Area Planning Commission

Informacion en Español acerca de esta junta puede ser obtenida llamando al (213) 978-1300 CENTRAL AREA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011, After 4:30 P.M. TH CITY HALL, 10 FLOOR 200 NORTH SPRING STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 Franklin Acevedo, President Chanchanit Martorell, Vice President Young Kim, Commissioner Daniel Suh, Commissioner Vacant, Commissioner James K. Williams, Commission Executive Assistant I (213) 978-1300 EVERY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION MUST COMPLETE A SPEAKER’S REQUEST FORM AT THE MEETING AND SUBMIT IT TO THE COMMISSION EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. POLICY FOR DESIGNATED PUBLIC HEARING ITEM No(s). 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Pursuant to the Commission’s general operating procedures, the Commission at times must necessarily limit the speaking times of those presenting testimony on either side of an issue that is designated as a public hearing item. All requests to address the Commission on public hearing items must be submitted prior to the Commission’s consideration on the item. TIME SEGMENTS noted * herein are approximate. Some items may be delayed due to length of discussion of previous items. To ensure that the Commission has ample opportunity to review written materials, members of the public who wish to submit written materials on agenda items should submit them to the Commission office, 200 North Spring Street, Room 272, Los Angeles, CA 900152, at least 10 days prior to the meeting at which the item is to be heard in order to meet the mailing deadline. The Commission may RECONSIDER and alter its action taken on items listed herein at any time during this meeting or during the next regular meeting, in accordance with the Commission Policies and Procedures and provided that the Commission retains jurisdiction over the case. AGENDAS are posted for public review in the Main Street lobby of City Hall East, 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, California, and are accessible through the internet World Wide Web at http://www.lacity.org/pln/index.htm. In the case of a Commission meeting cancellation, all items shall be continued to the next regular meeting date or beyond, as long as the continuance is within the legal time limits of the case or cases. If you challenge these agenda items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at this public hearing, or in written correspondence on these matters delivered to this agency at or prior to the public hearing. If you seek judicial review of any decision of the City pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure th Section 1094.5, the petition for writ of mandate pursuant to that section must be filed no later than the 90 day following the date on which the City’s decision became final pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.6. There may be other time limits which also affect your ability to seek judicial review. GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS: CEQA – California Environmental Quality Act MND – Mitigated Negative Declaration CE – Categorical Exemption ND – Negative Declaration EIR – Environmental Impact Report 1. DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Items of interest 2. COMMISSION BUSINESS A. Advanced Calendar B. Commission Requests 3. DIR-2010-359-BSA-1A Council District: 5 – Koretz CEQA: ENV-2006-6998-MND Expiration Date: 4-11-11 Plan: Hollywood Appeal Status: Not further appealable PUBLIC HEARING – Continued from the March 8, 2011 meeting. LOCATION: 833 – 853 N. EDINBURGH AVENUE REQUESTED ACTION: An appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s decision pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.26-K of the Municipal Code, the Zoning Administrator found that the Department of Building and Safety Did err and abuse its discretion in its determination to issue a Building Permit (No. 07010-10000-03777), and Certificate of Occupancy (No. 60778) for the construction of a four-story, 57-unit apartment building, for a development which does not conform to Condition No. 1(b) and (c), and Condition No. 11 as established pursuant to DIR 2006-6997(DB)-1A as follows: (Condition No. 1: (b) A six foot high masonry wall, as measured from adjacent grade, shall be constructed along the rear property line. Creeping vines, such as Boston Ivy, shall be planted on this rear wall. (c) All west facing balconies shall include a two-foot deep planter box along the length of the balcony to provide addition rear landscaping buffer. Balcony planter boxes shall be equipped with a drip irrigation system. Condition No. 11 Aesthetics (Light). Outdoor lighting shall be designed and installed with shielding, so that the light source cannot be seen from adjacent residential properties). And the Zoning Administrator found that Department of Building and Safety Did not err or abuse its discretion in its determination to issue a Building Permit (No. 07010-10000-03777), and a Certificate of Occupancy (No. 60778) for the construction of a four-story, 57-unit apartment building, for a development which does conform to Condition No. 1(a), (d) and (e), Condition No. 4, Condition No. 6, and Condition