General Plan Goals and Policies

As modified by the General Plan Steering Committee

(Final Adopted Modifications - November 4, 2004)

Notes:

1. Potential changes as adopted by the Committee are noted in strikethrough for text removed and in bold for text added.
2. Where a Goal or Policy does not include any strikethrough or bold text, the Committee has determined that the Goal or Policy should remain as originally adopted.
3. In some cases, the Committee has requested that a note or comment from the Committee be placed under a specific Goal or Policy to provide additional information to the Planning Commission and City Council pertaining to the Committee's review of the Goal or Policy.

Natural Environment Element

Goal:

A. It is the goal of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to conserve, protect, and enhance its natural resources, beauty, and open space for the benefit and enjoyment of its residents and the residents of the entire region. Future development shall recognize the sensitivity of the natural environmental and be accomplished in such a manner as to maximize the protection of it.

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Policies for Public Health/Safety Related to the Natural Environment (G.P. pages 44-45):

1. Permit development within the Sea Cliff Erosion Area (RM1), only if demonstrated through detailed geologic analysis, that the design and setbacks are adequate to insure public safety and to maintain physical, biologic, and scenic resources. Due to the sensitive nature of RM 1, this area is included as an integral part of the Coastal Specific Plan a Specific Plan District and should be more fully defined.

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2. Allow only low intensity activities within Resource Management Districts of extreme slopes (RM 2).

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3. Require any development within the Resource Management Districts of high slopes (RM 3) and old landslide area (RM 5) to perform at least one, and preferably two, independent engineering studies concerning the geotechnical, soils, and other stability factors (including seismic considerations) affecting the site.

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4. Allow no further development involving any human occupancy within the active landslide area (RM 4)

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5. Develop, as a part of any specific area planning study, Require a more detailed definition of the limits and composition of any RMD’s when reviewing any development proposal that contains one or more RMD's related to Health and Safety with particular reference to the active/old landslide areas, the sea cliff erosion setback, and critical extreme slope areas.

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6. Develop and enforce a grading ordinance with detailed controls and performance standards to ensure insure both engineering standards and the appropriate topographic treatment of slopes based upon recognized site planning and landscape architecture standards.

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7. Prohibit activities that create excessive silt, pollutant runoff, increase canyon wall erosion, or potential for landslide, within Resource Management Districts containing Hydrologic Factors (RM 6).

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8. In addition to the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve, establishment of the rocky inter-tidal areas throughout the reminder of the City's coastline as a marine reserves and strict enforcement be applied to all regulations concerning marine resources (Resource Management Districts containing Marine Resources RM 7).

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9. Encourage developments within or adjacent to wildlife habitats (RM 8) to describe the nature of the impact upon the wildlife habitat and provide mitigation measures to fully offset the impact.

Committee Note: although the Committee elected (vote of 6 ayes and 4 nays) not to change this Policy, because there was a minority of the Committee (4 votes) that felt strongly about changing the Policy by replacing the first word "Encourage" with "Require", the Committee directed Staff to add the minority vote to the final product presented to the City Council.

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10. Require Encourage developments within Resource Management Districts containing Natural Vegetation (RM 9) to re-vegetate with native material wherever clearing of vegetation is required. appropriate locally native plants wherever reasonably possible whenever clearing of vegetation is required.

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11. Stringently regulate irrigation, natural drainage, and other water-related considerations, in both new development and existing uses affecting existing or potential slide areas.

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12. Provide incentives to enable Consider unique and innovative development exceptions in areas otherwise precluding development for health and safety reasons, only if the development can establish its engineering feasibility beyond a reasonable doubt that it can overcome the conditions otherwise precluding development, and is otherwise compatible with the intent of the General and Specific Plans for the area.

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13. Based on current information from State and Federal Agencies, the City should periodically publish a list Provide a listing of toxic chemicals used such as fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides which are determined to be damaging to the environment, with particular concern for the marine environment, at current use levels within the City (based upon water sampling, etc.) to all potential major users in the City, with use criteria or prohibition clearly indicated. These lists should be distributed to all applicants for business licenses in the City. Additionally, the City should make efforts (including brochures, pamphlets, local community television, etc.) to continually inform and educate all residents and business operators about the impact of chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides on the environment and to encourage responsible use and disposal of such materials.

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14. Maintain the existing natural vegetation of the City in its natural state to the maximum extent possible in all existing and proposed developments, to the extent commensurate with good fire protection policies and encourage the re-establishment of appropriate native plants.

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15. Require a master landscape plan for any proposed development demonstrating showing the retention/enhancement and protection of natural vegetation proposed, selection of new complementing vegetation and enhancement of the environmental factors. , and all efforts involving retention/enhancement/protection of hydrologic factors, vegetation and wildlife factors.

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16. Require all projects with any natural resource management district factors falling within their project boundaries to deal with these areas in detail in an Environmental Impact Report.

Committee Note: the Committee elected to remove this Policy because as required by State Law, all projects are already required to be reviewed according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and according to CEQA may or may not require the preparation of an EIR. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Overall Policies (G.P. page 45):

Proposed New Policies Related Specifically to the NCCP:

1. Implement the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Communities Conservation Plan.

2. Review all proposed development for consistency with the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Communities Conservation Plan.

