COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA

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1 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA For the Agenda of: February 25, 2014 Timed: 10:15 a.m. To: From: Subject: Supervisorial District(s): Board of Supervisors Department of Community Development PLNP Cathay Way Sound Wall. Request For A Variance To Allow An Eight-Foot High Sound Wall Along Arden Way And A Seven-Foot High Sound Wall Along A Portion Of Cathay Way, At 1700 Cathay Way, In The Arden Arcade Community. Applicant: S. Reno Saia; APN: ; Environmental Determination: Exempt Peters Contact: Tricia Stevens, Principal Planner, Overview The Arden Oaks Neighborhood Preservation Area (NPA) designates the Board of Supervisors as the approving body to hear variance requests. The property owner is requesting the Board of Supervisors approval of an eight-foot high sound wall along Arden Way and a seven-foot high sound wall along a portion of Cathay Way. The sound wall is made of precast concrete panels with a brick design as shown on attached Exhibit 1 (Site Plan) and Exhibit 2 (Wall Elevations). The owner has planted ornamental trees and shrubs on either side of the proposed wall to improve aesthetics. The increased height is justified due to the unique circumstances of the location adjacent to Arden Way. Recommendation 1. RECOGNIZE the exempt status of the project pursuant to Sections and of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and 2. APPROVE the Variance for the eight-foot wall along Arden Way and the seven-foot wall along a portion of Cathay Way, subject to findings and conditions of approval. Measures/Evaluation The property owner will be allowed to install a concrete sound wall in the Arden Oaks Neighborhood Preservation Area for noise attenuation and privacy. Fiscal Impact Costs are covered by application fees. BACKGROUND The property owner is requesting approval of a variance to install an eight-foot high sound wall along Arden Way, and a seven-foot high sound wall along a portion of Cathay Way on a corner lot, in the Arden Arcade Community. The Arden Oaks NPA designates the Board of Supervisors

2 PLNP Cathay Way Sound Wall. Request For A Variance To Allow An Eight-Foot High Sound Wall Along Arden Way And A Seven-Foot High Sound Wall Along A Portion Of Cathay Way, At 1700 Cathay Way, In The Arden Arcade Community. Applicant: S. Reno Saia; APN: ; Environmental Determination: Exempt Page 2 as the approving body to hear variance requests. Walls over six feet in height are prohibited in required front and side-street yards, unless a variance is approved. The applicant is proposing an eight-foot wall along Arden Way. The wall would gradually decrease to seven feet as it wraps around the corner of Cathay Way and reaches the driveway gate. North of the driveway, the wall will be six feet in height (see Exhibit 2). A wood fence, instead of a wall, will be constructed for five feet along the northern portion of the Cathay Way frontage due to a water main easement. The six foot portions do not require a variance. Arden Way has an 84-foot right-of-way based on arterial street standards. The right-of-way line is located to the north of the roadside ditch (see Exhibit 1). The sound wall along Arden Way will be setback seven feet with an average setback of 10.5 feet from the right-of-way. The wall will be setback two feet from the right-of-way along Cathay Way. The setbacks comply with Zoning Code standards. The owner has planted ornamental trees and shrubs on either side of the proposed wall to improve aesthetics. DISCUSSION The property is located at the corner of Cathay Way and Arden Way. Cathay Way is a minor residential street while Arden Way currently operates as a major four-lane arterial. The existing traffic volume on Arden Way (both directions) currently exceeds 20,000 vehicles trips per day and the noise level is approximately 75 db. The applicant is requesting a masonry wall for privacy, security, safety and noise reasons. In order to grant a variance, the Board must find there are special circumstances unique to the subject property such that the strict application of the Zoning Code would deprive the subject property of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity (see Attachments 1 and 2). Staff believes this finding can be made due to the unique circumstance of the property s location along Arden Way, an arterial with high traffic volume. The requested wall would reduce noise levels from 75 db to 68 db. Although this noise level is still above the General Plan standard of 65 db, it will provide the property owner significant relief from Arden Way noise. There have been similar variances granted in the Arden Oaks neighborhood. Variances for eight-foot walls along Arden Way were granted for 3900 and 3918 Arden Oaks Lane, and for 1700 and 1711 Maple Glen Road. Additionally, upon notice of the project, a neighbor on Cathay Way contacted the Planning and Environmental Review Division concerning the installation of a sidewalk along Arden Way. County DOT and the Site Improvement and Permits Section (SIPS) are not recommending the installation of a sidewalk along Arden Way as a condition of approval of this variance as the sidewalk is unrelated to the request. The Arden Arcade Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC) met on January 14, 2014 and recommended APPROVAL (5-0). The CPAC was supportive of the request (see Attachment 3). No neighbors attended the meeting. The Arden Oaks Neighborhood Association is also supportive of the request because of the unique circumstances of the property. The Association wants to ensure that this variance does not create a precedent for fences or walls on interior streets. Staff does not view approval of this item as setting such a precedent. The County s Environmental Coordinator has determined the proposed project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Sections and of the CEQA Guidelines. A notice of exemption for the project is attached (see Attachment 4).

