Planning commission holds over pergola proposal at 5 Ringbit Road West after neighbors raise massing, drainage and parking concerns

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES — The Rolling Hills Estates Planning Commission on Sept. 16 continued zoning case 25-081, a variance request to allow a 1,000-square-foot pergola in the front-yard setback at 5 Ringbit Road West, after several neighbors and commissioners urged changes to reduce perceived massing and address construction, drainage and parking concerns.

Assistant Planner Stephanie Grant introduced the item and said the lot is in the RAS-1 zone, has about 1.1 acres and contains an existing house built in 1961. She said the applicants sought two variances: one to construct a pergola within the 50-foot accessory-structure setback and another to waive the required 1,000-square-foot corral/stable set-aside because steep terrain in the backyard limits buildable area. Grant said the pergola proposal is roughly 1,000 square feet and that the project was deemed exempt from CEQA under a Class 3 exemption.

Designer Steve Hossa told the commission, "The…