HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-53 - Approving a Zone Variance to Deviate from Minimum Requirements for Lot Area, Street Frontage, and Setbacks at a Vacant Property Located on East 5th Street between Highland Avenue and I Avenue RESOLUTION NO. 2026 - 53
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA,
DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CLASS 3 OF THE CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL
STRUCTURES) AND APPROVING A ZONE VARIANCE TO DEVIATE FROM MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS FOR LOT AREA, STREET FRONTAGE, AND SETBACKS AT A VACANT
PROPERTY LOCATED ON EAST 5TH STREET BETWEEN HIGHLAND AVENUE AND I
AVENUE.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of National City considered a Zone
Variance for a new single-family residence to be located at East 5th Street between Highland
Avenue and I Avenue (APN: 556-311-10) at a duly advertised public hearings held on
November 17, 2025 and March 16, 2026, at which time oral and documentary evidence was
presented; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearings the Planning Commission considered the staff report
contained in Case File No. 2025-21 ZV maintained by the City and incorporated herein by
reference along with evidence and testimony at said hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission voted to approve the Zone Variance request
based on Exhibit B attached to the Planning Commission staff report; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of National City considered the Zone Variance at
a duly advertised public hearing held on May 19, 2026, at which time oral and documentary
evidence was presented; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing the City Council considered the staff report contained
in Case File No. 2025-21 ZV maintained by the City and incorporated herein by reference along
with evidence and testimony at said hearing; and
WHEREAS, this action is taken pursuant to all applicable procedures required by State
law and City law; and
WHEREAS, the action hereby taken is found to be essential for the preservation of the
public health, safety and general welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, DOES
RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City Council hereby determines that the evidence supports the
following findings:
1. The rectangular-shaped lot is a remnant parcel from divisions of land for the
development of adjacent properties resulting in a substandard lot with half the minimum
lot size and street frontage requirements in the zone. Given the size and shape of the
lot, there is no room to build a residence of a typical size and an ADU without
encroaching into the required property setbacks.
2. Existing development within the RS-2 zone and vicinity is constructed with less than
required lot size, street frontage, and setbacks. Developed properties with less than
5,000 square feet of lot area along E 5th Street and I Avenue are common. Most
residential properties in the area do not conform to setback regulations. The requested
reduction will result in development consistent with the surrounding area.
3. That the request is to construct a single-family home, which is a permitted use in the RS-
2 zone.
4. The proposed project has been reviewed in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has been determined to be categorically exempt
from environmental review pursuant to Class 3, Section 15303 (New Construction or
Conversion of Small Structures) for which a Notice of Exemption will be filed subsequent
to approval of this Zone Variance. Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited
numbers of new, small facilities or structures among other similar projects. One single-
family residence, or a second dwelling unit in a residential zone are explicitly provided
for under this exemption. The proposed project is to construct a single-family residence.
Section 2: That the City Council hereby approves the Zone Variance for a new single-
family residence to be located at East 5th Street between Highland Avenue and I Avenue
subject to the following conditions:
General
1. This Zone Variance authorizes a single-family residence and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)
to deviate from requirements for minimum lot area, minimum yard setbacks, and minimum
street frontage at a vacant parcel on East 5th Street(APN: 556-311-10). Except as required by
conditions of approval, all plans submitted for permits associated with the project shall conform
to the Revised Exhibit B, Case File No. 2025-21 ZV, to be submitted by the applicant to the
Planning Division with the modified setbacks approved by City Council. The setbacks should
be as follows: a 16-foot front yard setback, four-foot side yard setbacks, and a 20-foot rear
yard setback.
2. Before this Zone Variance shall become effective, the applicant and the property owner shall
both sign and have notarized an Acceptance Form, provided by the Planning Division,
acknowledging and accepting all conditions imposed upon the approval of this permit. Failure
to return the signed and notarized Acceptance Form within 30 days of its receipt shall
automatically terminate the Zone Variance. The applicant or owner shall also submit evidence
to the satisfaction of the Planning Division that a Notice of Restriction on Real Property is
recorded with the County Recorder. The applicant or owner shall pay necessary recording fees
to the County. The Notice of Restriction shall provide information that conditions imposed by
approval of the Zone Variance are binding on all present or future interest holders or estate
holders of the property. The Notice of Restriction shall be approved as to form by the City
Attorney and signed by the Director of Community Development prior to recordation.
3. This permit shall become null and void if not exercised within one year after adoption of the
resolution of approval unless extended according to procedures specified in the Municipal
Code.
4. Within four (4) days of approval, pursuant to Fish and Game Code 711.4 and the California
Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 753.5, the applicant shall pay all necessary
environmental filing fees for the San Diego County Clerk. Checks shall be made payable to the
San Diego County Clerk and submitted to the National City Planning Department.
Building
5. The proposed construction must be entirely contained within the property bounds.
6. The construction assembly for the proposed structure abutting the property line would be
required to be 1-hour fire resistance rated up to a minimum of 5-feet from the property line. This
would include exterior walls, return walls, interior walls, roof assembly, etc.
