HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
July 2, 2025
PDS Studio Inc.
Attn: Philip Chan
711 S. First Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Multiple-Family Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 25-04 (SB-330) - Revised
Project Address: 48 E. Colorado Blvd.
Dear Mr. Chan;
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on June 17, 2025. Staff did
not receive any comments during the notiflcation period. After careful consideration, it has been
determined that the design of the new multi -family residence complies with all applicable
Objective Design and Development Standards per the SB 330 requirement. Therefore, the
Development Services Department has conditionally approved the multi-family architectural
design review for a new four-unit, multi-family development which includes a three-story building
with approximately 1,700 square feet of living area for Units A and B, and approximately 1,600
square feet of living area for Units C and D. Each unit will include an attached two-car garage and
private open space. This approval 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 Multiple-Family
Architectural Design Review No. MFADR 25-04 (SB-330), subject to the satisfaction of the
Deputy Development Services Director or designee.
2. No utility or flxtures shall be located on the exterior walls of the building that face the street.
3. Any required mechanical equipment, such as backfiow devices, visible from the public right-
of-way shall be screened from public view. Screening may include landscaping, solid walls
or other methods deemed appropriate for the development. The placement and height of
said screening shall be subject to review and approval by the Deputy Development Services
Director.
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4. All structures shall be flre sprinklered per the City of Arcadia Fire Department Single and
Multi-Family Dwelling Sprinkler Standard.
5. A knox switch shall be provided for all vehicular gates if proposed.
6. Pedestrian gates, if proposed, must be openable without any special knowledge.
7. The Applicant/Property Owner shall prepare a Low Impact Development (LID) Plan.
8. The Applicant/Property Owner shall conduct a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP) to address construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) and provide proof to
the City.
9. The Applicant/Property Owner shall obtain coverage under the State's Construction General
Permit (CGP) and provide proof to the City before a permit is issued to the project.
10. The City of Arcadia requires refuse and recycling containers at all multi-family properties
which include carts or dumpsters for trash, recycling, and organic waste. The Developer
shall provide information detailing the plan for trash and recycling containers and/or
enclosures that will be constructed for the property based on population needs, including
the number of enclosures, measurements, and dimensions allotted for each container
and/or dumpster. Residential properties in Arcadia are permitted to use Waste Management
for trash and recycling services.
11. If any drainage flxture elevation in any building is lower than the elevation of the next
upstream manhole cover, an approved backwater valve is required to be installed on the
lateral behind the property line.
12. The project shall comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WELO).
Prior to the issuance of building permits, a Landscape Plan shall be submitted with the plans
for plan check to Building Services.
13. A demolition permit shall be obtained from Building Services prior to the removal and/or
demolition of the structures on site.
14. The Applicant/Property Owner shall obtain an encroachment permit from the City prior to
commencement of any work in the public right of way required to connect water services.
15. All flre services shall be separated from domestic water services with approved back fiow
prevention devices.
16. The Applicant/Property Owner shall coordinate with utility companies to underground all
utilities including but not limited to cable television, telephone, and electrical systems. If an
electrical transformer is recommended/required by Southern California Edison (SCE) to
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upgrade the system, it is to be placed outside of the public right of way, on private property.
The proposed location should be shown on the plans submitted to the Building Services.
17. The Applicant/Property Owner shall submit a Tentative Parcel Map to be reviewed prior to
approval of the Final Parcel map. Prior to approval of the Final Parcel map, the
Applicant/Property Owner shall perform or provide security for the following off-site
improvements:
a. Construct new driveway approach on Colorado Boulevard per City Standard 801-1 and
provide 1’ separation between top of “x” and property line.
b. Remove and replace curb and gutter with 2’ slot cut from property line to property line.
c. Remove and replace sidewalk per City Standard 802-1 through 3 from property line to
property line.
d. Remove and replace the asphalt in the alley from property line to property line, up to the
ribbon gutter. If the ribbon gutter or the asphalt south of the it is damaged or in poor
condition and requires repair during construction, the ribbon gutter and/or the asphalt
south of it shall be replaced from property line to property line.
e. Additional 2-foot dedication will be required at the driveway approach to make a 10-foot-
wide parkway for ADA compliance.
18. Prior to the issuance of Certiflcate of Occupancy, the Applicant/Property Owner shall repair
any damages caused by the development to the street frontages from property line to
property line including but not limited to trench cuts and construction traffic, per the
direction of the City Engineer. If the street (Colorado Blvd) is under the City’s pavement
moratorium list, the repair may extend from curb to curb, per the direction of the City
Engineer.
19. A twelve-inch (12”) cast iron water main with 45 psi static pressure is available on Colorado
Blvd to serve the subject address. The Applicant/Property Owner shall provide calculations
to determine the total combined maximum domestic and flre demand and verify the
required water service size required.
20. The Applicant/Property Owner shall install separate water meter for each condo unit. The
water meter for each unit can be used to supply both domestic water services and flre
services. The Applicant/Property Owner shall separate the flre service from domestic water
service with an approved back fiow device.
21. A separate water service and meter shall be required for landscape irrigation at the common
shared area. An approved reduced pressure backfiow device shall be installed.
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22. A Water Meter Permit Application shall be submitted to the Public Works Services
Department prior to permit issuance.
23. New water service installations shall be by the Applicant/Property Owner. Installation shall
be according to the speciflcations of the Public Works Services Department, Engineering
Section. Abandonment of existing water services, if necessary, shall be carried out by the
Applicant/Property Owner, according to Public Works Services Department, Engineering
Division speciflcations.
24. The development shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the following codes as
applicable:
a. California Building Code
b. California Electrical Code
c. California Mechanical Code
d. California Plumbing Code
e. California Energy Code
f. California Fire Code
g. California Green Building Standards Code
h. California Existing Building Code
i. Arcadia Municipal Code
25. The project shall comply with Chapter 35A Multiple Family Construction Standards as
amended in the Arcadia Municipal Code Section 8130.20.
26. 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.
27. 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 MFADR 25-04 (SB-330) (“Project”) on the Project site,
and which may arise from the direct or indirect operations of the Applicant or those of the
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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.
28. Approval of MFADR 25-04 (SB-330) shall not take effect until the Applicant/Property Owner
has executed and flled with the City on or before July 31, 2025, an Acceptance Form available
from the Development Services Department, to indicate acceptance of the conditions
required by this approval.
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, July 15, 2025. You will be notifled if an
appeal is flled.
Approval of MFADR 25-04 (SB-330) shall not take effect until the Applicant/Property Owner
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
July 31, 2025, this approval will become null and void.
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This approval shall expire in one year (July 16, 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
c: Mesa Col LLC, Property Owner