1521
FAX (310) 377-7288
Agenda Item No.: 4
Mtg. Date: 8-16-16
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION
FROM: YOLANTA SCHWARTZ, PLANNING DIRECTOR
WENDY STARKS, AICP, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
APPLICATION NO.
SITE LOCATION:
ZONING AND SIZE:
APPLICANT:
REPRESENTATIVE:
DATE PUBLISHED:
ZONING CASE NO. 909
7 SOUTHFIELD DRIVE (4-SF)
RA-S-1, 2.6 ACRES (GROSS)
MR. Sr MRS. KLERMAN
CRISS GUNDERSON, ARCHITECT
AUGUST 4, 2016
REQUEST AND RECOMMENDATION
1. The applicant requests a Site Plan Review to construct a 630 square foot deck, 380
square feet of which would be above ground by 2.5' in height. The applicant also
requests a variance from the requirement to provide a set aside area for a 450 square foot
stable and a 550 square foot corral.
In addition, a 232 square foot attached trellis, 34 square foot barbecue, and a 36 square
foot water feature will be constructed which could be approved administratively.
2. It is recommended that the Planning Commission view the project in the field,
open the public hearing, take brief public testimony and continue the meeting to the
evening meeting of the Planning Commission or provide other direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
3. The property is zoned RAS-1 and consists of 2.6 acres gross (113,256 sq. ft.) and
100,726 sq.ft. net lot area for development purposes. The property is accessed through a
property on Ringbit Road W., and has a long steep driveway that bisects the lot, and
Z.C. No. 906
overall steep topography that does not lend itself easily to equestrian amenities.
Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance from the requirement to provide a stable
and corral. The property slopes downwards from Southfield Drive from 1,100 -foot
elevation to 970 elevation at the building pad, and then to 920 elevation at the rear
property line.
4. In August 2010, the applicant was approved for a lot line adjustment to move the
common property line between 7 Southfield and 5 Ringbit West where 11,168 square feet
of northerly portion of 5 Ringbit Road was transferred to 7 Southfield Drive increasing
the size of the lot from 90,912 square feet to 102,080 square feet, 2.34 acres net (100,726
square feet for development purposes).
5. Currently the property is developed with a 3,113 square foot residence, 440 square
foot garage, a 60 square foot spa, 850 square feet of breezeway, and a 96 square foot
service yard on an 11,924 square foot building pad area, and the disturbed area is 17.3%
of the net lot, (40% max.).
6. No changes are proposed to the existing configuration of the lot or the structures,
except for the 630 square foot deck, 380 square feet of which would be above ground by
2.5' in height. No grading is proposed.
7. Pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance, any addition, new residence or construction of
a pool or other accessory structure, or when a discretionary review of a project is required
a stable/corral must be either constructed or an area for a future stable/corral set -aside
on the property. Due to the location of the residence, in the rear of the lot, if not for the
steep slope, the only area for a future stable/corral that could be set aside is in the front
yard area, which would require a Variance approval as well. However, the front yard
area of the lot is very steep and without tall retaining walls and a lot of grading, the area
is not suitable for a structure. The applicant requests a Variance from the requirement
that an area for a stable and corral be set aside. The applicant has no plans to construct a
stable, nor wishes to grade the natural terrain of the lot to create a pad for a future stable.
MUNICIPAL CODE COMPLIANCE
8. The net lot area of the lot is 100,726 square feet. The structural lot coverage is
proposed at 5,491 square feet or 5.46% of the net lot area, which includes all of the
structures, (20% permitted). The total lot coverage proposed, including structures and
flatwork is 15,206 square feet or 15.1% of the net lot area, (35% permitted). The driveway
is over 7,770 square feet in area, which contributes to the total lot coverage. The applicant
proposes to add approximately 790 square foot of hardscape.
9. The residential building pad is 11,924 square feet. Coverage on this building pad
will be 5,776 square feet or 48.4%. Currently the building pad coverage is 39.8%. The
building pad will be enlarged by 474 square feet for the out -of -grade porch.
Z.C. No. 909
7 Southfield Dr.
10. The property slopes in a westerly direction and all of the drainage is carried down -
slope. No change to the drainage pat -tern is proposed.
11. All of the development standards are being met except for the requirement to
either construct or set aside area for a stable/corral.
12. In response for justification for the Variance request to be exempt from the
requirement for a set aside area for the stable and corral, the applicant's agent states that
due to the slope and configuration of the lot and the location of the building pad towards
the rear of the lot, there is no available reasonably sloped area to set aside or construct a
stable and corral.
CONCLUSION
13. This is a unique lot in that it has a driveway that is very long on steep topography.
The building pad and the residence sits in the rear, with no area further back for a stable
and corral. The front of the lot is undisturbed, other than for the driveway and if a stable
was to be constructed, it would have to be constructed in the front, which requires a
Variance and the front is too steep to accommodate equestrian facilities.
14. When reviewing a development application the Planning Commission should
consider whether the proposed project is consistent with the City's General Plan;
incorporates environmentally and aesthetically sensitive grading practices; preserves
existing mature vegetation; is compatible and consistent with the scale, massing and
development pattern in the immediate project vicinity; and otherwise preserves and
protects the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Rolling Hills. In addition, the
Commission must determine if the project meets the Variance criteria enclosed with this
report.
15. In reviewing this application, the Commission should consider the topography of
the property, the previously graded pad located at the rear of the property, which
necessitated a very long driveway and the general size of the lot.
16. This Variance, if granted, it would apply to the current proposal, with a condition
that if in the future, if additional grading is proposed to enlarge the building pad or when
other improvements are proposed, then the stable , issue should be re -visited. This
approval, if granted, would not prevent someone to apply for a stable and corral in the
future.
