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HomeMy WebLinkAboutV 02-03; Arco AM/PM at Tamarack; Variance (V)The City of Carlsbad Planning Department Application complete date: A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION August 3 1,2001 Applicant requested extension Item No. @ Project Planner: Project Engineer: Christer Westman Jeremy Riddle P.C. AGENDA OF: September 4,2002 SUBJECT: CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARCO AM/PM AT TAMARACK - Request for approval of a Negative Declaration and Addendum, and Conditional Use Permit for the construction of a new 2,997 square foot ARCO AM/PM facility with 12 heling stations and a 968 square foot car wash, and a Variance request for reduced setbacks at the northeast comer of Tamarack Avenue and Jefferson Street in Local Facilities Management Zone 1. I. RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolutions No. 522 1, 5222 and 5223 RECOMMENDING ADOPTION of a Negative Declaration and Addendum, and RECOMMENDING APPROVAL of Conditional Use Permit CUP 01-19, and Variance V 02- 03 for the construction of a new 2,997 square foot ARCO AM/PM facility with a 968 square foot car wash with reduced setbacks based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. 11. INTRODUCTION The application is for the redevelopment of a closed gas station with a new ARCO MM convenience store with gas pumps and car wash. The existing gas station has not been in operation for several years. The new facility proposes reconfiguration of the property access fi-om Tamarack Avenue at a location farther away fi-om the Jefferson Street intersection, revised onsite circulation, parking, and landscaping. The property is located in the CommerciaWisitor-Serving Overlay Zone and is therefore subject to the review and approval of the City Council. The site is also in a deferred certification area of the Coastal Zone and is subject to review and approval by the California Coastal Commission. 111. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The proposed project is subject to the following regulations: A. Neighborhood Commercial Zone (C-1) (Chapter 21.26 of the Carlsbad Municipal B. Conditional Use Permit Regulations (Chapter 21.42 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code); Code); CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARCb AM/PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 C. CommerciallVisitor-Serving Overlay Zone (Chapter 2 1.208 of the Carlsbad D. Variances (Chapter 21.50 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code); and E. Mello I1 Segment of the Carlsbad Local Coastal Program. Municipal Code); IV. ANALYSIS The recommendation for approval of this conditional use permit and variance was developed by analyzing the project’s consistency with the applicable City regulations and policies. The project’s compliance with each of the above regulations is discussed in detail in the sections below. Neighborhood Commercial Zone The site is designated as a neighborhood commercial site yet it is also located adjacent to the freeway and is expected to provide freeway facility, commercialhisitor-serving related services. The proposed service station, convenience market and car wash can provide fkeeway facility, commercialhisitor-serving services that can also be beneficial services to the neighborhood. The development standards of the Neighborhood Commercial zone limit building height to 35 feet. There are no building setback requirements for the C-1 zone. The project has been proposed consistent with the C-1 zone development standards in that the greatest building height is nineteen feet at the comers of the convenience market. The gas pump canopy is proposed at sixteen feet and the carwash building at fourteen feet. Conditional Uses Uses subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) are declared to possess characteristics of such unique and special form as to make impracticable their being included automatically in any land use class. Automobile service stations which include washing services may be permitted by conditional use permit in any zone other than residential or professional when it is developed as part of a freeway service facility. The proposed project and the adjoining restaurant together qualify as a freeway service facility. In granting a CUP, certain safeguards to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public may be required as conditions of approval. In addition, CUPS may only be granted when the appropriate findings of fact can be made. Those findings can be made for the proposed project. 1. The requested use is desirable for the development of the community, is essentially in harmony with the various elements and objectives of the General Plan, and is not detrimental to existing uses specifically permitted in the zone in which the proposed use is located. The proposed use is desirable for the community at large and is generally in harmony with the objectives of the General Plan since the proposed use will replace a previous freeway service facility. Since the site is separated from other properties in the area by streets and the project is designed with a low physical profile, it is physically compatible with the surrounding land uses including the other freeway service facilities, CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARLO AM/PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 Page 3 2. 3. 4. 