75A - PUBLIC HEARING - VARIANCE 719 N CONCORD ST

Home Browse Search

Abandonment No. 2010-03 Variance No. 2011-10 October 10, 2011 Page 3 The zoning for the site is Single Family Residential (R-1 ). The R-1 zoning district allows for single family dwelling in lots with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and EO foot street frontage. Since the lots will have a frontage that is smaller than required, a variance is requested. Proiect Analysis Abandonment Request The ability to review street abandonment projects is regulated by the State's Streets and Highways Code. This law states that if the proposed vacation of a street is within an area for which a general plan is adopted by a local agency, the legislative body of the public entity shall consider the general plan prior to vacating the street. The City Council has delegated to the Planning Commission the function of reviewing and making recommendations on items affecting the general plan. As a result, the applicant is requesting that the Planning Commission make a determination that the project is consistent with the general plan. The area of the proposed street vacation has a General Plan land use designation of Low Density Residential (LR) and a corresponding zoning designation of Single Family Residence (R1), which allows residential development- The proposed street abandonment, once merged with the adjacent lots, will benefit the project by eliminating the adjacent site's constraints, specifically by providing street frontage to the existing landlocked lots. Additionally, the abandonment will eliminate the city's liability over unimproved property. The public utilities, other government agencies, and City Departments have been advised of the street vacation. The city owns a sewer facility within the area that will be vacated and within a portion of the landlocked parcels- An easement to preserve the city's sewer facilities will be granted by a separate document and recorded. An easement for drainage purposes will be reserved in favor of the city through the resolution of vacation. The proposed street abandonment is consistent with the general plan. The proposal will provide and maintain a comprehensive circulation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods through the City (Circulation Element Goal 1) and fully coordinates transportation and land use planning activities in the City (Circulation Element Goal 4), as the area to be vacated is excess land and no longer part of the street system. Further, the project is consistent with goals that preserve and improve the character and integrity of neighborhoods (Land Use Element Goal 3), and ensure that impacts of development are mitigated (Land Use Element Goal 5), by improving an area that otherwise would remain unimproved and create a blight condition for the neighborhood. 75A-5