203, Construct SFR with slope gradi, Correspondence•
City opeollinl
JODY MURDOCK
Mayor
GINNY LEEUWENBURGH
Mayor pro tern
THOMAS F. HEINSHEIMER
Councilman
GODFREY PERNELL
Councilman
GORDANA SWANSON
Councilwoman
Mr. F. Leonard Coates
2500 Anabas Avenue
San Pedro, CA 90732
Dear Mr. Coates:
INCORPORATED JANUARY 24, 1957
NO. 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
ROLLING MILLS. CALIF. 90274
(213) 377-1521
December 13, 1983
CERTIFIED MAIL P 275 557 493
Re: Southfield Tract Area
City of Rolling Hills
It has come to the attention of the City of Rolling Hills that
application has been made to the Rolling Hills Community Association
for approval of plans for the construction of a single family resi-
dence on Lot No. 3 of the above referenced tract. It is anticipated
that an application by the owner for a building permit will be sub-
mitted to the City in the near future. The purpose of this letter
is to communicate to you certain concerns of the City Council and to
request certain information of you so as to assist the City in eval-
uating this potential project.
As you no doubt recall, when the residence proposed for Lot 2
was before the Community Association in 1979, the Association Board
expressed grave concern over the development of Lot No. 3. Indeed,
its action of April 5, 1979, permitting a slope modification, was
contingent upon execution of a written agreement with the Association
so as to preclude construction of a separate residence on Lot 3.
At a subsequent meeting of the Board on April 19, 1979, the
minutes of that meeting reflect that you appeared before the Board
and made a presentation with respect to the same matter. The minutes
reflect that you indicated that Lot 3 was at that time held in trust
for other members of your family in England and that you were not in
a position to place a deed restriction on that lot so as to preclude
future development.
The City has recently conducted a chain of title of the subject
property and does not find any recorded document which would have
restricted your ability in 1979 of placing a deed restriction on
F. Leonard Coates, December 13, 1983 (page 2)
Lot No. 3 in accordance with the Association's wishes. In order to
complete staff's investigation, I wonder if you would kindly provide
to me whatever document it is that you have in your possession that
would support your statement during the Board meeting of April 19,
1979 that you were not legally in a position to place a deed restrict-
ion on that lot. Receipt of this document will certainly clarify the
record and facilitate the City's review of any forthcoming building
permit application.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
copy: Alfred A. Marin
12410 Wilke
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Bruce Burrell
846 21st Street
San Pedro, CA.90731
RLS/jc
Ronald L. Smith
City Manager
CERTIFIED MAIL P 275 557 494
CERTIFIED MAIL P 275 557 495
July 12, 1982
Mr. Bruce Burrell
846.21st Street
San Pedro, Ca. 90731
Dear Mr. Burrell:
The City of Rolling Hills would like to notify you of the
'parameters pertaining to the ultimate development of your property,
Lot 3-SF located on Southfield Drive, that.is currently listed for
sale.
This property has comprehensive constraints that make development
difficult, if not potentially impossible. ;In order to meet the Muni- '
cipal Code requirements pertaining to grading, and to blend with the
rural low profile architecture established,by the Rolling Hills Commu-
nity Association, careful.: consideration to all aspects of development
in the City of Rolling Hills will need to be undertaken.
The main purpose ofthis correspondence is to insure that any
future buyer of the property is made aware of these constraints and
potential that the property may not be buildable at all. It may be
advisable to have any escrow initiated on the property held open
pending approval and permit issuance of grading and architectural•
plans by both the City of. Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Community
Association. This would avoid problems in the future by the new..'
owner not being made aware of the problems. The City of Rollin;
Hills finds that full disclosure is a sound objective to be met in
selling real estate as advocated by the National Board of Realtors.
Sincerely,
Ronald L. Smith
City Manager
Copy:
Peggy Minor, Manager
Rolling Hills Community Association
Rolling Hills Board of Realtors
Calif. State Dept. of Real Estate
December 7, 1978
Mr. F. L. Coates
2500;Anabas Avenue
San Pedro, California 90732
Dear Mr. Coates,
I have reviewed the proposed plan for your residence at
3 Southfield Drive, which plan provides for an additional
wall extending for a length of thirty feet, not to exceed
2 1/2 feet in height, and an additional 600 square feet
of area in the residence. I also examined the decision
of the City Council in over -ruling the decision of the
Planning Commission, and I find that the changes in the
plan will not violate the provisions of the decision of
the City Council on April 10, 1978.
