HomeMy WebLinkAboutConditional Approval
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
August 1, 2025
PDS Studio Inc.
Attn: Philip Chan
711 South First Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-02
Project Address: 260 Walnut Avenue
Dear Mr. Chan;
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on July 31, 2025. Staff did
not receive any comments during the notiflcation period. After careful consideration, the
Development Services Department has conditionally approved the plans for Single-Family
Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-02 for the proposed demolition of the existing
structure and construction of a new two-story, single-family, Italian-style residence at 260
Walnut Avenue. The residence will include 8,838 square feet of habitable area (maximum
allowed up to 9,600 square feet), an attached 479 square foot, two-car, and a detached 250
square foot, one-car garage. Per the Development Code, garage fioor area of up to 850 square
feet is excluded from the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The residence also includes 629 square feet of
high ceiling area that counts toward the project FAR. The project will also include a cabana, and
a swimming pool within the rear yard. The proposed project complies with the Development
Standards and the Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines. The approval of SFADR 25-02 is
subject to the following conditions.
1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the Property Owner/Applicant in a manner
that is consistent with the plans submitted and conditionally approved for Single-Story
Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-02, subject to the satisfaction of the Deputy
Development Services Director or designee.
2. Prior to building permit issuance, an updated Landscape Plan shall be provided showing a
minimum of four (4), at least 24-inch box-sized oak and/or sycamore trees to be planted on
the subject site.
3. Prior to final inspection or issuance of Certificate of Occupancy landscaping shall be
completed in compliance with the approved Landscape Plan.
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4. The Property Owner/Applicant shall comply with all City requirements regarding building
safety, flre 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. 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.
5. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Property Owner/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 SFADR 25-02 (“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, speciflcations, 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 notify the Applicant of the claim, action, or proceedings and will cooperate in the
defense of the matter. 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, the Property Owner/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, the Property Owner/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 flnal, 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. The parties hereby agree to cooperate in defending
such action. The City will not voluntarily assist in any 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.
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There is a ten (10) day appeal period for this application. To flle an appeal, a completed
Appeal Application form must be submitted to the Community Development Division along
with a $772.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025. You will be notifled if
an appeal is flled.
Approval of SFADR 25-02 shall not be of effect unless the Property Owner and Applicant have
executed and flled 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
September 2, 2025, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (August 12, 2026) from the effective date unless a
building permit is issued and the construction is diligently pursued, a certiflcate of
occupancy has been issued, or the approval is renewed.
An extension may be granted by the Deputy 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 flndings 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 email gyesayan@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Gary Yesayan
Associate Planner
Attachment:
Acceptance Form