[0:05] I'm going to call the meeting to order. You want to do roll call? Commissioner Cardinus is absent. Commissioner Sue. Here. Commissioner Douglas. Here. Vice Chair Kirkpatrick. Here. Thank you. Okay. Lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Ready?

[0:28] to the United States of America, and to the Republic of Russia's stands, one nation,

[0:37] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[0:41] Thank you very much.

[0:47] agenda. I so approve it, everybody in favour? All opposed? Okay, blue folder items.

[0:57] I'm sorry, none. Public comments are non-agenda items. Any comments from the public?

[1:06] Okay, consent calendar, we have seven A approve affidavit of posting for the planning commission

[1:13] regular meeting of August 18th, 2026, seven B approved the minutes for the July 21st,

[1:20] 2026 planning commission meeting.

[1:23] Move to approve, seven A and B, second.

[1:27] Second. All right, all in favor?

[1:29] Aye.

[1:30] Opposed?

[1:31] Okay.

[1:33] Excluded consent calendar to items.

[1:35] There are none.

[1:36] Public hearing on items continued from previous meeting.

[1:40] None.

[1:41] So we will move on to public hearings.

[1:44] The first one is owning case number 2026-70.

[1:48] It's a lot of line adjustment for two Williamsburg Lane.

[1:54] I'm going to have to accuse myself because I'm a neighbor.

[2:02] Yes, thank you chair and commissioners this first item before you this evening is a lot

[2:11] line adjustment for zoning case number two six dash 70.

[2:16] It's a proposal to combine three lots into one larger lot with a combined gross area

[2:20] of 2.22 acres.

[2:23] The property is zoned RAS-1 and within the OCD-1 overlay zone as shown by the location

[2:31] of the red star on this map.

[2:33] The subject property is an irregularly shaped parcel zoned RAS-1 and has a total gross

[2:40] lot area of 2.22 acres.

[2:43] It is located on the east side of Middle Ridge Road with frontages on Middle Ridge and Williamsburg.

[2:48] This map shows the proximity of the proposed residents and existing residents to the neighboring

[2:58] residences.

[3:02] This gives some background on the project. October 2025, a site plan review

[3:09] application was filed by the applicant for two Williamsburg Lane. In January 2026, the

[3:15] Planning Commission adopted a resolution approving zoning case 25-115, which granted a site plan

[3:22] and review and variances for new construction,

[3:24] non-exempt grading and related improvements.

[3:27] Then in March, 2026, the City Council received

[3:31] and filed that action.

[3:33] Most recently on August 7th, 2026,

[3:37] Will Dan's engineering team under contract with the city

[3:40] approved the legal descriptions

[3:41] of the newly configured lots.

[3:47] A little more project background,

[3:49] the Planning Commission approved a development project,

[3:52] which you can see here on this site plan, it included a 900 square foot

[3:58] addition conversion of some of the attached garage to living space, a new

[4:03] basement area, and a new attached garage. The property at this site is

[4:09] recorded as three separate lots which poses a risk that the project could cross

[4:14] over the lot lines. The city's owning code prohibits such development and the

[4:18] California building codes require that the construction use fire walls for structures

[4:23] that do cross lines.

[4:25] So in order to address this issue, the Planning Commission included a condition of approval

[4:29] for this development project requiring that the applicant merge the three lots into a

[4:34] single lot, and that's why we're here this evening.

[4:39] Here you can see the two lines in blue which are the existing lot lines that run through the

[4:48] The next slide here, although the city does not have an ordinance covering lot mergers, the Subdivision Map Act does allow a merger of four if you were contiguous parcels through a lot line adjustment.

[5:03] So this specific lot line adjustment would move all lot lines so that each line is coterminous with each other in order to avoid additional requirements from the California building codes and the planning commission required this lot line adjustment.

[5:16] prior to the issuance of a building permit.

[5:21] The Planning Commission was making the following findings

[5:23] when considering a lot line adjustment

[5:25] as discussed in further detail in the staff report

[5:27] these findings can be made for this project.