5. high density housing, single family residential and the elementary school. The adjoining intersections will continue to function at acceptable service levels. Data provided to the City indicates that noise generated by the car wash facility will be below the maximum threshold of 60 &A at the nearby residential property lines on Carol Place, but will still be audible. Regardless, approval of the car wash includes a condition limiting car wash operation to daytime hours between 7:30 am and 9:00 pm. The carwash may be beneficial to the greater community in that it is designed to treat the wash water before it is introduced into the storm drain system and if it is used would reduce pollutants reaching the storm drains. Redevelopment of the site may be more beneficial to the greater community than retaining the site as an abandoned gas station both visually and physically because it will include landscaping and a human presence. The site for the intended use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the gas pumps and convenience market without benefit of a variance from the development standards of the C-1 zone or the CommerciaWisitor-Serving Overlay Zone. The site can also accommodate the carwash facility within the development standards of the Neighborhood Commercial zone (C-1) but requires a variance to the CommerciaWisitor-Serving Overlay Zone setback requirements. All the yards, setbacks, walls, fences, landscaping, and other features necessary to adjust the requested use to existing or permitted hture uses in the neighborhood will be provided and maintained. The site will be landscaped consistent with the Carlsbad Landscape Manual and the guidelines of the CommerciaWisitor Serving Overlay Zone including minimum six foot width planter areas and planting adjacent to the building. The street system serving the proposed use is adequate to properly handle all traffic generated by the proposed use. The project will generate approximately 1,863 Average Daily Traffic (ADT). Tamarack Avenue is a “Collector” street with a capacity of up to 10,000 ADT. Between Jefferson Street and Adams Street, Tamarack Avenue is constructed to Secondary Arterial standards which increases its car carrying capacity and is more than adequate to handle the amount of trafic that the proposed project is expected to generate. The project is to be developed as part of a freeway-service facility, containing a minimum of two freeway oriented uses, which are the project and the restaurant on the adjacent parcel to the east. CommerciaWisitor Serving Overlay As a commercialhisitor-serving use, the Planning Commission will first review the project and make a recommendation to the City Council for action. Consistent with the procedures of the overlay zone, the applicant completed the pre-filing requirements and subsequently filed a formal application for review. The pre-filing site plan reviewed by staff did not include the car wash component. The car wash was added to the site - CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARC4 AM/PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 plan and the size of the convenience market reduced when the applicant was informed that alcohol sales at this location was unlikely. The site was posted with a notice that the project would be considered by the City of Carlsbad. In addition to the development standards of the C-1 zone, the project is subject to unique development standards of the commercialhisitor-serving overlay. Buildings must be located a minimum of 30 feet from the public street and parking may be located 20 feet from the public street. The applicant is requesting a variance for reduced setbacks to accommodate the car wash facility, access to the car wash and parking. (The findings for granting a variance are discussed under the Variance heading below). Parking is required at a ratio of one space per 300 square feet of building. The project proposes a 2,997 square foot building and therefore is required to provide ten parking stalls plus three for employees. A total of fourteen stalls are provided. Pursuant to Zoning Ordinance section 21.208.100 H.l.(a), new gas stations may only be located at intersections where at least one of the streets is classified as a prime, major or secondary arterial on the General Plan. This is the redevelopment of a previously existing gas station and Tamarack Avenue is improved as a Secondary Arterial from the project site to Adams Street therefore satisfying the location criterion. The minimum lot size required for new gas stations is 15,000 square feet with a minimum 150 foot lot frontage along the non-arterial street. Although this is the redevelopment of a previously existing gas station, the lot length is more than 200 feet and the lot is 36, 927 square feet thereby satisfylng the lot size criterion for new gas stations. Included in the project exhibits are proposed signs. Pursuant to Zoning Ordinance section 21.208.100 B.l, the maximum allowed sign area for the project is determined by the combined length of two building sides which face streets multiplied by a factor of 0.9. Therefore, the project may have up to 109.8 square feet of sign area. The applicant has proposed 174.3 square feet of sign area for all signs including two monuments. The project has been conditioned to limit sign area to 109.8 square feet. A separate sign permit is required for the approval of all signs. The project is proposed with an “alternative” architectural style. The design is modern. The design uses a stucco exterior with horizontal reveals and decorative cornice at each of the four corner elements. The colors are off-white and beige. Final approval of the proposed alternative architectural style is by the Planning Commission and City Council as a part of the Conditional Use Permit review. Variance When practical difficulties, unnecessary hardships, or results inconsistent with the general purpose of the property zoning result through the strict