HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance #2687 I
ORDINANCE NO. 2687
I
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
AMENDING THE HUNTINGTON BEACH ORDINANCE CODE
BY AMENDING CHAPTER 981 THEREOF PERTAINING TO
BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS (Code Amendment
No. 83-31 )
The City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does ordain
as follows:
SECTION 1. The Huntington Beach Ordinance Code is amended by
amending Article 981 to read as follows:
ARTICLE 981
BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS
9810 CREATED
9810. 1 MEMBERS
9811 DUTIES
9811. 1 CONDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS
9811. 2 USE PERMITS
9811. 3 DIVISION OF LAND
9811. 4 SITE PLAN AMENDMENTS
9812 AUTHORITY
9813 APPLICATIONS
9813. 1 FILING
9813. 2 FILING FEES
9814 HEARINGS
9814. 1 TIME OF HEARING
9814. 2 NOTICE OF HEARING
9814. 3 HEARING DATE CONTINUANCE
9814. 4 FINDING OF FACT AND DECISION TIME LIMIT
9814. 5 NOTICE OF BOARD'S DECISION
9814. 6 RECORDS OF HEARINGS
9815 APPEALS
9815. 1 APPEAL BY APPLICANT OR INTERESTED PARTY TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
9815. 2 CHALLENGE BY COMMISSION
9815. 3 REFERRAL OF APPLICATION TO PLANNING COMMISSION FOR
HEARING
9815. 4 APPEAL BY APPLICANT OR INTERESTED PARTY TO THE CITY
COUNCIL
9816 REVOCATION FOR DELAY
9816. 1 TIME LIMIT
9817 CHANGE OF DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION
9818 APPLICATION AFTER DENIAL
9819 EFFECTUATION
9810 CREATED. There is hereby created the Board of Zoning
Adjustments in and for the City of Huntington Beach. Said Board
of Zoning Adjustments is hereinafter referred to as the "Board. "
ADL:ps
12/19/83 1.
9810. 1 MEMBERS. The Board shall consist of two members
designated by the Director of Development Services, two members
designated by the Director of Public Works, and one member desig-
nated by the Fire Chief.
9811 DUTIES. The Board is hereby authorized to act on the
following applications, subject to the conditions contained herein.
9811. 1 CONDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS. Conditional Exceptions which
pertain to:
(a) Width and area of yards
(b) Separation between buildings and other structures
(c ) Setback regulations
(d ) Height limitations for all structures, except the height
of any building shall not exceed ten percent (10% ) of the maximum
building height and further provided that said adjustment will not
increase the number of stories.
(e ) Signs, including height, size , ground clearance and
location. This provision shall be limited to on-site in commercial
zones, not outdoor advertising structures.
(f ) Lot adjustments, which shall be limited to minor adjust-
ments in the width and area of lots on final tract maps prior to
recordation of said maps.
(g) Off-street parking, which shall include exceptions to
Article 979 as well as the type of parking facility and the number
of required parking spaces.
(h) Driveway requirements
(i ) Lot coverage
(j ) Commercial, industrial and professional separation walls
(k ) Temporary Office Trailers, including use and duration of
permit and to whom said permit shall be issued.
9811 .1 . 1 Such applications may be acted upon when it appears
that all of the following have been established:
(a) That the granting of a conditional exception will not
constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent upon other
properties in the vicinity and under an identical zone classifica-
tion.
(b) That because of special circumstances applicable to the
subject property, including size , shape, topography, location or
2.
surroundings, the strict application of the zoning ordinance is
found to deprive the subject property of privileges enjoyed by
other properties in the vicinity and under identical zone classi-
fication.
(c ) That the granting of a conditional exception is necessary
to preserve the enjoyment of one or more substantial property
rights.
(d) That the granting of conditional exception will not be
materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to
property in the same zone classifications.
i
(e ) That the granting of a conditional exception will not
adversely affect the Master Plan of the City of Huntington Beach.
9811. 2 Use Permits. Use permits provided that the establish-
ment, maintenance or operation of the use of building applied for
will not be detrimental to:
9811. 2. 1 The general welfare of persons residing or working
in the vicinity.
9811 .2. 2 Injurious to property and improvements to the
vicinity of such use or building.
9811. 2. 3 That the granting of a use permit will not adversely
affect the Master Plan of the City of Huntington Beach.
9811 .2.4 Time Limit. All use permit approval issued under
the provision of this code shall be valid for a period of one (1 )
year from the date of such approval unless sooner revoked as
provided herein. Said approval may be extended for an additional
one (1 ) year period by the Board of Zoning Adjustments. No more
than two (2 ) such extensions shall be granted. A written request
for an extension of time shall be filed with the Planning
Department prior to the expiration of the current permit.
