The hillsides of the city constitute a limited natural resource in their scenic value to all residents of and visitors to the city and their potential for vista points and view lots. It is found that the public health, safety and welfare require prevention of needless destruction and impairment of the blockage and misuse of such sites and view lots. The purpose of the ordinance codified herein is to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public through:

A.

The protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of sites and view lots that offer views to the residents because of the unique topographical features which the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers, or which provide unique and irreplaceable assets to the city and its neighboring communities or which provide for this and future generations examples of the unique physical surroundings which are characteristic of the city;

B.

The maintenance of settings which provide the amenity of a view;

C.

The establishment of a process of design review by which the city may render its assistance toward the objective that views enjoyed by residents of the city will not be significantly obstructed.

(Prior code § 1950)

A.

To protect the visual quality of highly scenic areas and maintain the rural character of the city, new development should not degrade highly scenic natural, historical or open areas and shall be visually subordinate to the scenic quality of these areas.

B.

New development within the various view sheds contained in the city that would have a significant visual impact to those living adjacent to the development shall be subject to design review. This review shall ensure that development and its cumulative impact is consistent with the previously mentioned standards.

C.

The design procedures and standards employed in new developments, alterations and additions to existing structures and lots should include appropriate measures that are consistent with appearances and design goals of the view protection ordinance. Development proposals should be coordinated in order to:

1.

Maximize open space preservation;

2.

Protect view corridors, natural vegetation, land forms and other features;

3.

Minimize the appearance of visually intrusive structures;

4.

Prevent the obstruction of property owners' views by requiring appropriate construction of new structures or additions to existing buildings or adjacent parcels;

5.

Assess the potential view loss from public areas of any proposed major structures as well as alterations and additions to existing structures;

6.

Determine whether other suitable design options are available to the property owner in order that view obstructions may be eliminated or lessened in severity.

(Prior code § 1951)

A.

Should it appeal that a potential view impairment may result from a proposed development, addition or alteration, the site shall be subjected to a view preservation site inspection. A fee shall be charged for such inspection as the city council shall fix by resolution.

B.

Upon public inspection, should the city zone clearance official determine that the proposed development addition or alteration will impair a view site, the matter shall be referred for hearing and review by the planning commission pursuant to Sections 17.54.040 and 17.54.050.

(Prior code §§ 1952, 1953)

It shall be the duty of the planning commission to administer the provisions of the view protection ordinance. Review of any site for such purposes shall be initiated by the city pursuant to a view preservation site inspection or otherwise, or by any person aggrieved.

(Prior code § 1954)

The planning commission shall hold a public meeting when complaint opposed to any pending development addition or alteration has been filed by a person aggrieved or referred by the city zone clearance official. In connection with the foregoing, the planning commission:

A.

Shall hear and review such complaints or referrals regarding the proposed construction, alteration or additions;

B.

May request, following a public meeting, that proposed action on a particular site or plans to make any additions to existing structures or new accessory structures on the lot in question will meet the mitigation measures of the view protection ordinance as outlined by the planning commission;

C.

Coordinate and conciliate to the maximum extent possible the resolution of disputes among property owners concerning view obstructions.

(Prior code § 1955)

Any person aggrieved may appeal the planning commission decision to the city council within twenty days after determination of required view protection mitigation measures.

(Prior code § 1956)