HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 - Reso 1922 - 215 El Dorado St.DATE: November 25, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commission FROM: Jim Kasama, Community Development Administrator By: Jordan Chamberlin, Assistant Planner SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 1922 – APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. TPM 14-11 (73180) AND MULTIPLE-FAMILY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. MFADR 14-19 WITH A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) FOR A TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT AT 215 EL DORADO STREET Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 1922 SUMMARY The applicant, PDS Studios, Inc. is requesting approval of Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) and Multiple Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 14-19 for a two-unit, residential condominium development at 215 El Dorado Street. Construction of a new residential structure of not more than four units is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It is recommended that the Planning Commission approve TPM 14-11 (73180) and MFADR 14-19, subject to the conditions listed in this staff report, and adopt Resolution No. 1922 (Attachment No. 1). BACKGROUND The subject property is a 7,675 square-foot site zoned R-2, Medium Density Multiple- Family Residential. The site is currently developed with 1,902 square-foot, one-story, two-unit, multiple-family residence with a detached garage – refer to Attachment No. 2 for an Aerial photo with Zoning Information and Photos of the Subject Property and Surrounding Properties. DISCUSSION The applicant is requesting approval of a Tentative Parcel Map and Architectural Design Review for a two-unit, residential condominium development. The site is zoned R-2, Medium Density Multiple Family Residential, with a total land area of 7,675 square feet. The R-2 zone has a maximum density of one unit per 3,750 square feet of lot area. Based on this density factor, a maximum of two (2) units is allowed on the subject site, and the proposed development is consistent with this density limit. Resolution No. 1922 – TPM 14-11 (73180) & MFADR 14-19 215 El Dorado Street November 25, 2014 – Page 2 of 6 The proposed development will consist of two, attached, townhome-style, two-story, four-bedroom units of 1,979 and 2,056 square feet. Each unit will have an attached two- car garage, and one, on-site guest parking space will be provided. The proposed development is consistent with the City’s General Plan, Zoning Code, Subdivision Code, and State Subdivision Map Act. Concurrent with the subdivision application, the Planning Commission is to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the architectural design of the proposed project. The architectural style of the development is described as Spanish – see Attachment No. 4 for the proposed Architectural Plans. The massing and scale of the proposed buildings and landscaping are in character with other multiple-family developments in the vicinity, and the proposed design is consistent with the City’s Multiple-Family Residential Design Guidelines. The proposed plans have been reviewed by the various City Departments, and all City requirements shall be complied with to the satisfaction of the Building Official, City Engineer, Community Development Administrator, Fire Marshal, and Public Works Services Director. FINDINGS Tentative Parcel Map The proposal for two residential condominium units requires that they be subdivided through the Tentative Parcel Map process – see Attachment No. 3 for the Tentative Parcel Map. The proposed subdivision complies with the subdivision regulations of the Arcadia Municipal Code and the State Subdivision Map Act, and will not violate any requirements of a California Regional Water Quality Control Board. The following two findings are required for approval of a Tentative Parcel Map: A.1. That the proposed subdivision, together with the provisions for its design and improvement, is consistent with the City’s General Plan. Facts to Support the Finding: The proposed project will replace the existing two-family residential building with a new, two-unit, residential development that is consistent in character with the Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential designation as described in the City’s General Plan. A.2. That the discharge of waste from the proposed subdivision into the community sewer system will comply with existing requirements prescribed by a California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Facts to Support the Finding: The Arcadia Public Works Services Department confirmed that the proposed development will be adequately served by the existing sewer infrastructure and the requirements of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board will be satisfied. The proposed subdivision should not be approved if the Planning Commission finds that any of the findings for denial listed at the end of this staff report are applicable. Resolution No. 1922 – TPM 14-11 (73180) & MFADR 14-19 215 El Dorado Street November 25, 2014 – Page 2 of 6 Architectural Design Review The architectural design of the proposed development is consistent with other developments in the area and with the City’s Multiple-Family Residential Design Guidelines. All City requirements regarding disabled access and facilities, occupancy limits, building safety, health code compliance, emergency equipment, environmental regulation compliance, and parking and site design shall be complied with by the property owner/applicant to the satisfaction of the Building Official, City Engineer, Community Development Administrator, Fire Marshal, and Public Works Services Director, or their respective designees. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT If it is determined that no significant physical alterations to the site are necessary, then this project, as construction of a new residential structure of not more than four units, qualifies as a Class 3 Categorical Exemption per the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines. Refer to Attachment No. 5 for the Preliminary Exemption Assessment. PUBLIC NOTICE/COMMENTS A public hearing notice for this item was published in the local newspaper and mailed to the property owners and tenants of those properties that are located within 300 feet of the subject property on November 13, 2014 – see Attachment No. 6 for the Radius Map. As of November 20, 2014, no comments were received regarding this project. