CDC - Item 2B - Minutes 10-10-06•
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
October 10, 2006
Chairman Taylor called the regular meeting of the Rosemead Community
Development Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room of City
Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
Chairman Taylor led the pledge to the flag and Commissioner Imperial led the
invocation.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
Present: Commissioner Imperial, Tran, Vice-Chairman Nunez, Chairman
Taylor
Absent: Commissioners Clark (excused)
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Juan Nunez inquired about a discussion from the minutes of
May gth regarding the enactment of a plea for playing in the park.
Chairman Taylor replied he could not act on the inquiry until the
minutes are reviewed.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Resolution No. 2006-22 Claims and Demands
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2006-22, for payment of
Commission expenditures in the amount of $76,128.42 demands
7989 through 7999.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Nunez with a second by
Commissioner Tran to adopt Resolution No. 2006-22 for payment of
Commission expenditures in the amount of $76,128.42 demands
7989 through 7999.
Vote resulted:
Aye: Imperial, Nunez, Taylor, and Tran
No: None
Absent: Clark
Abstain: None
The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
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B. Minutes
June 6, 2006 - Special Meeting
June 27, 2006 - Regular Meeting
July 11, 2006 - Regular Meeting
August 8, 2006 - Regular Meeting
August 22, 2006 - Regular Meeting
September 26, 2006 - Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Nunez with a second by
Commissioner Tran to approve minutes from all six meeting dates
listed above.
Vote resulted:
Aye:
Imperial, Nunez, Taylor, and Tran
No:
None
Absent:
Clark
Abstain:
None
The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
3. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS
None
4. MATTERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & STAFF
A. Residential "Mansionization" Workshop
The City of Rosemead Planning Department has been holding a
series of workshops with the Planning Commission designers.
Staff has been working with consultant, Sandra Bauer, to formulate
proposed changes to our development codes and a set of interim
design guidelines that will ultimately be incorporated into our
updated general planning and zoning ordinances.
Recommendation: That the Community Development
Commission provide feedback and comments on the issues
presented and provide additional comments, if necessary, to allow
staff to finalize the draft residential infill design guidelines.
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Planning Director Johnson introduced mansionization issues his
department has been dealing with. He introduced Sandra Bauer of
Bauer Environmental Services to give the first half of the
presentation.
Ms. Bauer met with the Planning Commission, staff and local
architects and reviewed guidelines from other cities to put together
the Planning Guidelines and Standards addressing
'Mansionization'.
During her presentation she reviewed the purpose of the study and
highlighted some of the key findings. The city has received an
increasing number of applications for homes that are much larger
than those they replace. The trend started in California but now is
a nationwide issue.
"Mansionization" has sparked many debates revolving around
issues such as: development intensity; architectural design;
neighborhood compatibility; community cohesion and standards for
setbacks and parking.
The average square foot occupied per person has tripled since
WWII. This reflects a change in personal views of what a home is;
an explosion in office use at home; increasing urbanization and the
renaissance of the inner city.
Advantages of Mansionization include the opportunity for the City to
evolve with changing resident needs, provide an alternative to
urban sprawl, provide an increase in property values and tax
revenues, stimulates broader redevelopment goals, and allows
cities to optimize infrastructure/utilities.
The disadvantages include loss of historic structures, disruption of
neighborhood character; sunlight and air circulation blockage to
adjacent neighbors, privacy issues and higher environmental costs
to support a large home. Surrounding cities have adopted zoning
restrictions, enforceable standards and regulations to regulate
Mansionization.
The Commission received recommended standards for
consideration that addressed topics such as: scale & mass,
architectural styles, yards, fences & accessory structures and
entries, doors & windows.
Planning Director Johnson reviewed photographic examples of
homes that illustrate what staff hopes to achieve and discourage
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through the proposed guidelines. He described the houses in the
photos as bulky and unattractive; most of them were built in the last
five years. These new homes change the appearance and
character of the community.
Director Johnson explained that in 1991 a house built on Temple
City Blvd. south of Valley, sparked community complaints. As a
result, the City Council adopted the conditional use permit process
which requires a public hearing and a floor area ratio set at 45% for
Mansionization projects.
Currently, the city lacks guidelines for houses over 2,500 square
feet. Some were designed with a side-facing garage with a massive
concrete patch, or a "prison look" lacking attractive landscape, or a
"pop up" addition that does not blend with the existing house.
Planning Director Johnson outlined his design preferences, a few of
which are outlined below:
1) Require human scale proportions; for instance require a second
floor that is 1/3 smaller than the first floor with a separate roof
system;
2) Garage door color that matches the main house;
3) Appropriate window sizes that fit with the wall spaces; and
4) More wood material rather than a purely stucco exterior.
Vice-Chairman Nunez inquired why some neighborhoods do not
have side walks on both sides. It was explained that the City
Council modified a City ordinance a few years ago in response to
resident requests. Currently, developers may be required to install
sidewalks if the project is involves a sub-division.
Vice-Chairman Nunez advocated instituting an ordinance requiring
sidewalks on all streets if it makes sense in that neighborhood (if
other portions of sidewalk are already in process).
Planning Director Johnson explained that tonight was the first step
in encouraging the Commission to discuss guidelines staff will put
together. He invited the Commission to share their ideas. After
review and feedback, guidelines will be brought back for adoption.
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Ms. Bauer commented architects she met with are in favor of the
City establishing guidelines so that they can better serve their
clients.
Executive Director Lazzaretto spoke on behalf of Commissioner
Clark who was absent, but asked requested the green initiatives be
included.
Chairman Taylor invited comments from the residents.
One resident felt good ideas were presented, but requested more
open spaces around the houses be added as a requirement.
Commissioner Tran agreed not enough open space around a
house makes a large home seem off-balance. He asked why such
off-balance designs were approved.
Planning Director Johnson replied that pressure from contractors
and no neighborhood opposition were factors in the approvals.
Commissioner Tran asked what happens when fencing violations
occur and asked if guidelines address bars.
Planning Director Johnson indicated that future guidelines will
address bars.
Resident Juan Nunez inquired about sewer line curbs and
expressed concern about future requirements to upgrade sewer
lines.
City Engineer Rukavina replied that those are governed by the
uniform building code which requires six inches.
Another resident reported he was not notified about neighboring a
project and claims that he has never received notices.
Planning Director Johnson explained notices are sent out to
residents within a 300 feet radius of the project.
C. Closed Session.
The Community Development Commission will recess to a closed
session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8:
Conference with Real Property Negotiators
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0
Propert y
Property Owner
9020 Steele Street
Alan Kao
8808 Glendon Way
Frank & Karen Wearp
8814 Glendon Way
Khi H & Siv H Ngo
8822 Glendon Way
Alfredo Wong
8828 Glendon Way
M. Garcia
8832 Glendon Way
R C & I Group
8920 Glendon Way
8920 Glendon Way Associates,
Inc.
3520 Ivar Avenue
8920 Glendon Way Associates,
Inc.
3527 Ivan Avenue
Fifteen SAC Self Storage Corp.
Negotiating Parties: Andrew C. Lazzaretto, Executive
Director
Brian Saeki, Redevelopment &
Economic Development Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
The closed session was moved until after the Council meeting.
Assistant City Attorney Rozell reported the Commission with a vote
of 4-0 (with one abstention by Mayor Taylor) approved the appraisal
for compensation for the property located at 9020 Steele Street.
5. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further action to be taken at this time, a motion was made
by Vice-Chairman Nunez to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. The next
regular meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Commission Secretary
APPROVED:
CHAIRMAN
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