[5:32] On August 6th, in advance of the Planning Commission meeting,

[5:35] public notices were sent to property owners

[5:37] within a 1,000 foot radius and staff received no public comments

[5:41] about this project.

[5:43] The project was determined to be exempt from CEQA

[5:47] under multiple sections and it is recommended that the Planning Commission open the public hearing,

[5:54] take public testimony and consider resolution number 2026-14 for approval.

[6:00] This concludes staff's presentation.

[6:03] Thank you very much.

[6:05] Any questions from the Planning Commission?

[6:09] Oh, that's right, thank you Mr. Secretary.

[6:11] I have a question.

[6:12] So, when we were out there today, the representative from the association had indicated that they had walked the site and they were okay with doing away with the easements that run between the properties.

[6:30] So, they've taken care of that.

[6:32] That is correct. They have vacated their easements on the property.

[6:37] Okay, sounds great.

[6:40] So I'm going to open it up to the public.

[6:41] If you'd like to speak, please come up,

[6:44] state your name so we can get it on the record.

[6:53] I have members of the commission.

[6:54] My name is Tyler Prasser.

[6:56] I am the project designer.

[6:57] I work for the architect's office.

[6:58] Just wanted to say thank you for your time and consideration.

[7:02] Whitney's staff report was fairly comprehensive as always

[7:05] and it's got all the information that we need.

[7:09] Just wanted to say thanks again

[7:09] and I'm here to answer any questions

[7:11] questions that you might have beyond what we've already discussed.

[7:14] Thank you.

[7:14] Okay.

[7:15] Thank you.

[7:16] Any questions for him?

[7:18] Okay.

[7:18] I think it's pretty straightforward.

[7:19] But thank you.

[7:22] Okay.

[7:23] If you want to say something, you've got to come up.

[7:32] Judith Hainell, 31 Eastfield.

[7:34] I just have a question about what kind of precedent this starts for other properties.

[7:40] I'm not opposed to it in any way.

[7:41] It's just a general question.

[7:42] So it was hard to understand from that and all the pictures, is it, is it, is it, do they,

[7:54] they already own all of these separate lots? So are there buildings on all of these other lots?

[8:05] I was just curious.

[8:06] Yeah, let me chime in. So there are three lots, but only one of them currently has development on it.

[8:13] But for tax purposes, the assessor's office considers all three lots a single property.

[8:19] So this is really an administrative process that we're doing to collapse those three

[8:25] lots into a single lot.

[8:28] And then are they looking to expand on within those, when those lots all become one, are they

[8:35] looking to expand?

[8:36] So part of the reason we're here tonight is the planning commission did approve a development

[8:42] to remodel the home late last year and one of the conditions of that approval was that

[8:48] the owner had to come back and do this lot lane adjustment. So those additions don't cross

[8:54] any of those existing property lines but they're doing this out of an abundance of caution should a

[9:00] future property owner want to develop. Those two undevolved lots that are part of this property are

[9:06] are nearly unusable. They're very steep portions of property.

[9:13] Go down and you walk the property. You'll see that it's very steep.

[9:17] The most of it is not developable. But there are easements that go between each parcel.

[9:23] They're doing away with that. We like it when people make bigger lots.

[9:29] We don't like it when people subdivide and then they can put multiple homes on a property.

[9:35] This is not a property that you would ever be able to fit a second home.

[9:40] All right.

[9:41] I mean, I don't get to meetings all the time, but I was just curious if there's this situation has come up much in the past where lots get combined and stuff and just had a curiosity.

[9:52] We've had over the years, I mean, as long as I've been involved, we've had some that have come up that have turned multiple lots into one lot.

[10:00] We've had some that have turned one lot into multiple lots.

[10:04] So, you know, and we look at each one on an individual basis to see if it makes sense to do so.

[10:10] Right. Okay. Okay.

[10:11] Try not to set precedent that's going to be bad for the community.

[10:15] Yeah. Okay. Thank you.

