HomeMy WebLinkAbout1658 - APPROVE VA AMENDMENT AND MD_3415 OCEAN BLVDRESOLUTION NO. 1658
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH APPROVING AN AMENDMENT
TO VARIANCE NO. 2003 -001 AND MODIFICATION PERMIT
NO. 2003 -004 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3415 OCEAN
BOULEVARD (PA2003 -006)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH HEREBY FINDS,
RESOLVES AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, an application was filed by Curt W. Ensign with respect to property located
at 3415 Ocean Boulevard, and legally described as Lot 6, Tract 1257, requesting approval of a
Variance and Modification Permit to construct a 6,100 square foot residence that exceeds the
24 -foot height limit and, encroaches up to 10 feet into the required 10 foot front yard setback. A
public hearing was held on April 3, 2003 at which time the Planning Commission conditionally
approved Variance No. 2003 -001 and Modification Permit No. 2003 -004 that permitting the
development of the proposed project. The City Council subsequently called the application for
review and, at their meeting of April 22, 2004, upheld the decision of the Planning Commission.
Both the Land Use Element of the General Plan and the Zoning Code designates the site as
Single Family Detached residential.
WHEREAS, an application was filed by Brion Jeannette Architecture on behalf of Jan
and Doug Circle, property owners, requesting approval of an amendment to Variance No.
2003 -001 and Modification Permit No. 2003 -004 to permit changes to the approved building
design and site improvement plans.
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on December 9, 2004 in the City Hall Council
Chambers, 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, California to consider the proposed
amendments. A notice of the time, place and purpose of the aforesaid meeting was given.
Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to and considered by the Planning Commission
at this meeting.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission finds as follows:
a) That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances applying to the land,
building or use referred to in the application, which circumstances or conditions
do not apply generally to land, buildings and/or uses in the same district.
The subject property is encumbered by sloping topography that creates a relatively
narrow buildable depth of approximately 30 feet and restricts the ability to adhere to
the natural grade height limitation specified in the Zoning Code while avoiding
alteration of the bluff. The proposed project does however, comply with the Ocean
Boulevard top of curb height limitation
b) That the granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and
enjoyment of substantial property rights of the applicant.
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
Paoe 2 of 5
The majority of the subject property is unimproved coastal bluff. Granting the variance
will allow the property owner to construct a dwelling of similar floor area when
compared to the size of homes on similar sized parcels while limiting extensive
alteration to the coastal bluff significantly beyond the footprint of the existing
development.
c) That the granting of the application is consistent with the purposes of the
Zoning Code and will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with
the limitations on other properties in the vicinity and in the same zoning district.
The code provides the flexibility in application of land use and development regulations
by way of permitting variance applications. The variance procedure is intended to
resolve practical physical hardships resulting from the unique topography and lot
configurations that exist in the area and on this lot. The granting of this request is
consistent with the intent of the established height limitations to ensure that buildings
are not out of scale with nearby buildings since the height of this building is relatively
comparable to those on adjacent properties. Additionally, the proposed floor area is
well below the maximum permitted by the Zoning Code.
d) The granting of the requested variance will not, under the circumstances of the
particular case, materially affect adversely the health or safety of persons
residing or working in the neighborhood of the property of the applicant and will
not under the circumstances of the particular case be materially detrimental to
the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood.
The subject property is designated for single family residential use and the granting of
the variance would not increase the density beyond what is planned for the area,
thereby avoiding additional traffic, parking or demand for other services. The granting
of the variance request for height will not adversely impact public views as the
proposed structure adheres to the Ocean Boulevard top -of -curb height limitation.
Although the proposed building extends farther away from Ocean Boulevard and will
encroach within the private views of the adjacent properties, they will retain a vast
majority of a nearly 180 degree view. Therefore, the proposed project will not be
detrimental to these properties and will result in a structure that is similar to
surrounding dwellings located along the coastal bluff with respect to size, bulk and
design.
e) The establishment, maintenance or operation of the use of the property or
building will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental
to the health, safety, peace, comfort and general welfare of persons residing or
working in the neighborhood of such proposed use or be detrimental or
injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or the general
welfare of the City, and further that the proposed modification is consistent with
the legislative intent of this code for the following reasons:
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
Paae 3 of 5
1) Due to the wide Ocean Boulevard right -of -way, the proposed below grade
encroachment will be approximately 57 feet from the existing sidewalk. The
above grade portion of the structure maintains the required 10 -foot setback
and is located approximately 67 feet from the Ocean Boulevard sidewalk. This
increased distance sufficiently separates the building mass from the sidewalk
especially due to the fact that the height of the proposed residence does not
exceed the adjacent top of curb height.
