7/8/2002MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
JULY 8, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Lay at 7:32 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Heinsheimer, Murdock, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Hill and
Mayor Lay.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: Craig Nealis, City Manager.
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Marilyn Kern, Deputy City Clerk.
Captain Jay Zuanich, LASD, 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 - Regular Meeting of June 24, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
C. Southern California Gas Company Notice to Customers of Proposed Rate
Increase, Application No. 02-06-035 filed with the Public Utilities Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file.
Mayor Pro Tem Hill moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the Consent
Calendar. Councilmember Murdock seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ZONING CASE NO. 648
REQUEST FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW TO PERMIT ADDITIONS TO AN EXISTING
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
CONSTRUCT A DETACHED GARAGE, REQUEST FOR VARIANCES TO EXCEED THE
MAXIMUM PERMITTED DISTURBED AREA OF THE LOT AND TO CONSTRUCT A
DETACHED GARAGE IN THE FRONT YARD AREA OF THE LOT, AT 1 JOHNS
CANYON ROAD, (LOT 174 -C -MS), ROLLING HILLS, CA. (HOFMAN)
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing background regarding Zoning Case
No. 648, outlining concerns raised at the last meeting pertaining to the existing tennis court
lights, and information regarding the City Attorney's determination that the provisions of the
City's existing Outdoor Lighting Standards apply in this situation. City Manager Nealis stated
that the applicant has provided a written statement that he will comply with the Outdoor
Lighting Ordinance and that the existing lights will be electronically deactivated.
Councilmember Heinsheimer stated that he will abstain from consideration of this Zoning
Case due to the proximity of the subject property to his residence.
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Mayor Lay opened the public hearing and called for testimony. Councilmember Pernell
commented on the City Attorney's determination and moved that the City Council adopt
Resolution No. 919, approving the case. Mayor Pro Tem Hill seconded the motion.
In response to Councilmember Murdock, City Manager Nealis explained that Condition AD in
Resolution No. 919 states that the property owner shall be required to conform to the City of
Rolling Hills Outdoor Lighting Standards Ordinance, (Ordinance No. 287). City Manager
Nealis explained that if the applicant does not comply with the Ordinance, that it would then
become a code enforcement matter. In response to Mayor Lay, City Attorney Jenkins stated
that the Ordinance states that exterior lighting may be deactivated, removed or otherwise
brought into conformance.
Councilmember Murdock expressed concern regarding deactivation of the existing lights, and
requested that the tennis court light fixtures be required to be removed, and suggested that
the motion be amended to strengthen this requirement. Discussion ensued regarding the
suggested amendment to the motion. Councilmember Pernell commented on the property
owner's letter stating that he has agreed to deactivate the tennis court lights, and expressed a
level of comfort with this level of light deactivation.
Mr. Craig Hofman, applicant, commented on his letter indicating that he is willing to comply
with the Lighting Ordinance and stated that removal of the light fixtures would require a lot of
expense. He stated that the lights have not been utilized within the last two years. He stated
that the Ordinance provides for the opportunity for deactivation and that he would not want
to be singled out as the only person to have to remove light fixtures to be in compliance.
Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Lay commented on the amendment to the motion put
forth by Councilmember Murdock and indicated that it died for lack of a second. He closed
the public hearing and called for consideration of Resolution No. 919 which was approved by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmember Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Hill and Mayor Lay.
NOES: Councilmember Murdock.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Heinsheimer.
City Manager Nealis stated that if the lights are ever reactivated, that it would become a code
enforcement issue.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
There being no objection, the City Council Committee Assignments were approved as
presented.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF REPORT REGARDING SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2002-1 SUPPORTING THE
PRESERVATION OF THE PORTUGUESE BEND NATURE PRESERVE AND THE
EFFORTS OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AND PALOS VERDES LAND
CONSERVANCY TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY
INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE MONIES.
Mayor Lay indicated that he requested that this item be placed on the agenda for
consideration by the City Council. He reported that the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments had asked its member cities to support Rancho Palos Verdes' and the Palos
Verdes Land Conservancy's efforts to obtain funding for the purchase of the subject property.
He explained the boundaries of the land area and that a portion is immediately adjacent to
Rolling Hills. He asked that the City Council support these efforts and authorize staff to
prepare correspondence to the appropriate agencies indicating their support. Councilmember
Pernell expressed support for this proposal.
Dr. Jim Scharffenberger, representing the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, provided a brief
history of the Conservancy and their previous land acquisitions. He provided a map which
depicted the property proposed to be purchased. He explained the funding that is required
and plans to use this land as a public nature/education preserve.
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Mayor Lay requested that the Conservancy provide staff with the appropriate agencies that
the City should send correspondence to in support of obtaining funding for the land
acquisition. He also asked that the Conservancy keep the City apprised of their efforts.
Hearing no further discussion or objection, Mayor Lay requested that staff prepare letters for
his signature to the appropriate agencies supporting the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the
Palos Verdes Land Conservancy efforts to obtain funding for the purchase of property in
Rancho Palos Verdes to be maintained as a nature preserve.
OPEN AGENDA - APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
None.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
None.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Lay adjourned the meeting at
7:54 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, July 22, 2002,
beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road,
Rolling Hills, California.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn L. Kern
Deputy City Clerk
Approved,
Allen Lay V
Mayor
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