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PC - Item 3A - Minutes 4-19-10Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 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 - Commissioner Ruiz INVOCATION - Commissioner Hunter ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Commissioners Eng, Hunter,.Ruiz, Vice- Chairman Alarcon, Chairwoman Herrera. OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Greg Murphy, Principal Planner Bermejo, Senior Planner Garry, Assistant Planner Trinh, and Commission Secretary 'Lockwood. 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEALAIGHTS "4 ~ Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the procedures and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR ,r A. Approval of Minutes - Apn15; 2010 to page "3 it should state approved with the additional ad clarification on the non-conforming explanation on page 7 Attorney. Commissioner, Eng made wrnotion, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to approve with the correction Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Herrera, Ruiz No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4. PRESENTATIONS A. PowerPoint Presentation of Proposed City of Rosemead Aquatic Center Projects Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott presented the Power Point presentation. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked what Plan B is if the proposed funding does not come through. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott replied in terms of bonding it depends if City Council makes a determination to move forward. He also stated that the City has applied for one State grant and will look grant opportunities. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked in regards to concessions, will we allow private vendors to come in or will the City do this themselves. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scoff replied that~'Jconcessionaries will be pre- packaged dry goods and that local youth groups and swim,teams.will,be able to participate for fundraisers. Commissioner Eng asked if both pools at each park are.the'same size. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery,.Scott replied'ihat the footpriht`s at each pool remain the same as is. He also stated that with~tfie-exception of a grassy area that will be incorporated into the NE corner of Rosemead Pool. Commissioner Eng asked if there were-,guideline schools such as Mark Keppel and San Gabriel.Higf Parks & Recreation Director:E the high schools are,currently mpetitive aquatic programs for nearby that may want to use our facilities. replied there are competitive programs and be able to continue under a program in the future. Commissioner Ruiz asked if the-City will seek for Federal grants. ;Y.yi ' Parks &.~R ecreation Director David Montgomery Scott replied yes, if specific funding becomes available. Chairwoman,Herrera asked what the total cost will be. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott replied 9 %2 to 10 million dollars, but that quote is 30% less than 'it would have been just two years ago. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DESIGN REVIEW 08-08 AND ZONE VARIANCE 10.01 - Alex Ma has submitted a Design Review application for the construction of a six (6) unit multi-family residential development, located at 9349 Ramona Boulevard in the PO-D (Professional Office with a Design Overlay) zone. The project also includes a Zone Variance request to allow a driveway width of less than 26 feet. PC RESOLUTION 10-14- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE 2 APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 08-08 AND ZONE VARIANCE 10.01 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING WITH A DRIVEWAY WIDTH OF LESS THAN 26 FEET AT 9349 RAMONA BOULEVARD IN THE PO-D (PROFESSIONAL OFFICE WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE (APN: 8594.028.013). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design Review 08.08 and Zone Variance 10.01 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10.14 with findings and subject to the thirty-one (31) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B". Senior Planner Garry presented the staff report and Power Point presentation. Chairwoman Herrera asked the Commissioners if they had any questions for staff. i„ Commissioner Eng asked staff where the HVAC equipment is`located ' Senior Planner Garry replied it will be located on the,west-side of the site. \ Commissioner Eng asked staff if the air conditioners will be outsidekand be shielded~from public view. Senior Planner Garry replied that they will hbe'shielded by landscaping. Commissioner Eng asked staff if we need to make a 'condition that all'mechanical equipment on the ground be screened,Vf Principal Planner Bermeto replied that is up to the Planning Commission. City Attorney Murphy s ggested that the;Commission rcontinue asking questions of staff before adding conditions of approvak," Commissioner Ruiz asked staff why,;the applicant is using asphalt shingles. Senior Planner Garry replied that is a tle§ign choice that the applicant has made. Commissioner,Ruiz stated he would like