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PC Item 4A - Minutes of July 21, 2025 Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2025 1 of 4 Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING July 21, 2025 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Commissioner Lopez INVOCATION – Vice-Chair Ung ROLL CALL – Commissioner Lopez, Vice-Chair Ung, and Chair Escobar are present. Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Tang are absent. STAFF PRESENT – Director of Community Development Valenzuela, Senior Planner Lao, and Assistant Planner Jiang. ADMINISTRATION OATH OF OFFICE- Commissioner Lopez Chair Escobar announced that the Oath of Office will begin for Commissioner Lopez. Senior Planner Lao administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Lopez. REORGANIZATION – Chair Escobar announced that the Reorganization will be moved to the next meeting since Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Tang are absent. 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS City Attorney Gutierrez presented the procedure and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There being no comments, Chair Escobar opened and closed the Public Comment period. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS DESIGN REVIEW 23-02 - Quach Hiep has submitted a Design Review application, requesting to demolish all existing structures on-site to construct a new one-story, 4,960 square foot commercial building. The application also incorporates various site improvements such as new perimeter walls, lighting, a trash enclosure, and landscaping. The subject site is located at 8500-8512 Garvey Avenue (APN: 5283-001-037) in the Medium Commercial (C-3) zone. PC RESOLUTION 25-08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 23-02, FOR A NEW ONE-STORY, 4,960 SQUARE FOOT COMMERCIAL BUILDING WITH SITE IMPROVEMENTS. THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 8500-8512 GARVEY AVENUE (APN: 5283- 001-037) IN THE MEDIUM COMMERICAL (C-3) ZONE. CEQA - Section 15303 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines exempts projects consisting of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2025 2 of 4 new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Accordingly, Design Review 23-02 is classified as a Class 3 Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15303 of California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. STAFF RECOMMENDATION - It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 25-08 with findings (Exhibit “A”), and APPROVE Design Review 23-02, subject to the 54 conditions outlined in Attachment “A” attached hereto and find that Design Review 23-02 is classified as a Class 3 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA guidelines. Senior Planner Lao presented the staff report. Chair Escobar opened the Public Hearing. Vice-Chair Ung asked staff to confirm whether there are two parcels. She also inquired about the plans regarding the driveway apron and replacing it with a flat sidewalk. Assistant Planner Jiang confirmed that it’s correct. Commissioner Lopez had no questions or comments. Chair Escobar opened the floor for public comment on the item. Chair Escobar then asked if anyone else in the audience would like to speak on the item or if the applicant wished to address the Commission. Mr. Wang stated his name and address for the record. He thanked staff for their hard work in preparing the project for the Commissioners. He added that they have been working on this project for a long time, since the pandemic. He also thanked the Commissioners for approving the project, so it can move forward. Vice Chair Ung commented that she appreciates the demolition of the two old buildings and the elimination of car- centric businesses, noting that this will create new opportunities for other businesses to come into the City. She added that she really likes the design and that the Commissioners are excited about the project. Commissioner Lopez thanked the applicant for the thoughtful design. Chair Escobar agreed that it will be a great new addition to the area. She noted that, given its proximity to the Taiwan Center, the project will help improve that intersection. She also expressed appreciation for the applicant’s work and design. There being no additional questions or public comments, Chair Escobar closed the hearing period and requested a motion and a second motion. ACTION: Vice-Chair Ung motioned to approve the project and PC Resolution 25-08 and seconded by Commissioner Lopez. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2025 3 of 4 Vote resulted in: Ayes: Escobar, Lopez and Tang Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Berry and Tang Vote resulted in 3 Ayes, 0 Noes, and 0 Abstain, 2 Absent. Director of Community Development Valenzuela explained the ten-day appeal process. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR PC MINUTES 06-02-25 Chair Escobar requested motions to approve the minutes. ACTION: Vice-Chair Ung motioned to approve, and Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Escobar, Lopez and Ung Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Berry and Tang Vote resulted in 3 Ayes, 0 Noes, and 0 Abstain, 2 Absent. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Director of Community Development Valenzuela reported Summerfield Tea Bar is now open. She stated the Planning Commission approved their design a few months ago and is expecting their grand opening on August 16th. She also stated staff will extend the invite to the Commissioners as soon as they receive more information. Commissioner Lopez asked if they were anticipating a long line. Director of Community Development Valenzuela commented that Summerfield will be giving out bags and we’re anticipating a long line on the north side of the City this time. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Vice-Chair Ung mentioned that she was at Fortress Plaza over the weekend and observed how energized and active that Plaza is now. She expressed excitement about the developments on Garvey Avenue and praised staff for their hard work. Commissioner Lopez noted an increase in transients on both sides of the Wash. He asked if the City Manager Kim can contact the City of El Monte. He also pointed out graffiti on entrance to the entrance to the Eastbound I-10 freeway on Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2025 4 of 4 Walnut Grove Avenue and requested that someone contact Caltrans to please remove it. Additionally, he noticed an increase in graffiti on the City signages along Walnut Grove Avenue and asked if Public Works can clean it up. Director Valenzuela responded that she is aware that the Public Works Director has contacts from Caltrans and she will speak to the Director regarding this matter. Chair Escobar echoed that Vice-Chair Ung’s comments earlier, praising staff for their efforts. She noted that the City had a very exciting month, with two grand openings. She was at Da Vien Coffee this morning and it is still very busy, which she found very exciting. She is looking forward to new businesses coming into the City and for the grand opening of Summerfield Tea Bar. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Escobar adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. The next regular Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. ATTEST: _________________________________ Linda Lam Administrative Assistant ______________________________________ Emma Escobar Chair