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1. Develop a resource management ordinance to accompany the zoning ordinance, grading ordinance, and any other regulatory vehicles. Continue to implement the City's Natural Overlay Control District and its performance criteria. ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Develop a specific set of planning and design criteria for natural environment considerations with new development, and in upgrading existing areas for use by architects, planners, engineers, and others in a handbook/checklist form.

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3. Develop and integrate a specific review process covering the natural environment aspects of any proposed development with the normal review processes associated with proposed development.

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4. Consider in more detail natural environment factors in subsequent specific area studies as an integral part of these studies. Continue to implement the natural environment policies of the Coastal Specific Plan.

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5. Consider the establishment of Collect baseline data for air and water quality in order to develop standards for evaluation of the impacts of current or proposed development in and adjacent future enforcement of regulations specific to Rancho Palos Verdes.

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6. Consider Pursue the acquisition of rights over the offshore tidelands area related to the City’s coastline. Develop proposals for grants and recognition as protected areas.

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7. Encourage study of and funding to preserve unusual native flora and fauna.

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Proposed New Policies for the Natural Environment Element:

Habitat Protection:

1. Work with neighboring jurisdictions to manage contiguous wildlife and habitat areas and recreational amenities such as trails.

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2. Encourage the restoration of vegetation throughout the City to indigenous native plant species. Encourage use of locally native plant species in City landscaping.

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Environmental Protection

1. Develop balanced programs to provide greater safe public access to the coastline consistent with protecting the environment. ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Promote programs to encourage volunteer efforts to repair, protect and improve the environment.

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3. Make every effort to preserve or restore a state of natural hydrology when projects impact canyons or other natural drainage areas when such efforts do not conflict with public safety.

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4. Ensure the maximum preservation of the natural scenic character and topography of the City consistent with reasonable economic uses.

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Socio/Cultural Element

Goal:

A. It is the goal of the City to preserve and protect its cultural resources and to promote programs to meet the social needs of its citizens.

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Cultural Resources Archeological, Paleontological, Geological and Historical Resources Element

Goal:

A. The City shall strive to protect and preserve all significant archaeological, paleontological and historical resources within the City.

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Policies (G.P. page 50):

1. Monitor the State’s activities for developments that could provide Seek fundsing for the identification, acquisition, preservation, and/or maintenance of historic places and archaeological, paleontological or geological sites.

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2. Encourage the identification and protection of archaeologically sensitive areas and sites - making such information available only to those that need to know.

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3. Require all projects, that are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, for new construction, subdivisions, conditional use permits, and variances that occur in archaeologically sensitive areas to have a special archaeological component in their Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Reports.

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4. Forward Environmental Impact Reports to the University of California at Los Angeles, the Society for California Archaeology’s (SCA) Clearinghouse for this area, and to California State College at Dominguez Hills.

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5. Preserve locations of archeological and paleontological significance on site where possible. Allow salvage excavation of the site where some technique of preservation cannot be implemented.

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6. Actively press for the Point Vicente Lighthouse to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. Attempt to acquire property as an extension of Point Vicente Park. Consider supporting the addition of other appropriate historic sites in the City to the State and National Historic Register.

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Proposed New Policy for this section of the Socio-Cultural Element:

1. Require that any artifacts or materials of interest be offered to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center for inclusion in its collection. The Center should work with regional entities to share items of particular significance.

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Current social, service, and cultural organizations

Goal:

A. Work toward a coordinated program to Aid in matching the facility needs of the many and diverse groups in the community with existing and future facility resources throughout the City.

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Policies (G.P. page 51):

1. Provide leadership in coordinating a cooperative approach to solving the need for community meetings, cultural events, and recreational facilities.

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2. Plan for a large community meeting facility in its Civic Center.

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3. Encourage the building of meeting facilities by private or nonprofit groups. Existing and new businesses, churches, utilities, etc., should be encouraged to allow some use of their facilities by community groups.

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4. Encourage the building of playing fields for multiple uses by various recreational groups on City land, school sites, and private land, which has not yet been programmed for development.

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Social Services Community Participation and Services

Goals:

A. Encourage programs for community involvement, participation, and action to minimize the sense of isolation and powerlessness felt by many individuals in the community. It is the goal of the City to involve its residents in community and civic activities.

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B. Encourage programs for recreation, social services, and cultural and educational achievement. It is a goal of the City to encourage and provide facilities and resources for recreational, social, cultural, and educational programs for its residents.

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C. Encourage a framework for interaction among the four cities of the peninsula and between the peninsula and its surrounding communities to solve common problems. It is the goal of the City to support mechanisms for participation with area wide districts and jurisdictions for the betterment of the residents of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.

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Policies (G.P. page 55):

1. Encourage the development of homeowners associations and other community groups as a vehicle for increased participation in government. and expansion of meaningful geographic groupings and sub community committees to act as a vehicle for improved communications with citizens, the City staff, and the City Council. Individuals should be encouraged to become involved in the community through interaction, communication and participation.

