RESOLUTION NO. 2025-39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, DENYING AN APPEAL AND
UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL
OF A PRECISE PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT AS PROVIDED
FOR IN DIVISION 9, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 41 OF THE
TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TWO-STORY SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENCE, ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN
THE HILLSIDE OVERLAY IN THE SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT ZONE AT 22209 SUSANA
AVENUE (APN 7515-001-025)
PRE23-00013: DOUGLAS LEACH (KIRK FELDKAMP)
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on January 17, 2024, to consider an application for a Precise Plan of Development (PRE23-00013) filed by Douglas Leach (Kirk Feldkamp) to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the Single Family Residential District (R-1) Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025); and WHEREAS, at the request of the applicant, the matter was continued to a date uncertain to allow the applicant additional time for public outreach and project redesign; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on July 24, 2024, to consider an application for a Precise Plan of Development filed by Douglas Leach (Kirk Feldkamp) to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025); and
WHEREAS, at the request of the applicant, the matter was again continued to a date uncertain to allow the applicant additional time for public outreach and project redesign; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on March 19, 2025, to consider an application for a Precise Plan of Development filed by Douglas Leach (Kirk Feldkamp) to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence with an Accessory Dwelling Unit, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025); and
WHEREAS, at the Planning Commission meeting of March 19, 2025, a motion to approve the project passed by a roll call vote of 4 to 2; and
WHEREAS, an appeal to the City Council was filed on April 1, 2025; and 1 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance conducted a public hearing on June 17, 2025, to consider an application for a Precise Plan of Development filed by Douglas Leach (Kirk Feldkamp) to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the Single Family Residential District (R-1) Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025); 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 of Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 41 of the Torrance Municipal Code (TMC); and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
1. That the property is located at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025);
2. That the property is described as Lot 181 of Tract 17921 as per map recorded in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder, State of California; ;l
3. That the proposed construction of a new two-story single-family residence is Categorically Exempt by the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Article 19, Section 15303 (New Construction);
4. That the proposed residence, as revised, meets the definition of a "housing development project" as provided in the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Government Code Section 65589.5, and therefore only the objective development standards of the TMC can be applied for purposes of evaluating the proposed residence; and
5. That the proposed residence, as revised, complies with the objective development standards of the R-1 Zone, as set forth in Article 4, Chapter 1, Division 9 of the Torrance Municipal Code, and is consistent with the Low Density Residential (R-LO) land use designation of the General Plan of the City of Torrance; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that PRE23-00013 filed by Douglas Leach (Kirk Feldkamp) to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001- 025), 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 single-family residence shall be subject to all conditions imposed in Precise Plan of Development 23-00013 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 or 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 Department and upon which the Planning Commission relied in granting approval;
2 2. That if this Precise Plan of Development 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 the maximum height of the residence at the highest point of the roof shall not exceed
25.6' as represented by the survey elevation of 128.50' based on the proposed lowest adjacent grade of 103.40' located at the front of the residence, based on a benchmark elevation of 100' to located at the northwest corner of the property on the public right of way as shown on the official survey map on file in the Community Development Department. The final height of the proposed residence shall be certified by a licensed surveyor/engineer prior to requesting a framing of roof-sheathing inspection who verifies the entire roof framing and design remains consistent with the elevation heights and roof design approved by the City Council; (Planning)
4. That a copy of Planning Comrnission Resolution No. 24-003 shall appear on the building plans associated with the Precise Plan of Development to facilitate coordination and effective implementation of the conditions of approval; (Planning)
5. That the applicant shall continue to work with staff to demonstrate the proposed retaining walls and fences on the property do not exceed the maximum height limits per Code to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning)
6. That the applicant shall revise the project plans to accurately reflect the correct building height of 25.1 feet, measured from the topmost ridgeline elevation of 128.5 feet to the lowest adjacent grade of 103.4 feet, at the time of plan check submittal; (Planning)
7. That a landscape plan shall be submitted to the Planning Division for review and approval prior to building permit issuance. The landscape plan shall be prepared in compliance with the latest State Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and shall utilize drought tolerant California friendly vegetation, shade-producing trees, and shall provide a water efficient irrigation system. The landscape plan shall be implemented prior to occupancy, and landscaping shall be maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning)
8. That the silhouette shall remain in place for at least 15 days through the appeal period, but no more than 45 days after the final public hearing to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning)
9. That within 30 days of the final public hearing, the applicant shall return the City's "Public Notice" sign and stake, provided there is no appeal, to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director; (Planning)
10. That the applicant shall provide 4" minimum contrasting address numeral for residential, condo, etc. uses; (Environmental)
11. 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; (Water)
3 12. That the applicant shall perform fire hydrant flow test that determines the capability of the public water system to supply the project; (Water)
13. That if fire sprinklers are required, upgrade existing water service to 1" min; and (Water)
14. That all conditions of all other City departments received prior to or during the consideration of this case by the City Council shall be met.
INTRODUCED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 17th day of June 2025 .
Mayor Georg e K. Chen
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN, City Attorney ATTEST :
'1:e..Rebecca
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-39
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 17th day of June 2025 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN :
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
Gerson, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, and Mayor Chen .
Mattucci .
None.
Sheikh. ,
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City Cler of Torrance
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