Planning commission approves Canterbury retirement-community upgrades, parking variance and grading permit

The Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission on Feb. 24 approved a package of entitlements allowing the Canterbury continuing-care retirement community at 5801 Crestridge Road to add 20,418 square feet of building area, make extensive site improvements and modify parking and grading on the 5.2-acre campus.

Senior Planner Jessica Bobbitt told commissioners staff recommended approving a conditional-use-permit revision, a variance to reduce parking, a major grading permit, a sign permit and major site-plan review. The project proposes additions to Wings A through E (including a 10,644-square-foot addition to Wing A), a redesigned circulation plan with new covered connections and elevators, expanded dining and wellness spaces, a larger pool and new landscape and amenity areas. Total proposed grading is 1,657 cubic yards with retaining walls up to about 8.3 feet.

Bobbitt said the operational changes would increase the independent-living bed count from 142 to 146 and assisted-living/memory-care beds from 43 to 49, raising the campus total from 185 to 195 beds — still below the 200-bed limit in CUP No. 41. Staff advised the commission the project meets required CUP and variance findings and that the altered area of the site qualifies for a Class 32 categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, citing the site's institutional zoning, its urban context and the limited area of disturbance.

Project representatives said much of the fill work involves raising existing sunken courtyards and not cutting into steep slopes. "These changes are intended to shorten travel distances across campus and create accessible common spaces," said Dave Hone, executive director of the Canterbury. Architect Jay Blatter and project engineer Nigel Gomersall described design changes that staff said preserve views from neighboring pads while creating safer, more accessible outdoor terraces for residents.

Parking was a central point of discussion. Municipal code calculations showed a requirement of 159 spaces based on the bed count and uses; prior variances left 135 spaces on-site. The applicant proposed 129 spaces and provided a parking study reporting 38 resident drivers and a maximum overlapping staff presence of about 60, concluding an operational need closer to 97 spaces. "We are confident these parking numbers are adequate based on similar campuses and the resident population," an applicant architect said.

Commissioners asked for—and staff agreed to include—standard conditions addressing construction hours, dust suppression and other measures intended to protect residents' health and minimize neighborhood impacts during construction. The motion to approve the full slate of entitlements was seconded and passed on roll call; staff noted a 15-day appeal period for the decision.

What happens next: The project may move into final plan checks and permit issuance subject to the conditions of approval listed in the staff report and exhibit A. The commission record shows the city published public notice for the project Feb. 5 and received five letters of support and other public comments prior to the hearing.