Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Ch. 17.22 Commercial Recreational (cr) District

This district permits those entertainment and recreational activities which are of a commercial nature, provided that a conditional use permit is obtained.

(Code 1981, § 17.22.010; Ord. No. 250, § 10(part), 1990; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

Only the following uses and developments may be conducted or constructed:

A. Temporary special uses and developments, if a special use permit is first obtained, pursuant to chapter 17.62 (Special Use Permits);

B. Commercial filming or photography, if a city film permit is first obtained, pursuant to chapter 9.16 (Still Photography, Motion Picture and Television Productions) of this Code;

C. Recycling centers, pursuant to chapter 17.58 (Recycling);

D. Temporary vendors, as approved pursuant to chapter 17.62 (Special Use Permits);

E. Other uses as provided in any applicable overlay or special districts; and

F. Other similar uses determined by the director to be similar to the uses described in section 17.22.010 of this chapter. Such a determination may be appealed to the planning commission and the planning commission's decision may be appealed to the city council pursuant to chapter 17.80 (Hearing notice and appeal procedures).

(Code 1981, § 17.22.020; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

The following uses may be permitted in the Commercial Recreational (CR) District pursuant to a conditional use permit, as per chapter 17.60 (Conditional Use Permit):

A. Any new or reestablished use which is of an entertainment, visitor serving or recreational nature, including, but not limited to, a resort/conference hotel, restaurant, limited theme retail, tennis court, golf course and other entertainment and banquet facilities compatible with existing uses and the surrounding area. Such use, if located within the coastal specific plan district, shall be required to provide public access to and along the bluff and coastline;

B. Flower and produce stands, wholesale plant nurseries, the growing of crops and similar commercial/agricultural uses;

C. Bed and breakfast inns;

D. Churches;

E. Commercial antennas, pursuant to section 17.76.020 (Antennas);

F. Golf courses, driving ranges and related ancillary uses;

G. Helistops;

H. Private educational uses, including nursery schools and day nurseries;

I. Public utility structures;

J. Outdoor active recreational uses and facilities; and

K. Such uses as the director deems to be similar and no more intensive. Such a determination may be appealed to the planning commission and the planning commission's decision may be appealed to the city council pursuant to chapter 17.80 (Hearing notice and appeal procedures). If a proposed use or development is located in the coastal specific plan district, the city's final decision regarding such other use may be appealed to the California Coastal Commission for a determination that the uses are similar and compatible with the local coastal program.

(Code 1981, § 17.22.030; Ord. No. 250, § 10(part), 1990; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

All uses shall be operated and/or maintained in a manner that does not create a public nuisance.

A. All buildings or structures that are not in use or operation shall be secured in a manner approved by the director.

B. Routine landscaping and ground maintenance shall continue whether or not the use is currently in operation or open to the public.

C. Any use located within the coastal specific plan district shall be operated and maintained to preserve public coastal access, whether or not the use is currently in operation or open to the public. Such access may be restricted on a temporary basis, with the approval of the director if necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

D. Ten percent of any required parking shall be designated as public parking for coastal access as indicated by the coastal specific plan (p. U-18 Policy No. 3).

(Code 1981, § 17.22.040; Ord. No. 250, § 10(part), 1990; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)

A. Lot area. The planning commission may modify the minimum lot size for any lot pursuant to a conditional use permit.

B. Landscaping. All landscaping, including the parking lot landscaping required by section 17.50.040 (Developmental standards), shall be provided at a 2:1 ratio to at-grade surface parking to provide additional buffering and screening around such facilities. Any landscaping shall be designed and maintained in a manner that prevents significant obstruction of public and private views as defined in section 17.02.040 (View preservation and restoration). Landscaping and irrigation plans must be approved by the director and the approved landscaping planted before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Landscaping shall be coordinated with the building design and site layout to provide open space, accents, relief, screening and buffering.

C. Design.

1. Standardized architectural styles, forms and roof types, established through contractual agreements with franchisers and used repetitively throughout southern California, statewide and nationally, shall be avoided.

2. Design based on the unique character of the site, including topography, climate orientation, location and history, is encouraged.

3. Visually interesting designs incorporating variations in horizontal and vertical planes, setbacks, bulk, materials and colors are encouraged.

D. Height. Buildings above 16 feet in height may be permitted by the planning commission pursuant to a conditional use permit provided that:

1. The proposed height is determined to be consistent with the goals and policies of the coastal specific plan, particularly as related to view and open space preservation;

2. The proposed height results in the provision of additional public open space and the creation or protection of identified visual corridors;

3. The proposed height is compatible and in visual scale with the overall development concept for the property; and

4. The structure, at the proposed height, does not significantly impair a public or private view as defined in section 17.02.040 (View preservation and restoration) and is designed in a manner that minimizes view impairment.

(Code 1981, § 17.22.050; Ord. No. 250, § 10(part), 1990; Ord. No. 320, § 7(part), 1997)