The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish a Specific Plan to guide the physical development of a particular geographic area within the City of Signal Hill. In an effort to accommodate the City's diverse housing needs, the concepts, regulations and conditions set forth in the Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan is added to provide for the development of the site with market-rate single-family dwellings. Given existing oil operations at the site, the project will be built in phases.

   The Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the State Government Code (Section 64540 through 65507) and addresses all of the issues and topics specified in that code.

   B.   Location and Boundary. The Specific Plan includes an area of approximately 2.6-acres located on the east flank of Signal Hill between Freeman and Obispo Avenues north of 20th Street. The boundaries of the area are more specifically set in the approved plans on file in the Community Development Department at City Hall and as shown on the Official Zoning Map.

   C.   Goals and Objectives. Goals for the development within the SP-20, Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan include the following:

   1.   Encourage the development of privately sponsored low-density housing developments; and

   2.   Provide architectural treatment that is compatible with the architectural styles identified as preferred in the Freeman Heights Specific Plan design guidelines; and

   3.   Apply design standards that result in the highest quality development and achieve streetscapes with pedestrian scale and ambiance consistent with Signal Hill's small town character.

   4.   Provide architectural diversity and avoid uniformity of appearance.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all property shown as SP-20, Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan on the official zoning map.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   Principal Uses. The following uses shall be permitted within the SP-20, Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan. Unlisted uses shall be prohibited.

   1.   Single-family dwelling units available for sale.

   2.   Oil production facilities (to be replaced with single-family dwellings after abandonment).

   3.   Transitional housing, supportive housing and licensed group homes serving six persons or fewer are an allowed land use "by right" per Cal. Gov't Code § 65583.

   B.   Accessory Uses. The following Accessory Uses shall be permitted, in conjunction with the development of single-family housing at the site:

   1.   Home occupations, not to exceed one such use per dwelling.

   2.   Open Space including pools and spas.

   3.   Private garages.

(Ord. 2014-08-1471 § 15; Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A maximum of nineteen detached single-family dwelling units at site with one single-family dwelling on each lot as located on a site plan to be approved by the Planning Commission pursuant to Chapter 20.52.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   All property within the SP-20, Freeman Heights Residential Specific Plan shall be developed and maintained in accordance with all provisions of the Specific Plan and applicable ordinances and policies of the City of Signal Hill. In the event of inconsistency between the Specific Plan and any other ordinance or regulation of the City, the Specific Plan shall prevail.

   B.   Substantive changes to the physical improvements on the site may be made only after review and approval by Resolution of the Planning Commission, and in compliance with Chapter 20.52, "Site Plan and Design Review," of the Signal Hill Municipal Code, and this chapter. Determination of "substantive change" hereunder shall be made at the sole discretion of the Director of Community Development.

   C.   Site Plan. Site development shall substantially conform to the site plan as approved by the Planning Commission pursuant to Chapter 20.52.

   D.   Building Design. The design theme and facade treatment shall be consistent with the architectural themes, as generally shown in the Design Guidelines approved concurrent with the Specific Plan and on file in the Community Development Department and as shown on the building elevations as approved by the Planning Commission pursuant to Chapter 20.52. Design elements including, but not limited to, the use of offsets and recesses, staggered roof-lines, and balconies shall be provided consistent with the approved building elevations. Materials and colors shall be consistent with those shown on the sample board on file in the Community Development Department. The floor plans shall substantially conform to the floor plans as shown on the approved floor plans.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   The maximum height of each structure shall not exceed twenty-five feet. For Lots 1-9 and 16-19, measurement and determination of building heights shall be as in Section 20.04.102, "Building Height," of the Signal Hill Municipal Code. For Lots 10-15, measurement and determination of building heights shall be as in Section 20.04.102, "Building Height," of the Signal Hill Municipal Code except an allowance of an extra four-feet in building height is allowed (twenty-nine feet maximum).

