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PC - Minutes - 04-18-11Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 18, 2011 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Vice - Chairwoman Eng at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Hunter INVOCATION - Commissioner Herrera ROLL CALL - Commissioners Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz, Vice- Chairwoman Eng ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: City Attorney Greg Murphy, Community Development Director Wong, Senior Planner Garry, Commission Secretary Lockwood, EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the procedures and appeal rights of the meeting. Stan Wong, Community Development Director, stated that Agenda Item 4.6 Downtown Rosemead Design Guidelines, will not be presented due to an noticing error and anyone wishing to speak on this item may speak under Agenda Item 2, Public Comments from the Audience. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes - March 7, 2011 Commissioner Herrera made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to APPROVE the Minutes of March, 7, 2011, as presented. Vote resulted in: Yes: Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 11.01 AND ZONE CHANGE 11.01 - This project consist of City of Rosemead initiated amendments to the Land Use Element of the General Plan to redesignate three parcels of land from the Open Space land use designation to the Office /Light Industrial land use designation. These three properties would also be reclassified on the Rosemead Zoning Map from the 0 -S (Open Space) zone to the M -1 (Light Manufacturing and Industrial) zone. The three parcels of land are generally located at 2562 River Avenue. Two parcels are vacant and one parcel contains an abandoned multi - family residential structure. Prior to 2008 the Land Use Designation for the properties was Office /Light Industrial and before 2010 the zoning of the properties was M- 1(Light Manufacturing and Industrial Open Space). PC RESOLUTION 11.05 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 11 -01 AND ZONE CHANGE 11- 01 CHANGING THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THREE PROPERTIES GENERALLY AT 2562 RIVER AVENUE TO OFFICEILIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION TO M -1 (LIGHT MANUFATURING AND INDUSTRIAL). STAFF RECOMMENDATION - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 11.05, a resolution recommending that the City Council ADOPT Resolution 2011.15 and Ordinance No. 915, amending the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Map changing the land use designation and zoning classification of three (3) properties to Office /Light Industrial land use designation and the M -1 zoning classification. Senior Planner Garry presented the staff report. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked if the Planning Commissioners had any questions for staff. Commissioner Hunter asked staff why these properties have been in this condition for all these years and why the lawn had not been cut. Senior Planner Garry replied he contacted Code Enforcement and there have not been any previous code enforcement cases and, although the weeds are overgrown, they are fenced off from the public. Community Development Wong stated that a representative for the property owner is present and may address that question. City Attorney Murphy stated that before we open the Public Hearing and ask the applicant to speak are there are more questions for staff. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if all the property owners were notified when the City originally did the re- designation.. Community Development Director Wong replied all affected property owners were notified per the tax assessor roll. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked staff if it is typical to include private properties in these open space designations. Community Development Director Wong replied it is not typical for a private property, but on quasi private property, for example utility companies, public schools, or the L. A County Flood Control Chanel, the property would be designated as open space use. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked if there were any other questions for staff. None Vice - Chairwoman opened the Public Hearing. 2 Ronna Brand, representative for the new property owners, which includes herself and her two brothers, stated this property was owned by her mother for over 60 years. She also stated her mother is now 85 years old and recently released from the hospital. She explained the property had originally belonged to her mother's father. She also stated, as the new owners, they are in favor of staffs decision and are looking forward to the opportunity to do something with the property. Commissioner Herrera asked Ms. Brand if they have any current plans for the property. Ronna Brand replied that they have just acquired the property and they have not decided what to do. She also stated they have met with the electric company to change ownership and have set up an appointment to meet with a company called "Apple Tractor' to have the brush removed. Commissioner Herrera asked Ms. Brand if once the property is cleaned up if they plan to let her mother continue to live there. Ronna Brand replied that they now have an opportunity to do something else with the property but have not decided what will be done. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked if there were any other questions. Vice - Chairwoman Eng asked if there was anyone in favor or against this project. =1- Vice - Chairwoman closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. Commissioner Hunter made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ruiz, to ADOPT Resolution No. 11.05, a resolution recommending that the City Council ADOPT Resolution 2011.15 and Ordinance No. 915, amending the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Map changing the land use designation and zoning classification of three (3) properties to Office /Light Industrial land use designation and the M -1 zoning classification. Vote resulted in: Yes: Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Community Development Director Wong stated that this action has been recommended to the City Council meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. B. DOWNTOWN ROSEMEAD DESIGN GUIDELINES - The City of Rosemead proposes to adopt Downtown Design Guidelines for Downtown Rosemead, located on Valley Boulevard between Walnut Grove Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard. The guidelines are intended to supplement the Rosemead Municipal Code and would be used during the development approval process and are intended as a reference point of expectations of quality development. The principle design criteria and architectural styles represented in the document are meant to assist in the design, development, and implementation of quality architecture and site planning. Use of these guidelines will ensure that new development and redevelopment upholds a commitment to high - quality development in the City of Rosemead. STAFF RECOMMENDATION - Due to a noticing error, staff is requesting that the item be cancelled and re- noticed to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on Monday, May 2, 2011. Vice - Chairwoman Eng confirmed that this item will be rescheduled to the May 2, 2011 Planning Commission meeting. 5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & Commissioner Hunter asked staff why the property on the corner of Rush and Walnut Grove has a fence there all the time and if it can be removed. Community Development Director Wong replied that staff will look into this matter. 6. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Resignation of Chairman William Alarcon Community Development Director Wong stated newly elected Councilman William Alarcon has submitted a resignation letter as Planning Commissioner. He also stated interviews of potential candidates for Planning Commissioner will be held at the next City Council Meeting of Tuesday, April 26, 2011. City Attorney Murphy stated the policy is that reorganization of the Planning Commission is in May. He also stated a fifth Planning Commissioner will be appointed soon and he recommended that the reorganization be scheduled for the second meeting in May, which will be Monday, May 16, 2011, so that the newly appointed Planning Commissioner may vote. B. Discussion of the Planners Institute held in Pasadena on Wednesday, March 9 -11, 2011 Commissioner Ruiz stated that in one of the workshops he attended at the Planners Institute & Mini Expo he was informed that as Planning Commissioners we have the right to make specific recommendations on alpha- numeric, size, and different languages for signage. He would like to recommend that the English language is larger than the second language on signs on buildings. Vice - Chairwoman Eng stated that she attended two workshops and one was, "How to Read an EIR over the Weekend ". She stated guidelines were given out on what to look for in those reports and shared that the project description, understanding the impact of new projects, and being able to talk to staff is very helpful. She stated the second workshop she attended was, 'Producing Middle- Income Workforce & Employer Assisted Housing" workshop and presented a brief description on what this workshop entailed. Commissioner Ruiz expressed that in an EIR Report it is very important that the Commissioners receive an accurate Traffic Analysis Report so that they can determine what the type of impact it will be for the City. EI 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011. V Nancy Eng Vice - Chairwoman ATTE T: Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary