PC - Minutes 1-17-94CITY OF ROSEMEAD
8838 VALLEY BOULEVARD
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 17, 1994
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 Breen.
The Invocation was delivered by Chairman Young.
2. ROLL CALL - Present: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen
Absent (excused): Ortiz
Ex Officio: Wagner, Price, Chicots, Troyer
Pickett
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Regular meeting of January 3, 1994
(MO) It was moved by commissioner Breen, seconded by Commissioner
Lowrey, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
January 3, 1994, as presented. Vote resulted:
Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen,
Absent: 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. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-604 - 8606 E.,Garvey Avenue - Request
from Peter Hieng for the transfer of an existing ABC license for
the off-site sale of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with a
liquor store dba G. W. Liquor (cont'd. from 1-3-94).
Mr. Troyer presented the staff report with the recommendation
for a one (1) year approval.
The Chairman opened the public hearing and there being no one
wishing to address the Commission, the public hearing was
closed.
Discussion by the Commission:
Commissioner Lowrey was concerned about video game arcades in a
liquor store and that prohibition of these games should be added
to the conditions of approval.
Mr. Chicots explained that as of December 31, 1990, liquor
stores are not allowed to display or operate any arcade game
devices in the premises, and therefore, the code should cover
this condition.
Commission was in agreement that the owner of the inoperative
forklift would be given 30 days to remove it from the property.
PC Minutes 1-17-94
page2.
(MO) It was moved by Commissioner Lowrey, and seconded by
Commissioner Ruiz to approve Conditional Use Permit 93-604
subject to the conditions of approval. Vote resulted:
Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen
Absent: Ortiz
7. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-605 - 7616 Fern Avenue - Request from
Kwok Tien Wu to construct a 3,477 square-foot single family
dwelling in an R-2 zone (cont'd. from 1-3-94).
Mr. Troyer presented the staff report with the recommendation
to approve.
The Chairman opened the public hearing and there being no one
wishing to address the Commission, the public hearing was
closed. It was ascertained that the applicant was present.
(MO) It was moved by Commissioner Breen, seconded by Commissioner
Ruiz to approve Conditional Use Permit 93-605. Vote resulted:
Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen
Absent: Ortiz
8. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 93-607 & ZONE VARIANCE 93-263 - 8450
Valley Boulevard, #122 - Request from Johnny Li to operate a
family activity center with play apparatus, arcade and
restaurant, and a Zone Variance to provide less than the
required off-street parking spaces in the C-3D zone.
Mr. Chicots presented the staff report with the recommendation
to approve Conditional Use Permit 93-607 and Zone Variance
93-263 for one (1) year subject to the original conditions.
Commissioner Young was concerned about billiard tables being on
the premises.
Mr. Chicots responded that the site plan does not show any
billiard tables and if there is a need, it will be included in
the conditions of approval that billiard tables will not be
permitted in the area.
Commissioner Ruiz inquired if any consideration had been given
to a non-smoking area since this type of facility is known for
smoking and having smoke could be present throughout the floor
area. And if so, could this be added as a condition.
The Chairman opened the public hearing.
Addressing the Commission in favor of the proposed project was:
Johnny Li, 1102 Kings Street, San Gabriel. He briefly explained
the nature of the proposed project stressing that it is not only
a fun center but more of an exercise center for the children.
His proposed project is similar to Fun Dazzle of Montclair and
Discovery Zone of Hacienda Heights where there are similarities
in facilities and fees; and they offer some food and
refreshments with game redemptions for children. In his
proposal, there will an activity center with play apparatus
normally seen in the parks and kindergarten schools. In
addition, an area will be provided for arcade machines with
supervision for older children. He further stressed that arcade
machines will all be rated like the movies as some of the game
videos are too violent or too explicit for children.
Commissioner Breen inquired about the clear visibility of the
modular tubes.
PC Minutes 1-17-94
page 3.
Mr. Li responded that the tubes were about 5-foot modules linked
together with a total run of no more than 15 feet with most of
the angles being visible. He will make sure that any blind
corners will be opened for better visibility.
Chairman Young stated his concern in respect to having the whole
area a non-smoking one.
Mr. Li responded that the restaurant would have a smoking
section but the entire open space would be strictly non-smoking.
