HomeMy WebLinkAbout1721 - APPROVE UP_1601 16TH STREET.RESOLUTION NO. 1721
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH APPROVING USE PERMIT NO. 2007 -005 TO
ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2,436 SQUARE -FOOT BUILDING
AND A 6,099 SQUARE -FOOT BUILDING ON PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 1601 161h STREET (PA2007 -030)
WHEREAS, an application was filed by the Environmental Nature Center (ENC)
with respect to property located at 1601 16th Street, and legally described as Parcel 1 of
Parcel Map No. 99 -139, requesting approval of a Use Permit to allow the ENC to
demolish the existing 1,894 square foot modular building and replace it with two building
comprising 8,535 square feet of floor area; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on May 3, 2007, in the City Hall Council
Chambers, at 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, California. Notice of this
hearing was published in the Daily Pilot, mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the
property and posted at the site a minimum of 10 days in advance of this hearing
consistent with the Municipal Code. Additionally, the item appeared upon the agenda for
this meeting, which was posted at City Hall and on the city website; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is consistent with the Land Use Element of the
General Plan, which designates the property as Private Institutional with maximum floor
area ratio of 0.50 (P.I. 0.5). The PI designation is intended to provide for privately owned
facilities that serve the public, including places for religious assembly, private schools,
healthcare facilities, cultural institutions, museums, yacht clubs, congregate homes, and
comparable facilities. The existing ENC is operated by a nonprofit organization, privately
owned cultural institution that preserves and displays object of sciences both indoors and
outdoors for public benefit. The proposed FAR for the subject property is 0.20. The
proposed project presents no conflict with the policies of the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the subject property is located within the Governmental, Educational
and Institutional Facilities (GEIF) District. The existing ENC is a permitted use in this
district. However, the proposed expansion to an existing permitted use requires an
approval of a Use Permit pursuant to Section 20.25.020(D) of the Zoning Code (GEIF
District: Additional Land Use Regulations). This Section states that an approval of a use
permit consistent with the provisions of Chapter 20.91 is required for any expansion or
changes in the operation characteristics of an existing use within this zoning district.
The applicant, therefore, is seeking approval of this Use Permit request. All
development regulations of the GEIF District would be met, including structure height
limitations and floor area limits; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is required to make the following findings for
approval of a Use Permit pursuant to Section 20.91.035 of the Zoning Code:
1. Finding: That the proposed location of the use is in accord with the objectives of this
Code and the purposes of the District in which the site is located.
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
Paqe 2 of 6
Facts in Support of Finding: The purpose of the GEIF District is to accommodate
the establishment or expansion of large public and semipublic uses. An approval of
a Use Permit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 20.91 to expand the
existing facility and to operate the ENC is consistent with this purpose and with that
of the Zoning Code, which is to promote the growth of the City of Newport Beach in
an orderly manner and to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace,
comfort and general welfare, and to protect the character and social and economic
vitality of all districts within the City, and to assure the orderly and beneficial
development of such areas.
2. Finding: That the proposed location of the Use Permit and the proposed conditions
under which it would be operated or maintained will be consistent with the General
Plan and the purpose of the district in which the site is located; will not be
detrimental to the public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, or welfare of
persons residing or working in or adjacent to the neighborhood of such use; and will
not be detrimental to the properties or improvements in the vicinity or to the general
welfare of the city.
Facts in Support of Finding: The existing facility has been operating at this
location since 1972 and has not proven to conflict with surrounding uses or
proven inconsistent with the surrounding area within the GEIF District. The
proposed new buildings have been designed to meet all of the development
regulations of the GEIF District. The operational characteristics and function of
the ENC at this location will not substantially change from that of the existing
privately owned cultural institution which has not proven to be detrimental to the
surrounding area or the City.
3. Finding: That the proposed use will comply with the provisions of this code,
including specific conditions for the proposed use in the district in which it would be
located.
Facts in Support of Finding: The proposed expansion to the existing ENC has been
reviewed and conditioned to ensure that conflicts with surrounding land uses are
minimized, or eliminated, to the greatest extent possible. No specific conditions for
cultural institutions are contained in the Municipal Code other than the provision of
on -site parking requirement of one space for every 300 square feet gross floor
area, with which the project has complied.
WHEREAS, the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section
15301 (Existing Facilities) of the Implementing Guidelines of the California Environmental
Quality Act. The demolition of an existing 1,894 square foot modular building and
replacement with a 2,436 square -foot building and a 6,099 square -foot building comprising
a total of 6,641 square feet of net increase in floor area will not result in an increase of
more than 10,000 square feet in size. The project is located in a developed area where
all public services and facilities are available to allow for the maximum development
permissible in the Newport Beach General Plan of 0.50 floor area ratio (FAR). The
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No. _
Page 3 of 6
proposed FAR for the subject property is 0.20, well within the maximum allowable
building square footage.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission finds that judicial challenges to the City's
CEQA determinations and approvals of land use projects are costly and time
consuming. In addition, project opponents often seek an award of attorneys' fees in
such challenges. As project applicants are the primary beneficiaries of such approvals,
it is appropriate that such applicants should bear the expense of defending against any
such judicial challenge, and bear the responsibility for any costs, attorney's fees, and
damages which may be awarded to a successful challenger; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
Section 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Newport Beach hereby
approves Use Permit No. 2007 -005, subject to the Conditions set forth in Exhibit "A."