to see a newer type of material such as tile for a roof. He also asked staffif-&,applicanf is placing a knox box on the gate, so the Fire Department or police may enter for safet`y're'asons Senior Planner Garry replied this is something that is required when there are gates on the plans. He also stated on the fire department checklist there is not a knox box requirement, but it can be added to the conditions of approval if needed. Commissioner Hunter stated she is concerned with the lot size and feels that everything will be squeezed in and the driveway is to narrow for parking. She also suggests putting lines showing no parking. Senior Planner Garry replied that the driveway is a fire lane and no parking will be allowed in the driveway. He also stated that if the Planning Commission would like to we can require no parking signs and striping as a Condition of Approval. Chairwoman Herrera opened the public hearing and invited applicant to speak. Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone in favor. None Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone against the project. None William Stonecypher stated that he is not opposing the.;project but feels' that. this type of design encourages high turnover of residency and would like.to encourage the City, to.approve designs that will encourage residents to stay in our City. Commissioner Hunter stated that when this two story building"goes up, the residents may loose their privacy and may decide to move elsewhere. x ` i' Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that if Cypress trees.are_planted,they,may offer some privacy. Chairwoman Herrera asked.if there were an'y."q'uestiohs.for-applicant:" Commissioner Eng stated that she would like to`ask the applicant some questions. Jeremy Yeh stated he is -available 6 answer questions. Commissioner Eng asked if it-is feasible to change sphalt shingles to tile shingles. Jeremy Yeh stated it will depend o `$&cost. He also stated that the asphalt material is lighter and the cost-is less. ` Commissioner. Ruiz asked the applicant if he looked at the surrounding neighborhood when he designed the project and,pointed out that the rest of the neighborhood used tile roofing. He also stated we want this'project to conform to the surrounding area, and asked the applicant why he is using asphalt roofing. Jeremy Yeh replied that this project is next to the freeway, which is very noisy, and a luxury apartment will not be established here and the cost for asphalt is less expensive. Chairwoman Herrera closed the public hearing. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated he went by the project on Monday and did not notice trash in the vicinity but spoke with neighbors who told him parking is difficult on weekends. Commissioner Hunter stated that Ramona Street is very narrow and the driveway is narrow and no one could park on the south side. Commissioner Eng stated she visited the site on Sunday around 4:00 p.m., and she was able to park on Ramona. She also asked staff if the zoning has been Professional Office with a Design Overlay on Ramona for awhile now. Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked Commissioner Ruiz what the other apartments' roof material was. Commissioner Ruiz replied they are tile roofs and since this is a new'development we should make sure this looks as good as possible. He also stated there is excessive parking and trash dumping there and he would like to see more code enforcement for that'area. He also stated he would like that tile roof be put into the conditions. He also stated, he would like to seethe knox box put into the conditions to allow fire department access into the'property. He also stated that the gate should not be chained in case of emergencies. Chairwoman Herrera asked staff if four bedrooms and.five,batti -ar'e consistent with a 1,400 square foot living area. Principal Planner Bermejo replied no. Chairwoman Herrera asked staff if.these we're full bathrooms.. Principal Planner Bermejo stated the.se.are full bathrooms and explained the findings and what options the Planning Commission mayrhave. Chairwoman. Herrera stated we are he re`toldiscuss;the variance on the driveway and asked staff if these are'apartments or condos >r t Commissioner Hunter stated the staff'report states they are townhomes. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that these will be for lease not for sale. Commissioner Eng;asked ifwe'have guidelines in place now to let you know how many bedrooms and bathrooms are allowed'based on square footage. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that the Rosemead Municipal Code does not have anything to regulate the number of bedrooms or the number of bathrooms per dwelling unit. Commissioner Ruiz stated that there was a change in the building code for height in a previous 3- story home on Temple City Boulevard and asked Principal Planner Bermejo how that change in the code would ft into this type of development. City Attorney Murphy stated none of these homes individually meet the standard for an individual review. He also stated in fact, if they were not in a Design Review Overlay zone or seeking a variance because of a narrow width of a lot, they would not be in front of the Commission. Commissioner Hunter stated this type of unit would need 85 feet in width. Chairwoman Herrera stated the lot size is fine; we are talking about the variance for the driveway. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that project will improve the neighborhood and if there is activity of a boarding home the neighbors will call and complain to the City. Commissioner Ruiz stated he agrees with Vice-Chairman Alarcon and tis concerns are the safety factors. City Attorney Murphy stated he has five conditions that.thePlanning Commissioners requested. 1. Commissioner Ruiz would like tile roof instead of asph'alt.-2. Commissioner Ruiz-would like a knox box. 3. Commissioner Eng would like screening_.of any HVAC individual units:.4,Commissioner Hunter would like proper striping on the driveway, 5 Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated `he would like trees planted to preserve for privacy for the neighbors He, also 'stated the Planning Commission can go two ways with this, one is to. work this out'~,_with` applicant tonight or the Planning Commission can continue this item to a date certain and direct staff to work out those five issues with the applicant and bring back a resolution.'with.,those five conditions, backto the Planning Commission in two weeks for ultimate approval of those conditions.,;` ; Vice-Chairman Alarcon `asked `staff for clarification' of a fire department regulation that was discussed. Senior Planner Garry replied thatthe;driveway isa,fire lane and the fire department requires no parking at anytime.in the driveway, so there is noblockage for the fire trucks. City Attorney Murphy stated from,a legal perspective, perhaps it may be cleaner to have staff work on the language of the conditions'and bring conditions meeting these five conditions back to you, rather fhan trying to make them work into the approval tonight, but it is ultimately your decision and we can approve this tonight ifryou like. Principal Plann"-'l ermefo=stated we would want direction on where you would want trees to be incorporated. She saidthere' is a driveway on the east side of the building and adding additional new trees would reduce the width of that driveway. Commissioner Ruiz stated that is correct, it is on the property line and when trees grow they will be encroaching on the property next to them. Chairwoman Herrera stated so we will agree to take that item out. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that he would still like something added for privacy for the neighbors. Principal Planner stated there will be a six foot block wall for screening on both the east side and west side of the property. She also stated there is an area in the rear of the property which would be appropriate for additional trees. Commissioner Hunter asked staff if the property is 50 feet wide, then what is going to be behind these units and will there be any space behind them. Chairwoman Herrera stated they would have a rear area, of 32 feet. Commissioner Ruiz stated can we add a condition of approval to add signs that state no parking in driveways with the fire code on it on the east wall spaced out every 50, 6et'or so. City Attorney Murphy stated that if that is added it will be fine ;He„also stated we will need to make sure the applicant will accept all of the conditions, (conditions of the=, signs, condition of the screening of the HVAC equipment, the knox box be provided, that any gates to,the property not be chained shut, and a tile roof instead of an asphalt roof)' Chairwoman Herrera invited the applicant to the podium and questioned if all the conditions are acceptable. ` Y Applicant Jeremy Yeh stated he will be`accept-all the conditions of approval but needed clarification on the gate in front, and stated 'he did not have a gate proposed on the plans. City Attorney Murphy clarified to the extent that the,knox box otichaih4ould be required, it would be on the conditions of approval if.ihe,,current ownecor future owner decided to put a gate. Senior Planner Gar y'stated he w which includes, no pafking,signs, allowed on gate;-and tile rodfinst Commissioner Ruii made a me Design, Review 08.08 and 'Zone findings and subject to the thir cation on the changes and stated there are five of he'HVAC equipment, knox box, no chains shingle roof. seconded by Vice-Chairman Alarcon, to APPROVE ince 10-01 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10-14 with a-(31) conditions and the additional five (5) conditions. t.; Vote resulted KJ 'S Yes: fAlarcon, Eng, Herrera, Ruiz No: Hunter Abstain: None Absent: None B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 10-01 - T-Mobile has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application requesting to install an unmanned wireless telecommunications facility on an existing Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission tower located at the northeast corner of Walnut Grove Avenue and Mission Drive, in the A-1 (Light Agricultural) zone. 7 PC RESOLUTION 10.13 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 10.01, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WALNUT GROVE AVENUE AND MISSION DRIVE IN THE A-1 (LIGHT AGRICULTURAL) ZONE (APN: 5289.005.800). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 10-01 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10.13 (attached as Exhibit "A") with findings, and subject to seventeen (17) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. r Assistant Planner Trinh presented the staff report and Power P.gint.presentation. Chairwoman Herrera asked if the Commissioners had any'questions for staff , Commissioner Ruiz asked staff if the pockets in the coverage area that are still ih~the yellow, can they be fixed so they can be green. Assistant Planner Trinh stated that question can be answeredby the representative. Commissioner Eng stated that there are already-a.lot of existing T-Mobile sites nearby and asked staff if there is a way of improving the existing.sitesto improve the coverage in this area. Chairwoman Herrera stated'that`question can be-,addressed to the applicant. Chairwoman Herrera opened the Public hearing Ed Gala, representative for,_T-Mobile stated that theyhave read the staff report and they agree to comply with all the.conditions~of approval. He also re-iterated the project and stated that T-Mobile is planning to tweak the two towers. to the north slightly to meet the coverage to fill the existing gaps-and that they do not currently,plan to do anything to the ones to the southwest to provide more coverage. Commissioner',Ruiz confirme+d, with Mr. Gala that he did say they did not plan to have any added coverage on southwest side`and asked him why they are not. Ed Gala replied he wasnot told why, and was told there just aren't any plans for it. He also stated that this site probably could have covered all gaps in coverage but they are at the maximum height for this tower because of Edison power lines. Commissioner Ruiz expressed concern over the company coming in later and asking for more towers and asked Mr. Gala if this tower can be tweaked to cover the southwest corner. Ed Gala stated it is T-Mobile's goal to fill in the gaps with the existing sites and not build new sites to provide as much coverage as possible. He also stated he will ask. 8 Commissioner Eng asked what is the coverage range for the site. Ed Gala replied typically it is 1 to 2 1/2 miles coverage for this height. He also stated that the height is typically 55 to 60 feet tall to cover this radius. Commissioner Eng confirmed with Mr. Gala that the tower is 37 feet tall at this site. She also asked what makes for coverage indoors compared to outdoors in cars. Ed Gala replied it is proximity to the cell site and stated the closer to the tower the better the coverage. He also stated in a car you will be closer to the site and if in a_-building, the building will shield the coverage. J, Commissioner Hunter asked who is responsible for the maintenance of dirt and weeds on the corner of Walnut Grove and Mission. City Attorney Murphy stated that is something'. ttat staff can discuss with Southern California Edison. He also stated that staff can,reporf back to the Planning Commission in two weeks. Y. Chairwoman Herrera stated is there anyone in favor of project: None Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone, against the project James Hanson stated-he lives very close to the proposed site on a cul-de-sac. He also stated they are very close to the"Edison wires and there is enough electric magnetic radiation there already. He also stated.that eve y'house-in this -cul-de-sac has had a cancer patient and they do not want any, additional electric magnetic' radiation 'from a cell tower. He also stated this is very close to his residence and h'6 personally does not want this permit approved. William Stonecypher stated<that he will be looking at these towers everyday and asked staff if the city will receive any revenuOrom this" Principal Planner Bermeto replied no. William Stonecypherr;stated' that he feels there is a location on the north side near the railroad tracks, away from residential areas, and where there are more of these towers that can achieve the same thing. He also stated we need to protect the beauty of the City and expressed his concern with the noise and maintenance activity of the Edison trucks at all hours. He also stated we need to consider the aesthetics of the City and there is enough cell phone coverage already. Ed Gala stated that he would like to address a number of issues that were raised. He stated as far as the aesthetics of the facility the antennas are already there and we will co-locate and not have to build a new tower. He also stated using the Edison property, there is no impact for recreation use or the nursery and it is a good balance for co-location uses. He also stated that is an unmanned facility and maintenance occurs usually once a month during business hours. He also 9 stated as far as benefits, T-Mobile would not be investing all this money if there was not more need for coverage for their customers. He also addressed the health impact issue and stated it is very low power and is exempt from further review from the FCC because it is less than 10 