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PC - Minutes 03-15-10Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 15, 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 - Chairwoman Herrera INVOCATION - Commissioner Eng ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Commissioners Eng, Hunter, Vice-Chairman Alarcon, Chairwoman Herrera. OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Greg 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 Brian Lewin stated that he has questions regarding signage requirements for new businesses operating in the City of Rosemead. He asked if the municipal code had language requirements. He also stated that there is a business located at 8547 Valley Boulevard, but the business operation is not clearly identifiable as signage is not in the English language.. He also asked if Code Enforcement to enforces signage issues. Principal Planner Bermejo stated the business at 8547 use to be a tire company. She stated that Code Enforcement was notified that there was a business operating at the location without proper permits. She further indicated that staff will follow-up with Code Enforcement, regarding this matter. She also said that the Planning Division tries to have businesses identify their products and services in the English language. Commissioner Hunter stated that she thought the beauty shop that had bought that property was using the parking lot for parking. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that Code Enforcement will be contacted to review the site, as conditions of approval regulate the Beauty School. 3. CONSENTCALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes - March 1, 2010 Commissioner Eng stated she had one correction on page 4 last paragraph. Vice-Chairman Alarcon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eng, to approve the Minutes of March 1, 2010 with the correction. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter No: None Abstain: None Absent: Ruiz 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DESIGN REVIEW 09.06 - Coast Signs, Inc has submitted an application for a Design Review to replace all exterior signage on an existing Jiffy Lube automobile repair facility, located at 9655 East Valley Boulevard in the C3-D (Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zone. PC RESOLUTION 10.06- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 09.06, TO PROVIDE NEW EXTERIOR SIGNAGE ON AN EXISTING JIFFY LUBE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR FACILITY AT 9655 VALLEY BOULEVARD IN THE C3-D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE (APN: 6592.007.061). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design Review 09.06 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10.06 with findings, and subject to the twenty-five (25) conditions outlined in Exhibit "A". Senior Planner Garry presented the staff report. Chairwoman Herrera asked the Commissioners if they had any questions for staff. Commissioner Eng asked to clarify the purpose of the raceway. She asked if there was a strip of lighting behind the lettering, and asked if the concern was to have the lettering to be lit up individually. Senior Planner Garry replied that there is no lighting in the raceway. He said it is a white, solid box behind the sign that conceals wiring. Commissioner Eng confirmed with staff that it was conduit. Senior Planner Garry replied yes it is. Commissioner Hunter stated that according to the sign renderings it appeared that the billboard was close very to the building. She questioned staff if that is acceptable. Senior Planner Garry replied that the billboard was built with a building permit, approximately the same time as the building. He also stated it is not uncommon to see billboards extend over structures. Commissioner Eng stated she noticed barbed wire on the billboard, and asked staff if that was necessary. City Attorney Murphy stated that he would like to remind the Planning Commission that the billboard is not under review tonight, and that we need to stay focused on the Jiffy Lube application with respect to how they may or not be in compliance with the municipal code. Commissioner Eng questioned staff if the exterior lights are going to be replaced around the building. 2 Senior Planner Garry replied that he spoke with the applicant and he confirmed the lights will remain on the walls. Commissioner Eng questioned staff if condition of approval number 17 will allow the business to still have the ability to advertise specials or promotions. Senior Planner Garry replied condition of approval number 18 addresses that future banners and temporary signs will be reviewed and approved by the Planning Division prior to installation. He also stated they still have the right to request future banners as any other business. Chairwoman Herrera opened the public hearing. Dennis Stout stated he is representing Coast Signs, Inc. He also stated that he and Jiffy Lube have read the conditions of approval, and that Jiffy Lube has an issue with condition of approval number 25. He also stated that although raceways are discouraged in the city and flat letters are preferred, he explained the difficulty of drilling through the wall to install individual letters. He stated that the raceway will be a cleaner installation. He also stated the raceway will not be lit up, it will be painted to match the wall. He also stated the other issue is visible on the sign elevations (Sign D, page 4). He stated that the picture shows that there is large shelving behind the wall where Jiffy Lube is propping to install the sign, which would make the installation cumbersome.. He stated that they are proposing to reface the smaller sign on the pole with a reader board which will allow them to promote their specials. Commissioner Eng questioned Mr. Stout if each Jiffy Lube business is owned by a franchise or if it is a national chain. Dennis Stout replied they are both franchise or corporate owned. Commissioner Eng questioned if this particular Jiffy Lube is a corporate or franchise owned business. Dennis Stout stated he was not sure. Commissioner Eng questioned Mr. Stout what was the cost difference between the raceway and the individual illuminated channel letter signs. Dennis Stout replied it is more costly to install the individual channel letters, especially when the wall this hard and thick. He also stated that with a compromise we could have sign D on a raceway and sign G flush mounted. Commissioner Eng asked how big the box is. Dennis Stout replied it is 7" X 7". Commissioner Eng asked how deep the shelves are. Dennis Stout replied he did not know he has not seen them. Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone in favor-of this project. None Chairwoman Herrera asked if there was anyone against this project. None Chairwoman Herrera closed the Public Hearing. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked staff for their opinion on the applicant's compromise. Community Development Director Wong stated the cinderblock it would create a hardship, but the staff prefers the channel letter sign. He also stated that in this particular case, we do not mind going with the raceway. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked staff if they were going with C or D. Staff replied with D. Chairwoman Herrera asked the Planning Commission do we have a motion. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, stated for the record the motion is to approve the Resolution with Condition Number 25 amended to exclude sign D from the flush mounting. Vice-Chairman Alarcon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eng, to APPROVE Design Review 09.06 and ADOPT Resolution No. 10.06 with findings, and subject to the twenty-five (25) conditions outlined in Exhibit "A". Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Hunter, Herrera No: None Abstain: None Absent: Ruiz Community Development Director Wong stated to Chairwoman Herrera that for clarification the decision is final unless it is appealed within 10 days to the City Council. B. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 071159 - Steven Van has submitted an application for a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide one (1) existing parcel totaling 13,950 square feet into two (2) parcels for the development of one (1) new single-family home. An existing home on one parcel will remain and a new garage is proposed on each lot. The subject site is located at 8403 Marshall Street in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) zone. PC RESOLUTION 10.07- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 071159 REQUESTING TO SUBDIVIDE ONE EXISTING PARCEL INTO TWO PARCELS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE (1) NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOME. AN EXISTING HOME ON ONE (1) PARCEL WILL REMAIN AND A NEW GARAGE IS PROPOSED ONE EACH LOT. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 8403 MARSHALL STREET IN THE R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) ZONE (APN: 5371.007.032). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Tentative Parcel Map 071159 and ADOPT Resolution 10.07 with findings, and subject to thirty (30) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. Chairwoman Herrera stated that she would like to recluse herself from this item and left the room. Assistant Planner Trinh presented the staff report. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked if Planning Commissioners had any questions for staff. Commissioner Eng stated there is not a grading plan and questioned staff when the applicant is required to submit a grading plan. Assistant Planner Trinh stated the applicant is using the existing topography for the project. She said that the parcel map shows that the building pad is not being raised and that there is a natural flow to the street, so grading is not proposed. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that typically the grading plan is generally reviewed by the Planning Commission for planned developments. She also stated when subdivisions are submitted, the grading plan is reviewed during Building plan check. Commissioner Eng stated, so there is a grading plan for review for proper drainage. Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes there is. Vice-Chairman Alarcon opened the public hearing. Kamen Lai stated that he is representing Steven Van who was not able to attend tonight. He also stated he would like to thank staff for all there help. He reiterated the project description and stated he was available for questions. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked if there were any questions. None Kevin Tsai, representative for Cal Land Engineering, stated he is available for any questions. Vice-Chairman Alarcon asked if there was anyone in favor or against this project. None Vice-Chairman Alarcon closed the public hearing. Commissioner Nancy Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joan Hunter, to APPROVE Tentative Parcel Map 071159 and ADOPT Resolution 10.07 with findings, and subject to thirty (30) conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. Vote resulted in: . Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Hunter No: None Abstain: Herrera Absent: Ruiz Community Development Director Wong stated to Chairwoman Herrera that for clarification the decision is final unless it is appealed within 10 days to the City Council. 5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN & COMMISSIONERS Chairwoman Herrera stated she would like to send condolences in behalf of the Planning Commission to Commissioner Ruiz and his family. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that shopping carts are a problem on the corner of Sullivan and Whitmore. He also stated that he does not know what the solution is but feels we need to address this issue. He also stated that maybe they could do some public relations for this neighborhood and he does not know if this problem is city-wide. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that she will discuss this with Code Enforcement. i Chairwoman Herrera stated that shopping carts are a city-wide problem and we should address this and find a solution. Commissioner Hunter requested that staff look into the business of the Taiwan Center on the corner of Walnut Grove and Garvey. She also stated she is concerned with the type of business that may be there. Principal Planner Bermejo stated she will have Code Enforcement look into it. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that E-Waste pick up is done there once in awhile. Commissioner Eng asked staff, when the city's sign ordinance went into effect. Principal Planner Bermejo replied, the City has adopted sign ordinance, and several portions were amended in 1996. Commissioner Eng asked staff what has been done to communicate with businesses on the sign ordinance. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that when a new business comes into the City for a Certificate of Occupancy application, part of the process is that the Planning Division informs them of the sign ordinance and sign review at that time. She also stated that one of the City's goals is to do a complete overhaul of our sign code. Commissioner Eng asked staff what about existing businesses. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that Code Enforcement works with us, and as new ownership takes over a business and if new signage is going in, they inform us. She also stated we then make sure the proper permits have been processed for that signage. Commissioner Eng stated that she has two sites that are questionable; one is on the west side of the Jiffy Lube. She stated that there is a sign on the pole and requested that staff please confirm that this is a permitted sign. Principal Planner Bermejo replied we will confirm with the Building Division and Certificate of Occupancy records, as well as discuss with Code Enforcement. 6 Commissioner Eng stated the second site is the business behind Jiffy Lube on Temple City Blvd. She also requested from staff to please contact the business owner, there are signs all over the place and it should be cleaned up. Commissioner Eng asked staff about the status of the wall construction to reduce noise issues near the transformer at Wal-Mart. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that Wal-Mart has submitted a plan, which has been reviewed and approved by the Planning Division, and permits will be issued soon. She also stated that staff has asked Wal-Mart to post a sign with project and contact information to notify nearby residents that construction will be taking place. She also stated that construction would take 3 - 4 weeks. She also said staff has not received any complaints regarding the noise issue since the last Wal-Mart review. 6. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Planning Commission attendance confirmation for the 2010 Planners Institute & Mini Expo at the Monterey Conference Center (Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - Friday, March 26, 2010. Principal Planner Bermejo stated she would like to inform the Planning Commissioners who are attending the League of California Cities, 2010 Planners Institute & Mini Expo in Monterey, that registration has been confirmed. 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Diana Herrera Chairwoman ATTEST: (lau - RachelLockwood Commission Secretary