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PC-08-20-07CITY OF ROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES August 20, 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 Cam led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Vuu delivered the invocation. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Chairman Lopez, Vice - Chairman Kunioka, Commissioners Bevington, Cam, and Vuu ABSENT: None EX OFFICIO: Agaba, Johnson, Lee, Trinh, and Yin 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS: Attorney Yin explained the public hearing process and the right to appeal Planning Commission decisions to the City Council. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Lopez asked if anyone would like to speak on any items not on the agenda, to step forward. None. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Tentative Parcel Map 069577 and Conditional Use Permit 07 -1105 — 8443 Grand Avenue, Thomas Trieu has submitted an application for a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide one existing parcel into two (2) parcels for the development of two (2) new single - family homes; and one (1) Conditional Use Permit application for one of the units with living area exceeding 2,500 square feet, located at 8443 Grand Avenue 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 Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 1 of 10 Commissioners if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to the applicant or representative. Mr. Lap Nguyen of 1415 West Garvey Avenue North, Suite 109, West Covina, CA, the designer of the project stated he is representing the owner to speak tonight. He said the owners accept all the conditions of approval. He discussed about the design of the project and how they incorporated the new residential design guidelines. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those IN FAVOR of this application: 10156M Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to those who wished to OPPOSE the application: None. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to the Commissioners. Commissioner Bevington questioned the square footages of the homes. He asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson for clarification if the old residential design guidelines require a conditional use permit for homes that exceed 2,500 square feet and if the new residential design guidelines require a conditional use permit for homes that exceed 3,000 square feet. Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered yes. He said this application was deemed complete prior to the adoption of the new residential design guidelines. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated the application is dated July 23, 2007, which is past the deadline of July 12, 2007 for the residential design guidelines, so why did staff allow the applicant to follow the old residential design guidelines. Senior Planner Agaba stated the project was deemed complete prior to the adoption. Planning Services Administrator Johnson added and said staff has worked with the developer for several months. Staff said this is something we support and approve, so they were recommended to submit an application. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated if the applicant applied under the new ordinance, they would not be required to apply for a conditional use permit. Planning Services Administrator answered correct. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said the floor area ratio (FAR) is slightly over 40 %. There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public hearing segment for this project. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BEVINGTON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VUU, to Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 2 of 10 - APPROVE TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 069577 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07 -1105. Vote results: YES: BEVINGTON, CAM, KUNIOKA, LOPEZ, AND VUU NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. B. DESIGN REVIEW 07 -147 — City -Wide. The City of Rosemead proposes to adopt Design Guidelines for Residential /Commercial "Mixed Use" developments. The proposed Mixed Use Design Guidelines are intended to reflect current planning goals, particularly with respect to the issue of multi- story, vertical mixed use development. If adopted, the guidelines would impact design related issues as they relate to new project proposals for the development of Residential /Commercial Mixed Use projects within the City boundaries. Presentation: Planning Services Administrator Brad Johnson Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 07 -43 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE CITY -WIDE MIXED USE DESIGN GUIDELINES AND ASSOCIATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. Planning Services Administrator Johnson summarized the Mixed Use Design Guidelines and turned the presentation to Ms. Maryann Marks from Downtown Solutions. Ms. Marks introduced herself and presented the Mixed Use Design Guidelines. During the presentation, Commissioner Bevington questioned if Downtown Solutions works with the cities that she listed in her power point slide. Ms. Marks answered yes. Ms. Marks ended her presentation and asked the Commissioners if they have any questions. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to the audience. Mr. Adrian Suzuki of 8608 Edmond Drive, a resident, stated the Mixed Use Design Guidelines is great. He wants to see who will participate, in terms of retailers and occupants. He said he knows the City has a lot of plans to bring people in. He hopes they encourage nationwide retailers to invest in this City, something the City has lost a lot of. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 3 of 10 Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to anyone else in the audience. None. