CC - Item 8A - Minutes 11-9-10 - CC & PCMinutes of the Joint
City Council
and
Planning Commission
Special Meeting
November 9, 2010
The special joint meeting of the Rosemead City Council and Planning Comm
Mayor Taylor at 5:04 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at
Rosemead, California.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Mayor Taylor, Mayor Pro Tern Ly, Council
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Chairman Alarcon,
OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Manager Allred, City Attorney Richman,
Community Development Director Wong, Director of Finance•Brisco,
Montgomery-Scott, Economic Development Manager Ramirez,'Pu C
Clerk Molleda. w4,
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE
2. ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE
Principal Planner
report.,
was called to order by
East Valley Boulevard,
, Clark, and Low.
Hunter and Ruiz
it City Manager <Hawkeswortl
of Parks and Recreation
Director Marcarello, and City
Roger Mobley - Vice- prdsident of CivicSolutions gave a'powerpoint presentation which addresses the
Zoning Ordinance, General Plan` Drrafttt'Housing,ElemenQand State and Fedaral Laws. He stated that Civic
Solutions reviewedthe•existing ZowOrdihance.and'fou`n that somethings were lacking or needed to be
included, such feasibility to fihd;information. Mr Mobley stated that there were no logical patterns,
page nuA&s, table of contents, graphics or diagrams summarizing information quicker. Also, the Zone
Ordinance`needed a clear re`viewdevelopment'process, there is a design ovelay section that is not clear and
the updated,zone will give the City control,ov`er the development that reflects what the community is looking
for. Mr. Mobleyttated that provisions that are to be added will have more contemporary planning and in
addition there are,twenty implementations measures mentioned in the General Plan which needs to relate to
the Zone Ordinance'to provide directions for changing or updating issues like mixed used industrial
commercial design atio'ns,,R -2.and R -3 zones that need to reflect the General Plan. He mentioned that the
City expressed interest in�adopting green building guidelines or standards that deal with energy efficiency,
recycled materials, and water efficiency. Also, Mr. Mobley talked about housing elements with specific
directions to be included in the zone ordinance per State and Federa Law that deals with special needs
housing, single occupancy, affordable housing and senior housing
City Manager Allred asked Mr. Mobley if a Design Review Committee would be incorporated in the zoning
code.
Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010 �r�.
Page 1 of 5 11 L' M N®.
Mr. Mobley - replied Civic Solutions would like to define a design review process, and suggested an informal
in house committee could review that process.
City Attorney Richman clarified that the meeting was not a public hearig but a study session inwhich any
public comment would be taken prior to there being a decision by City Council.
Juan Nunez - asked about single room occupancy units and what requirements have to be met when people
have trouble with the law.
Mr. Mobley - replied that there are no provisions specifically addressing single room occupancy in the zone
ordinance. rF
City Manager Allred suggested that single room occupancy is something�the City'sfiould look at when
4. approximately 22,000 prisoners are being released from prisons� -'�
Mr. Nunez - asked who would be responsible to bring up`.to code a horie,that is rented.
City Attornery Richman explained that to bring up to code a hoffi61Wwo6ld apply to certain number of units,
such as four units and would not affect a single family unit
Mr. Mobley - stated that reasonable accomodatignrequrements applies anywhere a person with disabilities
might be denied access when renting a property. He mentioned.the City needs'to set a process which allows
somebody to apply or ask for reasonable accomadations and housing element needs to address
that issue. V
Brian Lewin — suggeste
that a recent project app
transient occupancy in n
requirements for•uses"w
spill over. Mr`Lewin'spo
Valley Boulevard and Gi
that up the zoning
consider a provision for
to grant specific ppermiss
Daniel Garcia —
City Council establish guidelines for bathroom versus bedroom ratio. He stated
on Ramona Avenue will likely - become a boarding house and will encourage
liabzones. Also,.he asked City Council to consider increasing levels of parking
^` v,- �. '- -_._sue
axed used projectsversus outside mixed used projects to prevent resident al
ut the,hazardous ma a al generating from auto maintenance shops along
enue and? suggested City Council to look into his concerns. He also added
nce will address non - conforming issues and recommended Council to
nf,�ming businesses to make modifications under non - conforming guidelines
for specific modifications to be in compliance.
with the updated zoning code regarding disability issues.
Mayor Taylorexplained that the requirements for disabilities called for four units or over in a lot to follow a
different regulation for ADA (Americans with Disability Act). He asked Mr. Garcia if he had received any
complaints for Rosemead residents. Mr. Taylor stated that staff has tried to do everything they can to help
residents needs.
Mr. Garcia - asked if the city has issued any letters to residents about forming a committee.
Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010
Page 2 of 5
Mayor Taylor explained it is a routine matter with County Agencies and State Agencies and asked staff if the
City offers information at the Community Centers.
City Manager Allred confirmed the City has an ADA compliance policy inplace that is required by law;
however, there are no regulations that require the City to have a commission or an advisory board in place.
City Attorney Richman stated the discussion should only be what is on the agenda.
City Manager Allred explained to Mr. Garcia that the presentation addressed zoning updates and updated
provisions on disability.