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2. Act to enhance mobility within the neighborhood, mobility within the City, and on the Peninsula as a whole. Dependence solely upon the private automobile is not satisfactory.

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3. Seek input from residents and address their concerns during the planning process. Bring the residents’ needs into the City’s planning process and attempt to ensure that citizens and their skills are utilized.

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4. Encourage all groups within the City to establish representation on the sub community committees and other civic action groups. Efforts should be made to ensure that no programs are developed that will isolate any group and particular emphasis should be given to those who suffer from isolation due to age, health, disability and race.

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5. Encourage Continue the use of town meetings and forums to obtain public input. Encourage community events. within neighborhoods and citywide to address a variety of issues and subjects of community interest. Facilities for such events should be provided where possible, and annual citywide events should be encouraged.

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6. Develop information services designed to reach as many residents as practical, which lists organizations, events, issues and services available to City residents. an ongoing centralized civic information service of events, issues and services for the citizens. The City should encourage, through this service, the use of existing civic and private assistance organizations.

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7. Encourage the development of job opportunities for youth within the City. The City should actively work toward providing meaningful opportunities for older citizens so that they will choose to remain in the community.

Committee Note: The Committee elected to remove this Policy because the Committee felt that creating jobs, particularly for City residents only, is not a function of the City.

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8. Create recreational opportunities for all City residents. Develop recreational programs that will address the recreational needs of all citizens, both individually and in groups. This should include the development of a set of criteria, which will enable the City to project and evaluate the implications of its decisions as to the long-range effectiveness of these programs.

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9. The City will be an advocate for the efficient delivery of services to its residents. Identify, in partnership with other agencies and organizations, the major human services areas and the respective roles of each agency in the planning, administration and delivery of those services.

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10. Establish, in partnership with other agencies and organizations, procedures for the better coordination of human services delivery. Specifically, the City should assume responsibility for acting as a clearinghouse for up-to-date information on the current state of human services.

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11. Develop, in partnership with other agencies and organizations, mechanisms for the better coordination of human service planning efforts. Specifically, the City should assume responsibility for acting as a clearinghouse for information exchange relevant to human service planning activities throughout the community.

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12. Place special emphasis on the Recognize the residents' cultural, educational, and recreational needs and encourage of individuals, families, and the community and encourage the expansion of existing programs in these areas.

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13. Encourage the South Bay, Harbor, and Peninsula cities to share in the identification of common problems and work toward the development of solutions and services of benefit to each. Work with neighboring jurisdictions and organizations to identify and address common issues. This should include the encouragement of dialogue between the professional City employees of the four cities neighboring jurisdictions and organizations.

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14. Take leadership in the formation of a four-city Peninsula commission dedicated to the expansion and strengthening of common Peninsula city bonds and which should further serve to develop an attitude of mutual respect among communities.

Committee Note: The Committee elected to remove this policy as it was too specific and is better addressed through Goal C and Policy #13 above. The Committee felt that the Council should be responsible for deciding what mechanisms to use to implement Goal C and Policy #13 without the direction imposed by this Policy.

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New Policies Proposed by Committee:

1. Require that any artifacts or materials of interest be offered to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center for inclusion in its collection. The Center should work with regional entities to share items of particular significance.

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2. Establish City committees to utilize resident skills to benefit the community.

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Urban Environment Element

Goal:

A. It is the goal of the City to carefully control and direct future growth towards making a positive contribution to all elements of the community. Growth in Rancho Palos Verdes should be a cautious, evolutionary process that considers follows a well conceived set of general guidelines which respond to both holding the capacity limitations for the City region, and the environmental factors and quality of life on the Peninsula.

Activity Areas

Goals:

A. It is the goal of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to preserve and enhance the community's quality living environment; to enhance the visual character and physical quality of existing neighborhoods and to encourage the development of housing in a manner which adequately serves the needs of the all present and future residents of the community.

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B. Rancho Palos Verdes is a residential city dedicated to the preservation of open space. The City shall discourage industrial and major commercial activities that are not compatible with due to the terrain and environmental characteristics of a respective region of the City. Commercial development Activities shall be carefully and strictly controlled, and limited, giving to consideration to the respective neighboring residential or open space areas. of convenience or neighborhood service facilities.

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C. The City shall encourage allow the development of institutional facilities to serve the political, social, and cultural needs of its citizens residents. Such development shall be carefully and strictly controlled, and limited, giving consideration to the respective neighboring residential or open space areas.

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D. The City shall endeavor to provide, develop, and maintain recreational facilities and programs of various types to provide a variety of activities for persons of all age groups and in all areas of the community.

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E. Existing agricultural uses within the City shall be allowed so long as they are in concert with the environmental objectives stated elsewhere in the General Plan encouraged, since they are desirable for resource management and open space.

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Compatibility of Adjacent Activity Areas to Rancho Palos Verdes

Policy (G.P. page 58):

1. Work in conjunction with neighboring jurisdictions cities when development plans are submitted to either this City or the other jurisdictions cities which generate impacts across jurisdictional lines. into other organizations

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Housing Activity

Policies (G.P. page 78):

1. Retain the present predominance of single-family residences found throughout the City. community, while continuing to maintain the existing variety of housing types. Allow for the maintenance and replacement of existing non-conforming multi-family residential uses.