Extensions of time may be granted only if practical difficulties
arise which make implementation of an approved use permit
impossible within the scope of time allotted. Said projects will
be reviewed under all new provisions of this code . Practical
difficulties include, but are not limited to:
(a) Delays caused by procuring further necessary approvals
from a governmental agency.
(b) Delays caused by strikes, acts of God, or other circum-
stances beyond the control of the applicant.
9811 .3 Division of Land. Divisions of land that are not
classified as a subdivision, provided all provisions of the
Huntington Beach Ordinance Code are complied with.
3.
I
9811. 3. 1 Lot Line Adjustment. A lot line adjustment between
two (2 ) or more contiguous legal parcels may be permitted pursuant
to provisions of the Subdivision Map Act where the land taken from
one parcel is added to a contiguous parcel and where a greater
number of parcels than originally existed is not created, subject
to a finding that said adjustment is consistent with general and
specific plans for said property, and also subject to the following
criteria:
(a) The lot line adjustment shall not create a nonconforming
parcel.
(b) The lot line adjustment shall not create a nonconforming
yard requirement.
(c ) The lot line adjustment shall not sever any existing
structure on either of the two lots.
(d) The lot line adjustment shall not allow a greater number
of dwelling units than allowed by this code prior to the adjust-
ment.
(e ) Monuments for the newly-established corners shall be
readjusted in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act.
(f ) Authentic data on the bearings on the adjusted line shall
be shown on a plat map which shall be certified by the city
engineer prior to recordation.
(g ) Said plat map shall be recorded with the county recorder
prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the
structure and/or structures upon subject properties.
(h) If the adjustment is not made between two (2 ) contiguous
parcels held under one ownership, each property owner shall certify
on the plat map, prior to its recordation, that the adjustment data
and his ownership are true and correct.
9811. 4 Site Plan Amendments. Amendments or revisions to site
plans previously approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustments may be
approved by the Board, provided the following conditions are met
subsequent to the revision:
(a ) The revision shall not constitute a substantial change
(b) The use of property shall remain the same
(c ) If residential , the dwelling unit density shall not be
increased
(d) The revision shall result in an improved development
(e ) The revision shall comply with all applicable provisions
of the Huntington Beach Ordinance Code.
4.
i
A site plan amendment application may be used prior to or after
construction has commenced on a project. However, the approval of
any revision shall not alter the original approval date.
9811. 4. 1 The approval of any amendment shall not alter the
original approval date.
9811 . 5 Relocation Permits. Relocation permits, necessary for
1 p Y
the moving of a building or structure , which have been referred to
the Board by the Director of Building and Safety, shall be heard by
the Board as an administrative act. The Board shall determine
whether or not the movement of this building to its proposed
location will have an injurious effect upon the area, based on the
following criteria:
a The age of the building, as compared to age of other
( ) 9 9• p 9
buildings in the neighborhood.
(b) The architectural design of the building, as compared to
other buildings in the neighborhood and its effect upon same.
(c ) The size of said structure in comparison to other struc-
tures in the neighborhood.
i
9811. 5. 1 The Board of Zoning Adjustments, after hearing said
matter, may approve, conditionally approve or deny the permit for
relocation.
9811. 6 Administrative Review. Application for Administrative
Review may be approved, conditionally approved or denied by the
Board.
9811. 6. 1 Administrative Review -- Time Limit. All adminis-
trative review approvals issued under the provisions of this code
shall be for a period of one (1 ) year from the date of such
issuance unless sooner revoked as provided by this code. Such one
(1 ) year period may be extended for a maximum period of one (1 )
year by the Planning Director. No more than two (2 ) such exten-
sions shall be granted. Written application for extension shall be
filed with the Planning Director prior to the expiration of the
current permit. Extensions of time may be granted only if practi-
cal difficulties arise which make implementation of an approved
administrative review impossible within the scope of time provided.
Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to:
(a) Delays caused by procuring further necessary approvals
from a governmental agency.
(b) Other delays beyond the control of the applicant includ-
ing strikes, acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the control
of applicant.
I
Existing administrative review approvals shall expire one (1 ) year
from and after the effective date of this section and shall be
subject to extensions as provided by this section.
5.
9811. 6. 2 Appeal. Appeal of the action of the Planning
Director pursuant to Section 9811. 6. 1 may be made in writing to the
Board of Zoning Adjustments, within ten (10 ) days of such decision.
