PC-01-15-07CITY OF ROSEMEAD
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
January 15, 2007
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order
by Chairman Lopez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Rosemead City Hall at 8838 East Valley
Boulevard, Rosemead.
Commissioner Kelty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Herrera delivered the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Chairman Lopez, Vice - Chairman Kelly, Commissioners, Breen,
Herrera, and Loi
ABSENT: City Attorney Price
EX OFFICIO: Bermejo, Johnson, Nash and Trinh
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of December 18, 2006
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, SECONDED BY COMMISSONER HERRERA, that the
minutes of the City of Rosemead Regular Planning Commission Meeting of December 18, 2006, be
APPROVED as submitted.
Vote results:
YES:
BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LOI, AND LOPEZ
NO:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
2. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS
Chairman Lopez introduces Planning Services Administrator Brad Johnson, and invites him to
speak.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson explained the public hearing process and the right to
appeal Planning Commission decisions to the City Council.
Chairman Lopez asked if anyone would like to speak on any items not on the agenda, to step
forward.
None.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1074 — 8417 Mission Drive. Shawna M. Desbois of Royal
Street Communications submitted a Conditional Use Permit application requesting to install six
(6) panel antennas mounted on a rooftop of an existing residential nursing home commonly
known as California Mission Inn, located at 8417 Mission Drive in the P -D (Planned
Development) zone.
Presentation: Associate Planner Sheri Bermejo
Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for six (6) months.
Associate Planner Bermejo stated the representative was present and asked the Commissioners if
they had any questions.
Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Loi questioned if the seniors were informed about this proposal.
Associate Planner Bermejo said the facility operators received the public hearing notice.
Commissioner Loi then questioned whether staff received any input from the seniors.
Associate Planner Bermejo answered no.
Chairman Lopez closed the hearing to the Commissioners and opened it to the public.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application:
Ms. Shawna Desbois of 1250 E. Third Street, 47, Long Beach, California, the representative for
Royal Street Communications, LLC, asked the Commissioners if they had any questions
regarding this proposal.
Commissioner Loi asked Ms. Desbois which communication company is proposing the antenna
installation.
Ms. Desbois said it's a new company called Metro PCS.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE the application:
None.
There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public
hearing segment for this project.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HERRERA, to
APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1074.
Vote results:
YES: BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LOI, AND LOPEZ
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1075 — 8748 E. Valley Blvd. Loan Hong Le, of Anh Hong
Restaurant, submitted an application requesting approval for the transfer of an On -Sale Beer and
Wine (Type 41) ABC license in conjunction with a bona fide public eating place, located at
8748 Valley Boulevard, unit A, in the C -31), Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay Zone.
Presentation: Associate Planner Sheri Bermejo
Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for six (6) months.
Associate Planner Bermejo stated the applicant was present and asked the Commissioners if they
had any questions.
Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Loi questioned the insufficient parking in the shopping center and asked if a traffic
study is required.
Associate Planner Bermejo said she did some research and the site has a total of 63 parking
spaces. She then said, according to Rosemead zoning code, parking spaces for shopping
centers located in a C -3 zone are calculated based on the total combined gross floor areas of all
buildings onsite, regardless of their use. She also said that if this calculation is followed, the
restaurant does meet the requirement.
Commissioner Kelty then questioned page 3 of the staff report.
Associate Planner Bermejo said she would have to look at a map.
Commissioner Kelly stated his concern about the row of restaurants on Valley Blvd. with ABC
licenses.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the census tract most likely runs from Rosemead
Blvd. west, to the border. He also said the sale of beer and wine hasn't had a negative impact
on the community and he hasn't had any problems with this restaurant.
Commissioner Kelty questioned whether ABC is concerned with the number of ABC licenses.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said ABC is not going to stop applicants with sit -
down beer and wine licenses, if they can't find any problems.
Commissioner Herrera asked if there were any police incidents.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered no.
Chairman Lopez closed the hearing to the Commissioners and opened it to the public.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application:
None.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE the application:
None.
There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public
hearing segment for this project.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KELTY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HERRERA, to
APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1075.
Vote results:
YES: BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LOI, AND LOPEZ
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
C. DESIGN REVIEW 06 -138 — 9000 E. Valley Blvd. — Grae Ventures, LLC submitted a design
review application proposing to demolish the existing 33,200 square foot Bank of The West,
located at 9000 Valley Boulevard, and to construct a new commercial retail center. The
proposed center will be comprised of: 4,010 square feet of bank space (new Bank of the West),
12,000 square feet of retail space and 105 parking spaces as well as related landscaping and
open usable patio areas. The subject site is located in the CBD -D; Central Business District
with a Design Overlay zone.
Presentation: Planning Services Administrator Brad Johnson.
Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for one (1) year.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated the applicant and representatives were present and
asked the Commissioners if they had any questions.
Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Breen inquired about the Chinese Yellow Pages that was approved several
years ago.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the property is to the south of the project site,
but redevelopment staff is working with the owners to tie it into this project.
Commissioner Kelly questioned Condition #8 and whether a door is necessary from the bank
facing Rosemead Boulevard.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that the whole intent is to have a lively appeal
to Valley Boulevard. If possible, staff would like all tenants to have two entrances. He also
stated that a condition was added for the bank to have more window space. He then passed the
color board to the Commissioners for a better view of the proposal.
