HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 - Request to Initiate a Zoning Code Amendment to Allow Increased Residential Building Height in West Newport MesaCITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
January 27, 2015
Agenda Item No. 15
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director — (949) 644 -3226,
kbrandt@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director
PHONE: (949) 644 -3226
TITLE: Request to Initiate a Zoning Code Amendment to Allow Increased Residential
Building Height in West Newport Mesa
ABSTRACT:
A request to initiate a Zoning Code amendment to allow increased building height in the Multiple
Residential Zoning District in conjunction with the provision of enhanced project design such as increased
building setbacks from streets and onsite recreational amenities.
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to initiate a Zoning Code Amendment to allow increased residential building height in the
Multiple Residential (RM) Zoning District in Statistical Area A2 of West Newport Mesa.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Should Council initiate this code amendment, it will be prepared using existing staff resources; no
additional funding is required.
DISCUSSION:
At the January 13, 2015 Council Meeting, Council Member Petros requested that City Council consider
initiation of Zoning Code amendment to allow increased residential building height in the Multiple
Residential (RM) Zoning District in West Newport Mesa, west of Superior Avenue. This area corresponds
to Statistical Area A2 which is shown in Attachment No. CC 1.
Currently, the height limit for a residential structure in the RM Zoning District is 28 feet for a flat roof and 33
feet for a sloped roof; this height limit accommodates most two -story and three -story designs with a sloped
roof. However, the Code does allow the building height to be increased up to a maximum of 32 feet with a
flat roof or 37 feet with a sloped roof through the approval of a Site Development Review or Planned
Development Permit, both of which are discretionary reviews by the Planning Commission.
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The West Newport Mesa area is developed with primarily multiple -unit residential, industrial, and medical
office uses, ranging from one -story to three - stories in height. Additional height above the 32/37 -foot limit
would allow for a three -story residential unit plus a roof deck. This residential product type is currently
being developed in the Costa Mesa area, and the additional height does provide for more view
opportunities.
The code amendment could include the following:
1. The creation of a Height Overlay District for properties located in the Multiple Residential (RM) Zoning
District within Statistical Area A2 in the West Newport Mesa area;
2. Stipulate that any request for additional height above the 32 flat/37 sloped roof limit requires review
and approval of a Site Development Review or Planned Development Permit; a maximum height limit
should be identified; and
3. Approval of such a request may include findings that the proposed project provides increased
building setbacks from street and property lines and /or increased on -site recreational amenities for the
residents. Other project enhancements could also be identified as part of the overlay district.
Should the Council choose to initiate this amendment, the Planning Commission will review and make
recommendations to Council on the draft code changes at a noticed public hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality
Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as
defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. This
action would place an item for consideration on a future meeting agenda. Environmental analysis would be
performed consistent with CEQA prior to acting on any proposed code amendment.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Attachment CC 1 - Map of Statistical Area A2
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ATTACHMENT CC1
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