PVE Council Denies Zoning Change

The Palos Verdes Estates City Council denied Tuesday a request by a Palos Verdes Estates couple seeking a zone change for former parkland that would legalize nonconforming retaining walls and allow fencing to keep the public out.

Robert and Delores Lugliani acquired the parkland in a four-way swap that involved the city, the school district, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the Palos Verdes Homes Association, the Palos Verdes Peninsula News reported.

The couple hoped to rezone the parkland that it received from the city after donating $1.5 million to the school district, which in turn gave the city two lots for open space. The home association was involved because it had imposed deed restrictions on the two lots, according to the PV News.

The swap deal resolved the deed restrictions and left the Luglianis with the former parkland, on which they had constructed the retaining walls that they want legalized and where they seek to add a barbecue, sports court and other structures.

To do all of this, the parkland will need to be rezoned to residential use, something that some in the community oppose. 

“No rezoning. No buildings. No fences. No walls. ... We all know what open space means and it's not any of those things,” the PV News quoted resident John Harbison as saying.

The council will take up the issue again on a future, still-unscheduled date. Residents can receive notices of council meetings by visiting the city website.

What do you think about the Luglianis' rezoning request? Tell us in the comments!