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
April 15, 2025 Via Email & EDGE
Philip Chan
PDS Studio
711 S. First Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
SUBJECT: Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No.
MFADR 24-05
PROJECT ADDRESS: 36 – 42 E. Colorado Boulevard
Dear Mr. Chan:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on
Monday, April 14, 2025. Staff received no comments during the notification
period. After careful consideration, staff has determined that the design of
the new multi-family residence complies with all applicable objective design
and development standards per the requirements of SB 330. Therefore, the
Development Services Department has conditionally approved the multi-
family design review project, for a new 10-unit, two-story, Cape Cod style
building with attached two-car garages, and private open space at 36 – 42
E. Colorado Boulevard, subject to the following conditions:
Planning
1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the
applicant/property owner in a manner that is consistent with the plans
and materials conditionally approved for Multiple-Family Architectural
Design Review No. MFADR 24-05.
2. No utility or fixtures shall be located on the exterior walls of the building
that face the street.
3. Any required mechanical equipment, such as backflow devices,
visible from the public right-of-way shall be screened from public view.
Screening may include landscaping, solid walls or other methods
deemed appropriate for the development. The placement and height
of said screening shall be subject to review and approval by the
Deputy Development Services Director.
4. 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.
Engineering
5. The Applicant/Property Owner shall submit a Tentative Tract Map to be reviewed
prior to approval of the Final Tract map if the units are to be subdivided.
6. Prior to approval of the Final Tract map, if applicable, or otherwise prior to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the Applicant/ Property Owner shall
perform or provide security for the following off-site improvements:
o Construct new driveway approach on Colorado Boulevard per City
Standard 801-1.
o Remove and replace curb and gutter with 2’ slot cut from property line to
property line.
o Remove and replace sidewalk per City Standard 802-1 through 3 from
property line to property line.
o Remove and replace asphalt in the alley from property line to property line
up to the ribbon gutter. If the ribbon gutter or asphalt south of the ribbon
gutter is damaged, in bad condition, and in need of repair during
construction, the ribbon gutter and/or asphalt south of the ribbon gutter shall
be replaced from property line to property line to the satisfaction of the City
Engineer or designee.
7. Prior to occupancy, the developer shall repair any damages caused by the
development to the street frontages from property line to property line including but
not limited to trench cuts and construction traffic, per the direction of the City
Engineer. If the street (Colorado Blvd) is under the City’s pavement moratorium
list, the repair may extend from curb to curb, per the direction of the City Engineer.
8. The Applicant/Property Owner shall prepare a Low Impact Development (LID)
Plan. The LID Plan shall include using infiltration trenches, bioretention planter
boxes, roof drains connected to a landscaped area, pervious concrete/paver, etc,
and must be approved by the city before building permit issuance.
Fire
9. The Property Owner/Applicant shall provide a knox switch for the vehicular gate.
10. The Property Owner/Applicant shall ensure all structures are fire sprinklered per
the City of Arcadia Fire Department Single & Multi-Family Dwelling Sprinkler
Standard.
Sewer
11. An 8” VCP City sewer main is available on the alley between Colorado Blvd. and
La Porte St. to provide sanitary sewer service for the project. Assuming typical
sanitary sewer demands for a project of this size and type, the existing 8” City
sewer should be capable of meeting all anticipated demands of the improvements
as described in the information provided.
12. Developer shall utilize existing sewer lateral(s) if possible.
13. If any drainage fixture elevation in any building is lower than the elevation of the
next upstream manhole cover, an approved backwater valve is required to be
installed on the lateral behind the property line.
Water
14. A twelve-inch (12”) cast iron water main with 45 psi static pressure is available on
Colorado Blvd to serve the subject address. Developer shall provide calculations
to determine the total combined maximum domestic and fire demand, and verify
the required water service size required.
15. Condominium or townhouse complexes of more than 5 individual units shall be
served by a common domestic master water meter and service capable of
supplying sufficient water to meet all domestic and fire suppression needs of the
total number of units.
16. In the event that fire suppression is common to the complex, a separate fire service
shall be required as directed by the Fire Marshal.
17. If a water service is to be used to supply both domestic water and fire sprinklers
for each unit, the developer shall separate the fire service from domestic water
service at each unit with an approved back flow prevention device.
18. A separate water service and meter shall be required for landscape irrigation at
the common shared area. An approved reduced pressure backflow device shall be
installed.
19. A Water Meter Permit Application shall be submitted to the Public Works Services
Department prior to permit issuance.
20. New water service installations shall be by the Developer. Installation shall be
according to the specifications of the Public Works Services Department,
Engineering Section. Abandonment of existing water services, if necessary, shall
be carried out by the Developer, according to Public Works Services Department,
Engineering Division specifications.
Public Works
21. Property Owner/Applicant shall ensure the trash enclosures have sufficient size to
accommodate three bins/carts, one each for trash, recycling and
greenwaste/foodwaste. For bins, there should be 1 feet clearance around each
bin.
General
22. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Applicant must defend, indemnify, and
hold the 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 Multiple-
Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 24-05 (“Project”) 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, the Applicant shall provide
to the 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. The 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. The City shall only refund to the 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, at the request of the Applicant or not.
23. 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 Deputy
Development Services Director, 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 and
employees.
24. Approval of MFADR 24-05 shall not take effect until the Applicant/Property Owner
has executed and filed with the City on or before May 16, 2025, an Acceptance
Form available from the Development Services Department, to indicate
acceptance of the conditions required by this 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 $728.00 appeal fee by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025. You will be notified if
an appeal is filed.
This approval shall expire in one year (April 26, 2026) 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.
Approval of Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 24-05 shall not go
into 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 May 16, 2025, or if the project
is appealed, this approval will become null and void.
You may visit the City’s website at www.ArcadiaCA.gov/noticesanddecisions to view this
notice. If you have any questions, please contact me at (626) 574-5442, or by email at
fgraham@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division / Planning Services
Fiona Graham
Planning Services Manager
Attachments: Acceptance Form
c: Mesa Col LLC, Property Owner