[10:16] Appreciate it. Thanks.

[10:22] Anyone else? Okay. I'm going to close this. We'll talk amongst ourselves.

[10:29] I think it's pretty simple.

[10:30] What we're doing is the right thing should have been cleaned up so I can kind of look at this as a maintenance issue.

[10:38] Okay, sounds great. Why don't you want to make a motion?

[10:41] Move to approve, zoning case.

[10:45] 2026-70, is that correct?

[10:47] 24.

[10:49] Pardon?

[10:50] 26-14?

[10:53] Yeah, so for some reason.

[10:54] No, that's the next one.

[10:59] Oh.

[11:01] 2026-7 is two Williamsburg.

[11:03] Oh, I'm not apologies.

[11:05] Okay.

[11:05] Okay, so again, we should improve zoning case 2026-70.

[11:11] Second.

[11:12] Okay, you want to do roll call?

[11:16] Commissioner Douglas?

[11:17] Yes.

[11:17] Vice Chair Kirkpatrick.

[11:19] Chair Chau.

[11:19] Yes.

[11:21] Thank you.

[11:22] Come back and join us.

[11:26] Okay, the next one is 10B, zoning case number 2026-40.

[11:31] This is for seven out rider road.

[11:34] Should you give us an overview?

[11:35] Thank you.

[11:36] Thank you.

[11:37] Sir Chair and commissioners, the second and last item before you is owning case number

[11:43] 26-40, a request for a site plan review to remodel and construct additions to a single

[11:50] family residence and a variance request to designate a stable and corral set aside area in

[11:55] the front yard.

[11:57] The property is zoned RAS-1 and located as shown by the red star on the map.

[12:02] The

[12:05] irregularly shaped parcel is located on the west side about writer road and it has a 30 foot wide roadway easement along the

[12:13] frontage. The property also has 25 foot wide side and rear easements.

[12:21] This proximity map shows the distance of the

[12:23] residents to neighboring residences and

[12:29] this timeline gives a bit of background. Preliminary plans were submitted to staff back in April and the

[12:39] until they submitted the official application in May.

[12:43] The application was deemed complete in July, and we are here this evening.

[12:50] This is an existing site plan of the site. Some key features are in yellow as the existing footprint.

[12:58] You have a swimming pool, an existing shed, two car garage that's attached to the home,

[13:04] the driveway, and then I've added in their red dash line, which is the front setback line.

[13:12] The front yard of the property slopes down from the main building pad, excuse me, over 20 feet to outright a road below.

[13:19] The lot was originally developed with a single family residence and attached garage in 1952.

[13:25] Various additions and improvements have been made over the years.

[13:29] There was a 120 square foot stable located in the front yard that was demolished at an unknown date.

[13:40] And in 2007 the Planning Commission approved a site plan review and variance for this property

[13:45] to construct a stable and corral in the front yard.

[13:48] The property owners at that time never constructed this approved stable and corral, but it was

[13:54] located in this area and red.

[13:58] All right, here's the proposed site plan, which includes addition of new additions to the

[14:07] residents for a primary bedroom expansion and an attached ADU, conversion of some existing

[14:12] interior space to an attached ADU, conversion of existing interior space for a third garage

[14:19] stall, some construction of new attached covered porches, some minor grading for excavation

[14:27] for the foundation and some various site improvements in landscaping.

[14:31] As

[14:34] proposed, the project conforms to the 35% lot cover, maximums, the 40% lot disturbance, maximum, and 30% building pad coverage guideline.

[14:46] In addition, the new addition will have a slightly higher rich height than the existing residents, but is still well below the 21 foot maximum.

[14:58] The slide.

[14:59] The next slide shows you.

[15:00] Do the existing and proposed floor plan proposed up top existing down below? The new additions are

[15:09] towards the bottom of these floor plans. So in the bottom you can see that's flush kind of

[15:15] along where the pool is and up above you can see the additions behind the garage and with the

[15:21] primary residence there.

