PC - Item 3A - Minutes 1-19-10Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
January 19, 2010
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order by
Chairwoman Herrera at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard,
Rosemead, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Vice-Chairman Alarcon
INVOCATION - Commissioner Ruiz
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Commissioners Eng;;Hunter, Ruiz, Vice-
Chairman Alarcon, Chairwoman Herrera
OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Murphy, Commdnity~,Development Director Wong,
Principal Planner Bermejo, Senior Planner Garry Assistant Planner Trinh, and
Commission Secretary Lockwood.
1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES,AND APPEAL RIGHTS
Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented,the procedures arid,_appeal rights of the meeting.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Councilman Steven Ly thanked the Planning Commission' and stated that the City
Council recently adopted.a"resolution in support of the'Protect Local Services Fund. He
also stated that the-,League' of :'California Cities proposed an initiative which protects
against what the State may try to take from the City. He gave a brief description of what
the initiative states. kb,.4so said the League `of California Cities has pushed their
members to join the 100'-to, 100-`Initiative, which is a program to have members donate
$100.00 dollars and, gather 100 signatures.' He also said he has donated his $100.00
dollars and is now gathering signatures. He said the Traffic Commission has given their
signatures and hopes the:Plannings.Commission will sign as well.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR"
A. ApprovaLof Minutes - December 7, 2009
Commissioner Eng stated that she has corrections on pages 7, 8, 10, and 11 of the
minutes. She also requested clarification of the definition of legal non-conforming from
our City Attorney Greg Murphy.
Commissioner Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to approve
the minutes of December 7, 2010 with corrections.
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 96-672 (MODIFICATION) - Sprint Nextel has
submitted a Conditional Use Permit application requesting to modify and
add equipment to an existing roof-mounted wireless telecommunications
facility antenna array and to install a new ground-mounted equipment
cabinet within an existing lease area at 9063 E. Mission Drive in the R-1
(Single-Family Residential) zone. The facility is located at Rosemead High
School.
PC RESOLUTION 10-01- A RESOLUTION OF THE"PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF. iLOS 'ANGELES, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL` . USE ' ;PERMIT 96-672 .
(MODIFICATION), FOR THE INSTALLATION-' OF NEW ANTENNAS AND
EQUIPMENT FOR AN EXISTING WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FACILITY, LOCATED AT 9063 E.;)MISSION DRIVE IN THE °R1 (SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) ZONE (APN: 859i018-964,
Recommendation - Staff recommends that' the Planning Commission
APPROVE Conditional Use` Permit 96-672 (Modification) and ADOPT
Resolution 10-01 with findings, andrsubject to th'e "sixteen (16) conditions
outlined in Exhibit "B" attached 'hereto:x r`:
Senior Planner Garry presented the staff report and stated the applicant's
representatives are present to answer anyrquestions the Planning Commission may
have.
Chairwoman Herrera asked'if the:Commissioners had any questions for staff.
Commissioner Eng questioned staff if a representative is present.
Senior Planner Garry replied yes
Commissioner4Eng stated that this antenna is mounted on the roof top and asked staff if
there was any aesthetiically that can be done to soften the look.
Senior Planner Garryr'eplied that the existing mount is a see through metal frame that is
painted to match the` auditorium and stated that it would be difficult to screen it as it
would add more mass to the triangle antenna structure. He also stated that this question
may be addressed to the representative as they may be able to suggest other ideas to
improve the aesthetics.
Commissioner Eng stated they are adding more antenna dishes and questioned staff on
how much load will be added to the building.
Senior Planner Garry replied that three panel antennas would replace three existing
antennas and three 2 x 2 oval dishes are being added. He said that he did not have the
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information of the actual weight of those dishes in front of him. He also stated that the
applicant may be able to address the matter.
Commissioner Eng asked staff how old is the building.
Senior Planner Garry stated he did not have that information available.
Commissioner Eng stated that this is at a school site and noted that construction hours
are Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. She also requested that hours of
modifications not be done during school hours due to ensure the safety of the students.
Senior Planner Garry replied that this is a school site and the hours of construction are
correct. He also stated the Planning Commission may add a condition of approval to
modify the hours of construction so that construction does not occur during school hours.
Chairwoman Herrera opened the Public Hearing.
Karen Sipp, a representative on behalf of Sprint; Nextel/Clearwire, statedshe is available
for questions. F`
Commissioner Eng thanked the representative for, attending and asked her how
many wireless sites Sprint Nextel/Clearwire has in the City of Rosemead.
Karen Sipp replied that she is aware of the modification on the site she is working on
and is only aware of one or two others.
Commissioner Eng asked Mt. Sipp what the coverage range is of this particular site.
Karen Sipp replied it is,.less than a quarter of,a mile, but she can verify range with their
engineers. She also stated that the antennas are approximately forty-three pounds each,
and that the weight would not 'have an impact on the structure of the roof. Ms. Sipp
also addressed the screening of the antennas. She said she agrees with Senior Planner
Garry that such screening would stand out much more than what is currently visible.
Commissioner Eng questioned Ms. Sipp how often the antennas are upgraded or
modified, and if there was 'a guideline on how often such modifications or upgrades are
done.
Karen Sipp replied no, itAepends on the technology and what is needed maintain the
coverage. She said there is no set time frame for when upgrades occur.
Commissioner Eng questioned Ms. Sipp if it is just broadband wireless and not
telephone service that these antennas are supporting.
Karen Sipp replied yes.
Commissioner Ruiz asked if the new dishes are just broadband for clarification.
Karen Sipp replied yes.
