PC - Item 4A - Minutes 6-18-12Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
June 18, 2012
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Chair Eng in the Council
Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Saccaro
INVOCATION - Commissioner Hunter
ROLL CALL - Commissioners Herrera, Hunter, Saccaro, Vice -Chair Ruiz, and Chair Eng
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: City Attorney Murphy, Acting Community Development Director Ramirez,
Assistant Planner Trinh, and Commission Secretary Lockwood
1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS
Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the procedures and appeal rights of the meeting.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
None
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. DESIGN REVIEW 12.01 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 12.05 - Briad Restaurant Group, LLC has
submitted a Design Review application to renovate the exterior building facade and convert a 7,579
square foot retail space into a TGI Friday's Restaurant and a Conditional Use Permit application for a
new On Sale General (Type 47) ABC license. The subject site is located at 3518 Rosemead Boulevard
in the C -31) (Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zone.
PC RESOLUTION 12 -08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 12-
01 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 12 -05, FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR BUILDING
FA< ADE AND CONVERSION OF A 7,579 SQUARE FOOT RETAIL SPACE INTO A TGI FRIDAY'S
RESTAURANT AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR A NEW ON SALE GENERAL
(TYPE 47) ABC LICENSE. THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 3518 ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD IN
THE C -3D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH DESIGN OVERALY) ZONE.
Staff Recommendation - Based on the analysis and findings contained in this report, it is
recommended that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design review 12 -01 and Conditional Use
Permit 12 -05 and ADOPT Resolution No. 12.08 with findings subject to the thirty -two (32) conditions.
Assistant Planner Trinh presented staff report. She reported that Condition of Approval number twenty -three (23)
shall be revised to state, "If necessary the property owner will complete a record of survey and lot line adjustment, at
the discretion of the City. The property owner, if necessary, shall provide the City with a copy of the agreement with
a licensed surveyor to complete record of survey and agree to complete a lot line adjustment within twelve (12)
months of approval of the Design Review and Conditional Use Permit applications. Prior to final building inspection, a
cash deposit of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) shall be deposited by the property owner with the City to guarantee
completion of the record of survey." She added based on the analysis and findings contained in the staff report it is
recommended that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design Review 12 -01 and Conditional Use Permit 12 -05
and ADOPT Resolution No. 12 -08. She stated staff, property owner's representative, and the applicant's
representative are available to answer any questions.
Chair Eng asked if the Planning Commissioners had any questions for staff.
None
Chair Eng asked staff how the parking requirement was determined for this project.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied that a shopping center parking ratio is one parking space for each two hundred eighty
(280) square feet of combined floor area.
Chair Eng asked if this is based on lot space or on the improvements.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied it is based on floor area.
Chair Eng asked how many parking spaces are there total.
Community Development Director Ramirez addressed Chair Eng and the Planning Commission and stated
that currently there is an excess number of parking spaces. She explained that staff does not have the exact number
of parking spaces right now, but the applicant does meet the required parking standards.
Chair Eng expressed that it is important this information be included in staff reports due to parking concems.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied it will be noted.
Chair Eng asked if the parking spaces are shared by all the shopping center tenants or are they assigned.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied there is CC & R's (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) that cover the entire
shopping center and the parking is shared amongst the entire shopping center.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated if the question is if certain locations have designated parking
spaces specifically for them, then it can be referred to the management company which is present this evening.
Chair Eng asked how many new trash enclosures will be installed for this project and where will they be located.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied there will be one new trash enclosure with three bins and but she is unsure of how
they will be distributed. She added the management company is present and may address that question.
Community Development Director Ramirez added that that the new trash enclosure for this site will be located behind
TGI Friday's, next to the Myumba Restaurant. It will be within the vicinity of TGI Friday's and enclosed with a solid
roof.
Chair Eng asked if this is a standard requirement now.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied no, it is a standard requirement for restaurant use only.
Chair Eng stated in the past there have been vehicle break -in's in this shopping center, particularly by the lA
Fitness center, and asked what has been done to address this concern and what the current status is.
2
Assistant Planner Trinh replied that staff contacted Tim Murakami, Chief of Police, and he reported that vehicle
break -in has improved. She added that he reported it has not been a problem since [-Hop has been there and
should not be a problem with the addition of TGI Friday's.
