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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415 August 13, 2026 Via EDGE & Email Esther Yang 517 N. Cordova Street Alhambra, CA 91801 Subject: Single-Story Architectural Design Review No. SS-ADR 26-11 and Major Administrative Modiflcation No. Major AM 26-03 Project Address: 905 Rodeo Road Dear Applicant: The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision (NOPD) ended on August 6, 2026. Staff did not receive any comments during the comment period. After careful review, the Development Services Department has conditionally approved the applications for Single-Story Architectural Design Review No. SS-ADR 26-11 and Major Administrative Modiflcation No. Major AM 26-03 for the proposed project located at 905 Rodeo Road. The project includes a 640-square-foot single-story addition to the rear of the existing single- story residence. The property includes a fiood control channel along the rear property line. As such, the required rear yard setback is measured from the easement line and not the rear property line, therefore presenting a rear yard encroachment which requires an Administrative Modiflcation. According to Arcadia Development Code Section 9107.05.050, it states that an Administrative Modiflcation may be approved if at least one of the following flndings can be made. 1. Secure an appropriate improvement of a lot; 2. Prevent an unreasonable hardship; or 3. Promote uniformity of development. The subject property at 905 Rodeo Road includes a Los Angeles County Flood Control Easement along the rear, approximately 20 feet in width from the rear property line. The Development Code requires a minimum rear yard setback of 25 feet for the addition measured from the rear property line or the easement if one exists. The proposed addition to the rear of the house would be approximately 36 feet from the rear property line, and Page 2 of 4 approximately 16 feet when measured from the fiood control easement. The Property Owner has obtained conflrmation from the Los Angeles County Flood Control District; however, the proposed 9-foot rear yard encroachment requires a Major Administrative Modiflcation (Major AM 26-03) in addition to the Single-Story Architectural Design Review Application (SSADR 26-11) for the proposed addition. Given the limited rear yard area due to the fiood control easement, the approval of the setback encroachment would allow for appropriate improvement of the lot by allowing the addition to the main house within the code-allowed fioor area limits, height, and side setbacks. The proposed project complies with all other applicable Development Standards and Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines. The proposed project qualifles for a Categorical Exemption per Section 15301 from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for additions to existing structures. Conditions of Approval 1. The project shall be developed and maintained by the Property Owner/Applicant in a manner that is consistent with the conditionally approved plans for Single-Story Architectural Design Review No. SS-ADR 26-11 and Major Administrative Modiflcation No. Major AM 26-03, subject to the satisfaction of the Development Services Director or designee. 2. 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 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. 3. 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/Property Owners activities in connection with Single-Story Architectural Design Review No. SS-ADR 26-11 and Major Administrative Modiflcation No. Major AM 26-03 (“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 Page 3 of 4 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. 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 $811.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on August 24, 2026. Approval of this Single-Story Architectural Design Review No. SS-ADR 26-11 and Major Administrative Modiflcation No. Major AM 26-03 shall not be effective 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 14, 2026, this approval will become null and void. This approval shall expire in one year (August 25, 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 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. Page 4 of 4 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. For questions, please contact me at (626) 574-5422 or email gyesayan@ArcadiaCA.gov Sincerely, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Community Development Division/Planning Services Gary Yesayan Associate Planner Enclosure: Acceptance Form cc: Richard Trinh and Sisi Wu, Property Owners