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PC - Minutes 8-2-93CITY OF ROSEMEAD 8838 VALLEY BOULEVARD ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 2, 1993 MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER - The regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Rosemead was called to order by Chairman Young at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Rosemead City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by commissioner Ortiz. The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Lowrey. 2. ROLL CALL - Present: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen, Ortiz Ex Officio: Stewart, Price, Lyons, Tarr, Pitzer 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Regular meeting of July 19, 1993 (MO) It was moved by Commissioner Breen, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 19, 1993, as presented. Vote resulted: Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen, Ortiz 4. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS - City Attorney Stanton Price explained the public hearing process and the right to appeal decisions of the Planning Commission to the City Council. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH - The secretary administered the oath to members of the audience wishing to speak. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 51586 & ZONE VARIANCE 93-250 & ZONE CHANGE 93-194 - 7629-37 Graves Avenue - Request from Rosemead Country Estates to change the underlying zone from R2 (Medium Multiple Residential) to PD in order to develop a 7-unit tract on a site smaller than the prescribed minimum size (continued from 6-21-93). Mr. Lyons presented the staff memorandum with the recommendation to approve. The Chairman opened the public hearing. Addressing the Commission in favor of the project were: Caroline Seitz, P.O. Box 784, Westminster, representing the applicant. Ms. Seitz stated that after the June 21, 1993 Commission meeting it was the applicant's understanding that the continuance was being requested by the owners of the adjoining property in order to explore the possibilities for developing the properties together; that no legitimate offer to purchase an easement had been made; and that for a period of approximately six years the two parties have not been able to come to an agreement; that the proposed planned development would be an attractive addition to the City; that all conditions of approval were acceptable; and that the applicants hoped that the Commission would consider the project on its own merits. Edmond Cheng, 1108 S. Garfield, Alhambra, project engineer and architect. Mr. Cheng stated that he was present to answer questions the Commission might have. PC Minutes 8-2-93 page 2. Addressing the Commission in opposition to the project were: Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar Avenue. Mr. Nunez inquired if the development would be built on top of the County Flood Control channel; if there would be a new sewer line; if the properties on the south side of Highcliff Street would be affected, and who would clean the catch basins on the proposed private street. Mr. Nunez was informed to contact staff during business hours to receive the answers he was seeking. Lawrence W. Speight, 9901 E. Slauson Avenue, Pico Rivera, retained by the property owner representative to the east, Dolly Leong. Mr. Speight stated that after the last public hearing Ms. Leong had her architect prepare a site plan which incorporates some of the concerns expressed by the Commission and Edmond Cheng; that correspondence between the applicants and Dolly Leong is on file; and that Ms. Leong is still willing to proceed with the project. Dolly Leong, 9544 Ralph Street. Ms. Leong stated that based on the configuration of her property, she wished to integrate her plans with those of the applicants. Ms. Leong presented plans for the Commission's review (which could not be accepted as it is against the policy of the Commission to accept any material at the night of the meeting). Ms. Leong stated that her proposal would result in affordable housing; inquired if lots 4, 5 & 6 of the original proposal would be located on the storm drain, to which she was opposed; and requested that the Commission, in case of approval of the project, would do so based on R-2 standards and deny the zone change and the zone variance part of the request. There being no one else wishing to speak in opposition, the applicants were given an opportunity for rebuttal. Caroline Seitz stated that the applicants did not have any problem with satisfying both the City and the County Engineer on flood control issues, and asked the commission to consider approval of the project. The Chairman closed the public hearing. Discussion by the Commission: Commissioner Breen asked staff for details on the location of the storm drain and was informed that the applicant's engineer had worked out the details with the L.A. County Flood Control. (MO) Commissioner Breen stated that the Commission did not want to become involved in disputes between the two parties, and moved for approval of the project. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Ortiz stated concern in respect to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) requirements and the side yard setback on #4, and felt that the plot plan needed to be refined. (MO) It was moved by commissioner Ortiz, seconded by Commissioner Lowrey to continue the item for at least a couple of months. No vote resulted. Mr. Lyons requested that Commissioner Ortiz state the specific concerns and reasons for a continuance. Chairman Young stated that he was under the impression that the project met the FAR requirements. Mr. Lyons stated agreement. Chairman Young asked Commissioner Ortiz to be specific on the issues to be considered. PC Minutes 8-2-93 page 3. Commissioner Ortiz yielded to Commissioner Ruiz to respond. Commissioner Ruiz stated that he liked the project but would like to see the two parties integrate the plans and develop the properties in the most amiable way for the City; that if the parties could meet and work out the solutions, then the project could be continued; and that if the parties were given one more chance to get together and work things out, possibilities were that the Commission would vote in favor of the project. Mr. Lyons responded that a continuance to the August 16, 1993 meeting would give the applicants sufficient time to reach agreement on access and infrastructure cost. Mr. Price stated that the Commission's first obligation is to the applicant and to make sure that the City's requirements are met, and