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2. Require all new housing developed to include suitable and adequate landscaping, open space, and other design amenities to meet the community City's standards of environmental quality.

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3. Encourage and assist in the maintenance and improvement of all existing residential neighborhoods so as to maintain optimum local standards of housing quality and design.

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4. Prepare Maintain and update the Development Codes with quality standards, but being flexible to new technology and techniques of building.

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5. Support and assist in enforcement of "open housing" regulations to prohibit discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.

Staff Note: This Policy was removed as it is already covered under the City's recently adopted Housing Element.

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6. Cooperate with County, State, and Federal agencies, monitoring all housing programs offered, and studying their desirability for implementation in the City.

Staff Note: This Policy was removed as it is already covered under the City's recently adopted Housing Element.

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7. Cooperate with other governmental entities to explore the possibility of obtaining rent and purchase subsidies for low-income housing in the City and South Bay region.

Staff Note: This Policy was removed as it is already covered under the City's recently adopted Housing Element.

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8. Initiate strong code enforcement programs so that scattered housing problems are solved rapidly to prevent even small-area deterioration.

Staff Note: This Policy was removed as it is already covered under the City's recently adopted Housing Element.

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9. Discourage condominium conversion since this further limits the economic range of housing.

Staff Note: This Policy was removed as it is already covered under the City's recently adopted Housing Element.

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10. Require all developments that propose include open space to be held in private ownership to provide legal guarantees to protect these areas from further development and to establish mechanisms enforceable by the City to ensure continued maintenance.

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11. Control the alteration of natural terrain.

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12. Encourage energy and water conservation in housing design.

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13. Require proposals for that development of areas reasonably protects which impact corridor(add a hyphen between these two words -)related views to analyze the site conditions and address the preservation of such views.

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14. Prohibit encroachment on existing scenic views reasonably expected by neighboring residents.

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15. Enforce height controls to further lessen the possibility for reasonably minimize view obstructions.

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16. Require Encourage all development proposed housing to show how it ensures the existence of preserve neighboring site privacy., while simultaneously providing privacy to the occupants of the proposed units.

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17. Make an effort through zoning, cooperation with other governmental entities, and acquisition to Preserve the rural and open character of the City through zoning, cooperation with other jurisdictions, and acquisition of open space land.

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18. Allow no further development involving any human occupancy within the active landslide areas.

Committee Note: The Committee wanted to note to the City Council that this policy may need some revision since the Code currently permits building additions of up to 600 square feet in the landslide moratorium areas.

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New Policies Proposed by Committee:

1. Require all new housing and significant improvements to existing housing to consider neighborhood compatability.

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Commercial and Institutional Activity Development

Policies (G.P. page 85):

1. Place commercial and institutional activities developments under the same building orientation controls as residential activities developments in regard to topographic and climatic design factors.

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2. Require the that commercial and institutional activity where a commercial area would be nonconforming with adjoining activities, to provide the necessary buffer and mitigate negative impacts on adjoining residential areas. mitigating measures, including landscaping, etc.

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3. Make special efforts to ensure safe conditions on ingress and egress routes to commercial areas for both pedestrians and vehicles. Require commercial and institutional development to be designed to maximize pedestrian safety. ____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Require that scenic view disruption preservation by commercial and institutional activities be taken into account not only in the physical design of structures and signs, but also in night lighting of exterior grounds.

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5. Require commercial and institutional sites to limit the exposure of parking and exterior service areas from the view of adjoining sites and circulation routes.

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6. Study parking areas as to the degree of use for the total area. Where a portion of the parking area is determined to only serve short-term seasonal demands, alternative surface treatments such as grass should be employed.

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7. Require adequate provisions be incorporated into commercial and institutional site design to reduce negative impacts on adjoining residential areas.

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8. Specify the mix of standard and compact parking places for new development to ensure that all parking requirements are met.

Note: This is a proposed new policy.

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Institutional Activity (Public, Educational and Religious)

Policies:

Note: Re-number the following Policies so that they fall directly behind the Policies noted above.

1. Locate schools on or near major arterials or collectors, buffered Require any new schools and encourage existing schools to from residential uses, and provide adequate on-site parking, and automobile and pedestrian access.

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2. Make every effort to preserve Incorporate the Coast Guard Station as a historical and cultural resource in the event that into Lower Point Vicente Park when it is deactivated.

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3. Continue to work closely with the School District in coordinating planning and programming. Coordinate with the School District on cross-jurisdictional issues.

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4. Encourage implementation of plans for pedestrian and bicycling networks linking residential areas with schools for the safety of children.

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5. Encourage additional institutions of higher learning and research, particularly those related to oceanography.

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6. Review the location and site design of future institutional uses very carefully to ensure their compatibility with adjacent sites.

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7. Encourage mitigation of the adverse aesthetic impacts of the County communications tower, as changing technology and economics permit. utility facilities.

