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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Res 02-22 - 2002-04-17 . . ." : RESOLUTION NUMBER 02 - 22 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH APPROVING HEIGHT VARIATION NO. 02-3, PERMITTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PROPOSED 22,203 SQUARE FOOT EXPANSION TO THE ROSSMOOR CENTER LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SEAL BEACH BOULEVARD AND ST. CLOUD DRIVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY FIND AND RESOLVE: Section 1. On December 27, 2001, Century National Properties (the "Applicant") filed an application with the Department of Development Services for HeightVariation 02-3. The applicant is proposing to demolish four (4) existing buildings and construct two (2) new buildings in their place, for a total net increase of 22,203 square feet of gross leasable area, on property located at the northwest comer of Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud Drive. Section 2. Pursuant to 14 Calif. Code of Regs. ~ 15070, the Planning Commission detennines as follows: The application for Height Variation No. 02-3 for non-habitable architectural features as part of the proposed expansion to Rossmoor Center is adequately addressed through Mitigated Negative Declaration 02-1 (SCH No. 2002031007). Section 3. The record of the hearing of April 17, 2002 indicates the following: a. On December 27, 2001, Century National Properties (the "Applicant") filed an application with the Department of Development Services for Height Variation 02-3. The applicant is proposing to demolish four (4) existing retail/theater/medical buildings and construct two (2) new retail buildings at the existing Rossmoor Center, for a net increase of 22,203 square feet of gross leasable area, on property located at the northwest corner of Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud Drive. b. Specifically, the applicant is proposing to construct non-habitable architectural features comprising higher roof elevations in excess of the 35-foot C:\My Documents\RESO\Height Variation 02-3. Rossmoor Center.PC Reso.doc\LW\04-23-02 . Planning Commission Resolution 02-22 Height Variation 02-3, Rossmoor Center April 17, 2002 maximum height limit, but within the allowable architectural feature height provision of 42 feet, in conjunction with a proposed expansion to the Rossmoor Center. c. The Code of the City of Seal Beach The Code of the City of Seal Beach, (Code) states that no building or structure shall exceed the height limit for the district and zone in which it is located. However, Section 28-2317(4) provides for height variations for non-habitable architectural features. Specifically, Section 28-2317(4)(A) states: "Scope: Non-habitable architectural features, such as spires, towers, cupolas, belfi'ies, monuments, parapets (not required by Uniform Building Code), domes and covered stairvvells to open roof decks may exceed the height limit established for the district in which such structure is located to a maximum of seven feet (7") if granted pursuant to the procedures contained in this section. " d. The height limit for structures on the subject property, which is located in the General Commercial (C-2) zone, is 35 feet. The maximum height elevations of the proposed architectural features are 42 feet. The maximum proposed height is within the seven-foot (7') allowance provided for a non-habitable architectural feature under Section 28-2317(4). . e. The subject property is located northwest of the intersection of Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud Drive. The property has approximately 1430 feet of frontage on Seal Beach Boulevard, and 850 feet of frontage on St. Cloud Drive. f. The subject property is described as Assessors' Parcels 086-492-2, 4,5,6, 7, 8,9, 10, 12,25,27,30,34,35,41,43,45, and 46, and is currently located in the General Commercial (C-2) zone. g. The entire development site is currently developed. Portions of the site will be demolished and rebuilt with new retail buildings. h. Surrounding land uses and zoning are as follows: North, South and West - Residential land uses in the Residential High Density (RHD) Zone in the City of Seal Beach. Across St. Cloud and Montecito are single family residences in the unincorporated area of Rossmoor. . East - Retail commercial center (Old Rancl1 Towne Center) in the General Commercial (C-2) zone; recreation use (Bixby Old Ranch Golf Course) in the Public Land Use/Recreation (PLU/R) zone; and single family residential (Old Ranch in Seal Beach) in the Residential Medium Density (RMD) zone; and military (Los Alamitos Anned Forces Reserve Center), east of the "Old Ranch" developments described previously. Height Variation 02-3.Rossl1loor Center.PC Reso 2 . Planning Commission Resolution 02-22 Height Variation 02-3, Rossmoor Center April J 7, 2002 1. The Mitigation Monitoring Program establishes a number of specific action measures, which have been proposed to reduce the identified" enviromnental impacts of the shopping center expansion to a level of insignificance in relation to this development application. The applicable mitigation measures are conditions of approval for Height