My conclusion is based also on the representation made
to Mrs. Teena Clifton, the City Manager, and to me, both
verbally and as stated in your letters dated November 30
and December 4, 1978, in which you stated that the ad-
dibion of a third retaining wall would not increase the
area of grading in excess of the requirement of 2/1, and
that the additional square footage would not disturb or
otherwise enlarge the overall design of the house, since
the greater portion of the additional footage is to be
contained in a rear deck.
Very truly y9urs,
William Kinley
City Attorney
WLK/ j c
2500 Anabas Avenue
San Pedro, Calif 9073
December 4 1978
Mr. Kinley
City Attorney
City of Rolling Hills
California.
Dear Mr. Kinley,
In submitting plans for my house to the Architectural Committee of the
Rolling Hills Community Association, a few minor items need clarification
to ensure that we are still within the requirements of the conditions
granted for the grading variance for my lot on Southfield.
The points for clarification are
(1) My architect shows in the plan, a small wall approximately
30' long at the entrance to the house. This was put in to
define the entry way. This wall is not visible from the outside of
theproperty and will enhanse the appearance of the house approach.
Without this wall the downslope would meet the walkway and during
a heavy rain1dirt may wash over this path and make it muddy.
(2) In the last submission made before the Planning Commission in
January 1978, a plan was produced for it's consideration. This showed
the 3 cross -sections for the grading and the footprint of the house.
It showed the house as being 100 feet long with 3 indentations in the
rear wall. However, the foundation wall and the roof line would still
be a straight line of 160' long. In various submissions to the Archi-
tectural Committee, it was deemed desirable, to eliminate 2.of the 3
indentations and add a rear deck. The deck is not within the foundation
wall of the house or it's roof line and is really an appurtenant to the
house.
In making a presentation to the City Council on my appeal, Tim Burrell
noted that we had shown a great degree of architectural details to the
Planning Commission. He remarked to the Council that this was probably
a mistake since it led to a great amount of discussion on architectural
matters and this probably was a mistake.
The effect of the deck is to soften the appearance of the rear of the house
and this conclusion is shared by the Architectural Committee,,
(3) The grading in the amount of earth to be regraded, the elevation
at which the house is to be constructed have not changed from those
shown to the Planning Commission and the City Council in the respective
hearings. Also the there is no change in the areas to be regraded
or the cross sections as shown in exhibit before the Commission and
the Council. No swimming pool or stable are in the submission to the
Committee.
Finally, last week, I replayed the tape of the Council hearing and
confirmed that the resolution, approved by a unanimous vote, was
precisely as shown in the minutes of the meeting prepared by Mars;
Cunningham.
2.
Although I have instru ed my architecV,-Mr. Ivan h, to avoid, at almost
any cost, anything which would cause a rehearing beforthe Council,
I hope that you will agree that the plans as submitted to the Committee
are minor in variations and that plans are within the requirments as set
by the City Council.
I will also take this oppotunity to thank you for your positive and
cooperative approach in the past.
Yours truly
L
/ F.L.Coates.
•
Mrs. T. Clifton
City Manager
City of Rolling Hills
California.
Dear Mrs. Clifton
•2500 Anabas Avenue
San Pedro California
90732
November 30 1978
Thank you for your kindness in seeing me and John Ivansich,my-architecht,
at such short notice last Monday to discuss and clarify the questions
that have arisen rearding the grading variance granted to me for
3 Southfield.
We are now, hopefully, in the final stages of review of my plans by
the Architectural Committee, and so an early solution to any
problems would be much appreciated. The submission made to the
Committee does not in any way change the amount of dirt to be regraded.
This is the most basic thing appertaining to a grading variance.
The set -back, the construction at the elevation shown in our
submittal to the Planning Commission and City Counsel temain completely
unchanged.
We feel that the only variations that have been submitted to the
Architectural Committee to those shovn in the exhibit to the City
Counsel are Architectural features and I would like to comment and
explain these as follows.
(13 The additional wall which runs for a length of 30' is for the purpose
of providing better definition at the entry way to the house, Without
this wall, the grade would meet the walk -way and in wet weather, possibly
cause dirt to wash over the driveway. The submission made to the City
Counsel was based upon the fact that the Association would not restrict
to an average of only 2A' for the wall shown in that submission.
In reading the Association's booklet on building requirements' es not
appear to make any reference to any other than the 5' height requirement.
At least in the copy that I have. Furthermore, the wall notibe visible
from outside of my property.
