RESOLUTION NO. 2024-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN APPEAL
AND APPROVING A PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW
AS PROVIDED FOR IN DIVISION 9, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE
49 OF THE TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TWO-UNIT
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH
THE DEMOLITION OF A CONTRIBUTING SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITH THE
TORRANCE TRACT OVERLAY IN THE R-2 ZONE AT 1724
ARLINGTON AVENUE
PCR21-00001: SHAU NT NAZARIAN
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearings on June 2, 2021, October 19, 2022 and February 1, 2023, to consider a Planning Commission Review (PCR21-00001) filed Shaunt Nazarian to allow the construction of new two-unit residential development, in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence, and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP21-00010) to allow development that exceeds
0.65 Floor Area Ratio on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2023, the Planning Commission voted to deny with prejudice PCR21-00001 and CUP21-00010 by a vote of 6 to 1 (Commissioner Riggs dissenting); and WHEREAS, an appeal was filed to the City Clerk on February 3, 2023; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance on November 28, 2023 deferred consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission denial of a Planning Commission Review (PCR21-00001) and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP21-00010) to January 9, 2024; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on January 9, 2024 to consider an appeal of the Planning Commission denial of a Planning Commission Review (PCR21-00001) filed by Shaunt Nazarian to allow the construction of a new two-unit residential development, in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence, and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP21-00010) to allow development that exceeds
0.65 Floor Area Ratio on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance approved the appeal and approved a revised new two-unit residential development with a maximum Floor Area Ratio of 0.65, in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue; and WHEREAS, due and legal publication of notice was given to owners of property in the vicinity thereof and due and legal hearings have been held, all in accordance with the provisions Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 49 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 under consideration is located at 1724 Arlington Avenue; b) That the property is located on Lot 23, Block 21 of the Torrance Tract per map recorded in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder, State of California; c) That the proposed two-unit residential development, as conditioned, will preserve the neighborhood characteristics of the Torrance Tract Overlay because the revised project proposes craftsman architectural elements to replace the existing craftsman bungalow; d) That the proposed two-unit residential development has been designed in a manner to utilize the existing curb-cut for driveway purposes and alley for garage access; e) That the proposed two-unit residential development will provide the required off-street parking spaces for each dwelling unit;
f) That the use intensity of the proposed two-unit residential development will be compatible with other properties in the vicinity because there are other two-unit developments in the area with similar floor area ratios;
g) That the proposed two-unit residential will provide suitable open space, both in size and configurations, for the property;
h) That the proposed two-unit residential development in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence with a floor area to lot area ratio exceeding 0.5 to 1, as conditioned, will not be detrimental to the public welfare and to other properties in the vicinity because the existing contributing structure poses a danger and has outlived its shelf life;
i) That the proposed two-unit residential development, as conditioned, will provide sufficient storage space for personal effects so that the occupants will be encouraged to use the garage spaces; and
j) That proposed two-unit residential development is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per Guidelines Section 15303 -New Construction; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: that PCR21-00001 filed by Shaunt Nazarian to allow the construction of two-unit residential development, in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue, on file in the Community Development Department of the City of Torrance, is hereby APPROVED subject to the following conditions:
1) That the use of the subject property for a two-unit residential development shall be subject to all conditions imposed in Planning Commission Review 21-00001 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 shall be maintained in conformance with such maps, plans, specifications, drawings, applications or other documents presented by the applicant to the Community Development Department and upon which the Planning Commission relied in granting approval;
2 2) That if this Planning Commission Review 21-00001 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 as provided for in Section 92.27.1; 3) That all conditions of approval for Planning Commission Review 21-00001 shall be met; (Planning)
4) That the total floor area ratio for the two-unit project including the garage spaces shall not exceed 0.65; (Planning)
5) That all adopted Resolutions, including all Conditions of Approval for this project, shall be copied onto the final building plans to the satisfaction of the Planning Manager; (Planning) 6) That exterior colors and material samples of the proposed development including a detail of the perimeter, yard walls, fences, and gates shall be provided to the Community Development Department for approval prior to the issuance of any building permits to assure that the proposed development has a cohesive design and finish to the satisfaction of the Planning Manager; (Planning)
7) That a Landscape Plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department - Planning Division for approval prior to the issuance of any building permits and shall be implemented prior to occupancy. The landscape plan shall include the parkways along Arlington Avenue, shall be implemented prior to occupancy, and shall be maintained to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director. The landscape plan shall utilize drought resistant/xeriscape plant materials, and shall provide state-of-the-art water saving irrigation system and/or drip irrigation for larger shrubs and trees. The landscape plan shall demonstrate that no more than 50 percent of the front yard will be paved. That if more than 500 square feet is irrigated, the project shall comply with the most current State Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; (Planning)
8) That revised plans shall be submitted for approval, showing a reduction of the front yard paving, in order to meet Torrance Municipal Code Section 92.5.14, prior to Building Permit submittal, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning) ' 9) That exterior lighting shall be decorative in nature and shall be directed away from neighboring properties; (Planning)
10) That the applicant shall provide automatic electric garage doors: (Planning) 11) That air conditioning units and other equipment to be placed on the ground shall be screened to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director and not be located in the required side yard setback. The applicant shall provide manufacturer's specification for the noise level created by the air conditioning units; (Planning)
12) That the proposed driveway and walkways shall be treated with high quality finishes, such as decorative, stamped or colored concrete or other materials, such as pavers or other porous materials, and that color/material samples shall be provided, and that a detail of the driveway, walkways, and other paved areas shall be submitted to the Community Development Director for approval, prior to issuance of Building Permits; (Planning) 13) That revised plans shall be provided showing a usable amount of easily accessible secured storage area, in addition to normally provided clothes and linen closets, for each dwelling unit, and that each unit shall provide not less than 200 cubic feet, on the final building plans, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning) 3 14) That revised plans shall be provided designating an area for the storage of the three (garbage, green waste & recyclables) city trash receptacles, for both units, on the final building plans, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning) 15) That the applicant shall redesign the front driveway to one that incorporates a design and that is more in keeping with the craftsman design to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning)
16) That the applicant continue to work with staff on a building elevation detail that better incorporates Craftsman architecture elements, including but not limited to facade finish, window style, and orientation of entry and covered porches; (Planning) 17) That the applicant shall submit a noise attenuation study which verifies that the living units will comply with the Torrance Code and that the interior noise level of each living unit will not exceed 45 dB (decibels). Any recommendations of the Noise Study/Noise Consultant shall be adhered to and incorporated into the plans submitted to the City of Torrance. Plans shall show how noise recommendations will mitigate noise, so that when completed this use will comply with Torrance Code; (Environmental)
18) That the owner/developer shall design and construct ½ the public alley with 8 foot A.C. pavement and 4 foot P.C.C. center gutter along the width of the property with appropriate transition work. The street plan, prepared by a professional engineer, shall be approved by the City prior to issuance of Grading Permit. Construction of the alley is required prior to occupancy. Contact the Engineering Division of the Community Development Department for information on the scope of this requirement; (Engineering) 19) That the existing shared driveway on Arlington Avenue shall be divided so that the existing northern portion, with the construction of new "X", shall serve the neighbor to the north and the south portion shall be closed. Abandoned. Construct new driveway apron to line up with the proposed garage per City of Torrance Standards; (Engineering) 20) That all connections for water service shall be made to the stub outs provided (unless stub outs are undersized). If existing stub outs are not used, they shall be abandoned at the main; (Engineering)
21) That the applicant shall provide 4" (minimum) contrasting address numerals for residential.
Condo, etc. uses; (Environmental)
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