R.H. Estates : Zoning Guidelines Sought

After six months of sitting on the sidelines, the city Planning Commission has decided to resume an active role in determining the future of the Chandler gravel quarry, which is the focal point of a 600-home project being planned by Cayman Development Co.

The commission has directed the city staff to propose specific zoning guidelines for a 245-acre project area, which also includes the Rolling Hills Country Club, and plans to hold a public hearing in late February. Commissioners will tour the site Jan. 25.

A “planned development zone” concept for the property was shelved by the commission in June pending discussions with Cayman and officials in Torrance, where an additional 55 acres of the development would be located. Although those discussions are still under way, Planning Director Stephen A. Emslie said the commission “wants to proceed with instituting some controls” in the Rolling Hills Estates portion of the development so “the developer will respond to the city, and not the city respond to the developer. The concern is that the project may get too far down the road without city input and will be more difficult to change.”

Emslie said the City Council wants the city to provide specific direction for the project, which last year drew criticism from some residents concerned about traffic, street access and preservation of horse trails.

Cayman spokesman Dave Eadie said the approach “is good from the standpoint of knowing where you stand” on zoning, but he said it is a departure from the city’s earlier decision that it should be handled jointly by Rolling Hills Estates and Torrance.

The “planned development zone” would have limited the the overall development to two units per acre and would have restricted multifamily buildings to two units. Emslie said the new zoning proposals will be “no less restrictive.”