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Planning Commission approve Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) and Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 14- 19, subject to the following conditions, and find that the project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and adopt Resolution No. 1922: 1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the applicant/property owner in a manner that is consistent with the plans submitted and conditionally approved for TPM 14-11 (73180) and MFADR 14-19, subject to the approval of the Community Development Administrator or designee. 2. The applicant/property owner shall comply with all City requirements regarding building safety, fire prevention, detection, suppression, emergency access, public right-of-way improvements, parking, water supply and water facilities, sewer facilities, trash reduction and recycling requirements, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) measures to the satisfaction of the Building Official, Fire Marshal, Public Works Services Director and Development Services Director. Compliance with these requirements is to be determined by having fully detailed construction plans submitted for plan check review and approval by the foregoing City officials and employees. Resolution No. 1922 – TPM 14-11 (73180) & MFADR 14-19 215 El Dorado Street November 25, 2014 – Page 2 of 6 3. The applicant/property owner shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Arcadia and its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, action, or proceeding against the City of Arcadia, its officials, officers, employees or agents to attack, set aside, void, or annul any approval or conditional approval of the City of Arcadia concerning this project and/or land use decision, including but not limited to any approval or conditional approval of the City Council, Planning Commission, or City Staff, which action is brought within the time period provided for in Government Code Section 66499.37 or other provision of law applicable to this project or decision. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding concerning the project and/or land use decision and the City shall cooperate fully in the defense of the matter. The City reserves the right, at its own option, to choose its own attorney to represent the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents in the defense of the matter. 4. Approval of TPM 14-11 (73180) and MFADR 14-19 shall not take effect unless on or before 30 calendar days after the Planning Commission adoption of the Resolution, the applicant and property owner have executed and filed with the Community Development Administrator or designee an Acceptance Form available from the Development Services Department to indicate awareness and acceptance of these conditions of approval. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION Approval If the Planning Commission intends to approve this project, the Commission should move to approve Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) and Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 14-19, state that the proposal satisfies the requisite findings, and adopt the attached Resolution No. 1922 that incorporates the requisite environmental, subdivision, and architectural design review findings, and the conditions of approval as presented in this staff report, or as modified by the Commission. Denial If the Planning Commission is to deny this project, the Commission should state the specific findings that the proposal does not satisfy based on the evidence presented with specific reasons for denial, and move to deny Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) and/or Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 14-19, and direct staff to prepare a resolution for adoption at the next meeting that incorporates the Commission’s decision and specific findings. The Planning Commission may wish to consider the following findings, which must be expanded upon with specific reasons for denial: D.1. That the proposed map is not consistent with the applicable general and specific plans as specified in Section 66451 of the Subdivision Map Act. D.2. That the design or improvement of the proposed subdivision is not consistent with applicable general and specific plans and/or the City’s Multiple-Family Residential Design Guidelines. Resolution No. 1922 – TPM 14-11 (73180) & MFADR 14-19 215 El Dorado Street November 25, 2014 – Page 2 of 6 D.3. That the site is not physically suitable for the type of development. D.4. That the site is not physically suitable for the density of development. D.5. That the design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements is likely to cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat. D.6. That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements is likely to cause serious public health problems. D.7. That the requested subdivision injuriously affects the neighborhood wherein said lot is located. D.8. That the design of the subdivision or the type of improvements will conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision. In this connection, the legislative body may approve a map if it finds that alternate easements for access or for use, will be provided and that these will be substantially equivalent to ones previously acquired by the public. This finding shall apply only to easements of record or to easements established by judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and no authority is hereby granted to a legislative body to determine that the public at large has acquired easements for access through or use of property within the proposed subdivision. D.9. That the proposed waste discharge would result in or add to violation of requirements of a California Regional Water Quality Control Board. If any Planning Commissioner, or other interested party has any questions or comments regarding this matter prior to the November 25, 2014, Planning Commission Meeting, please contact Assistant Planner, Jordan Chamberlin at (626) 821-4334, or JChamberlin@ArcadiaCA.gov. Approved: Attachment No. 1: Resolution No. 1922 Attachment No. 2: Aerial Photo with Zoning Information and Photos of the Subject Property and Surrounding Properties Attachment No. 3: Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) Attachment No. 4: Proposed Architectural Plans Attachment No. 5: Preliminary Exemption Assessment Attachment No. 6: 300-foot Radius Map Attachment No. 1 Attachment No. 1 Resolution No. 1922 RESOLUTION NO. 1922 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. TPM 14-11 (73180) AND MULTIPLE-FAMILY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. MFADR 14-19 WITH A CLASS 3 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) FOR A TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT AT 215 EL DORADO STREET WHEREAS, on July 22, 2014, an application was filed by PDS Studio for the design review of a two-unit residential condominium development at 215 El Dorado Street, Development Services Department Case No. MFADR 14-19; and WHEREAS, on October 2, 2014, an application was filed by Rebecca Lau for the subdivision of a two-unit residential condominium development at 215 El Dorado Street, Development Services Department Case No. TPM 14-11 (73180) (the design review application and the subdivision application are hereafter individually and collectively referred to as the “Project”); and WHEREAS, on October 30, 2014, Planning Services completed an environmental assessment for the Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and recommended that the Planning Commission determine the Project is exempt under CEQA per Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Review for Exemption) because the Project has no potential to cause a significant effect on the environment, and because the Project is new construction of not more than four units per CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, Class 3; and WHEREAS, on November 25, 2014, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the Planning Commission on said Project, at which time all interested persons were given full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence. 2 NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the factual data submitted by the Community Development Division in the staff report dated November 25, 2014 are true and correct. SECTION 2. This Commission finds, based upon the entire record: 1. That the proposed Project together with the provisions for its design and improvement is consistent with the City’s General Plan, the City’s Subdivision and Zoning Regulations, the State Subdivision Map Act, and the City’s Multiple-Family Residential Design Guidelines. FACT: The proposed Project will remove the existing two-family residential buildings and replace them with a new, two-unit residential development that is consistent in character with the Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential designation as described in the City’s General Plan. The proposed Project complies with the State Subdivision Map Act and the City’s Subdivision and Zoning Code and Multiple-Family Residential Design Guidelines. 2. That the discharge of waste from the Proposed project into the community sewer system will not violate existing requirements prescribed by a California Regional Water Quality Control Board. FACT: The Arcadia Public Works Services Department confirmed that the proposed development will be adequately served by the existing sewer infrastructure and the requirements of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board will be satisfied. 3 3. That this Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines. 4. That the Development Services Director or designee is authorized to approve and execute, if necessary, a subdivision agreement for this project. SECTION 3. For the foregoing reasons the Planning Commission approves Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-11 (73180) and Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 14-19, and determines that the Project is Categorically Exempt per Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines, for a two-unit residential condominium development at 215 El Dorado Street, subject to the conditions of approval attached hereto. SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved and adopted this 25th day of November, 2014. Chairman, Planning Commission ATTEST: Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Stephen P. Deitsch City Attorney 4 RESOLUTION NO. 1922 Conditions of Approval 1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the applicant/property owner in a manner that is consistent with the plans submitted and conditionally approved for TPM 14-11 (73180) and MFADR 14-19, subject to the approval of the Community Development Administrator or designee. 2. The applicant/property owner shall comply with all City requirements regarding building safety, fire prevention, detection, suppression, emergency access, public right-of-way improvements, parking, water supply and water facilities, sewer facilities, trash reduction and recycling requirements, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) measures to the satisfaction of the Building Official, Fire Marshal, Public Works Services Director and Development Services Director. Compliance with these requirements is to be determined by having fully detailed construction plans submitted for plan check review and approval by the foregoing City officials and employees. 3. The applicant/property owner shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Arcadia and its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claim, action, or proceeding against the City of Arcadia, its officials, officers, employees or agents to attack, set aside, void, or annul any approval or conditional approval of the City of Arcadia concerning this project and/or land use decision, including but not limited to any approval or conditional approval of the City Council, Planning Commission, or City Staff, which action is brought within the time period provided for in Government Code Section 66499.37 or other provision of law applicable to this project or decision. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding concerning the project and/or land use decision and the City shall cooperate fully in the defense of the matter. The City reserves the right, at its own option, to choose its own attorney to represent the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents in the defense of the matter. 5 4. Approval of TPM 14-11 (73180) and MFADR 14-19 shall not take effect unless on or before 30 calendar days after the Planning Commission adoption of the Resolution, the applicant and property owner have executed and filed with the Community Development Administrator or designee an Acceptance Form available from the Development Services Department to indicate awareness and acceptance of these conditions of approval. - - - Attachment No. 2 Attachment No. 2 Aerial Photo with Zoning Information and Photos of Subject Property and Surrounding Properties Photo of subject property, 215 El Dorado Street  Photo of neighboring property to the east, 219 El Dorado Street  Photo of neighboring property to the southeast,  220 El Dorado Street  Photo of neighboring property to the south, 214 El Dorado Street  Photo of neighboring property to the southwest, 210 El Dorado Street  Photo of neighboring property to the west, 205 El Dorado Street