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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 1253
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA PLANNING
COMMISSION INTERPRETING PORTIONS OF THE
ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING BUILDING
HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZING PLANNING
COMMISSION REVIEW
WHEREAS, Section 9213 of the Arcadia Municipal Code
provides for the clarification and interpretation of code
provisions with reference to matters of height, which
interpretation is to be referred by resolution to the City Council
for final action as required by Section 9213 attached as part of
this resolution (Exhibit "A"); and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 1984 the Planning Director
reported to the Planning Commission the existence of an
interpretation issue as contemplated by Section 9213 of the
Municipal Code, which report is attached as Exhibit "B"; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed all pertinent
facts concerning this issue and directed preparation of this
resolution to set forth its interpretation with findings and
reasons.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1, The zoning ordinance of the City allows for maximum
building height of 8 stories or 85 feet. (Section 9276.2.2)
2. The zoning ordinance also provides for equipment for
the maintenance of buildings and limits same to no more than 10
feet above the roof. (Section 9282,1.3)
3. It is now a common occurrence for a me,:hanical
equipment room on a roof to exceed a 10 foot maximum limitation.
4. Under existing code provisions, modifications to
the building height limits may only be granted for the height of
non-commercial structures.
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5. Application of Section 9292,1.4(11) referred to in
Section 4 above to mechanical equipment and mechanical equipment
rooms is ambiguous.
6. The amount and complexity of mechanical equipment
required for a contemporary building makes it almost impossible to
build an 8 story building with mechanical equipment within an
overall height of 95 feet or less.
7. Because of the changing requirements concerning
contemporary buildings, the increasing reality of mechanical
equipment or mechanical equipment rooms in excess of 10 feet and
in view of the fact that these rooms and equipment can be designed
in a way to delimit obstructive visibility or other negative
aspects, it is the interpretation of the Planning Commission of
the, City of Arcadia that: (a) limiting mechanical equipment and
mechanical equipment rooms to a maximum of 10 feet would be
inconsistent with the Arcadia Municipal Code Provisions allowing 8
story buildings; (b) to permit the development of 8 story
buildings, modifications for the height of mechanical equipment
and/or mechanical equipment rooms may be considered and such
consideration is not prohibited by the existing modification
provisions which provide for modifications for the "height of
non-commercial structures". (c) the Planning Commission
determines that mechanical equipment and/or mechanical equipment
rooms are "non-commercial structures".
8, The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia
further resolves that the height of mechanical equipment and/or
mechanical equipment rooms should be designed to be the minimum
reasonable height to provide the required mechanical equipment and
that in order to insure that any proposed mod~<ications for
mechanical equipment and/or mechanical equipment rooms which
exceed 10 feet in height are consistent with the intent of
minimizing the height and extent of such equipment, applications
for such modifications shall be considered by the Planning
Commission in lieu of the Modification Committee.
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~ The decision, findings and conditions contained in this
Resolution reflect the Commission's action of February 28,
1984, and
the following vote:
Commissioners
Szany, Wells,
None
Dixon, Fee, Hedlund, Sargis,
Jahnke.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT: None
The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this
Resolution and shall cause a copy to be forwarded to the City
Council of the City of Arcadia.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was
adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on
the 28 day of February , 1984,
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~
ning Commission
City
ATTEST:
!tdlta;W{j~
Secretary, Planning Commission
City of Arcadia
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9213. OM1SSION OR AMBIGUITY. II any ''use'' Is lor any reason
omitted from the lists of those specified as permissible in each of the vari-
ous zanes herein dealgnated~ or if amblguity arises concerning the appropri-
ate classification of a particular use within the meaning and intent of this
Chapter, or U ambiguity exists with reference to matters of height, yard
requirements or area requirements as set forth herein and as they may per-
tain to unforseen circumstances, it shall be the duty of the Planning Com-
mission to ascertain aU pertinent facts concerning said use and by resolution
of record set forth its findings and the reasons therefor. Such findings and
resolutions shall be referred to the Councll and, it approved by the Councll,
thereafter Buch interpretation shall govern.
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EXHIBIT "A"
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~ FEBRUARY 14, 1984
TO:
FR011:
SUBJECT :
ARCAOIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WILLLIAM WOOLARD, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
PLANNING COMMISSION DETERMINATION WHETHER MODIFICATION
COMMITTEE'S AUTHORITY INCLUDES ABILITY TO MOOIFY THE
HEIGHT LIMITATION DF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND
MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ROOMS OF COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES.
In reviewing preliminary plans for the high rise building project which
is being proposed for the northwest corner of First and Huntington a
question has been raised regarding the building height.
The resolution of this question will have a bearing not only on the First
and Huntington project but other eight-story commercial building
projects.
The building zoning ordinance allows for a maximum building height of
eight stories or eighty-five feet.
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The zoning ordinance also allows for "mechanical equipment including
elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans, heating, cooling and air
conditi,oning equipment and similar equipment -required for the operation
of/or maintenance of buildings may exceed the height limit prescribed in
this Chapter; provided however that in no event shall such items extend
more than ten feet above the roof and provided further that no area above
the specified height limit shall be used for the purpose of providing
additional floor space".
An eight-story building can barely be accommodated in the allowable 85
foot maximum height.
The proposed high rise building will comply with the eight-story,
eighty-five foot height limit, however the mechanical equipment room for
the proposed building exceeds the ten foot maximum limitation.
Under the existing code provisions modifications to the building height
limits may only be granted for the "I,<:ight of non-commercial structures".
The Planning Department believes that the limitation on the authority of
the modification provisions regarding the height of commercial structures
should not apply to mechanical equipment and mechanical equipment rooms.
If the limitation were to apply, and no modifications considered for
mechanical equipment, eight-story buildings would not be possible.
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EXHIBIT "B"
2/14/84
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With the amount and complexity of mechanical equipment required for
contemporary buildings, it is virtually impossible to build an eight-
story building with the mechanical equipment with an overall height of 95
feet or less (35 feet for the building plus 10 feet for mechanical).
Modifications for the height of mechanical equipment should be allowed.
The modification process allows for review of each specific request as to
necessity, extent and appropriateness.
Because the modification authority is unclear regarding whether the
limitation was intended to apply to the height of mechanical equipment,
the Planning Department has brought this matter before the Planning
Commission for interpretation pursuant to the provisions of Section 9213.
The findings and determination of the Commission should be set forth by
resolution of the Commission.
EXHIBIT "B"
2/14/84
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