7. No projections, penetrations, or wall openings are allowed on the walls of the proposed
structure that are abutting the property line.
8. A complete plan check submittal and an issued building permit is required prior to any work
beginning and, through that review, additional comments or requirements may incur.
Engineering
9. Cross lot drainage is strictly prohibited in the City of National City. Vertical encroachment of rain
gutters into adjacent properties will not be allowed, unless an easement is obtained with the
adjacent property owner.
10. Building plans will be required to show the foundation, building pad structure, and supporting
details. This information is needed to study the method of pad development to ensure that
adjacent properties are protected from damage during construction or encroachment onto
adjacent properties by the builders.
11. The existing utility easement shall be dimensioned and the easement owner identified. No
encroachment of the proposed structures shall be permitted into, under over or through said
easement without the direct written permission from the owner of the easement.
12. A grading plan for the site shall be submitted to the National City Engineering/Public Works
Department (Engineering). The plans shall be prepared by a registered civil engineer licensed
in the State of California. The plans shall be submitted together with copies of the following
items: a cost estimate prepared by the Engineer of Work for all items shown in the
grading/improvement plans, a Title Report, a Hydrology Study, a completed Storm Water BMP
Applicability Form, a check in the amount equal to three percent (3%) of the engineer's cost
estimate or $10,000, whichever is greater, and a completed copy of the Grading and
Improvement application form.
13. A Bond equal to one hundred percent of the Engineer's Cost Estimate shall be posted with
Engineering prior to any permit for grading or construction is issued.
14. Prior to any earthwork commencing, the contractor shall submit a haul route to Engineering.
15. The owner shall pay the sewer capacity fee in the amount of$1,930.
16. The owner shall apply for new addresses with Engineering.
Fire
17. Project shall be designed to code. The National City Fire Department utilizes all current codes
and ordinances. Currently, we are using the 2022 edition of the California Fire Code (CFC),
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Health Safety Codes (HSC).
18. Fire sprinkler system will be required for both the single family and ADU development.
19. The fire code official shall have the authority to require or permit modifications to the required
access widths where they are inadequate for fire rescue operations or where necessary to
meet the public safety objectives of the jurisdiction.
20. If entrance/exit gates are used, they shall be equipped with Knox Box and Emergency Strobes
so as to provide emergency vehicle access and egress. A Knox Key Switch shall be required in
conjunction with strobe for emergency access, and shall be placed at front of property. Please
contact the National City Fire Department for exact field location.
21. Fire hydrants that may be located throughout the project as not to have a separation distance
greater than 300 feet. Fire hydrants to be located within 300 feet of all locations which are
roadway accessible. Measurement starts from nearest public fire hydrant to project.
22. An approved water supply for fire protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be made
available as soon as combustible material arrives on the site.
23. A letter describing code compliant water flow shall be requested by the applicant early, so as to
identify adequate water supply necessary for firefighting on site.
24. Where there is conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific
requirement shall be applicable. Where, in a specific case, different sections of this code
specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive
shall govern.
25. Should any plan corrections be required, contractor must correct the plan and resubmit to the
Fire Department for approval once again prior to installation
Planning
26. Plans submitted for building permits must meet appropriate design guidelines as specified by
the Land Use Code.
27. A landscape and underground irrigation plan shall be submitted with building permit plans as
part of the construction permitting process in compliance with Land Use Code Chapter 18.44.
Indemnification Agreement
The Applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers, and
employees from any and all claims, actions, proceedings, damages, judgments, or costs, including
attorney's fees, against the City or its agents, officers, or employees, relating to the issuance of this
permit including, but not limited to, any action to attack, set aside, void, challenge, or annul this
development approval and any environmental document or decision. The City will promptly notify
the Applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding. The City may elect to conduct its own defense,
participate in its own defense, or obtain independent legal counsel in defense of any claim related
to this indemnification. In the event of such election, the Applicant shall pay all of the costs related
thereto, including without limitation reasonable attorney's fees and costs. In the event of a
disagreement between the City and Applicant regarding litigation issues, the City shall have the
authority to control the litigation and make litigation related decisions, including, but not limited to,
settlement or other disposition of the matter. However, the Applicant shall not be required to pay or
perform any settlement unless such settlement is approved by the Applicant.
Section 3: That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 19t' day of May, 202
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Morrison, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Er, Shelley �
�pel, MMC, City Clerk
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APPli VEDAS TO FORM:
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Heidi Skinner, Interim City Attorney
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of National City, California, on May
19, 2026 by the following roll-call vote, to-wit:
Ayes: Rodriguez, Yamane, Molina, Morrison
Nays: None.
Absent: Bush
Recused: None.
AUTHENTICATED BY: Ron Morrison
Mayor of the City of National City, California
Shelley Chapel
City Clerk of the City of National City, California
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BY: 15-11.1/4-Shelleyel, MM , City Clerk
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