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Agricultural Activity

Policies (G.P. page 100):

1. Encourage implementation techniques for preservation of agricultural activities.

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2. Assist in the protection or conservation of agricultural sites.

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3. Encourage continued operation of existing produce and flower stands., not necessarily in present locations and structural types, but in concept, related to local agricultural use.

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4. Preserve flower farming wherever possible, in order to provide aesthetic appeal and visual accent.

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Recreational Activity

Policies (G.P. page 99):

1. Provide appropriate access to all public recreational land.

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2. Continue to Promote and/or sponsor recreation programs within the City considering the diversity of needs.

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3. Encourage local, public, non-profit, recreational and cultural activities, which provide outlets for citizens on a non-discriminatory basis.

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4. Establish ordinances to require builders and developers to provide lands and/or funds for acquisition and development of land for recreational use. These lands and/or funds shall be based on a standard of providing 4 acres of local parkland per 1000 population.

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5. Seek County, State, and Federal and private funds or sharing funds to acquire recreational lands.

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6. Encourage landholders to contribute lands and/or easements to the City for recreational use.

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7. Work through the State and Federal government in support of legislation resulting in governmental City acquisition of coastal land.

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8. Encourage local citizens groups to participate in the planning, development, and maintenance of recreation facilities to the extent possible.

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9. Engage in further study of recreational activities on a neighborhood level following the General Plan.

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10. Investigate the interim use of vacant school sites for recreational use.

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11. Encourage institutions to provide public use of institutional recreational facilities, where possible.

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Infrastructure

Goals:

A. It shall be a goal of the City to ensure adequate public utilities and communications services to all residents, while considering environmental, aesthetic and view impacts. maintaining the quality of the environment.

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B. It shall be a goal of the City to provide and maintain residents with a safe, and efficient and comprehensive system of roads., trails and paths.

Committee Note: The Committee directed Staff to have the Recreation Sub-committee also review this Goal in its original format as it addressed trails and paths.

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C. It shall be a goal of the City to facilitate encourage the increased mobility of residents through the development of an adequate public transportation system with consideration of the City's demographics..

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D. It shall be a goal of the City to work with other jurisdictions and agencies to ensure that there are adequate storm drain and sewer systems to serve the residents.

(Note: this is a new Goal)

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Resource System

Policies (G.P. page 107):

1. Ensure that the water company provides all areas of the City with adequate Cooperate with California Water Service Company and the Los Angeles County Fire Department to improve water service (pressure and flow) in areas of inadequate service with adequate back-up.

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2. Encourage the investigation and use of alternative water and energy generation sources.

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3. Promote, practice and encourage workable energy and water conservation techniques.

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4. Review any proposed development, major new uses of water, or significant changes to water system for impacts (pressure and flow surge potential) to the surrounding neighborhood and community.

(Note: this is a new Policy)

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Disposal/Recovery System

Policies (G.P. page 112):

1. Take an active interest in Encourage waste management reduction and recycling programs. and offer assistance to groups attempting to offer solutions to the problems of waste

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2. Require sanitary sewers in all major new developments to provide sanitary sewers connected to the County Sanitation District's system.

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3. Encourage the retention of all remaining natural watercourses in their natural state.

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4. Require developers to install and develop a mechanism for ongoing maintenance of necessary flood control devices in order to mitigate downstream flood hazard induced by proposed upstream developments.

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5. Require that all flood control/natural water source interfaces and systems minimize erosion. be treated so that erosion will be held to a minimum.

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6. Encourage the investigation of methods to reduce Promote compliance with regulations controlling pollution impacts generated by development runoff.

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7. Promote compliance with regulations controlling discharge of wastewater into the ocean. Encourage the Sanitation District to upgrade all wastewater discharged from the Whites Point outfalls to a minimum of secondary treatment.

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8. Require the installation of connection to the Los Angeles County Sanitation District's sewers in existing development if alternative sewerage systems endanger public health, safety and welfare.

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Communication Systems

Policies (G.P. page 115):

1. Investigate the potential of alternative cable communications systems that take advantage of new technology, which could disseminate information and issues to communities and/or the City as a whole.

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2. Require Encourage the underground installation of cable communications network in all new developments.

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3. It shall be a policy of the City to balance the need to accommodate wireless communications coverage in the community with the need to protect and maintain the quality of the environment for residents. All new proposals to construct wireless communication facilities shall be reviewed using guidelines adopted and kept current by the Planning Commission and where applicable considering CC&R's. Said guidelines shall balance public and private costs and benefits to the greatest reasonable extent, and encourage co-location of facilities and the use of evolving wireless communication technologies to minimize impacts.

(Note: this is a new Policy)

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Transportation Systems

Policies (G.P. page 137):

1. Balance traffic impacts to residential neighborhoods with efficient traffic flow and public safety by implementing appropriate traffic-calming measures. Design public access into residential areas to control non-local traffic.

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2. Require any new developments or redevelopment with new streets to provide streets wide enough to support the City's future traffic needs. adequate right-of-way widths for possible future needs to provide for traffic patterns necessary to accommodate future growth needs.

