10/11/1999 MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 11, 1999
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CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Pro Tem Pernell at 7:33 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Hill, Lay, Murdock and Mayor Pro Tem Pernell.
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Heinsheimer (excused).
Others Present: Craig R. Nealis, City Manager. .
Larry Courtright, City Treasurer.
Lola Ungar, Planning Director.
Marilyn L. Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Matters which may be acted upon by the City Council in a single motion. Any
Councilmember may request removal of any item from the Consent Calendar causing
it to be considered under Council Actions.
a. Minutes - Regular Meeting of September 27, 1999.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills. �
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
c. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for August, 1999.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
d. Rate Adjustment Proposal from Cox Communications.
� RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file/provide direction.
Councilmember Murdock moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the
Consent Calendar. Councilmember Lay seconded the motion which carried unarumously by
those Councilmembers in attendance.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
RESOLLJTION NO. 99-16: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMIVIISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
CONSTRUCT A GUEST HOUSE AND GRANTING SITE PLAN REVIEW APPROVAL
TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GUEST HOUSE, A STABLE WITH LOFT
AND ADJACENT CORRAL, A:VD SUBSTANTIAL RESIDENTIAL ADDITIONS THAT
REQUIRE GRADING AT AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN ZONING
CASE NO. 597.
MR. MARK DESSY, 8 MAVERICK LANE (L,OT 26-A-SK)
Councilmember Lay stated that he will need to abstain from consideration of this Zoning Case
due the proximity of his residence to the subject property and excused himself from the
Council Chambers.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the applicant's request and Planning
Commission action relative to Zoning Case No. 597. Hearing no discussion or objection,
Mayor Pro Tem Pernell ordered that Resolution No. 99-16 be received and filed.
Mayor Pro Tem Pernell noted the return of Councilmember Lay to the City Council
Chambers.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
ZONING CASE NO. 595
AN APPEAL OF A PLANIVING CONIlVIISSION APPROVED REQUEST FOR A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED
SPORTS COURT AT AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 27
MIDDLERIDGE ROAD SOUTH (LOT 248-B-2-UR), ROLLING HILLS, CA.
MR. AND MRS.DON SLAUGHT,27 MIDDLERIDGE LANE SOUTH.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the applicants' request, Planning
Commission action and the appeal of the Planning Commission approval by Mr. and Mrs. Ken
Johnson, 29 Middleridge Lane South, relative to Zoning Case No. 595.
Mayor Pro Tem Pernell opened the public hearing and called for testimony.
Mr. Don Slaught, applicant, provided background regarding his purchase of the property. He
stated that the main criteria for his purchase of this home was to provide an area for his
children to play. He explained that he approached Mr.Johnson regarding his plan for a sports
court and that Mr.Johnson indicated, at that time, that he would not object to a sports court as
long as it was landscaped. Mr. Slaught stated that he feels that the sports court meets all of the
requirements in the Municipal Code and that the arguments presented by Mr. Johnson are
irrelevant. He said that he feels that the sports court is an improvement to the existing
condition of the pad where the sports court is proposed to be placed.
Mr. John Slaught, representing the applicant, provided brief comments regarding the
applicants original purchase of the property and stated that he feels that the proposed
landscaping for the sports court is adequate and will screen the view of the court from the
neighboring property owner. He said that planting mature vegetation would be too costly for
the applicant.
Mr. Edwin Lohn, 9 Middleridge Lane South, spoke in favor of the proposed sports court and
urged the City Council to approve it. -
Mr.John Resich, appellants' representative, reviewed the reasons for the appeal of the sports
court outlined in the appellants' letter dated September 21, 1999. He provided information to
the City Council regarding the Municipal Code requirements for sports courts, the view
impairment ordinance, a consulting engineering geologist's report regarding the steepness of
the slopes of the pad for the proposed sports court and information regarding the septic
system on the applicants' property. Mr. Resich also expressed concern about a negative view
impact and noise that would be generated from the proposed sports court and their negative
effect on Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's property value.
