PC - Item 5A - Garvey Avenue Master PlanROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE ROSEMEAD
PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: JULY 16, 2012
SUBJECT: GARVEY AVENUE MASTER PLAN
Summary
The City of Rosemead proposes to adopt the Garvey Avenue Master Plan, located on
Garvey Avenue between New Avenue and the Garvey Bridge. The Garvey Avenue
Master Plan addresses aesthetic and parking issues that property and business owners
face in planning commercial and retail improvements. It is intended to be used as a
reference point of expectations of quality development. The principle design criteria and
architectural styles represented herein are not intended to be restrictive; they are meant
to assist in the design, development, and implementation of quality architecture and site
planning.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 12 -10 (Exhibit
"A "), a resolution recommending approval of the Garvey Avenue Master Plan to the City
Council.
Background
The City's Strategic Plan for 2012 -2013 includes a directive to form a subcommittee
with representation from the City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Traffic
Commission to work with staff on drafting potential plans for Garvey Avenue.
On August 9, 2011, the City Council appointed a Garvey Avenue Master Plan
Subcommittee consisting of two City Council Members (Council Member William
Alarcon and Mayor Pro -tem Polly Low), with a representative from the Planning
Commission (Commissioner Eng) and the Traffic Commission (Chair Hall), and
Community Development Department staff to discuss the development of potential
improvement plans for Garvey Avenue.
Over the last several months, the Garvey Subcommittee has met several times to
discuss ways to strengthen the Garvey Avenue commercial corridor's identity, image,
and sense of place. Based on the subcommittee's comments and recommendations,
staff has drafted the Garvey Avenue Master Plan, attached as Exhibit "B."
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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ANALYSIS
The establishment of the Garvey Avenue Master Plan will provide a foundation for
Garvey Avenue to be recognized as a vibrant corridor with clean storefronts and visible
pedestrian activity. Garvey Avenue will create a sense of "Small Town" community
pride where a variety of opportunities can be discovered for families and friends.
The Garvey Avenue Master Plan is proposed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Upgrade the image and appeal of the Garvey Avenue corridor by coordinated
public and private improvements.
2. Entice and create convenience for patrons to stop and shop along the Garvey
Avenue commercial corridor.
3. Create energy along Garvey Avenue by creating pedestrian activity and sidewalk
cafes with outdoor seating.
4. Develop great place- making areas that will define the Garvey Avenue
commercial corridor.
5. Create adequate parking facilities and improve traffic flow along the commercial
corridor.
6. Promote and encourage the highest and best use of under - utilized properties.
7. Utilize landscaping as an integral component to overall project design.
8. Consider scale and character of adjacent uses and demonstrate sensitivity to the
influences of the surrounding area.
9. Encourage private rehabilitation through application of the Garvey Avenue
Master Plan for new and existing businesses. ,
10. Strengthen the Property Maintenance Ordinance to rigorously enforce property
maintenance standards for commercial and industrial properties.
To achieve these objectives, the following action plan has been developed:
1. Revise the Property Maintenance and Sign Ordinances to clearly address
commercial property maintenance (e.g. clean storefronts, parking lot
improvements, sign rehabilitation, etc.).
2. Recognize that different parts of the corridor have special characters, and
develop programs to strengthen and reinforce it.
3. Direct project designs that will promote pedestrian - friendly projects with public
spaces and lively street fronts where people can meet and interact.
4. Encourage developments as a means of upgrading established uses and
developing vacant parcels along Garvey Avenue..
5. Attract private investment to revitalize older commercial uses that will reinforce
and create synergy along the Garvey Avenue commercial corridor.
6. Enforce high quality commercial building and site design while allowing increased
intensities of use along the corridor where appropriate.
7. Require economic feasibility studies on large development sites to ensure
projects are economically sustainable.
8. Establish a well - balanced and carefully planned collection of signature retail
anchors, general retail outlets, casual to upscale restaurants, and upscale
overnight accommodations.
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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9. Discourage the development of commercial properties that contain a random mix
of incompatible uses.
10. Encourage the placement of parking areas to be located behind structures and
out of sight from the public right of way.
11. Promote lively and attractive ground -floor retail uses that will create revenues
needed to provide for City services and City's tax base.
Prepared by:
_*�a
Lily Trinh
Assistant Planner
EXHIBITS:
A. Planning Commission Resolution No. 12 -10
B. Draft Garvey Master Plan
C. Draft City Council Resolution No. 2012 -34
Submitted by:
Michelle Ramirez
Community Development Director
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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EXHIBIT A
PC RESOLUTION 12 -10
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE GARVEY AVENUE MASTER
PLAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead proposes to approve the Garvey Avenue
Master Plan, located on Garvey Avenue between New Avenue and the Garvey Bridge.
The Garvey Avenue Master Plan is supplemental to the Rosemead Municipal Code and
will be used during the development approval process. It is intended to be used as a
reference point of expectations of quality development. The principle design criteria and
architectural styles represented herein are not intended to be restrictive; they are meant
to assist in the design, development, and implementation of quality architecture and site
planning.
WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has determined that there is a
need for the Garvey Avenue Master Plan to protect the public health, safety, and
welfare of the community at large.
WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has determined that the
Garvey Avenue Master Plan will provide superb guidance on design, development, and
implementation of quality architecture and site planning.
WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has determined that the
Garvey Avenue Master Plan will strengthen the Garvey Avenue commercial corridor's
identity, image, and sense of place in the City of Rosemead; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2012, the Planning Commission recommended approval
of the Garvey Avenue Master Plan to the City Council; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Rosemead as follows:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission HEREBY RECOMMENDS APPROVAL
of the Garvey Avenue Master Plan, attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 2. This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning
Commission on July 16, 2012, by the following vote:
YES:
NO:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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SECTION 3. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall transmit copies of same to the applicant and the Rosemead City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16th day of July, 2012.
Victor Ruiz, Chair
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Rosemead at its regular meeting, held on the 16th day of July,
2012, by the following vote:
YES:
NO:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Michelle Ramirez, Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Gregory M. Murphy, Planning Commission Attorney
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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EXHIBIT C
RESOLUTION 2012 -34
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE GARVEY AVENUE MASTER PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead proposes to approve the Garvey Avenue
Master Plan, located on Garvey Avenue between New Avenue and the Garvey Bridge.
The Garvey Avenue Master Plan is supplemental to the Rosemead Municipal Code and
will be used during the development approval process. It is intended to be used as a
reference point of expectations of quality development. The principle design criteria and
architectural styles represented herein are not intended to be restrictive; they are meant
to assist in the design, development, and implementation of quality architecture and site
planning.
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that there is a need for the Garvey
Avenue Master Plan to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community at
large; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Garvey Avenue Master
Plan provide superb guidance on design, development, and implementation of quality
architecture and site planning; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2012, the Planning Commission recommended approval
of the Garvey Avenue Master Plan to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on July 24, 2012, the City Council has determined that the Garvey
Avenue Master Plan will strengthen the Garvey Avenue commercial corridor's identity,
image, and sense of place in the City of Rosemead.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
HEREBY FINDS, DECLARES, AND RECOMMENDS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby approves the Garvey Avenue Master Plan,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The Mayor shall sign this resolution and the City Clerk shall attest
to the adoption thereof.
Planning Commission Meeting
July 16, 2012
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PASSED, AND ADOPTED, by the City Council of the City of Rosemead, County of Los
Angeles of the State of California on July 24, 2012.
Sandra Armenta, Mayor
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Rachel H. Richman, City Attorney