and literal interpretation and enforcement of the development standards of the zone, the Planning Commission has the authority to grant a variance from the development standard(s) as may be in harmony with its general purpose and intent, so that the spirit of the development standard(s) shall be observed, public safety and CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARC0 AM/PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 Pave 5 welfare secured and substantial justice done. In the coastal zone, a variance shall not be allowed to diminish or otherwise adversely affect the substantive requirements for protection of coastal resources. The sole purpose of the variance shall be to prevent discrimination, and no variance shall be granted which would have the effect of granting a special privilege not shared by other property in the same vicinity or zone. The applicant has stated that since alcohol sales will not be allowed at this location, a car wash as well as a convenience store and gas pumps are necessary to generate adequate revenues. There is a practical difficulty and hardship in locating a carwash along with the convenience market and gas pumps on this site that is encumbered by CommerciaWisitor-Serving Overlay Zone setbacks. The extent of the requested variance includes: 0 A six foot parking encroachment into the required 20 foot setback at Tamarack Avenue. A fifteen foot circulation encroachment into the required 20 foot setback at Jefferson Street south of the Jefferson Street driveway. 0 A fifteen foot circulation encroachment into the required 20 foot setback at Carol Place. 0 A fifteen foot building encroachment into the required 30 foot setback at Tamarack Avenue. 0 A four foot circulation encroachment into the required 10 foot landscape setback at the interior side property line In order to grant a variance, the following findings must be made. 1. That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the property or to the intended use that do not apply generally to the other property or class of use in the same vicinity and zone. 2. That such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right possessed by other property in the same vicinity and zone but which is denied to the property in question. 3. That the granting of such variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in such vicinity and zone in which the property is located. 4. That the granting of such variance will not adversely affect the comprehensive general plan, or in the coastal zone, that the granting of such a variance is consistent with and implements the requirements of the certified local coastal program and that the granting of such variance does not reduce or in any manner adversely affect the requirements to protect coastal resources as specified in the zones included in this title and that the variance implements the purposes of zones adopted as implementation of the local coastal program land use plan. - CUP 01-19N 02-03 - ARC AAUPM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 Page 6 There are exceptional circumstances in that the property is part of the CommerciaWisitor Serving Overlay Zone which properties to the north, west, and south are not. The Overlay zone has more stringent setback requirements than the underlying Neighborhood Commercial zone or the surrounding One Family Residential, Two Family Residential, or Residential Density- Multiple zones. The property is also unique in that it fronts on a public street on three sides when one or two sides are typical. Although all properties within the Overlay Zone are subject to the same standards, other properties in the vicinity and immediately to the north, west and south are not. Other properties within the overlay zone are the adjacent property to the east, the lot at the southwest comer of Tamarack Avenue and the 1-5 Freeway and property on the east side of the freeway from Tamarack Avenue north to Chestnut Avenue making the subject site a peninsula. The applicant has stated that there are overriding and compelling reasons that the project must have a car wash and a 2,997 sq. ft. mini market. The applicant states that without both sources of revenue, the project as a whole will not be profitable. No coastal resources would be affected by the depth of the setbacks. Mello I1 Segment of the Carlsbad Local Coastal Program The project is located in the Mello I1 Local Coastal Program Segment. It is also in a deferred certification area of the Carlsbad Coastal Zone and is subject to review and approval by the California Coastal Commission. However the discussion below describes how the project complies with the applicable Local Coastal Program provisions. The LCP Land Use Plan designates the subject site for C-1 Neighborhood Commercial uses. Convenience markets with gas pumps and car wash services are allowed by Conditional Use Permit. The proposed project will be located at the northeast comer of Tamarack Avenue and Jefferson Street near the 1-5 freeway. The proposed single story commercial structure is consistent in mass with the surrounding development of one-story structures to the north and south, two story apartments to the west and a restaurant to the east. The building will not obstruct views of the coastline as seen from public lands or the public right-of-way or otherwise damage the visual beauty of the coastal zone. No agricultural uses currently exist on the site, nor are there any sensitive resources located on the property. The proposed building is not located on an area of known geologic instability or flood hazard. No public opportunities for coastal shoreline access are available from the subject site since it is not located between