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
January 12, 2022
Twen Ma
671 Brea Canyon Road
Walnut, CA 91789
SUBJECT: Single-Family Design Review No. SFADR 20-01 and Protected
Tree Encroachment No. TRE 21-25
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1322 Loganrita Avenue
Dear Mr. Ma:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on
December 28, 2021. Staff received two comments in objection to the project
during the comment period. The concerns pertained to the visual impacts of
the second floor. After careful consideration, staff determined that the design
of the house is consistent with the Single-Family Design Guidelines. The
selected architectural style will complement the surrounding traditional style
homes. The project was found to be compatible in terms of scale with the
neighborhood, specifically the two-story house across the street. The project
includes adequate wall articulate and landscaping through the site that will
soften the appearance of the project from the surrounding properties. To further
address the concern of the resident to the north, a condition has been placed
on the application that the windows along the northernly second floor elevation
shall be revised to an obscured window glass. Therefore, the Development
Services Department has conditionally approved the single-family design
review project for a new 2,920 square-foot, two-story, Prairie-style residence
with an attached two-car garage and a 920 square foot basement at 1322
Loganrita Avenue. This project is subject to the following conditions of
approval:
1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the Property
Owner/Applicant in a manner that is consistent with the Single-Family
Design Review No. SFADR 20-01 and Protected Tree Encroachment No.
TRE 21-25 plans submitted and conditionally approved for, subject to the
approval of the Planning & Community Development Administrator or
designee.
2. The Property Owner/Applicant shall develop and maintain the site in
compliance with all of the recommended tree protection measures listed in
the Arborist Report dated November 17, 2021.
3. The top plate height shall not exceed 9’-0” for the first level and 8’-6” for the
second level. The plans submitted for Building Services plan-check review
must comply with this condition.
4. Prior to submitting the plans to the Building Division for plan-check review,
the Property Owner/ Applicant shall revise the windows along the northerly
elevation of the second floor to an obscured window glass.
5. Prior to submitting the plans to the Building Division for plan-check review,
the Property Owner/ Applicant shall increase the height of the first and
second-floor bedroom windows along the front elevation by 1’-6”. The
height can be adjusted upon plan-check review at the discretion of the Planning &
Community Development Administrator or designee.
6. Prior to submitting the plans to the Building Division for plan-check review, the box sizes
of the Podocarpus Gracilor shall be increased from 15-gallon to 24”-box. The hedges
shall be planted prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
7. The project shall comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WELO).
The application shall be submitted with the plans for plan check in Building Services.
8. 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.
9. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Property Owner/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 Property Owner/Applicant’s activities in connection with Single-Family Design Review
No. SFADR 20-01 and Protected Tree Encroachment No. TRE 21-25, the Project site,
and which may arise from the direct or indirect operations of the Property
Owner/Applicant or those of the Property Owner/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 Property Owner/Applicant of the claim, action, or
proceedings and will fully cooperate in the defense of the matter. Once notified, the
Property Owner/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, Property Owner/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, Property Owner/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 Property Owner/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 Property Owner/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 Development Services Department along
with a $636.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022. City Hall is closed
on Friday, January 14, 2022 and Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of Martin Luther
King Jr. Day.
Approval of SFARD 20-01 and TRE 21-25 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 February 11, 2022, this approval will become null and void.
This design approval shall expire in one year (January 25, 2023) 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 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)
574-5422 or by email at vquiroz@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division / Planning Services
Vanessa Quiroz
Associate Planner
Enclosed
c: Shikun Development, Inc., Property Owner
Les and Loretta Slifkin, Neighboring Property Owners
Dario and Carol E. Nicoli, Neighboring Property Owners