2/25/2002MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 25, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Murdock at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Heinsheimer, Hill, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Lay, and Mayor
Murdock.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Principal Planner.
Nan Huang, Finance Director.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
Lt. Gregg Ahn, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,
Lomita Station.
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 - (1) Adjourned Regular Meeting of February 5, 2002 and (2) Regular
Meeting of February 11, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. Financial Statement for the month of January, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
d. BFI Recycling Tonnage Report for January, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
e. Approval of recommendation from the Personnel Subcommittee regarding a
position title change from Principal Planner to Planning Director.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
f. Memorandum from the Rolling Hills Community Association regarding the
selection of Director Donne Moen to serve on the City of Rolling Hills Traffic
Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
g. Consideration of approval of initiation of Proposition A fund exchange with the
City of Torrance.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
Councilmember Pernell moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the
Consent Calendar. Councilmember Hill seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - CONTINUED
ZONING CASE NO. 643.
CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO
DENY A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONVERT A
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BARN INTO A GUESTHOUSE AND REQUEST FOR A
VARIANCE TO PERMIT THE PROPOSED GUEST HOUSE TO REMAIN IN THE FRONT
YARD AREA AND TO ENCROACH INTO THE NORTHEAST SIDE YARD SETBACK
AT AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 3 JOHNS CANYON ROAD, (LOT
173 -B -MS), ROLLING HILLS, CA.
Minutes
City Council Meeting
02/25/02
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Planning Director Yolanta Schwartz presented the staff report providing background
regarding Zoning Case No. 643 and information regarding the revised plan. She indicated
that the plan depicts a revised location for a future stable and corral area as well as certain
drainage improvements to the area of the proposed conversion of a barn to a guesthouse. In
response to Councilmember Pernell, Planning Director Schwartz stated that the drainage
improvements will be reviewed by the County prior to any issuance of a building permit or
finalization of the project.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed location for a future stable and corral area, the
drainage improvements and the Planning Commission's review and ultimate denial of the
project. The question was raised as to whether the Planning Commission reviewed the project
as it is currently depicted on the revised plan. City Manager Nealis provided a brief history of
how the plan changed during the Planning Commission process and stated that the Planning
Commission essentially reviewed and denied the plan that is before the City Council this
evening except for the new location of the proposed barn and corral and recent drainage
improvements that were added to that area of the proposed guest house. He stated that at
one point in the process the Commission did review a proposed barn at the same location as it
has been revised this evening. He indicated that the new location for the proposed stable and
corral area requires a CUP for the grading component of the corral, but does not require a
Variance as did the previous proposed location. City Attorney Jenkins commented on the
policy of the City Council to remand a case back to the Planning Commission when a project
is significantly different than the plan being reviewed by the City Council.
Mayor Murdock opened the continued public hearing and called for testimony.
Mr. Russell Barto, applicant's representative, stated that the proposed changes to the plan
were made in response to concerns raised by the City Council at the field trip. He reported
that the original location for the proposed barn a corral required a Variance. He indicated that
the applicant does not have any plans to construct a barn. Mr. Barto explained how the
proposed drainage facilities would direct water off the property onto Johns Canyon Road and
into the canyon. In response to Councilmember Hill, Mr. Barto explained that an area of the
proposed guest house would be used for storage and that the garage type doors would be
removed. In response to Councilmember Pernell, Mr. Barto explained that the area in the
front of the proposed guest house would be landscaped and that a small gate would be
constructed that would prevent a vehicle from entering the area. Also in response to
Councilmember Pernell, Mr. Barto also explained that Mrs. Norris's employee would be
picking her up and dropping her off when she required the use of her limousine and that he
would be using the walkway from the main residence down to the proposed guesthouse area.
He indicated that he feels that this meets the requirement that occupancy of the proposed
guesthouse be limited to persons employed on the premises.
Discussion ensued regarding the revised location for the future barn and corral. Mayor Pro
Tem Lay commented on the required access to the proposed location. City Manager Nealis
explained how a narrow access could be attained. Councilmembers discussed the fact that the
Planning Commission had reviewed a plan depicting the proposed barn and corral in the
revised location on the plan before them and that the Commission had expressed concern
about this location. Councilmember Hill indicated that since the Planning Commission had
concerns for the location that he feels that the original location for the proposed barn and
corral in the front yard may be the better alternative. Mayor Murdock commented that she
feels that the original location for this structure may lead to questionable access to the
proposed guesthouse.
Discussion ensued regarding the Planning Commission denial of the proposed project. City
Manager Nealis explained the numerous revisions that the Planning Commission reviewed
related to this structure. He indicated that the Commission had concerns regarding the
intended use of this structure. He also explained conditions that would be included in any
resolution directed by the City Council related to this case that would include drainage
modifications.
Hearing no further public testimony or discussion, Mayor Murdock closed the public hearing
and called for a motion. Councilmember Pernell moved that the City Council uphold the
Planning Commission denial of a request for a Conditional Use Permit to convert a previously
approved barn into a guesthouse and request for a Variance to permit the proposed guest
house to remain in the front yard area and to encroach into the northeast side yard setback at
an existing single family residence at 3 Johns Canyon Road, (lot 173 -b -ms), Rolling Hills, CA
and that a resolution be prepared to include the standard findings of fact, conditions relating to
the return of the structure to a barn use and a requirement for certain drainage
improvements. Mayor Pro Tem Lay seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
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OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
None.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Murdock commented on the upcoming Older Americans Recognition Day Luncheon
Awards Ceremony and indicated that the deadline for a submittal of a nominee from Rolling
Hills is at the end of March. Councilmembers supported the nomination of Catherine
Partridge for this recognition. She also commented on the request from Senator Betty
Karnette for a nominee from Rolling Hills for a Woman of the Year from the 27t' Senate
District. She indicated that the deadline for this nomination is March 1, 2002. Councilmembers
directed that the Mayor and the City Manager put forth a name for this award.
Councilmember Pernell commented on the efforts of the Peninsula Seniors to construct a
senior center for use by all Peninsula resident senior citizens. He indicated that he has
requested more information on this subject from this organization.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
CONSIDERATION OF THE 12TH AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER'S
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.
City Attorney Mike Jenkins stated that the 12' Amendment for the City Manager's
Employment Agreement is presented for City Council consideration. Hearing no discussion,
Mayor Murdock called for a motion.
Councilmember Heinsheimer moved that the
the City Managers Employment Agreement.
which carried unanimously.
ADIOURNMENT
City Council approved the 12' amendment to
Mayor Pro Tem Lay seconded the motion,
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Murdock adjourned the meeting
at 8:20 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, March
11, 2002, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend
Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Approved,
4a=�k�
Jody urd ck
Mayor
Minutes
City Council Meeting
02/25/02
Respectfully submitted,
f . K O -A
Marilyn L. ern
Deputy City Clerk
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