Variation 02-3 (16 mitigation measures), and are incorporated herein by reference. j. Given the distance from Seal Beach Boulevard, approximately 685 feet, the size of the proposed architectural features will not create an overpowering presence from the street, and have been evaluated as part of the overall concept design for the shopping center within the Mitigated Negative Declaration. k. The proposed architectural features exceed the height limit by 7 feet, and are located 685 feet from Seal Beach Boulevard. The architectural features are intended to provide relief for the elevations of the retail building. Additionally, the nearest residential development to the west of the shopping center is oriented with the rear yards facing the shopping center site, is approximately 100 feet from the project, and will not impact on any views of that residential neighborhood. . 1. The height variations are requested to provide some architectural diversity to the building elevations and are designed so that none of the architectural features ar~ completely at the requested elevation. Section 4. Based upon the facts contained in the record, including those stated in ~3 of this resolution and pursuant to ~~ 28-23 17 of the City's Code, the Planning Commission makes the following findings: a. Height Variation No. 02-3, a request to pennit non-habitable architectural features comprising higher roof elevations in excess of the 35-foot maximum height limit, but within the allowable architectural feature height provision of 42 feet, in conjunction with a proposed shopping center expansion, is consistent with the provisions of the Land Use Element of the City's General Plan, which provides a "general commercial" designation for the subject property and pennits architectural features subject to ~e approval of a height variation. The use is also consistent with the remaining elements of the City's General Plan, as the policies of those elements are consistent with, and reflected in, the Land Use Element. Accordingly, the proposed height variations are consistent with the General Plan. b. The proposed architectural features are architecturally in keeping with the overall design theme of the shopping center. . c. The proposed architectural features are appropriate for the character and integrity of the shopping center, adjacent commercial development, and the neighborhood, due to the distance of the proposed architectural features from Seal Beach Height Valiation 02-3.Rossmoor Center.PC Reso 3 . . . ""- Planning C011lmission Resolution 02-22 Height Variation 02-3, Ross11loor Ce11ler April 17, 2002 Boulevard, approximately 685 feet, and the existing residential development m Rossmoor, approximately 100 feet to the west of the shopping center. d. No habitable living space is provided within the proposed architectural features. Section 5. Based upon the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby approves Height Variation No. 02-3, subject to the following conditions: 1. Height Variation 02-3 is approved for the construction of non-habitable architectural features comprising higher roof elevations in excess of the height limit in conjunction with the expansion to the Rossmoor Center, as indicated on concept plans submitted with the subject application, last edited December 27, 2002. 2. All construction shall be m substantial compliance with the plans approved through HV 02-3. 3. There shall be no habitable space or useable retail space permitted within the architectural features. 4. Project proponent shall comply with all "Mitigation Measures", as set forth in the Mitigatio~ Monitoring Program, dated April, 2002. 5. The approval of this Height Variation shall be subject to all applicable conditions of approval as set forth in Planning Commission Resolution 02-21 (Mitigated Negative Declaration 02-1). 6. This Height Variation shall not become effective for any purpose unless an "Acceptance of Conditions" fonn has been signed by the applicant in the presence of the Director of Development Services, or notarized and returned to the Planning Department; and until the ten (10) day appeal period has elapsed. 7. The applicant shall indemnify, defend and hold hannless City, its officers, agents and employees (collectively "the City" hereinafter) 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 pennitted 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 pennitted by this Conditional Use Pennit, 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 pennitted hereby. Applicant's obligation to indemnify, defend and hold hannless 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, Height Variation 02-3.Rossmoor Center. PC Reso 4 . . . Planning COl11mission Resolution 02-22 Height Variation 02-3, Rossl11oor Center April]7, 2002 losses, lawsuits or actions, expert witness fees, and any award of damages, judgments, verdicts, cOUli costs or attorneys' fees in any such lawsuit or action. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 17th day of April, 2002, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp NOES: COlmnissioners ABSENT: Commissioners ABSTAIN: COlmnissioners Height Variation 02-3.Rossmoor Center. PC Reso ~t.V Chainnan of the Planning Commission 5