8150 La Plaza
Variance Findings
The project applicant has requested a variance to reduce the rear setback from the required 20 feet (per the Downtown Specific Plan) to 10 feet.
After considering public comments received at its November 17, 2025, meeting, the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council deny the requested rear setback variance and instead require the project to maintain the full 20-foot rear setback, which would result in a loss of two proposed and required parking spaces.
Therefore, the Commission recommends that the City Council instead approve a variance to the parking requirement, allowing a total of 12 parking spaces on the site in lieu of the 14 spaces otherwise required.
The applicant continues to request a variance for a reduced rear setback of 10 feet (instead of the required 20 feet) while providing the full 14 parking spaces required by the Downtown Specific Plan.
The City Council may choose to:
• Follow the Planning Commission’s recommendation (deny the setback variance and approve a parking variance for only 12 spaces),
• Approve the applicant’s original request (grant the 10-foot setback variance and require the full 14 parking spaces), or
• Deny both requested variances.
The draft language below includes the necessary findings that will be incorporated into the Resolution if the City Council decides to grant a variance for either the reduced setback or the reduced parking requirement.
Reduced Rear Setback
Rear setbacks within the DSP range from ten feet to twenty feet. Within the La Plaza District the DSP establishes a 20-foot rear setback. The primary reason for the larger rear setback in the La Plaza District is because all vehicular access is to be from side streets and alleys with parking located at the rear of the property within the rear setback. The site cannot be accessed via an ally or side street which limits where parking and buildings can be placed. A variance for a reduced 10-foot setback is granted because the site’s location and surroundings prevent strict adherence to competing density, parking, and setback standards without forcing the applicant to significantly reduce or limit the size of the units (ex. only studio units) and thus deprive the applicant of privileges enjoyed by others in the same district.
Reduced Parking
Rear setbacks within the DSP range from ten feet to twenty feet. Within the La Plaza District the DSP establishes a 20-foot rear setback. The primary reason for the larger rear setback in the La Plaza District is because all vehicular access is to be from side streets and alleys with parking located at the rear of the property within the rear setback. The site cannot be accessed via an ally or side street which limits where parking and buildings can be placed. A variance to allow a reduction in required parking from 14 spaces to 12 spaces (including one compact space) is granted because the site’s location and surroundings prevent strict adherence to competing density, parking, and setback standards without forcing the applicant to significantly reduce or limit the size of the units (ex. only studio units) and thus deprive the applicant of privileges enjoyed by others in the same district.