CDC - Item 2A - Minutes 10-09-07•
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting
ROSEMEAD
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
October 9, 2007
Chairman Tran called the regular meeting of the Rosemead Community
Development Commission to order at 6:04 p.m. in the conference room at City
Hall, at 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The pledge to the flag
was led by Commissioner Clark and the invocation was led by Commissioner
Low.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
Present: Commissioners Clark, Low, Taylor
Vice-Chairman Nunez, Chairman Tran
Absent: None
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE- None
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Resolution No. 2007-21 Claims and Demands
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2007-21 for payment of
Commission expenditures in the amount of $39,556.38 demands
9311 through 9315.
Vice-Chairman Nunez made a motion, with a second by Commissioner
Low to approve Consent Calendar Item A: Vote resulted:
Yes: Clark, Low, Nunez, Taylor, Tran
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. Bank Signature Cards
The Rosemead Community Development Commission requires
several different bank accounts to efficiently operate its financial
matters. Authorized signers on the Commission's bank accounts
include all Commission Members, Commission Secretary,
Executive Director and Assistant City Manager. Banks require new
signature cards to be completed upon any changes in the list of
authorized signers.
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Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007
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Recommendation: That the Rosemead Community Development
Commission authorize the Executive Director, Assistant City
Manager and City Clerk as signers on the various Rosemead
Community Development Commission bank accounts.
Juan Nunez, Rosemead resident, inquired if checks could be tracked.
City Manager Chi and Commissioner Clark responded that checks can be
tracked but that the agenda item pertained only to signature cards to designate
authorized signers due to changes in positions and personnel.
Commissioner Taylor made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Low
to approve Consent Calendar Item B: Vote resulted:
Yes: Clark, Low, Nunez, Taylor, Tran
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
C. Mixed Use Development - 8449 Garvey Avenue
Michael Sun of JWDA Architects has submitted a mixed use
development proposal at the northeast corner of Garvey and Earle
Avenues. The three story structure will be situated on a 37,000
square foot lot and will have approximately 12,000 square feet of
retail and 49 residential units.
Recommendation: That the Community Development
Commission receive and file this report.
Resident Juan Nunez asked if the proposed mixed use development is located
adjacent to a car wash and car rental agency.
City Manager Chi responded that it is on the northeast corner of Garvey and Earl.
Vice-Chairman Nunez made a motion to approve the recommendation.
Councilmember Clark asked if the building was a three or five story structure.
Assistant City Manager Saeki clarified the structure is a five story structure per
the staff report and not a three story structure as indicated on the agenda.
Councilmember Clark objected to this because the agenda cover stating three
story is what the public saw and would not know it was a five story structure
because they don't see the staff report.
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Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007
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Councilmember Taylor asked why the report was so minimal and felt the four
sentences submitted did not constitute a report.
Executive Director Chi responded the proposal was on the agenda so the
Commission could receive the report as a first phase in the entitlement process.
Once the proposal is vetted by the Planning Commission it will be brought back
for final approval.
Commissioner Clark asked if action taken that night would condone the project.
Executive Director Chi explained that yes, the new property owner has a minimal
amount of site control and has hired an architect to start the entitlement process.
He indicated once minimal criteria has been reached, then those items will be
brought to the Commission.
Commissioner Clark inquired how single family residents will be protected based
on the site plan submitted and didn't think the project fit the guidelines.
Chairman Tran and Executive Director Chi reminded Commission Clark the
rendering was preliminary and a public hearing will be conducted.
Commissioner Clark asked if the rendering does not fit the guidelines, why has
the project even gotten this far.
Commissioner Low also responded that the submitted project is conceptual at
this point and suggested the end product may be different.
Assistant City Manager Saeki interjected the project will be scaled back once the
site and floor plans are put together.
Vice-Chairman Nunez pointed out the back of the project only has four stories
and indicated the plans as proposed were preliminary.
Vice-Chairman Nunez made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Low
to receive and file the report submitted. Vote resulted:
Yes: Low, Nunez, Taylor, Tran
No: Clark
Abstain: None
Absent: None
3. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS - None
4. MATTERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & STAFF
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A. Valley Boulevard Vision Plan
On April 27, 2007, the City Council and staff attended an all day
strategic planning retreat at the Double Tree Hotel in Rosemead.
During this event, the City Council and staff identified specific goals
and objectives to be implemented over the next several months.
One of the major goals was to improve economic development
along Valley Boulevard. In an effort to achieve this goal, the Council
requested that a downtown vision or specific plan be prepared for
Valley Boulevard.
Over the last several months, staff contacted firms who specialize
in preparing specific or vision plans and requested that they provide
the City with an estimate to prepare a similar document for Valley
Boulevard. Staff received responses from Larry Moss and
Associates and EDAW/AECOM.
Recommendation: That the Community Development Commission
approve the proposal from EDAW/AECOM and appropriate
$50,000 in unallocated redevelopment funds to fund this project.