Mr. Dave Longstreth, Consulting Engineering Geologist, commented on his survey of the
steepness of the slopes of the pad for the proposed sports court that are outlined in his letter
to Mr. Johnson dated October 7, 1999.
Ms. Kathy Tilson, Real Estate Agent representing Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, commented on her
opinion regarding the negative impact of the view of the proposed sports court on the
Johnsori s property value.
Mr. Don Slaught commented on the excerpts that Mr. iZesich read from the geology report
dated November 29, 1983, relative to the geologic conditions on his property. He directed the
City Council to the conclusions stated in that report that indicate that the pad may be safely
used for non-structural purposes. In response to Councilmember Lay, Mr. Slaught explained
that they plan to use the sports court for paddle tennis, basketball and roller skating.
Mr. Major Langer, representing the applicant, stated that he feels that the proposed court is
not on the side or in the bottom of a canyon and that the adjoining property owners had
changed their minds as to their opinion on the proposed court. He also stated that no grading
is required and that the pad meets the County's required factor of safety. He said that the
proposed drainage improvements and landscaping in conjunction with the construction of the
sports court will further increase the factor of safety. In response to concerns raised by the
neighboring property owner regarding the septic system, Mr. Langer indicated that a building
permit was issued for the system and that he feels that this argument is not relevant to the
case. He also addressed the issue of the proposed screening of the sports court. He stated that
he feels that the landscape plan submitted by the applicant is adequate to screen the court
from the neighboring property.
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Mr. Resich explained that the appellant is concerned about the stability of the pad and slopes
for the proposed sports court and its effect of his property should it fail at some time in the
future.
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Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Pro �Tem Pernellycontinued the public hearing to the
next regular meeting of the City Council�to.�be:�,held�on Morid'`a`y; October 25, 1999, in the City
Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Berid Road, Rolling Hills, California for the
purpose of setting a date and time for a field review of the property. Councilmembers
requested to view a silhouette of the outline of the sports court including the ridge height and
the height of the proposed fences. Mayor Pro Tem Pernell requested that the applicant
provide information regarding the proposed screening and drainage for the proposed sports
court�at the field trip meeting which was proposed to be on October 27"' at 3:00 p.m., although
it would have to be established at the October 25�1999 City Council meeting.
OPEN AGENDA -APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. -PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
None.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF INTERIOR DESIGN MODIFICATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS. ° �
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the project.
He indicated the estimated costs for the project had been placed before the City Council for
review.
Discussion ensued regarding the scope of the project. City Manager Nealis explained that the
costs outlined on the estimate sheet includes all of the recommended improvements provided
by the City Council. Discussion ensued regarding the budgeted amount for the project. City
Treasurer Larry Courtright indicated that an amendment might be considered to the budget if
the project exceeds that amount. In response to Mr. Courtright, Ms. Lisa Hunnicutt, design
consultant, reported that the estimates were completed by a professional estimator.
Hearing no further discussion, Councilmembers directed that staff negotiate with the
consultant and return with a bid specification preparation agreement for consideration by the
City Council.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING DESIGN CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE
PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO THE CABALLEROS RIDING RING AND
NATIVE PLANT DEMONSTRATION GARDEN.
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding the project.
Hearing no discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Pernell called for a motion.
Councilmember Hill moved that the City Council direct staff to proceed with the preparation
of the plans and specifications for this project in an amount not to exceed $575.00.
Councilmember Murdock seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
None.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
• City Treasurer Larry Courtright announced that he will be moving to Santa Rosa,
California and resigning his position as City Treasurer, probably by the end of the year.
He suggested that the City Council consider appointing a member of the City Council to
serve as Treasurer.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
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ADTOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Pernell adjourned the
meeting at 9:05 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on
Monday, October 25, 1999,beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall,
2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marilyn L. Ke
Deputy City Clerk
Approved,
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Go e , . .
a or Pro Tem
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