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10/24/1988 216 MINUTES OF A ; REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL � CITY OF ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA i October 24, 1988 ' A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills, was called to order in the Council Chamber at the City Hall/ Administration Building, 2 Portuguese Bend Road, Rolling Hills, California, by Mayor Murdock at 7:36 p.m. , on Monday, October 24, 1988 . ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh, Councilwoman Swanson, Councilman Heinsheimer (arrived at 7:39 p.m. ) , Mayor Murdock ABSENT: Councilman Pernell (excused) ALSO PRESENT: Terrence L. Belanger City Manager Michael Jenkins City Attorney Betty Volkert Deputy City Clerk Ann Johnson Los Angeles Times Anne La Jeunesse Palos Verdes News Mr. Etessam Architect Kunio Inoue Architect , Doug McHattie South Bay Engineering � David Reynolds Attorney Amar Andranigian Resident Frank Hill Resident Hooshang Pak Resident Chieko Yamamoto Resident Hitoshi Yamamoto Resident CONSENT CALENDAR Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh moved that the items on the Consent Calendar be approved and accepted as presented. Councilwoman Swanson seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of an adjourned meeting of the City Council held on I'uesday, October 11, 1988, were approved and accepted as written. PAYMENT OF BILLS ' Demands Nos. 3225 through 3245, in the amount of $15,329.78, were approved for payment from the General Fund. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The Financial Statement for the month of September, 1988, was accepted as presented. �LD BUSINESS WAIVER OF CONDITION OF FINAL MAP FOR NOS. 4 AND 6 EUCALYPTUS LANE Staff recommended that this matter be held on the agenda to the �ity Council meeting on November 14, 1988. The cost information from the utility companies has not been completed. - 21:'7 NEW BUSINESS MOTION TO ZNSTRUCT VOTING DELEGA E FOR CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE POSITIONS The City Manager explained that the Los Angeles County City Selection Committee is a committee made up of representatives from each of the cities in the County of Los Angeles, for the purpose of selecting certain representatives to various County and State organizations. On November 3, 1988, the City Selection Committee will be meeting to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman for the City Selection ' Committee. On December 1, 1988, the Committee will be meeting to elect 2 members and 2 alternates to the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission. The Committee will meet on January 5, 1989, to elect 1 member from the Western Region and 1 member from the Eastern Region to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. � This matter is before the City Council this evening for the � purpose of selecting a member or members of the Council to act as the � City' s representative on the City Selection Committee. Generally, � the Mayor is designated as the voting delegate. � Mayor Murdock indicated that she would not be able to attend the m December lst meeting. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh noted that she is Q the alternate to the City Selection Committee, and that she would be � able to attend the December lst meeting. Councilman Heinsheimer suggested that, as a backup measure, an additional alternate be chosen. It was the consensus of the Council that Councilman Pernell should be the backup alternate. PUBLIC HEARINGS ZONING CASE N0. 364 Zoning Case No. 364 is a request by Dr. Hooshang Pak for Conditional Use Permits for a tennis court and recreation room at 9 Crest Road West, Lot 55-A-MS. This lot is approximately 237,400 square feet in net area, and the lot coverage for the proposed improvements would be approximately 8.4$. The City Council took jurisdiction of this matter at their . last meeting, and a public hearing was set. The City Manager reported that the existing residence (previously the Ellery residence) is proposed to be razed, and a new residence is proposed to be built. The site plan also shows a new proposed driveway, which has not been approved. It was proposed by the Planning Commission that the existing driveway access, which is provided by an easement on the adjacent property, not be changed. Mayor Murdock commented � that Councilman Pernell had expressed concerns about the sequence of the approval, and explained that, generally, an accessory use is not approved until after the location � of the primary residence is determined. Mayor Murdock asked the other Councilmembers if they felt a field trip was necessary. It was determined that a field trip would not be of much benefit, given the fact that the existing structure is intended to be torn down. Councilman Heinsheimer asked if the proposed site plan, with the exception of the proposed new driveway which was noted by the City Manager, but, including the proposed location of the new residence, could be made a part of the conditions for approval. The City Manager explained that the conditions in the Planning Commission's Findings and Report, clearly indicate that the Conditional Use Permit is subject to the condition that construction will be performed per the site plan, referred to as Exhibit "A" . To emphasize the fact that approval of the Conditional Use Permit for the tennis court and recreation room would be conditioned upon the fact that the house would be built in substantially the location indicated on the site plan, and that the corral and stable would be built in substantially the location indicated on the site plan, the Council could incorporate such conditions as part of the approval. - 2 - 218 Councilman Heinsheimer asked if the applicant was agreeable to this condition, and the applicant indicated that he would be agreeable to ; such a