HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD 2022-0014; THERMOFISHER; Admin Decision LetterJuly 22, 2022
Dan Rosenberg
FPB Architects
4499 Ruffin Road, #300
San Diego, CA 92123
8f\lE COP'f
SUBJECT: CD 2022-0014 (DEV09010} -THERMOFISHER
CCityof
Carlsbad
The City Planner has completed a review of your application for a Consistency Determination, CD 2022-
0014, which is a request to review changes to PUD 09-02(8).
The existing 339,399-square-foot (SF) research and development building is located at 5781 Van Allen
Way (APN 212-130-44). Pursuant to PUD 09-02(8), parking and access is shared between 5781 and 5791
Van Allen Way. Both buildings are currently occupied by ThermoFisher. PUD 09-02(8) was approved by
the City Planner on June 30, 2011. After careful consideration of the request, the City Planner has
determined that the request meets all of the findings below and APPROVES this request. The proposed
modifications include the following:
• 7,860 SF tenant improvement from office use to manufacturing, resulting in the reduction in the
required number of parking stalls (12 fewer spaces) for 5781 Van Allen Way.
The shared parking arrangement between 5781 and 5791 Van Allen Way will remain adequate with an
overall shared parking requirement of 1,113 parking spaces. A total of 1,180 parking spaces are provided
onsite (i.e., total of 3 properties). Although each building is currently able to meet its respective parking
requirement onsite, the nonresidential planned development permit remains in effect due to the
privatization of Van Allen Way, as well as shared access and parking arrangement.
In order for a Discretionary Permit Consistency Determination to be approved, all of the following findings
must be made:
1} No project condition, feature, facility or amenity is changed or deleted that had been considered
essential to the project's design, quality, safety or function in that the 7,860-square-foot tenant
improvement proposed at 5781 Van Allen Way is substantially consistent with PUD 09-02(8).
Specifically, the proposal to convert 7,860 square feet of office area to manufacturing uses
results in a reduction in the required number of parking stalls (12 fewer spaces) and no parking
stalls are proposed to be eliminated. The minimum required number of parking stalls required
for the mixture of light industrial uses (i.e., office, manufacturing and warehouse) located at
5781 and 5791 Van Alley Way is 1,113 and 1,180 parking stalls will continue to be provided. In
addition, no changes to the exterior finishes and details of the building are proposed.
2) The request represents an upgrade in overall design features and or materials and improves upon
the project's compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood in that no changes are proposed
to the exterior finishes and details of the building, adequate parking is provided, and the light
industrial use is consistent with the Heavy Commercial-Limited Industrial (C-M) zone and
Carlsbad Research Center Specific Plan, SP 180(1).
Community Development Department
Planning Division J 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 J 442-339-2600 www.carlsbadca.gov
CD 2022-0014 (DEV09010)-THERMOFISHER
July 22, 2022
Page 2
3) The proposed revision does not change the density or boundary of the subject property in that the
property is zoned for light industrial uses, no residential units are proposed, and the boundaries
of the lot will remain the same.
4) The proposed revision does not involve the addition of a new land use not shown on the original
permit in that the proposed tenant improvement to convert 7,860 square feet of office use to
manufacturing is consistent with the existing uses included as part of PUD 09-02(8) and uses
currently located at 5781 and 5791 Van Allen Way.
5} The proposed revision does not rearrange the major land uses within the development in that the
proposed light industrial land uses that are replacing the office land uses are existing uses on
the ThermoFisher campus and are permitted land uses in the Heavy Commercial-Limited
Industrial (C-M} zone and SP 180(/).
6) The proposed revision does not create changes of greater than ten percent provided that
compliance will be maintained with the applicable development standards of the Carlsbad
Municipal Code in that no additional square footage is proposed and the change in use
represents a deintensijication of use and results in 12 fewer parking stalls required for the
mixture of uses at 5781 Van Allen Way. The existing number of parking stalls at the
ThermoFisher campus, 1,180 spaces, remains adequate to support the parking requirements for
5781 and 5791 Van Alley Way.
7) The proposed change will not result in any significant environmental impact, and/or require
additional mitigation.
8) The proposed change would not result in any health, safety or welfare impact.
9) There were not any major issues or controversies associated with the original project which would
be exacerbated with the proposed change in that the existing number of parking spaces provided
onsite is adequate for the existing and proposed uses.
10) The proposed change would not be readily discernable to the decision makers as being
substantially different from the project as originally approved in that the proposed project
consists of a tenant improvement and no changes are proposed to the exterior finishes and
details of the building located at 5781 Van Allen Way.
After careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding this request, the City Planner has
determined that the application qualifies for a consistency determination with the approved permit and
therefore, approves the changes to the project based on Planning Division Administrative Policy No. 35.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact your project planner, Shannon
Harker, at (442) 339-2621 or by email at shannon.harker@carlsbadca.gov.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
ERIC LARDY, AICP
City Planner
CD 2022-0014 (DEV09010)-THERMOFISHER
July 22, 2022
Page 3
EL:SH:JC
c: Denise Simpson, BA Leasing BSC, 3400 Pawtucket Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915
Geoff Fortuna, 5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008
David Rick, Project Engineer
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