RESOLUTION NO. 2023 -49
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND
APPROVING A WAIVER, AS PROVIDED FOR IN DIVISION
9, CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 2 OF THE TORRANCE
MUNICIPAL CODE, OF THE LANDSCAPE SETBACK
REQUIREMENT AND THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT
REQUIREMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING MARKET BUILDING AND
THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN 84, 100-SQUARE FOOT
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING ON PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE
M-2 ZONE AT 21515 WESTERN AVENUE.
WAV22-00011: ERIN THRASH
(REXFORD INDUSTRIAL -21515 S. WESTERN LLC)
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance on February 15, 2023 considered an application for a Waiver filed Erin Thrash (Rexford Industrial - 21515 S. Western LLC) of the landscape setback requirement and the maximum building height requirement in conjunction with the demolition of an existing market building and the construction of an 84, 100-square foot industrial building on property located in the M-2 Zone at 21515 Western Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the matter was continued to a date certain of March 1, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on March 1, 2023 to consider an application for a Waiver filed Erin Thrash (Rexford lndustrial-21515 S. Western LLC) of the landscape setback requirement and the maximum building height requirement in conjunction with the demolition of an existing market building and the construction of an 84, 100-square foot industrial building on property located in the M-2 Zone at 21515 Western Avenue; and WHEREAS, on March 1, 2023, the Planning Commission voted to approve WAV22-00011 by a 5-0 roll call vote, Commissioners Choi and Riggs recused; and WHEREAS, an appeal was filed to the City Clerk on March 13, 2023, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance on May 9, 2023 considered an application for a Waiver filed Erin Thrash (Rexford Industrial -21515 S. Western LLC) of the landscape setback requirement and the maximum building height requirement in conjunction with the demolition of an existing market building and the construction of an 84, 100-square foot industrial building on property located in the M-2 Zone at 21515 Western Avenue; and
WHEREAS, due and legal publication of notice was given to owners of property in the vicinity thereof, all in accordance with the provisions of Division 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 of the Torrance Municipal Code; and
1 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby find and determine as follows:
a) That the property address is 21515 Western Avenue;
b) That the property is located on Lot 1 of PM 256-36 (APN 7355-031-054); c) That a setback waiver and projects characterized by in-fill development are categorically exempted by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15305 (a) Minor Alteration in Land Use Limitations and Section 15332 - In-Fill Development Projects;
d) That the project is in compliance with the Business Park General Plan Land Use Designation;
e) That there are unreasonable difficulties resulting from the strict enforcement of the landscape setback requirement and height standard because the segment of 214th Street adjacent to the subject property is a private street and the 35-foot height requirement would not allow adequate interior clearance required for modern warehouse building; . · \
f) That the proposed 84, 100-square foot industrial building, as conditioned, will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or to the property of other persons in the vicinity because the project will be subject applicable 2022 California Building Code and Fire Code standards;
g) That the proposed industrial building, as conditioned, will not substantially interfere with the orderly development of the City because the, height will be comparable to existing surrounding industrial buildings in Torrance Center II business park. The proposed height of the new building will allow for an interior minimum clear height of 32 feet for a warehouse use, 36 feet roof height, and 41 feet, 6 inches to top of parapet to allow for the screening of roof-mounted equipment and the articulation of the building fa9ade. The proposed building, as conditioned, will feature high quality finishes and materials and will be articulated to help break up the mass of the structure; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that WAV22-00011 filed by Erin Thrash (Rexford Industrial -21515 S. Western LLC) to allow a reduction in the landscape setback and the building height to exceed height standards in conjunction with the construction of an 84, 100-square foot industrial building on property located in the M-2 Zone at 21515 Western Avenue is hereby APPROVED subject to the following conditions:
1. That the development and use of the subject property with a 84, 100-square foot industrial building shall be subject to all conditions imposed in WAV22-00011 and any amendments thereto or modifications thereof as may be approved from time to time pursuant to Section 92.28.1 et seq. of the Torrance Municipal Code on file in the office of the Community Development Director of the City of Torrance; and further, that the said use shall be established and constructed and shall be maintained in conformance with such maps, plans, specifications, drawings, applications or other documents presented by the applicant to the Community Development Director and upon which the Planning Commission relied in granting approval;
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2. That if this Waiver is not used within one year after granting of the permit, it shall expire and become null and void unless extended by the Community Development Director for an additional period of time as provided for in Section 92.27.2;
3. That a landscape setback not less than the 8-foot, 4-inch along Mullin Avenue shall be provided; (Planning)
4. That the maximum height of the building shall not exceed 41 feet, six inches; (Planning)
5. That all applicable conditions of CUP22 -00005 shall be satisfied; and
6. That all conditions of other City Departments received prior to or during the consideration of this case by the Planning Commission shall be met.
INTRODUCED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 9th day of May 2023 .
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Patrick Q. Sullivan, City Attorney
Mayr George K. Chen
ATTEST :
~ttorney
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023 -49
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF TORRANCE
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I, Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 9th day of May 2023 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCI LMEMBERS Griffiths, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis , Mattucci, Sheikh, and Mayor Chen.
NOES: COUNCI LMEMBERS None.
ABSTAIN: COUNCI LMEMBERS None. -ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS None . ' 0]11 /rfJ Re ~
Date: City Clerk of the City of Torrance
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