9811. 6. 3 Record of Action. All actions of the Planning
Director pursuant to Section 9811. 6. 1 shall appear on the minutes
of the next regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustments.
9811. 7 The Board may hear applications for sign permits
pursuant to Article 976.
9812 Authority. (Board of Zoning Adjustments )
9812. 1 In the performance of its duties, the Board may
approve, conditionally approve or deny any application.
9812. 2 The Board may decline to act on any application. If
the Board declines to act on an application, it shall refer said
application to the Planning Commission for hearing.
9812. 3 The granting of any Tentative Parcel Map which con-
forms to the provisions of the Huntington Beach Ordinance Code is
hereby declared to be an administrative function of the Board and
no public hearing need be held thereon.
9812.3. 1 The Board shall render a decision of any Tentative
Parcel Map application within fifty ( 50 ) days after final environ-
mental evaluation has been completed.
9812. 3. 2 Notice of the Board ' s decision shall be mailed to
the applicant within five ( 5 ) days after such decision is rendered.
9812. 4 The Board shall prescribe the form and scope of
applications and necessary accompanying data.
9812. 5 The Board may make investigations, secure advice or
assistance from any department of the city and prepare plans and
reports necessary for the conduct of its duties.
9813 Applications.
9813.1 Filing. Applications for conditional exceptions,
administrative review, site plan amendments, use permits, and
divisions of land shall be filed in the office of the Planning
Division. Said applications shall be made by the owner of the
property or the property owner 's authorized agent. If the appli-
cant is not the property owner, a letter from the property owner
authorizing the agent to act in his behalf shall accompany said
application.
9813. 2 Filing Fees. At the time an application is filed, the
applicant shall pay a fee set by resolution of the City Council.
6.
9814 Hearing. A public hearing shall be held by the Board
prior to taking action on any conditional exception, use permit, or
on any complaint filed concerning a home occupation.
9814. 1 Time of Hearing. Upon filing of an application for a
conditional exception, administrative review, use permit, site plan
amendment, or relocation permit, the Board shall set said applica-
tion for consideration and/or public hearing within thirty ( 30 )
days after final environmental evaluation has been completed.
9814. 2 Notice of Hearing. The Board shall give or cause to
be given notice of the time, place and purpose of all public
hearings by mailing notices, at least five ( 5 ) working days prior
to the date of such hearing to the applicant and owners of all
abutting property whose names and address appear on the latest
available tax roll . Abutting property shall include property
directly across a street or alley.
9814. 3 Hearing Date Continuance. The Board may continue the
public hearing to another date without giving further notice
thereof if such date is announced at the hearing.
9814. 4 Findings of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In approv-
ing, conditionally approving, or denying a conditional exception,
administrative review, site plan amendment, or use permit, the
Board shall make a written finding which shall specify facts relied
upon in rendering a decision. Said decision shall be made within
' thirty ( 30 ) days after the public hearing.
I
9814. 5 Notice of Board Decision. Notice of the Board's
decision shall be mailed to the applicant within five ( 5) days
after such a decision is rendered.
9814. 6 Records of Hearings. The Board shall keep accurate
and permanent records of all hearings and decisions rendered.
9815 APPEALS
9815. 1 Appeal by Applicant or Interested Party to the
Planning Commission. The applicant or any interested party may
appeal a decision or requirement of the Board. Any appeal from a
decision or requirement of the Board shall be made to the city
Planning Commission.
9815. 1. 1 Time Limit. All appeals shall be made within ten
( 10 ) days following the Board's decision.
9815.1 .2 Form and Content. Any appeal shall be in writing
and said appeal shall specify, in detail, the reasons for the
appeal and the hearing on appeal shall be limited to such specified
reasons.
7.
9815. 1. 3 Filing Place and Notification. All appeals shall be
filed in the office of the Planning Department. Upon receipt of
said appeal, the secretary to the Planning Commission shall set the
matter for public hearing before the Planning Commission. Said
hearing shall be held at the earliest possible regular Planning
Commission meeting with public notification as required by Article
987.
9815. 1. 4 Filing Fee. Accompanying any appeal shall be a
filing fee set by resolution of the -City Council.
9815. 5 Hearing Date Continuance. The Planning Commission may
continue the public hearing to another date without giving further
notice thereof if such date is announced at the hearing.
9815.1 . 6 Decision by the Planning Commission. The Planning
Commission may, after public hearing, affirm, reverse, or modify
the Board' s decision. Furthermore, the Planning Commission may
take any additional determination or requirement it shall consider
appropriate within the limitations imposed by this Article.