He also assured the Commission that there will be no pool or
billiard tables; that their equipment would solely be for
exercise; that the arcade video games would be supervised; that
the place would be clean and well maintained; and that it would
have very good security systems for childrens' and patrons'
safety. With regard to time limits and fees, for 2 hours of
play for one parent and child, the fee will be $5.00. There
will be an extension of an additional hour in cases where 15
minutes of late arrival are concerned. For an additional parent,
an additional $5.00 charge would be added to the fee and for
both parents and 2 children, the fee will be $15.00. Children
would strictly be accompanied by an adult for liability
purposes. With regard to parking space requirements, he
presented a single line diagram of the entire parking facility
of the center. The owners of the building at this time had
entered into an agreement with another tenant of a restaurant
regarding their parking and the tenant had not submitted their
drawing to the City as of this date. Mr. Li stated that in
order to provide more parking spaces, he was suggesting that
employees park at the rear and leave their car keys to the
secury guard for parking purposes. With regard to fire lanes
alongside the building, the Fire Department approved it with the
original lane of the center being 22 feet and as an architect he
did not see any problem with that.
Mr. Chicots explained that the center was originally designed
for seven (7) restaurants, and currently has five (5). Staff
was recommending restricting the remaining tenants for retail
only for parking purposes.
Commissioner Lowrey wanted to know the number of employees under
his employment.
Mr. Li replied that he will have at least 10 persons at the
arcade and another 10 at the restaurant. He would also have a
craft workshop with director/instructor, parents and children,
so the total number of people would be somewhere around 25 which
would be a lot less than a supermarket.
Mr. Ko Chen, 1480 S. Marino, California. Mr. Chen stated that
he has known Mr. Li and family for quite sometime. When he was
approached for a family recreation center, he was elated since
children needed this type of activity to divert their attention
against crimes. Moreover, this type of project would be good
for the City, as well as, the community. Therefore the
Commission should support and approve this project.
There being no one else wishing to address the Commission, the
public hearing was closed.
Mr. Chicots recommended this request be continued in order to
review the proposed parking plan.
Chairman Young stated that stipulations on no smoking and no
billiard tables be included in the conditions of approval.
There being no opposition, the Chairman ordered the item be
continued.
PC Minutes 1-17-94
page 4.
OTHER BUSINESS
9. EXTENSION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 92-577 - 2664 Stingle Avenue
#D - Reguest for a conditional use permit for the operation of a
sewing factory dba Seven Stars Garment.
Mr. Troyer presented the staff memorandum and recommended a two
(2) year extension.
(MO) It was moved by Commissioner Lowrey, seconded by Commissioner
Ruiz, to extend Conditional use Permit 92-577 for a period of
two (2) years, subject to the original conditions of approval.
Vote resulted:
Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen
Absent: Ortiz
10. PC RESOLUTION 94-01 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DENYING DESIGN REVIEW 93-60 TO CONSTRUCT A
990 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE BUILDING TO OPERATE AN AUTO SALES
BUSINESS IN THE M-1 ZONE WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY.
Mr. Price presented the resolution by title only.
(MO) It was moved by Commissioner Lowrey, seconded by Chairman Young
to waive further reading and adopt. Vote resulted:
Yes: Lowrey, Ruiz, Young, Breen
Absent: Ortiz
11. ORAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE AUDIENCE - On any matter - None
12. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF
A.
Mr. Chicots informed the Commission that the Planning
Director, Peter Lyons, was at a sister city conference in
New Mexico with Mayor Bruesh and Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez and
was unable to attend tonight's meeting.
B.
Through Commissioner Lowrey's kindness and thoughtfulness,
he once again brought some lemons for everybody.
C.
Mr. Stan Price stated that in spite of the earthquake, the
City is still in great shape.
D.
Mr. Don Wagner reported on an earthquake measuring 6.7 on
the Richter Scale with the epicenter in Northridge. Staff
members from different departments were on hand for the
activation of the emergency center at about 5 a.m. and it
was deactivated at 1:45 p.m. with no major damage anywhere
except some minor collapse in tiles at one of the stores at
Montgomery Ward Shopping Center; Garvey Park had slight
damage due to the shaking; and a few ceiling tiles had
fallen at the Community Center. Due to a brief power outage
in some parts of the City, there were some signals out but
were all on line by noon. Staff did a fantastic response to
the emergency situation.
13.
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 Monday, February 3, 1994 at 7:00 p.m.