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3. Prohibit future residential developments from providing direct access (driveways) from individual units to arterials.

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4. Encourage, together with other Peninsula cities, Southern California Rapid Transit District Work with other Peninsula cities and/or regional agencies to improve public transportation on the Peninsula and to provide access to other destinations in the region.

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5. Explore the establishment of an independent bus system or contract for service with an independent municipal transportation agency if RTD service remains unsatisfactory.

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6. Design path and trail networks to reflect both a local and regional demand, Implement the Trail Network Plan to meet the recreational needs of the community, while maintaining the unique character of the Peninsula.

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7. Require, wherever practical, all path and trail networks to be in separate rights-of-way.

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8. Coordinate and cooperate with adjacent cities, the County and other appropriate agencies and organizations in the development of path and neighboring jurisdictions to develop trail networks is encouraged.

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9. Prohibit motorized vehicles from using designated paths and trails, except in the case of for disabled access, emergency or maintenance vehicles.

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10. Require that all new developments, where appropriate, establish walkway, bikeway and equestrian systems paths and trails where appropriate.

Committee Note: The Steering Committee wanted the Council to know that they voted 6 yes/5 no to amend this policy as shown.

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11. Further investigate possible Seek funding sources for acquisition, development and maintenance of paths and trails.

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12. Make use, where appropriate, of Implement trails on existing rights-of-way and easements in accordance with the Trails Network Plan.

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13. Provide Include safety measures such as the separation of uses, fences, signage, etc., in the design and construction of on paths and trails, particularly on bluffs and ridgelines, and include such measures as key design factors.

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14. Encourage the R.T.D. to provide bike racks (or similar) on buses.

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15. Encourage the safe and courteous use of trails by educating users as appropriate. establishment of a program designed to educate users and non-users of path and trail networks in terms of safety and courtesy.

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16. Insure Provide appropriate public access to the Rancho Palos Verdes shoreline.

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17, Explore alternative methods of options to develop implementation for the stables proposed in this Plan a City equestrian park.

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18. Require adequate off-street parking for all existing and future development.

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19. Investigate current and future parking characteristics and Develop appropriate ordinances which to regulate overnight street parking and parking of recreational, commercial and/or oversized vehicles., etc.

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20. Require, wherever possible, pedestrian access to new developments for children to schools. Coordinate and cooperate with school districts, and parent and community groups to provide safe and proximate access to schools.

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21. Require detailed analysis for all proposals to convert local public roads into private streets or retain new local roads as private property. Conditions for establishing private streets should include: (a) The road is a truly local road and is not needed as a thoroughfare in the collector and arterial road network, (b) An assessment district or a C.C.&R. district is established which will allow the district to levy taxes or legally enforceable assessments for road maintenance, (c) Provisions are made to guarantee the proper up-keep of the streets, (d) Dedication of Any required non-vehicular easements may must be required provided.

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22. Reflect the elements of the City's Conceptual Trails Network Plan in appropriate City processes and procedures depending on trails categories and status as defined in the Conceptual Trails Plan. For each trail category, the City's action should include:

f. Category VI: Individual evaluation of these trails.

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23. If City land is sold, any appropriate public access easement, restriction, reservation and/or right of way should be recorded.

Note: This is a new Policy.

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24. Descriptions of relevant trails in the Trails Network Plan should be provided to potential applicants when inquiries for development are first made.

Note: This is a new Policy.

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23. Design and construct new trails in accordance with the Trails Network Plan and other National, State and local U.S. Forest Service standards, wherever appropriate. possible.

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24. When constructing paths and trails, require the use of construction techniques that minimize the to have a minimal impact on the environment.

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25. Where appropriate, align trails to provide maximum maximize access to scenic resources.

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26. Include those the bikeways in the Conceptual Bikeways Plan or alternate approaches to provide access, prior to approval of proposals for land development* by the Planning Commission or City Council.

* Land Development shall mean development proposed through a subdivision of land application and/or conditional use permit application.

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27. Consideration of the inclusion of bikeways in the Conceptual Bikeways Plan, or alternate approaches to provide access, prior to project bid solicitation during project design is required in all Department of Public Works or Department of Recreation and Parks projects.

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Infrastructure

Policies (G.P. page 138):

1. Explore the possibility of eliminating major or critical infrastructure facilities and networks that serve other parts of the City from landslide areas.

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2. Prohibit Discourage the installation or extension of any infrastructure component into any area known to be unstable or of major environmental significance. hazardous unless appropriate liability safeguards (such as geological hazard abatement districts) are in place and adequate mitigation measures are incorporated into the design.

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3. Consider, at such time that a service or services do not adequately meet the needs of Rancho Palos Verdes, which utilities might better be a function of the City or other public agency.

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4. Underground all new power lines and communications cables. Implement programs to place existing lines and cables underground where feasible.

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5. Continue to Encourage the establishment of undergrounding assessment districts by homeowners, in areas of existing overhead lines.

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6. Investigate funding sources to be used in local undergrounding programs for areas of existing overhead lines.

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7. Allow new development to only occur where adequate infrastructure systems can reasonably be provided.