[15:25] The next slide shows elevations of the rear and the front of the property.

[15:31] In the rear there, you can see where the ADU would be constructed, the primary bedroom

[15:37] edition and new covered porch, and in the front you can see the new garage door and the

[15:42] higher roof ridge.

[15:46] Next slide shows the side elevations highlighted here, and a little bit darker outline are

[15:52] the proposed additions, and these elevations do show the architectural design of the additions

[15:59] are compatible with the existing modern ranch style.

[16:03] Variance is required for this project due to the proposed stable and

[16:07] corral set aside area located in the front yard.

[16:10] The shape, topography and easements of the lot constrain feasible locations for

[16:15] stable and corral elsewhere on the property.

[16:20] This is the code requirement for stable and corral site.

[16:26] So our code does require each site, have an area developed with a set or

[16:31] were developed or set aside area for stable and corral and in the event that a future stable

[16:36] or coral area shown on a plan would require a variance that variance needs to be approved

[16:41] at the same time.

[16:44] And then right below there it has some code language about the setbacks so stables are

[16:49] meant to be outside the front yard and no less than 25 feet from a side and rear property

[16:53] line.

[16:56] So now this next slide here, one further please.

[17:01] these. This shows some of those areas on the site plan. So in red you have the front

[17:06] setback line. In blue you have the easement lines on the property. And in purple is an

[17:14] approximately 35-foot buffer from the residents, which is a requirement of public health for

[17:20] equestrian facilities to be at least 35 feet from residential structure. So you can see how

[17:25] All these constraints really do limit where the designated set-aside area could be located.

[17:33] So in yellow here is the area that the applicant has proposed and locating this set-aside in

[17:39] the front yard will take advantage of an existing secondary pad at this location, which was

[17:43] previously used for an equestrian area.

[17:49] And on August 6th, in advance of this meeting, public notices were mailed out in a 1,000-foot

[17:56] So, radius staff receive no written public comments.

[17:59] Public comment was provided at the morning field trip by a neighboring resident at five

[18:04] outrider expressing some concern about development along the shared property line.

[18:10] Staff confirmed that there's no currently no development proposed along the property line.

[18:15] It's all additions to the existing house, which is up on the primary building pad.

[18:20] This project was deemed to be exempt from CEQA as new construction for single-family residents.

[18:30] And with that, it's recommended that the Planning Commission open the public hearing, take public testimony, and consider resolution 2026-15 for approval.

[18:40] This concludes staff's presentation.

[18:42] Very much. Any questions?

[18:44] So I have a question for you. You had mentioned that the new construction is going to have a higher rich line.

[18:55] So what is the existing rich line and what is that one piece that is going to be above the existing rich line?

[19:03] Yes, thank you for that question. So the new addition is about a foot and three inches above the existing

[19:12] Rage line in that area above the garage bringing the total

[19:16] Rage line at that location to 17 feet, but the majority of the

[19:21] existing roof ridge and the other portions of the house will

[19:24] remain the same.

[19:25] Okay, so so the highest point is 17 correct.

[19:29] And is that piece that's being raised is at the ADU?

[19:34] That is the garage and a part of the ADU.

[19:40] Okay. Thank you very much. That answers my question.

[19:45] Okay. I am going to open it up to the public. If you'd like to speak, would love to hear from you. Please come up and state your name.

[19:56] I know what's going on. Okay. You've got to come up and state your name for the record. I've got to get it on the record.

[20:10] Good evening commissioners. My name is Ryan Levis. I'm the architect on the project.

[20:14] It's a great, licensed California Arctic, and Whitney outlined it all very well, she was

[20:21] very helpful, I'm new to working in this community, I actually come from Sister City Hidden

[20:27] Hills, and I see a lot of similarities, so hopefully you like what you see, and I'm here

[20:36] for any questions.

[20:38] Okay.

[20:38] Thank you so much.

[20:39] Any questions?

[20:41] Okay, thank you.

[20:43] We'd love to hear from you if you want to come up.

