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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-