Chair Eng stated her concern is if the vehicle break -in's that had happened in the past had been addressed.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated that Tim Murakami, Chief of Police, is currently working with LA
Fitness to improve their security plan.
Chair Eng asked how many ABC Licenses are there currently in this shopping center.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied there are currently three (3).
Commissioner Hunter asked which three businesses have current ABC Licenses.
Chair Eng replied they are Rose City Pizza, Mayumba Cuban Restaurant, and Lublae Thai Restaurant.
Chair Eng asked if there are any other businesses that close after 10:30 pm.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied Target is open till 11:00 pm Monday through Saturday, Mayumba Cuban Restaurant
is open till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and IHOP is open 24 hours.
Chair Eng asked if Starbucks is open 24 hours.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied no, they close at 10:30 pm.
Chair Eng referred to the lot line adjustment and asked if this correction will hold up any of TGI Friday's plans.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied no, and that is why the Condition of Approval specifies that it is the property owner's
responsibility.
Chair Eng confirmed that the property owner is alright with that. She asked if there is a lot line adjustment also
involved where TGI Friday's is being located.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied no, there is a lot line issue on the NW corner only.
Vice -Chair Ruiz referred to the improvements on the property and asked if the striping will be re -done and will the
stop signs be replaced. He stated that the stop signs are not D.O.T. approved, and are too small. He commented
that the signs are placed in locations where people do not see them, and are not stopping. He stated he is concerned
because this was discussed a year ago and it still has not been addressed.
Chair Eng stated she agrees with his concerns and recommended it be discussed during Matters from the Chair and
Commissioners.
Commissioner Hunter stated the staff report states the current total of the building is 9,600 square feet and a retail
space totaling 2,050 square feet and asked staff if they know what that will be.
Community Development Director replied no, they do not.
Chair Eng asked the Planning Commissioners if they had any more questions.
None
Chair Eng opened the Public Hearing and invited the owner of the Property Management Company to the podium
Jim Notley, owner of Beacon Property Management, stated in regards to the retail tenant next to TGI Friday's, there
is no tenant as of yet. In regards to vehicle break -in at LA Fitness, they have improved sustainably. He explained
that a state -of the art 24 -hour surveillance camera system was installed a few: months ago and is now fully
operational. He reported there are occasional vehicle break -ins and we get great videos of them. We are working
trying to catch them coming onto the property and that is cutting down the number of break -ins. He stated in regards
to the concerns of the property, he reported that they will address the re- asphalting, slurry seal, striping, repairs, stop
signs, and we will be doing additional landscaping upgrades. He stated it will be completed before TGI Friday's
opening and the redevelopment of the Hollywood Video building.
Chair Eng stated that on the property there are signs that have restrictive parking. She asked how parking is situated
in this shopping center and is it reciprocal for all the tenants.
Jim Notely replied that it is reciprocal parking throughout the entire property. He explained that includes from the
parking structure, to the rear, all the way to the front buildings around Starbucks. He stated there are a couple of
parking restrictions in place, which is over by "Building A" ( Starbucks Building on the corner of Marshall and
Rosemead), and parking is limited to two hours because parking is compacted in that area. He explained that they
encourage and enforce employees to park in other areas because there is surplus parking in other areas. He stated
the second place where there is restricted parking is at the tear of the property where Bally's was located and
currently is LA Fitness and is our tenant. He explained in the lease agreement with LA Fitness their patrons are not
allowed to park in certain spots, primarily the ones that service the two office buildings.
Chair Eng asked in the event that it is necessary to use that office building parking area is it open to other tenants
now besides LA Fitness.
Jim Notley replied yes, any tenant is allowed to park there or any customer of the shopping center no matter what
business they are frequenting except for Bally's /LA Fitness.
Chair Eng referred to the Tenant Improvement application that Jim Notley has submitted and asked him to
explain the trash enclosure installation.
Jim Notley replied that they are installing trash enclosure's immediately behind the Office Depo and explained there
is a narrow alley between Mayumba and the rear of TGI Friday's. He stated there will be a series of trash
enclosures at the edge of the Office Depo building and they will belong to TGI Friday's, Mayumba Cuban Restaurant,
and Office Depo.
Chair Eng confirmed that they will be the updated enclosures with a solid roof top.
Jim Notley replied yes, they will be very nicely designed.
Chair Eng asked if an outdoor grease interceptor is available on the TGI Friday's Restaurant side.
