HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Res 16-04 - 2016-02-01RESOLUTION NO. 16 -4
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH PLANNING
COMMISSION APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
15 -11 TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PRESCHOOL
CHILDREN FROM 20 TO 24 IN AN EXISTING
PRESCHOOL AND SUPERSEDING PLANNING
COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15 -19 (CUP 15 -6)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES
HEREBY FIND AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Seretta Fielding and Jim Saunders submitted an application to the
City of Seal Beach Department of Community Development for Conditional Use Permit
(CUP) 15 -11 to increase the number of preschool children from 20 to 24 in an existing
preschool at 215 Seal Beach Boulevard (the "subject property "), which is located in the
LC -RMD (Limited Commercial — Residential Medium Density) Zone.
Section 2. This project is determined to be a Class 1 (Existing Facilities)
Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the Guidelines for the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) for the
permitting of a modification to an existing use.
Section 3. A duly noticed public hearing was held before the Planning
Commission on February 1, 2016 to consider the application for CUP 15 -11. At the
public hearing, the Planning Commission received and considered all evidence
presented, both written and oral, regarding the subject application.' The record of the
public hearing indicates the following:
A. The applicants submitted an application to the Community
Development Department for Conditional Use Permit 15 -11 to increase the number of
preschool students at an existing preschool operating under CUP 15 -6.
B. The subject site is located on the west side of Seal Beach
Boulevard, north of Electric Avenue. The subject site is surrounded by commercial uses
to the north, residential uses to the south and west, with military use across Seal Beach
Boulevard to the east. The subject property is located in the LC -RMD (Limited
Commercial — Residential Medium Density) zone.
C. The subject site is a 2,587 square -foot parcel developed with a two -
story 2,350 square foot mixed use building consisting of a second floor residential unit
and commercial preschool on the ground floor. The subject site is considered
nonconforming because it does not have a garage and the preschool began operation
at time when daycares and preschools did not require the site requirements adopted in
the 2010 Zoning Code update.
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D. The Seal Beach Municipal Code (SBMC 11.4.40.035.B) gives the
Planning Commission authority to approve the expansion of a nonconforming use in a
legally conforming structure.
E. The proposal is to continue the existing preschool use and increase
the number of preschool students from 20 to 24. The number of teachers will not
increase and parking will not be impacted by this increase. The preschool proposes to
maintain all existing business operations.
F. On July 20, 2015, the Planning Commission held a public hearing
and approved Resolution No. 15 -19, approving CUP 15 -6 to increase the number of
preschool children from 15 to 20 in an existing preschool and to relocate an interior wall
to install a second bathroom stall. Approval of this request will supersede CUP 15 -6 and
all conditions of Resolution No. 15 -19 have been incorporated into this Resolution.
Section 4. Based upon the facts contained in the record, including those
stated in the preceding Section of this Resolution and pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20 of
the Code of the City of Seal Beach, the Planning Commission makes the following
findings:
A. The proposed alteration is consistent with the General Plan. The
General Plan specifies that the Limited Commercial Land Use designation encourages
a mixture of residential and light commercial on Seal Beach Boulevard. The subject site
is consistent with this commercial designation because the ground floor will continue to
serve as a preschool and the second floor residential unit will continue to be the
residence of the applicant. The proposed changes will not alter the existing use or
operations on the subject site. The proposed increase in the number of students, from
20 to 24 will not impact parking or the existing operations of the preschool.
B. The proposed alteration complies with applicable provisions of the
Municipal Code. The Municipal Code (SBMC 11.4.40.035.B) gives the Planning
Commission authority to approve the expansion of a nonconforming use in a legally
conforming structure. The proposed changes to the existing use will be compliant with
all applicable will not alter the existing operations or cause an increase in parking
demand. No exterior alterations or additional square footage is proposed as part of this
change to a nonconforming use. The request encompasses an alteration in the number
of students but will not result in an increase in the number of teachers or parking
demand.
C. The subject site is physically adequate for the proposed increase.
The proposal to change from 20 to 24 preschool students will not increase the parking
demand for the subject site. The California Department of Social Services requires one
teacher for every 12 students which requires two teachers on site for 20 or 24 students.
The subject site has operated as a preschool for over 8 years without generating
complaints to the City of Seal Beach. The business owner lives on the subject site and
proposes to maintain the existing operations. The preschool provides lessons within the
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215 Seal Beach Blvd
preschool structure throughout the day and has two periods of one hour or less where
children are permitted to conduct outdoor activities in the play yard.
D. The location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the
proposed alteration would be compatible with the surrounding uses and will not
adversely affect those uses or properties in the surrounding areas. The existing
preschool has operated at the subject site for over 8 years without adversely affecting
surrounding properties. The preschool will maintain its existing hours of operation from
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will maintain all of its existing operations with two periods, of
one hour or less, of outdoor play time. The increase in the number of students will not
cause an increase in the number of teachers or increase the parking demand.
