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Vernon City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

68 VARIANCES

§ 17.68.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure the achievement of the goals and purposes of this title without creating undue hardships, and to protect the health, safety, and public welfare, through the following regulations and procedures established for Variances.
(Prior code § 26.6.1)

§ 17.68.020 Justifications for variances and limitations on variances.

A. 
Special Circumstances. Variances from the terms of this title shall be granted only when, because of special circumstances applicable to a lot, including size, shape, topography, location, surroundings, or other conditions, strict enforcement of the development standards or site planning standards deprives such lot of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under the identical zoning classification. Variances are not terminated automatically upon transfer of the lot for which they have been granted, but are subject to expiration as set forth in Section 17.68.090, "Time requirements for use of variance," and revocation or modification as set forth in Section 17.68.100, "Revocation of variance." If the granting or denial of a Variance is subject to CEQA, the time periods for any notice, response, or action shall comply with the time frames established by CEQA, notwithstanding any time periods set forth in this chapter.
B. 
Conditions. Any Variance granted shall be subject to such conditions that will ensure that the authorized exception does not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations imposed on other properties in the same zone or overlay zone. The City Council may impose conditions on the Variance to address any pertinent factors affecting the lot or the establishment, operation, or maintenance of any requested improvement, including, but not limited to, the requirement that the applicant comply with any one or more of the following conditions:
1. 
Installation of buffer areas, fences, or walls;
2. 
Installation of parking facilities, and surfacing of parking areas and driveways;
3. 
Dedication of a portion of the land for a right-of-way;
4. 
Making or paying for related street improvements; and
5. 
Implementing or using the Variance within a specified period of time.
C. 
Required Permitted Use. A Variance shall not be granted for a building in which the use is not a permitted use.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-1)

§ 17.68.030 Application and fee.

An application for a Variance shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to the Department of Public Works, on a form provided for that purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. The City may retain, at the applicant's expense, consultants to study the impacts of the proposed operation on the surrounding properties. An application for a Variance shall consist of a completed Variance Form and the following attachments:
A. 
A plot plan which shall show, as may be applicable to permit informed consideration of the request, the surrounding land uses; the location and dimensions of all buildings; the location and dimensions of all off-street parking, loading, and storage facilities; the location and width of ingress and egress points to the lot; and the location and dimensions and turning radii of all parking and loading areas.
B. 
A floor plan, if applicable, of the building or buildings showing interior features affected by the requested Variance.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-2)

§ 17.68.040 Notice of public hearing.

Following presentation of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, the City Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing to be held not less than 10 days or more than 60 days from the date of notice. The City Clerk shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in subsections A and B. The notice shall set forth the date, time, and place of the public hearing; the identity of the hearing body or officer; a general explanation of the matter to be considered; and a general description, in text or by diagram, of the location of the lot that is the subject of the hearing.
A. 
By mailing notice, containing the same information as the published or posted notice, not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing to:
1. 
The owners of all property within a radius of 300 feet from the lot for which a Variance is requested, using for this purpose the last known names and addresses of such owners as are shown on the last equalized assessment roll of Los Angeles County;
2. 
The owner of the subject lot or the owner's duly authorized agent;
3. 
Any person who has filed a written request for such notice with the City Clerk (in which case the City may charge a fee that is reasonably related to the costs of providing this service and may require each request to be annually renewed);
4. 
The project applicant;
5. 
Each local agency expected to provide water, sewage, streets, schools, or other essential facilities or services to the lot, if the ability to provide the facilities or services may be significantly affected; and
B. 
By publishing a notice in a newspaper designated by the City Council for that purpose. Said newspaper shall be a local newspaper if there be one; otherwise, a newspaper of general circulation covering the City of Vernon shall be designated. The notice shall be published one time at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing; or by posting a notice in three of the most public places in the City of Vernon, to wit: the northwest corner of 38th Street and Santa Fe Avenue; the northeast corner of Leonis Boulevard and Pacific Boulevard; and on the bulletin board outside of the lobby of the City Hall of said City, located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, all in the City of Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California. Said notice shall be posted not less than 10 days before the date set for the hearing.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-3)

§ 17.68.050 Public hearing, action of the City Council.

If, from the facts presented at the public hearing or by an investigation at the instigation of the City Council, the City Council makes the findings required in Section 17.68.060 and finds that such Variance or modification thereof should be granted, the City Council may grant the requested Variance in whole, or in part, and upon such terms and conditions as the City Council may deem proper to preserve the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare and the general intent and purpose of this chapter. The City Council shall make its decision on said application within 30 days after the conclusion of any hearing held thereon, unless a waiver of this time requirement is provided by the applicant.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-4)

§ 17.68.060 Variance findings and decision by resolution.