9815.1 . 7 Finding of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In grant-
ing, modifying or denying an appeal, the Planning Commission shall
specify facts relied upon in rendering a decision. Said decision
shall be made within sixty ( 60 ) days after the public hearing.
9815. 1.8 Notice of Planning Commission 's Decision. Notice of
the Planning Commission decision shall be mailed to the applicant
within five ( 5) days after such decision is rendered.
9815. 2 Challenge by Commission. The city Planning Commission
or any member thereof may request in writing, within the ten ( 10 )
day period for appeal, a hearing before the city Planning
Commission to consider any decision or requirement of the Board.
Said appeal shall specify in detail the reasons for the appeal and
the hearing on appeal shall be limited to such specified reasons.
9815. 2.1 Notification. Any decision or requirement of the
Board that is challenged by the Planning Commission or any member
thereof shall be set for public hearing before the Planning Com-
mission. Said hearing shall be held at the earliest possible
regular Planning Commission meeting with public notification as
required by Article 987.
9815. 2. 2 Hearing Date Continuance. The Planning Commission
may continue the public hearing to another date without giving
further notice thereof if such date is announced at the hearing.
9815. 2. 3 Decision by the Planning Commission. The Planning
Commission may, after public hearing, affirm, reverse, or modify
the Board 's decision. Furthermore, the Planning Commission may
take any additional determination or requirement it shall consider
appropriate within the limitations imposed by this article .
8.
9815. 2. 4 Finding of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In grant-
ing, modifying or denying a challenge, the Planning Commission
shall specify facts relied upon in rendering a decision. Said
decision shall be made within sixty ( 60 ) days after such decision
is rendered.
N Planning Commission Decision. Notice of
9815. 2. 5 Notice of lann n omm
the Planning Commission 's decision shall be mailed to applicant
within five ( 5) days after such decision is rendered.
9815. 3 Referral of Application to the Planning Commission_.
When the Board of Zoning Adjustments declines to act on an
application, said application shall be referred to the Planning
Commission. If the date, time and place a public hearing on said
application to be held by the Planning Commission is announced by
the Board at a public hearing, no further notice need be given.
Upon receipt of the application, the Planning Commission shall hold
a public hearing and consider all pertinent information and render
such decision as is authorized by Division 9 of the Huntington
Beach Ordinance Code.
9815.3.1 Hearing Date Continuance. The Planning Commission
may continue the public hearing to another date without giving
further notice thereof if such date is announced at the hearing.
9815.3 .2 Finding of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In
approving, conditionally approving or denying a conditional
exception or use permit, the Planning Commission shall make a
written finding which shall specify facts relied upon in rendering
a decision. Said decision shall be made within sixty ( 60 ) days
after the public hearing.
9815. 3. 3 Notice of Planning Commission Decision. Notice of
the Planning Commission 's decision shall be mailed to the applicant
within five 95) days after such decision is rendered.
9815. 4 Appeal by Applicant or Interested Party to the City
Council. The applicant or any interested party may appeal a
decision or requirement of the Planning Commission. Any appeal
from a decision or requirement of the Planning Commission shall be
made to the City Council.
9815. 4. 1 Time Limit. All appeals shall be made within ten
( 10 ) days following the Planning Commission ' s decision.
9815.4.2 Form and Content. Any appeal shall be in writing
and said appeal shall specify, in detail, the reasons for the
appeal and the hearing on appeal shall be limited to such specified
reasons.
9815. 4. 3 Filing Place and Notification. All appeals to the
City Council shall be filed with the City Clerk. Upon receipt of
said appeal, the City Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing
before the City Council at the earliest possible regular City Coun-
cil meeting with public notification as required by Article 987.
9.
9815. 4. 4 Filing Fee. Accompanying any appeal shall be a
filing fee set by resolution of the City Council.
9815.4. 5 Hearing Date Continuance. The City Council may con-
tinue the public hearing to another date without giving further
notice thereo if such date is announced at the hearing.
9815.4 . 6 Decision by the City Council. The City Council may,
after public hearing, affirm, reverse or modify the Planning Com-
mission ' s decision. Furthermore, the City Council may make any
additional determination or requirement it shall consider appro-
priate within the limitations imposed by this article. The
decision of the City Council shall be final.
9815. 4. 7 Finding of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In grant-
ing, modifying or denying an appeal, the City Council shall specify
facts relied upon in rendering a decision. Said decision shall be
made within sixty ( 60 ) days after the public hearing.
