HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
November 7, 2025
Eric Tsang
440 E. Huntington Drive, Suite 323
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-09 and Protected Healthy
Tree Removal Permit No. TRH 25-06
Project Address: 248 W. Palm Drive
Dear Mr. Tsang;
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on November 5, 2025. Staff
received no 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 25-09 and Protected Healthy Tree Removal Permit No.
TRH 25-06 for a proposed two-story Tuscan-style home with 6,584 square feet of living area,
1,035 square feet of garage area consisting of one attached two -car garage and one detached
two-car garage, an 109 square foot front porch, a 303 square foot rear covered patio, a detached
487 square foot cabana, and a permitted by right 800 square foot detached Accessory Dwelling
Unit (ADU) at 248 W. Palm Drive. The project also includes the removal of one protected 24”
Afghan pine tree. The proposed project complies with all the Development Standards including
setbacks, lot coverage, height, and fioor area limits. The project also meets the City’s Residential
Design Guidelines. The approval of SFADR 25-09 and TRH 25-06 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-Family
Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-09 and Protected Healthy Tree Removal Permit
No. TRH 25-06, subject to the satisfaction of the Deputy Development Services Director or
designee.
2. Removal of the protected 24” Afghan pine tree shall be replaced with two 24-inch box
protected trees on site. One tree shall be located within the front yard area. The other tree
may be located elsewhere on site. Please provide conflrmation of the replacement trees in
your landscape plan submittal to the Building Division.
Page 2 of 3
3. 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.
4. 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 25-09 and TRH 25-06 (“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 $728.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025. You will be notifled
if an appeal is flled.
Approval of SFADR 25-16 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
December 8, 2025, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (November 18, 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) 821-4334 or email earreola@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Edwin Arreola
Senior Planner
Attachment:
Acceptance Form