[20:45] We know you're the neighbor, so if you've got questions or if

[20:54] you've said he's the

[20:54] architect of record and if you want to speak you have to come up, okay, I've got to get

[21:01] it on the record, right?

[21:05] So I'm glad, yeah.

[21:09] Okay, and again, you don't have to come up, but if you want to say something, we're happy

[21:14] to listen to anything you guys have.

[21:17] We know you're the neighbor, so we always like to hear from the neighbor.

[21:20] Now we just want to know the plan, and we went blocked, and it wasn't over too far as we

[21:27] of the property line and to high up either, but after one to the washroom, that all seems good.

[21:34] Okay, and could you bring up the one slide that shows the easements, the setbacks, and it

[21:41] also shows the 35?

[21:43] This is a really interesting slide for you guys to see because when somebody does construction

[21:50] on the house, we require them to put a set aside for a barn in the stable, right?

[21:56] Doesn't mean that they're going to build it, but per our code, they have to put aside somewhere that that could possibly be built because of the, the, you know, the rural nature and the horse nature of the community, so so they make us do that and when they, when they do that, you can see that purple outline per city of LA code or county codes, a barn cannot be any closer to a house.

[22:26] than 35 feet for health reasons, right?

[22:29] So if you start to look at that 35 feet,

[22:32] there really is not anywhere else because of pitches, grades,

[22:37] or it's too close to the house for them to do that.

[22:40] So I know there's always concern when somebody puts a barn and

[22:43] a stable closer to your house, right?

[22:46] Because it's not your horses, what not, and so it could affect you at some point in time.

[22:52] So, I just want you to try to understand kind of why it's there and that's kind of the only place on the property that it really fits.

[23:01] And that picture is there.

[23:04] That's very easy to understand.

[23:06] Yeah, okay.

[23:08] Okay.

[23:09] And what is our current bridge line? Is it 23 feet?

[23:16] For residents, it's 21 feet and for barns, it's 23.

[23:21] Okay, so again, bridge line, I know that's concern also of neighbors is they're building something in 17

[23:28] It's significantly below where we're seeing new construction being built

[23:32] So this kind of is a benchmark of what they've designed

[23:37] So anyways

[23:39] Okay, anybody else want to to speak?

[23:44] Okay, so did you?

[23:46] Okay.

[23:50] Alright, I'm going to close the public hearing portion then and let's have a discussion

[23:54] amongst ourselves. I'm good with everything and it seems to really fit within the scope

[24:00] of the property and it doesn't seem overdone so I don't have any issues with it.

[24:08] I think it's the only place to put the barn and at least they didn't omit it and ask for

[24:13] variance there. So I like the fact that it's there and as access if anybody ever wanted to add it

[24:19] into it. And it really didn't impact any other neighbor frankly, other than being close to the

[24:23] street. So I'm going to do that. Okay.

[24:26] And that picture is very clear, by the way. Yeah. And there really isn't anywhere else to put it.

[24:34] Yeah, as you walked around the property with the elevations, the steep slope on the front,

[24:42] And where the front door is, you couldn't put it over there, there's no really no other

[24:47] place to put it.

[24:48] The other thing that's important to note is that a piece of this is an ADU, an actually

[24:54] dwelling unit.

[24:55] And we really, an ADU is an auxiliary dwelling unit.

[25:00] And mandates out of Sacramento are requiring, they've made it very easy to build ADUs.

[25:10] and ADUs don't have to go through the same process as the rest of this.

[25:15] So, even though it looks like it's multiple pieces that we're looking at,

[25:18] we really don't have any control over the ADU portion of it,

[25:23] which is backed by the garage and that's the area that also has the higher rich line.

[25:29] So, anyways, having said all of that, I have no problem with the development

[25:35] or what they're doing or what they've proposed.

[25:39] So I've closed the outside, the public, but I'll open it back up.

[25:46] If you will come up and state your name and ask the question.

[25:49] So I'm opening it back up.

[25:52] You can see it.