17. The project has been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Z.C. No. 909
7 Southfield Dr.
18. The Rolling Hills Community Association Architectural Committee will review the
project for architectural elements and design at a later date.
ZONING CASE NO. 909
SITE PLAN REVIEW
EXISTING
PROPOSED
Covered porch, attached
trellis, BBQ, water feature
RA-S-1 ZONE SETBACKS
SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENCE
ABOVE GRADE DECK
VARIANCE FROM
REQUIRING
STABLE/CORRAL
Front: 50 ft. from front easement
line
Side: 20 ft. from property line
Rear: 50 ft. from property line
STRUCTURES
Residence
Garage
Spa
Breezeway
Service yd
Cov. porch
BBQ
Att. Trellis
Water feat.
3113 sq.ft
440 sq.ft.
60 sq.ft
850 sq.ft.
96 sq.ft
0 sq.ft
0 sq.ft.
0 sq.ft.
0 sq. ft
Residence
Garage
Spa
Breezeway
Service yd
Cov. porch
BBQ
Att. Trellis
Water feat.
3113 sq.ft
440 sq.ft
60 sq.ft.
850 sq.ft
96 sq.ft.
630 sq.ft.
34 sq.ft
232 sq.ft.
36 sq. ft.
(Site Plan Review required for new
structures and if size of structure
increases by more than 999 sq. ft.
in a 36-month period), swimming
pool, out of grade deck and others).
TOTAL
4,559 sq.ft.
TOTAL
5,491 sq.ft
STRUCTURAL LOT COVERAGE
4.5%
5.46% of 100 726 sq.ft. net
lot area
(20% maximum)
TOTAL LOT COVERAGE
13.4%
15.1% of 100,726 sq.ft. net
lot area
(35% maximum)
BUILDING PAD COVERAGE
39.8% of 11,450 sq.ft.
pad
48.4% of 11,924 sq.ft. pad
RESIDENTIAL
(30% maximum guideline)
GRADING
N/A
NONE
Site plan review required if
excavation and/or fill or
combination thereof is more than 3
feet in depth and covers more than
2,000 sq. ft., must be balanced on
site
DISTURBED AREA
17,250 sq.ft. — 17.1% of
lot was previously
disturbed
17,450 sq.ft. — 17.3% of lot
was previously disturbed
(40% maximum; any graded
building pad area, any remedial
grading (temporary disturbance),
any graded slopes and building pad
areas, and any nongraded area
where impervious surfaces exist.)
STABLE (minimum 450 sq. ft.) and
REQUEST FOR A
VARIANCE
CORRAL minimum 550 sq. ft.)
STABLE ACCESS
N/A
ACCESSWAY
Existing from Ringbit W.
Existing from Ringbit W.
VIEWS
N/A
Planning Commission review
PLANTS AND ANIMALS
N/A
Planning Commission review
Z.C. No. 909
7 Southfield Dr.
c)
SITE PLAN REVIEW CRITERIA
17.46.010 Purpose.
The site plan review process is established to provide discretionary review of certain
development projects in the City for the purposes of ensuring that the proposed project is consistent with
the City's General Plan; incorporates environmentally and aesthetically sensitive grading practices;
preserves existing mature vegetation; is compatible and consistent with the scale, massing and
development pattern in the immediate project vicinity; and otherwise preserves and protects the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of Rolling Hills.
17.46.050 Required findings.
A. The Commission shall be required to make findings in acting to approve, conditionally
approve, or deny a site plan review application.
B. No project which requires site plan review approval shall be approved by the
Commission, or by the City Council on appeal, unless the following findings can be
made:
1. The project complies with and is consistent with the goals and policies of the
general plan and all requirements of the zoning ordinance;
2. The project substantially preserves the natural and undeveloped state of the lot by
minimizing building coverage. Lot coverage requirements are regarded as
maximums, and the actual amount of lot coverage permitted depends upon the
existing buildable area of the lot;
3. The project is harmonious in scale and mass with the site, the natural terrain and
surrounding residences;
4. The project preserves and integrates into the site design, to the greatest extent
possible, existing topographic features of the site, including surrounding native
vegetation, mature trees, drainage courses and land forms (such as hillsides and knolls);
5. Grading has been designed to follow natural contours of the site and to minimize
the amount of grading required to create the building area;
6. Grading will not modify existing drainage channels nor redirect drainage flow,
unless such flow is redirected into an existing drainage course;
7. The project preserves surrounding native vegetation and mature trees and
supplements these elements with drought -tolerant landscaping which is compatible with
and enhances the rural character of the community, and landscaping provides a buffer or
transition area between private and public areas;
8. The project is sensitive and not detrimental to the convenient and safe movement
of pedestrians and vehicles; and
9. The project conforms to the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act.
CRITERIA FOR VARIANCES
17.38.050 Required findings. In granting a variance, the Commission (and Council on appeal) must make
the following findings:
A. That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the
property that do not apply generally to other properties in the same vicinity and zone;
B. That such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial
property rights possessed by other properties in the same vicinity and zone but which is
denied the property in question;
C. That the granting of such variance will not be materially detrimental to the public
welfare or injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity;
Z.C. No. 909
7 Southfield Dr.
D. That in granting the variance, the spirit and intent of this title will be observed;
E. That the variance does not grant special privilege to the applicant;
F. That the variance is consistent with the portions of the County of Los Angeles Hazardous
Waste Management Plan relating to siting and siting criteria for hazardous waste
facilities; and
G. That the variance request is consistent with the general plan of the City of Rolling Hills.
Z.C. No. 909
7 Southfield Dr.