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PC - Item 3A - Minutes 10-18-10Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING October 18, 2010 The regular meeting of the Panning Commission was called to order by Chairman Alarcon at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Vice - Chairwoman Eng INVOCATION - Chairman Alarcon ROLL CALL - Commissioners Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz, Vice- Chairwoman Eng, Chairman Alarcon ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Principal Planner Bermejo, Planning Technician Casillas, and Commission Secretary Lockwood. 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS Sheri Bermejo, Principal Planner, presented the procedures and `"appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes - October 4, 2010 Vice - Chairwoman Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to APPROVE Minutes of October 4, 2010; as presented. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz No: None Abstain: Hunter Absent: None C 14N1aW1:1Ii! W A. MODIFICATION 10 -06 - Sprint Nextel has submitted a Modification application requesting to modify an existing wireless telecommunications facility previously approved under Conditional Use Permit (CUP 96.683) situated on the rooftop of the four story Double Tree Hotel, located at 888 Montebello Boulevard, in the C3 -D (Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zone. The applicant is proposing to install one (1) new 4' -0" tall panel antenna and one (1) new 2' -2" diameter microwave dish onto each of the three (3) existing antenna arrays. New mechanical equipment associated with this wireless facility will be installed within an existing equipment cabinet located on the rooftop of the building. PC RESOLUTION 10 -31 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOSj ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING MODIFICATION 10.06, PERMITTING THE MODIFICATION OF CUP 96.683 TO MODIFY AN EXISTING WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCATED AT 888 MONTEBELLO BOULEVARD, IN THE C -31D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE. Staff Recommendation - Based on the analysis and findings contained in this report, staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Modification 10.06 and ADOPT Resolution No. 1031 with findings and .subject to the twenty -five (25) conditions. t Planning Technician Casillas presented the staff report.' Chairman Alarcon asked if the Planning Commissioners had any questions for staff. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if this Modification request it to add another antenna since this provider currently has five antennas at this site already. I Planning Technician Casillas replied yes it is. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff what is the difference between a panel antenna verses and an antenna array. Planning Technician Casillas, stated that she will explain what she knows, and indicated that the applicant can explain with more detail. She stated that each panel antenna is a singular antenna and typically these cell sites work with multiple antennas and they mount each antenna on an array with multiple antennas. She also stated that a sector could have two or five antennas depending on the range of the antenna, the power of the antenna, and what the technology is. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked`staff if an array has multiple antennas, and a panel antenna is one antenna. Planning Technician Casillas replied that is correct. Chairman Alarcon opened the Public Hearing and invited applicant to podium. Applicant Fiona Hilyer, representative of Bemis Development, stated that she can elaborate on the explanation of arrays and panel antenna and stated that Planning Technician Casillas' explanation is correct. She also stated that a panel antenna is one antenna. She also stated a cell site carrier will usually have three arrays and four antennas in each sector. She also stated on most sites, the carrier will request twelve antennas altogether. She also stated when they build 2 those sites they may not use all the antenna mates, and in this case, these are previously approved arrays that Sprint Nextel has not used. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer if they are just adding to the arrays that have been approved. Fiona Hilyer, representative replied yes, these are the antenna mates for the panel antennas at the existing arrays. Vice- Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer how many antennas can go into one array. Fiona Hilyer replied usually four antennas can go per array. She also`stated that a fully built up cell site would have 12 antennas total. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer what is the coverage range for each antenna. Fiona Hilyer replied she does not know exactly how far the range is and it will depend on what is in the way, there may be trees or other buildings so th'�'range may, not be as far. She'also stated this site was designed specifically for this area and there are coverage maps that the RF Engineer provided, which shows which areas will be covered. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer if she would happen to`know if the coverage technology is similar throughout the world, as she understands the coverage here is about a mile and a half and asked if that was comparable in Europe and in Asia. Fiona Hilyer replied yes, it is the same technology. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer, why this panel antenna is being proposed to be mounted on the exterior of,the roof parapet, whenahe others are out of sight. Fiona Hilyer replied that she does not know why this particular array was designed to go on the outside of the building as opposed to; behind the parapet as the other two arrays. She also stated that this may have been the way the original site that was designed, and before it was necessary that the antennas be screened. 'She also stated that with this particular parapet wall if the antenna were placed behind it the RF-frequency would not be able to transmit through because of the wall's thickness. She also - stated the other two parapets are made out of a material that allows the RF frequency to transmit through the parapet. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Ms. Hilyer if it would be costly to replace that parapet. Fiona Hilyer replied yes it would be. She also stated that the other two parapets that were switched out are not aesthetically appealing because they do not match the existing exterior wall of the hotel. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if we knew when the other two parapet walls were put up. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that she does not know the specific date, but background information in staff's report suggests they were installed sometime in the late 1990's. Chairman Alarcon asked if there was anyone wanting to speak in favor of this project. None Chairman Alarcon asked if there was anyone wishing to speak against this project. None Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if the new equipment that is being' installed will add a significant load to the existing equipment. She also asked if this i as something the building department will inspect. i Planning Technician Casillas replied that will be a building department issue and they will look at the structural elements. Chairman Alarcon asked the Planning Commission for a, motion. Commissioner Ruiz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hunter to APPROVE Modification 10.06 and ADOPT Resolution No. 1031 with findings and subject to the twenty - five (25) conditions. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMM] Commissioner Hunter stated that she had gone by the Southern California Edison property on the corner of Mission and Walnut Grove and expressed concern that the weeds had not been cleaned up properly. She also suggested that some bushes be `planted along the fence and that additional landscaping be planted.on the property to make it look more appealing. Principal Planner Bermejo asked if the Edison site location that she is referring to is on southwest corner of Mission Drive and Walnut Grove or the northwest corner. Commissioner Hunter replied it is where the towers Principal Planner Bermejo clarified that it is on the south side and stated she will call the Southern California Edison contact. She also explained that there is a cell site at the particular site and when it originally was approved, Edison has strict regulations regarding landscaping and irrigation. She indicated she would do all she could to get the site improved. 9 Commissioner Hunter stated that if you go look now the site is very dry and brown. Principal Planner Bermejo stated she will go out and take pictures and send it to Edison. Commissioner Hunter asked staff if we can request them to plant something around the fence. Principal Planner Bermejo replied she will try to get something installed. Vice - Chairwoman Eng suggested that maybe if the Consumer Irrigation proposed some drought tolerant landscape material, it would be helpful. Commissioner Ruiz stated that Southern California Edison leases:out their properties to Nursery's that use irrigation and suggested we can use that as an example in regards to their rules. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that those plants are not in the ground,. but she will contact Edison, take pictures of the site, and see what can.-be done. She also stated she will give the Planning Commission an update on this matter and make sure it is taken care of. Commissioner Hunter expressed concern with the Universal Bank located across the street from City Hall. She asked staff how much time is the City allowing them to complete their project. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that staff recently completed a review of building, and as long as that property owner is making progress under his existing building permits, the City can't go in there and take away his rights. She also stated the owner actually is within the time allowed by the building code to complete his project., She also stated, the only way he could forfeit his building permit approvals, is if his building permits expire and he is not making progress. She also stated the City is actively working with.the owner property maintenance issues. She stated the owner was notified recently about a tractor that needed to be removed and was told to clean the weeds, graffiti, and debris on the property. She also state that Planning staff and Code Enforcement are on a mission to make sure all these issues are addressed. Commissioner Ruiz expressed concern for the safety of the neighborhood and stated there are a lot of transients that live in the. alley behind the supermarket and the bank. He also stated that this location has a lot of trash and sweeping of the parking lot is not being done in a satisfactory way. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that a letter just went out to the property owner in regards to all these issues. Commissioner Ruiz asked staff if there were two property owners. Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes, there is a property owner for the bank and one for the supermarket. She also stated they both have property maintenance issues which are being addressed and enforced by city staff. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff what is the status of the Beautification Program for the residential homes and commercial businesses. She also asked if it had been implemented yet. 5 Principal Planner Bermejo replied there is a Beautification Program that is taking place on Garvey Boulevard, which has been divided into three sections and updates have been given to the Planning Commission in a binder. She also stated that Code Enforcement will be coming to the Planning Commission around Christmas time to give an update on the program's progress. Commissioner Ruiz stated that he had received his binder with the information and commented that Code Enforcement Officer Wayne Cc has been quite active with this matter. Principal Planner Bermejo stated that before they move on to other portions of the City they want to finish all there work on Garvey Avenue. She also stated they do plan on continuing the program to other properties in the City. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if there was another Beautification Program where the City gives awards. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that Beautification Program is being run by Pat Piatt and the Economic Development Department. She also stated she believes that program was approved by the City Council but does not have any information at. the present moment regarding its implementation. She stated she will contact Pat Piatt and forward any available information to the Planning Commissioners, Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked Principal Planner Bermejo. how many cell sites are located in the City as of today. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that staff went back through Planning records and asked Planning Technician Casillas to confirm the number of how many was discovered. Planning Technician Casillas replied there are approximately 34 to 35 cell sites and a lot of them are co- locations. Principal Planner Bermejo explained further to the Planning Commission that the City does not have 34 individual monopoles. The total number includes other operators that have co- located on sites. i Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if that is counted as i o sites. Principal Planner Bermejo replied that is correct that is how we have counted them. 6. MATTERS FROM STAFF None C 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 1, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. ATTEST: Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary William Alarcon Chairman 7