Commissioner Kelly then questioned the driveway onto Valley Boulevard. He's worried that
people exiting to make a left turn onto Valley Boulevard may cause traffic hazards. He stated
that he would like a "no left turn" sign displayed on the property.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the traffic report has been done and he will look
into it.
Commissioner Kelty asked if it would disrupt the traffic on Steele Street.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he doesn't think so. He also said it's quite a
distance to Steele Street.
Chairman Lopez stated that the exit onto Valley Boulevard is very close to the light, so it
should be a right turn only.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that he doesn't recall that it was a
recommendation by the traffic engineer. He also stated that the City engineer does not like to
restrict it.
Chairman Lopez raised his concern over the volume of customers that will be exiting from the
site.
Commissioner Loi said a "no left turn" sign should be installed.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that he doesn't think visibility will be a
problem.
Chairman Lopez said with more venues, there will be a lot more people. He also added that
if the City is okay with this, he will be okay with it as well.
Commissioner Herrera questioned the length of the exit to the light.
Chairman Lopez said that light intersection is very busy.
Commissioner Herrera said a sign that says, "No left turn between 4 -6pm" could be installed.
Commissioner Kelty asked if there is a bus stop in that area.
Chairman Lopez asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson to please look into that.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that the applicants can address and make that
concern.
Chairman Lopez then asked the Commissioners if they had any other questions.
None.
Chairman Lopez closed the hearing to the Commissioners and opened it to the public.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application:
Mr. David Gilmore of 1801 Century Park East, Suite 1080, Los Angeles, CA, the applicant of
this project, stated that he has reviewed this project extensively and has agreed to all the
conditions. He also stated that he understands the traffic concerns raised and would like to
further discuss it with the engineer.
Commissioner Loi said it's necessary to have a "no left turn" sign displayed on the site.
Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE the application:
None.
There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public
hearing segment for this project.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LOI, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, to
APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 06 -138.
Vote results:
YES: BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LOI, AND LOPEZ
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
D1. ROSEMEAD SHOPPING CENTER/UNIVERSAL BANK — Design Review 05 -132, Zone
Variance 05 -330 & Zone Variance 06 -340; Modifications — 8815 -8855 E. Valley Boulevard —
This public hearing considered proposed modifications to the project site plan/exterior
elevation design, for the remodel of the Rosemead Shopping Center and Universal Bank
properties located at 8815 -8855 East Valley Boulevard.
D2. RESOLUTION NO. 07 -02 —A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of
Rosemead, County of Los Angeles, State of California, approving a revised site
plan/elevations for Design Review 05 -132, Zone Variance 05 -330 and Zone Variance 06 -340;
located at 8815 -8855 E. Valley Boulevard in the CBD -D; Central Business District with a
design overlay zone (APNs 5391- 009 -001 & 002).
THIS ITEM WAS CONTINUED TO A LATER MEETING DATE.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR — These items are considered to be routine actions that may be
considered in one motion by the Planning Commission. Any interested party may request an item
from the consent calendar to be discussed separately.
A. Resolution No. 07 -01 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 062668 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 05-
998, REQUESTING TO SUBDIVIDE TWO RESIDENTIAL LOTS INTO A THREE FLAG -
LOT DEVELOPMENT. THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION WILL CREATE THREE
PARCELS WITH ONE UNIT REQUIRING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A
SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENCE, EXCEEDING 2,500 SQUARE FEET, TO BE LOCATED
AT 3372 -3374 BURTON AVENUE IN THE R -1; SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
(APN: 5289- 007 -061 & 5289- 007 -046).
Chairman Lopez asked the members of the Commission if there is any reason why Consent
Calendar should not be accepted.
None.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
HERRERA, to waive further reading and adopt said resolutions.
Vote results:
YES: BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LOI, AND LOPEZ
NO: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Herrera discussed about the Annual League of California Cities Planners Institute
Conference.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson asked the Commissioners to inform staff if they are
interested, so staff can make arrangements.
6. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND STAFF
Planning Services Administrator Johnson introduced Planner Laura Nash, who has been providing
planning services for the Planning Department.
The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Nash.
Commissioner Breen questioned the Assistant City Manager position.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that the position will not be immediately
filled. He also stated that there is reorganization in the redevelopment department and Jesse
Duff is currently the interim Community Development Director.
The Commissioners then asked about Walmart construction and garden.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that they are installing fire sprinklers today
and in the process of opening the garden.
Commissioner Kelty asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson if they have spoken to
Edison, regarding the vacant triangle lot at the corner of Walnut Grove Avenue and Rush
Street.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated yes. He also said the City Manager is
working on it.
Commissioner Breen discussed about the problem drivers are facing when turning left at the
Rosemead Boulevard and Marshall Street intersection. He said it was in discussion five years ago,
but nothing has been formally done yet. He also said the second lane should be induced to straight
or left turn.
Planning Services Administrator Johnson said that we will try to re -study this issue.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Lopez adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:02 p.m.
B WJ/LT