Jim Notley replied that a grease interceptor is going to be installed at the front end of the building out in the parking
lot.
Commissioner Herrera asked if security is provided only to 10:30 pm.
Jim Notley replied that they have security currently to 10:30 pm every night.
Commissioner Hunter expressed that TGI Friday's will be staying open until 2:00 am.
Jim Notley replied at this point it this has not been addressed. He explained it will be based on the shopping center
needs and if it needs increased security it will be.
Commissioner Herrera asked if that is typical of TGI Friday's.
Jim Notley replied he can think of shopping centers that have no security and he can think of shopping centers with
TGI Friday's with additional security.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated that there is a Condition of Approval that covers security and if it is
determined that additional security is needed, then it will be provided.
Chair Eng asked if there any other questions for the property management.
None
Chair Eng stated she still had questions for regarding the property and would like to ask them a little later. She
asked Jim Notley if he would mind staying a little longer.
Jim Notley replied yes, he would stay.
Chair Eng asked if there were any other speakers and asked if a representative from TGI Friday's was present.
Valentina Allen, representative of Brad Restaurant Group, thanked staff for processing this Conditional Use
Permit so quickly. She stated TGI Fridays is excited to be in the City of Rosemead and being a good partner in the
community.
Chair Eng commented that she is also excited and welcomed TGI Friday's for coming to the City of Rosemead. She
referred to the site plan and asked if the DJ area is typically set -up the same in all TGI Friday's Restaurants.
Valentina Allen replied yes, it is typical that they have the opportunity to have music, but at this time they are not
intending to have a DJ, live entertainment, or dancing. She added that TGI Friday's Restaurant is very aware if it is
decided in the future to have entertainment they would have to obtain a separate entertainment permit.
Chair Eng stated she just wanted to clarify if this is a corporate request.
Valentina Allen replied yes, so if TGI Friday's decides to do it, we have the space set- up for it.
Chair Eng asked if the standard operating hours typically are from 11:00 am to 2:00 am.
Valentina Allen replied it will vary sometimes depending on the shopping center, but yes, that is the standard
operating hours.
Vice -Chair Ruiz thanked Valentina Allen and TGI Friday's for coming to Rosemead. He commented that at the West
Covina location there is a DJ and reported there have been no incidents.
Brian Lewin, resident, thanked TGI Friday's for coming to the City of Rosemead and commented he is looking
forward to their opening. He stated he is concerned with the signage and speed humps. He requested, if possible,
that plans be scanned or require that the applicant submit them in PDF format, so they may be posted to the
website.
Chair Eng asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak on this item.
None
Chair Eng closed the Public Hearing and asked the Planning Commission if they had additional comments or
questions.
Vice -Chair Ruiz stated that the architectural drawings are usually done with Auto Cad and there are several
programs that convert the Auto Cad format to PDF. He added if the applicant does not mind sharing the PDF
drawing, then it should be easy to have the plans available on the website.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated staff will look into this and see if this is something that can be
done.
Commissioner Saccaro stated he would like to thank the City Council and staff for all the work in getting TGI Friday's
into the City of Rosemead. He added residents will appreciate an internationally known restaurant in the City of
Rosemead.
Chair Eng stated she agrees and thanked staff also. She asked if there were any other questions.
None
Chair Eng asked for a motion.
Vice Chair Victor Ruiz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Michael Saccaro, to APPROVE Design
review. 12.01 and Conditional Use Permit 12 -05 and ADOPT Resolution No. 12-08 with findings subject to the
thirty -two (32) conditions.
Vote resulted in:
Yes:
Eng, Herrera, Hunter, Ruiz, Saccaro
No:
None''
Abstain:
None
Absent:
None
Greg Murphy, City Attorney stated there is a ten (10) day appeal period and the applicant may start working with staff
to pull permits after that.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes - May 7, 2012
Commissioner Herrera made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Saccaro, to APPROVE the Consent
Calendar as presented.
Vote resulted in:
Yes:
Eng, Herrera, Ruiz, Saccaro
No:
None
Abstain:
Hunter
Absent:
None
5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Herrera stated she is happy about the new development coming into the city. She expressed concern
with blight in areas adjacent to neighboring cities and gave an example of an area near Saint Anthony's Church. She
asked staff if the city contact's other cities and request clean -ups.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied no, and explained that there are times when staff will contact
other cities on developments that either city has going on in their community.