[25:53] Just state your name for the record.

[25:55] Marion.

[25:56] Yeah.

[25:57] Marion, the librarian.

[25:58] I'm not.

[25:58] But anyway.

[26:00] I need to point.

[26:02] So, as we go along here, our house is here, okay, and it's just two houses are together,

[26:11] and that has nothing to do with it, in order for the one to appear.

[26:16] But right here, there's a strip of land where it starts with the driveway for this house,

[26:24] And it has nothing to do with anybody.

[26:30] It looks like we just left there.

[26:34] Are you talking about the road that goes down?

[26:38] It isn't really a road.

[26:40] It's a dirt path.

[26:41] Maybe one kind of water, but now.

[26:44] Now, it's just...

[26:46] That's correct.

[26:47] And if you wonder why they could do something on this side of it

[26:57] I don't know. I'm assuming that it's this strip, the dirt road that went to where the

[27:04] playground equipment was. And there used to be a barn there and so that was the access

[27:09] to the barn.

[27:22] So what we'll do is if you can talk to the city, they will have a conversation and we can see what can be done about the bushes.

[27:32] not a big deal. Okay, thank you. All right, so I'm going to close the public party

[27:38] again. Does somebody want to make a motion?

[27:42] Chair, move to approve zoning case number 2026-4-0.

[27:47] I will second.

[27:48] Okay.

[27:49] You roll call.

[27:50] Christra Sue.

[27:51] Uh, exact.

[27:53] Christra Douglas.

[27:54] Vice Chair Kirkpatrick.

[27:56] Yes.

[27:56] Chair Chau.

[27:57] Yes, thank you.

[27:58] Okay. Moving on. Discussion items. I see none.

[28:05] Scheduled field trips. Do we have any

[28:06] field trips? Yes. Thank you, Chair. We anticipate having two field trips at next month's meeting.

[28:14] One is to return to eight buggy whip. And staff is interested to hear from the commission

[28:20] if they would like to do a field trip at eight buggy whip for that continued public hearing.

[28:23] and the second would be at 2950 Palace Verde's Drive North.

[28:28] So that is unique property that we would access outside the city gate from PV Drive North.

[28:34] Which one will we start with?

[28:36] I would recommend we start with the PV Drive North property.

[28:39] Okay, what is that address again?

[28:42] 2950 Palace Verde's Drive North.

[28:45] Okay, great, okay, thank you.

[28:47] Matters for members of the planning commission,

[28:51] seeing none.

[28:52] Matt or some staff.

[28:55] Thank you.

[28:55] I have two quick items.

[28:56] The first, I'm very excited to introduce formally our new assistant planner,

[29:01] a Darshtumula, who comes to us from Waterloo, Iowa, where he's been working as a planner for two years.

[29:08] And prior to that, he received his bachelor's degree in urban studies and planning from the University,

[29:13] California at Irvine.

[29:15] So we're really glad to have him.

[29:16] He's been here a little over a week and is already helping out quite a bit.

[29:19] So please join me in extending a warm welcome.

[29:22] Welcome to a Darsh.

[29:24] We're happy to have you on the team.

[29:26] Then the quick second item, less exciting to share, but it has come to staff's attention

[29:32] that there have been some fraudulent emails that are going out based on some of the public

[29:37] information that staff publishes for planning commission hearing.

[29:41] So both applicants for the items tonight received some fraudulent emails requesting payment

[29:47] over wire transfer and other things.

[29:50] So staff just wanted to share that this is happening and please that we'll we'll going forward let all that.

[30:00] No, all applicants know they should be advised that they would not receive urgent payment requests from staff and payment will always be coming through formal city emails, not unsolicited emails. So. We put anything in the blue line of the blue folder about that. We're going to be putting something together. Yeah. Try to get ahead of it. That'd be great. Okay. Thank you. So we are adjourned until 730.

[30:31] September 15th, 2026 at 2950 palace birdies drive.

[30:37] Thank you.

Planning Commission Meeting

Transcript