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
January 8, 2018
Philip Chan
PDS Studio Inc.
711 S 1st Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 15-20 &
Protected Tree Encroachment Permit No. TRE 16-25
Project Address: 1510 S. 4th Avenue (Lot B/Corner Lot on 4th Avenue
and Pamela Road)
Dear Mr. Chan:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on
December 11, 2017, for the revised project. Based on the comments that
the City received from first Notice of Pending decision that was sent in
May of 2017, the architectural style of the house was revised from
Spanish to Traditional to blend better with the neighborhood. As a result
of the revised changes, a second Notice of Pending Decision was sent for
the new 3,836 square foot, two-story, Traditional style residence, with an
attached, two car garage at 1510 S. 4th Avenue (corner lot of the two lot
subdivision). Furthermore, to be sensitive to the existing one-story
residences on Pamela Road, the applicant kept the second-story street
side yard setback of 39’-2” that was provided along Pamela Road when
the project was first noticed, which is 14’-2” more than what is required by
the Development Code along this side of the property. As for the revised
architectural style, it was to help mitigate the massing and scale since the
new Traditional style residence created less emphasis on certain features
than what was on the Spanish style house. It is also more compatible with
the existing style homes on both blocks.
During the public comment period, staff did receive one comment in
support and four letters in opposition to the project. The neighbors in
opposition to the project were still concerned with the massing, scale, and
compatibility with the other homes in the neighborhood. The revised
design helps mitigate the neighbors concern since the greater street-side
yard setback on the second story exhibits a lighter character and helps
reduce the overall mass, scale, and the visual impact. The Traditional
architectural style includes colors, materials, and architectural features
that are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The appearance
of the residence from Pamela Road and S. 4th Avenue will be softened by
existing mature landscaping that will be maintained and new landscaping
that will help screen the new house.
After much consideration, The Development Services Department finds
the revised proposal to be consistent with the City’s Single Family
Residential Design Guidelines and has conditionally approved the revised proposal
submitted on November 21, 2017, subject to the following 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 SFADR 15-20 and TRE 16-25, subject to the approval of the
Planning & Community Development Administrator or designee.
2. The project shall be developed and maintained by the applicant/property owner
in compliance with all of the recommended tree protection measures listed in the
Protected Tree Report, dated February 2017 and to the satisfaction of the
Planning & Community Development Administrator or designee.
3. The Final Parcel Map application shall be submitted to the Planning Division for
the two lot subdivision that was approved under Tentative Parcel Map TPM No.
15-02 prior to submitting any plans to Building Services for plan-check for the
new house or prior to Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 15-02 (73464) expiring,
whichever is sooner. The Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 15-02 expires on July
29, 2018. All the buildings shall be demolished prior to the City approving the
Final Parcel Map. Should the applicant/owner choose not to subdivide the lot into
two lots as approved under TPM 15-02, the applicant/owner shall submit a letter
in writing to the City withdrawing its approval of the Tentative Parcel Map prior to
its expiration and/or submitting the plans to Building Services for plan-check. The
lot will remain as one lot at 19,919 square feet.
4. Prior to submitting plans for plan-check in Building Services, the following
revisions shall be made to the final landscape plan:
o The Desert Museum Palo Verde trees located in the street side yard shall
be at a minimum of 12’-0” in height at the time of planting.
o The Compact Carolina Laurel Cherry trees located along the rear and
interior side yards shall be at a minimum 8’-0” in height at the time of
planting.
o The Saucer Magnolia tree located in the street side yard area shall be
revised from 36” box to 48” box tree. The Saucer Magnolia tree shall be at
a minimum of 12’-0” in height at the time of planting.
Any changes to the above specimen and/or size shall be subject to review and
approval by the Planning & Community Development Administrator or designee.
5. The project shall comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance
(WELO). The application shall be submitted with the plans for plan check in
Building Services.
6. 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.
7. 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.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. To file an appeal, a completed
Appeal Application form must be submitted to the Community Development Division
along with a $600.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2018. You will
be notified if an appeal is filed.
Approval of SFADR 15-20 and TRE 16-25 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 February 7, 2018, this approval will become null and
void.
This approval shall expire in one year (January 19, 2019) from the effective date unless
a building permit is issued and the construction is diligently pursued, a certificate of
occupancy has been issued, or the approval is renewed.
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.
A building permit must be obtained prior to any construction activity. Please contact
Building Services at (626) 574-5416 to determine the type of documentation, plans, and
fees for the appropriate permit. This approval letter must be presented to Building
Services to initiate the permitting process.
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) 821-4334 or by email at JChamberlin@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Jordan Chamberlin
Associate Planner
c: JX United Investments LLC, Property Owner
Adolf May, Neighbor
Shirley Miller, Neighbor
Billie Tone, Neighbor
Waiming Wong, Neighbor
Ivan Yeung, Neighbor
Daniel and Jeimei Cheng, Neighbor