6/4/1979MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS
June 4, 1979.
229.
A joint.meeting of the Rolling Hills City Council and Planning
Commission was called to order by Mayor pro tempore'Crocker at the
Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, California at 7:30 PM
Monday, June 4, 1979.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Pernel1, Rose
Commissioners Field, Hanscom, Roberts, Watts
Chairman Murdock
ABSENT: Mayor Swanson
William Kinley City Attorney
ALSO PRESENT: Teena Clifton City Manager.
June Cunningham Deputy City Clerk
CO PROPOSED ZONE CHANGE, RAS -1 TO RAS -2 10
O
Q Mayor Crocker opened discussion of a proposal to change the RAS -1
Q zone in Rolling Hills to RAS -2, and he asked Planning Commission Chair-
man Murdock to speak to the Council on the study of the matter conducted
by the Planning Commission and the hearings in connection with the pro-
posal.
Chairman Murdock said the study by the Planning Commission was
based on density, roads and lot design, but residents who attended the
public hearings indicated by their comments that they felt there was an
attempt by the legislative bodies to manipulate the zoning, and in effect
confiscate the property of residents in the one acre zone who appeared
to have sufficient property to qualify for subdivision under existing.
regulations. She said the greatest opposition was expressed by residents
from the Eastfield area, but the feeling was shared by residents who were
not directly affected by the proposed zone change, and who were -present
at the meetings.because of other business before the Planning Commission.
It was Chairman Murdock's recommendation that the City Council hold
additional hearings in the matter, and make every attempt to publicize
the hearings by written explanations, and possibly in neighborhood
meetings.
Commissioner Watts reviewed his notes of the hearings and the com-
ments of residents who attended, and he agreed with Chairman Murdock
that most of the residents who attended expressed their feeling that
property owners should be permitted to make the best use of their land
within the existing zoning, and they didn't wish to have the zoning
made more restrictive. Commissioner Field said there were very few
lots which could be subdivided if the existing regulations were applied,
and although most of the objections were expressed by residents of East-
field, there appeared to be more possibility of subdividing properties
in the Saddleback area.
Commissioner Hanscom said that although the public hearings were
published as required, and were well publicized, there was little re-
sponse from the residents,.except for the representation from the
Eastfield area of the City. Commissioner Roberts said he was surprised
by the number of lots.in the Southfield area which were statistically
eligible for subdivision, and he said the topography in that area would
not result in good lots. Commissioner Roberts said study of the matter
presented a difficult job, and the Planning Commission put a lot of effort
into it.
Councilman Crocker asked whether the Planning Commission considered
the matter a political question to be settled by the Council. Chairman
Murdock said the consideration of whether the zoning should be changed
was initiated by a request to the Council by the Board of Directors of
the Rolling Hills Community Association, and was referred by the Council
230
June 4, 1979
to the Planning Commission for study and a recommendation. Chairman
Murdock said that if the zoning was changed as a result of amendment
of the deed restrictions by the Community Association, it would be a
more expensive process, but the residents would have more control
over the matter.
Councilman Crocker commended the Planning Commission for their
efforts and the time expended on field trips and public hearings, and
he suggested that the Council could consider accepting the Commission's
recommendation made attheir meeting on 11arch 20, 1979 that the current
zoning in the City not be changed. As an alternative, Councilman
Crocker said the Council could suspend further consideration until
after the next Council election in 1980, or could exclude the Eastfield
area from consideration of a zone change because of objections expressed
by residents in that area. Councilman Crocker said he had looked at the
lots owned by the residents who opposed the proposal, and he said post-
poning any action at this.time would give those residents an opportunity
to initiate subdivision procedures. The Manager said three of the.own-
ers submitted subdivisions to the Board of Directors, and each of the
proposed subdivisions was disapproved by the Board. -Councilman Crocker
said the change from RAS -1 to RAS -2 in the Flying Triangle and the Johns
Canyon areas was accomplished with the support of the residents in those
areas.
Councilman Rose said he had looked at the lots which qualify for
subdivision because of sufficient acreage, and it was his opinion that
with the exception of the Ripley property on Crest Road East, all the
others would fail to qualify if other regulations were applied. Coun-
cilman Heinsheimer said he did not consider it advisable to change the
zoning, and he recommended that the Council take the Planning Commis-
sion's recommendation and regulate subdivisions -through existing regu-
lations. Councilman Pernell said the change in zone was considered as
a method to relieve the pressure for subdivision from owners of marginal
lots, and he agreed that existing regulations, if applied,.could control
undesireable subdivision; if a lot has sufficient acreage and could be
subdivided according to the existing requirements, that owner should not
be denied that right. It was his opinion that complying with establishe
regulations would be more effective than new legislation.
Commissioner Watts said the Board of Directors originally requested
the study, but as the Planning Commission proceeded with their investi-
gation it became.apparent to him that regulations concerning lot cover-
age, more stringent setback requirements and other regulations could
control development as well as a change of zoning could.
Councilman Crocker said the Council has the benefit of the Planning
Commission's study and their discussion, and should decide whether to
proceed further. Councilman Pernell said the matter is before the City
Council, and information about the Council's consideration of the matter
should be given to the Community. Chairman :Murdock suggested that ad-
ditional information on the proposed zone change be sent to residents.
Further, she said that when the zoning was changed in the Johns Canyon
area and the Flying Triangle, the change was initiated by residents in
those areas and was supported by them because the majority of the lots
in those areas consisted of two or more acres; lots in the Eastfield
area are mostly one acre or less.
