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Council approves after‑the‑fact fire pit and small front wall at Trump National Golf Club property
Summary
After a staff presentation and two public speakers (property representative and buyer), council approved revisions to a development conditional‑use permit to allow an as‑built raised fire pit in a rear setback and a 3.5‑foot balustrade wall in a front setback; staff said the tract’s CUP conditions are stricter than the municipal code and the doubled permit fee is a citywide penalty for unpermitted work.
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council approved Feb. 3 a revision to a conditional‑use permit for a lot adjacent to Trump National Golf Club that will allow an as‑built raised fire pit to remain in the rear‑yard setback and permit construction of a 3.5‑foot balustrade wall in the front‑yard setback.
Senior Planner Amy Ser told the council the site sits within tract 50667 and is subject to tract‑specific CUP conditions that are stricter than standard municipal code. Staff explained that pools and spas were previously permitted in setbacks under the CUP but the raised fire pit was constructed without a permit; the applicant later sought to legalize the as‑built structure. Staff recommended the revision after concluding the improvements are below the roof line, do not affect shared driveway or fire access and meet findings required by the CUP.
Applicant presentation and public input
A representative for the developers (Kyle Sol) and the buyer (Jackie Chang) testified via Zoom that the balustrade and relocated fire pit were added for safety and privacy concerns; Ms. Chang noted coyotes and steep slopes near the property. No members of the public registered opposition in person.
Fees and findings
Council asked about fees for after‑the‑fact permits; staff said municipal code doubles planning permit fees for as‑built/unpermitted structures as a penalty and deterrent. Council members discussed the tract’s unusual and stricter setback rules and the fact that staff had included an updated plan set in late correspondence.
Council outcome
After finding the required findings could be met, council voted to approve the requested revisions and the site‑plan review permit; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters
The approval regularizes unpermitted construction on a lot with tract‑specific restrictions and reinforces the city’s practice of assessing doubled fees for after‑the‑fact permit applications. It underscores how tract‑level CUP conditions can differ from general municipal code and the importance of disclosure and permitting during construction.
Next steps
Staff will finalize the permit record and proceed with any administrative steps to ensure the approved as‑built improvements conform to the approved plans and applicable conditions.
