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10-21-14 FT MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 21, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Chelf, Commissioners Smith, Mirsch and Kirkpatrick, Commissioner Gray was excused Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director Raymond Cruz, City Manager ALSO PRESENT FOR THE VARIOUS PROPERTIES VISITED WERE: Nicholas Tonsich, Applicant Douglas Moare, Contractor Ross Bolton, Bolton Engineering Tavisha Nichols, Bolton Engineering Mr. and Mrs. Baer, residents Mr. and Mrs. Brown, applicants Olympia Pilafidis Fisk, Architect Gregory Noel, resident Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs, residents Verna Balch, resident Dan Rentch, Architect Jennifer Wu, Architect FIELD TRIPS A. ZONING CASE NO. 862, Request for modifications to a previously approved project consisting of a Site Plan Review for additional grading, Variances to exceed the maximum permitted disturbance of the lot and to reconstruct slopes that would be steeper than the maximum permitted and request for other various modifications to the residence, garage and driveway in Zoning Case No. 862 at 40 Eastfield Drive, (Lot 91-EF), Rolling Hills, CA, (Tonsich). ). 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 40 Eastfield. Planning Director Schwartz gave a brief overview of the project and stated that the Planning Commission visited the site in September and requested a more accurate staking and depiction of the stairs, porches, walls, trash enclosure, elevation of the entry to the residence in relationship to the proposed lowered garage and of the fill slope against the basement walls. She reviewed the request for lowering of the driveway and the garage floor by two feet. Minutes 1 Adjourned Regular Meeting Commissioner Mirsch expressed concern with the proposed steeper driveway and in response Ms. Schwartz stated that the code calls for up to 12% slopes for driveways, with some exceptions, and that the Planning Commission may, without a Variance, approve steeper driveways. Planning Director Schwartz then explained that the applicant is proposing to relocate the trash enclosure to the front of the garage along the driveway, as requested by the neighbors at 38 Eastfield Drive. She also stated that the applicant proposes to reduce the size of the swimming pool to 458 square feet in order to keep the structural coverage of the lot at or below 20%, and that the pool deck will be enlarged. Commissioners viewed and discussed the elevation of the house in relationship to the proposed elevation of the garage and the two proposed porches. In response to Commissioner Kirkpatrick, Mr. Tonsich responded that the staircase to the electrical room outside the basement would start at the landing of the porch on the corner of the house. The Commissioners then viewed the proposed stairs to the lower level and the electrical room, as well as the on grade stairs leading to the lower level from the light well. Commissioners expressed concern with the staircase to the lower level of the lot. Doug Morris explained the staking of the back fill and the grading of the slope to the level above the light well walls. He stated that the light well walls and the basement walls would not exceed 5' in height from the finished grade of the slope behind it. The Commissioners then viewed the proposed wall in the side setback and it was explained that he area in front of the wall would be flattened and that there will be access from that walkway onto the loggia to allow access around the house. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. B. ZONING CASE NO. 866. Request for a Site Plan Review and Variance to construct a 60 square foot addition and 98 square foot covered parch at an existing residence, which would encroach into the front setback and construct above grade decks and outdoor amenities including childreri s pool, spa, pool equipment area, water fall and related stairs at 4 Hackamore Road, Rolling Hills, CA, Lot 26-EF, (Brown). It has been determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Planning Director Schwartz provided background information on the request and pointed out the proposed additions in the front of the residence, which would encroach into the front yard setback. She stated that 80% of the existing residence and garage are Minutes 2 Adjourned Regular Meeting located in the front yard setback, between 10 to 12 feet from the roadway easement. She then pointed out the proposed addition in the rear, which does not require a discretionary approval. She described the proposed decks between the residence and the swimming pool pad and stated that an area for a future stable and corral exists on the property in the rear of the swimming pool. The architect explained the proposed decks and their transitions from the residential building pad to the swimming pool pad and explained that they would be 4'4" to 5' above the ground level, which requires Planning Commission approval. Commissioner Mirsch noted that the service yard is not enclosed and that if the project is approved, a condition should be added that the service yard be enclosed. Mr. Noel asked the Commission to review the front additions and stated that the encroachment of the open porch is very close to the roadway easement line. He stated that such projection is not compatible with the other homes on the street. The architect stated that a large portion of the existing hardscape in front of the house would be removed and landscaped and that the entire front will be softened with landscaping. Planning Director Schwartz stated that any work in the roadway easement would have to be reviewed and approved by the RHCA. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. C. ZONING CASE NO. 858-REVISED. Request for a Site Plan Review for grading of 2,344 cubic yards of cut and 1,900 cubic yards of fill to construct a new 12,927 square foot single family residence, 1,349 square foot garage 4,639 square foot basement, 1,206 square foot swimming pool and other miscellaneous outdoor amenities including 2,836 square feet of water features, barbeque areas and fire places, at S Crest Road East, (Lot 192-A-2-MS), Rolling Hills, CA, (Tu). It has been determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). For this portion of the meeting Commissioner Mirsch was recused. Planning Director Schwartz provided background information on the request and described the changes made since the last meeting including eliminating the previously proposed atriums, moving the residence 8 feet further towards the side (easterly direction), and between 3-20 feet in northerly direction, except that the portion of the house located in front of the guest house is proposed to be moved between 10-30 feet closer to the guest house. She stated that grading will be reduced by 1,162 cubic yards and the building pad will remain as is and it will not be graded out, as previously proposed and that this would allow several of the large trees to remain on site. The applicants also propose to enlarge the basement and export some of the dirt from the basement rather than fill the existing slopes. She stated that the ridgeline of the residence is proposed to be raised by 3 feet. The architect further explained the project Minutes 3 Adjoumed Regular Meeting and the ridgeline and the Commissioners walked around the project. Commissioner Smith commented on the large pool and water features and stated that she is concerned with the sustainability of such large water elements. Chairman Chelf and Commissioner Kirkpatrick complemented the architects on utilizing the existing building pad for the development and retaining several of the large trees. Following brief discussion of the project and claritications by the architect, Planning Commission continued the hearing to the evening Planning Commission evening meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued to the evening meeting. Res�ectfully submitted by: ,�. � Y anta Schwartz a nning Director � � r APprove�: /�: _.,! i/i �-�f,� ,;� r rad Chelf, Chairman Date Minutes 4 Adjoumed Regular Meeting