9815.4. 8 Notice of City Council Decision. Notice of the City
Council 's decision shall be mailed to the applicant within five (5 )
days after such decision is rendered.
9815. 5 Challenge by City Council. The City Council or any
member thereof may request in writing, within the ten (10 ) day
period for appeal , a hearing before the City Council to consider
any decision or requirement of the Planning Commission or Board.
Said appeal shall specify in detail the reasons for the appeal and
the hearing on appeal shall be limited to such specified reasons.
9815. 5. 1 Notification. Any decision or requirement of the
Planning Commission or Board that is challenged by the City Council
or any member thereof shall be set for public hering before the
City Council at the earliest possible regular City Council meeting
with public notification as is required by Article 987.
9815. 5. 2 Hearing Date Continuance. The City Council may
continue the public hearing to another date without giving further
notice thereof if such date is announced at the hearing.
9815. 5. 3 Decision by the City Council. The City Council may,
after public hearing, affirm, reverse or modify the decision of the
Planning Commission or Board. Furthermore, the City Council may
make any additional determination or requirement it shall con-
sider appropriate within the limitations imposed by this article .
9815. 5. 4 Finding of Fact and Decision Time Limit. In grant-
ing, modifying or denying a challenge, the City Council shall
specify facts relied upon in rendering a decision. Said decision
shall be made within sixty ( 60 ) days after the public hearing.
9815. 5. 5 Notice of City Council Decision. Notice of the City
Council ' s decision shall be mailed to the applicant within five ( 5)
days after such decision is rendered.
10.
9816 REVOCATION FOR DELAY. When a conditional exception or a
use permit had not been used within a period of six (6 ) months from
the date it was granted, the City Council may revoke said condi-
tional exception or use permit.
9816. 1 Time Limit. Each conditional exception or use permit
authorized under the provisions of this article which is not
actually established or the actual construction commenced within
one ( 1 ) year from the date of final approval shall become null and
void.
9816. 1. 1 For the purpose of this section, actual construction
means that construction has started and is proceeding without undue
delay. Preparation of plans, securing financial arrangements,
issuance of building permits, letting of contracts, grading of the
property, or stockpiling of materials on the site shall not con-
stitute actual construction.
9816. 1. 2 When any use of land, building, or premises estab-
lished under the provisions of this article had been discontinued
for a period of one ( 1 ) year, it shall be unlawful to use such
land, building, or premises for such discontinued use unless a
subsequent conditional exception or use permit is approved.
9817 CHANGE OF DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION. When any use of
land, building, or premises has been established under the provi-
sions of this article and there is a subsequent change in district
classification that allows said use of land, building, or premises,
all provisions of said district classification shall prevail and
the conditional exception or use permit shall become null and void.
9818 APPLICATION AFTER DENIAL. If a conditional exception or
use permit has been denied, no further application covering the
same premises for the same or similar use shall be filed or
considered within the period of one ( 1 ) year from the date the
determination thereof became final.
9819 EFFECTUATION. No building permit shall be issued in any
case where a conditional exception or use permit is required by the
terms of the Huntington Beach Ordinance Code, unless and until such
conditional exception or use permit has been granted.
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all terms and
conditions of such conditional exception or use permit have been
completed or fulfilled.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after
its adoption.
11.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on the 16th
day of April 1984.
Ila
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Clerk �Z _L� City Attorney .-
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: INITIATED AND APPROVED:
City Administrator 414re�ctor�o-f Development
Services
12.
Ord. No. 2687
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I, ALICIA M. WENTWORTH, the duly elected, qualified City
Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of the said City, do hereby certify that the whole number
-
of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven;
that the foregoing ordinance was read to said City Council at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 2nd day of April
19 84, and was again read to said City Council at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 16th day of April 2 19 84 , and
was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of more than a majority of
all the members of said City Council.
AYES: Councilmen:
Pattinson. MacAllister, Thomas , Kelly, Finley Bailey, Mandic
NOES: Councilmen:
None
ABSENT: Councilmen:
None
City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk
of the City Council of the City
of Huntington Beach, California
1, Aiicia M. Wentworth CITY CLERK of the City of
Huntington Beach and ex-officio Clark of the City
Council, do hereby certify that a synol*s of this
ordinance has been published in the Huntington
Seach Independent on
.........................a.,..::....P�a...�P.,..', IA...��L .....
to accprclante with the City Charter of sa:d ;;;y.
ALICIA M. WENTWORTH
.......................1..................I.................... .Cl.er
k
....mrr............. d!....,y.:............................. ..............
Deputy City Clerk