HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
January 30, 2026 Via EDGE & E-Mail
Juan Reyes
3153 Antietam Drive
Riveside, CA 92503
Subject: Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-18 and
Protected Tree Encroachment Permit No. TRE 25-18
Project Address: 1924 S. Sixth Ave.
Dear Applicant:
The public comment period for the Notice of Pending Decision ended on January 21, 2026.
Staff received comments from one (1) neighboring property owner at 1917 S. Seventh Ave.,
regarding second-fioor setback and landscaping for privacy, and to ensure that any existing
unsafe/nonconforming structures are removed and replaced, including temporary
construction fencing, and project’s full compliance with the Development Code.
The project as proposed provides deep second-fioor rear-yard setback at 84’-7” far exceeding
the minimum 39’-0” Code requirement. The residence, inclusive of the flrst and second fioors
is proposed at 46’-0” from the front property line which is the minimum requirement per
Code. The project will provide privacy landscaping along the side and rear property lines. All
existing buildings are proposed for demolition. A condition of approval is included requiring
any existing property line fence/wall to be removed and replaced if deemed unsafe and/or
nonconforming. Temporary construction fencing will be installed during demolition and
construction activity as a standard requirement by the Building Services Department. The
project will include a new 6,539-square-foot, two-story, Mediterranean-style residence, with
an attached 665-square-foot three-car garage. The residence also includes 598-square-foot
high-ceiling area, and a 337-square-foot covered rear patio. The proposed project will
encroach within the protected zone of one (1) protected coast live oak tree located on the
subject site and will require on-site protective measures per the provided arborist report.
The proposed project is in full compliance with the Development Code including setbacks,
lot coverage, height, and fioor area limits. The project also meets City’s Residential Design
Guidelines and does not require any special modiflcations. The project will also include a
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detached, 800-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) within the rear yard; however, not
subject to this SFADR No. 25-18 review process.
After review and careful consideration, the Development Services Department has
conditionally approved the plans for Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR
25-18 and Protected Tree Encroachment Permit No. TRE 25-18 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 conditionally approved for Single-Story
Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-18 and TRE 25-18, subject to the satisfaction
of the Development Services Director or designee.
2. Prior to demolition and during all phases of construction activity all existing protected
trees on site shall be fenced and protected in place per the arborist recommendation in
the attached Arborist Report.
3. Prior to flnal inspection/Certiflcate of Occupancy issuance an arborist report must be
submitted to provide evaluation of all protected trees on site.
4. Subject to Public Works Services Department approval and permit, the two (2) Magnolia
trees located at the front of the project site and within the City’s parkway shall be
removed and replaced with two (2) 36-inch box Magnolia Russet trees. Speciflc locations
for the new trees shall be determined by the Public Works Services Department.
5. Prior to flnal occupancy, the Property Owner/Applicant shall perform the following off-
site improvements:
a. Remove and replace driveway approach per City Standard 801-1.
b. Remove and replace sidewalk per City Standard 802-1 through 3 to provide an
accessible path of travel in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) on Sixth
Avenue from property line to property line.
c. Remove and replace curb and gutter with 2-foot slot cut, extending from
property line to property line.
6. Prior to occupancy, the Property Owner/Applicant shall repair any damage 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 at the time, the street is under the City’s pavement moratorium list, the
repair may extend from curb to curb, per the direction of the City Engineer.
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7. All dry utilities shall be underground. No private conduits or structures shall be located
in the public alley without approval from the City Engineer.
8. As part of the new development, existing overhead electrical service must be removed
and replaced with underground electrical services. Electrical transformers, if needed,
must be installed on private property, and outside of any public right-of-way.
9. Any existing wall/fence deemed unsafe and/or nonconforming shall be removed and
replaced subject to review and approval by the Planning and Building Services
Departments. Removal and/or installation of new fences and walls located on shared
property lines shall require adjacent property owner approval.
10. 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.
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, 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 25-18 and TRE 25-18 (“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
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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 $772.00 appeal fee by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026. You will only be
notifled if an appeal is flled.
Approval of SFADR 25-18 and TRE 25-18 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 Monday, March 2, 2026, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (February 10, 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.
