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.
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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
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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
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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:
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Y anta Schwartz
a nning Director
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i/i �-�f,� ,;� r
rad Chelf, Chairman Date
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