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8. Require adequate landscaping or buffering techniques for all new and existing facilities and networks, in order to reduce the visual impact of many infrastructure facilities and networks.

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Safety

Goals:

A. It shall be a goal of the City to provide for the protection of life and property from both natural and man-made hazards within the community.

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B. It shall be a goal of the City to provide for the protection of the public through effective law enforcement and fire protection programs and volunteer programs such as Neighborhood Watch and the Community Emergency Response Team.

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C. It shall be a goal of the City to develop and enforce health and sanitation requirements and develop emergency communications and disaster preparedness programs to ensure the overall health and safety of all residents.

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D. It shall be a goal of the City to protect life and property and reduce adverse economic, environmental, and social impacts resulting from any geologic activity.

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Policies (G.P. page 175):

1. Promote the education and safety awareness pertaining to all hazards, which affect Rancho Palos Verdes residents and adjacent communities.

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2. Adopt and enforce building codes, ordinances, and regulations using best practices which contain design and construction standards based upon specified appropriate levels of risk and hazard.

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3. Encourage cooperation among adjacent communities to ensure back-up law enforcement and fire protection assistance mutual aid in emergency situations.

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4. Cooperate with the fire protection agency and water company to ensure adequate water flow capabilities with adequate back-up throughout all areas of the City.

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5. Continue to cooperate with the fire protection agencies to determine the feasibility of in utilizing public facilities for the existing helicopter "pad" at the Nike Site for a water and refueling locations.

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6. Using best practices, develop and implement stringent site design and maintenance criteria for areas of high fire hazard potential in coordination with fire protection agencies.

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7. Implement reasonable and consistent house numbering and consistent street naming systems.

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8. Coordinate with the Fire Department to determine the feasibility of provideing adequate emergency access to the end points of long cul-de-sacs (in excess of 700 ft.).

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9. Ensure that services are provided available to deal adequately with address health and sanitation problems issues.

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10. Work with other jurisdictions to ensure that local, County, State and Federal health, safety, and sanitation laws are enforced.

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11. Ensure that adequate emergency treatment and transportation facilities are available to all areas of the City.

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12. Promote Development and maintenance maintain relationships of liaison with various levels of health, safety, and sanitation agencies.

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13. Encourage Ensure the availability of paramedic rescue and fire suppression services to all areas of the City.

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14. Be prepared to Maintain and implement contingency plans a current Standard Emergency Management Systems (SEMS) Plan to cope with a major disasters.

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15. Maintain liaison with other local, County, State and Federal disaster agencies.

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16. Regulate the activities, types, kinds, and numbers of animals and balance the interest of animal owners and persons whose welfare is affected.

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17. Ensure the protection of compatible levels of wild animal populations, which do not adversely impact humans and their domestic animals.

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18. Work with adjacent jurisdictions with respect to Encourage liaison of animal regulation activities with adjacent cities.

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19. Give Consideration to alternative animal control and enforcement methods and to facilitate for shelter, medical treatment, and training classes where needed.

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Sensory Environment

Goals:

A. It shall be the goal of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes through proper land use planning and regulations, to provide for a quiet and serene residential community with a minimum of restriction on citizen activity.

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B. Palos Verdes Peninsula is graced with views and vistas of the surrounding Los Angeles basin and coastal region. Because of its unique geographic form and coastal resources, these views and vistas are a significant resource to residents and to many visitors, as they provide a rare means of experiencing the beauty of the Peninsula and the Los Angeles region. It is the responsibility of the City to preserve these views and vistas for the public benefit and, where appropriate, the City should strive to enhance and restore these resources, the visual character of the City, and provide and maintain access for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.

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Noise Aspects

Policies (G.P. page 187):

1. Mitigate impacts generated by steady state noise intrusion (e.g., with land strip buffers, landscaping, site design).

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2. Develop an ordinance to control noise commensurate with the local ambiance.

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3. Regulate land use so that there is a minimal degree of noise impact on adjacent land uses.

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4. Contain Encourage through traffic to existing arterials and collectors so that local roads are not used as bypasses or short cuts so as in order to minimize noise.

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5. Require residential uses in the 70 dB(A) location range to provide regulatory screening or some other noise-inhibiting agent to ensure compliance with the noise ordinance.

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6. Control traffic flows of heavy construction vehicles en route to or from construction sites to minimize noise.

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7. Maintain current and up-to-date information on noise control measures, on both fixed point and vehicular noise sources.

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8. Require strict noise attenuation measures where appropriate. be taken in all multi-family residential units.

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9. Coordinate with all public agencies, especially our adjoining jurisdictions neighbors, who might wish to enter into a joint effort to study and/or control noise emissions.

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10. Review noise attenuation measures applicable to home, apartment, and office building construction, make appropriates proposals for the City zoning ordinance, and make appropriate recommendations for modifying the Los Angeles County Building Code as it applies to the City.

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11. Encourage the State and Federal governments to actively control and reduce vehicle noise emissions.

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12. Encourage State law enforcement agencies such as the California Highway Patrol to vigorously enforce all laws that call for the control and/or reduction of noise emissions.

