5/26/1992MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
May 26, 1992
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling
Hills was called to order by Mayor Swanson at 6:55 p.m. on Monday.,
May 26, 1992 at 1 Morgan Lane.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Councilmembers Leeuwenburgh, Pernell,
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock, Mayor Swanson
Councilmember Heinsheimer (excused)
Craig Nealis
Lola Ungar
M/M William Hoover
& Charles Hoover
Mr. Jim Bartz
Mr. Roy Campbell
City Manager
Principal Planner
Applicants
Project Designer
Resident
Mayor Swanson opened the public hearing. The application in
Zoning Case No. 473 was reviewed on-site. At 7:15 p.m. the meeting
was adjourned to. the City Council Chambers at the City
Hall/Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills, California. The meeting was reconvened at 7:32 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Murdock moved approval of the Consent Calendar,
Councilmember Pernell seconded and the motion passed without
objection.
a. Minutes - Regular Meeting of May 11, 1992.
(Approved as presented)
b. Payment of Bills - Demands Number 6440 through 6472 dated May
25, 1992 in the amount of $141,593.83 were approved for payment
from the General Fund.
C. Financial Statement for the month of April.
(Received and filed)
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 5/26/92
d. Correspondence from Browning-Ferris Industries regarding
recovered recyclable material. �'
(Received and filed)
e. Correspondence from Public Utilities Commission regarding
Southern California Gas Company's proposed rate increases.
(Received and filed)
f. Notice regarding application of Southern California Edison
before Public Utilities Commission.
(Received and filed)
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued)
A. CONSIDERATION OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT AT 62 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD
(LOT 34 -FT). OWNER: MR. 7 MRS. JAMES EVANS.
Mayor Swanson declared the public hearing open. There was no
one present to testify on this matter, and in accordance with the
Staff recommendation it was agreed to continue the matter to the
City Council meeting of July 27, 1992.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION GRANTING
A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POOL CABANA
AND GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A TENNIS COURT IN ZONING CASE NO. 473. ADDRESS: 1 MORGAN LANE
(LOT 170 -A -MS). OWNER: MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM R. HOOVER.
City Manager Nealis reported that this public hearing was
continued from the earlier public hearing at 1 Morgan Lane.
Mr. Jim Bartz, Project Designer, reiterated that the items at
issue (tennis court and cabana) are on a flat plane and will appear
nonexistent from the street and neighboring properties. He said
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 5/26/92
the proposed plan has an open feeling consistent with the
surrounding homes, and the fence will be landscaped to provide
screening. He noted that the tennis court will be 25 feet below
the level of the street.
Councilmember Pernell expressed concerns regarding the size of
the graded area on the plot. The plans were displayed and the
calculations discussed. Mr. Bartz explained that the proposed
building pad coverage of 17.7%, approved by the Planning
Commission, represents the buildable pad coverage excluding the
tennis court. Including the tennis court in the calculations would
bring the pad coverage to about 40%.
In reply to Mayor Pro Tem Murdock's call for clarification,
City Manager Nealis advised that since this is an application for
a Conditional Use Permit for the tennis court and cabana rather
than a Site Plan Review, the Planning Commission did not apply the
calculations that would have been required for Site Plan Review.
He explained that the City Council's options are to approve or deny
the application, to refer it back to the Planning Commission, or to
continue the public hearing until additional information is
obtained from the applicant and/or a legal opinion is given
regarding the calculations.
The location of the stable was also questioned, with Mayor
Swanson viewing it as impractical due to access considerations.
Mr. Bartz expressed his feeling that it is ideally located, with a
25 ft. easement road immediately adjacent to the stable.
Mr. Bartz was asked to provide vicinity maps to indicate how
close the neighboring homes are. In addition, Councilmember
Pernell asked that he address the subject of fence encroachments of
the neighboring properties and .Mayor Swanson suggested he try to
reduce the mass and retain more of the natural terrain.
Mayor Swanson stated the public hearing would remain open to
the City Council meeting of June 8, 1992. Staff was requested to
provide information to clarify the concerns raised.
OLD BUSINESS
A. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
It was agreed to hold this item on the agenda until the full
City Council is available.
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 5/26/92
B. RESOLUTION NO. 677: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
AND PENINSULA LANDSCAPING FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION FACILITY AND TENNIS COURT AREA.
