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06-18-19PCMinutes.pdf REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF ROLLING HILLS 6:30 PM TUESDAY,JUNE 18,2019 ROLLING HILLS CITY HALL 2 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD, ROLLING HILLS,CA 90274 CALL MEETING TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills was called to order by Chairman Chelf at 6:41 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in the City Council Chamber, at City Hall, 2 Porluguese Bend Road,Rolling Hills,California. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Cardenas, Kirkpatrick, Seaburn and Chairman Chelf. Commissioners Absent: Cooley (excused). Others Present: Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director. Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney. Karla Rangel,Administrative Clerk. Criss Gunderson, Architect. Dr. and Mrs. Weinstein, 17 Middleridge Lane S. Mrs. Keng, 6 Middleridge Lane S. Mr. Joly, 10 Middleridge Lane S. Mrs.Becker, 5 Middleridge Lane S. Mr. Cheng 7 Middleridge Lane S. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Approved aspresented. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MINUTES AND ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. RESOLUTIONS ZONING CASE NO. 953. 13 PORTUGUESE BEND ROAD, (LOT 77-RH) (CARDENAS). Chair Chelf stated that due to lack of quorum this case is continued to the June 25, 2019 Adjourned Planning Commission meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING ZONING CASE NO. 956. Request for a Site Plan Review for grading of 6,790 cubic yards of cut and 5,955 cubic yards of fill with 835 cubic yards of export of dirt and construction of a new 6,201 square foot residence with 880 square foot garage and 1,222 square foot covered porches, 3,000 square foot basement and 1,172 square foot swimming pool with a spa and other miscellaneous outdoor amenities; a Conditional Use Permit to construct an S00 square foot guesthouse; and Variances for a driveway that covers more than 20% of the front yard setback area and to exceed the maximum 40% permitted disturbance of the lot in Zoning Minutes 3 Planning Commission Meeting 06-18-19 Case No. 956 at 8 Middleridge Lane South (Lot 254-UR), Rolling Hills,CA (Zhang). Chairman Chelf introduced the item and asked for staff s comments. Planning Director Schwartz gave an overview of the proposed project, which is to construct a residence with a garage, pool, guesthouse and future stable on a vacant lot. She stated that since the previous meeting the applicant revised some elements of the application. She stated that at the morning field trip the architect detailed the changes, which include lowering of the pad by 6' since the first proposal, reduction of the size of the residence by 72 sq.ft. reduction in covered porches by 478 sq.ft. with a total reduction in surface of the roof by 784 sq. ft.,, house moved away from northerly neighbor by about 10', adjustment in driveway to comply with harnmerhead turnaround requirements, and omitted S-W light well. Chairman Chelf called for public comment. Mr. Gunderson, Architect on the property, stated that he and the property owners took the neighbors' and the Commissioners comments into consideration and thus decreased the foot print of the house and made other adjustments. He requested that the Planning Commission consider allowing them to add a foot to the pad, since at the level it is now, the property owners' view would be impacted. He stated that the neighbor from 10 Middleridge Lane South would not have his view negatively impacted. He stated that adding a foot would also balance the cut and fill, which would prevent the need to run trucks up and down Middleridge and out of Rolling Hills. Neighbors from 5, 6, 7, 10, and 17 Middleridge Lane South expressed their gratitude to the Architect and property owner for working towards meeting in the middle, and thanked the Planning Commission for making the decision process fair and open. They stated that although they appreciate the decrease in the foot print of the structure they still don't feel it has been decreased enough to match the rest of the homes on Middleridge Lane South. They stated that the proposed home is too large for the buildable land on the lot. They expressed their desire for the Planning Commission not to grant the applicants' request to increase the pad by 1-foot. They stated their concern of the large house compromising the rural community feel of the City. They stated that they would like the garage moved to the other side of the property in order to maintain the rural feel of the street. Mr. Gunderson, explained that he cannot move the garage, because the Traffic Commission and the Fire Department rules would not allow for a different driveway configuration. He stated that moving the garage would also not be feasible from a functionality standpoint, because the kitchen and family room would be on the opposite side of the house. Commissioner Cardenas stated that at the last meeting he was the one most opposed to the project. He commented that although he doesn't agree with the Traffic Commission's decision on the driveway, it is not in the Planning Commission's purview to comment on their findings. He acknowledged that proposed properties need to be in line with nearby properties and should have a symbiotic relationship to the homes around them, the lot, and the natural landscape. He stated that it wasn't until today when viewing the property in question, from Mr. Joly's property that he was able to see how much the massing has decreased. He commented that he is conf'ident that whatever structure is built there will be esthetically pleasing. He stated that Mr. Joly will be the neighbor most affected, because his view from his front entrance will no longer be of a rural lot, but of a lot with a home on it. He commented that because the Architect, reduced the size, the height, and worked with the constraints that he was given, that he is now ready to sign off onthe project. Commissioner Kirkpatrick commented that he wasn't at the last rneeting, but he was at the first meeting. He complimented everyone involved, the Architect, the owners, and the residents for compromising during this process. He commented that he doesn't feel moving the location of the garage will resolve the issue, because if it were moved something else will be in its place. He stated that the structures fit on the lot. He commented that the Planning Commission can't argue the Traffic Commission's findings. He stated that changing even one item on the project would change everything else. He stated that this is the product of the compromise. He commented that the proj ect falls within the guidelines for structure mass in relation to lot size.He stated that he is ready to sign off on the proj ect. Minutes 4 Planning Commission Meeting 06-18-19 Commissioner Seaburn commended everyone involved for being so cordial to one another during the entire process. He commented that everyone's request and concerns were reasonable and stated that the Architect did a great job at compromising with the neighbors, by adjusting the property fairly. He stated that as a Planning Commissioners there are rules that must be followed and findings that must be found, so there is conformity when deciding on other cases. He commented that what they are asking to build fits within the findings and it conforms to the community per the general plan. He stated that the proposed structures fit the lot per the rules. He stated that he is ready to sign off on the project, because it meets the required findings, criteria,and conditional use permit. Chair Chelf concurred with all of the Commissioners' comments. He commented that if the garage was tv be moved then that would create an elevation issue which would mean that the house would have to be raised back up. He commended the Architect for listening to the Planning Commission's comments and adjusting the plan. He stated that the Planning Commission would not grant the requested 1-foot increase, but it was clarified that the applicants are within their rights to resubmit if they would like to. Following public comment and discussion, Commissioner Seaburn moved that the Planning Commission direct staff to prepare a Resolution granting approval of the applicant's request in Zoning Case 956 at 8 Middleridge Lane South as proposed. Commissioner Caxdenas seconded the motion,which carried without objection(Cooley absent). NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS None. NEW BUSINES_S None. OLD BUSINES S None. SCHEDULED OF FIELD TRIPS_�Jul�� 16, 2019) The Planning Commission scheduled a field trip to the following property to be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 beginning at 7:30 a.m. 3 Roundup ITEMS FROM STAFF None. ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMNIISSION None. Minutes 5 Planning Commission Meeting 06-18-19 ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business before the Planning Commission, Chairman Chelf adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. to regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Rolling Hills City Hall; 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California. Respectfully Submitted, ; ; " �~.. 'ty C erk---�. . .. �_----- Approved, � i n � � , '`] � . ,:'i�`= ' ._ Bra��Chelf Chairman l� Minutes 6 Planning Commission Meeting 06-18-19