Commissioner Herrera stated she is concerned with an old gas station located near Saint Anthony's Church and
Carl's Jr.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated that staff can check to see if San Gabriel has a "CRM" (Citizen
Relationship Management) process like the City of Rosemead.
Commissioner Hunter asked staff to clarify the Covenant Agreement with TGl Friday's and asked if they would need
to get their restaurant open in so many months.
Assistant Planner Trinh explained the Covenant Agreement is for property line concerns but it has been modified in
the Condition of Approval number twenty -three (23) to state they will submit a cash deposit to the City to assure
that they will correct the property line concern.
Commissioner Hunter explained she is asking because she would like to know why the Universal Bank property was
not given a time limit and they are still not open for business. She asked staff if this was taking too long.
Assistant Planner Trinh explained that staff is still working with the Universal Bank property owner and the bank is
working with their sign contractor for new signage. She added that their signage process should be completed
shortly and should be coming back to the Planning Commission soon for review.
Commissioner Hunter stated that the Edison property on Mission Drive has overgrown weeds and requested that it
be cleaned up.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated that staff will place a "CRM" (Citizen Relationship
Management) request to address this concern on that property.
Commissioner Herrera stated on the corner of San Gabriel Boulevard and Garvey Avenue the landscaping decor on
that corner is very pleasing and suggested that maybe it could also be done on the corner by Wal -Mart.
Commissioner Hunter stated that she has seen in other cities where they take certain corners and make little parks
out of them. She asked staff if Edison would consider doing this.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied that staff has tried working with Edison and they have been asked
to dedicate this comer for a park. She explained that she does not know the current status. She stated staff can
submit a "CRM" (Citizen Relationship Management) request in the meantime to make sure the property will be
cleaned up.
Vice -Chair Ruiz expressed concern that coming into the City from the East the empty lot located on the comer of
Temple City Boulevard and Valley is not very attractive. He stated that he knows the property owner does not want to
develop anything there and is concerned that the city cannot do anything.
Community Development Director Ramirez stated that with updating the Zoning Code it has been discussed what
can be done with vacant properties and the upkeep of them. She stated this is something that can be addressed in
the updating of the Zoning Code. She added that there has been frequent request for that property and hopefully
something will get developed.
Chair Eng requested that in regards to the standard Conditions of Approval that would apply to every project is it
possible for staff to consolidate, format, or structure them differently; maybe as General Conditions of Approval. She
explained that it may help with clarification if there are General Conditions of Approval and then there are specifics
for certain projects.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied that is something staff can look into. She explained that staff
does not want to make Conditions of Approval too long and /or convoluted.
Chair Eng referred to the Rosemead Shopping Center and stated the property owner had submitted a Master Sign
improvement plan a few years ago. She asked staff if all the improvements have been made.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied yes, all the improvements have been made and it has been final.
Chair Eng asked if the stop signs were included in the improvements.
Assistant Planner Trinh replied she does not recall if stop signs were included.
Chair Eng expressed concern that the stop signs are not very tall, cannot be seen, dangerous, and residents are not
stopping. She requested for safety reasons staff revisit this site for traffic calming measures.
Vice -Chair Ruiz stated if approved D.O.T. Stop Signs are installed it would be great.
Chair Eng requested that the property owner address the parking lot markings and improve the common area
aesthetics.
Jim Notley, Beacon Property Management, replied from audience but it was not audible.
Chair Eng stated that the crosswalks leading into the retail stores are faded and cannot be seen and requested they
be addressed for safety concerns.
Jim Notley, Beacon Property Management, replied from audience and agreed the crosswalks are faded and they will
be taken care of.
Chair Eng asked staff if there will be adequate parking to accommodate the future tenants coming into the shopping
center.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied staff has received an application for the demolishment of the
Hollywood Video's building with a new four (4) unit building. Staff has calculated the parking for the new
development and the site still has plenty of parking.
Chair Eng asked staff if there are different codes for parking requirements.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied there are different standards for shopping centers verses
residential.
Assistant Planner Trinh stated in this case it is a shopping center so parking is one (1) per two hundred and eighty
(280) regardless of the use. She explained if it was a mini -mall then parking is broken up by uses.
6. MATTERS FROM STAFF
None
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
ATTEST:
Rachel Lockwood
Commission Secretary
Nancy Eng
Chair
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