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PC - Minutes 04-19-10Minutes 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 APPEAL RIGHTS Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the procedures and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes • April 5, 2010 Commissioner Eng had correction to page 3, it should state approved with the additional conditions. She also stated she needed clarification on the addition of non-conforming explanation on page 7 from City Attorney. Commissioner Eng made a motion, 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 1 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 we have applied for one state grant and will look for others. 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 Scott replied that concessionaries will be pre- packaged dry goods and that local youth groups and swim teams can take advantage. Commissioner Eng asked if both pools at each park are the same size. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott replied that the footprints at each pool remain the same as is. He also stated that with the singular exception of a grassy area of the NE corner of Rosemead Pool that will be incorporated. Commissioner Eng asked if there were guidelines for competitive aquatic programs for nearby schools such as Mark Keppel and San Gabriel High School that may want to use our facilities. Parks & Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott.replied there are competitive programs and the high schools mentioned are currently using our facilities and yes we would work out joint issues and go from there. Commissioner Ruiz asked if the city will ask for federal grants if available. Parks & Recreation 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 % to 10 million dollars but bear in mind that 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 CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 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. Commissioner Eng asked staff where the HVAC equipment is located. Senior Planner Garry replied they will be located on the west side of the site. Commissioner Eng asked staff if the air conditioners will be outside and be shielded from public view. Senior Planner Garry replied that yes they will be shielded by landscaping Commissioner Eng asked staff if we need to make a condition that all mechanical equipment on the ground be screened. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that is up to the Planning Commission. City Attorney Murphy suggested we continue asking questions of staff before adding conditions of approval. Commissioner Ruiz asked staff why the applicant is using asphalt shingles. Senior Planner Garry replied that is a design review 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 staff if we are placing a knox box, so any vehicles such as the fire department or police may enter for safety reasons. 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 for this project and feels that everything will be squeezed in and feels the driveway is to narrow for parking. She also suggests putting lines showing no parking. Senior Planner Garry replied that it 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 put no parking signs and lines can be added to the plans. 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, a resident stated that he is not opposing the project but feels that this type of design encourages high turnover with residency and would like to encourage the city to approve designs that will encourage residents to stay in our city. Commissioner Hunter stated that the residents have lived there for 35 years and they deserve to maintain their privacy. Vice-Chairman Alarcon stated that if Cypress trees are planted they may offer some privacy. Chairwoman Herrera asked if there were any questions for applicant. Commissioner Eng would like to ask the applicant some questions. Jeremy Yeh, designer for project, stated he is available to answer questions. Commissioner Eng asked if it is feasible to change asphalt shingles to tile shingles. Jeremy Yeh, designer for project stated it will depend on the cost. He also stated that the asphalt material is lighter and the cost is less. Commissioner Ruiz asked applicant if he looked at the surrounding neighborhood as he made his design 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, designer for project replied that this project is next to the freeway and 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 and was told 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 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 apartment's 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 see the knox box put into the conditions to allow public utilities and fire department access into the property if they need to. He also stated with the knox box condition, there will be a gate and it should not be chained in case of an emergencies. Chairwoman Herrera asked staff if four bedrooms and five baths are consistent with a 1,400 square foot living area. Principal Planner Bermejo replied no. Chairwoman Herrera asked staff if these were full bathrooms Principal Planner Bermejo stated these are full bathrooms and explained the findings and what options the Planning Commission may have. Chairwoman Herrera stated we are here to discuss the variance on the driveway and asked staff if this is apartments or condos. 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 do we 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 would that change in the code fit 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 actually be in front of you. Commissioner Hunter stated this type of unit would need 85 feet in width. Chairwoman Herrera stated the lot size is fine; we are talking on the variance of 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 his concerns are the safety factors. City Attorney Murphy stated he has five conditions that the Planning Commissioners requested. 1. Commissioner Ruiz would like tile roof instead of asphalt. 