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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDenial 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 21, 2021 Alan Gao 2467 Sanabria Ln Brea, CA 92821 Subject: Single-Family Design Review No. SFADR No. 19-29 Project Address: 139 Laurel Avenue Dear Mr. Gao: The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on January 7, 2021. During the comment period Staff received nine (9) letters of opposition from the neighboring property and other property owners in the neighborhood. The neighbors were concerned with the mass and scale of the proposed two-story addition in comparison to the other smaller single-story homes in the neighborhood, with the privacy impacts that the new two-story addition would have on the adjacent property, and the compatibility of the proposed architectural style with the existing neighborhood. After consideration, Staff determined that the proposed 512 square foot single- story addition, a new 697 square foot two-story addition, and 51 square foot covered porch to an existing 1,182 square foot single-story single family dwelling is not consistent with the Development Code’s Site Plan and Design Review findings, and the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines. Section 9107.19.050 of the Development Code requires that projects incorporate efficient site layout and design, and be compatible with neighboring properties and developments. The proposed second story addition would create impacts on the neighbor’s privacy as the second story would be imposing onto the single-story dwelling and provide direct visibility into the neighbor’s rear yard. The subject site is a narrow corner lot which makes it difficult to provide increased setbacks for the second story to adequately address privacy impacts. The proposed second story addition would not be compatible with the other homes in the neighborhood which consist primarily of single-story homes. The proposed two-story addition would create mass and scale impacts that are incompatible and not prevalent in this neighborhood. In addition, the Design Guidelines recommend that new homes or additions should enhance the neighborhood character by being compatible with the neighborhood’s established architectural style or pattern. The existing neighborhood is primarily made up of small-scale Ranch homes. The proposed two-story Spanish architectural style would not be compatible. As proposed, the proposed addition would appear out of scale and incompatible with the neighborhood’s established single-story development pattern, would create privacy impacts, and would not be compatible with the neighborhood’s Ranch architectural style. Therefore, the Development Services Department has denied the single-family design review project. 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, February 4, 2021. You will be notified if an appeal is filed. You may visit the City’s website at www.ArcadiaCA.gov/noticesanddecisions to view this letter. If you have any questions regarding the above denial, 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 c: Xin Wen Zhang, Property Owner Molly Hetrick & Mehdi Tadayon, Neighboring Resident Shirley Chen, Neighboring Resident Lily & Riki Gen Liu, Neighboring Resident Radhika & Sanjay Rao, Neighboring Resident Dianne MacDonnell, Neighboring Resident Dr. Gerald, Dr. Carol W ., Arthur P. & Alexander K. Wuenschell, Neighboring Resident Patricia Ruyter, Neighboring Resident Ron Tu, Neighboring Resident Joan & Ron Bloomfield, Neighboring Resident