meters. Commissioner Eng asked where a certain picture that was provided was taken. Ed Gala replied it was taken on a residential street to the east of the site, he does not know the name of the street. Commissioner Eng stated that the street looks like it is right on the site., f Ed Gala replied it is at least 100 feet from the site. r' Commissioner Eng asked if he knew how many T-Mobile subscribers are ih,the City of Rosemead. Ed Gala replied no. Commissioner Eng asked what T-Mobile is doing fo.maximize their existing sites. Ed Gala replied that the goal of T-Mobile is to provide, more coverage without having to build additional cell sites. He also stated if they,can.tweak the antennas to the north, west, and south, ~l they will. Commissioner Eng asked if there has been work to-show that 'they have maximized their coverage for their existing sites before proposing to Build a -riew site.'She also asked if this was public information. \ Ed Gala replied that yes we have' test data, studies, and a mathematical model that proposes coverage and-yes, it is public,information. Commissioner Ruiz "asked how,, many more future sites T-Mobile proposes in the City of Rosemead. Ed Gala replied that T-Mobile has no other sites proposed at this time. Commissioner Ruiz asked f:T-Mobile is fully covered or will they come back and three months asking for another location for cell site. Ed Gala replied he does not know, it will depend on customer demand and the capacity of the cell sites. He also stated the RF Engineer does not have any plans for additional cell sites beyond this one in Rosemead. Chairwoman Herrera closed the public hearing. Commissioner Eng made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Alarcon, to APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 10.01 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10.13 (attached as Exhibit "A") 10 with findings, and subject to seventeen (17) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. Vote resulted in: Yes: Herrera, Alarcon No: Hunter, Eng Abstain: Ruiz Absent: None City Attorney Murphy explained that what the Commission did was notapprove the resolution that would have approved the project and they did not deny it. He also'stated that you may do one of two things; one is to direct staff to bring back more information and keep this hearing open and continue it to a date certain or in the alternative, direct staff to'6ring back',a_resolution of denial. Commissioner Eng stated she would like the applicant to,return to show the'P,lanning Commission that they have exhausted their alternatives for maximizing their existing sites for coverage. Commissioner Ruiz stated he would like to hear from`he,RF'Erigineer to get specifics and some reassurance that the mathematical coverage is correct. , Commissioner Eng expressed her concern, witfiahe amount of dell tower sites in the City of our size. William Stonecypher made, a,recommendation from the audie ce!(Not Audible) Chairwoman Herrera asked Mr. Gala which date'he'would like to come back with more information for the Planning Commission She. stated the next four Planning Commission dates that are coming up~are„May„3, May.,17;FJune 7, and June,21, 010. Ed Gala confirmed that what the the Planning Commission would like is to have the RF Engineer presentand explain T-Mobiles goals for,the City. He also stated he would like to come back in two weeks which will be May 3;'2010. Chairwoman Herrera stated 'this item will be continued to the next regular Planning Commission Meeting to be held on Monday~May 3, 2010. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN & COMMISSIONERS A. Downtown Rosemead Subcommittee The City's Strategic Plan for 2010 and 2011 includes a directive to form a subcommittee with representation from the City Council and the Planning Commission to work with staff on drafting potential plans for downtown Rosemead along Valley Boulevard generally between Rosemead Boulevard and Walnut Grove Avenue. Recommendation: That the Planning Commission appoint one member of the Planning Commission to serve on the Subcommittee. 11 Chairwoman Herrera stated that tonight we need to appoint a Planning Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Rosemead Subcommittee. Commissioner Hunter was appointed to be the representative from the Planning Commission for the Downtown Rosemead Sub-Committee. 7. MATTERS FROM STAFF None Robert Bruesch stated that he surveyed 632 kids in regards',-t6 the Garvey Park Pool and asked the if they wanted a smaller pool with a water park.o~.a:larger pool without a water park and gave a brief summary of results. He also stated that_a skateboard Oark is what is needed at Garvey Park with guided liabilities. Commissioner Hunter asked staff in is there is a ' Fresh & Easy site. away coming out onto Valley,Boulevard on the Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes and. it will be a turri right,only. 8. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commissiori:meeting wschbduled for Monday, May 3, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. ; `Diana Herrera Chairwoman C ` V ATTEST: - Rachel Lockwood;'; , Commission Secretary 12