A.   Application of the Specific Plan Concept. A specific plan and its function may be described by comparison with the general plan. The general plan expresses, in very broad terms, the city's planning of its future environment, generally on a long-term basis. Adopted by the city as a legislative act, the general plan may be amended, as required by changing circumstances. The specific plan, on the other hand, is a device used to implement the general plan by focusing on a particular parcel or parcels. The specific plan sets standards, against which developments can be judged, and imposes controls on the use of the subject parcels. The specific plan is more detailed than a general plan and can be viewed as a bridge between the general plan and individual project submittals.

   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. The subject site is constrained due to its shape, sloping terrain and on-going oil operations in an effort to accommodate the city's diverse housing needs, the concepts, regulations and conditions set forth in the pacificwalk residential specific plan provides for the development of the site as market rate, high-density housing.

   The 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 2.25 acres generally located on Orizaba Avenue north of Pacific Coast Highway. The boundaries of the area are more specifically set forth in Figure 1, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and on file in the office of the city clerk.

   C.   Goals and Objectives. Goals for the development within the SP-18, pacificwalk residential specific plan, include the following:

   1.   Encourage the development of privately sponsored housing developments;

   2.   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 and serve to buffer existing residential neighborhoods from commercial uses along Pacific Coast Highway; and

   3.   Provide architectural diversity and avoid uniformity of appearance.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all property shown as SP-18, pacificwalk residential specific plan on the official zoning map.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   Principal Uses. The following uses shall be permitted within the pacificwalk residential specific plan. Any uses not specifically listed shall be deemed prohibited.

   1.   Market-rate multi-family dwelling units in stacked flats or townhome format available for sale.

   2.   Detached or attached single-family dwelling units.

   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 a multi-family housing project at the site.

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

   2.   Open space.

   3.   Private garages.

(Ord. 2014-08-1471 § 14; Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A maximum of fifty-four attached dwelling units in buildings, distributed and located on the site as generally indicated in the approved plans shall be permitted.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   Specific Plan Governs. All property within the pacificwalk residential specific plan shall be developed and maintained in accordance with all provisions of the pacificwalk residential 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 regulations of the city, the specific plan shall prevail.

   B.   Substantive Changes. 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. A determination of whether a change is "substantive" or is minor in nature hereunder shall be made at the sole discretion of the director of community development. A substantive change shall be one which substantially affects the density, use, or liveability of the project or surrounding property.

   C.   Site Plan. Site development shall substantially conform to the site plan as approved by the planning commission.

   D.   Building Design. The design theme and façade treatment shall be consistent with the architectural themes as generally shown on the approved plans.

Design elements, including, but not limited to, the use of offsets and recesses, staggered roof lines, decorative window trim, enhanced masonry and decorative archways shall be provided consistent with the elevations shown on the approved plans. 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 plans.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   Maximum Height. The maximum height of any structure shall not exceed thirty-seven feet.

   B.   Measurement. Measurement and determination of building heights shall be as in Section 20.04.102, "Building Height," of the Signal Hill Municipal Code, except that "natural ground elevation" referenced therein, shall be the elevation(s) of each building pad as established on the approved concept grading plan.

   C.   Stories. The maximum permissible number of stories shall be three.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

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

   1.   Setback along Pacific Coast Highway – 12 feet.

   2.   Yards not adjacent to a public street – 5 feet.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   Required yards shall be those portions of the lot between the property line and the required setback line. All required yards shall extend the full depth and width of the lot and shall be open from ground to sky, with the exception of the following: driveways, surface parking for association use, sidewalks, porches, decks, patios, lanais, steps or stairways, provided these are at, or below, floor level of the first story.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   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 § 29)

   Architectural projections, such as eaves, belt courses, sills and chimneys may be permitted to project not more than eighteen inches into required yards. 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. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   Fences, walls and hedges not greater than six feet in height shall be permitted.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   Garages. Each dwelling shall include a minimum two-car enclosed garage. Garage dimensions shall be a minimum of twenty by twenty feet.

   B.   Automatic Opener. An electronic automatic garage door opener shall be provided for each garage door.

   C.   Accessory Storage. A minimum of seventy-two cubic feet of accessory storage area per unit shall be provided within the garage on shelves (with a minimum depth of eighteen inches).

   D.   Additional Parking. Twenty-eight additional surface parking spaces shall be provided for the project as shown on the approved plans. Fourteen of these shall be considered guest parking spaces and must be open and accessible at all times. An additional fourteen may be assigned and reassigned by the homeowner's association for use based upon the actual need therefor, with priority assignments for three bedroom units. Surface parking stall sizes shall be a minimum of ten by twenty feet.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   Designated Areas. 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.

   B.   Kitchen Areas. Kitchen/pantry area of all units shall be designed to accommodate recycling bins in use by the city for its recycling program. The plans shall indicate where recycling facilities are to be located.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A single sign as shown on the approved plan is permitted. All other signs, except for signs identified in Section 20.58.120 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code as being permissible in any zoning district without a sign permit, are prohibited. (Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   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 equipment shall be placed away from view from public streets.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)

   A.   On-Site Facilities. 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 requirements.

   B.   Undergrounding. All new utility lines serving the site, including natural gas, electrical, water, wastewater and communication lines shall be placed underground by the developer.

(Ord. 2006-12-1370 § 1)