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to the Commissioners. Commissioner Bevington questioned what the reactions of the developers are towards the mixed use design guidelines? Ms. Marks stated most developers want to know what the City expects from them. She said if a City has a good set of guidelines and codes, developers can come into the City and build within them. Commissioner Bevington questioned if the City Council accepts these guidelines, what is the next step. Ms. Marks said the City will review the developer's plan and determine if they follow the guidelines. Commissioner Bevington questioned if Downtown Solutions review plans? Ms. Marks answered yes. She said Downtown Solutions has submitted a proposal for this. She added the City can have Downtown Solutions review a few of the projects as a training session. She added it can certainly work on that level. Commissioner Bevington questioned the process. Ms. Marks stated the developer will bring in these plans. She said the City has ten projects in the works. Planning Services Administrator Johnson addressed the next step. He said the zoning ordinance has to start dictating what the acceptable parking ratios and setbacks are. It needs to get more into standards. He also said after the General Plan update, the next task would be to update the Zoning Code. Chairman Lopez questioned if these guidelines affect residential areas. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated these are only being proposed on major boulevards. Mr. Suzuki asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson if mixed use projects are allowed past the City's major corridors. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated the City has not received applications beyond the major corridors. He said staff is not saying that developers can't submit applications. Mr Suzuki questioned if mixed use will be redefined in the zoning ordinance, the amount Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 4 of 10 of retailers versus residential. Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered yes. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated he has questions from the Mixed Use Design Guidelines. He questioned if the 7 th line on page 2 -3 should be included in the guidelines. He questioned how detailed the guidelines should be on graffiti and vandalism. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it may be too specific. It's something that planners and developers always talk about and consider. He questioned if the City should demand public art and if there should be an in lieu fee. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated he wants to get these things on the record, whether or not they get it done. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it's an appropriate time to raise these issues. He said the minutes will be forwarded to the City Council along with the staff report. Vice - Chairman Kunioka questioned the first bullet point on page 2 -4. He said perhaps it would be stronger a statement to say on the third sentence, "may be encouraged" instead. He understands zero setbacks, but in some areas of the City, it is foolish to encourage zero setback. Ms. Marks stated zero setback is preferred in mixed use. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated his concerns toward zero setback. Ms. Marks stated it can be addressed in the codes. She said the stringent requirements be listed in there. The mixed use design guidelines consist of design standards for the best case scenarios. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated his focus is to make pedestrians comfortable. He said if you build along the property line, pedestrians wouldn't feel comfortable walking along the sidewalks if certain sidewalks are too narrow in portions of the City. Ms. Marks stated maybe specific streets can have more setback. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated maybe Vice - Chairman Kunioka is interpreting the sentence differently from his interpretation. He said it gives us more latitude flexibility to say, "variations may be appropriate." Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated it sounds sufficient. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it works for staff. He said staff grapples with that very issue. Vice - Chairman Kunioka asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson if it's better in Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 5 of 10 his perspective. Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered yes. Vice - Chairman Kunioka questioned the second bullet point on page 2 -14, which states: "Lighting shall be shielded to minimize glare and painted to match the surface it is attached to." He questioned if it should say "fully shielded" instead. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it can be restated to "fully shielded," since it's stated like that in the code. Ms. Marks said that change can be done. Vice - Chairman Kunioka questioned if the second bullet point on page 2 -15 should say, "is encouraged," instead of "may be provided." He said if it's built close together, there wouldn't be much open space, so it should be encouraged. Ms. Marks stated it's the City's preference. Commissioner Vuu stated he agrees with Vice - Chairman Kunioka. Vice - Chairman Kunioka said he doesn't know if there is a consensus on that, but he hopes it's encouraged. He then questioned page 2 -16, regarding setbacks. Planning Services Administrator Johnson stated currently, the City has variable height setback. He said staff may have to go back and update the ordinance. He said it looks like it will not work on many of these projects. Vice - Chairman Kunioka referred to page 2 -20 about parking. He said the graphic in Figure 2.45 encourages what's happened to the two property owners at 8815 -8855 E. Valley Blvd. He said he's concerned about how staff will do this in practice and how parking will be enforced. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said it will be brought to the City's attention when there is a disagreement. He said easements were poorly written in the past. He said they would be better written today Vice - Chairman Kunioka asked Planning Services Administrator Johnson if he is confident that the covenant will be written better today. Planning Services Administrator Johnson referred the question to Attorney Yin Attorney Yin stated we will work with the attorney and encourage that. Vice - Chairman Kunioka stated in terms of occupants, there is a long standing pressure on national retailers. He said a concern is we don't want to be like the City of Alhambra and Pasadena, where their housing are too luxurious and no one can afford them. He questioned if that should be incorporated in the guidelines. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 6 of 10 Planning Services Administrator Johnson said he's not sure if that should be incorporated. He said some cities may want national retailers and others may not. He said it's something that may be addressed by City Council. Vice- Chairman Kunioka stated his concern on the condos in the City of Alhambra and Pasadena. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said Rosemead submittals have been for private ownership on single units. He said the mixed use project under construction on Mission Drive and Rosemead Boulevard and the one on Del Mar Avenue are following state affordability laws for density bonuses. He said a huge question on City Council is if they want to start asking for in lieu fees. Other cities like Pasadena take in lieu fees for affordable units. Vice - Chairman Kunioka said he hopes something comes out of what he says. Attorney Yin questioned if we're contemplating on the adoption of the resolution. Planning Services Administrator Johnson said they are minor changes. Attorney Yin referred to page 2 of Resolution 07 -43 and said it should say, "Section 15070 of the implemented guidelines." There being no one further wishing to address the Commission; Chairman Lopez closed the public hearing segment for this project. MOTION BY VICE - CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BEVINGTON, to APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 07 -147. Vote results: YES: BEVINGTON, CAM, KUNIOKA, LOPEZ, AND VUU 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. A pproval of Minutes — August 6, 2007. B. Resolution No. 07 -41 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 067472 FOR THE SUBDIVISION OF TWO PARCELS TOTALING 26,312± SQUARE FEET INTO FOUR PARCELS FOR THE Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting.' August 20, 2007 Page 7 of 10 TO DEVIATE FROM THE MINIMUM REQUIRED LOT SIZE OF SIX THOUSAND (6,000) SQUARE FEET FOR THE PROPOSED LOT 1, LOCATED AT 3033 WILLARD AVENUE IN THE R -2 (LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL) ZONE (APN: 5288 - 004 -037 AND 5288- 004 -046). C. Resolution No. 07 -42 — A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06 -1066, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A 53 -FOOT HIGH SELF - SUPPORTING MONOPINE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER, LOCATED AT 9117 GARVEY AVENUE, IN THE M -1 (LIGHT MANUFACTURING) ZONE (APN: 8595 - 016 -001 AND 002). Mr. Paul Gerst of One Venture, Suite 200, Irvine, CA, the applicant, stated he is representing on behalf of T- Mobile and the property owner. He said the signs on the roof follow code and they would like to refurbish the sign. Mr. Chris Melendrez stated he would like to submit his proposal on the new sign. He said he's spending a lot. He said taking away the signs will affect his tenants. He discussed about the historical sign and how he would like to refurbish it. He said he will lower the sign so it doesn't look like an ugly pole sign. He said tenants and future tenants need visible signage. People driving cannot see what businesses are present. He distributed the proposal to the Commissioners for reconsideration. Vice - Chairman Kunioka questioned the variable height. Chairman Lopez questioned if the applicant wants staff to pull item C off the Consent Calendar. Mr. Gerst stated they want condition 21 to be pulled. Attorney Yin said the Commission can pull the item and continue it. Chairman Lopez questioned if a motion is needed. Yin answered yes. Chairman Lopez asked the Commissioners if they would like to make a motion to move item C to the next Planning Commission on Sept. 5 th or would they like to discuss it in this meeting. Vice - Chairman Kunioka said the previous sign looks horrible and he's happy to see that they are working with staff. MOTION BY VICE - CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VUU TO CONTINUE RESOLUTION 07 -42 TO THE NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2007. Vote results: Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 8 of 10 YES: BEVINGTON, CAM, KUNIOKA, LOPEZ, AND VUU NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Chairman Lopez asked for a motion for approval of the other items on the Consent Calendar. MOTION BY CHAIRMAN LOPEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BEVINGTON, TO WAIVE FURTHER READING AND ADOPT CONSENT CALENDAR. Vote results: YES: BEVINGTON, CAM, KUNIOKA, LOPEZ AND VUU NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS Vice - Chairman Kunioka questioned if the Charlotte project will be brought back to the next Planning Commission meeting. Planning Services Administrator Johnson answered yes. Lopez questioned the graffiti on Ramona sidewalk and if a call is needed or does graffiti staff go out. Brad stated they go out there and look. He said the City is working with Caltrans to place vines along those walls. Lopez stated okay. 6. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF Planning Services Administrator Johnson discussed about the memo regarding Lee's Market. He said he's not sure if the applicant and property owner are aware of the magnitude of the conditions. He said Lee's Market is the gateway to the City. He also said this issue has been forwarded to Don Anderson to open a code enforcement case on this property. He then discussed about the Charlotte project from the previous Planning Commission meeting and said staff has a written a letter to the concerned neighbors and the developer has visited the site. He also said they holding a meeting next Wednesday at City Hall. He then introduced Planning Intern Nancy Lee to the Planning Commissioners. The Planning Commissioners welcomed Planning Intern Lee. 7. ADJOURNMENT Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 9 of 10 Chairman Lopez adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:12 p.m. MOTION BY CHAIRMAN LOPEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAM to ADJOURN UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007. BJ /LT Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: August 20, 2007 Page 10 of 10