condition. Mayor Murdock asked if the plans had been approved by the Architectural Committee, and was informed that they have been approved. � Councilwoman Swanson requested that the applicant's representative state, for the record, that the site plan, as submitted, is the one that will be followed for the construction of the proposed improvements, i.e. , the proposed residence and accessory buildings. Mr. Doug McHattie, South Bay Engineering, confirmed that the buildings would be built per the site plan that has been submitted, since this is the plan that is in plan check. Mayor Murdock asked Mr. McHattie if the plan that has been submitted for plan check includes the proposed new driveway. Mr. McHattie stated that the plan does include the driveway, and stated further that the applicant hopes to have the proposed new driveway submitted to and approved by the Traffic Commission. However, Mr. McHattie felt that the issue of the driveway was a separate matter. Mayor Murdock explained that it is a concern, due to the fact that it is included on the site plan which would be referred to in the conditions of approval, if the Council decided to approve the request for Conditional Use Permits. The Council discussed, at length, the inclusion of the proposed new driveway on the site plan. The City Attorney suggested that, if the Council wished to approve this request per the site plan, the following be written directly on the site plan: the proposed new driveway is not part of the approval" . Councilman Heinsheimer wanted it clarified that the Council's approval of this request, per this site plan, would not include any additional implied variances, e.g. , the proposed new driveway, or other aspects of the plan that were not considered. There being no further comments, Mayor Murdock closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Swanson moved that the request for Conditional Use Permits for a tennis court and recreation room, as specified in Zoning Case No. 364, be approved subject to the site plan as submitted and referred to as Exhibit "A" with the exception of the proposed new driveway, which is not part of the approval, and subject to the applicant obtaining any other necessary approvals required by the site plan, and, subject to the same conditions cited by the Planning Commission in their Findings and Report. Councilman Heinsheimer seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. APPEAL OF ZONING CASE NO. 361 - CONTINUED Zoning Case No. 361 is a request by Mr. and Mrs. Hitoshi Yamamoto for a Variance to encroach into the established front yard to allow for construction of residential additions at 14 Southfield Drive. The City Manager reported that, subsequent to the Planning Commission' s report of denial to the City Council, the applicants appealed the Planning Commission's decision and the City Council set this matter for a public hearing and conducted a field trip to the site. As a result of that field trip, the City Council suggested some possible modifications to the proposed building plan. The purpose of the proposed modifications was to attempt to create a site plan that would be more acceptable to the City Council. The suggested modifications were as follows: 1. To move the proposed stable from the rear, which was found to be inadequate with respect to a corral, to the front yard area, which, for this particular property, is the historical location for equestrian purposes. 2 . To lessen the severity of the proposed driveway arch which enters the new parking area and garage. To accomplish this, two trees would have to be removed. 3 . To move the proposed encroachment back to the edge of the foundation of the previous stable. - 3 - 21�. The applicants have responded positively to the suggestions made by the City Council. They have moved the location of the proposed � stable to a more acceptable location near the front, redesigned the proposed driveway relocation and lessened the arched approach into the garage, and moved the proposed addition in closer to the existing house, resulting in a reduction of 560 square feet of the area that was originally requested. The City Manager noted that the applicants have been extremely cooperative in modifying their plans in an attempt to satisfy some of the concernsothat were expressed by the City Council. Councilwoman Swanson expressed concern about the drainage issues and hydrology of the property. She asked if the applicants had given consideration to gutters or some other means of handling the runoff. Mr. David Reynolds, attorney for the applicants, explained that he had discussed this concern with the architect, Mr. Inoue, who assured him .that, as a part of the proposed expansion,. the final plan would include a drainage plan indicating �an energy dissipater system. � Councilwoman Swanson wanted it clearly understood that the � existing drain on the side of �the property was not installed by the � City, and ifi is not the City's responsibility to maintain this drain � or to determine its adequacy. Mr. David Reynolds commented that this m expansion may provide the opportunity to have this drain looked at and to solve any problems, with respect to drainage, with the Q adjoining property. Councilwoman Swanson commented that she is concerned about the hydrology in this area, and asked the City Attorney for his opinion on how the City could protect itself from some future problem that may arise if this proposal were to be approved. The City Attorney explained that it would be appropriate, and typical, to require that the drainage be to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, whose services the City contracts for with the County of Los Angeles. Mayor Murdock expressed concern about the tiered walls on the bank in the front that seem to have been constructed for slope retention. The Mayor asked if a permit was required for the