Commissioner Hunter stated she passes Rosemead High School all the time and she
has never noticed the antennas, so they do not stand out and are not very visible. She
also questioned Ms. Sipp if work is done during school hours, would it be in harms way
to the students.
Karen Sipp replied no, and stated that if the Planning Commission would prefer the work
could be done after school hours and weekends.
Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in favor of this item.
None
Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone against this item.
None
Chairwoman Herrera closed the Public Hearing.
Vice-Chairman William Alarcon made a motion; seconded by Chairwoman Diana
Herrera to APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 96-672 (Modification) and ADOPT
Resolution 10-01 with findings, and subject to the sixteen (16) conditions outlined
in Exhibit "B".
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera,, Hunter, "Ruiz
No: None
Abstain: ,None
Absent: None
CONDITIONAL USE"PERMIT 01-827 '(MODIFICATION) - Sprint Nextel has
submitted, a. Conditional Use Permit application requesting to modify and
add new equipment to an existing wireless telecommunications facility and
to. install a new 4i equipment cabinet within an existing lease
area at 8500 ArtsonStreet in the A-1 (Light Agricultural) zone.
PC RESOLUTION 10-02- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA'. APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 01-827
(MODIFICATION), FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW ANTENNAS AND
EQUIPMENT 'FOR AN EXISTING WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FACILITY, LOCATED AT 8500 ARTSON STREET IN THE A-1 (LIGHT
AGRICULTURAL) ZONE (APN: 5288-01-5029).
Recommendation - Staff recommends that
APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 01-827
Resolution 10-02 with findings, subject to
outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
the Planning Commission
(Modification) and ADOPT
the sixteen (16) conditions
Assistant Planner Trinh presented the staff report and stated the representative and staff
are present to answer any questions.
Chairwoman Herrera asked if the Commissioners had any questions for staff.
None
Chairwoman Herrera opened Public Hearing and invited applicant to podium.
Thai Chittavan, a representative for Sprint/Nextel Clearwire, gave summary of the scope
of work.
Commissioner Eng asked the representative how many subscribers are Rosemead
residents.
Thai Chittavan replied that Clearwire is currently launching it'smetwork and looking for
land use entitlements and does not have any subscribers yet He; also stated that they
are currently looking to co-locate on the existing wireless telecommunication facility.
Commissioner Eng stated that she read in a.report that nine applications that the city
has received are from Sprint/Nextel Clearwire'and asked the representative if they were
all for modifications to existing facilities or for new ones.
Thai Chittavan replied yes he believes they are for modifications, but without reviewing
those specific files he cannot be certain:
Commissioner Eng asked the representative if tnere.is a possibility of eliminating some
of the towers in the future as technology improves.
Thai Chittavan replied it is @ 'possibility, but it will depend on network capacity and future
subscribers from the City of Rosemead.
Commissioner Eng asked the representative what the coverage area is with the
installation of the new antennas and equipment.
Thai Chittavan replied :this particular site will cover approximately three quarters of a
mile.
Commissioner-Eng asked the representative what the average coverage area is
for wireless towers.
Thai Chittavan replied 'that it depends on the topography of the area, but stated that
this site provides very good coverage because the area is flat not hilly. He also stated
that in areas that have hillsides and urban structures there is blockage, and the more
clustered the area is the more towers are needed for coverage.
Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone in favor of this item
None
Chairwoman Herrera asked if there is anyone against item
None
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Chairwoman Herrera closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Victor Ruiz made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chairman William
Alarcon, to APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 01-827 (Modification) and ADOPT
Resolution 10-02 with findings, subject to the sixteen (16) conditions outlined in
Exhibit "B".
Vote resulted in:
Yes:
Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz
No:
None
Abstain:
None
Absent:
None
5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN & COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Ruiz stated that he would like to thank Principal Planner`Bermejo for the
fine work of the map that was put together, of, wireless telecommunication facility
locations. He also stated that it was very helpful; tonight and it answered a lot of.
questions that the Planning Commission had. He also welcomed our new Community
Development Director Stan Wong.
Commissioner Eng stated that would also like to agree with Victor Ruiz on his comments
on the map of wireless locations and requested' that. this map be included with all future
wireless telecommunication facility applications. Shezalso expressed her concerns with
the amount of wireless sites,that have been placed in the City of Rosemead. She also
welcomed Stan Wong to the City of Rosemead.
Community Development Director Stan Wong stated it is an honor to be here and
thanked the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Eng stated she received a complaint from a business owner of the
shopping center located at 3365 Walnut Grove regarding lack of parking. She also
requested that staff contact property owners and request that they enforce their parking
restrictions of limited hours. She also stated that it was reported to her that there may
be illegal gambling going on at one of the cafes in the shopping center, because
the business owner that called her complained that cars are being parked at one
particular stall all day.
Commissioner Ruiz stated that he would like this information passed on to our Chief of
Police for investigation.
Commissioner Eng stated that if the business owner is contacted and parking
restrictions are enforced, it may take care of the parking concerns.
6. MATTERS FROM STAFF
Principal Planner Bermejo asked the Planning Commission if they had any questions
regarding the map of wireless telecommunication facility locations. She also stated that
she and Community Development Director Stan Wong have discussed the wireless
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telecommunication facility matter and that they will be proposing a zoning ordinance to
address this matter. She also welcomed Community Development Director Stan Wong.
Commissioner Hunter welcomed Community Development Director Stan Wong to the
City of Rosemead. She also stated that she agrees with Commissioner Eng that the
amount of wireless telecommunication facilities in Rosemead should be addressed.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday,
February 1, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
ATTEST:
Rachel Lockwood
Commission Secretary
Diana Herrera
Chairwoman
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