HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Res 25-02 - 2025-04-07 RESOLUTION NO. 25-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH PLANNING
COMMISSION APPROVING MINOR USE PERMIT
25-0004 TO ALLOW A GARAGE WITHIN 30 FEET OF
A FRONT OR STREET-FACING SIDE LOT LINE TO
EXCEED 20 FEET IN WIDTH, LOCATED AT 417
EMERALD PLACE IN THE RESIDENTIAL LOW
DENSITY (RLD-9) ZONE AREA.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY
FIND AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Jeffery Benson submitted an application to the City of Seal Beach
Department of Community Development for Minor Use Permit (MUP) 25-0004 to permit
a garage within 30 feet of a front lot line to exceed 20 feet in width at 417 Emerald Place
(the "subject property"), which is located in Residential Low Density (RLD-9) Zone.
Section 2. This project is determined to be a Class 3 (New Construction of Small
Structures) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15303 of the Guidelines for the
California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) for
a project that is associated with the new construction of a single-family residence.
Section 3. A duly noticed public hearing was held before the Planning
Commission on April 7, 2024, to consider the application for MUP-25-0004. 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 applicant submitted an application to the Community
Development Department for Minor Use Permit 25-0004 for a proposed project at 417
Emerald Place.
B. The subject property is an irregular pie-shaped lot with an area of
approximately 9,379 square feet located on the north side of Emerald Place between
Jade Cove Way and Beryl Cove Way. The site is surrounded by residential uses on all
sides.
C. The subject site is currently developed with a single-story single-
family dwelling with an attached garage.
D. The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing single-family
dwelling and construct a new 3,576 square foot two-story single family dwelling unit with
an attached 678 square foot garage, 483 square foot deck area, and pool.
E. The Seal Beach Municipal Code (SBMC) Section 11.2.05.015.N.2
(Maximum Width of Garages and Carports) allows a garage to exceed 20 feet in width,
within 30 feet of the front lot line through the approval of a Minor Use Permit.
1 of 4
Resolution 25-02
417 Emerald Place
F. The applicant proposes a 678 square foot garage consisting of a 2-
car garage and a single golf cart garage. The proposed garage width is 31 feet.
Section 4. Based upon the facts contained in the record, including those stated
in the preceding Section of this Resolution and pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20.020
(Required Findings) of the Seal Beach Municipal Code, the Planning Commission makes
the following findings:
A The proposed garage is consistent with the General Plan. The
General Plan identifies the area as Marina Hill in the Planning Area 2. It encourages
architectural compatibility between replacement homes and the surrounding
neighborhood. The proposed attached garage would not disrupt the character of the
neighborhood. The garage facade incorporates offset wall planes that reduce the visual
mass of the garage.
B. The proposed use is allowed within the applicable zoning district with
Minor Use Permit approval and will comply with all other applicable provisions of the
Municipal Code. The subject site is located within the RLD-9 zone, an area where the
SBMC Section 11.2.05.015.N.2 (Maximum Width of Garages and Carports) allows a
garage to exceed 20 feet in width, within 30 feet of the front lot line through review and
approval by the Planning Commission with a minor use permit.
C. The proposed use, as conditioned below, will be located on a site
that is physically adequate for the type, density, and intensity of use being proposed,
including provision of services, and the absence of physical constraints. The subject site
is currently developed with a single-family residence with an attached garage. The
proposed development will be consistent with the applicable development standards of
the RHD-9 zone, as the use will not be changing.
D. The location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the
proposed use, as conditioned below, will be compatible with and will not adversely affect
uses and properties in the surrounding neighborhood. The subject site is located within
the RLD-9 zone, which consists of properties developed as single-family residences. The
proposed project will not change the existing operating characteristics of the single-family
residence and will remain similar to surrounding uses throughout RLD-9 zoned area.
E. The establishment, maintenance, and operation of the proposed use
will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in
the vicinity. The improvements will not intensify use of the property. The subject site will
continue to operate as a residential property, which is consistent with the uses in the
surrounding neighborhood.
Section 5. Based upon the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby
approves MUP-25-0004 allowing minor improvements to a nonconforming structure,
located at 417 Emeral Place, subject to the following conditions.
1. Minor Use Permit 25-0004 is approved for 31-foot-wide garage located within 30
feet of the front lot line, at 417 Emerald Place.
•
2 of 4
Resolution 25-02
417 Emerald Place
2. All plan checks and future construction shall be in substantial compliance with the
plans approved through Minor Use Permit 25-0004. All new construction shall
comply with all applicable state and local codes.
3. The applicant is required to obtain all Building and Safety permits prior to
construction or demolition.
4. This MUP 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.
5. 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.
6. The Planning Commission reserves the right to revoke or modify this MUP in the
event of any violation of the approved conditions or any violation of any provision
of the Code of the City of Seal Beach.
7. This MUP 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.
8. The applicant must indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, its 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 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 April 7, 2025, by the following vote:
• 3 of 4
Resolution 25-02
417 Emerald Place
AYES: Commissioners CAMPBELL, WHEELER, COLES, MINGIONE, NOLTA
NOES: Commissioners
ABSENT: Commissioners
ABSTAIN: Commissioners
Margo Wheeler
Chairperson
ATTEST:
Alexa Smittle ,Shaun Temele
Planning Commission Secretary
4 of