3 PLNP Cathay Way Sound Wall. Request For A Variance To Allow An Eight-Foot High Sound Wall Along Arden Way And A Seven-Foot High Sound Wall Along A Portion Of Cathay Way, At 1700 Cathay Way, In The Arden Arcade Community. Applicant: S. Reno Saia; APN: ; Environmental Determination: Exempt Page 3 RECOMMENDATIONS The sound wall will attenuate traffic noise and provide privacy to the property owners. Landscaping and design of the wall will improve the aesthetic of the project and will be of benefit to the neighborhood. The location along Arden Way is a unique circumstance and is unique to the property. For these reasons, staff recommends APPROVAL of this request. A. Recommended Board Action: 1. Environmental Determination: Recognize the exempt status of the project pursuant to Section 15303, Class 3(e) and 15305, Class 5 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 2. Variance: APPROVE the variance to allow an eight-foot high sound wall along Arden Way and a seven-foot sound wall along Cathay Way. B. Recommended Findings: The staff recommendations are based on the following considerations: 1. The request is consistent with the County General Plan Map (Low Density Residential General Plan Designation) and text in that no policies conflict with the request. 2. The request is consistent with the Arden Arcade Community Plan Map and text in that no policies regulate residential setbacks. 3. The proposed development will conform to applicable Zoning Code regulations, if the variance is approved. 4. Staff has identified no effects from the proposal which would result in a significant detrimental impact on adjoining or neighboring properties, if the conditions, as recommended by staff, are adopted. 5. The grant of the Variance would not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the Arden Oaks NPA, in that: a. The location along Arden Way, with traffic volumes exceeding 20,000 vehicles and noise levels of 75 db, is a unique circumstance. b. There have been similar variance requests approved in the Arden Oaks NPA. C. Recommended Conditions: 1. The final development plans shall be in substantial compliance with Exhibits 1 and 2 (Site Plan /Wall Elevation). (Planning and Environmental Review) 2. This action does not relieve the applicant of the obligation to comply with all ordinances, statutes, regulations and procedures. Any required subsequent procedural actions shall take place within 36 months of the date on which the permit became effective or this action shall automatically be null and void. Unless otherwise indicated, all conditions of approval shall be implemented prior to or concurrent with the issuance of building permits or approval of improvement plans, whichever occurs first. (Planning and Environmental Review)

