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PC - Minutes 01-19-10Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING January 19, 2010 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Planning Commission was called t' o 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, Community 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 and 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. He also 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 Planning Commission will sign as well. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of 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 LOS 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 R-1 (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) ZONE (APN: 8592-018-904). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission 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" attached hereto. Senior Planner Garry presented the staff report and stated the applicant's representatives are present to answer any questions 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. Commissioner Eng stated that this antenna is mounted on the roof top and asked staff if there was anything aesthetically that can be done to soften the look. Senior Planner Garry replied 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 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, stated she is available for questions. 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 Ms. 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, it depends 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 3 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 findinas. 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 B. 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 ground-mounted equipment cabinet within an existing lease area at 8500 Artson Street 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 the Planning Commission APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 01-827 (Modification) and ADOPT Resolution 10-02 with findings, subject to the sixteen (16) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. 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's network 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 there is a possibility of eliminating some of the towers in the future as technology improves. Thai Chittavan replied it is a 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 5 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. She also 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 6 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. AT ST: Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary Diana Herrera Chairwoman