HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
July 23 , 2026 Delivered via email and EDGE
David Lin
126 W. Wistaria Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-19
Project Address: 741 Val Street.
Dear Applicant:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision has ended. No comments were
received during the notiflcation period. After careful consideration, the Development Services
Department has conditionally approved the plans for Single-Family Architectural Design Review
No. SFADR 25-19 for the demolition of an existing single-family residence and the construction of
a new 4,307-square-foot, two-story single-family residence, a 736-square-foot detached three-
car garage, and a 799-square-foot detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with an attached 267-
square-foot one-car garage at 741 Val Street. The proposed project complies with all applicable
Development Code standards, including setbacks, maximum fioor area, lot coverage, and height,
and is consistent with the City's Residential Design Guidelines. The approval of SFADR 25-19 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 25-19, subject to the satisfaction of the Development
Services Director or designee.
2. Existing masonry walls located on the subject property shall be stucco flnished to match the
proposed residence. Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall provide
documentation verifying the ownership of all existing perimeter walls. If any wall is located
on an adjoining property, written authorization from the property owner and a recorded wall
agreement shall be provided prior to modiflcation. If a wall agreement cannot be obtained,
a new masonry wall shall be constructed entirely on the subject property with the foundation
set a minimum of two (2) inches inside the property line. The new wall shall include a
decorative cap and a stucco flnish compatible with the approved residence.
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3. Prior to flnal inspection, the applicant shall install one (1) 36-inch box Cercis 'Forest Pansy'
street tree within the parkway. The flnal tree location shall be subject to review and approval
by the Public Works Inspector.
4. Prior to flnal occupancy, the applicant shall remove and replace the existing driveway
approach in accordance with City Standard 801-1, including a minimum one-foot (1')
separation between the driveway wing and the extended property line. The adjacent curb
and gutter shall also be removed and replaced with a two-foot slot cut from property line to
property line. Any private improvements located within the public right-of-way shall be
removed.
5. Prior to flnal occupancy, the applicant shall repair any damage to the public right-of-way
resulting from construction activities, including but not limited to damage to pavement, curb,
gutter, and sidewalk, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. If the street is subject to the
City's pavement moratorium, the required repair may extend from curb to curb, as
determined by the City Engineer.
6. Prior to final inspection, all utilities serving the development shall be placed underground.
No private conduits or structures shall be installed within the public alley or public right -of-
way without prior approval from the City Engineer.
7. Prior to final inspection, the applicant shall remove the existing overhead electrical service
and install underground electrical service. Any required electrical transformers shall be
located on private property outside of the public right-of-way.
8. All exterior materials, colors, and architectural details shall match the approved plans and
shall be maintained in good condition.
9. All construction related regulations imposed by the Building Division shall be strictly adhered
to including hours allowed for construction, permitted noise levels, and dust control.
10. 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 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.
11. 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,
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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 action s and liabilities
for damages caused or alleged to have been caused by reason of the Applicant’s activities in
connection with SFADR 25-19 (“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 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.
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 the required appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on August 3, 2026. You will be notifled if an appeal
is flled.
Approval of SFADR 25-19 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 within 30 days of the date of this
letter and if it is not received, this approval will become null and void.
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This approval shall expire in one year (August 3, 2027) 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 required
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 this approval, please contact me at (626) 574-5447
or mchipres@ArcadiaCA.gov.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Melissa Chipres
Senior Planner
Attachment: Acceptance Form
cc: LAI,ZENGGUANG AND CAI,WEI ET AL, Property Owners