Villa Park City Council approves three variances and routine contract amendments; carport variance draws debate

The Villa Park City Council on May 2026 approved three separate variances and several contract amendments, and received public-safety briefings from local police and the Orange County Fire Authority.

The most contested item, Variance 2026-02, would allow construction of a 209-square-foot aluminum carport at 18482 Serrano Avenue with a reduced eastern side-yard setback of 1 foot 6 inches and a roof overhang measured at 0 inches. Planning staff had recommended denial, saying the lot is rectangular and flat and that landscaping or a neighbor’s tree typically do not qualify as the ‘‘unusual physical circumstances’’ required for a variance under state planning practice. Applicants Michael Henderson and Judy Henderson testified they needed the carport to protect an ADU tenant’s vehicle from large pine cones falling from a neighboring tree and said they had neighbor support.

Council debate centered on whether the application met the legal findings required by California planning practice. Supporters on the council framed the request as a safety and reasonable-accommodation matter for older residents and as the only practical solution for protecting the tenant’s vehicle; opponents and staff emphasized the code’s standard criteria and warned against treating landscaping or neighboring trees as automatic grounds for variance. A motion to adopt an alternate resolution granting Variance 2026-02 passed by roll call, three in favor and two abstentions (3–0–2). The council instructed staff to include the necessary findings in the final resolution.

Council also approved Variance 2026-03, a 2-foot-height addition to an existing 6-foot fence along Center Drive and Santiago Boulevard at 10182 Squire Circle (to provide additional privacy and noise attenuation). Planning staff recommended approval based on the lot’s irregular configuration and intersection exposure; the motion passed with four votes in favor and one recusal (4–0–1), with Councilwoman Miles recused because she lives within 1,000 feet of the property.

Variance 2026-04, a request to construct a 352-square-foot detached patio cover at 9761 Darren Drive with reduced side- and front-yard setbacks, was described by staff as qualifying under allowable variance findings because of irregular lot shape and slope; the council approved the request unanimously (5–0).

Votes at a glance: - Variance 2026-02 (carport at 18482 Serrano Ave): Approved (motion passed 3–0–2; yes — Councilwoman Miles, Councilwoman Jones, Councilman McBride; abstained — Mayor Pro Tem Frackelton, Mayor Wu). Staff had recommended denial (resolution 2026-3641). - Variance 2026-03 (fence height, 10182 Squire Circle): Approved (4–0–1; Councilwoman Miles recused). Staff recommended approval (resolution 2026-3642). - Variance 2026-04 (patio cover, 9761 Darren Drive): Approved (5–0). Staff recommended approval (resolution 2026-3643). - Consent calendar (items 5–6): Approved (5–0). - Contract amendment — VCA (building-inspection staffing): Approved (3% CPI increase beginning 07/01/2026; vote 5–0). - Plan-check services agreement — BCA ($50,000 for FY 2026–27): Approved (5–0).

Public safety and staff reports A police captain summarized incident statistics for 04/25/2026–05/15/2026: 173 reported incidents and 10 reports taken during the three-week span, including one crime against a person (a domestic-violence incident) and several property crimes; the department also reported six boxes of prescription medications collected at a recent take-back event.

Battalion Chief Tom Moon of the Orange County Fire Authority said OCFA responded to 37 incidents in Villa Park since the last meeting, including 23 medical emergencies and one fire on Feather Hill Drive that was contained to vegetation with no structural damage; the cause remained under investigation. Moon urged layers of pool-safety protections and said, "layers protect lives," when describing drowning-prevention advice.

Budget and other business City staff said the FY 2026–27 budget document is being finalized for adoption on June 23. Council members reported highlights from recent community events (including the Villa Park 5K) and regional briefings, and described takeaways from a Southern California Edison presentation on public-safety power shutoffs (PSPS). Staff announced outreach materials on medical-baseline enrollment and preparedness would be posted for residents.

What’s next Council directed staff to prepare final resolutions that include the required legal findings for the variances approved tonight. The council adjourned to its next regular meeting on June 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.