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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 Minutes Council/ Planning Commission Joint Study Session 02/03/97 -1- 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. Minutes Council/ Planning Commission Joint Study Session 02/03/97 -2- V 1 1 u 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 Minutes Council/ Planning Commission Joint Study Session 02/03/97 -3- Respectfully submitted, Marilyn L Kefti Deputy City Clerk