2026-09_PC_Resolution_WilliamsburgResidentialHeightLimit_F_E
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS RECOMMENDING THE
CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.16 OF TITLE 17
OF THE ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND
THE RESIDENTIAL HEIGHT LIMIT FOR WILLIAMSBURG
LANE, AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE TO BE
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
WHEREAS, the City of Rolling Hills, California (“City”) is a municipal corporation, duly
organized under the California Constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the City is a semi-rural hillside community, characterized by predominantly
single-story California ranch-style homes, large parcels with open space, and an
abundance of equestrian facilities; and
WHEREAS, one of the unique features of the City is the uniformity of homes throughout
the years, which are limited to one story in height, with few exceptions; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, many homes have been constructed to maximize the
building area on the lot, including increased height and a greater amount of grading to
prepare many of the steeper properties for a structure; and
WHEREAS, these trends have significantly altered the community’s character and affect
surrounding properties, creating a high level of concern among residents related to
development and design compatibility issues; and
WHEREAS, on April 13, 2026, the City Council considered a staff report regarding
structure height standards for Williamsburg Lane and directed staff to work with the
Planning Commission to consider residential building heights on Williamsburg Lane; and
WHEREAS, at the May 19, 2026, Planning Commission meeting, City staff presented
their report for discussion, whereby the Planning Commission, pursuant to Section
17.50.020 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code (“RHMC”), directed City staff to draft an
ordinance updating the RHMC to impose a new height limit on residential buildings
located on Williamsburg Lane; and
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2026, the City gave public notice of the public hearing for
Ordinance No. 390 by publishing to the City’s website and posting the notice in three
locations within the City; and
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WHEREAS, on June 16, 2026, the Planning Commission held a duly-noticed public
hearing and considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and public testimony
concerning Ordinance No. 390.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS DOES
HEREBY FIND, RESOLVE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The Planning Commission hereby finds
and determines that the Recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The Planning Commission finds that the Ordinance is not
subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), pursuant to the following
sections of the State CEQA Guidelines: Section 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in
a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment), Section
15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378(a) because it does
not have the potential for resulting in either a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect
physical change in the environment, and Section 15061(b)(3) (the activity is covered by
the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential
for causing a significant effect on the environment). Specifically, the Ordinance does not
have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment because it involves
imposing a maximum building height on residential development and does not propose
nor authorize any action that would have the potential to cause a physical change in the
environment, directly or indirectly. Therefore, the Ordinance is not subject to CEQA.
SECTION 3. General Plan. Based on the entire record before the Planning
Commission, including all written and oral evidence presented, the Planning Commission
hereby that this Ordinance is consistent with the goals and policies of the Rolling Hills
General Plan. The proposed Ordinance is consistent with Housing Element Goal 2
“Maintain and enhance the quality of residential neighborhoods in Rolling Hills,” in support
of the following policies:
Policy 2.1: Encourage and assist in the maintenance and improvement of
existing homes to maintain optimum standards of housing quality and design.
Policy 2.3: Require compatible design to minimize the impact of residential
redevelopment on existing residences.
By imposing a height limit on residential development in the City, this Ordinance will
ensure future development is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and
environment.
SECTION 4. Recommendation. Based on the foregoing recitals and findings, the
Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve and adopt the
proposed Ordinance, attached as Exhibit “A” hereto and incorporated herein by reference.