The Manager said that in reviewing the properties, members of the
Planning Commission and the Council had mentioned the feasibility of
subdividing the Ripley property, and she said that subdivision of the
property would result in one flag lot. Mrs. Clifton said that in some
cases where property owners were frustrated in their efforts to divide
their land, properties were combined and new lots were created from
the combination of two properties. Mrs. Clifton sal.d the Board of
Directors of the Community Association denied six recent subdivisions
presented to them, and the owners of those properties are required to
wait for one year before submitting new subdivisions to the Board.
Councilman Crocker said the matter would be considered at a public
hearing scheduled by Mayor Swanson for June 11 at the regular Council
meeting.
S+B
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June 4, 1979
FRONT YARD SETBACK REQUIREMENT 210
Chairman Murdock advised the Council that the Planning Commission
had observed that the front yard setback requirements seem very minimal
and they result in large homes being placed too close to the roadway.
In order to attain greated privacy and better placement of houses on
properties,-the,Commission recommended that the Council consider amend-
ing the front yard setback requirements in the Zoning Ordinance. A
proposed amendment which would require a front yard of not less than
fifty feet was presented to the Council.
Commissioner Hanscom said she objected to the lot design of the
properties at the cul de sac in the Chacksfie.ld-Merit subdivision, and
the engineer realignedthe lots and assured the Commission that there
would be ample front yard setback to result in satisfactory placement
of homes on the newly created lots.
Councilman Crocker said that everyone seemed to agree with the
recommendation, and the matter would be considered by the Council at
their next meeting.
co
co BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR STAFF SUPPORT. 245
0 Chairman Murdock said she met with the City Manager to discuss the
budgetary allocation for services of the Planning Advisor. Chairman
Murdock saidshewished to retain the services of the Planning Advisor
< to review plans, attend meetings and field trips, and she said -she
would attempt to use his services during the hours closest to the
regular meeting times to take advantage of the night rate for charges,
since it is substantially lower than the day time charge. In discussing
the review of plans, Chairman Murdock said she and the Manager determined
that if submittal of plans was required no later than the last Monday of
the month prior to the meeting at which the matter would be considered,
rather than the first Monday of the month in which it would be considered
Mr. Anderson would have sufficient time to review the plans prior to
publication of legal notices as required. Councilman Crocker said the
decision regarding scheduling the the Planning Advisor's services
should be left with the Planning Commission Chairman.
With regard to the services of the City Attorney, Councilman
Crocker suggested that the Planning Commission Chairman determine when
Mr. Kinley's presence is required at a meeting, and he should be excused
from matters which do not actually require his presence. Chairman Mur-
dock said that since Mr. Kinley bills at a flat charge for meetings he
attends, she would decide whether or not he would be required to attend
specific meetings, and if he came, she would expect him tostay for the
entire meeting. Councilman Heinsheimer said he agreed that it is more
satisfactory to pay the City Attorney by the meeting, rather than by the
hour. Chairman Murdock said she would discuss with Mr. Kinley the feasi-
bility of discussing Planning Commission matters with him by telephone,
rather than require that he attend the meetings.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE N0. 33 347
Copies of three proposed ordinances prepared by the City Attorney
for amending!,the Zoning Ordinance with regard to approvalofGuest
Houses, Servants' Quarters and Cabanas were distributed to members of
the City Council and Planning Commission.
.In discussing the proposed amendments, Commissioner Watts said
d he
s concerned that approving guest houses could result in creation of a
lotential R-2 situation in the City. Councilman Pernell said a system
for a renewable Conditional Use Permit could be considered as a means
of enforcing restrictions against such a situation. Commissioner Ilan-
scom said she considered the proposal that such quarters be located not
more than twenty feet from the main building, and be attached by a *
breezeway, too restrictive, since twenty feet is too close to the main
house. Councilman Rose said both guests or servants and the family
need privacy, and he agreed that separation would be desireable. Com-
missioner Watts said that separation would increase the possibility of
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June 4, 1979
R-2 situations. Councilman Rose said that a recent field trip to a
property on which servants' quarters are being considered demonstrated
that the hest location in that situation was away from the main house,
attached to the existing garage, not to the residence. Chairman Murdock
said an effort should be made to avoid penalizing people who have enough
property -to build such quarters away from the main house. Commissioner
Field said he agreed. Councilman Pernell said enforcement of the regu-
lations Rgainst establishing two separate residences on a parcel is a
problem, and he suggested that the burden be placed on the applicant,
with a requirement that the resident certify to the usage of the building
on a regular basis. Commissioner Roberts said restrictions on the use
could stop the blatant R-2 violations which exist in some instances in
the city. .
Following the discussion members of the Council and the Planning
Commission agreed that the proposed ordinances #1 and #3 should be
eliminated from consideration, and proposal #2 should be considered.
Councilman Heinsheimer said the proposed amendment should be considered
as written and changes made if appropriate. Section 2, Paragraph 4 was
discussed, and members of the Planning Commission were asked to review
proposed ordinance #2, and advise the Council of their comments with
regard to paragraphs (c) and (e) of Section 2, Paragraph 4. matter
was orderod placed on the City Council's agenda for the next meeting on
June 11.
APPOINTMENT AS COUNTY SUPERVISOR 553
Councilman Mason Rose advised the Commission and Council that he
intended to communicate to Governor Brown his desire to be considered
a candidate for appointment as County Supervisor to fill the vacancy
resulting from the resignation of James Hayes, and he asked for the
Council's support. Councilman Pernell moved that the Council support
Councilman Rose in his effort. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Crocker avid carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES; Councilmen Crocker, Heinsheimer, Pernell, Rose
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Swanson
PERSONNEL SESSION
The Meeting was adjourned to a personnel session at 9:30 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting was reconvened and adjourned by Mayor pro tempore
Crocker.
Gi Clerk
APPROVED: