Neighbors and homeowners clash over two‑story addition at 28337 Ponttovita Drive; hearing continued

The Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission on April 14 continued a contentious appeal of a director‑approved height‑variation permit for 28337 Ponttovita Drive after more than three hours of testimony from staff, the appellant, the applicants and numerous neighbors.

Associate Planner Jeffrey Kim told the commission the director had conditionally approved a plan that would add an upper level to an existing single‑story home and that staff found the project consistent with the neighborhood when evaluated under the city's review criteria. The staff report described the project and summarized changes the applicant made during review intended to reduce privacy and view impacts; staff recommended denying the appeal and upholding the director’s approval.

Why it matters: neighbors said the rear‑facing second story would create significant bulk and remove longstanding privacy for adjacent backyards, while the applicants said site constraints (pool, setbacks and lot slope) left a second‑story addition as the only feasible means to provide needed living space for a growing…