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.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (626) 574-5422 or email
gyesayan@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
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Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Gary Yesayan
Associate Planner
Enclosure: Acceptance Form
Arborist Report
cc: Kenny Yu, Project Property Owner
Frank Hsu, Neighboring Property Owner
CITY OF ARCADIA
ACCEPTANCE FORM
Development Services Department
Community Development Division-Planning Services
240 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
Issued 1/30/26
APPLICATION NO.:
Single-Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 25-18 and
Protected Tree Encoroachment Permit No. TRE 25-18
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1924 S. Sixth Ave.
I am/We are the applicant(s), and the owner(s), or the duly authorized
representative(s) of the owner(s), respectively, of the project and real property that is the
subject of the above application(s).
I am/We are aware of, understand, and accept, all the provisions and conditions
imposed upon the project and real property that is the subject of the above application(s),
and also understand that noncompliance with said provisions and conditions shall
constitute grounds for the immediate suspension or revocation of any approvals granted
through said application(s).
I/We certify and declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and
correct.
APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE DATE
PRINT NAME
PROPERTY OWNER’S SIGNATURE DATE
PRINT NAME
Approval of your application shall not be of effect unless the property owner and
applicant have executed and filed this 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, March 2, 2026, this approval will become null and
void and all fees will be forfeited.
1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006
Prepared for:
Kenny Yu
November 21, 2025
Prepared by:
Javier Cabral Consulting Arborist
International Society of Arborists # WE- 8116A
1390 El Sereno Ave
Pasadena, California 91103
(626)818-8704
jctcabral@sbcglobal.net
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 1
ISA Certified Arborist
31 December 2025
Table of contents
Summary & Background And Assignment -------------------------- pg. 3
Site Conditions & List Inventory -------------------------------------- pg. 4
Site Plan With Trees------------------------------------------------------ pg. 5 & 6
Tree Pictures -------------------------------------------------------------- pg. 7 thru 12
Tree Protection Plan ----------------------------------------------------- pg. 13 thru 15
Arborist Signature Page ------------------------------------------------- pg. 16
Certificate Of Performance --------------------------------------------- pg. 17
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 2
Summary
Mr. Yu,
You have retained my consulting arborist services to provide a tree inventory and tree protection plan
for the property described as 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006. You are in the planning and permitting stages
of demolishing the existing structures and building a new 2-story single family home and detached ADU.
Background and assignment
Mr. Yu has requested that I provide the following arboricultural services.
1) Identify all trees on the property and label them on the architectural drawings as provided to the
arborist by Mr. Juan Reyes.
2) Evaluate the current health of the trees and make recommendations based on their health and
proposed construction activities.
3) Provide a protection plan for all protected trees to remain based on the proposed site plan.
The following report is based on my site visit on November 14, 2025, and my analysis of the trees, site
plan, and the surrounding landscape. For the purpose of this report, I will address these trees as on-site
Trees # 1 thru 14. No off-site trees are expected to be impacted
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 3
Site conditions
A one-story single-family home currently exists on this property located Site Plan With Trees.
There is a total of (14) trees that will be inventoried including (3) protected trees. No protected trees are proposed
to be removed for this project, and all protected trees are expected to survive in their existing condition.
List Inventory Pg. 1
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 4
Site Plan With Trees (full scale)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 5
Site Plan With Trees (cropped)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 6
Trees # 1 & 2 (facing east)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 7
Tree # 1
Tree # 2
Trees # 3 thru 5 (facing east)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 8
Tree # 6 (facing north)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 9
Tree # 6
Trees # 7 thru 9 (facing south)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 10
Tree # 7
Tree # 8
Tree # 9
Trees# 10 & 11 (facing south)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 11
Tree # 10
Tree # 11
Trees # 12 thru 14 (facing east)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 12
General Tree Protection Guidelines
1) Avoid damaging the roots, stem, and branches with mechanical and manual equipment. No roots shall be
severed within the Tree Protection Zone “TPZ” which is the same as the area within the Tree Protection
Fencing “TPF.” Roots greater than two inches in diameter outside of the TPZ shall be cleanly severed with a
sharp tool such as a hand saw or manual pruners.
