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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