HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproval Letter
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
ArcadiaCA.gov | 240 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574- 5415
May 22, 2026 Via EDGE and Email
Eric Tsang
440 E. Huntington Drive, #323
Arcadia, CA 91006
Subject: Minor Use Permit No. MUP 25-13 (amending MUP 24-04)
Project Address: 310 S. 1st Avenue (Lagreeology Fitness Studio, LLC)
Dear Applicant:
The public comment period for Minor Use Permit No. MUP 25-13 has ended. Staff received
two comments during the public comment period pertaining to current operations of the
business and certain non-compliances with existing conditions, including hours of operation
and client parking. The scope of the requested change to the business is limited to minor
interior work to accommodate two (2) new sauna rooms. No changes to the operational
characteristics of the business were requested as part of this application. The business is
required to operate in accordance with the Arcadia Development Code, the approved Minor
Use Permit, and the conditions contained below. Any additional changes to the operation of
the business proposed by the business owner would require a subsequent amendment to
this approval. For these reasons, the concerns raised did not require any changes to the
requested amendment to MUP 24-04.
The Development Services Department has conditionally approved Minor Use Permit No.
MUP 25-13 to amend Minor Use Permit No. MUP 24-04 to accommodate two (2) additional
sauna rooms at the existing 2,800 square foot health and fitness facility (dba: Lagreeology
Fitness Studio, LLC) located at 310 S. 1 st Avenue. The project is subject to the conditions of
approval listed below.
The existing exercise studio is located within the Mixed Use (MU) Zone. The exercise studio
will continue to offer 45-minute long Lagree Fitness classes with each class comprising one
(1) trainer and up to 13 students. In addition to the classes, cryotherapy (the use of extreme
cold to treat certain skin conditions), infrared light (to treat pain and inflammation in parts
of the body), and dry sauna treatments will also be provided separately for up to four (4)
clients at a time. The business hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week.
This amendment only allows the addition of two (2) new sauna rooms for a total of six (6)
therapy and sauna rooms. No other operations are requested to change.
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Pursuant to Development Code Section 9107.09.050, a Minor Use Permit may be approved
if all of the following findings can be made:
1. That the proposed use is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific
plan; and is allowed within the applicable zone, subject to the granting of a Minor Use
Permit, and comply with all other applicable provisions of the Development Code an d
the Municipal Code.
2. That the design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed activity
will be compatible with the existing and future land uses in the vicinity.
3. That the site is physically suitable in terms of its design, location, shape, size, and
operating characteristics of the proposed use in order to accommodate the use, site
improvements, loading and parking; streets and highways are adequate in width and
pavement type to accommodate public an emergency vehicle (e.g., fire and medical)
access; public protection, and provisions of utilities.
4. That the measure of site suitability shall be required to ensure that the type, density,
and intensity of use being proposed will not adversely affect the public convenience,
health, interest, safety, or general welfare, constitute a nuisance, or be materi ally
injurious to the improvements, persons, property, or uses in the vicinity and zone in
which the property is located.
Based on the information available, the approved project, as conditioned, satisfies all the
required findings necessary to grant a Minor Use Permit.
The proposed project qualifies as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption for the use of existing
facilities from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under
Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Conditions of Approval
1. The use approved by Minor Use Permit No. MUP 24-04, as amended by MUP 25-13, is
limited to the operation of a health and fitness facility (Lagreeology Fitness Studio, LLC)
within an existing 2,800 square foot commercial space. The business shall be operated
and maintained in a manner that is consistent with the application submitted and these
conditions of approval for MUP 24-04 and as amended by MUP 25-13. The provisions
of this MUP may be adjusted by the Development Services Director, or designee, after
due notice to address any adverse impacts to neighboring businesses and properties.
2. The Applicant/Property owner shall inform all staff and visitors that they are required
to park vehicles in the basement parking lot.
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3. The Health and Fitness facility shall offer 45-minute long Lagree Fitness classes with
each class comprising one (1) trainer and up to 13 students. Cryotherapy, infrared light,
and dry sauna treatments may also be provided separately from, and accessory to, the
fitness classes for a maximum of four (4) clients at one time.
4. The business hours shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week.
5. All signage, including window signs, shall be in conformance with the City of Arcadia
Development Code and shall require review and approval of the Planning Services.
6. This Minor Use Permit may be periodically monitored to ensure that it is being operated
in a manner consistent with City regulations, these conditions of approval and that the
use is being operated in a manner, which is not detrimental to the public health, safety
or welfare. Noncompliance with the plans, provisions and conditions of approval for
MUP 25-13 shall be grounds for immediate suspension or revocation of any approvals.
7. All City requirements regarding disabled access and facilities, occupancy limits, building
safety, health code compliance, emergency equipment, environmental regulation
compliance, and parking and site design shall be complied with by the property
owner/applicant to the satisfaction of the Building Official, City Engineer, Planning &
Community Development Administrator, Fire Marshal, and Public Works Services
Director, or their respective designees. The changes to the existing facility are subject
to building permits after having fully detailed plans submitted for plan check review
and approval by the aforementioned City officials.
8. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the 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 MUP 25-13 (“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 promptly notify the Applicant of the claim, action, or pr oceedings
and will fully cooperate in the defense of the matter. Once notified, the Applicant must
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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, Applicant shall provide to 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. 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, Applicant shall
replenish the deposit each and every time in order for City’s legal team to continue
working on the matter. City shall only refund to Developer any unexpended funds from
the deposit within 30 days of: (i) a final, 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 that the
Applicant reasonably approves. The parties hereby agree to cooperate in defending
such action. The City will not voluntarily assist in any such third-party challenge(s) or
take any position adverse to the Applicant in connection with 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 file an appeal, a completed
Appeal Application form must be submitted to the Community Development Division or
online at the Arcadia EDGE portal (www.ArcadiaCA.com/EDGE), along with a $772.00 appeal
fee by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Approval of Minor Use Permit No. MUP 25-13 shall not be in effect unless the property owner
and applicant have executed and filed 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 June 22, 2026, this approval will become null and void.
This approval shall expire in one year (June 3, 2027) from the effective date unless plans are
submitted to Building Services for plan-check, a building permit is issued and the
construction is diligently pursued, a certificate of occupancy has been issued, or the approval
is renewed. The final plans must be consistent with the approved plans and any conditions
of approval. Any inconsistency from the approved plans may preclude the issuance of a
building permit.
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 finding s 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 and inspection may be required for any construction activity. Please
contact Building Services at (626) 574-5416 to determine the type of documentation and
permits needed.
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) 574-5442 or by email at fgraham@ArcadiaCA.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Community Development Division/Planning Services
Fiona Graham
Planning Services Manager
Enclosed: Findings of approval
Approved Plans
c: Matthew Rodriguez, Business Owner
Kam Guo, Property Owner
Ivy Wan-Ching Pan Ploor, Commentor
Derek Ploor, Commentor
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Attachment 1:
Required Findings for Approval of a Minor Use Permit Pursuant to
Development Code Section 9107.09.050
FINDINGS YES NO
1. That the proposed use is consistent with the General Plan and any
applicable specific plan; and is allowed within the applicable zone,
subject to the granting of a Minor Use Permit, and comply with all other
applicable provisions of the Development Code and the Municipal
Code.
The use is for a 2,800 square foot Health and Fitness facility. The facility will
operate within an existing commercial space and no floor area additions
are required to the structure. The General Plan Land Use Designation for the
Site is Mixed Use, which allows for a mix of commercial activities. The site is
zoned MU. A Health and Fitness Facility in the MU Zone is subject to a Minor
Use Permit. The proposed amendment to the use is to accommodate two
additional sauna rooms, which are accessory uses to the primary health and
fitness use and which do not increase the patrons onsite. The use and the
proposed changes are therefore compliant with the General Plan and
Development Code.
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2. That the design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the
proposed activity will be compatible with the existing and future land
uses in the vicinity.
The 2,800 square foot Health and Fitness facility will continue to be located
within an existing unit in a commercial building. The unit is adequate in size
to accommodate the proposed use, including the two additional sauna
rooms. In addition, the use, the proposed hours of operation, and
limitations on the number of instructors and class sizes as conditioned, will
be compatible with existing businesses in the surrounding area. No changes
to these operational characteristics are proposed as part of the
amendment.
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3. That the site is physically suitable in terms of its design, location, shape,
size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use in order to
accommodate the use, and all fences, landscaping, loading, parking
spaces, walls, yards, and other features required to adjust the use with
the land and uses in the neighborhood; streets and highways are
adequate in width and pavement type to accommodate public and
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emergency vehicle (e.g., fire and medical) access; public protection, and
provisions of utilities.
The existing multi-tenant commercial building is located on the southwest
corner of S. 1st Avenue and California Street. Both streets are adequate in
width and pavement type to carry emergency vehicles and traffic generated
by the proposed use. The mixed-use building where the use is to be located
has a basement parking lot with 66 spaces allocated for the commercial
uses at the property. The anticipated parking demand for all commercial
uses, including the existing fitness facility, would be 56 spaces, meaning
there is a surplus of 10 spaces in the building's basement parking lot. The
proposed amendment will not alter the number of clients or staff onsite at
any time. For this reason, the use is not anticipated to generate any parking
impacts. In addition, the proposed Health and Fitness facility will be serviced
by existing fire and police protection services, and existing utilities.
Therefore, no impacts are anticipated from the proposed use.
4. That the measure of site suitability shall be required to ensure that the
type, density, and intensity of use being proposed will not adversely
affect the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general
welfare, constitute a nuisance, or be materially injurious to the
improvements, persons, property, or uses in the vicinity and zone in
which the property is located.
The existing Health and Fitness facility is consistent with other uses in the
MU Zone and will continue to benefit the neighborhood by providing services
to local residents and visitors. The proposed hours of operation will be
compatible with existing service and retail businesses in the immediate area.
The proposed use will serve the Arcadia community and is in accordance
with the City’s policies to enhance the economic base. The proposed
amendment will add two (2) additional sauna rooms, which are accessory
to the primary use. However, no additional clients are to be onsite as a result
of the amendment. The use will not result in an adverse impact on the
neighboring businesses or properties; nor will it create a public nuisance.
The proposed changes to the business qualify as a Class 1 Categorical
Exemption from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines as an existing facility.
Therefore, the proposed use will not impact the public convenience, health,
interest, safety or general welfare, will not constitute a nuisance or be
materially injurious to the community, and will not be out of character with
uses in the general area.
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