PC - 2009-13 - Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Allow one Dwelling Unit Per Six Thousand sq Ft. of Lot Area in the R-1PC RESOLUTION 09-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO ALLOW ONE DWELLING UNIT PER SIX THOUSAND
(6,000) SQUARE FEET OF LOT AREA IN THE R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL) ZONE AND TO REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT FOR ANY DWELLING WITH A DEVELOPED LIVING AREA
EQUAL TO OR EXCEEDING TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (2,500)
SQUARE FEET IN R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) AND R-2
(LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL) ZONES
WHEREAS, the City currently has provisions in its Municipal Code that prohibit
R-1 (Single-Family Residential) lots from being developed with multiple dwelling units,
as well as regulations that require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for any dwelling unit
with a total living area that exceeds three thousand (3,000) square feet in the R-1
(Single-Family Residential) and R-2 (Light Multiple Residential) zones; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the allowable density in the R-1 zone is
restrictive for property owners of large parcels, such as those with lot areas exceeding
12,000 square feet, and that the current CUP threshold is insufficient in addressing
large home development; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to change the single-family residential development
standards and has initiated an ordinance amendment; and
WHEREAS, Section 17.116.020 of the Rosemead Municipal Code sets forth
procedures and requirements for municipal code amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead has adopted the General Plan and Zoning
Ordinance, and map, including specific development standards, to control development;
and
WHEREAS, Sections 17.116 of the
Planning Commission to consider and
amendments to the City Council; and
Rosemead Municipal Code authorize the
recommend proposed municipal code
WHEREAS, on June 4, 2009, a notice was published in the San Gabriel Valley
Tribune specifying the public comment period and the time and place for a public
hearing pursuant to California Government Code Section 65091(a)(3); and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2009, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed and
advertised public hearing to receive oral and written testimony relative to Municipal
Code Amendment 09-01; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Rosemead as follows:
SECTION 1. The Rosemead City Council adopted a General Plan update and
certified an accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) on
October 14, 2008. The certified Program EIR provided a program-level assessment of
the environmental impacts resulting from development pursuant to land use policy and
implementation of the goals and policies set forth in all chapters of the updated General
Plan, as well as the long-term implementation of the General Plan through a revised
Zoning Code. Municipal Code Amendment 09-01 is consistent with the Program EIR,
and pursuant to Public Resources Code 21083.3 and CEQA Guidelines sections 15162,
15168 and 15183 is exempt from the requirement that additional environmental
documentation be prepared.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES
that Municipal Code Amendment 09-01 is in the best interest of the public necessity and
general welfare, and good city planning practice dictates and supports the proposed
municipal code amendment, in that the change to the Rosemead Municipal Code will
provide a superior level of planning and protection to the quality and character of the
City.
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission FURTHER FINDS AND DETERMINES
that Municipal Code Amendment 09-01 is consistent with the Rosemead General Plan
as follows:
A. Land Use: Municipal Code Amendment 09-01 consists of allowing one
dwelling unit per six thousand square feet of lot area in the R-1 (Single-Family
Residential) zone, and requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for any dwelling unit
developed with a total living area equal to or exceeding two thousand five hundred
(2,500) square feet in R-1 (Single-Family Residential) and R-2 (Light Multiple
Residential) zones. According to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Consistency
matrix (Table 2-2 on page 2-21 of the General Plan) the Low Density Residential land
use designation is the corresponding land use category for the R-1 zone. The General
Plan characterizes the land use designation as low-density neighborhoods consisting of
detached single-family dwellings on individual lots. The maximum density permitted is
7.0 dwelling units per acre, which is approximately one (1) dwelling per six thousand
square feet of lot area. In addition, the General Plan indicates that maintaining stable
and attractive single-family residential neighborhoods is a goal. Requiring a Conditional
Use Permit for dwellings with two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more square feet of
living area will provide a zoning regulation that ensures that residential architecture is
consistent with and complementary to the surrounding neighborhood to assure the
neighborhood's integrity and the character of the community.
B. Circulation: Potential impacts to traffic and transportation depend on the
extent of a proposed project and local conditions. Each new proposed residential
project will be required to provide efficient vehicular access to the site. Furthermore,
residential additions and new home development will be required to satisfy the parking
requirements outlined in the municipal code.
C. Housing: The proposed municipal code amendment will not induce
substantial new population growth nor displace existing housing units or people. The
corresponding General Plan land use designation to the R-1 zone is Low Density
Residential, which currently allows a maximum density of 7.0 dwelling units per acre.
Therefore, the municipal code amendment is not proposing a higher density than what
is already established in the City's General Plan. Furthermore, the municipal code
amendment will not alter the current allowable maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the
R-1 zone. Therefore, the amount of living area on a lot will continue to be regulated by
the existing standards. Lastly, lowering the CUP threshold will only promote and ensure
a process to regulate higher architectural quality when larger homes are proposed.
D. Resource Management: Any proposed development resulting from this
municipal code amendment would be located in a developed urban area, and as such,
will not result in any impact upon natural resources. Proposed developments will be
required to provide adequate landscaped areas in the overall site plan.
E. Noise: The proposed development will not generate any permanent
impacts to noise levels for the surrounding area. New development shall be required to
comply with the City's Noise Ordinance.
F. Public Safety: Impacts to law or fire enforcement, parks, and public
facilities are area or community specific. The proposed municipal code amendment
would not impact police, fire, or school services, and there would be no change in
demand for or use of public parks. The entire City of Rosemead is located in Flood
Zone C (flood insurance is not mandatory) and is free from any flood hazard
designations.
SECTION 4. The Planning Commission of the City of Rosemead does hereby
recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance 876 and the amendment to the
"Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines" attached hereto as Exhibits'B' and "D."
SECTION 5. The Planning Commission HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL of Municipal Code Amendment 09-01, amending the
allowable residential density in the R-1 (Single-Family Residential) zone and requiring a
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for any dwelling unit with a total living area of two
thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet or more in R-1 (Single-Family Residential)
and R-2 (Light Multiple Residential) zones.
SECTION 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately
SECTION 7. This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning
Commission on June 15, 2009 by the following vote:
YES: ALARCON, ENG, HERRERA, HUNTER, RUIZ
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
SECTION 8. The secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall transmit copies of same to the applicant and the Rosemead City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 15th day of June 2009.
il~a-j 1 13
D na Herre ,Chairwoman
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted bX the Planning
Commission of the City of Rosemead at its regular meeting, held on 15` day of June,
2009, by the following vote:
YES: ALARCON,ENG,HERRERA,HUNTER
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RUIZ
Sheri Bermejo, SecretaYy