11-19-19PCMinutes REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
6:30 PM
TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 19, 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 6:32 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2019 in the City Council Chamber, at City
Hall, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Cooley, Seaburn and Chelf.
Commissioners Absent: Cardenas and Kirkpatrick
Others Present: Yolanta Schwartz, Planning Director.
Meredith T. Elguira, Planning and Community Services Director
Todd Leishman, Assistant City Attorney
Yohana Coronel, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Prior to the Approval of the Agenda, the Planning Commissioners took some time to acknowledge
Yolanta Schwartz's 19 years of service to the City of Rolling Hills and they thanked her for her hard
work and dedication to the City. They bid her good luck on her future endeavors. In return, Yolanta
thanked the Commissioners for their acknowledgements.
Commissioner Cooley moved that the Planning Commission approve the agenda as presented.
Commissioner Seaburn seconded the motion, which carried without objection.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MINUTES AND ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 15, 2019, Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Cooley moved that the Planning Commission approve the minutes of the adjourned
regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on October 15, 2019 as presented. Commissioner
Seaburn seconded the motion, which carried without objection.
RESOLUTIONS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-16. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING APPROVAL
OF A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN FOUR PARCELS ALONG STORM
HILL LANE IN ZONING CASE NO 949, (STORM PROPERTIES, INC.)
Planning Director Yolanta Schwartz explained that the original Storm Hill Project approved in
2005 consisted of a four-lot subdivision. Today, one parcel is developed and three remain
vacant. A field trip to the subject site was held and subsequent to the visit, staff was directed
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to present a Resolution approving the requested lot line adjustments. The proposed lot lines
complies with the requirements of the Code which is in RAS-2 Zone. The proposed lot line
adjustments resulted in lot size adjustments but the resulting sizes are all still in compliance
with the two-acre requirement. The main purpose of the lot line adjustment is to create a
shorter road which consequently has less impact. There was a community outreach conducted
and residents' concerns were addressed at the Planning Commission Public Hearing. In
addition, residents were informed that any potential future development impacts will be
addressed as applications are reviewed and processed through the entitlement process.Lastly,
infrastructure will also be installed with the proposed development.
Chairman Chelf opened item for the public comment.
Applicant Jay Ahluwalia informed the Planning Commissioners he is available to answer any
questions; he also thanked Yolanta for her hard work.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-17. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS GRANTING A SITE PLAN
REVIEW APPROVAL FOR GRADING FOR A NEW ROAD TO SERVE
PROPERTIES ON STORM HILL LANE; AND ADOPTING A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND A MITIGTION MONITORING REPORTING
PROGRAM, (MMRP) IN ZONING CASE NO.950,(STORM PROPERTIES,INC.)
The previous approval was for 1,130 linear feet of road and the revised request was for 564
linear feet by 30 foot wide which met the requirements of LA County Building Code as well as
the Fire Department Code. The proposed road will entirely be within parcel one, as opposed
to the previously approved road that encroached into and disturbed all parcels. The proposed
graded material will be stock piled only on Lot 1. Previous approved grading would have
resulted in approximately 12,000 cubic yards; current request will result in 2,450 cubic yards
of grading to be balanced on Lot 1.
Scope of work requires: undergrounding utility lines, water line,fire hydrant and sewer lines.
The proposed road requires junction with Johns Canyon Road. The geometry of the driveway
has changed but it was reviewed and approved by the Traffic Engineer and it is to be
recommended for approval by the Traffic Safety Committee. A Mitigated Negative Declaration
was also prepared and the applicant will have to implement the mitigation measures.
Chairman Chelf opened the item for public comment.
Jay Ahluwalia available for questions.
Commissioner Seaburn moved to approve Resolution 2019-16. Commissioner Cooley seconded the
motion and motion carried by a voice vote.
Commissioner Seaburn moved to approve Resolution 2019-17 as recommended subject to approval of
the Traffic Safety Committee and adopt MND with monitoring reporting program. Commissioner
Cooley seconded the motion.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Cooley, Seaburn, and Chairman Chelf.
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None.