2) The code provides flexibility in the application of land use and development
regulations by way of permitting modification and variance applications. This
procedure is intended to resolve practical and unnecessary physical
hardships resulting from the unique topography and lot configurations that
exist in the area and on this lot.
f) The project has been reviewed and it has been determined that it is categorically
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act under Class
3 (Construction of a single - family residence in a residential zone).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Newport Beach hereby approves
an amendment to Variance No. 2003 -001 and Modification Permit No. 2003 -004, subject to the
conditions set forth in Exhibit "A ", the plans dated December 1, 2004.
Section 2. This action shall become final and effective fourteen days after the
adoption of this Resolution unless within such time an appeal is filed with the City Clerk or this
action is called for review by the City Council in accordance with the provisions of Title 20,
Planning and Zoning, of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 9th DAY OF DECEMBER 2004.
AYES: Eaton, Cole, Toeroe, Tucker
Selich, McDaniel and Hawkins
NOES: None
BY:
Larry Tucker, Chairman
BY: F
eff Cole, Secretary
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
Paae 4 of 5
EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
AMENDMENT NO.1 TO
VARIANCE NO. 2003 -001 &
MODIFICATION PERMIT NO. 2003 -004
1. The development shall be in substantial conformance with the approved plot plan, floor
plans and elevations dated December 1, 2004 with the exception of any revisions
specified below and as required by any of the following conditions.
a. The depth of the first floor deck shall be reduced 2 feet.
b. The crescent shaped portion of the second floor deck shall be pulled back and
redesigned to not project beyond the "deck stringline" as depicted on sheet A -3,
second floor plan.
C. The final design is subject to the approval of the Planning Director, prior to the
issuance of building permits.
2. Variance No. 2003 -001 and Modification Permit No. 2002 -004 shall expire unless
exercised within 24 months from the date of approval as specified in Section 20.91.050
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code, unless an extension is otherwise granted.
3. The applicant is required to obtain all applicable permits from the City Building and Fire
Departments. The project shall comply with all applicable Fire and Building Code
regulations.
4. All improvements shall be constructed as required by Ordinance and the Public Works
Department.
5. Prior to the issuance of grading or building permits, the final design of the driveway shall
be reviewed and approved by the City Traffic Engineer.
6. Exiting from each level of the residence shall comply with applicable standards of the Fire
and Building Code.
7. Prior to the issuance of demolition, grading or building permits, the applicant shall
obtain approval from the California Coastal Commission for the demolition of the
existing residence and the construction of the new residence.
B. Disruption caused by construction work along roadways and by movement of
construction vehicles shall be minimized by proper use of traffic control equipment and
flagmen. Traffic control and transportation of equipment and materials shall be
conducted in accordance with state and local requirements.
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
Paae 5 of 5
9. Chimney heights shall comply with the regulations specified by section 20.65.070 of the
Zoning Code
10. Prior to the issuance of grading or building permits, a drainage plan shall be prepared.
Site drainage shall be directed to the existing drain line or directed to Ocean Boulevard
unless otherwise approved by the Building, Public Works and Planning Departments.
11. The project shall conform to the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) and shall be subject to the approval of the Public Works
Department.
12. The height of the structure shall not exceed the adjacent Ocean Boulevard top of curb
height as shown on the approved set of plans.
13. As part of the submittal requirements for grading and building permits, an extensive
geotechnical investigation and geotechnical report shall be prepared. Included in the
recommendations shall be a shoring plan designed to protect the adjacent properties
and right of way from damage resulting from the temporary removal of lateral support.
14. During excavation and construction, vehicular access to adjacent properties shall be
maintained at all times.
15. Automatic fire extinguishing system (sprinklers) shall be installed in all occupancies
when the total floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
16. The applicant shall maintain the access driveway through an encroachment permit
issued by the Public Works Department.
17. The floor elevation of the garage shall be designed to be higher than the drain.