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
August 4, 2020
Chi P Benny Chan
1225 Holly Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91007
Subject: Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-09 & Zoning
Clearance – Accessory Dwelling Unit No. ZCL-ADU 20-03
Project Address: 1225 Holly Avenue
Dear Mr.Chan:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on Monday
July 27, 2019. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period.
The Development Services Department has conditionally approved a
modification from the required Accessory Dwelling Unit Objective Design
Standards to provide the required 8-inch indentation/projection on one (1) exterior
wall of a proposed 840 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit, instead of providing
it on two (2) required exterior walls at 1225 Holly Avenue.
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 requested modification to allow an accessory dwelling unit to provide the
required 8-inch indentation/projection on one (1) exterior wall of a proposed 840
square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit, instead of providing it on two (2) required
exterior walls will prevent an unreasonable hardship and promote infirmity
development. The proposed ADU project consist of the conversion of an existing
garage, and the permitting of an unpermitted addition to the garage. The C ode
requires that new detached ADU’s provide a minimum 8-inch
indentation/projection on two exterior walls. Since the proposed ADU is already
constructed, it would be difficult for the Applicant to comply with the Code. As
proposed, one exterior wall will comply; however, an indentation or projection on
any of other wall planes would requires significant modifications; therefore,
approval of the modification will prevent an unreasonable hardship. Furthermore,
the proposed ADU will allow the unpermitted portion of the structure to be in-line
with the existing garage, thus promoting uniformity of development. Aside from the
proposed modification, the project will be consistent with the City’s Development
Code and Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines.
The proposed project qualifies as both a Class 1 and Class 5 Categorical
Exemption for an addition to an existing facility and minor alterations 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 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 of Major
Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-09 & Zoning Clearance – Accessory Dwelling
Unit No. ZCL-ADU 20-03, subject to the approval of the Planning & 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 Planning & Community Development Administrator, or their
respective designees. 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 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 Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-09 & Zoning Clearance –
Accessory Dwelling Unit No. ZCL-ADU 20-03 shall not be of effect unless the Property
Owner and Applicant have executed and filed the Acceptance Form with the City on or
before 30 calendar days after approval of this project. The Acceptance Form to the
Development Services Department is to indicate awareness and acceptance of the
conditions of approval.
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 Monday, August 17, 2020. You will be notified if an appeal is filed.
Approval of Approval of Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-09 & Zoning
Clearance – Accessory Dwelling Unit No. ZCL-ADU 20-03 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 September 4, 2020, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (August 18, 2020) 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) 574-5442 or
by email at ltorrico@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Luis Torrico
Senior Planner
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