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
February 17, 2021
Johnny Yu
2585 S. 10th Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Single Story Addition No. SSADR 20-20 & Major Administrative
Modification No. Major AM 20-18
Project Address: 1205 S. 4th Avenue
Dear Mr. Yu
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on February
5, 2021. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period. The
Development Services Department has conditionally approved a modification to
allow the expansion of a nonconforming residential property with a 420 square foot
one-story addition to the existing 1,896 square foot one-story main residential unit,
and a 162 square foot one-story addition to the existing 838 square foot one-story
second unit located at 1205 S. 4th Avenue. The property is zoned R-1 Low Density
Residential zone; therefore the two units makes the property nonconforming to the
R-1 zone.
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 Development Code allows alterations and expansions of nonconforming
residential structures subject to approval of a Major Administrative Modification.
The requested modification will allow the improvement of the lot by allowing the
expansion of a nonconforming residential property with a 420 square foot one-
story addition to the existing one-story main residential unit, and a 162 square foot
one-story addition to the existing one-story second unit. The subject site is located
in the R-1 Low Density Residential zone, which only allows one residential unit.
Therefore, the two units makes the property nonconforming. The proposed
additions are small in floor area and would increase the existing main unit by only
420 square feet (22%) and the second unit by only 162 square feet (19%).
Therefore, the proposed additions will not significantly expand the nonconformity,
nor will they create negative impacts to the neighbors or surrounding
neighborhood. Furthermore, the second unit will be expanded to 1,000 square feet
in floor area, which would be no more than the maximum 1,000 square feet allowed
for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The proposed addition to the second unit
would not be more impactful than an ADU, which is allowed by right in all residential
zones, including the R-1 zone. Therefore, the modification is warranted and will
not impact the residential neighborhood. 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 improvement
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. 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.
2. 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.
3. Approval of and Single Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 20-20 & Major
Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-18 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, March 1, 2021. You will be notified if an appeal is filed.
Approval of Single Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 20-20 & Major Administrative
Modification No. Major AM 20-18 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
March 17, 2021, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (March 2, 2022) 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
Attachment
c: Rafay Khalil, Property Owner
CITY OF ARCADIA
ACCEPTANCE FORM
Development Services Department
Community Development Division-Planning Services
240 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
Issued 2/16/21
APPLICATION NO.: Single Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 20-20 & Major
Administrative Modification No. Major AM 20-18
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1205 S. 4th Ave.
I am/We are the applicant(s), and the owner(s), or the duly authorized
representative(s) of the owner(s), respectively, of the project and real property that is the
subject of the above application(s).
I am/We are aware of, understand, and accept, all the provisions and conditions
imposed upon the project and real property that is the subject of the above application(s),
and also understand that noncompliance with said provisions and conditions shall
constitute grounds for the immediate suspension or revocation o f any approvals granted
through said application(s).
I/We certify and declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and
correct.
APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE DATE
PRINT NAME
PROPERTY OWNER’S SIGNATURE DATE
PRINT NAME
Approval of your application shall not be of effect unless the property owner and
applicant have executed and filed this 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 March 17, 2021, this approval will become null and void and
all fees will be forfeited.