HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD 2021-0009; THERMOFISHER; Admin Decision LetterJune 11, 2021
Dan Rosenberg
FPB Architects
4499 Ruffin Road, #300
San D_iego, CA 92123
SUBJECT: CD 2021-0009 (DEV09010)-THERMOFISHER
Ccityof
Carlsbad
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The City Planner has completed a review of your application for a Consistency Determination, CD 2021-
0009, which is a request to review changes to PUD 09-02(B),
The existing 339,399-square-foot (SF) research and development building is located at 5781 Van Allen
Way (APN 212-130-44). Pursuantto 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:
• 21,450 SF tenant improvement from office use to a mixture of research and development,
manufacturing, and warehouse uses; and
• 11,150 SF future tenant improvement to replace office uses with research and development labs;
and
• Removal of eight (8) parking spaces to allow for the placement of a 440 SF, 16-foot-tall emergency
generator in the existing parking lot and adjacent to the southwest corner of the building. The
generator is proposed to be screened by a 10-foot-tall metal-louvered fence. The material is
consistent with the existing screening materials onsite. The overall area of the enclosure is 1,148
square feet.
Following the current proposed tenant improvement, including the removal of eight (8) parking spaces,
as well as the future tenant improvement at 5781 Van Allen Way, 920 spaces are required, and 942 parking
spaces will be provided onsite. The shared parking arrangement between 5781 and 5791 Van Allen Way
will remain adequate with an overall shared parking requirement of 1,134 parking spaces required and
1,183 parking spaces provided onsite. Each building/parcel is currently able to meet its respective parking
requirement onsite.
Community Development
Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 I 760-602-4600 I 760-602-8560 f I www.carlsbadca.gov
CD 2021-0009 (DEV09010)-THERMOFISHER
June 11, 2021
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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 light industrial building is
substantially consistent with PUD 09-02{8}. Including the proposal to eliminate eight {BJ parking
spaces, adequate parking will be provided for the mixture of light industrial uses (i.e., office,
manufacturing and warehouse) located at 5781 and 5791 Van Alley Way. 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 im.proves 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 will be consistent with the Heavy Commercial-Limited Industrial {C-M} zone and
Carlsbad Research Center Specific Plan, SP 180(1). In addition, the new emergency generator is
located to the rear of the building and the lawer portion of the 16-foot-tall generator will be
screened by a 10-foot-tall metal louvered fence to match the existing screening fence for the
existing outdoor equipment located at 5781 Van Allen Way. The new emergency generator will
not be visible from Faraday Avenue or Van Allen Way.
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 light industrial uses are consistent with the existing uses included
as part of PUD 09-02{8} and 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 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 decrease in the intensification of use; the loss of eight {BJ parking spaces represents
less than a 10 percent reduction in the existing parking for the buildings located at 5781 and
5791 Van Allen Way; the remaining number of parking stalls is adequate to support the change
in use; and the addition of the emergency generator to the rear of the building is less than the
maximum 35-foot height limit.
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 impacts in that the Fire
Department supports the project. Further, the project is consistent with the McClellan Palomar
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan and no flammable or toxic liquids are proposed to be stored
in the storage tanks or used in the light industrial building.
CD 2021-0009 (DEV09010)-THERMOFISHER
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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 remaining number of parking spaces
provided onsite is adequate for the existing and proposed uses and the emergency generator
proposed to the rear of the building will not be visible from Faraday Avenue or Von Allen Woy
(i.e. nearest public views).
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 no changes ore proposed to
the exterior finishes and details of the building, and the emergency generator will not be visible
from Faraday Avenue or Von Allen Woy. The lower 101eet of the 16-foot-toll generator will be
screened by o metal-louvered fence, consistent with the existing screening at the subject
property, as well as the adjacent property, 5781 Von Allen Woy, also occupied by ThermoFisher.
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 (760) 602-4621 or by email at shannon.harker@carlsbadca.gov.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
DON NEU, AICP
City Planner
DN:SH:cf
c: Terri Preston, BA Leasing BSC, 11333 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
David Rick, Project Engineer
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