construction of these walls and, if so, had the necessary permits been obtained prior to their construction. The City Manager explained that the necessity for a permit would have depended upon the function of the walls. It would appear that the bottom wall would have required a permit since it is definitely a retaining structure. The other walls, the battened walls, really are not designed to retain a slope as much as they are designed to keep the dirt from washing down the slope, and may be more architectural rather than structural walls. The function of these walls is to allow for landscaping to be placed there, in much the same way as a planter. Therefore, these types of walls may not have required a permit. Councilwoman Swanson moved that the request for a Variance, as ° specified in Zoning Case No. 361, be approved per the revised site plan, revised October 24, 1988, referred to as Exhibit "A" . Councilman Heinsheimer seconded the motion, and thanked all the parties who participated in this process. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Murdock asked that staff return with the appropriate resolution, at the next City Council meeting. OPEN AGENDA � Mayor Murdock invited comments from the audience on any sub�ect not •already on the agenda. There were no comments from the audience. MATTERS FROM MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL ° CLARIFICATION BETWEEN "CITY" AND "R.H.C.A. " Councilwoman Swanson commented that the Association's recent newsletter was not appropriately marked distinguishing it from the - 4 - 220 City's newsletter, and requested that, in an attempt to cl�arify any , confusion that the residents may have, the City's newsletter clearly � state that it is simply the City's newsletter and that all the requirements and regulations of the City are distinct and different from the Rolling Hills Community Association. POTLUCK BRUNCH - NOVEMBER 13, 1988 Councilwoman Swanson announced that on Sunday, November 13 , 1988, at 11: 00 a.m. there will be a potluck brunch sponsored by the four cities on the Peninsula, the Palos Verdes Library District, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District. Robin Hinchliffe and Jacki Bacharach will be hosting the brunch for the Library District and for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and the Rolling Hills City Council has been invited to attend. FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS FOR ROOFING AND SPRINKLERS Mayor Murdock commented that there is an increasing number of requests for remodeling and expansion, thereby, increasing the roof area, and expressed concern about the adequacy of regulations governing sprinklers for fire control. The City Manager reported that he had spoken with Fire Chief Brunstrom regarding this matter. The Fire Chief will report back to the City Manager regarding the current requirements for sprinklers. Councilwoman Leeuwenburgh also requested that information be provided by the Fire Chief regarding the regulations on Class A ; roof ing. The City Manager indicated that, following review of the Fire Department's regulations, the City Council could make a determination as to whether additional City regulations are necessary. COUNCIL RETREAT . Mayor Murdock proposed that a Council retreat be scheduled, for the purposes of long-range planning and setting goals for the upcoming year. The Mayor suggested that the retreat be held at Lake Arrowhead, and volunteered to house the Members of the Council and their spouses at her cabin. The Council 's meeting and planning session would be held at a conference room at the Arrowhead Hilton Hotel. She will be polling the Councilmembers to determine a mutually agreeable date. �A�_M_D Councilman Heinsheimer reported that there has been an enormous and obscure policy chanqe. The old plan was based on lowering the ozone levels. The new plan is based on lowering particulates. No one seems to be able or willing to give a reason for the change. MATTERS FROM STAFF WILDLIFE SURVEY The City Manager reported that there has been a very good response to the Wildlife Survey that was recently mailed to all residents. To date, approximately 150 questionnaires have been returned, which is slightly more than 20� of the homeowners in the community. The majority of responses have been very positive. Councilwoman Swanson commented that she, personally, had received many positive comments regarding the survey and the formation of the Wildlife Committee itself. CATV SURVEY Mayor Murdock remarked that she had been informed that there had been a 40� response to the Cable Television Survey, and that 90� of the responses were favorable. Councilwoman Swanson asked that staff report on the status of the CATV Survey at the next Council meeting. - 5 - - 2 2.1. SCRTD MEETING The City Manager announced that the Southern California Rapid Transit District would be conducting a public transportation forum on Wednesday, October 26, 1988, from 11: 00 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. , hosted by RTD Board President and Rolling Hills Councilwoman Gordana Swanson. � SANITARY SEWER ADVISORY APPLICANTS The City Manager reported that, to date, seven applications have been received for the Sanitary Sewer Advisory Committee. Councilwoman Swanson requested that a list of the applicants be submitted by staff at the next Council meeting. VIEW PRESERVATION COMMITTEE The Mayor reported that a Council sub-committee � conducted interviews of the View Preservation Committee applicants, and there � will be a final follow-up meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 1988 . � CLOSED SESSION � 7 The City Attorney indicated that an executive session was not m necessary. Q ADJOURNMENT Mayor Murdock adjourned the meeting at 8: 39 p.m. , to Monday, November 14 , 1988, at 7: 30 p.m. City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor - 6 -