Chapter 18.44
SITE PLAN REVIEW
Sections:
18.44.030 Findings and factors for approval.
18.44.060 Time limits for development.
18.44.070 Revocation of approval.
18.44.080 Repealed by Ord. 1738.
18.44.090 Repealed by Ord. 1738.
Prior ordinance history: Ordinances 587, 1191 and 1322.
18.44.010 When required.
Site plans are required to be submitted for:
A. Any development project for which a general plan amendment, zone change, conditional use permit, variance, tract map, or other discretionary permit is being sought in which case the site plan shall be processed concurrently with the other discretionary approvals;
B. Any development project on property, public or private, fronting on the westerly or easterly side of Western Avenue from 182nd Street on the south to El Segundo Boulevard on the north;
C. Any development project on property, public or private, fronting on the northerly or southerly side of Redondo Beach Boulevard from Crenshaw Boulevard on the west to Vermont Avenue on the east;
D. Any development project on property, public or private, fronting on the northerly or southerly side of Rosecrans Avenue from Crenshaw Boulevard on the west to Vermont Avenue on the east;
E. All new multifamily development of four units or more, unless subject to design review pursuant to Chapter 18.45;
F. Those uses identified in the C-R zone as needing site plan review approval;
G. Any use allowed by right or by conditional use permit pursuant to the mixed use overlay zone, but not including any use allowed by itself in the underlying zone;
H. Any development in the R-1 or R-2 zone where the proposed development is out of character with the surrounding residential properties as determined by the community development director, based on floor area ratio (“FAR”);
I. Accessory uses in commercial parking lots; and
J. Any other development for which a site plan review is required by this code. (Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1848 § 33, 2023; Ord. 1847 § 33, 2023; Ord. 1806 § 11 (part), 2019: Ord. 1746 § 3 (part), 2013; Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: prior code § 10-3.2201)
18.44.020 Review.
A. Whenever a site plan review is required, a site plan for the total development of a lot or lots that comprise the development project shall be approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter prior to the issuance of a building permit.
B. The planning commission shall hold a noticed, public hearing and approve, conditionally approve, or deny site plans required by Sections 18.44.010A through G or pursuant to any other provision of the Gardena Municipal Code.
1. Notice of hearings shall be given in accordance with Government Code Section 65091.
C. The community development director shall review and approve all other site plans and no notice or public hearing shall be required. In such cases the community development director shall make all decisions required by CEQA or other environmental laws. In his discretion, the community development director may refer a site plan review application to the planning commission when he believes that the application would be of concern to the surrounding community.
D. If a site plan is required by any other provision of this title, no notice or public hearing is required and the matter shall be reviewed by the community development director unless such pro-vision requires otherwise. (Ord. 1806 § 11 (part), 2019; Ord. 1746 § 3 (part), 2013; Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: Ord. 1683 § 68, 2006; Urg. Ord. 1682; prior code § 10-3.2202)
18.44.030 Findings and factors for approval.
A. A site plan shall be approved, or conditionally approved, subject to the following findings:
1. The physical location, size, massing, setbacks, pedestrian orientation, and placement of proposed structures on the site and the location of proposed uses within the project are consistent with applicable standards;
2. The development is consistent with the intent and general purpose of the general plan and provisions of this code;
3. The health and safety services (police and fire) and public infrastructure are sufficient to accommodate the new development;
4. The project is compatible with the surrounding sites and neighborhoods; and
5. The project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act or the appropriate environmental document has been completed and required findings have been made.
B. In addition to all other applicable zoning and development requirements and policies, the following factors shall also be considered in determining whether the site plan shall be approved:
1. The dimensions, shape and orientation of the parcel;
2. The placement of buildings and structures on the parcel;
3. The height, setbacks, bulk and building materials;
4. The distance between buildings or structures;
5. The location, number and layout of off-street parking and loading spaces;
6. The internal vehicular patterns and pedestrian safety features;
7. The location, amount and nature of landscaping;
8. The placement, height and direction of illumination of light standards;
9. The location, number, size and height of signs;
10. The location, height and materials of walls, fences or hedges;
11. The location and method of screening refuse and storage areas, roof equipment, pipes, vents, utility equipment and all equipment not contained in the main buildings of the development;
12. For residential developments, the above factors shall be considered satisfied if the project meets the objective criteria relating to those items set forth in the zone and the applicable general provisions, including residential design criteria, contained in Chapter 18.42; and
13. For nonresidential development, such other information which the community development director or commission may require to make the necessary findings that the provisions of this code are being complied with.