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 open 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, any one of those 1 through five and insert them and bring it back to 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 that the driveway is a fire lane and the fire department requires no parking at anytime in driveway, so there is no blockage 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 than trying to make them work into the approval tonight, but it is ultimately your decision and we can approve this tonight if you like. Principal Planner Bermejo stated with respect to the trees we would want direction on where you would want those incorporated, right now there is a driveway on the east side of the building and by adding the landscape with trees you will be reducing 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. 6 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 do 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 feet or so. City Attorney Murphy stated that if that is added it will be fine. He also stated we will need to make sure 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 a asphalt roof. Chairwoman Herrera invited the applicant to the podium and questioned if all the conditions are acceptable. Jeremy Yeh, designer of project stated that he will accept all the conditions of approval but needed clarification on the designer gate in front and stated he did not have that on the design. City Attorney Murphy clarified to the extent that the knox box or chain would be required, it would be on the conditions of approval if the current owner or future owner decided to put a gate. Senior Planner Garry stated he would like clarification on the changes and stated there are five which includes, no parking signs, the screening of the HVAC equipment, knox box, no chains allowed on gate, and tile roof instead of asphalt shingle roof. Commissioner Ruiz made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Alarcon, to 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 and the additional five (5) conditions. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, 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. 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. Assistant Planner Trinh presented the staff report and power point presentation. Chairwoman Herrera asked if the Commissioners had any questions for staff. Commissioner Ruiz asked staff there are some pockets in the coverage area that are still in the yellow can they be fixed so they can be green. Assistant Planner Trinh stated that questioned can be answered by 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 sites to 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 they have read the staff report and they agree to comply with all the conditions of approval. He also re-iterated the project and stated to fill the existing gaps T-Mobile is planning to tweak the two towers to the north slightly to meet the coverage and the ones to the southwest they do not currently plan to do anything there to provide more coverage. Commissioner Ruiz confirmed 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 was not told why, and was told there just aren't any plans for it. He also stated that this site probably could have covered the 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 it 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. Commissioner Eng asked for the site they are proposing what is the coverage range Ed Gala replied typically it is 1 to 2 112 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's basically proximity to 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. 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 that staff can discuss with Southern California Edison. He also stated that staff can report back to the Planning Commission in two weeks. . 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 with six homes. He also stated they are very close to the Edison wires and there is enough electric magnetic radiation there already. He also stated that every 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 would like to state he 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 revenue from this. Principal Planner Bermejo replied no. William Stonecypher 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 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. Ed Gala replied it is at least 100 feet from the site. Commissioner Eng asked if he knew how many T-Mobile subscribers are in the City of Rosemead. Ed Gala replied no. Commissioner Eng asked what T-Mobile is doing to maximize the 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 for the north, west, and south, 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 new site. She also asked if this was public information. Ed Gala replied that yes we have dry test data, studies, and a mathematical model that proposes coverage and yes it is public information. Commissioner Ruiz asked how many more sites T-Mobile may propose for the City of Rosemead in the future. Ed Gala replied that T-Mobile has no other sites proposed at this time. Commissioner Ruiz asked applicant if 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 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 not approve 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 directs staff to bring back a resolution of denial. Commissioner Eng stated she would like the applicant to return to show the Planning Commission that they have exhausted their alternatives for maximizing their existing sites for coverage. Commissioner Ruiz stated he would like to hear from the RF Engineer to get specifics and some reassurance that the mathematical coverage is correct. Commissioner Eng expressed her concern with the amount of cell tower sites for the city of our size. William Stonecypher made a recommendation from the audience. (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, June 7, and June 21, 2010. Ed Gala confirmed that what the the Planning Commission would like is to have the RF Engineer present and 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 appoints 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 to the Garvey Park Pool and asked the if they wanted a smaller pool with a water park or a larger pool without a water park and gave a brief summary of results. He also stated that a skateboard park is what is needed at Garvey Park with guided liabilities. Commissioner Hunter asked staff in regards to Fresh and Easy, is there is a driveway coming out onto Valley Boulevard Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes and it will be a turn right only. 8. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. _L~al~~ Diana Herrera Chairwoman ATTEST: nn p Z' 4 aa_ Rachel Lockwood, Commission Secretary 12