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Visual Aspects

Policies (G.P. page 192):

1. Develop controls to preserve existing significant visual aspects from future disruption or degradation.

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2. Enhance views and vistas where appropriate through various visual accents.

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3. Preserve and enhance existing positive visual elements while restoring those that have been lost, which are lacking in their present visual quality.

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4. Make a further study on Consider the visual character of neighborhoods consistent with following the General Plan and Neighborhood Compatibility in order to assess visual elements on an individual neighborhood basis.

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5. Develop well-located vista points to provide off-road areas where views may be enjoyed. These should have safe ingress and egress and be adequately posted.

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6. Develop and maintain, in conjunction with appropriate agencies, public access to paths and trail networks for the enjoyment of related views.

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7. Require developers, as developments are proposed within areas which impact the visual character of a corridor, to address treatments to be incorporated into their projects, which enhance a corridor’s imagery.

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8. Require developments within areas which will impact corridor-related views to fully analyze project impacts in relation to corridors in order to mitigate their impact.

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9. Require developments which lie between natural areas to be maintained and viewing corridors to show how they intend to mitigate view disruption.

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10. Develop a program for the restoration of existing areas, which negatively impact view corridors. through the urban design element (e.g., landscaping and under grounding).

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Land Use Plan

Goal:

A. It is the goal of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to provide for land uses which will be sensitive to and enhance the natural environment and character of the community City, supply appropriate facilities to serve residents and visitors, promote a range of housing types, promote fiscal balance, and protect the general health, safety, and welfare of the community City.

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Fiscal Element

Goals:

A. It shall be a goal of the City to hold the property tax to a minimum and to continually explore and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of alternate or new sources of revenue.

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B. It shall be a goal of the City to explore cooperative financing strategies that might be undertaken in association with others. jurisdictions.

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C. It shall be a goal of the City to take maximum advantage of regulatory legislation to obtain contributions, dedications, and reservations (option to purchase) and rights of way (i.e., easements).

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D. It shall be a goal of the City to ascertain that all revenues generated by growth are development shall be sufficient to cover the costs related to such development growth.

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E. It shall be a goal of the City to thoroughly evaluate capital acquisition and asset expenditures to ensure that available financing alternatives are sufficient to meet related ongoing operating expenditures and their impacts before implementation of programs.

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F. It shall be a goal of the City to maintain a prudent general fund reserve.

Note: This is a new Goal.

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G. It shall be a goal of the City to consider all available funding sources for City expenditures.

Note: This is a new Goal.

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Policies (G.P. page 241-242):

1. Consider the cost effectiveness and community benefits of all new major City services and facilities.

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2. Require that wherever appropriate, special benefit new City services be paid for by the users in the form of specified fees or taxes.

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3. Work toward integration of common services among the four Peninsula cities neighboring jurisdictions, agencies and organizations for improved cost effectiveness and quality of service.

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4. Consider the financial impacts of City decisions on other jurisdictions governmental agencies and/or public utilities serving our residents.

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5. Encourage State legislative action to provide equitable distribution of tax revenues commensurate with the City’s responsibilities.

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6. Obtain a fair share of revenues available Seek funds from other government sources with due consideration being given to the impact on local control and obligations incurred. only if the impacts to and obligations of the City caused by accepting those funds are not unduly burdensome.

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7. Continually Evaluate the merits of contracting for services versus in-house staffing.

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8. Encourage private contributions and donations to the City. as alternatives to public funding.

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9. Assess current Consider administrative and enforcement capabilities and available funding before imposing new regulations to insure that address whether such new regulations can be effectively administered. without undue costs.

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10. Utilize regulatory methods in a fair and equitable manner to reduce public costs.

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11. Consider the financial impact of City decisions as they affect costs other than taxes to our on City residents.

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12. Finance recurring expenditures from recurring revenues.

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The following is a proposed new policy.

13. Consider the cost impacts of approving any new development within the City.

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"Super-Goals"

Proposed by Steering Committee

Committee Note: The Committee requested that these new goals be considered as "super-goals" to be inserted into the front of the General Plan. Other "super-goals" could be added that give an overall goal or context for the City.

1. Rancho Palos Verdes is a residential community dedicated to the preservation of open space.

2. Seek all available funds when looking at developing or implementing programs or development projects.

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"General Plan Implementation Goals"

Proposed by Steering Committee

Committee Note: The Committee recommended creating a new "General Plan Implementation" section of the General Plan that could include policies such as these with the hope of providing resolution and commitment to the Plan. This new section could be located either in the beginning or end of the General Plan document.

1. Periodically (such as every five-years) City Staff should present to the Planning Commission changes in natural elements or changes arising from technological advances that warrant revisions to policies or goals. Staff is encouraged to suggest proactive steps or work that will result in greater safeguards or protection to the environmental elements (examples include grading for slope stability, corrections of sea cliff erosion, hydrology improvement, etc.).

2. Develop an on-going program to improve public awareness of the policies and goals contained within the General Plan. Such a program should include publishing and periodically distributing (not merely upon initial publication) of brochures, articles in local newspapers, City cable television programs, and school programs.