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none, construct pool, landscaping, a, Correspondencer Cttyofiere,9Jh// April 20, 2009 Mr. Chris Hutchinson 16 Buggy Whip Drive Rolling Hills, CA 90274 Dear Mr. Hutchinson: INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377.1521 FAX: (310) 377.7288 Thank you for stopping by City Hall earlier today and introducing yourself to me. It is always a pleasure to meet the face behind the plans that we approve on a daily basis. As I mentioned to you, I received your landscaping plan from your contractor at the visit to your project on April 16, 2009. In reviewing the plan I would like to mention a few requirements: • Any work in the easements must be reviewed and approved by the Rolling Hills Community Association (RHCA). • The three -rail fence that you are proposing must be reviewed and approved by RHCA. • Any new trees and shrubs may not, at maturity, exceed the ridge height of the residence. • A wall of plants/trees in a hedge like configuration along the front of any property is strongly discouraged in the City. For a softer look you may want to offset the plants by several feet, or thin out or remove a few of the newly planted trees along the three rail fence along BuggyWhip. We would appreciate you cooperation in this matter. I am enclosing the City's lighting requirements. Please adhere to these provisions. All outdoor lighting fixtures must be approved by RHCA, whereas the City regulates light intensity. Again, thank you for speaking with me and I hope you and your family enjoy the lovely house that you built. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 310 377-1521. Si Printed on Recycled Paper • ORDINANCE NO. 309• AN ORDINANCE' OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS MODIFYING OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS AND AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE ROLLING HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE. The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills does hereby ordain as follows: Section 1. Findings. The residents of the City of Rolling Hills treasure its pastoral environment. As is set forth in the City's General Plan, the Council finds that the rural environment is characterized by natural light, and is degraded by artificial illumination at night. Nighttime darkness throughout the City contributes significantly to the uniquely tranquil rural environment, creates a more natural setting for wildlife that inhabit the area, enhances the quality of life and adds to property values. For the foregoing reasons, the City provides no roadway illumination and encourages residents to minimize the illumination of their properties to avoid light spillage onto neighboring properties, easements and roadways. The outdoor lighting standards adopted herein serve to advance the foregoing goals, advance the goal of conserving energy and further public health, safety and welfare. Section 2. Pursuant to authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 of seq.) ("CEQA") and the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Section 15000 of seq.), planning staff has determined that this Ordinance is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The City Council has reviewed the proposed exemption and finds that it represents the independent judgment of the City and complies with the requirements of CEQA. Section 3. Section 17.16.190 E of Chapter 17.16 of Title 17 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code is amended in its entirety to read as follows: 17.16.190 E. Outdoor Lighting. 1. Except as provided in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 below, outdoor lighting is prohibited. The outdoor lighting described in paragraph 2 shall be the exclusive types of artificial illumination permitted outdoors on residentially zoned properties, and shall illuminate strictly within the prescribed limitations so as to avoid light spillage and respect and advance the community, goal of preserving natural darkness. 2. Allowable outdoor lighting is limited to the following: a. Lighting along pedestrian and vehicular pathways for the purpose of providing safe passage. Bulbs used in such lighting shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total wattage in each light fixture of 25-watt incandescent light bulb or technological equivalent. Bulbs shall be shielded and obscured by the lighting fixtures to cast light downward. Lighting fixtures shall be spaced no closer than twenty feet apart and shall be no higher than eighteen inches from grade to the top of the fixture. b. Security lighting at entryways to structures, provided that in no event shall a security light be set to shine for longer than five minutes following activation. Security lighting shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total wattage in each light fixture of 150-watt incandescent light bulb or technological equivalent. c. One ground mounted address sign light or one downward casting address sign mounted light, provided that the bulb used in such light shall not exceed 15 watt incandescent or technological equivalent. The light fixture, if ground mounted, shall be no higher than eighteen inches from grade to the top of the fixture. d. Entry post or pilaster lighting only at the foot of a driveway and at a courtyard entrance to the residence, provided that the bulbs are shielded and obscured by the lighting fixtures to cast light downward and the Tight does not spill onto the roadway or adjacent properties. Bulbs used in such lighting fixtures shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total wattage in each light fixture of 40••watt incandescent light bulb or technological equivalent. Ordinance No. 309 -1- e. Lightingporches and exterior walls of structures on'c property, provided that the bulbs are shielded and obscured by the lighting fixtures to cast Tight downward and the light does not spill onto the roadway or adjacent properties. However, lighting fixtures at the primary entrance to a residence need not cast light downward and may be controlled by a timer. Further, lighting fixtures on the exterior wall of a structure immediately adjacent to a patio or terrace used as ambient light for cooking, dining or entertaining need not cast light downward, so long as they are operated 'manually (not controlled by a timer) and illuminated only when needed. Bulbs used in lighting allowed by this subparagraph, except for lighting fixtures at the primary entrance to a residence, shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total wattage in each light fixture of 40-watt incandescent light bulb' or technological equivalent. f. Temporary lighting for holidays and for special events. 