TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Marisa Lundstedt, Director of Community Development
Laurie Jester, Planning Manager
Ted Faturos, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT:Title
Planning Commission Approval of a Variance for a Remodel/Addition to a Nonconforming Home at 2615 N. Valley Drive (Community Development Director Lundstedt).
BY ORDER OF THE CHAIR, RECEIVE AND FILE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
By order of the Chair, receive and file this report.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
After a duly noticed public hearing on June 22, 2016, the Planning Commission approved a request for a Variance for 2615 N. Valley Drive. The project proposes a remodel and addition to an existing nonconforming home on a wide triangular shaped lot. The home’s existing nonconformities include the rear and side yard setback. The proposed project will maintain these nonconformities and match the previously approved reduced front yard setback while creating a new second nonconforming side yard setback. The proposed resulting structure will conform to all other code requirements, and will be substantially smaller than the maximum allowed buildable floor area.
At the public hearing one neighbor questioned the proposed northern side setback. Due to the triangular shape of the lot, the required sideyard setback is 6.7 feet, and the 5 foot minimum dimension is only proposed in two small areas of the northern sideyard due to the unusual triangular lot shape. After staff presented the proposed plans and explained that this side setback varied between 5 feet and 12 ½ feet (which is wider than the 4 feet required for typical lots in the neighborhood), the neighbor was satisfied with the proposal. After discussion, the Planning Commission approved the proposed project (4 to 1). One dissenting Commissioner felt that the project could be redesigned to provide the minimum side setback on the northern side.
In accordance with Ordinance 15-0015 adopted June 16, 2015, any Councilmember may request review of a Planning Commission decision within twenty days (July 12, 2016) following the decision. For all requests for review, it shall be presumed that the reason for the request is that the decision may have significant and material effects on the quality of life within the City, or that the subject matter of the decision may have City-wide importance warranting review and determination by City’s elected officials. Bias shall not be presumed or inferred due to a request for review.
If no Councilmember requests that the decision be reviewed, the Mayor will receive and file the report by order of the Chair.
Attachments:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 16-03
2. Planning Commission Staff Report and Attachments - June 22, 2016
3. Planning Commission Draft Minutes - June 22, 2016
4. Proposed Plans, cover sheet dated October 18, 2015