4 PLNP Cathay Way Sound Wall. Request For A Variance To Allow An Eight-Foot High Sound Wall Along Arden Way And A Seven-Foot High Sound Wall Along A Portion Of Cathay Way, At 1700 Cathay Way, In The Arden Arcade Community. Applicant: S. Reno Saia; APN: ; Environmental Determination: Exempt Page 4 3. Set the proposed wall back from the County right-of-way on Arden Way based on an 84-foot standard arterial pursuant to Sacramento County Improvement Standards and to the satisfaction of the Department of Transportation. (Department of Transportation) 4. Visibility requirements for driveways and intersection corners shall be in accordance with Standard Drawing 4-A-18 (Attachment 5) and Section 4-15 of the Sacramento County Improvement Standards. Note: The proposed wall and landscaping are required to be kept out of the ultimate right-of-way and the ultimate visibility control areas. See Section 4-32 for the list of approved street trees and locations. (Department of Transportation) 5. Any proposed project not incorporating an entry design that will accommodate access control gates pursuant to Sacrament County Code 17.04, Section shall not be approved for future control gates. (Department of Transportation) 6. The property owner shall maintain the sound wall and landscaping. (Planning and Environmental Review) 7. Sound wall shall be finished with a graffiti-resistant coating or with an anti-graffiti design. (Planning and Environmental Review) 8. Comply with Suburban Water District requirements concerning the five-foot easement on the north property boundary per their letter dated January 24, 2014 (Attachment 6). (Suburban Water District) MEASURES/EVALUATION The property owner will be allowed to install a concrete sound wall in the Arden Oaks Neighborhood Preservation Area for noise attenuation and privacy. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Costs are covered by application fees. Respectfully submitted, APPROVED: BRADLEY J. HUDSON County Executive LORI A. MOSS, Director Department of Community Development BY: ROBERT B. LEONARD Chief Deputy County Executive

5 PLNP Cathay Way Sound Wall. Request For A Variance To Allow An Eight-Foot High Sound Wall Along Arden Way And A Seven-Foot High Sound Wall Along A Portion Of Cathay Way, At 1700 Cathay Way, In The Arden Arcade Community. Applicant: S. Reno Saia; APN: ; Environmental Determination: Exempt Page 5 Attachments: ATT 1 - Vicinity Map ATT 2 - Context Photos ATT 3 - Arden Arcade CPAC Referral ATT 4 - Notice of Exemption ATT 5 - Standard Drawing 4-18 ATT 6 - Suburban Water District Comments EXH 1 - Site Plan EXH 2 - Wall Elevations

LADINO RD CATHAY WAY ROLLING HILLS RD WAYSIDE LN EASTERN AVE CATHAY WAY ROLLING HILLS RD WAYSIDE LN EASTERN AVE 281-0371-008 Zoning BP M A PLE GLEN RD O RD 2 RD 3 RD 4 RD 5 SC Flood Zone RD 2 (NPA)

7 LADINO RD CATHAY WAY ROLLING HILLS RD WAYSIDE LN EASTERN AVE CATHAY WAY ROLLING HILLS RD WAYSIDE LN EASTERN AVE Zoning BP M A PLE GLEN RD O RD 2 RD 3 RD 4 RD 5 SC Flood Zone RD 2 (NPA) RANDOM LN Cities RD 5 (NPA) LADINO RD RIDING CLUB LN SHORT HILLS RD EAST LN SC RD 4 BP SC (NPA) ARDEN WAY VESTA W A BOS ATTACHMENT 1 Page 1 of Y RD 5 VULCAN DR BP VENUS DR EL RICON WAY LA SIERRA DR CAYENTE WAY O RD 3 (NPA) LAS PASAS WAY LAS CRUCES RD 5 (NPA) RD 4 VALMONTE SURITA ST DR WAY EAST LN VE S TA 2011 Aerial W AY RANDOM LN SHORT HILLS RD VULCAN DR VULCAN DR ARDEN WAY ALY VENUS DR LA SIERRA DR EL RICON WAY Feet CAYENTE W AY DR ESPERANZA ARDEN WAY WAY CRESTA LAS PASAS WAY SURITA ST

The wall will be located behind the oleanders. 2. Looking west on Arden Way towards Cathy Way.

9 BOS ATTACHMENT 2 Page 1 of 4 1. Telephone pole marks the southeast corner of property adjacent to Arden Way. The wall will be located behind the oleanders. 2. Looking west on Arden Way towards Cathy Way. Drainage flows underneath the access driveway via a culvert pipe. CONTEXT PHOTO NOS.: 1 & 2 CONTROL #: 2013-VAB PROJECT NAME: Cathy Way Wall PARCEL NO.: DATE: 12/18/13

The shrubs will be located between Arden Way and the wall to improve aesthetics of an 8-foot high wall.