3. Modification from lighting regulations. Property owners may .apply for modifications to the lighting regulations set forth in paragraph 2 of this section by submittal of an application on a form provided by the City and upon payment of the application fee prescribed by the City's master fee resolution. Applications for modification shall be considered by the Planning Commission at a public hearing. Written notice of the hearing shall be provided to the owners of property immediately surrounding the property for which a modification is sought. The Commission may approve or conditionally ,approve a minor modification application only if it affirmatively finds that (a) special circumstances exist that make compliance with the outdoor lighting standards impractical or unsafe, or (b) the requested modification is warranted by exceptional architectural design. In either case, the proposed lighting plan may deviate from the standards in this section, only to the extent reasonably necessary to accommodate the special circumstances. 4. Nonconforming light fixtures and light bulbs. a. Light fixtures existing on May 28, 2008 that direct light upwards b illuminate an architectural or landscape feature or any other structure (except as provided in paragraph 2(c) of this section) shall be deactivated; removed or otherwise brought into compliance with this section by January 1, 2009. All other light fixtures that were installed in compliance with the requirements of this Code prior to May 28, 200R, and not in compliance with the requirements of this section, may remain indefinitely in their existing location, but shall not be replaced unless in compliance with this section. b. Light bulbs used in lighting fixtures permitted to remain 'indefinitely as provided in paragraph (a) above shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total wattage in each light fixture as set forth in paragraphs 2 (a) — (e) of this section, or if a lighting fixture of,a type not described in paragraphs 2 (a) — (e), shall be nonreflective and shall not exceed a total of 25 watts in each fixture. All light bulbs in outdoor fixtures shall he brought into compliance with the requirements of this section by January 1, 2009. 5. Outdoor lighting audits. Residents may request a compliance audit,by the City of the outdoor lighting on their property. The City, will conduct such an audit upon payment of a fee as prescribed in the City's master fee resolution. Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to insert the effective date of this Ordinance into the blanks in paragraph 4 of Section 3 hereinabove. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28'h day of April, 2008. Attest: Marilyn L. Kern Deputy City Clerk Frank E. I -Till Mayor Ordinance No. 309 -2- • • Ctty ()Moiling JJ,IG April 7, 2009 Mr. Arun Bhumitra 13 Buggy Whip Drive Rolling Hills, CA 90274 Subject: Construction at 16 Buggy Whip Drive Dear Mr. Bhumitra: INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957 NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD ROLLING HILLS, CALIF. 90274 (310) 377.1521 FAX: (310) 377-7288 Thank you for your letter regarding the construction and trees at 16 Buggy Whip Drive. The addition and renovation of the residence at this address was approved by the City administratively (over -the counter), which is in compliance with the Municipal Code requirements for that type of work. Pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance of the Municipal Code administrative approvals do not require public hearings or neighborhood notification. The City has no height requirement, except that a house must be one story. A basement is also allowed, but it is not considered a story. The Rolling Hills Community Association has provisions for height of structures. In regards to the trees blocking your view, you may apply to either the City of Rolling Hills or the Rolling Hills Community Association to have the matter reviewed by the respective agency. The City's process requires the filing of an application and a fee of $500, together with address labels of all the neighbors within 1000-foot radius of the property on which the trees area located. The City also requires that you contact your neighbors and seek cooperation prior to applying to the City. We recognize that you contacted the Hutchinson's regarding the newly planted trees but received no response. Should you wish to file a view obstruction complaint, please find enclosed a copy of the City's regulations and application. If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (310) 377-1521. Sincer¢ly I Yolnta Schwartz Pl ing Director Enclosure Printed on Recycled Paper ASS C GUNDERSON ARCHI0CT 2024 Via Pacheco, Palos Verdes Estates, California 90274 TEL (310) 373-8077 FAX (310) 373-8277 Thursday, February 7, 2008 Ms. Yolanta Schwartz, Principal Planner City of Rolling Hills No. 2 Portuguese Bend Road Rolling Hills, California 90274 Regarding: Hutchison Remodel -addition 16 Buggywhip Drive Dear Ms. Schwartz, As we discussed yesterday, the Hutchison's project was proposed as a remodel addition, not a new home. Many of the existing walls on the east wing of the residence (both interior and exterior) where in large part to remain. This can be seen on the demolition plan sheet 2.1 of the working drawings attached herein. Due to substandard construction conditions that were discovered during the initial construction phases, (post building permit issuance) the existing walls that were proposed to remain were required to be removed. Specifically, the following condition where observed: Existing floor system was built with 4x6 joists at 48 inches on center. This does not meet current engineering or construction standards. The existing crawl space was only 10 inches on average in depth. In some areas as little as 6 inches. Code requires 18 inches minimum. Any proposed reinforcement of the above mentioned floor framing would not comply with current codes for crawl space clearances. Also, it was physically impossible for tradesmen to work under the house, such as plumbers and HVAC contractors. Nor could the home be maintained given these conditions. Due to the above referenced construction defects, it was determined by the structural engineer, the soils engineer, the general contractor, and myself that removal of the existing floor system was required to allow the project to move forward. The existing footings were not removed, but underpinned as required in very limited locations as the foundation plan illustrates. The footprint of the home did not change except for the areas added as indicated on the site plan. The existing stud walls were required to be removed due to the fact that they bear on the existing substandard floor systein. It would have been physically impossible to replace the floor system to meet current codes, and not remove the existing walls. I was unaware of your policies regarding the removal of all walls on a remodel type project. I apologize for not notifying the city of our intentions in advance of demolition of said walls. Sincerely, Criss Gunderson 0 Cc: Mr. and M%s. Hutchison Dan Bolton, structural engineer of record Rick Marshall, general contractor for project