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
May 26, 2020
Sophia Yuefang Chen
201 E. Colorado Blvd.
Arcadia, CA 91006
SUBJECT: Major Administrative Modification No. AM Major 19-21 and Single-
Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 19-11
PROJECT ADDRESS: 201 E. Colorado Blvd.
Dear Mrs. Chen:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on May
14, 2020. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period.
The Development Services was able to make one of the required findings for
the Modification request and has conditionally approved the modification
request to convert an existing 368 square foot two-car garage that is attached
to the main house into livable space. A Modification is required because the
Applicant is requesting to maintain the existing legal non-conforming front yard
setback of 34’-10”, whereas 35’-8’ is required and maintain the existing street
side yard setback of 13’-3”, whereas 20’-0” is required for a corner lot. The
Applicant is also proposing to construct a new 650 square foot, two-car garage
with storage space that complies with all required setbacks and development
standards.
The existing two-car garage is located between along the front corner street-
side of the house. The garage door will be removed and the area will be
enclosed with a new window. The exterior materials and finishes will match the
main house. With the conversion of 368 square feet and the 200 square feet of
storage area of the new two-garage, the house will have a total floor area of
1,529 square feet, whereas 4,502 square feet is allowed. The lot coverage will
be 16%, whereas 45% is allowed. The conversion of the existing garage will
accommodate a new room and livable space.
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.
This Modification request will allow for an appropriate improvement of the lot.
The Applicant is just converting an existing portion of the building into livable
space. The conversion will have a minimal visually impact as it will only require
a new wall and a window that will match the main house. Therefore, it will
appear as seamless continuation of the existing wall plane. The new garage
will match will comply with the required setbacks and will match the exterior
colors and materials of the primary residence. Staff finds that the residence is
consistent with the City’s Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines and with
the surrounding neighborhood.
The proposed project qualifies as both a Class 1 and Class 5 Categorical Exemption for 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(e)(1)
and 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Conditions of Approval
1. Prior to the submittal for plan-check review to Building Services, the plate height of the
new garage shall be revised to 8’-0” to match the plate height of the primary residence.
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.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. To submit an Appeal Application,
please visit www.ArcadiaCA.gov/planning and follow the instructions. Please submit a
complete Appeal Application by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday June 9, 2020. The Planning Division is
open to the public by appointment only. Please contact staff for more information at (626)
574-5423 or by email at planning@ArcadiaCA.gov. The Planning Division is open to the
public by appointment only. Please contact staff for more information at (626) 574-5423 or by
email at planning@ArcadiaCA.gov. Please note that City Hall will be closed on Friday, June
5, 2020.
Approval of AM Major 19-21 and SSADR 19-11 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 (June 25, 2020) this approval will become null and void. The
form can be submitted via email.
This design approval shall expire in one year (June 10, 2021) from the effective date unless
plans are submitted to Building Services for plan-check, a building permit is issued and the
construction is diligently pursued, a certificate of occupancy has been issued, or the approval
is renewed. The final plans must be consistent with the approved design concept plans and
any conditions of approval. Any inconsistency from the approved design concept plans may
preclude the issuance of a building permit.
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 submitted to Building Services along with the
plan-check plans 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)
574-5423 or by email at vquiroz@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Vanessa Quiroz
Associate Planner
Enclosed
c: Sam Yum, Designer/Contractor