the first public road and the ocean, and no public access requirements are conditioned for the project. The commercially designated site is not suited for water-oriented recreation activities. The subject site is located in the Coastal Resource Protection Overlay Zone, however, due to its location and the absence of slopes steeper than or equal to 25% inclination and/or native vegetation, additional submittals, standards or requirements do not apply. Construction of the project will adhere to the City's Master Drainage Plan, Storm Water Ordinance, Standard Urban Storm Water Mitigation Plan (SUSMP) and Jurisdictional Urban Runoff Management Program (JURMP) to avoid increased urban run off, pollutants and soil erosion. CUP 0 1 - 19N 02-03 - ARLO AM/PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The project is the demolition of an existing abandoned gas station and the redevelopment of a gas station with convenience market and car wash. No environmental impacts which have not been mitigated by project design have been identified for the project. Because the site was previously used as a gas station, and it is within an urban area at the comer of two streets, there is no habitat onsite that may contribute to a preserve system nor are there any sensitive plant or animal species which must be preserved. No significant environmental impact can be associated with approval of a reduction in the CommerciaWisitor Serving Overlay Zone public street setbacks. Contaminated soils will be removed as part of the project site preparation. The project average daily trafic can be accommodated by the adjoining street improvements. The access points to the site will be relocated which will create better circulation and access to the site than the previous design. The project has also been designed to incorporate all best management practices consistent with the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Mello I1 segment of the Carlsbad Local Coastal Program regarding water quality. Staff has conducted an environmental impact assessment to determine if the project could have a potentially significant effect on the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines and the Environmental Protection Ordinance (Title 19) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. The project falls within the scope of the City’s MER for the City of Carlsbad General Plan update (EIR 93- 01) certified in September, 1994, in which a Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for cumulative impacts to air quality and traffic circulation. MEIRs may not be used to review projects if certified more than five years prior to the filing of an application for a later project except under certain circumstances. The City is currently reviewing the 1994 MER to determine whether it is still adequate to review subsequent projects. Although the MER was certified more than five years ago, the City’s preliminary review of its adequacy finds that no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the MEIR was certified. Additionally, there is no new available information which was not known and could not have been known at the time the MEIR was certified. Therefore, the MER remains adequate to review later projects. All feasible mitigation measures identified by the MEIR which are appropriate to this project have been incorporated into the project. The Planning Director has therefore issued a Negative Declaration on May 24,2002. c CUP 01--19N 02-03 - ARLJ AM.PM AT TAMARACK September 4,2002 Page 8 ATTACHMENTS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Planning Commission Resolution No. 522 1 (Neg Dec) Planning Commission Resolution No. 5222 (CUP) Planning Commission Resolution No. 5223 (V) Location Map Background Data Sheet Local Facilities Impacts Assessment Form Disclosure Statement Exhibits “A” - “L” dated September 4,2002 cw:cs SITE ARC0 AM/PM AT TAMARACK CUP 01-19N 02-03 - - BACKGROUND DATA SHEET CASE NO: CUP 01-19N 02-03 CASE NAME: ARCO AM/PM at Tamarack APPLICANT: BP West Coast Products LLC. c/o TAIT and Associates Inc. REQUEST AND LOCATION: Request for approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the construction of a new 2,997 square foot ARCO AM/PM facility with 12 heling stations and a 968 square foot car wash and a request for reduced setbacks at the north east comer of Tamarack Avenue and Jefferson Street in Local Facilities Management Zone 1. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 1 of Tamarack Plaza. in the City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego. State of California. according to map thereof No. 5944. filed in the office of the County Recorder of San Diego Countv on August 23,1967. APN: 204-292-24-00 Acres: 0.83 Proposed No. of LotsKJnits: N/A GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING Land Use Designation: Travenecreation Commercial Density Allowed: N/A Density Proposed: N/A Existing Zone: C- 1 Proposed Zone: C- 1 Surrounding Zoning, General Plan and Land Use: Zoning General Plan Site c- 1 T-R North R-2 RM South R-1 RLM East c- 1 TR West RD-M-Q RLM Current Land Use Abandoned gas station Multi family residential Single family residential Restaurant Multi family residential PUBLIC FACILITIES School District: Carlsbad Unified Water District: Carlsbad Sewer District: Carlsbad Equivalent Dwelling Units (Sewer Capacity): 37.6 EDU ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Negative Declaration, issued May 24,2002 0 other, Certified Environmental Impact Report, dated - r CITY OF CARLSBAD GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LOCAL FACILITIES IMPACTS ASSESSMENT FORM PROJECT IDENTITY AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT: FILE