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FROM: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, BUILDING & CODE ENFORCEMENT DATE: MAY 2, 2006 SUBJECT: BORDER ISSUES STATUS REPORT Staff Coordinator: Kit Fox, AICP, Associate Planner RECOMMENDATION Review the current status of border issues, and provide direction to Staff, as appropriate. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This month’s report includes:
BACKGROUND The following is the regular monthly report to the City Council on various “border issues” potentially affecting the residents of Rancho Palos Verdes. The complete text of the current status report is available for review on the City’s website at: http://palosverdes.com/rpv/planning/border_issues/2006/20060502_BorderIssues_StatusRpt.cfm DISCUSSION Current Border Issues South Coast County Golf Course, County of Los Angeles/Rolling Hills Estates On April 12, 2006, Councilman Gardiner forwarded the attached e-mail from Barry Holchin with the Sierra Club regarding the landfill gas investigation at the Disposal Gardens site in the City of Torrance. Apparently, when this investigation was originally scheduled late last year, there were assurances made to the community that the soil samples would be split so that they could be tested independently. According to the Sierra Club e-mail, the community is now being told that the samples obtained during the recently-rescheduled investigations are too small to split. Also, on April 20, 2006, the Daily Breeze reported that Meritage Rolling Hills Golf has declined to extend its option on the project, effectively killing it. Supervisor Don Knabe is quoted as stating that, with Meritage’s withdrawal, the project is “a no-go.” Staff will continue to monitor issues related to the former landfill in future Border Issues reports, but will no longer report of the proposed golf course project. Ponte Vista Project at Former Navy Housing Site, Los Angeles (San Pedro) The City recently received another community newsletter from the developer of the Ponte Vista project, this one focusing on the senior housing component of the project. Staff also recently learned that Elise Swanson, the former Director of Community Development in Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s office, has left the Councilwoman’s office and been hired by Bisno Development, the Ponte Vista developer. Mr. Bisno also recently addressed the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council (NWSPNC), although Staff was unable to attend this meeting. New Residence at 717 Via La Cuesta, Palos Verdes Estates As of the date that this report was completed, Staff, the City Engineer and the Building Official were prepared to approve the grading plan for Grandview Park. Staff and the City Attorney were awaiting authorization from the Chopras’ attorney to release the signed agreement, which has been held “in escrow” by the City Attorney for the past month or so. Mixed-Use Condos at 627 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates On March 14, 2006, Rolling Hills Estates City Council adopted the resolutions and ordinance for the project, including our requested changes to the language of the conditions regarding the SCE transformer location and screening. With the approval of this project, the City of Rolling Hills Estates has entitled (or is considering entitling) two hundred seventy-six (276) residential units in the easterly end of the Peninsula Center district. The table below summarizes the status of these entitlements. Project Address Existing/ Proposed Take-Over of LAUSD by the City of Los Angeles On April 18, 2006, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued his first “State of the City” address. Among the topics discussed was his proposal to reform the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) though state legislative action. His proposed would retain an elected Board of Education, but the superintendent would be directly accountable to Mayor Villaraigosa and council of the mayors of other cities served by LAUSD. There are two (2) LAUSD campuses in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes: Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School and Crestwood Street Elementary School. At this point, it is not clear what (if any) effect Mayor Villaraigosa’s proposal might have upon the operations of these campuses, nor is it clear what role Mayor Wolowicz or any future Rancho Palos Verdes mayor might have in the proposed council of mayors. Staff intends to continue monitoring this issue New Border Issues There are no new Border Issues on which to report at this time. Respectfully submitted: Reviewed by: Attachments: E-mail from Sierra Club regarding Disposal Gardens landfill gas investigations
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