recommended that the project be continued only one more time for a period of two weeks. Mr. Lyons stated that there are other possibilities for Ms. Leong's property, and felt that one more continuance should include the specific acknowledgement that if the two parties could not negotiate an agreement, staff's recommended action would be approval of the applicant's project. Commissioner Lowrey concurred with commissioners Ortiz and Ruiz and preferred to see a 30-day extension in order to reach a better landuse solution to the problem, and had seconded the motion for that reason. Commissioner Ruiz agreed with commissioner Lowrey's statement with the exception of the 30-day period. He felt that continuance to the next meeting would give the parties sufficient time to work out an agreement. Chairman Young asked Ms. Leong to come to the podium. Mr. Tarr interjected that if the boundaries of the project would be extended, more time would be needed for mailing of the required public hearing notices due to a change in project scope. Chairman Young addressed Ms. Leong and stated that a two-week extension was all the commission was willing to allow. Mr. Speight, speaking for Ms. Leong, stated agreement and a willingness to start making proposals to the applicant and staff, and stated that if nothing had come to fruition by the next meeting, they would accept the Commission's decision. Chairman Young summarized that the Commission is not taking any sides, but is trying to decide what is in the best interest of the City. Commissioner Ruiz addressed Mr. Speight and requested that any new materials be given to the Commission at least one week prior to the next meeting. Mr. Lyons stated that Mr. Tarr and he had clarified that if the parties can solve the access issues, then a hearing date will be set for the entire project after giving due public notice. If there is no agreement, the project will be brought back for approval on August 16.. Commissioner Breen requested the record to show that he was opposed to a continuance on the basis of putting pressure from one neighbor against the other. The Chairman continued the item to the meeting of August 16, 1993. PC Minutes 8-2-93 page 4. • Ms. Seitz was given an opportunity to address the Commission and suggested that in case the parties could come to an agreement, the project be presented as a revision of the present project. Mr. Lyons responded that this was not technically possible at this time. 7. ZONE CHANGE 93-196 - 2737, 2737 1/2, and 2739 Dequine Avenue - Request from Sandy Ng to change the underlying zoning designation from P (Parking) to C3 (Medium Commercial) for future commercial development purposes. Mr. Tarr presented the staff report with the recommendation to approve. The Chairman opened the public hearing. Addressing the Commission in favor of the project was: Sandy Ng, 1611 S. Garfield, Alhambra, representing the owner of the property. Ms. Ng stated that the building on the property was built in 1927, that it is not in good condition, and that it would be an improvement if something better could be built. There being no one else wishing to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed. Discussion by the Commission: (MO) It was moved by Commissioner Lowrey, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to approve Zone Change 93-196 and the Negative Declaration. Commissioner Ortiz felt that by approving the zone change, the residents would lose the buffer zone between residential and commercial zones. Chairman Young asked staff to explain why the recommendation is for approval when a buffer zone is important between residential and commercial. Mr. Tarr responded that the General Plan states that this property is to be used as a commercial enterprise; that the General Plan Map attached to the staff report shows that this property is not intended to remain as a buffer zone, but intended to become a commercial property, and that there is nothing specific in the zoning code that says that the parking zone is to be a buffer zone. A vote was taken with the following result: Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen No: Ortiz OTHER BUSINESS 9. EXTENSION OF TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 22260 - Request to extend map approval for a period of one year to facilitate development (7534 Columbia Street). Mr. Lyons presented the staff memorandum and recommended a one (1) year extension. (MO) It was moved by commissioner Lowrey, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to grant a one-year extension to Tentative Parcel Map 22260. Vote resulted: Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen, Ortiz PC Minutes 8-2-93 page 5. 10. PC RESOLUTION 93-40 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-592 FOR THE TRANSFER OF OF AN EXISTING ABC LICENSE FOR ON-SALE BEER AND WINE AT THE PHO 79 RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 8232 E. GARVEY AVENUE. 11. PC RESOLUTION 93-41 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-593 ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING LARGER THAN 2,500 SQUARE FEET FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7913 WHITMORE STREET. 12. PC RESOLUTION 93-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-595 FOR THE TRANSFER AND RECLASSIFICATION OF AN ABC LICENSE FOR THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE AT DEL MAR FARMERS MARKET LOCATED AT 7822 GARVEY AVENUE. Mr. Price presented the resolutions by title only. (MO) It was moved by Commissioner Breen, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to waive further reading and approve. Vote resulted: Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen, Ortiz 13. ORAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE AUDIENCE - On any matter Juan Nunez commented on poor drainage on Highcliff, the location of the storm drain, and the catch basin. In was recommended that Mr. Nunez contact the City Engineer during business hours for further discussion. 14. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF A. Mr. Tarr announced that the Air Quality Element is scheduled for public hearing on August 16, 1993. B. Commissioner Lowrey announced that he will be absent at the next meeting. C. Commissioner Breen referred to an announcement in the July 29, 1993 Rosemead Green Sheet, headed "Family Counseling Services Installation Dinner," which did not include that he had been installed as corporate secretary of the organization during that meeting. 15. There being no other business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The next meeting will take place on August 16, 1993, at 7:00 p.m. 4.