E. The establishment, maintenance, and operation of the proposed
alteration would not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing
or working in the vicinity. The proposed increase in preschool students will not require
modifications to the site. The subject site is surrounded by a mix of commercial and
residential uses, which fulfills the intent of the LC -RMD zone. The preschool has
operated on the subject site for over 8 years without causing a detriment to those
residing or working in the vicinity. The increase will not alter the existing operations of
the preschool as the hours will remain the same and no changes are proposed to the
daily program or number of teachers on site. Outdoor activities are conducted during
two periods of one -hour or less, at 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Section 5. Based upon the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby
approves CUP 15 -11 to increase the number of preschool children from 20 to 24 in an
existing preschool at 215 Seal Beach Boulevard, subject to the following conditions.
1. Conditional Use Permit 15 -11 is approved to increase the number of preschool
children from 20 to 24 in an existing preschool at 215 Seal Beach Boulevard.
2. The applicant shall comply with all restrictions placed upon the license by the
State of California Department of Social Services. In connection with the City
consideration of an application, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with
all restrictions placed upon the issuance of such license by the California
Department of Social Services.
3. The applicant shall furnish the City a copy of the CDSS license and a copy of any
conditions placed on the license by the Department of Social Services. This shall
be done as soon as the license is received by the applicant from the State of
California Department of Social Services.
4. The premises of the preschool must be in substantial compliance with the plan
submitted with the application and maintained on file with the Community
Development Department date stamped June 26, 2015. All new construction
shall comply with all applicable state and local codes.
5. The hours of operation shall be 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday.
6. The establishment must comply with Chapter 7.15 "Noise" of the City of Seal
Beach Municipal Code. Should complaints be received regarding noise
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215 Seal Beach Blvd
generated by the establishment, the Planning Commission reserves the right to
schedule this permit for reconsideration and may require ;the applicant/business
operator to mitigate the noise level to comply with the provisions of Chapter 7.15.
7. Any proposed alterations or upgrades to the preschool or subject site will require
review and approval from the City of Seal Beach Planning Division.
8. A modification of this CUP must be applied for when:
a. The establishment proposes to modify any of its current Conditions of
Approval.
b. There is a substantial change in the mode or character of operations of
the preschool.
9. The Planning Commission reserves the right to revoke or modify this CUP if any
violation of the approved conditions occurs, or if any violation of the Municipal
Code of the City of Seal Beach occurs.
10. The establishment shall have a public telephone listing.
11. The applicant will prominently display these Conditions of Approval in a location
within the businesses' customer area that is acceptable to the Community
Development Director.
12. Failure to comply with any of these conditions or a substantial change in the
mode or character of the preschool shall be grounds for revoking or modifying
this CUP approval.
13. This CUP shall not become effective for any purpose unless /until a City
"Acceptance of Conditions" form has been signed and notarized by the applicant
before being returned to the Planning Department; and until the ten (10) calendar
day appeal period has elapsed.
14. The applicant is required to obtain all required Building and Safety permits prior
to the alteration of one interior wall, construction or demolition.
15. Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with all sections of the
Municipal Code, or all other applicable City Ordinances in effect at the time of
building permit issuance.
16. This CUP shall become null and void unless exercised within one year of the
date of final approval, or such extension of time as may be granted by the
Planning Commission pursuant to a written request for extension submitted to
the Community Development Department at least ninety days prior to such
expiration date.
17. The applicant must indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City, its officers,
agents, and employees (collectively "the City' hereinafter in this paragraph) from
any and all claims and losses whatsoever occurring or resulting to any and all
persons, firms, or corporations furnishing or supplying work, services, materials,
or supplies in connection with the performance of the use permitted hereby or the
exercise of the rights granted herein, and any and all claims, lawsuits or actions
arising from the granting of or the exercise of the rights permitted by this
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215 Seal Beach Blvd
Conditional Use Permit, and from any and all claims and losses occurring or
resulting to any person, firm, corporation or property for damage, injury or death
arising out of or connected with the performance of the use permitted hereby.
Applicant's obligation to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City as stated
herein shall include, but not be limited to, paying all fees and costs incurred by
legal counsel of the City's choice in representing the City in connection with any
such claims, losses, lawsuits or actions, expert witness fees, and any award of
damages, judgments, verdicts, court costs or attorneys' fees in any such lawsuit
or action.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Seal Beach Planning
Commission at a meeting thereof held on February 1, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners
NOES: Commissioners
ABSENT: Commissioners
ABSTAIN: Commissioners
am
Commission Secretary
Esther Cummings
Chairperson
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