Council Member Clark asked for staff to conduct a survey of surrounding cities regarding the issue of
mansionazation and address units per acre on their floor area ratio see if the City of.Rosemead is
compatible. She also commented on the idea of a Desing Revie Committee because if will ensure a project
will ft the neighborhood and the City can mitigate the process. \
City Manager Allred stated that staff recently reinstated a g Committee because it was inactive
for a number of years.
Council Member Clark excusd herself from the,meeting at 5:51 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Ly asked for two things to be addressed on the.updated zone ordinance. First, the retention
or expansion of professional office space. He explained that America is becoming a service type industry and
hopes that Rosemead is competitive.in offering development to create mere jobs. Secondly, Mr. Ly inquired
about the home based businesses and'how it will be defined in the updated zoning ordinance.
Vk
Council Member Armenta`sfated she'received an anonymous letter from a resident addressing concerns
about flag lot creation which will put more people to live on.one lot and impacts on neighborhood density and
parking. \ r
Planning'Commissionei Ruiz stated that the Planning Commission addressed the same issues and
anotherr.6dent expressed concern with parking. Mr. Ruiz explained the current code states a property
cannot be'divided but the person has to be. allowed when they have followed all laws and regulations.
Planning Commissioner Eng stated that updating the zoning code would preserve the family oriented
community and it should have flexability and be conductive towards seniors. Mrs. Eng commented on Mr.
Mobley's presentation that'the new code is more organizational and administrative and suggested technology
be incorporated in the development process.
Council Member Low stated she had received comments from businesses expressing concern because the
current zoning code does not make sense, directions are not clear, and the process is convoluted. Mrs. Low
suggested the City provide a list on what is expected from applicants as well as making the code consistent
to be more business and resident friendly.
Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010
Page 3 of 5
Mayor Taylor recessed the special joint meeting at 6:01 p.m, to open and receses the Community
Development Commission and City Council regularjoint meeting.
Mayor Taylor recovered the City Council and Planning Commission special joint meeitng at 6:02 p.m.
Mayor Taylor stated in regards to home businesses, that Council is protecting the low density, R -1 and R -2
zones. He reiterated that when residential offices are established, parking becomes an issue due to an
increase of cars driving by. Mr. Taylor stated that on Valley Boulevard, Temple City Boulevard, Las Tunas
Boulevard and in Arcadia there are a number of buildings for lease which is indicative of the economy.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly agreed with Mr. Taylor and added that is why Council sh uld look into the home base
business issue. He stated that the home base business issue should,be included in the City's Municipal Code
to better regulate it. Mr. Ly added the City consistently protects the quality of life of.the community and that is
why Council has fought mixed use projects and considering flag.lots. He asked staff to look into the housing
issue when updating the zoning code. re
Mayor Taylor asked staff to look into the mixed use project on Mission,Drive and Rosemead,Boulevard on
the southwest corner. The commercial ground floor and condo type use development has been there for
approximately three years and asked for a report on why it's not succeeding.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly commented that Council is
Department's priority at the moment was the GE
update. He assured that soon Council and staff
conclusive to families and residents:-
/�_ �
Council Member Armenta asked if staff'will in(
update.
n project 'however the Planning
and now is the Zoning Ordinance
downtown project to be more
downtown area issue into the Zoning Ordinance
Principal Planner Bermejo replied that staff was.finaliz`ing'the draft documents and was in the process of
implementing both the standards and development standards for the downtown; it will take place concurrently
with the zoning code update. Mrs. Bermejo added that the timeline would be based on feed back from the
Plan ning.Commission and City Council. Once a draft document is produced, there will be a future study
session forcomments and additional feedback from both Planning Commission and City Council before
adopting the zoning code. }
Mayor Taylor asked:when the draft review would be scheduled for.
Principal Planner Bermejo,replied staff was looking to debut the draft document in February.
Mayor Taylorcommented there are primarily three mixed use areas on Temple City Boulevard and Valley
Boulevard on the northeast corner, also on Walnut Grove and Valley Boulevard on the southeast comer.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated the mixed use areas were on Temple City and Valley, the downtown civic
central area, east end of Garvey Avenue and River, and west of Walnut Grove and Garvey Avenue east of
the Edison right -of -way.
Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010
Page 4 of 5
Mayor Taylor asked if both sides were the right -away or just east of it.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied it's on both sides of Garvey Avenue to the north end just east of the Edison
right -of way.
Mayor Taylor suggested that area could be a trial area to have mixed use with higher densisty and reiterated
that he did not want to have a design overlay.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that the mixed use residential commercial topic would not be touched while
updating the zoning code; staff is proposing to focus on sections of the code.
Mayor Taylor asked if the entire zoning code was going to be update \
` \
Principal Planner Bermejo replied the General Plan designated "nodes and in Me'y.th6 City Council
adopted mixed use regulations that are currently in effect.
Planning Commissioner Eng stated that staff should be directed to prepare a draft and Planning
Commission and City Council should discuss the development issues:
City Manager Allred stated the feedback has
Planning Commissioner Ruiz expressed conc
the concern would be the height. He added that
-helpful and will provide guidance for the draft.
i thaia.neighbor mention that if there is a mixed use unit,
s adjacen't should.not exceed certain amount of feet
r' /f
because of privacy issues.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p m. and reconvened back'.to the Community Development Commission and
City Council joint meeting at 6:14 p.m.. -
Gary Taylor, Mayor
ATTEST:A
\ f
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk
Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010
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