TO: CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION

FROM: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2005

SUBJECT: THREE (3) MONTH REVIEW OF THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL PARKING LOT LIGHTING (CASE nO. zon2005-00015)

PROJECT ADDRESS: 5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
APPLICANT: REV. HARVEY TAFEL
THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL
5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275

PHONE: (310) 377-1650

LANDOWNER: THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL
5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275
PHONE: (310) 377-1650

STAFF COORDINATOR:

DAVE BLUMENTHAL

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

THOMAS GUIDE PAGE 823 / A-4REQUESTED ACTION:

A REQUEST TO CONDUCT A THREE (3) MONTH REVIEW OF A REVISION TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 185, WHICH ALLOWS THE INSTALLATION OF 13 LIGHT STANDARDS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE wAYFARERS cHAPEL.

RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE THE THREE (3) MONTH REVIEW OF THE REVISION TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 185 (CASE NO. ZON2005-00015), VIA MINUTE ORDER.

REFERENCES:

ZONING: INSTITUTIONAL - I

LAND USE: RELIGIOUS FACILITY

CODE SECTIONS: 17.26, 17.50, 17.60, & 17.80

GENERAL PLAN: INSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS

TRAILS PLAN: N/A

SPECIFIC PLAN: N/A

CEQA: CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT (CLASS 3)

ACTION DEADLINE: N/A

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS RESIDING WITHIN 500’ OF SUBJECT PROPERTY: NONE

BACKGROUND

On November 25, 1997, the Planning Commission adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved Conditional Use Permit No. 185, Grading Permit No. 1793, and Variance No. 388, for the construction of a 2,065 square foot single story Visitors Center and for improvements to an existing Amphitheater area. This approval was appealed to the City Council on December 10, 1997. On February 17, 1998, after considering all written and oral testimony, the City Council denied the appeal, thereby upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of the Conditional Use Permit.

On February 24, 2004, the Planning Commission approved a revision to Conditional Use Permit No. 185 (Case No. ZON2003-00683), to allow The Wayfarers Chapel to install 13 ten-foot tall light standards in the median of the parking lot.

On July 7, 2004, the Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement approved a minor modification to the parking lights. This minor modification allowed The Wayfarers Chapel to install 45" tall light bollards in lieu of the 10’ tall light standards.

On February 3, 2005, notice of the public hearing was sent to all property owners within 500 feet of the project site. Additionally, the notice was published in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News on February 5, 2005.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Staff has reviewed the proposed application for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review, it has been determined that this request is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15301 (Existing Facilities).

Categorical Exemptions are projects, which have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and have been exempted from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. A Class 1 exemption consists of Minor alterations to an existing use, which does not involve negligible expansion of the existing use. It is staff’s opinion that conducting the three month review will not intensify or expand the existing use on the property, thus this project qualifies for a Class 1 exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act.

DISCUSSION

When the light standards were approved by the Planning Commission on February 24, 2004, Condition of Approval No. 5 was added, which states, "The site lighting shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission three (3) months from Building and Safety permit final of the new lighting standards, to review the applicant's compliance with the conditions of approval." The Building and Safety permits were issued for the lights on August 2, 2004 and finaled on October 7, 2004. Therefore, staff has agendized this review before the Planning Commission.

Staff has reviewed the placement of the lights and has confirmed that they are 45" tall, are located at the approved locations, and have metal halide lights, as required. Furthermore, staff has viewed the lighting after dark on several occasions. Staff noted that the lights do not appear to illuminate the adjoining property and they are turned off when the chapel is closed. Finally, staff has not received any complaints, from the public, regarding the parking lot lights. Based on this information, it is staff’s opinion that the parking lot lights are in compliance with the conditions of approval.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Correspondence Received:

As a result of the public notice, staff has not received any correspondence.

CONCLUSION

Based on the above analysis, staff is concluding the proposed parking lot lighting complies with the adopted conditions of approval and does not cause any significant impacts. As such, staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve d the three (3) month review, via minute order.

ALTERNATIVES

In addition to staff’s recommendation, the following alternatives are available for the Planning Commission to act on:

1. Approve the three (3) month review of a revision to Conditional Use Permit No. 185 (Case No. ZON2005-00015), with a modification to the conditions of approval.
2. Extend the review period for an additional three (3) months.
3. Identify any issues of concern with the proposed project, provide Staff and/or the applicant with direction in modifying the project, and continue the public hearing to a date certain.

ATTACHMENTS

• Planning Commission Staff Report, date February 24, 2004
• Planning Commission Resolution No. 2004-08