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12-16-14 FT.pdfMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 16, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Chelf, Commissioners Smith, Mirsch, Gray and Kirkpatrick, Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director Raymond Cruz, City Manager ALSO PRESENT FOR THE PROPERTIES VISITED WERE: Mr. and Mrs. Delgado, applicants Russ Barto, Architect Eddy Delgado, applicants' representative Howard Cohn, applicants' attorney Dimitri Bizoumis, neighbor (left early) Dan Bolton, Bolton Engineering Roger North, Architect Dave Palacios, Contractor FIELD TRIPS A. ZONING CASE NO. 867. Request for a Site Plan Review and Variance to construct a 514 square foot garage attached to the main residence by a 170 square foot breezeway, which when added to a recent administrative approval of 887 square foot addition, exceeds the scope permitted to be administratively approved within a 3 -year period; to construct 3,021 square feet above grade decks and to exceed the maximum permitted out of grade configuration of the garage at 1 Pine Tree Lane, Rolling Hills, CA, Lot 102-RH, (Delgado). It has been determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Chairman Chelf called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. at 1 Pine Tree Lane. Planning Director Schwartz gave a brief overview of the project and stated that the request is for a Site Plan Review for over 1,400 square foot addition of which 887 square feet was approved over-the-counter and for the above grade decks. However, the additional square footage of the garage triggered the Site Plan Review for the residence. A Variance is also required due to the proposed out of grade conditions of the garage and the walls, which do not average out to 21/2 feet in height. Planning Director Schwartz also stated that there exist an out of grade condition along the rear of the house already; that a service yard is proposed; that the existing gazebo requires a building permit and that a stable and corral exists on the property. Minutes l Adjourned Regular Meeting Commissioners viewed and discussed the elevation of the proposed garage and walked around the residence. Russ Barto, architect, explained the proposed planter walls and their height. He stated that the planter wall would be constructed along the rear of the garage and along the proposed out of grade deck and that with planters in between the wall and the deck the out of grade look will be softened and camouflaged. In response to Commissioner Mirsch, the architect stated that the roof will be raised as is shown by the flags. The Commissioners observed and commented that the majority of the existing house and decks are substantially out of grade. Planning Director Schwartz noted that a neighbor from 30 Portuguese Bend Road was present at the beginning of the field trip meeting, but that he left without addressing the Commission. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. B. ZONING CASE NO. 852, SUBDIVISION NO. 93, VESTING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 72232, a request to subdivide an existing lot totaling 7.051 acres gross into 2 parcels as follows: Parcel 1: 2.40 acres gross, 1.96 acres net; Parcel 2: 4.64 acres gross, 3.71 acres net. The property is currently vacant and is addressed as 80 Saddleback Road (Lot 67-RH), in the RA -S-1 Zone, Residential Agricultural -Suburban 1 -Acre minimum net lot area, to be implemented by Mr. Jerry Turpanjian. It has been determined that this project with mitigation measures will not have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION has been prepared. Planning Director Schwartz provided background information on the applicant's request for a subdivision at 80 Saddleback Road. She stated that the applicant is proposing to subdivide the lot into two lots - Lot 1 will be 2.4 acres gross/1.96 acres net and Lot 2 will be 4 acres gross/3.71 acres net. She stated that the project is in RAS -1 zone and meets the requirement for lot size and all other design standards prescribed by the Subdivision Ordinance. She noted that the lot is abutted by other single family residences in Rolling Hills, a Nature Preserve located in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the City's riding ring and that the usually dry creek that runs along the bottom of Georgeff Canyon in the preserve is a blue line stream. She stated that the applicant proposes to close off the current common driveway and construct two new driveways to each of the lots, and that an access to the stable on lot 2 is proposed from Saddleback. She further stated that the Traffic Commission reviewed the driveway approaches and was concerned with the stable access on lot 2 and that an initial environmental study has been prepared and it was found that the project would not cause environmental impact with the exception of possible biological resources and habitat impact. She stated that a biological study was prepared and received by the City after the Planning Commission packets were prepared and that the study found two small areas of sensitive vegetation on the lot, which will be required to remain or be Minutes 2 Adjourned Regular Meeting relocated; and due to the presence of the Nature Preserve in the vicinity of the subject lot, the study found that there is a potential for nesting of gnatcatcher bird, which is a protected species. The biologist recommends that further studies be performed prior to grading to determine if a gnatcatcher habitat is present. Dan Bolton, Bolton Engineering addressed the Planning Commission stating that the project as currently proposed is a scaled down version of a previously contemplated project that proposed three lots and the current proposal reflects the applicant's desire to maintain the feel of the other properties along Saddleback Road. He also stated that he would provide an alternate access to the stable on lot 2. Following brief discussion, the members of the Planning Commission determined that due to inclement weather a walk through the property is not advisable and the Planning Commission continued the hearing to the evening Planning Commission meeting to schedule a field trip and obtain public input. There being no other business before the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing to the evening Planning Commission meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. Respectfully submitted by: Yola* Schwartz Plai&g Director Approved", r el, C Date Minutes 3 Adjourned Regular Meeting