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