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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 December 21, 2021 Cindy Cheng 2975 Huntington Drive, #205 San Marino, CA 91108 Subject: Single Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 21-25 & Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 21-08 Project Address: 407 E. La Sierra Drive Dear Ms. Cheng, The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on December 20, 2021. Staff did not receive any comments during the notification period. The Development Services Department has conditionally approved a modification for a reduced front yard setback of 13’-9” in lieu of the required 25’-0” for a 316 square foot one-story addition to an existing one-story single-family home located at 407 E. La Sierra Drive. 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 a reduced front yard setback will secure an appropriate improvement of the lot with an appropriate expansion of the existing living space. The subject lot is adjacent to two properties that average a front yard setback of 15’-0”, which is less than the Code required front yard setback of 25’- 0”. The existing home on the subject lot has a nonconforming front yard setback of 15’-0”, while the adjacent property (413 E. La Sierra Drive) has an existing 11’- 0” front yard setback. The proposed addition will provide a reduced front yard setback of 13’-9” in order to accommodate a new bedroom, bathroom, closet, and office space. The project proposes to convert a portion of the existing attached three-car garage into living area and create a two-car garage. The proposed addition is appropriate due to the continuation of an existing building plane and minimal encroachment into the front yard setback. The alternative option would be to add onto the rear of the home, but due to the shallow depth of this irregularly shaped lot, it would significantly reduce the property’s usable rear yard space. Therefore, allowing the single story addition with a reduced front yard setback would be an appropriate improvement to the lot, is not expected to create any negative impacts, and will be consistent with the development pattern along this street. Aside from the proposed modification, the overall 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. All new windows shall be recessed two inches from the building wall. A section detail demonstrating this shall be provided on the plans submitted to Plan Check. 2. The project shall be developed and maintained by the Owner/Applicant in a manner that is consistent with the plans submitted and conditionally approved for Single Story Architectural Design Review No. SSADR 21-25 and Major Administrative Modification No. Major AM 21-08, subject to the satisfaction of the Planning & Community Development Administrator or designee. 3. The Property Owner/Applicant 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. 4. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Applicant must defend, indemnify, and hold City, any departments, agencies, divisions, boards, and/or commissions of the City, and its elected officials, officers, contractors serving as City officials, agents, employees, and attorneys of the City (“Indemnitees”) harmless from liability for damages and/or claims, actions, or proceedings for damages for personal injuries, including death, and claims for property damage, and with respect to all other actions and liabilities for damages caused or alleged to have been caused by reason of the Applicant’s activities in connection with SSADR 21-25 and Major AM 21-08 on the Project site, and which may arise from the direct or indirect operations of the Applicant or those of the Applicant’s contractors, agents, tenants, employees or any other persons acting on Applicant’s behalf, which relate to the development and/or construction of the Project. This indemnity provision applies to all damages and claims, actions, or proceedings for damages, as described above, regardless of whether the City prepared, supplied, or approved the plans, specifications, or other documents for the Project. In the event of any legal action challenging the validity, applicability, or interpretation of any provision of this approval, or any other supporting document relating to the Project, the City will promptly notify the Applicant of the claim, action, or proceedings and will fully cooperate in the defense of the matter. Once notified, the Applicant must indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Indemnitees, and each of them, with respect to all liability, costs and expenses incurred by, and/or awarded against, the City or any of the Indemnitees in relation to such action. Within 15 days’ notice from the City of any such action, Applicant shall provide to City a cash deposit to cover legal fees, costs, and expenses incurred by City in connection with defense of any legal action in an initial amount to be reasonably determined by the City Attorney. City may draw funds from the deposit for such fees, costs, and expenses. Within 5 business days of each and every notice from City that the deposit has fallen below the initial amount, Applicant shall replenish the deposit each and every time in order for City’s legal team to continue working on the matter. City shall only refund to Developer any unexpended funds from the deposit within 30 days of: (i) a final, non-appealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction resolving the legal action; or (ii) full and complete settlement of legal action. The City shall have the right to select legal counsel of its choice that the Applicant reasonably approves. The parties hereby agree to cooperate in defending such action. The City will not voluntarily assist in any such third-party challenge(s) or take any position adverse to the Applicant in connection with such third-party challenge(s). In consideration for approval of the Project, this condition shall remain in effect if the entitlement(s) related to this Project is rescinded or revoked, whether or not at the request of the Applicant. 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 $630.00 appeal fee by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2021. You will be notified if an appeal is filed. Approval of SSADR 21-25 and Major AM 21-08 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 January 21, 2021, this approval will become null and void. This approval shall expire in one year (January 4, 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) 574-5447 or by email at CSong@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you. Sincerely, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Community Development Division/Planning Services Christine Song Associate Planner Attachment c: Eric Hwang, Property Owners