ZA Resolution-20-04-29-01ZA RESOLUTION NO. 20-04-29-01
ZONE VARIANCE (ZV) 20-001
A RESOLUTION OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A REAR YARD SETBACK OF 12 FEET WHERE
THE MUNICIPAL CODE PERMITS A REAR YARD SETBACK OF 20
FEET, RELATED TO THE ADDITION OF 173 SQUARE FEET TO A
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 31311 PASEO NOGAL, ASSESSOR
PARCEL NUMBER (APN) 649-042-26 (BALDWIN RESIDENCE)
Whereas, Thomas Baldwin, property owner requested approval of a zone
variance to establish a rear yard setback of 12 feet where the Municipal Code permits a
minimum lot rear yard setback of 20 feet; and
Whereas, the Property is General Plan designated "Medium Density" and
is designated "RS-7,000" on the Official Zoning Map; and,
Whereas, the proposed project has been processed pursuant to Section
9-2.301, General Review Procedures of the Land Use Code; and,
Whereas, the Environmental Administrator has reviewed the project
pursuant to Section 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
determined that the project qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption, and will cause
the Notice of Exemption to be posted pursuant to Section 15061 ( d) of the CEQA
Guidelines; and,
Whereas, the Zoning Administrator conducted a duly noticed public hearing
on April 29, 2020 pursuant to Section 9-2.351 of the Municipal Code to consider
public testimony on the proposed project and has considered all relevant public
comments; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Zoning Administrator
of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings:
Section 1. CEQA. The project is Categorically Exempt from further review
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 ("Existing Facilities"). The project is
consistent with Section 15301 because the proposed project includes an addition to an
existing single-family structure that would not result in an increase of more than 10,000
square feet in an area where all public services and facilities are available to allow for
the maximum development permissible in the General Plan and the project area is not
environmentally sensitive. A Notice of Exemption (NOE) will be posted should the
project receive final approval.
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Section 2. Zone Variance Findings.
1. There are special circumstances that are applicable to the property in that at
the time of the initial construction of Casas Capistrano (Tract 5947) the lots
were designed with a variety of rear yard setbacks. A majority of the homes
were constructed setbacks less than 20 feet and several up to 5 feet. While
these properties with nonconforming rear yard setbacks complied with the
development standards that existed during the original construction of the
tract, under the current zoning designation many of these properties do not
meet the required development standards with respect to setbacks.
The strict application of Section 9-3.301 (RS-7000 District) would deprive the
applicant of privileges enjoyed by other properties within the surrounding
development by not allowing the residence to make reasonable additions to
the existing structure.
2. The granting of Zone Variance 20-001 would not constitute a grant of special
privileges; rather, it would allow the property to enjoy comparable development
to that permitted for other properties in the vicinity and zone district. Other
properties in the vicinity and the same zone district also encroach into the rear
yard setback.
3. Granting of the variance would not result in development which is otherwise
inconsistent with the provisions of the Land Use Code or the General Plan
because the project would not result in any new non-conformities with the
applicable development standards for the RS-7, 000 District that govern the
property, other than the variance to grant the increased lot coverage, as well
as all provisions of the General Plan. The allowable land use is Medium
Density Residential which allows a single family house on the lot and the
variance would not change the existing land use of the site.
4. The granting of this variance would not result in a development which is
inconsistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan. This
project corresponds to the General Plan Land Use Goal 7: Enhance and
maintain the character of neighborhoods. The General Plan designates the
property as Medium Density residential and the proposed project would be
compatible with the surrounding areas pattern of development and would
retain the neighborhood character and style. Therefore, the extent of the
variance would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare or be
injurious to other properties in the area. The proposed addition is compatible
with the rest of the neighborhood as there are several homes with similar
setbacks in the vicinity.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Zoning
Administrator hereby approves Zoning Variance (ZV) 20-001 subject to those conditions
contained in Exhibit "A," attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
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CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS: The documents and. materials associated
with this Resolution that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings
are based are located at San Juan Capistrano City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San
Juan Capistrano, California 92675. The Development Services Director is the custodian
of the record of proceedings.
EFFECTIVE DATE & FINAL APPROVAL: Pursuant to Section 9-2.311 of
Title 9, Land Use Code, this project approval shall become effective following expiration
of the fifteen (15) day appeal period without filing of a valid appeal application. The
appeal period ends Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. This project approval shall be
valid for a period of one year from the effective date of approval of this resolution and
shall expire on May 15, 2021, unless a time extension request has been submitted to
the City or a building/grading permit application has been submitted and issued by the
City.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 29th day of April, 2020.
Ch ~strator
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