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5AAgenda Item No: 5A Mtg. Date: 4-21-15 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 17, 2015 PRFSFNT AT TNF VARTOTJS VTSTTS- Chairman Chelf, Commissioners Smith, Gray and Kirkpatrick, Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director Raymond Cruz, City Manager Tom Jankovich, applicant Tavisha Nicholson, Bolton Engineering Rob Hammond, applicant Terry Reiter, applicant Carol Hoffman, resident and Caballeros representative FIELD TRIPS Chairman Chelf called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. 77 Crest Road East. Commissioners Mirsch was absent and excused. A. ZONING CASE NO. 876. Request for a Lot Line Adjustment, Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and a Variance to merge two existing parcels into one lot; to construct a stable with a loft and corral, and to locate the stable and corral in the front yard area of the lot, at 77 Crest Road East, (APN 7567-008-12 and 13), Rolling Hills, CA, (Jankovich). Project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA). Planning Director Schwartz reviewed the applicant's request for a lot merger between two lots and a Conditional Use Permit, Site Plan Review and a Variance to construct a stable that requires grading and is to be located in the front yard area of the merged lot. She provided background information on the request and pointed out silhouette of the proposed 3,691 square foot stable, which includes 3,456 square feet on the ground floor plus a 235 square foot loft. The total proposed tack use area is 700 square feet, which is 19% of the entire structure. The proposed loft area would be 6.3% of the total structure. She stated that the stable would have a center isle and be open to the ceiling. The corral area is proposed to be 550 square feet, which is the minimum required. She pointed out the stable access and grading for the project. She stated that the applicant proposes to move the structure 9' in an easterly direction from the previous proposal and was able to reduce the 4' high retaining wall to a not to exceed 3' high retaining wall along the front building pad area. Planning Director Schwartz states that the originally proposed arbor over the driveway would not be permitted, as the City adopted the most recent LA County Fire Code, Minutes 1 Adjourned Regular Meeting 1, 1 J which does not permit arbors over driveways. Chairman Chelf stated that they are an integral part of the equestrian look of the City and should be allowed. Commissioner Smith expressed concern regarding the size of the corral in relationship to such a large stable. Mr. Jankovich stated that he might consider enlarging the corral at a future time. Planning Director Schwartz stated that if additional grading would be required for the future expansion, the applicant would have to come back to the Planning Commission for a Site Plan Review and a Conditional Use Permit; and possibly a Variance, depending on where the corral was to be located. Ms. Nicholson and Mr. Jankovich showed the Commissioners the area east and north of the proposed stable for a potential corral expansion. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to provide a larger corral and provide the size, location and grading quantities with the current review. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. B. ZONING CASE NO. 872. Request for a Site Plan Review for a 1,389 square foot residential addition and a Variance to encroach with a portion of the addition into the side and front yard setbacks, including with a basement and with a trellis into the rear setback at 23 Middleridge Lane North, (Lot 2 -MR), Rolling Hills, CA, (Hammond). Project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA). Planning Director Schwartz reviewed the applicant's request for a 1,389 sq. ft. addition to an existing residence, a portion of which would encroach into setbacks. She stated that the lot is located in the Overlay Zone, which allows reduced the front setbacks to 30 ft. from the roadway easement. She further reviewed the applicant's request for an addition of which 349 sq. ft. was previously constructed without building permits, a portion of which encroaches into the rear and side setbacks. She stated that the current owner purchased the lot with several non -conformities and he is attempting to improve the lot and legalize the non -conformities. She stated that also proposed is a new 735 sq. ft. swimming pool with the pool equipment to be located under the existing deck. She further stated that an existing unpermitted counter and barbeque will need to be permitted as well as the previously approved stable that was constructed but never received final construction approval. She stated that the structural coverage, with the additions, is close to the maximum permitted, (19.4%, whereas the maximum permitted is 20%). She further stated that the basement is proposed at 329 sq. ft. that will encroach into the side -yard setback. She stated that access to the stable is taken off Palos Verdes Drive North and there is an agreement with Rolling Hills Estates for access to the stable over the roadway easement. Brief discussion ensued concerning the difficulties associated with developing a property in this area of the City. Minutes 2 Adjourned Regular Meeting Commissioners walked through the property to observe the staking of the proposed project. In response to Commissioner Gray regarding the elevation separation between the addition on the side and the walkway below, Mr. Hammond stated that the area will be built up and daylight into the path below. Planning Director Schwartz stated that the slope may not be higher than 2:1 and that plans would have to be provided to show the grading. Discussion ensued regarding the pool area and the elevation differential between the existing deck and the pool below as was staked in the field. Mr. Hammond stated that he'd bring elevation and/or cross section plans of this area to the evening meeting. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. C. ZONING CASE NO. 877. Request for a Site Plan Review to retain a partially constructed garage addition, which was previously disallowed, at an existing single- family residence at 6 Saddleback Road (Lot 18-RH), Rolling Hills, CA, (Reiter). Project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Planning Director Schwartz provided information on the applicant's request to retain 155 square feet of partially completed addition to a previously approved garage. She stated that in 2008 the Planning Commission approved the construction of a 2,000 square foot garage. In 2012, after a code enforcement action against the property owner, the Planning Commission approved a 145 square foot addition the side of the previously approved garage, but denied the 155 square foot addition to the front of the garage. She stated that the applicant is again requesting to be allowed to keep the partially constructed 155 square foot addition in the front of the garage. Mr. Reiter stated that he is willing to lower to roofline of that addition, so that the concern previously expressed by the Planning Commission of the massing of the structure would be ameliorated. Discussion ensued regarding the roof alignment. Commissioner Gray commented that it would be structurally impossible to connect the roof of the previously approved and completed portion of the garage with the uncompleted addition in the manner Mr. Reiter is proposing. He stated that the Architectural Committee would never approve such construction. Chairman Chelf stated that method of construction or architectural concerns are not under City's purview and that the applicant will have to go through the RHCA Architectural Committee and the Building Department to have the addition and roof construction approved. Carol Hoffman, resident and Caballeros representative, stated that although she would like to see the project completed sooner rather than later if it is not to code or would create a precedent for "as built" structures", she would not support it. Commissioner Smith concurred with Ms. Hoffman. Discussion ensued regarding the precedent setting for "as built" structures, if the Commission approves this project and the fact that Mr. Reiter did not go through the Minutes `� 3 Adjourned Regular Meeting `, proper approval process for this addition. Commissioner Kirkpatrick stated that, regardless of the history of this project, the Planning Commissions should decide if this addition is something they would approve, if the applicant submitted such addition with the original construction and if this 155 square foot front of the garage addition meets the City's zoning ordinance regulations and intent. There being no further discussion on this project, the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. There being no other business before the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing to the evening Planning Commission meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. Respectfully submitted by: Yolanta Schwartz Planning Director Approved: Brad Chelf, Chairman Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting Date 4