Planning Commission Minutes DECEMBER 1, 2004

MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH HELD ON
DECEMBER 1, 2004, 7:00 P.M.,
AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Pizer at 7:01 P.M.

Commissioner Allen led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Present: Allen, Hoffman, Koenig, Vice-Chairman Pizer
Absent: Perrotti
Also Present: Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director
Denise Bothe, Recording Secretary

Oral / Written Communications

None.

Consent Calendar

  1. Approval of Approval of the November 16, 2004 Minutes.

    MOTION by Commissioner Hoffman, seconded by Commissioner Koenig, to APPROVE the November 16, 2004, Minutes as submitted. The motion carried as follows:

    AYES:Allen, Hoffman, Koenig, Pizer
    NOES: None
    ABSTAIN: None
    ABSENT: Perrotti

  2. Resolution(s) for adoption

    None

  3. Public Hearing(s)

  4. L-5 -- Determination of whether there are four legal dwelling units at 1533 Manhattan Avenue and 1534 Palm Drive (continued from October 19 and November 16, 2004 meetings).(PDF File).
    Staff Recommended Action: To direct staff as deemed appropriate.

    Director Blumenfeld advised that the applicant has requested a continuance because he is not able to attend this evening’s meeting.

    Vice-Chairman Pizer opened the public hearing. There being no input, Vice-Chairman Pizer closed the public hearing.

    MOTION by Commissioner Hoffman, seconded by Commissioner Koenig, to CONTINUE to January 18, 2005, L-5 -- Determination of whether there are four legal dwelling units at 1533 Manhattan Avenue and 1534 Palm Drive. The motion carried as follows:

    AYES:Allen, Hoffman, Koenig, Pizer
    NOES: None
    ABSTAIN: None
    ABSENT: Perrotti

  5. CON 04-24/PDP 04-26 -- Conditional Use Permit, Precise Development Plan and Vesting Tentative Parcel Map No. 061900 for a two-unit condominium at 708 and 710 Monterey Boulevard. (PDF File).

    Staff Recommended Action: To approve said request.

    Director Blumenfeld advised that this project consists of 2 detached 3-level structures containing basements above two stories; noted that the front unit has 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a mezzanine; that the rear unit has 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms; and that each unit has a roof deck. He stated that all required parking is provided in the ground-floor garages for each unit, with direct access off Monterey Boulevard and Sunset Drive; noted that the entrances to the units face the street and the alley; and advised that the curb cut on Monterey Boulevard will cause a loss of one on-street parking space but is replaced with an extra guest parking space on site. He noted that the revised plan submittals now comply with the 30-foot maximum height limit, which can be verified in the plan check process; and stated that the project was slightly designed over the maximum lot coverage, but noted that the architect has addressed that issue in the revised plans. He added that there are some minor problems that need to be corrected with the detailing of the elevation drawings for the balcony; and stated that the project otherwise complies with the Condominium Ordinance.

    Vice-Chairman Pizer opened the public hearing.

    Jerry Compton, project architect, stated that he has made the modifications in the revised plans before the Commission that were initially requested; noted that the project will comply with any other issues staff has; and he stated that the new set of plans have been adjusted for lot coverage. He briefly explained that there may be a difference of opinion with the lot coverage overage, explaining that the deck in question projects in two directions -- five feet in one direction and 30 inches in another; noted that his initial numbers for lot coverage is approximately 62 percent for this project; and mentioned that the height limit has been adjusted by dropping down one of the deck levels on the unit by approximately 6 inches.

    MOTION by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman, to APPROVE CON 04-24/PDP 04-26 -- Conditional Use Permit, Precise Development Plan and Vesting Tentative Parcel Map No. 061900 for a two-unit condominium at 708 and 710 Monterey Boulevard, as long as all revisions comport with the requirements. The motion carried as follows:

    AYES:Allen, Hoffman, Koenig, Pizer
    NOES: None
    ABSTAIN: None
    ABSENT: Perrotti

  6. TEXT 04-3 -- Text Amendment to Chapter 17.22 Construction, Maintenance and Development - Minimum design standards requiring separate water meters. (PDF File).

    Staff Recommended Action: To recommend approval of said Text Amendment.

    Director Blumenfeld explained that this is merely a clean-up change to the Condominium Ordinance that currently permits common water supply service. The proposed change will now require that each unit have a separate water meter. He added that it will not affect the Commercial Condominium Ordinance.

    Vice-Chairman Pizer questioned if it is normal for most condominiums to have separate water service.

    Director Blumenfeld responded in the affirmative, explaining that it makes it easier to apportion each unit’s share of water usage.

    Vice-Chairman Pizer questioned how this apportionment is applied where there is a central hot water heater system, whether a central heating system is exempt.

    Director Blumenfeld explained that each unit typically has its own water meter system; that each supplies its own hot water through their own service and added that this Ordinance amendment would apply to all new construction. He clarified for Vice-Chairman Pizer that this amendment relates only to residential units, not commercial condominiums.

    There being no further input, Vice-Chairman Pizer closed the public hearing.

    MOTIONby Commissioner Koenig, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman, to APPROVE TEXT 04-3 -- Text Amendment to Chapter 17.22 Construction, Maintenance and Development - Minimum design standards requiring separate water meters. The motion carried as follows:

    AYES:Allen, Hoffman, Koenig, Pizer
    NOES: None
    ABSTAIN: None
    ABSENT: Perrotti

  7. STAFF ITEMS

    None

  8. COMMISSIONER ITEMS

    In response to Commissioner Allen’s question regarding the 6-month/annual review of restaurant Conditional Use Permits (CUP’s), Director Blumenfeld provided brief input on the Commission’s upcoming review of restaurant CUP’s that may need to be addressed due to noncompliance with the conditions of approval.

  9. ADJOURNMENT

    The meeting was formally adjourned at 7:22 P.M.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes are a true and complete record of the action taken by the Planning Commission of Hermosa Beach at the regularly scheduled meeting of December 1, 2004.

Sam Pizer, Vice-Chairman Sol Blumenfeld, Secretary