Loading...
PC-04-02-07CITY OF ROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 2, 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. Chairman Lopez led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Herrera delivered the invocation. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Chairman Lopez, Vice- Chairman Kelty, Commissioners, Breen, Herrera, and Loi EX OFFICIO: Agaba, Johnson, and Trinh 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of March 19, 2007 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HERRERA, that the minutes of the City of Rosemead Regular Planning Commission Meeting of March 19, 2007, 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 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 07 -1082 — 9341 E. Valley Blvd. Jadoua Maidaa, DBA Mission Valley Liquor Mart has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application for the transfer of an existing Off -Sale General (Type 21) ABC license, located at 9341 E. Valley Blvd in the C -3D; Medium Commercial with 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 representative was present and asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners. Vice - Chairman Kelty stated the property needs some landscaping. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said a condition can be added for landscaping at that corner. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he would like to at least see some potted plants. He also said that corner needs to be more inviting, since it's extremely visible to the public. Planning Services Administrator Johnson agreed. He said research on maps and property lines has to be done to determine if it's part of City boundaries. He also said a condition can be added and brought back with the resolution at the next Planning Commission meeting. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he would like to see that. The other Commissioners agreed and said they support that idea. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he will add that as a condition. 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. Stanley Szeto of 879 West Ashiya Road, Montebello, CA, the representative of the project, stated the application is simply a transfer of an ABC license. He said the owners accept all the conditions and ask for approval. Chairman Lopez questioned his feelings toward an added condition on landscaping. Mr. Szeto questioned if the Planning Commissioners are referring to the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated yes. He also said Vice - Chairman Kelty would like to see some landscape there, possibly plotted plants. Vice - Chairman Kelty stated yes. He said it would make that intersection look more pleasant. Mr. Szeto said he thinks that area contains parking spaces. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said potted plants can be placed there. He also said staff has to visit the site again to take measurements. Mr. Szeto questioned if the City will cover the costs. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated staff has to do some research on property lines to determine if the corner is within City right of way. He said staff will work with him and his clients. Commissioner Loi said according to the map, adding landscape in the front would eliminate a parking space. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he visited the site last week and there is room for some potted plants. Commissioner Loi said okay and thanked Planning Services Administrator Johnson. Planning Services Administrator Johnson informed Mr. Szeto that staff will work with him and his clients on that condition, so it's acceptable. 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 LOI, to APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07 -1082. 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. DESIGN REVIEW 07 -144 — 8772 E. Valley Boulevard. Angel Liu has submitted a Design Review application, requesting the City of Rosemead for approval to remodel the existing building facade and improve the landscaping areas in order to operate a sit -down restaurant. The subject property is located at 8772 E. Valley Boulevard, in the CBD -D; Central Business District with a Design Overlay Zone. Presentation: Senior Planner George Agaba Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for one (1) year. Senior Planner Agaba stated the applicant was present and asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners. Vice - Chairman Kelty questioned the second floor. He said it's not visible. Senior Planner Agaba said yes, the second floor isn't visible. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he has passed by that building many times, but has never noticed a second floor. Senior Planner Agaba said it's visible at certain angles. Vice - Chairman Kelty questioned if there are any second floor improvements, such as re- stuccoing the building. Senior Planner Agaba answered no, they will only be repainting the building. Vice - Chairman Kelty questioned if any changes will be made to the second floor offices. Senior Planner Agaba answered no. Vice - Chairman Kelty said that is fine with him. 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 VICE - CHAIRMAN KELTY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BREEN, to APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 07 -144. 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. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 053660 AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 04 -02 — 7621 -7637 Garvalia Avenue. Peter and Brenda Jong have submitted a Tentative Tract Map and a "Development Plan" for a proposed subdivision of two (2) lots, totaling 57,750 square feet of area, to be divided into eight (8) lots for the construction of eight (8) new single - family residences located at 7621 -7637 Garvalia Avenue. The subject property is located in the P -D; Planned Development Zone. Presentation: Planning Services Administrator Brad Johnson Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for two (2) years. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated the applicant and representative were present and asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Loi questioned the location of the stop sign that concerned City Council Planning Services Administrator Johnson clarified that when the City Council meeting took place, one neighbor was concerned about the traffic generation rate and safety issues on traffic streets and the stop sign issue did arise. He said at that public hearing he pointed out that there are currently 11 homes there, which will be replaced by 8 and traffic generation rates were two additional new trips per day, studied by the engineer. He also said the City does not require developers to have a traffic study on stop signs. He added, City Council agreed that perhaps after the homes are built and traffic generation begins, staff can take it back to the Traffic Commission. Commissioner Loi questioned if it is a gated community. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the owner has not proposed a gate yet. He also said a lot of times, developers don't ask and they come back with them. He said it's up to the Fire Department. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he doesn't see fencing plans along Garvalia Avenue Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the conceptual landscape and fencing plans are in the Planning Department. He asked Senior Planner Agaba if he recalls the height of the fences. Senior Planner Agaba stated lots one and eight will not exceed four feet high, however, if the Planning Commission wants, staff can add a condition to reduce the fencing height facing Garvalia Avenue to four feet high. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the staff report references dropping the fencing height to three feet, since the Draft Single - Family Design Guidelines is proposing that all projects do not exceed three feet in fencing height. Chairman Lopez questioned how that relates to a gated community. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it's more vehicular hindrance. Commissioner Loi said condition #14, which discusses about water conservation fixtures, should be applied to all projects. He said many cities implement this and he would like to extend this idea that every household should provide water conservation fixtures. Planning Services Administrator Johnson asked Mr. Loi if he is referring to the low flushed toilets. Commissioner Loi answered yes. Planning Services Administrator Johnson discussed about how many cities are having low flush toilet trade -outs on Saturdays. Commissioner Loi said the bad part about the tradeoff is they require you to take it back, so it's not convenient. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application: Mr. Kamen Lai of 8748 E. Valley Blvd., #K, the designer for the project, stood up and stated eight houses will be built on nine lots. He also stated the project pretty much meets all the R1 and R2 zoning requirements. He said they have worked with staff for a long time and changes have been made to the original plans, especially the fencing plans. He also said the applicant accepts all the conditions and ask for Planning Commission approval. Chairman Lopez asked if anyone else would like to speak in favor of this application. Mr. Juan Nunez of 2702 Del Mar Avenue stated it is water adequate for all these homes being built. He said it raises the question of water control. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said staff sends projects like this to different agencies, including water companies for review and they will approve or disapprove the project. He also said staff analyzes everything before any construction is begins. Mr. Nunez said thank you. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE this 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 HERRERA, to APPROVE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 053660 AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 04 -02. Vote results: YES: BREEN, HERRERA, KELTY, LO], AND LOPEZ NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. D. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 068743 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1080 and CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1081 — 3055 Sullivan Avenue. Andy Huynh has submitted an application requesting to subdivide one (1) existing parcel totaling 14,389 square feet into two parcels for the development of two (2) new single - family homes exceeding 2500 square feet for each unit; located in the R -1; Single Family Residential Zone. Presentation: Senior Planner George Agaba Staff Recommendation: APPROVE — subject to the conditions, for two (2) years. Senior Planner Agaba stated the applicant and representative were present and asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez called for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Loi said he is concerned about the green areas. He said he would prefer one driveway, instead of two. He suggested that they have one driveway and leave the other area green. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated there are advantages and disadvantages of sharing a driveway. He said multiple cars sharing a driveway will create conflicts. He also said many times, staff will work with the designer to design the garage to face the street, so the driveway is shorter. He said from the aesthetic value of the front of the house, planners tend to gravitate towards tucking the garage behind the house, so it's not visible and it makes the front fagade more attractable. He added it's more appealing to not see three garage doors. He stated that it was his point of view and the Planning Commissioners have a right to disagree and vote on redesign. Commissioner Loi said he only agrees with human behaviors. He said he'll let the Planning Commission discuss about it. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated that if the single driveway is pushed to the south, we will only gain a ten feet strip for landscaping. Commissioner Loi stated the sideyard setback can be reduced to make it wider. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the Planning Commissioners can debate and ask the applicants how they feel. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he is happy with two driveways. Chairman Lopez agreed and said he doesn't think it needs to be changed at this point. Planning Services Administrator Johnson asked the other Commissioners how they felt. Commissioner Herrera said she is fine with two driveways. Vice - Chairman Kelty said he would like to see a four inch wide vine pocket between the driveway and lot one, so it matches the other side. He also said he thinks the vines will look good on the south side as well. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he doesn't think it will change the project, so it can be added as a condition. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application: Mr. Kamen Lai of 8748 E. Valley Blvd., #K, the designer for the project, stood up and stated the owner is very happy about this project. He said having the garage in the back creates more privacy. He also said the owner has no problems with adding vine pockets along the sidewall on the south side. He stated the applicant accepts all the conditions and ask for Planning Commission approval. Chairman Lopez questioned the driveways. Commissioner Loi questioned if the applicant would change his plans to one driveway. Mr. Lai stated discussions have been made with the owners, but they dislike that idea. He said it will create traffic flow issues. He also said creating two driveways will provide more parking spaces for the front house, without cars parking in the front of the garage. He added they have worked with staff for quite some time and do not feel that staff thinks it's the ultimate decision. He ended by stating that the owners would like to keep their current design. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE the application: Mr. Juan Nunez of 2702 Del Mar Avenue stated two driveways side by side will pose a problem. He's seen people constantly block the driveway. Chairman Lopez asked Mr. Nunez if he likes the two driveways. Mr. Nunez answered yes. He said with two driveways, you wouldn't have to share. Commissioner Loi stated he does not approve this project, however, he does not object to it. He would just like to see more green. There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public hearing segment for this project. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HERRERA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KELTY, to APPROVE TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 068743, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1080, AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1081. 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. 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 -19 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07 -1085; A REQUEST TO DEMOLISH A PORTION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENCE AND CONSTRUCT A TWO - STORY ADDITION THAT WILL RESULT IN APPROXIMATELY 3,244 SQUARE FEET OF LIVING AREA ON AN EXISTING 9,750± SQUARE FOOT PARCEL LOCATED AT 3719 N. DELTA AVENUE IN THE R -1; SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (APN: 5371- 006 -051). B. Resolution No. 07 -20 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07 -1086, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ANTENNAS ON AN UNMANNED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON EXISTING TRANSMISSION TOWER, LOCATED BETWEEN DELTA AND ROCKHOLD AVENUE IN THE R -2; LIGHT MULTI - FAMILY ZONE. C. Resolution No. 07 -21 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO 068773 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07 -1084 REQUESTING TO SUBDIVIDE ONE EXISTING PARCEL INTO THREE PARCELS IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT THREE SINGLE - FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENCES; ONE OF THE PROPOSED LOTS, (LOT 1) IS TO BE DEVELOPED WITH A SINGLE FAMILIY HOME WITH 2,658 SQUARE FEET OF LIVING AREA. ALL PARCELS ARE LOCATED AT 9301 GLENDON WAY IN THE R -1; SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE. 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 Vice - Chairman Kelty said the ads at Rosemead High School, located at the corner of Lower Azusa Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard looks terrible. He questioned whether the City can do anything to mitigate it. Chairman Lopez agreed and said it looks bad. He questioned if it's private property. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said there is a lot of land use related issues when it comes to school districts. He said the City usually does not deal with schools, however, there are certain things that the City has a say over. He said the question should be addressed by the City Attorney on whether the City can address banners or not. Chairman Lopez said they fly all over and look terrible. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he will ask the City Attorney. Vice - Chairman Kelty said it's the yellow ones that bother him. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he will speak to the City Manager to arrange a meeting with the principal. Commissioner Loi stated Garvey School District is building two new gyms. He asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson if the City has done any inspections. Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered no. He said all inspections are through the state, architects office. He also said on most occasions, we don't get involved with school districts. Chairman Lopez questioned if they could do anything they wanted to do. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said they have to comply with CEQA. Commissioner Loi discussed his concern on water conservation. He said any home sale should come into the City for inspections. Chairman Lopez said it brings up a good point. He also said conservation was important in the 70s and 80s; however, it's not today. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it's a touchy subject. He also said realtors don't like that. He added that he read in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the City of El Monte adopted that and it's a very sensitive topic. He also said staff will put it on the City Council agenda in the future. Commissioner Breen questioned the drainage problems from the previous meeting. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the City Engineer has studied the problem and the resolution is that they do a flatter, rectangular concrete box and get it subterranean. Chairman Lopez asked if it will be lower than ground level. He also asked who is responsible for the costs. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it will not be lower than ground level; everything will seep down the driveway to the street. He also said the new developer of the homes is responsible for the costs. Chairman Lopez wanted confirmation that it will not seep into the neighbor's yard. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it will flow down the driveway to the street 6. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF None. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Lopez adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:02 p.m. BJ /LT