C. The community development director may make minor modifications to an approved site plan in order to resolve conflicts due to site conditions, building, fire, utility and similar requirements. (Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1848 § 34, 2023; Ord. 1847 § 34, 2023; Ord. 1820 § 17, 2020: Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: prior code § 10-3.2203)
18.44.040 Procedure.
The procedure for site plan review shall be as follows:
A. Filing of Applications. An application for a site plan review shall be filed by the property owner, the property owner’s representative, or other person having the right to the possession of the land for which site plan review approval is sought. Such application shall be filed with the community development department on forms provided by the department. As a part of the application, the applicant shall submit copies of the site plan and floor plan drawn to scale and properly dimensioned, including information to consider those factors identified in Section 18.44.030.
B. Filing Fees. The applicant shall pay to the city a filing fee established by City Council resolution for the purpose of defraying the costs incurred by the city in processing the site plan review application.
C. Review. The community development director or commission shall review the application, statements, drawings submitted, all pertinent and relevant data, and the results of the investigation of the property involved and surrounding area. A decision shall be rendered in writing, either approving, approving with conditions, or denying the request, and stating the reasons for such action. Notices shall provide information regarding the right of appeal and shall provide that all decisions are final absent a timely appeal. (Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: Ord. 1683 § 69, 2006; Urg. Ord. 1682; prior code § 10-3.2204)
18.44.050 Appeals.
A. Any aggrieved person may appeal the decision of the community development director to the commission. Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the commission within ten days after the date of the decision by the community development director. Upon the receipt of such an appeal and the payment of filing fees established by the city council, the community development director shall place the matter for consideration on the commission agenda of the first regular meeting of the commission following ten days’ written notice to the appellant and/or applicant and property owners and residents within three hundred feet of the boundaries of the project site. The commission shall approve the site plan, approve with conditions, or deny the site plan based on its findings.
B. Any aggrieved person may appeal the decision of the commission to the city council. Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the city clerk within ten days after the date of the decision by the commission. Upon the receipt of such an appeal and the payment of filing fees established by the city council, the city clerk shall place the matter for consideration on the city council’s agenda of the first regular meeting of the city council following ten days’ written notice to the appellant and/or applicant and property owners and residents within three hundred feet of the boundaries of the project site. If the matter required a noticed, public hearing before the planning commission in the first instance, then a noticed, public hearing shall also be held before the city council in addition to the notice stated immediately above. The city council shall approve the site plan, approve with conditions, or deny the site plan based on its findings. (Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: Ord. 1683 § 70, 2006; Urg. Ord. 1682; prior code § 10-3.2205)
18.44.060 Time limits for development.
A. The subject property under a site plan review shall be developed within a period of time not exceeding twelve months from and after the date of its approval, and, if not so developed and utilized, such approval automatically shall become null and void at the expiration of such twelve-month period.
B. Upon a showing of good cause, the community development director may grant up to two extensions of up to six months each, upon receipt of a written request from the applicant prior to expiration.
C. When such a request for an extension is filed, a fee in an amount established by city council resolution shall be paid for the purpose of defraying the costs incurred by the city in processing such extension of time. (Ord. 1820 § 18, 2020: Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: Ord. 1683 § 71, 2006; Urg. Ord. 1682; Ord. 1629 § 18, 2003; prior code § 10-3.2206)
18.44.070 Revocation of approval.
The community development director may revoke any site plan review approval for noncompliance or for any violation of the conditions set forth in granting such approval. A written notice of intention to revoke shall be mailed to the applicant not less than ten days before the date of revocation. The applicant may appeal the decision to revoke the site plan review pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 18.44.050. (Ord. 1738 § 45 (part), 2012: prior code § 10-3.2207)