HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
City of
Arcadia
Development
Services
Department
Jason Kruckeberg
Assistant City Manager/
Development Services
Director
240 West Huntington Drive
Post Office Box 60021
Arcadia, CA 91066-6021
(626) 574-5415
(626) 447-3309 Fax
www.ArcadiaCA.gov
October 12, 2017
Jennifer Giles
2290 Lorain Road
San Marino, CA 91108
SUBJECT: Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 17-13
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1146 Volante Drive
Dear Ms. Giles:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on October 3,
2017. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period. The
Development Services was able to make the required findings for the Modification
requests and has conditionally approved a 661 square foot, one-story addition at the
rear of the existing residence. The modifications will allow the proposed addition to
maintain the existing side yard setback of 6’-0”, whereas 10’-0” is required and a new
rear yard setback of 23’-7” (currently at 26’-7”), whereas 35’-0” is required. The approval
also includes two new air conditioning units at the rear of the house that will encroach
into the required 35’-0” rear yard setback by 2’-0”.
The applicant proposes to enclose a breezeway between the residence and the garage,
convert the workshop behind the garage into livable space, and extend the rear portion of
the building. This will add 661 square feet of livable space to the property. With the
addition, the total floor area will be 2,708 square feet, whereas 3,624 square feet is
allowed. The lot coverage will be 36%, whereas 45% is allowed. The architectural design
for the new addition and the location of the new air conditioning units were approved by
the Rancho Santa Anita Residents’ Association Architectural Review Board.
According to Arcadia Development Code Section 9107.05.050, it states that an
Administrative Modification may be approved if at least one of the following findings can
be made.
1. Secure an appropriate improvement of a lot;
2. Prevent an unreasonable hardship; or
3. Promote uniformity of development.
The Modification requests will promote uniformity of development and will secure an
appropriate improvement of the lot. The subject property has a legal non-conforming rear
yard setback that was approved under two administrative modification requests.
Administrative Modification No. MA 89-045 was approved in 1989 to allow a workshop
behind the garage to encroach into the side yard setback and rear yard setback, and to
allow an extension of the dining room to encroach into the rear yard setback .
Administrative Modification No. MA 91-062 was approved in 1991 to allow an enclosed
sunroom to align with the workshop and encroach into the required rear yard setback.
Both additions were modest in size. Any addition to this house would require an
encroachment on the ground floor without having to add to the second floor . It is
important to note that a small encroachment to the rear setback is much more compatible
in terms of aesthetics with the other homes in this neighborhood since a majority of the
homes are one-story and do not comply with the minimum rear yard setback. As a result,
the three to four foot reduction to the rear yard setback will allow the property owner to
accommodate an additional bedroom, a new family room , and a den as well as an interior
extension of the kitchen. The new rear yard setback will be in range with the neighboring
properties that varies from 20’-6” to 31’-0”.
The addition at the rear of the building will also require the existing air conditioning units
to be relocated. The new air conditioning units will remain at the rear of the house, but an
area that is currently at 35’-0” from the rear property line. The encroachment of 2’-0” is
minimal compared to the existing location. Therefore, staff finds that the addition will have
a minimal impact to the adjacent properties and that the residence is compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood.
The proposed project qualifies as both a Class 1 and Class 5 Categorical Exemption as an addition to an
existing structure and a minor alteration in land use limitations from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Sections 15301 and 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Conditions of Approval
1. The applicant 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.
2. Approval of Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 17-13 shall not be of effect unless on or
before 30 calendar days after approval of this project, the property owner/applicant has 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.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. The appeal period ends on Monday, October
23, 2017 at 5:30 PM. Please note that City Hall will be closed on Friday, October 13, 2017. To file an
appeal, a completed Appeal Application form must be submitted to the Community Development Division
along with a $600.00 appeal filing fee.
Approval of Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 17-13 shall not be of effect unless the
property owner and applicant have executed and filed the enclosed Acceptance Form to indicate
awareness and acceptance of these conditions of approval. The Acceptance Form is due now and if it is
not received by (November 11, 2017) this approval will become null and void.
An extension may be granted by the Development Services Director or designee, or the Review Authority
that approved the project for a maximum period of one (1) year from the initial expiration date. An
extension can only be granted if the required findings can be made. Please note that acceptance of an
extension request does not indicate approval of an extension.
You may visit the City’s website at www.ArcadiaCA.gov/noticesanddecisions to view this letter . If you
have any questions regarding the above approval, please contact me at (626) 574-5422 or by email at
VQuiroz@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Vanessa Quiroz Lisa L. Flores
Assistant Planner Planning/Community Development Administrator
Enclosed
c: Darryl & Carmen Pon, Property Owners