The City Council shall announce its findings and decision by written resolution. The resolution shall recite, among other things, the facts and reasons which, in the opinion of the City Council, make the granting or denial of the Variance necessary to carry out the provisions and general purpose of this title, and shall order that the Variance be granted or denied, with such conditions as are found necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and ensure compliance with the provisions of this title. The Variance shall not be granted unless all of the following findings have been made:
A. 
There are special circumstances applicable to the lot such as its size, shape, topography, location or surroundings that do not apply generally to other properties in the same zone and any relevant overlay zone.
B. 
Because of the special circumstances applicable to the lot, the strict application of the applicable development standards or site planning standards would deprive the lot of privileges enjoyed by others.
C. 
The granting of the Variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations on other properties in the same zone any relevant overlay zone.
D. 
The project is consistent with the General Plan and complies with other applicable provisions of this title.
E. 
The Variance will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the interests of residents and property owners nearby the lot.
F. 
The Variance approval places suitable conditions on the lot to protect nearby properties.
G. 
The use is permitted or conditionally permitted in the zone and any relevant overlay zone.
H. 
For a Variance approving a floor area ratio greater than 2:1, the following additional findings shall be required:
1. 
The strict application of the ratio to industrial facilities with extensive conveyors, silos, towers, tanks, and related features makes the floor area limitation inappropriate; and
2. 
The proposed buildings or ancillary structures will not adversely affect the ability of the City to provide public services and utilities to the lot; and
3. 
Surrounding streets and major streets providing access to the lot are adequate to accommodate the intensity of development proposed as established by traffic studies or other studies required by the City.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-5)

§ 17.68.070 Notice of decision.

Not later than 10 business days following the rendering of a decision ordering that a Variance be granted or denied, a letter shall be mailed to the applicant at the address shown on the application filed with the City Council stating the decision of the City Council. If a resolution of the City Council orders that the Variance be granted, it shall also recite such conditions and limitations as the City Council may impose. The resolution of the City Council announcing its findings and determination after the hearing on an application for a Variance shall become a permanent record in the files of the City Clerk.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-6)

§ 17.68.080 Effective date of order granting or denying a variance.

The order of the City Council in granting or denying a Variance shall become final and effective on the date of the adoption of the resolution.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-7)

§ 17.68.090 Time requirements for use of variance.

Any Variance approved by the City Council shall expire and become null and void if:
A. 
There is no evidence of substantial use of the rights and privileges granted by the Variance within one year from the date on which the Variance was granted; or
B. 
The use for which the Variance was granted has ceased to exist or has been suspended for at least 120 continuous calendar days.
If an application for an extension of the above time requirements is filed prior to the expiration of the applicable time requirement, the City Council may grant one extension of time, not to exceed one year from the time limit specified, without a public hearing. Any additional request for an extension of the time limit shall be treated as a new application for a Variance.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-8)

§ 17.68.100 Revocation of variance.

A. 
Notice of Public Hearing. Following receipt of a recommendation from the Director that the Variance be revoked, the City Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing to be held not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days from the date of notice. The City Clerk shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 17.68.040, "Notice of public hearing." The City Council may by resolution revoke any Variance based upon the determination that the improvement authorized by the Variance has become detrimental to the public health, safety, or general welfare, or the manner of operation constitutes or is creating a nuisance, based on any one of the following findings:
1. 
The circumstances under which the Variance was granted have been changed by the applicant to the extent that one or more of the findings contained in the original Variance can no longer be made in a positive manner, and the public health, safety, and general welfare require the revocation or modification;
2. 
The use or business for which a parking or maneuvering Variance was granted has been changed to the extent that one or more of the findings contained in the original Variance can no longer be made in a positive manner, and the public health, safety, and general welfare require the revocation or modification;
3. 
The Variance was issued, in whole or in part, on the basis of a misrepresentation or omission of a material statement(s) in the application or in the applicant's testimony presented during the public hearing for the Variance;
4. 
One or more of the conditions of the Variance have not been substantially fulfilled or have been violated; or
5. 
The improvement authorized by the Variance is in violation of any code, law, ordinance, regulation, or statute.
B. 
Findings. The City Council shall render written findings setting forth reasons for revoking or modifying the Variance.
C. 
Notification. If the Variance is modified or revoked, notification of the City Council action shall be mailed to the owner of the subject lot or the owners by the City Clerk and shall include a copy of the City Council resolution specifying the reasons for the revocation or modification of the Variance.
(Prior code § 26.6.2-9)

§ 17.68.110 Previously granted variance.

Any Variance granted pursuant to any zoning ordinance enacted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall be construed to be a Variance under this title subject to all conditions imposed thereunder. Such Variance may, however, expire, as provided in Section 17.68.090, "Time requirements for use of Variance," or be modified or revoked as provided in Section 17.68.100, "Revocation of Variance."
(Prior code § 26.6.2-10)