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Cardenas and Kirkpatrick
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
A. ZONING CASE NO. 960. Request for a Site Plan Review to construct a 1,789
square foot house addition and 324 square foot garage addition, and to attach an
existing 978 square foot guest house to the residence for a total of 7,519 square
foot residence and 1,030 square foot garage and grading of 50 cubic yards of dirt;
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and a Conditional Use permit (CUP) to construct a 799 square foot guest house
at a property located at 13 Eastfield Drive(Lot 53-EF) Rolling Hills,CA, (Birkett).
Planning Director Yolanta Schwartz explained that the Planning Commission visited 13
Eastfield; a developed lot. The applicant is requesting for approval of over 1,700 square foot
addition to the house and 324 square foot addition to the garage for a total of over 7,500 square
foot house. There is also a Conditional Use Permit request for a 799 square foot guest house.
The site is located in the RAS-1 Zone. The site received variances in years past. The site is
developed with a recreation court, pool and spa in rear and stable and corral on site. The
existing detached garage will be attached to the existing house and the existing guest house
will be connected to the residence through a proposed addition. The pool will remain and the
spa will be lowered to be flushed with the pool elevation. The highest structure elevations are
18'-2" for the house and 15'-5" for the guest house.
During the site visit Commissioner Cooley noticed the proposed addition is adjacent to a bridle
trail. The architect explained that the proposed addition will not encroach into the existing
setback established by the existing guest house and that the proposed development is in
compliance with the Code. The total structural lot coverage is 15%, lot coverage is 25.5% and
coverage of both is 29.5%. The project is exempt from CEQA.
Chairman Chelf opened the item for public comment.
Architect for applicant Michael Stroh answered questions from Cooley regarding height and placement
of the guest house. Stroh explained the guest house cave is 15.2' which is still subservient to the house.
Seaburn had no issue with the proposed project.
Commissioner Seaburn moved to approve the Resolution. Commissioner Cooley seconded the motion
and motion carried by a voice vote.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Cooley, Seaburn, and Chairman Chelf.
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None.
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Cardenas and Kirkpatrick
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None.
Chairman Chelf closed public comment.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
A. POLICY TO MEET WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ON A THRE-YEAR
FREQUENCY AND SET THE NEXT MEETING.
Yolanta Schwartz brought up a practice of Planning Commission and the City Council meeting
every few years to discuss topics of concerns for both bodies. A few dates were mentioned to
give the Planning Commissioners advance notice on when the meeting could take place. The
Planning Commissioners were advised to start thinking of topics to discuss. Meeting could
potentially take place in the month of March. Planning Commissioners preferred to have it in
early March to avoid conflict with Spring Break. Number of topics to be limited to five per
Planning Commissioner.
B. HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL
ON NOVEMBER 25, 2019.
Planning and Community Services Director Meredith Elguira informed the Planning
Commissioners that the Housing Element Update will be presented to the City Council at the
November 25,2019 meeting.The Planning Commissioners briefly discussed subject matter and
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how difficult it will be to figure out. The members asked for a copy of the staff report prior to
the Council Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
NONE.
SCHEDULE OF FIELD TRIPS
Director Meredith Elguira brought up a potential field trip for Trees and Views Committee on December
17, 2019. Commissioner Seaburn asked what the process entails and Chairman Chelf explained the
process: go on a site visit, identify view obstruction, identify whether or not there is impact, and
recommend action. Commissioner Seaburn will be out of town therefore, meeting will be postponed to
the January meeting.
A. 13 EASTFIELD
Yolanta Schwartz brought up there is only one item on the Agenda in December and that is
the Resolution for 13 Eastfield. A special meeting was scheduled for December 9, 2019 at 7:30
AM to approve the Resolution.
ITEMS FROM STAFF(ORAL)
A. UPDATE ON STORM WATER MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES DEVELOPMENT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF EQUESTRIAN USES.
Yolanta Schwartz informed the Planning Commission that the consultant is currently preparing to meet
with City organizations to go over guidelines to determine what is feasible. End product will be more
informational and not a mandate.
ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business before the Commission, Chairman Chelf adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
to an adjourned special meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled to be held on Monday,December
9,2019 beginning at 7:30 a.m.for the purpose of conducting adopting a resolution for 13 Eastfield Drive.
The special meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled to be held in Rolling Hills City Hall, 2
Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California.
Respectfully submitted,
---
Yohani
l'oconel
City Clqtk
Approved,
Br* Chelf
airman
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