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
in accordance with the provisions of Title 20 Planning and Zoning, of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 3rd DAY OF MAY 2007.
AYES: Peotter, Hawkins, Cole, McDaniel
Toerge and Hillgren
RECUSED: Eaton
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
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EXHIBIT "A"
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
USE PERMIT NO. 2007 -005
Conditions in bold - italics are project specific conditions. All others are standard
conditions.
Planning Department
1. The development shall be in substantial conformance with the approved
site and floor plans dated March 22, 2007.
2. The project is subject to all applicable City ordinances, policies, and standards
unless specifically waived or modified by the conditions of approval.
3. Use Permit No. 2007 -005 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.
4. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the applicant shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless City, its City Council, its boards and commissions, officials,
officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, demands,
obligations, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, losses, judgments, fines,
penalties, liabilities, costs and expenses (including without limitation, attorney's
fees, disbursements and court costs) of every kind and nature whatsoever which
may arise from or in any manner relate (directly or indirectly) to City's approval of
the Use Permit; and/or the City's related California Environmental Quality Act
determinations.
5. The applicant shall submit a landscape and irrigation plan prepared by a licensed
landscape architect or licensed architect for on -site planting areas. These plans
shall incorporate drought tolerant plantings and water efficient irrigation practices,
and the plans shall be approved by the Planning Director prior to the issuance of
a building permit. All planting areas shall be provided with a permanent
underground automatic sprinkler irrigation system of a design suitable for the
type and arrangement of the plant materials selected. Planting areas adjacent to
vehicular activity shall be protected by a continuous concrete curb or similar
permanent barrier. Landscaping shall be located so as not to impede vehicular
sight distance to the satisfaction of the Traffic Engineer.
6. All landscape materials and landscaped areas shall be maintained in accordance
with the approved landscape plan. All landscaped areas shall be maintained in a
healthy and growing condition and shall receive regular pruning, fertilizing,
mowing and trimming. All landscaped areas shall be kept free of weeds and
debris. All irrigation systems shall be kept operable, including adjustments,
replacements, repairs, and cleaning as part of regular maintenance.
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
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7. Signs shall be regulated by the Chapter 20.67 (Signs) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code.
8. All mechanical equipment shall be screened from view of adjacent properties and
adjacent public streets, and shall be sound attenuated in accordance with
Chapter 10.26 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code, Community Noise Control.
9. Exterior on -site lighting shall be shielded and confined within site boundaries. No
direct rays or glare are permitted to shine onto public streets or adjacent sites or
create a public nuisance. "Walpak" type fixtures are not permitted. All exterior
lighting fixtures shall have zero cut -off fixtures and light standards for the parking
lot shall not exceed 20 feet in height. Light standards for exterior walkways shall
not exceed 10 feet in height. Other exterior light sources shall be no higher than
4 feet.
10. A new trash enclosure shall be provided. Prior to the issuance of building permit,
trash enclosure design shall be approved by the Planning Department. The trash
enclosure shall be enclosed by three walls, a self closing, self latching gate and
have a decorative, solid roof for aesthetic and screening purposes. The design of
the enclosure shall be integrated with the design of the new buildings.
11. The applicant shall ensure that all trash dumpsters and/or receptacles are
maintained to control odors. This may include the provision of either fully self -
contained dumpsters or periodic steam cleaning of the dumpsters, if deemed
necessary by the Planning Department. Cleaning and maintenance of trash
dumpsters shall be done in compliance with the provisions of Title 14, Water and
Sewers of the Municipal Code.
12. The overnight camping program shall be limited to organized youth
groups. The maximum student enrollment for each stay shall be 20
students with a minimum of one staff in attendance. The length of each
stay for each group shall be one night from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., the
following day. The camping area shall be located in close proximity to the
existing fire pit and restroom facilities.
13. The shower facility shall be available for staff use only or in the event of
emergency situations.
Public Works Department
14. All improvements shall be constructed as required by Ordinance and the Public
Works Department. In case of damages caused by the private work, additional
public works improvements may be required at the discretion of the Public Works
Department.
15. The proposed curb access ramps to be constructed along the 16"' Street
frontage shall each have a minimum 5' radius curb return.
City of Newport Beach
Planning Commission Resolution No.
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16. All proposed public improvements shall be subject to the review and approval by
the Public Works Department during building permit plan check process.
17. A double backflow preventer shall be installed per City Standards.
18. A water meter and a sewer cleanout shall be installed within the public
right -of -way to serve the proposed expansion. Each shall be installed with
a traffic -grade frame and cover.
19. County Sanitation District fees shall be paid prior to issuance of any building
permits.
Building Departments
20. The applicant is required to obtain all applicable permits from the City Building
and Fire Departments. The construction plans must comply with the most recent,
City- adopted version of the California Building Code.
21. Prior to the issuance of building permits for the new buildings, the
applicant shall provide to the Building Department a copy of an executed
lease agreement with the Newport Mesa School District stating the removal
of the butterfly enclosure upon the expiration of the lease agreement.