No. 9 as established pursuant to DIR 2006-6997(DB)-1A, and the appeal was thereby GRANTED IN PART, and the environmental clearance issued by the Department of Building and Safety was found adequate. Applicant: Kevin Tvedt and Mary Representative: Daniel Wright, Silverstein Law Firm Appellant: Same RECOMMENDATION: Deny the appeal; Sustain the Zoning Administrator’s decision which found that the Department of Building and Safety Did err and abuse its discretion in its determination to issue a Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy for the construction of a four-story, 57-unit apartment building, for a development which does not conform to Condition No. 1(b) and (c), and Condition No. 11 as established pursuant to DIR 2006-6997(DB)-1A. Condition No. 1: (b) A six foot high masonry wall, as measured from adjacent grade, shall be constructed along the rear property line. Creeping vines, such as Boston Ivy, shall be planted on this rear wall and (c) All west facing balconies shall include a two-foot deep planter box along the length of the balcony to provide CENTRAL LOS ANGELES 2 MARCH 22, 2011 AREA PLANNING COMMISSION  addition rear landscaping buffer. Balcony planter boxes shall be equipped with a drip irrigation system, and Condition No. 11 Aesthetics (Light) outdoor lighting shall be designed and installed with shielding, so that the light source cannot be seen from adjacent residential properties. And the Zoning Administrator found that Department of Building and Safety Did not err or abuse its discretion in its determination to issue a Building Permit and a Certificate of Occupancy for the construction of a four-story, 57-unit apartment building, for a development which does conform to Condition No. 1(a),(d) and (e), Condition No. 4, Condition No. 6, and Condition No. 9 as established pursuant to DIR 2006-6997(DB)-1A, and hereby GRANTED IN PART the appeal, and find the environmental clearance issued by the Department of Building and Safety adequate. Staff: Linn Wyatt (213) 978-1318 4. ZA-2008-3851-ZV-ZAA-1A Council District: 10 – Wesson CEQA: ENV-2007-1123-MND Expiration Date: 3-22-11 Extented Plan: Wilshire Appeal Status: ZV further appealable if approved PUBLIC HEARING – Continued from the January 11, 2011 meeting. LOCATION: 1534-1536 S. SIERRA BONITA AVENUE REQUESTED ACTION: An appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s decision pursuant to Charter Section 562 and Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.27-B, for the denial of 1) a Variance from Section 12.09-A,2 to permit the legalization of two dwelling units, which were illegally added without a permit, and from Section 12.21-A,4(a) to permit zero additional parking spaces in lieu of the two covered and one uncovered parking spaces that are otherwise required for the additional two dwelling units and, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.28, and for the denial of 2) a Zoning Administrator’s Adjustment to permit a reduced passageway of 4 feet to access the two dwelling units in the rear of the property in lieu of the 10 feet otherwise required in Section 12.21-C,2(b), all in conjunction with the legalization of two illegal units resulting in a total of four dwelling units on a lot in an R2-1 Zone, and for the denial of the environmental clearance Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2007-1123-MND. Applicant: Barbara Appleberry Representative: Debbi and John Morris Appellant: Barbara Appleberry RECOMMENDATION: Deny the appeal; Sustain the Zoning Administrator’s decision for the denial of 1) a Variance to permit the legalization of two dwelling units, which were illegally added without a permit, and to permit zero additional parking spaces in lieu of the two covered and one uncovered parking spaces that are otherwise required for the additional two dwelling units, and for the denial of 2) a Zoning Administrator’s Adjustment to permit a reduced passageway of 4 feet to access the two dwelling units in the rear of the property in lieu of the 10 feet otherwise required in conjunction with the legalization of two illegal units resulting in a total of four dwelling units on a lot in an R2- 1 Zone, and consider the environmental clearance Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2007- 1123-MND. Staff: Sue Chang (213) 978-1318 CENTRAL LOS ANGELES 3 MARCH 22, 2011 AREA PLANNING COMMISSION 5. ZA-2010-2067-ZV-1A Council District: 9 – Perry CEQA: ENV-2010-438-MND Expiration Date: 3-22-11 Extended Plan: Central City Appeal Status: ZV further appealable if approved PUBLIC HEARING – Continued from the February 22, 2011 meeting. LOCATION: 1099 S. GRAND AVENUE REQUESTED ACTION: An appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s decision pursuant to Los Angeles City Charter Section 562 and Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.27, for the denial of a Variance to permit 10 parking spaces in lieu of the 29 parking spaces required under Section 12.21-A,4, and the denial of the environmental clearance Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2010-438-MND. Applicant: Merco Group, LLC Representative: Mario Zaldivar Appellant: Same RECOMMENDATION: Deny the appeal; Sustain the Zoning Administrator’s decision for the denial of a Variance