NAME AND NO: ARC0 AMPM at Tamarack LOCAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ZONE: 1 GENERAL PLAN: ZONING: C-1 T-R DEVELOPER'S NAME: BP West Coast Products LLC. c/o TAIT and Associates Inc. ADDRESS: 9089 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #300 San Diego CA 92123 QUANTITY OF LAND USEDEVELOPMENT (AC., SQ. FT., DU): 0.83 ac; 2,997 sa.ft. PHONE NO.: 858-278-1 161 ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO.: 204-292-24-00 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. City Administrative Facilities: Library: Wastewater Treatment Capacity (Calculate with J. Sewer) Park: Demand in Acreage = Drainage: Demand in CFS = Demand in Square Footage = Demand in Square Footage = Identify Drainage Basin = Circulation: Fire: Open Space: Schools: Sewer: Demand in ADT = Served by Fire Station No. = Acreage Provided = Demands in EDU Identify Sub Basin = Water: Demand in GPD = NIA NIA 36.7 NIA 2.96 Agua Hedionda Watershed 1.863 NIA NIA 36.7 VistdCarlsbad Basin 50 mm DISCLOSURE STATEMENT - ~ Applicant's statement or disclosure of certain ounership interests on a11 apphcations u*hxh ill requlrr ; discretionary action on the pan of the City Council or any appointed Board. Commission or Committee. 1 I The following information MUST be disclosed at the time of application submittal. Your project cannot be reviewed until this infomation is completed. Please print. .. IYote: Person is defined as "Any individual, firm, co-parmership, joint venture, association. social club. fraternal organization, corporation, esrate, trust, receiver, syndicate. in this and any other counv. city and county. ciy municipality, disaict or other political subdivision or any other group or combination acting as a unit." Agents may sign this document; however, the legal name and entity of the applicant and property owner rnusr be provided below. 1. APPLICANT (Not the applicant's agent) Provide the COMPLETE. L EGAL names and addresses of persons having a financial interest in the application. If the applicant includes a cornoration or uarmershiu. include the names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO APPLICABLE (N/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW If a publiclv-owned cornoration, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if necessary.) 3 Person N/A Corp/Pan ARC0 Products Company INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON- Title Title Address Address 4 Centerpointe Drive La Palma, CA 90623 2. OWNER (Not the owner's agent) Provide the COMPLETE. LEG& names and addresses of persons having any ownership interest in the property involved. Also, provide the nature of the legal ownership (Le, partnership, tenants in common, nonprofit, corporation, etc.). If the ownership includes a cornoration or DartnershiD, include the names, title, addresses of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE @/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publiclv- owned cornoration, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if necessary.) Person Saa d Attisha CorpiPart Title Owner Title Address 4142 Adams Avenue Address San Diego, CA 92130 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-731 4 - (760) 602-4600 - FAX (760) 602-8559 @ If any person id /Ged pursuant to (1 1 or (2) above is names and-addre: orgnization or as trustee or beneficiary of the. Eon ProfiVTrust N/A Nan ProfiLTmst -1 orean~zstron or 2 ms:. its: ::!;a of A!!?' person serving as an OfictiCEr or director of the non-prorj? Title Title Address Address 4. Have you had more than $250 worth of business transacted with any member of Civ staff. Boards, Commissions. Committees and/or Council within the past welve c12) months? a Yes No If yes, please indicate person(s): NOTE: Attach additional sheets if necessary. I certify that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. 1- b-yi& Signature of owner/date Signaturi of applicantldate Print or type name of owner Print or type name of applicant .( I Signature of ownedapplicant's agent if applicable/date Leslie Burnside, Agent Print or type name of owner/applicant's agent H:ADMIN\COUNTERDISCLOSURE STATEMENT 5/98 Page 2 of 2 .. I' ! *' ' 4. .. I. I ..? .I.. ... -! ,I .. .. ... 3 ..- *. , 9.. ,s\: - -. ..- .' . .. : .I -. q.2. . . ._. .. .. .. ..... 6 ', I .: . .I .. TO-TAIT AND ASSOCIATES PACE 003 RECEIVED 1UL-31-2001 12:lOpll FRoU-GlP 283 8427 , ~ I I ! ! I 1. j L ! I I j 1 ! ! I ! ! <. I . I , I I i I I ! i ! 1 i i j i i i ! I ! i. I J I 1 1 I I. I ! I I ~ 1 ! I I I , I ARC0 Prodi c"-.rany 4 Cmterljanle Dh. La palm. Caifornia 90623.1056 MaKng Address: Box 5077 Bwna PA, Gablornia 9MP 5077 Reel Estale Dewment ARCO:: Wednesday. July 25,200 1 Michael Grim, Planner City of Carisbad - Planning Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 Subjeet: Arc0 AM/PM at Tamarack NEC of Tamarack Ave. & Jeffenon St Carlsbad, CA Re: Letter of Permission Process Entitlement Docnments Dear Mr. Grim: As applicant for this project, Arc0 Products Company graciously requests your acceptance of this letter as our granting of permission to Tait and Associates, Inc. to act as our agent in processing all required applications with the purpose of acquiring all pennits necessary to entitle this property. Arc0 Products Company will purchase this property horn Mr. Sad Attisha contingent on approval of thc Condition Use Permit. Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitale to call me at (310) 379-6602. Sincerely, Arm rodncts Company Kent &- Allen Site Acquisitions Manager CC: L. Bumside, Tait & Associates, Inc. ,xr~ W~B~&TEL~/ Q a Causm ofA&mC Wlhll ChI'W-Y RECEIVED JUL-Z7-?001 10:26A# FROM- TO-TAIT AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 001 t