10/13/2003 MINUTES OF
A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 13, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Mayor
Hill at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling
Hills,California.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Black, Lay, Pernell, Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer and Mayor
Hill.
Councilmembers Absent: None.
Others Present: � Craig Nealis, City Manager. �
Mike Jenkins, City Attorney.
Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Marilyn 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 - Meeting of September 22, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
b. Payment of Bills.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as presented.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City Council approve the recommendations in the
Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION ITEMS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF AN ADDITION AND REQUEST FOR VARIANCES TO EXCEED THE MA)QMUM
PERNIITTED STRUCTURAL LOT COVERAGE AND TO EXCEED TI� MA)QMUM
PERMITTED TOTAL LOT COVERAGE AT AN EXISTING SINGLE FANIlLY
RESIDENCE AT 15 EAS'TIFELD DRIVE (LOT 52-EF), IN ZONING CASE NO. 664
(GORDON).
City Manager Nealis presented the staff report outlining the applicants' request and providing
background regarding the property and the Planning Commission's review and approval of
the case. Mayor Hill opened the public hearing and called for testimony.
i
� Mr. Errol Gordon, applicant, provided information regarding the Planning Commission's
review of the proposed development on his property and the reductions to the proposal that
occurred during the Commission review process. He provided information about previous
improvements to his property and indicated that the improvements to his property are
equestrian related. He stated that the tennis court on his property is well screened and not
visible from the roadway or other properties. He referred the City Council to the letter he
had provided to the Planning Commission explaining the existing circumstances that he feels
contribute to the difficulty in developing his property. He explained that when he purchased
the property that the coverage requirements were not as stringent as they are today and the
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interpretation of coverage was different. Mr. Gordon indicated that he feels that the proposed
improvements to his property are minimal and are comparable and in keeping with other
homes in the area. He expressed that the proposal represents a compromise compared to his
original request.
Mr. Gordon commented on letters that had been received from Mr. George Farinsky, 13
Eastfield Drive, expressing concerns about his proposed development. He stated that he had
addressed all of the concerns raised by Mr. Farinsky during the Planning Commission's
review of his proposed development and that the Commission had recommended approval of
the improvements to his property.
Mrs. Joeann Gordon, applicant, commented on letters that had been received from Mr.
Farinsky and indicated that she is very involved with the equestrian community in Rolling
Hills. She expressed concern about an easement that is between her property and the
Farinskys and the use of this easement as an equestrian trail. In response to Mayor Hill, Mrs.
Gordon explained that she has tried to address the concerns with the Farinskys.
Councilmember Black suggested that Mrs. Gordon contact the Rolling Hills Community
Association regarding the clearing of the easement between her property and the Farinskys.
Mayor Hill commented on the Community Association's new policy regarding easements.
Councilmember Pernell commented on the concern about the request for Variances to further
exceed the maximum permitted structural lot coverage and maximum permitted total lot
coverage and explained that the City Council would like to take a look at their property.
Hearing no further testimony or discussion, Mayor Hill continued the public hearing to
Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 7:30 a.m. for the purpose of conducting a field review at the
subject property.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 945: GRANTING A REQUEST FOR A SECOND ONE-YEAR TIME
EXTENSION TO SUBDIVIDE TWO EXISTING LOTS TOTALING 67.64 ACRES INTO 4
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS. WESTERN BRASS DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION, LOTS 169-A-MS & 169-B-MS, AND GENERALLY KNOWN AS 4
STORM HILL LANE. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAI' NO. 26356 IN ZONING CASE NO.
615, SUBDIVISION NO. 89.
Mayor Pro Tem Heinsheimer announced that he would abstain from consideration of
Resolution No. 945 due to the proximity of his property to the subject property. City
Manager Nealis presented the staff report providing information regarding the proposed
subdivision and the applicant's request for a second one year time extension to complete their
tentative map requirements. Hearing no discussion, Mayor Hill called for a motion.
Councilmember Lay moved that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 945. Councilmember
Black seconded the motion,which carried unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA-APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC COMMENT WELCOME
Mayor Hill introduced Scott Breitenstein, 5 Acacia Road, and indicated that Scott is in
attendance as a requirement for a scouting merit badge.
MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Black commented on a recent article in the City Manager's Weekly
Memorandum regarding the Vehicle License Fees and questioned if the City Council had
taken a formal position on the proposed repeal of Vehicle License Fee. Mayor Hill and the
City Manager expressed that the City Council has not taken a position one way or another on
this subject.
Councilmember Lay thanked the City Council and staff for recognition of his birthday and for
concerns expressed over his recent surgery.
Mayor Hill reported that he and Mayor Pro Tem Heinshiemer attended a recent
Neighborhood meeting and that the extra traffic enforcement was applauded.
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MATTERS FROM STAFF
City Manager Nealis reported that he had received a memorandum from the RHCA Manager
requesting to use the City Council Chambers for Candidates Nights in January, 2004. He
indicated that he would approve this request unless objections were expressed. No objections
were expressed.
MATTERS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
At 8:05 p.m., the City Council conducted a closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
T'he City Council finds, based on advice from legal counsel, that discussion in open
session will prejudice the position of the local agency in the litigation.
Existing Litigation:
G.C. 54956.9(a)
Judith Hassoldt and William Hassoldt, Individuals, Plaintiffs, vs City of Rolling Hills, et.
al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC275012.
Existing Litigation: �
G.G 54956.9(a)
Silver Sage Partners, Ltd. v. City of Desert Hot Springs and PERMA as Garnishee.
At 8:13 p.m., City Attorney Jenkins reported that the City Council discussed the case entitled
PERMA vs. the City of Palm Springs, et. al. and that the City Council, in closed session,
directed that the City Attorney file a response on behalf of the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Hill adjourned the meeting at 8:15 �
p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Tuesday, October 21,
2003, beginning at 7:30 a.m. for the purpose on conducting a field review at 15 Eastfield Drive,
Rolling Hills,California.
Respectfully submitted,
�1n.�C.,.yJ �1 �I1/�Civ�J
Marilyn Ker
Deputy City Clerk
Approved,
�
Frank E. Hill
Mayor
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