to permit 10 parking spaces in lieu of the 29 parking spaces required, and consider the environmental clearance Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2010-438-MND. Staff: Maya Zaitzevsky (213) 978-1416 6. DIR-2010-1983-COA-1A Council District: 4 – LaBonge CEQA: ENV-2010-1984-CE Expiration Date: 3-22-11 Plan: Wilshire Appeal Status: Not further appealable PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION: 100 S. HUDSON PLACE PROPOSED PROJECT: The Certificate of Appropriateness for an addition on the side and rear of the home, change in the front fence, expansion of driveway and new door on front façade. REQUESTED ACTION: 1. An Appeal of the Director of Planning’s approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to Section 12.20.3 N of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. 2. Consideration of Categorical Exemption No. ENV-2010-1984-CE. Applicant: Samuel H. Gruenbaum, Owner Representative: Farshad Azarnoush, Architect Appellant: William D. Shulte, Los Angeles Historic Home Alliance; Carlotta B. Keely, Hancock Park Homeowners Association; Windsor Square Association; League of Residential Neighborhood Advocates; and John H. Welborne, Vice President for Planning and Land Use, Windsor Square Association RECOMMENDATION: 1. Deny the appeal. 2. Sustain the Determination of the Director of Planning in approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for an addition on the side and rear of the home, and change in the front fence and denial of a driveway expansion and new door on the front façade. 3. Adopt the amended Findings. 4. Adopt Categorical Exemption No. ENV-2010-1984-CE. Staff: Blake Lamb (213) 978-1167 CENTRAL LOS ANGELES 4 MARCH 22, 2011 AREA PLANNING COMMISSION 7. DIR-2009-2189-DB-SPR-1A Council District: 10 – Wesson CEQA: ENV-2009-2092-MND Expiration Date: 3-22-11 Plan: Wilshire Appeal Status: Not further appealable PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION: 1417-1447 HI POINT STREET PROPOSED PROJECT: Site Plan Review to allow the demolition of 7 residential dwelling units (5 single family dwelling units and one duplex) and a Site Plan Review and Density Bonus Compliance Review to allow the construction of a new 3-story, 42-foot tall, 77 dwelling unit housing development including four restricted affordable units. The project will have a below grade parking garage containing 155 parking spaces on an approximately 51,860 square feet site comprised of six contiguous lots. The total floor area of the project is approximately 104,535 square feet. The Density Bonus Compliance Review request is to allow the following incentive: a 20% increase in height, for a maximum height of 42 feet in lieu of the permitted height of 35 feet limitation imposed by Q Condition 2 (Ordinance 168,193); for a project that reserves at least 5% of total units for Very Low Income households, as defined by Ordinance 179,681: a. Height: A 20% increase in height, for a maximum height of 42 feet in lieu of the permitted height of 35 feet limitation imposed by Q Condition 2 (Ordinance 168,193). REQUESTED ACTION: 1. An Appeal of the Director of Planning’s conditional approval of a Site Plan Review pursuant to Section 16.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. 2. Consideration of Mitigated Negative Declaration No. ENV-2009-2092-MND-REC1. Applicant: Mark Magna Appellant: Mary Ann Yurkonis for Neighbors United RECOMMENDATION: 1. Deny the appeal. 2. Sustain the determination of the Director of Planning in approving a Site Plan Review and Density Bonus Compliance Review to allow the construction of 77 residential dwelling units, with 6.25% as restricted affordable units. 3. Adopt the Findings. 4. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration No. ENV-2009-2092-MND-REC1. Staff: Blake Lamb (213) 978-1167 8. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The Area Planning Commission shall provide an opportunity in open meetings for the public to address it, on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Area Planning Commission. (This requirement is in addition to any other hearing required or imposed by law.) Persons making requests are encouraged to do so in writing and should submit 10 copies to the Area Planning Commission for its consideration. Persons wishing to speak must submit a speaker’s request form prior to the commencement of the public comment period. Individual testimony within the public comment period shall be limited to five (5) minutes per person and up to ten (10) minutes per subject. CENTRAL LOS ANGELES 5 MARCH 22, 2011 AREA PLANNING COMMISSION  The next regular meeting of the Central, Area Planning Commission will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at City Hall th 200 North Spring Street, 10 Floor Los Angeles, California 90012 An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate. The meeting facility and its parking are wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or other services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request no later than three working days (72 hours) prior to the meeting by calling the Commission Executive Assistant at (213) 978-1300 or by e-mail at APCCentral@lacity.org. CENTRAL LOS ANGELES 6 MARCH 22, 2011 AREA PLANNING COMMISSION