   B.   The maximum permissible number of stories shall be two and a half.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   The following setback lines shall be provided from the respective lines after right-of-way dedications:

   A.   Front Setback - twenty feet

   B.   Rear and side setbacks - five feet

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   Required yards shall be those portions of the lot between the property line and the required setback line.

   B.   All required yards shall extend the full depth and width of the lot and shall be open from the ground to the sky, with the exception of the following: driveways, sidewalks, porches, decks, patios, lanais, steps or stairways, provided these are at, or below, floor level of the first story.

   C.   Parking areas, swimming pools and spas shall not be permitted in any required front setback, and shall not be located less than three feet from side or rear lot line.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   Maximum Percent Hardscape Area. With the exception of the established driveway allowance, the maximum area of hardscape material (permeable or non-permeable) within the front setback shall be limited to twenty-five percent of the setback area (includes walkways, patios and courtyards, but excludes driveways).

   1.   Area of front setback - area of required driveway = remaining front setback area.

   2.   Remaining front setback area x twenty-five percent = total allowed hardscape area.

   B.   Driveway Allowance. Driveways serving required garages, or providing on-site parking (for properties without garages) are excluded from the maximum allowed twenty- five percent of hardscape material in front yard setbacks.

 

 

   C.   Turf in New Development. Turf in new development is subject to Chapter 13.10.

   D.   Turf Replacement.

   1.   Turf is not a required or preferred landscape material. Drought tolerant landscape materials that retain water on site are strongly encouraged when replacing existing turf.

   2.   Turf replacement in landscape areas of two thousand five hundred square feet or greater is subject to Chapter 13.10. (Ord. 2015-11-1481 § 31)

   A.   Side-yard projections. Architectural projections, such as eaves, belt, courses, sills and chimneys may be permitted to project not more than eighteen inches into required side-yards.

   B.   Front and rear yard projections. Architectural projections may be permitted to project not more than eighteen inches into required front and rear yards.

   C.   The Director of Community Development may permit other similar architectural projections, provided that the size of the projection does not exceed the above limits.

(Ord. 20009-01-1395, 2009)

   Permitted Fences, Walls and Hedges. Fences, walls and hedges not greater than six feet in height shall be permitted at all rear or side yards. Fences, walls and hedges along the street frontage shall be setback four feet from the property line and shall not exceed six feet in height. The design and appearance of fences and walls in the front yards shall be of a design consistent with architectural elevations.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   Each dwelling unit shall include an enclosed garage as follows:

* A bedroom or room that could be used as a bedroom as determined by the director of community development.

   B.   Parking stall sizes shall be a minimum of 10' x 20'.

   C.   Back-up area shall be a minimum of 24 feet.

   D.   Garages shall achieve access from the alley only. No driveways are allowed on Freeman or Obispo Avenues.

   E.   An electronic automatic garage door opener shall be provided for each garage.

   F.   A minimum of 72 cubic feet of accessory storage area shall be provided within each garage on shelves with a minimum depth of 18 inches.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   Trash and storage recyclable materials enclosure areas shall be provided of sufficient size to ensure containment of all solid waste materials generated from each dwelling, and to promote the City's recycling program. The number and size of the enclosure(s) shall be determined by the Director of Community Development.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A single nameplate with the project address is permitted. All other signs, except for signs identified in Chapter 20.58 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code as being permissible in any zoning district without a sign permit are prohibited.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   Roof appurtenances, such as vents or flashing, shall be positioned away from the street side of the structures or finished to match the roof color, in order to minimize the visual impact. Exterior air-conditioning vents shall be oriented to face the interior courtyards whenever possible. All exterior air-conditioning vents shall be finished to match the building color. Landscape screening shall be provided for those exterior air-conditioner vents provided on the first floor.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)

   A.   All on-site water supply, wastewater collection and sewage lines and facilities shall be provided by the developer in accordance with the City of Signal Hill Standard Plans. Storm drainage facilities shall be provided in accordance with Los Angeles County Flood Control District Standards. Sewage facilities must also be consistent with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District requirements.

(Ord. 2009-01-1395, 2009)