(2) In the exhibit shown to the Counsel during the hearing a foot -print
of the house was shown with 3 recesses in the back -wall. This
exhibit had been used in the planning Commission hearings. In
replayingthe tape of the 9ounsel hearing,last Monday, I noted thatq
Tim Burrell had stated to the Counsel that in our to try and satisfy
the Planning Commission, we had gone into great detail on architectural
detail to the point of showing these recesses and perhaps this
was a mistake. In the submission to the Architectural Committee
the overall length of the house remains the same as in the Exhibit,
namely 100' but two of the three recesses have been eliminated to
provide nicer planning for the house. Additionally, a rear deck has
been added. This, according to Mr. Ivancich and,I think to Committee
will tend to soften the rear elevation of the house, and will therefore
be and architectural enhansement. Certainly, the outline of the foundation
walls remain the same.
(3) With regard to the grading .ihe grading, the submission to the
Mrs. T. Clifton.(cont)
Committee is in conformance with the Exhibit shown to the Counsel
and in terms of amount of dirt to be graded, in conformance with the
amount of dirt given in the testimony. In the testimony given by
Tim Burrell before the City Counsel he was leading the Counsel
progressively through the continued hearing before the City Planning
Commission and stated that at the December hearing we had modified
the grading so that the arOa to be graded to a 12 to 1 slope would
only be in one place, at the front of the house and that the area in
the rear of the house would be a 2 to 1 slope with a retaining wall.
He further stated that the Planning Commission rejected this and in
the January hearing we had gone back to the grading of 12 to 1 in
the front and areas in the rear of the house as per the same exhibit,
before the City Counsel. This may have given rise to the thought that
the grading to l to 1 was in two areas.
Certainly, after listening last Monday to the tape of the whole of the
Counsel hearing on my appeal, I can vouch that the resolution, unanimoutly
approved by the Counsel is very accurately reflected in minutes prepared
by Mrs. Cunningham, that the appeal for my grading variance was approved
subject to the construction of a single family house , with the grading
limited to 650 cubic yards with a tolerance of 10% and that without
further City approval I cannot construct a stable, garage, or other
structure.
I trust that this will assist you and Mr. Kinley in deciding whether
any vafiations in our submission to the Committee are still within
the intent and context of the allowing the appeal. Certainly, I have
no intention of resubmitting the matter to the Commission or Counsel
again, for such minor changes,phese I would rather forego than go through
that procedure.
I am grateful to Mr. Kinley, you and your staff the very cooperative,
constructive and kind approach that I have received in trying to resolve
any problems. I only wish the same were true for most other public
agencies and their officials.
Yours truly
F.L.Coates.
• •
cf� 0/ reern$ �✓eP
April 20, 1978
Mr. Tim Burrell
4038 Exultant Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90274
re: F. L. Coates - Appeal, Case No. 203
Dear Mr. Burrell:
WILLIAM KINLEY
CITY ATTORNEY
SUITE 901
555 EAST OCEAN BLVD.
LONG BEACH, CALIF. 90802
(213) 437-0973
Enclosed herewith is a copy of the notice of ruling
on appeal in the above entitled matter.
The original of this notice will be placed in the file
of this case in the records of the City.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.
Yours truly,
i
illiam Kinle3
STEPHEN J. KOONCE
ACTING COUNTY ENGINEER
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF COUNTY ENGINEER
PALOS VERDES-CENTINELA VALLEY REGION
24320 South Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, California 90717
325-9500
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
January 17, 1978
Mrs. Teena Clifton
City Manager
Rolling Hills, California
Dear Mrs. Clifton:
CHECK OF YARDAGE QUANTITIES FOR
LOT 2-SF, 3 SOUTHFIELD DRIVE
JOB NO. 3724.50
ARMANDO CID
REGIONAL ENGINEER
Our grading section has reviewed the yardage quantities
indicated on the grading plan for Lot 2-SF, 3 Southfield
Drive.
We received two grading plan sheets from Mr. Len Coates.
One indicates a 12 to 1 fill and the other indicates a 2 to 1
fill. Both indicate a 1i to 1 cut.
The quantities as computed by our grading section are approxi-
mately 5% less than indicated on the plans. However, it
appears from our review that retaining walls have not been
indicated. This is based on the contours shown. Our compu-
tations are based on retaining walls being built on the
location shown on the grading plan.
If you have any questions, please call.
Yours very truly,
Stephen J. Koonce
ACTING CITY ENGINEER
Armand Cid 6-12
Deputy
AC-dm R-2
cc: Mr. Len Coates