10 BOS ATTACHMENT 2 Page 2 of 4 3. The wall will be installed inside the oleanders. 4. Looking at corner of Cathy Way and Arden Way. Ornamental shrubs have been planted and spaced 10 feet apart as shown. The shrubs will be located between Arden Way and the wall to improve aesthetics of an 8-foot high wall. CONTEXT PHOTO NO.: 3 & 4 CONTROL #: 2013-VAB PROJECT NAME: Cathy Way wall PARCEL NO.: DATE: 12/18/13

From the corner of Cathy Way looking north on Cathy Way.

11 BOS ATTACHMENT 2 Page 3 of 4 5. This driveway will be abandoned with construction of the wall; it has created trespass issues while the home sat vacant. 6. From the corner of Cathy Way looking north on Cathy Way. A 7-foot high wall will continue north minus 5 feet from the north property boundary for Water District easement. The wall will pivot inwards at driveway entrance to comply with 10 by 10 visibility control area adjacent to driveway. CONTEXT PHOTO PAGE NO.: 5 & 6 CONTROL NO.: 2013-VAB PROJECT NAME: Cathy Way Wall PARCEL NO.: DATE: 12/18/13

12 BOS ATTACHMENT 2 Page 4 of 4 7. Existing home has a continuous roof that separates the residence from the laundry room as there is a covered opening into rear yard. 8. The wall on Cathy Way will be installed 2 feet inside the property line and end 5 feet of north property line. CONTEXT PHOTO PAGE NO.: 7 & 8 CONTROL NO.: 2013-VAB PROJECT NAME: Cathy Way Wall PARCEL NO.: DATE: 12/18/13

13 BOS ATTACHMENT 3 Page 1 of 1

RECORDING REQUESTED WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: BOS ATTACHMENT 4 Page 1 o f 1 County of Sacramento Department of Community Development Planning and Environmental Review Division 827 Seventh Street, Room

15 RECORDING REQUESTED WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: BOS ATTACHMENT 4 Page 1 o f 1 County of Sacramento Department of Community Development Planning and Environmental Review Division 827 Seventh Street, Room 220 Sacramento, CA CONTACT PERSON: Catherine Hack TELEPHONE: (916) SPACE ABOVE RESERVED FOR RECORDER S USE NOTICE OF EXEMPTION Project Title: CATHAY WAY FENCE VARIANCE Control Number: PLNP2013-VAB Project Location: The property is located at 1700 Cathay Way on the west side at the intersection of Cathay Way and Arden Way, in the Arden Arcade community. APN: Description of Project: A Variance to allow an eight-foot high 218 linear feet long precast concrete wall along Cathay Way and Arden Way in the RD-4 (Single-family Residential) and NPA (Arden Oaks) zone. Name of public agency approving project: Sacramento County Name of person or agency carrying out project: S. Reno Saia Exempt Status: CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION Section 15303, Class 3(e) and 15305, Class 5 Reasons why project is exempt: The project consists of the construction of a small appurtenant structure (concrete wall) with a minor alteration in land use limitations (height increase); therefore, the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA. [Original Signature on File] Catherine Hack ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA Copy To: County of Sacramento County Clerk 600 Eighth Street, Room 101 Sacramento, CA OPR: State Clearinghouse 1400 Tenth Street Sacramento, CA Document Released 12/3/13

17 BOS ATTACHMENT 5 Page 1 of 1

19 BOS ATTACHMENT 6 Page 1 of 2

20 BOS ATTACHMENT 6 Page 2 of 2! SAIA - Phone: (916) ' E-W P/L, 3'6" S-N P/L Meter # Remote # CATHAY WAY 1700 Ì ARDEN WAY SACRAMENTO COUNTY WATER AGENCY CRESTA WAY

21 BOS EXHIBIT 1 Page 1 of 1 EXHIBIT 1

23 EXHIBIT 2 BOS EXHIBIT 2 Page 1 of 1

COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA ZONING ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA ZONING ADMINISTRATOR REPORT Control No.: PLNP2007-00622 Type: UPZ DRS TO: FROM: ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONTACT: Carol Gregory, Planner