HomeMy WebLinkAboutV 2017-0003; ENGLE RV VARIANCE; Admin Decision LetterJuly 31, 2017
Ken & Erin Engle
4934 Avila Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
SUBJECT: V 2017-0003 (DEV2017-0062)-ENGLE RV VARIANCE
CCityof
Carlsbad
The City Planner has completed a review of your application for an Administrative Variance, V 2017-0003,
to allow the parking of a nine foot wide, 21 Yi foot long recreational trailer (RV) in the required front yard
setback located at 4934 Avila Avenue. After careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding this
request, the City Planner has determined that the five findings required for granting an Administrative
Variance can be made and therefore, APPROVES this request based on the following findings and
conditions.
Findings:
1. Whether parking in, or access to, the side or rear yard would require structural alteration to the
existing residence, or would require the removal of significant or unique landscaping that the
strict application of requiring recreational vehicles to be in an enclosed structure or in the
side/rear yard while observing all required setbacks (CMC Section 21.44.060 Table E) physically
constrains the trailer to the front yard area. The dimensions of the RV are 9 feet wide by 21 Yz
feet long. Side yard setbacks, from structure eave to property line, are 8 feet on the east side
of the lot and 14 Yz feet on the west side. However, a brick retaining wall protrudes into the
west side setback by seven feet, decreasing the setback to 7 Yz feet. Major structural alterations
of the one-story residence would be required to accommodate the RV such as: 1) removing
residential or garage square footage and/or roof eave in order to adequately park the trailer in
the side or rear yard; or 2) removal of a significant amount of earth which will require
engineered grading.
2. Whether parking in or access to the side or rear yard would not require extensive grading. The
westerly portion of the lot is constrained by a retaining wall which protects a substantial
amount earth and landscaping. A significant amount of grading would have to occur onsite to
accommodate a RV in the side yard. In addition, engineered plans would be required to
redesign the lot to cut the earth back and install a retaining wall to protect the integrity of the
lot and the neighboring lot. Currently, not only is the subject lot dependent on the retaining
wall, but also is the neighbor to the west dependent on the retaining wall. Grading would
comprising existing landscape and hardscape and have indirect environmental and physical
impacts onsite.
3. Whether, because of the configuration of the lot, existing landscaping, the location of the
structures on the lot, and the size of the recreational vehicle, parking of the recreational vehicle
in the front yard would not interfere with visibility to or from any street; in that the 30 foot
driveway can accommodate the 21 Yi foot long RV without interfering with visibility to or from
Community & Economic Development
Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 I 760-602-4600 I 760-602-8560 f I www.carlsbadca.gov
V 2017-0003 (DEV2017-0062}-ENGLE RV VARIANCE
July 31, 2017
Page 2
any street or encroaching into the public right-of-way. Given the room the trailer requires on
the driveway, and the configuration of Avila Avenue, the trailer does not interfere with visibility
to and from any street.
4. Whether allowing parking of the recreational vehicle in the front yard would interfere with traffic
on the street or sidewalk, or would encroach into the street and utility right-of-way. The driveway
of the residence is approximately 30 feet long from the garage to the sidewalk. This depth is
adequate to park the 21 Yz foot-long trailer. Therefore, the trailer does not encroach into the
public right-of-way, thus allowing traffic flow and alternative transportation to proceed
normally.
5. That the City Planner has determined that the project belongs to a class of projects that the State
Secretary for Resources has found do not have a significant impact on the environment, and it is
therefore categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental
documents pursuant to Section 15061(b){3) of the state CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen
with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant
effect on the environment. In making this determination, the City Planner has found that the
exceptions listed in Section 15300.2 of the state CEQA Guidelines do not apply to this project.
Conditions:
1. The recreational vehicle is not considered a habitable structure when parked on the property
and shall not be used in such a manner.
2. When parked on the property, all "slide-outs," "pop-ups," awnings or similar features shall not
be deployed and shall be kept in the "in" or "down" position in order to minimize the mass of
the recreational vehicle.
3. Approval is granted for V 2017-0003 as shown on Exhibit "A"-"B", dated July 25, 2017, on file in
the Planning Division and incorporated herein by reference. Development shall occur
substantially as shown unless otherwise notes in these conditions.
This decision may be appealed by you or any member of the public to the Planning Commission within ten
days of receipt of this letter. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Planning Commission at 1635
Faraday Avenue in Carlsbad, along with a payment of $850.00. The filing of such appeal within such time
limit shall stay the effective date of the order of the City Planner until such time as a final decision on the
appeal is reached. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Paul Dan
at (760} 602-4614.
Sincerely,
TERI DELCAMP
Principal Planner
TD:PD:sc
c: Don Neu, City Planner
Kyrenne Chua, Project Engineer
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