2) Avoid soil compaction by prohibiting the use of heavy equipment such as backhoes and bobcats under the
tree drip line. If access within the TPZ is required during the construction process, the route shall be covered
in a 6-inch layer of mulch in the TPZ and the area shall be aerated and fertilized at the conclusion of
construction.
3) Do not store or park tools, equipment, vehicles, or chemicals under the tree drip line. No equipment or
debris of any kind shall be placed within the TPZ. No fuel, paint, solvent oil, thinner, asphalt, cement, grout,
or any other construction chemical shall be stored or allowed in any manner to enter within the TPZ.
4) Avoid washing of equipment and tools such as wheel barrels, shovels, and mechanical motors under the tree
drip line.
5) Prevent flooding and pooling of service water under the drip line. Grade changes that will flood the TPZ are
prohibited unless a drainage plan is implemented. No grade changes within the TPZ shall be allowed.
6) Avoid cutting tree roots whenever possible. This can sometimes be accomplished by bridging roots,
tunneling, or radial trenching. If roots must be cut use a sharp tool that will make a clean flush cut and not tear
the roots. If possible, all digging under the tree drip line should be done manually to avoid tearing out of
roots. Roots outside of the TPZ may be cleanly severed vertically with a sharp garden tool.
7) Do not raise or lower the grade within the tree protection zone of any protected trees unless approved by the
project arborist. Roots greater than 1 inch in diameter that are exposed or damaged shall be cut with a sharp
tool such as a hand saw, pruners, or loppers and covered with soil in conformance to industry standards. If
any work is required within the TPZ the Arborist shall be consulted previous to beginning. The Arborist shall
be contacted as soon as possible to arrange for a timely inspection and prevent delays.
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 13
8) Landscape preparation & excavation within the TPZ shall be limited to the use of hand tools and small
hand-held power tools and shall not be of a depth that could cause root damage. No attachments or wires
other than those of a protective or non-damaging method shall be attached to a protected tree.
9) Construction personnel should be briefed on the importance of the guidelines before construction begins
and reminded of it during tailgate meetings and as necessary. A printed copy should be posted where
employees can be reminded of it.
10) All protected trees shall be watered before, during, and after construction as needed to prevent drought
stress and tree death until sprinklers have been installed and are functional.
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 14
Site Plan With Protection Fencing (cropped)
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 15
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 16
Certificate of Performance & Limiting Conditions
I Javier Cabral certify the following:
• No warranty is made, expressed or implied, that problems or deficiencies of the trees or the property will not
occur in the future, from any cause. The Arborist shall not be responsible for damages or injuries caused by any
tree defects and assume no responsibility for the correction of defects or tree related problems.
• The owner and client of the trees may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the Arborist or
seek additional advice if the owner decides not to accept the Arborists findings or recommendations.
• The Arborist has no past, present or future interest in the removal or preservation of any tree. The opinions
contained in the Arborist report are independent and objective judgements of the Arborist.
• The findings, opinions, and recommendations of the Arborist are based on based on the physical inspection of
said property. The opinions are based on knowledge, experience, and education.
• The Arborist shall not be required to provide testimony, provide site monitoring, provide further documentation
for changes beyond the control of the Arborist, be deposed, or to attend any meeting without contractual
arrangements for additional fees to the Arborist.
• The Arborist assumes no responsibility for verification of ownership or location of property lines, or for any
recommendations based on inaccurate information.
• This Arborist report may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or the Arborist and the
client to whom the report was provided to. Any changes or alteration of this report invalidates the entire report.
• Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine
trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, make recommendations to prevent or
minimize damage to trees during and after construction projects, and attempt to reduce the risk of living near
trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to seek additional
advice.
• Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees
are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees
and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances,
or for a specified period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like any medicine, cannot be guaranteed.
• Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist’s
services such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and
other issues. Arborists cannot take such considerations into account unless complete and accurate
information is disclosed to the arborist. An arborist should then be expected to reasonably rely upon the
completeness and accuracy of the information provided.
• Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk.
The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.
Kenny Yu 1924 6th Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 November 21, 2025
Javier Cabral / Consulting Arborist Pg. # 17