City Manager Nealis reported that the Agreement for Landscape
Maintenance has been revised to include requirements for quarterly
reports by the Contractor, the provision of pest control services,
and a stipulation that the Contractor and the City will adjust the
monthly compensation as needed after the new landscape plan is
finalized. The contract is to begin on June 1, 1992 and can be
terminated at any time.
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh moved adoption of Resolution No.
677 approving the Agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Murdock seconded and
the motion passed without objection.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 678: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS SUPPORTING THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN.
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock moved adoption of Resolution No. 678,
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh.seconded and the motion passed without
objection.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 679: CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF PLANNING
COMMISSION ACTION REAPPROVING A VARIANCE FOR THE ENCROACHMENT
OF A RETAINING WALL INTO THE SIDE YARD SETBACK, REAPPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PREVIOUSLY
CONSTRUCTED CLAY SPORTS COURT, AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO.
91-27. ZONING CASE NO. 461.
OWNER: DR. AND MRS. MOHAN W. BHASKER.
ADDRESS: 42 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD (LOT 120-RH).
Councilmember Pernell moved approval of Resolution No. 677,
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock seconded, and the motion passed 3-1 with
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh objecting.
NEW BUSINESS
A. CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES REGARDING
PENINSULA -WIDE PARK AND RECREATION SYSTEM.
City Manager Nealis reported that the Peninsula cities have
been requested by the Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes to designate a
representative to attend a meeting to explore the concept of a
Peninsula -wide park and recreation system operated by a single
agency. In discussions with the City Manager of Rancho Palos
Verdes it was disclosed that the ultimate goal would be to have a
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 5/26/92
self -funding park district, similar to a lighting district. The
financial impact has not been measured at this time.
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh stated she had received a fax from
Bill Ailor indicating that money will be requested to conduct a
poll of Peninsula residents to ascertain what they want in the area
of open space and recreation. She noted that the cities of Rolling
Hills and Palos Verdes Estates have no public parks and questioned
whether their residents really used the parks, particularly in view
of the shared trail system enjoyed by Rolling Hills residents.
Councilmember Pernell suggested that staff might devise a
means of utilizing grants to the City which are not otherwise being
used. He was not in favor of creating an additional tax burden.
Councilmembers agreed that the City would attend the first
meeting to listen and then decide whether to participate further.
Councilmember Leeuwenburgh agreed to serve as the liaison from
Rolling Hills and will report back to the City Council.
OPEN AGENDA
No one present wished to speak on the open agenda.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Murdock announced that the Sanitation District
will host their annual tour on June 3 beginning at 8:00 a.m. and
lasting most of the day. She will not be able to attend, but City
Y Manager Nealis indicated he will participate if possible after a
morning meeting. An ocean inspection tour is also scheduled for
May 30, June 13 and June 20, and the public is invited.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
City Manager Nealis reported it is anticipated that the
hardscape, landscape and grading plans in bidding form will be
available for review at the June 8 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Pernell asked about correspondence from the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes concerning earth export from the landslide
area. City Manager Nealis advised that Rancho Palos Verdes has
reached an agreement with the City of Los Angeles Sanitation
Department to use 100,000 cubic yards of bentonite clay to seal one
of their landfills. Councilmember Pernell expressed his concern
that this could undermine the support of properties in Rolling
Hills. He suggested obtaining a professional opinion, possible
indemnification against potential damage, and if necessary putting
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes on notice regarding these concerns.
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Rolling Hills City Council Meeting - 5/26/92
City Manager Nealis suggested that the City Council direct
Staff to notify Rancho Palos Verdes of these concerns and ask them
not to commence the project until reports from the County or an
outside consultant firm have been received and evaluated.
Principal Planner Ungar advised that Dr. Perry Ehlig has said
this -method of grading and removing the material has slowed the
landslide. Mayor Swanson voiced her desire to see an opinion other
than that of Dr. Ehlig; other Councilmembers felt he is the person
who is most knowledgeable about this area and best equipped to
evaluate the matter. Names of other geologists who might be able
to perform the study were given to the City Manager.
Councilmembers agreed to place this item on the agenda for the
next Council meeting and authorized Staff to write to the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes expressing the concerns and requesting that the
project be put on hold until the impact on Rolling Hills can be
evaluated. As a first step in this evaluation, the comments of
their experts will be requested on the effect of this earth removal
on the Flying Triangle area. In addition, Staff is to investigate
the possible use of another geologist to advise the City.
Finally, the City Manager was asked to look into the large
painted X's that have appeared on some of the City streets.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
CLOSED SESSION
There was no need for a closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 1992
at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
Mayor
0
Minutes Setr tary