side yard selbacks.
Community Development Director Forbes confirmed residents could apply for variances and spoke about residents having a path forward and knowing-what is expected of them.
Discussion followed regarding the definitions of buildings and structures, including patios as structures, complaints about air conditioning anits and prohibiting noisy, vibrating mechanical eguipment on side setbacks.
Motion by Commissioner Hinsley, seconded by Chair Gaddis, to open the Public Hearing.
Motion carried unanimously, by roll caff vote.
There were no public comments on this item.
Motion by Commissioner Hinsley, seconded by Commissioner Lamb, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously, by roll call vote
Discussion followed regarding allowing plumbing equipment and mini splits on side or year setbacks for retrofits, but not for new construction, patios, option preferences, proposed edits to the resolution and selection of Option 1.
Community Development Direstor Forbes reviewed changes to the resolution and noted le Commission's preferenge for Option 1.
Motion by Commissioner Hinsley, seconded by Commissioner Lamb, to adopt a resolution by title only subject to the findings contained therein and as amended: A RESOLUTION OF
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCES AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 2, ZONING AND LAND USE AND TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5 COASTAL
LAND USE PLAN IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SETBACKS OF
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES AND BUILDING AND OTHER PROJECTIONS IN ALL ZONES. The motion carried by roll call vote, with Commissioner Behrendt, opposed.
K. ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS AGENDAS - None
L. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION PRIOR TO ACTION
L.1. DISCUSSION OF ELEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN A TREE ORDINANCE CONTACT: ROB OSBORNE, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST, PUBLIC WORKS
Chair Gaddis introduced Mara Lang and Laura MacMoran.
Public Works Director Ted Samaan introduced the item and deferred to staff for a
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presentation.
Public Works Sr. Management Analyst Rob Osborne narrated a PowerPoint presentation of elements to be included in a Tree Ordinance.
Ms. Lang and Ms. MacMoran narrated a PowerPoint presentation of a Tree Ordinance proposal.
Discussion followed regarding the importance, value of and benefits of trees in fighting climate change, replacing instead of removing trees, the possibility of forming a forest or environmental commission/committee, heritage tree designations in private property setbacks, protecting trees during construction, requiring each homeowner to plant a tree in their parkway upon sale of the home, the need to educate the public, City Council's request to staff to develop an ordinance for consideration, the importance of protecting trees, concerns regarding regulating trees on private property, defining heritage trees, prohibiting the removal of parkway trees for driveway access, the list of approved City trees, staff recommendations, the State's landscaping ordinance, existing City policies relative to trees, the complaint-based system for Code Enforcement specific to private properties, maintenance requirements and costs for the various species and the importance of having diversity in the types of trees.
Discussion continued regarding fees and penalties, considering trees as the City's assets, requiring planting trees in new developments, whether the Coastal Commission has jurisdiction over trees in the Coastal Zone, the need to consider drought-tolerant trees/landscaping, the need for a tree canopy and shade, adding pollinators and native trees to the list of approved trees, not having more than a given percentage of any one species, avoiding invasive species such as palm trees and date palms, the City's due process in handling nuisance trees, including consideration of trees on private properties in the ordinance, keeping trees from being removed, unnecessarily, the possibility of implementing a permit process for removing trees and the possibility of lowering the threshold for triggering a requirement for improvements in the public right-of-way.
Chair Gaddis invited public comments.
Amir Dori thanked the Planning Commission for its consideration and spoke about existing guidelines for tree removals, specific requirements and inspections.
Julie Tran, on behalf of the South Bay Association of Realtors, expressed concerns about the proposed ordinance, noting it violates private property rights; believed the Commission and City Council should avoid any restrictions upon point of sale in any property sale; suggested implementing an incentive program to encourage property owners to plant trees; pointed out that Torrance and Lomita are current Tree Cities, USA and do not have restrictions placed upon private property owners; listed criteria for becoming a Tree City, USA and urged the Planning Commission to uphold staff's recommendations and maintain the current practice and not implement restrictions regarding the management of trees on private property.
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Mark Lomeli, representing the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, urged the Planning Commission to reject all provisions in the proposed ordinance related to private property and referenced a letter submitted by the association.
Ali Madani spoke about the existing process for removing/planting trees and noted there are restrictions already in place.
Planning Technician Herrera read and eComments received for this item from:
Mark Nelson opposed regulation of trees on private property unless they are at the time of initial development.
Chair Gaddis thanked Ms. Lang and Ms. MacMoran for their work in bringing this item, forward.
Motion by Commissioner Lamb, seconded by Chair Gaddis, to recommend that City Council pursue a Tree Ordinance including the Elements 1, 2 and 4 as listed in the Administrative Report and with additional discussion of Element 3.
Substitute Motion by Commissioner Behrendt, to accept staff recommendations relative to Elements 1-4 as listed in the Administrative Report. The substitute motion died for lack of a second.
The original motion carried, by roll call vote, with Commissioner Behrendt, opposed.
Discussion followed regarding legal issues relative to private property rights.
Motion by Commissioner Hinsley, seconded by Commissioner Lamb, to recommend that City Council pursue a Tree Ordinance including prohibiting removal of existing heritage trees in front yard setbacks of private property and that further discussion is needed relative to Element 3 in the Administrative Report.
Commissioner Boswell offered an amendment to prohibit removal of existing heritage trees on private property.
Commissioner Hinsley did not accept the amendment noting he would limit the prohibition only to the front setback.
Commissioner Godek spoke about maintaining a high bar for heritage trees, regardless of where the tree is located on the property.
Substitute Motion by Commissioner Boswell, seconded by Commissioner Hazeltine, to existina heritade trees on private propertv (clement s
carried, by roll call vote, with Commissioners Behrendt, Hinsley and Lamb, opposed.
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