HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
October 19, 2026 Via EDGE & E-Mail
Philip Chan
711 S. 1st Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 26-03
Project Address: 829 E. Camino Real Avenue
Dear Applicant:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on October 12, 2026.
Staff did not receive any comments during the comment period. After careful review and
consideration, the Development Services Department has conditionally approved the
plans for Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 26-03 for the proposed
project that includes a 1,833-square-foot flrst-fioor addition to an existing single-story
residence and a new 1,609-square-foot second fioor. The project also includes 62 square feet
of high-ceiling area, and 301 square feet of non-exempt garage fioor area. The subject site
includes a legal nonconforming secondary dwelling unit that would be combined with the
main dwelling unit as part of the project which would correct the site’s current
nonconforming status. As part of the project, the existing detached two-car garage will be
expanded to a four-car garage. The proposed project complies with the Development Code
including setbacks, lot coverage, height, and fioor area limits, as well as City’s Single-Family
Residential Design Guidelines. The project qualifles for a Categorical Exemption per Section
15303 from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for additions to existing
structures.
The approval of SFADR 26-03 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 26-03, subject to the satisfaction
of the Development Services Director or designee.
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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 activities in connection with SFADR 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 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
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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 either
in person during business hours, or through Arcadia’s EDGE Portal at
www.ArcadiaCA.gov/EDGE, along with an $811.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
October 29, 2026.
Approval of SFADR 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
Monday, November 30, 2026, or if the project is appealed, this approval will become null
and void.
Be Aware of Fraudulent Emails Impersonating City Employees. The Development
Services Department is aware of phishing emails targeting Arcadia customers. These
fraudulent emails may impersonate City employees and falsely claim that permit fees are
unpaid or require immediate payment by wire transfer.
Please be advised that the City of Arcadia will never request banking information by email or
require payment or funds to be sent by wire transfer. All official correspondence from the
City of Arcadia will be sent only from email addresses ending in @arcadiaca.gov.
If you receive a suspicious email or have concerns about a payment request:
• Do not respond to the email.
• Do not send money or provide banking or other sensitive information.
• Do not click on links or open attachments in the suspicious email.
• Contact the applicable City department directly to verify that the request is legitimate.
If in doubt, please verify any payment request with the City before taking action.
This approval shall expire in one year (October 30, 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.
Please note that acceptance of an extension request does not indicate approval of an
extension.
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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 by email at gyesayan@arcadiaca.gov
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Gary Yesayan
Associate Planner
Enclosure: Acceptance Form