Executive Director Chi presented an update on the proposal for the Valley
Boulevard Vision Plan. Larry Moss & Associates and EDAW/AECOM submitted
proposals. After reviewing both proposals, staff felt EDAW/AECOM seemed a
more appropriate choice for this project.
Commissioner Taylor asked why the Larry Moss proposal was not included for
Commission review as previous practice dictates and requested the item be
deferred to the next meeting so the Larry Moss proposal can be reviewed.
Mr. Chi responded staff will provide both reports for Commission review.
B. Exclusive Negotiating Agreement - Pacific Enterprise
Mr. David Kuo, CEO of Pacific Enterprise, has recently submitted a
request for an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement ("ENA") with the
Rosemead Community Development Commission ("CDC") for a
proposed high-end hotel at 8711 & 8729 Valley Boulevard. It is
staffs opinion that there is a need for additional high end hotel
rooms along Valley Boulevard in Rosemead based upon the high
occupancy rates in our hotels currently, as well as high rates in our
neighboring communities. Staff has worked with the CDC's legal
counsel and the developer to draft an ENA which is acceptable to
the City and developer.
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Recommendation: That the Commission. approve the Exclusive
Negotiating Agreement between the Rosemead Community
Development Commission and Pacific Enterprise for the
development of a proposed project at 8711 & 8729 Valley
Boulevard
Executive Manager Chi reported the Hilton in San Gabriel has an occupancy rate
of 89% indicating a strong need for such a development in Rosemead.
Vice-Chairman Nunez made a motion, with a second by Commissioner
Low, to approve the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between the Rosemead
Community Development Commission and Pacific Enterprise for the
development of a proposed project at 8711 & 8729 Valley Boulevard.
Commissioner Taylor asked about the multiple 90 day extensions in the contract.
CDC Attorney Rachel Richman indicated the agreement contains an error and
only provides two 90-day extensions at Executive Director Chi's discretion.
Chairman Tran asked the maker of the motion to amend his motion to
incorporate the agreement change referenced by Ms. Richman.
The Commission and staff discussed the site map and possible street closure or
design changes that might be needed to accommodate the project.
Commissioner Taylor felt exchanging individual businesses did not reflect the
intent of the redevelopment laws which seek to improve large blighted areas.
Executive Director Chi indicated redevelopment agencies also exist to influence
the redevelopment of parcels at the discretion of the Commission. Mr. Chi
reported by granting an ENA, the City is not committing to anything other than
granting the developer the exclusive right to acquire certain pieces.
Commissioner Taylor felt information given to property owners is intimidating and
felt powers given to the Commission Executive Director or his designee to amend
the agreement without Commission approval was inappropriate.
CDC Attorney Richman interjected the authority is only for the extension and the
ENA can be changed per Commission direction.
Commissioner Taylor felt it would be better to keep the Commission informed
and also asked about the change in waiver referenced in the ENA.
Attorney Richman explained if notice went to the City Clerk versus the
Commission, Mr. Chi would have authority to allow notice to occur that way.
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Commissioner Taylor again advocated the Commission should be informed and
felt the agreement was too broad.
Chairman Tran asked the maker of the motion to amend approval subject to
revision, to have notice served to the Commission rather than the City Clerk.
Commissioner Taylor also asked for clarification on the clause that indicated
Commission financial assistance is not anticipated.
Attorney Richman clarified if a Disposition in Development Agreement (DDA) is
entered into, the Commission could assist the developer to acquire properties
and would be considered reimbursement for costs, not financial assistance.
Commissioner Clark asked for an update on the nearby development involving a
church near the Masonic Lodge and the Valley Inn.
Executive Director Chi indicated Richmond Development had not satisfactorily
responded to staff questions, so there has been no further interaction.
Commissioner Clark asked if homeowners were notified about the potential hotel.
Mr. Chi reported notices haven't gone out, as the project is preliminary.
Commissioner Low asked if there were any prostitution problems at this location.
Mr. Chi responded staff did not have specific information.
Commissioner Clark asked if the hotel project would involve street vacation.
Mr. Chi responded potentially, if the developer acquires the properties.
Attorney Richman interjected that when a DDA is launched, zone change would
be initiated and that is when it would be proper to give notice.
Commissioner Clark advocated free enterprise in redevelopment efforts.
Attorney Richman pointed out private developers can still approach owners on
their own; the ENA stipulates the CDC will not talk to any other developers.
Vice-Chairman Nunez made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Low
to approve the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between the Rosemead
Community Development Commission and Pacific Enterprise for the
development of a proposed project at 8711 & 8729 Valley Boulevard with the
following two amendments:
1) Allow for two 90-extensions (rather than three) and
2) Have notice served to the Commission rather than the City Clerk.
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Vote resulted:
Yes: Low, Nunez, Tran
No: Clark, Taylor
Abstain: None
Absent: None
& ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting adjourned at 6:37 pm. The next Community Development
Commission meeting will take place on October 23, 2007 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
COMMISSION SECRETARY
APPROVED:
John Tran
CHAIRMAN
Rosemead Community Development Commission
Meeting Minutes October 9, 2007
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