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02-09-15FT.pdf . .,. . . . ,.. . ..,. .........W � MINUTES ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF ROLLING HILL$ FEBRUARY 9, 2015 PRESENT: Mayoz�Pz�o-tem Pieper, Councilmembers Black, Hill and Dieringer Patrick Wilson,resident James Aichele, resident Leah Mirsch,resident Lisa Naslund, LA County Grading and Drainage Engineer Kit Bagnell, LA County District Engineer Zaim Khayat, LA County Grading and Drainage Eng�it�eering Supervisor Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director Raymond Cruz, City Manager Nick Tansich, applicant Ross Balton, Bolton Engineering Doug Morris, contractor FIELD TRiP TO THE FOLLOWING SITE: Mayor Pro-Tem Pieper called the rneeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Mayor Lay was excused. He visited the site witti staff previously. ZONING CASE NO. 862, Request for modificatians to a previous�y approved pro�ect consisting of a Site Plan Review for additional grading, Variances to exceed the maximum permitted disturbance of the �ot 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, (Lat 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). -� Planning Directar Schwartz stated that this is a case that was taken under jurisdiction by the City Council after the Planning Commission a�proved the project and that the field trip is a public hearing. She reviewed the requests �involving the structures which include: adding two additional co�ered porches, reducing the size af the swimming poal, depressing the wine cellar, depressing the garage and driveway by 2 feet, constructing longer tlzan previously required not to exceed 3' high retaining walls along the driveway, constructing a 48 �quare foot electrical raom under the porch outside the foo#print of the basement, constructing steps from the upper level just east of the covered deck to a light we11 landing for access to the electricai room and basement, relocating the sezvice yard and swapping the set aside area for the fitture sta.ble and corral with the area wl�ere the septic tank is to be located. She further reviewed the request involving grading which included: adjusting the grade of the driveway by 2 ft., additional grading of the slope behind the garage, re-grading the south side behind the residence to create a flat area around the house and re-grading the rear slope to 1.5:1 grade. Counci2members asked to review the grading af the lower slope behind the residence first and walked to the rear of the praperty. Ross Bolton explained the proposed method of grading. In response to Councilmember Black Lisa Nas�und and Kit Bagnell, County engineers, responded that it looks like the siope was greater than 2:1 and that the proposed grading is possibie, but that it would have to be reviewed by the Geotechnical and Materiais Engineering Division (GMED}. They also stated that in order to grade a 2:1 slope the toe of slope would have to extend further down tawards Outrider Road. Discussion ensued regarding the location of the septic tank and the necessity for a flat area for the septic tank. Mr. Tonsich xespanded that access is needed to the septic tank and the location was approved by the Heal�th Department. Mr. Tansich also stated that it was determined by his geotechmical consultant that the northern most area of the lower lot has a high water table and is not desirable for locat�ng a septic tank and pits. Councilmember Dieringer stated that she would like to see proo�that the septic tank was approved. Members of the City Councii indicated that they would like to see a gentler s�ope, even if it meant grading furtl�er out towards Dutrider. � AIl present then walked aver to the proposed electrical room and the staairs leading to the electrical room from the house level. CouncilmEmber Dieringer noted tl�at by proposing the sta.irs the applicant is Minutes-Adjourned City Council Meeting(Field Trip) 02/09/15 -�- bumping out the construction another 3 to 4 feet beyond what was previously approved and questioned th� need of the stairs. Mr. Tonsich stated that in order to access the electricaf room the stairs are necessary and that the stairs wi11 alsa serve as access to tlie basement light well, which is is more desirous and safer than a closed off light well with a ladder leading out of i�. Council members discussed the locarion of the proposed electrical room and questioned why it has to be in this location. The applicant sta�ed that the Edison Company requested that access to the electrical room be outside the residence and that there is no other area to locate the equipment. Councilmembers then �iewed the excavated 252 square feet of the basement which was graded 3-feet deeper than previously approved for a wine cellar. Mr. Morris explained that due to the location of the bedrock, which was lower than other areas of the basement he was able to take advantage of the depth to create a depressed wine cellar. He also stated that the £oundahon and footings were reviewed and approved by soils and geotechnical consultants when the basement was constructed. Everyone present then walked to the side of the house where grading is proposed to create a walkway around the residence and so that access can be gained to the covered porch. 3' to 5' high retaining wall would be required, Planning Director Schwartz stated that a 3' high wall and a partial walkway were previously approved in the setback. Counci�member Black commented that he thinks a higher than 5' high wall would be required to catch the slope below at #he south eastern corner of the house and the Council members requested that the applicant show how he plans to grade this area out with a wall that would not exceed 5'. Everyone present then walked to the front of the house and viewed the area of the proposed swimming pool and grading above the garage. Planning Director Schwartz stated that due to the additional structural elements propased (porches), the applicant proposes to decrease the previously approved swimming pool to 458 square feet so that the structural coverage of the lat would not exceed 20%. Planning Director Schwartz stated that additional area wauld have to be graded above the garage if the garage and driveway were allowed to be lowered by 2 feet. The grading of the area direct�y above the garage is necessary so that the previously approved 5' retaining wall along the front of the residential building pad would remain at 5' and not be higher when the garage is lowered. Councilmember Dieringer questioned the steepness of the slape above the garage and Councilmembers stated �hat that slope must not be higner than 2:1 in grade when completed. Ross Bolton stated that the grading would result in a 2:1 slope. Planning Director Schwartz sta.ted that the app�icant proposes two additior�al covered porches. A 75 square foot covered porch adjacent to the entryway and 57 square foot covered porch between the entryway and the garage. Mr. Tonsich stated that the porches were always part of�he project and were shown on architectural plans but were omitted from calculations and Planning Commissian pians. Planning Director Schwartz explained that the applicant proposes to lower the garage by two feet, which will necessitate lowering the dtiveway as well, Leah Mirsch expressed concern with the propased s�eeper dri�eway 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 and/or City Council may, without a Variance, approve steeper driveways. She also stated that the Fire Department will have to review the driveway. There being no further discussion the public hearing was continued ta the evening meeting. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business before the City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem Pieper adjourned the �neeting at 8:55 a.m., to a regular meeting of the City Council to be held on Manday, Febzuary 9, 2015 beginning at 7:30 P.M., at City Ha11, Rol�ing Hills California. Respectfully submitted by: 4 Yolan chwartz, lanning irector Approved: B. Allen Lay,Mayor Minutes-Adjourned City Council Meeting(Field Trip) 02/04/15 -2-