2/3/1997MINUTES OF A
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT STUDY SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Murdock called the Joint Study Session. of the Rolling Hills City Council and Planning
Commission to order at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, February 3, 1997, in the City Council Chambers, at City
Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Hill, Heinsheimer, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Lay and Mayor
Murdock.
Planning Commissioners Present: Hankins, Margeta, Sommer, Witte and Chairman Roberts.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Planning Commissioners Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig R. Nealis, City Manager.
Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney.
Lola Ungar, Principal Planner.
Lata Thakar, District Engineer, Los Angeles County
Department of Building & Safety.
Julie Heinsheimer, Landscape Consultant.
Richard Henke, President, RHCA Board of Directors
Bernard Howroyd, Member, RHCA Board of Directors.
John Resich, Member RHCA Architectural Committee,
Attorney.
Roger North, Member, RHCA Architectural Committee.
Tom Blair, Architect.
Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering..
Dave Breiholz, Qazi Breiholz Engineering.
Gary Wynn, Qazi Breiholz Engineering.
Ross Bolton, Bolton Engineering.
Richard Oas, Resident.
Ron Osborne, Computer Consultant.
Don Thursby.
Kelly Tsou, Resident.
Mayor Murdock welcomed those in attendance and asked for audience introductions. Assistant City
Attorney Ennis explained the parameters of the Joint Study Session.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
CONSIDERATION OF LANDSCAPING IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. City Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners and
members of the audience discussed the timing of introducing landscaping at a development site,
bonding requirements, review by the landscape consultant and landscaping that causes view
obstructions from neighboring properties.
Following discussion, Coucilmember Tom Heinsheimer suggested that landscaping be introduced in
stages to lessen the visual impact of construction on surrounding properties. It was also suggested that
this could be encouraged by releasing the landscape bond in stages that correlate to the landscape
improvements.
Discussion ensued regarding the types of plants and trees used in landscaping and the Planning
Commission's encouragement of native, drought resistant vegetation in landscaping. Concerns were
raised regarding the height of certain trees and the future potential view obstructions from neighboring
properties. Councilmember Tom Heinsheimer suggested that the Planning Commission may wish to
address view obstructions involving existing trees during review of land use applications. It was
reported that the Planning Commission has placed conditions in resolutions of approval relating to
landscaping and the retention of a neighboring property owner's view. City Manager Nealis explained
the View Preservation provisions outlined in the Municipal Code. Comments were made regarding the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes' extensive study of this issue and it was suggested that staff may wish to
consult with other cities on how they handle view obstruction issues.
Staff was directed to present a staff report to the Planning Commission regarding the staggered release
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of landscape bonds to coincide with staged introduction of landscaping improvements. Staff was also
directed to prepare a report for Planning Commission consideration regarding abatement of view
preservation issues on existing trees on sites with projects pending under Site Plan Review.
CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON SIDE YARD SETBACKS.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. Participants discussed the purpose of easements,
original language in the Municipal Code relating to side yard setbacks and amendments to the Code
made in 1993. Discussion also ensued regarding the varying size of easements and the tendency for 25
foot side and rear yard easements for subdivisions in the RA -S-2 Zone. Mr. Doug MacHattie, South
Bay Engineering, expressed the opinion that the current language in the Municipal relating to the
setback calculation when easements exceed 10 feet is in error. Assistant City Attorney Kevin Ennis
explained that the language was introduced into the Code following extensive Planning Commission,
City Council and staff review of the updated General Plan and Zoning Code.
Concerns were raised regarding requests for the RHCA to reduce larger easements.
Staff was directed to prepare a report for Planning Commission consideration regarding the current
definition of side yard setbacks in the Municipal Code. Staff was directed to get input from the RHCA
and present that input to the Commission.
CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT ON BASEMENTS.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding the definition of a
basement in the Municipal Code, and the uses, sizes and locations of basements. Mr. John Resich
expressed that the City should not regulate basements as long as they meet the Los Angeles County
Building and Safety requirements, and confirmed that size and location of basements are not currently
regulated by the City.
City Manager Nealis explained that the current Site Plan Review application asks whether a basement
is proposed, but often when one is not identified in the application is submitted, one ends up being
constructed. Therefore, staff is now including a statement in Planning Commission staff reports
identifying whether a basement is included, and that balanced cut and fill issues to include soil from a
proposed basement can be addressed at the public hearing before the Commission.
Staff was directed to provide a report to the Commission regarding the possible regulation of
basements in terms of size, use, location and/or inclusion in pad coverage. The City Attorney was
directed to further define "underground structures" in the Municipal Code. The definition of a
basement will also be addressed by the Planning Commission.
CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT REGARDING SUBTERRANEAN GARAGES.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding the provision in the
Municipal Code regarding subterranean garages. Commissioners expressed their concern regarding the
appearance of a two story structure presented when a subterranean garage is included.
Staff was directed to prepare a report for the Planning Commission for consideration of prohibition of
subterranean garages.
CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT REGARDING GRADING CONFIRMATION AND
ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION PROCESSES.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. After a brief discussion, staff was directed to prepare
a report for Planning Commission consideration to improve the grading plan check procedures in the
City.
ANALYSIS OF THE TRENDS OF RECENT LAND USE APPLICATIONS PRESENTED TO
THE CITY.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding the Residential Trend
Analysis completed in 1988 and the figures presented in the analysis provided by staff. Concerns were
raised regarding the size of residences. The Site Plan Review process and the Planning Commission's
guideline of 30% building pad coverage was also discussed. Those in attendance discussed the
Residential Development Highlights and Planning Process Guide available to residents.
Staff was directed to prepare a Municipal Code amendment that would identify the fact that the
Planning Commission utilizes a guideline, established by the Commission, for pad coverage impact.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
Mr. John Resich, Member, RHCA Architectural Committee, commented on balanced cut and fill
requirements as they relate to remedial work needed due to problems that arise in the field after
construction has begun.
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MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CIT3YrCOUN,CII;
• Councilmember Pernell commented on the analysis of the trends in land use applications report and
suggested that this type of report be presented on an ongoing basis. Councilmember Pernell
suggested that applicant representatives be sensitive to the rural nature of the City and carry the
message of preservation of the community to their clients.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Murdock adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m. The City Council
was adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, February 10, 1997, at
7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills,
California. The Planning Commission was adjourned to an adjourned regular meeting to be held on
Saturday, February 8; 1997, at 7:30 a.m., for the purpose of conducting a field review at 8 Bowie Road
and 1 Buggy Whip Drive, Rolling Hills, California.
Approved,
Y*htX--' -
Jody ur ck
Mayor
Allan Roberts
Planning Commission Chairman
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Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn L Kefti
Deputy City Clerk