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PC - Minutes - 12-17-68PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 1968 A regular.meeting of the Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Larson at 7:34 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 8838 Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. I.- CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Dauer led the Pledge of Allegiance The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Floe. 2. ROLL CALL VOTE: PRESENT: Commissioners ABSENT: Commissioners Dauer, Floe, Hunter, Larson & Schymos None EX OFFICIO: Director of Planning - Al Hersh City Administrator - Milt Farrell Administrative Assistant - Steve Street City Attorney - Bob Joehnck Secretary - Foy Burton 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 3, 1968 Commissioner Schymos pointed out that the conditions of Zone Variance No. 57 did not include the 32 seats granted by the Commission. Planning Director Hersh indicated the figure was marked on the plan and would be corrected in the minutes. Chairman Larson pointed out an error on page seven, item 11 A, paragraph 2. The item should read "..... informed the Commission.." (MO) It was moved by Commissioner Schymos, second . by Commissioner Floe, and unanimously carried, that the minutes of December 3, 1968 be approved as corrected. 4. TIME RESERVED FOR PERSONS IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION. NONE PUBLIC HEARING 5. NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. PLOT PLAN NO. 387 - Ninth dwelling on R -2 parcel - 2646 Gladys - Alta Builders. Planning Director Hersh presented the factual data. Mr. Dale Ingram, 3364 Hoyt Street, E1 Monte, representing the owners of the subject property, Mr. and Mrs. Higley, and the proposed builders, Alta Builders, addressed the Commission covering the history of the development of the property. Mr. PC December 17, 1968 Page Two PLOT PLAN NO. 387 (COnihinued) 0 Cngram stated the existing homes were not substandard and would probably be there for quite some time and suggested several things that could be done to bring the property close to City standards. Mr. Ingram stated Mr. Higley was willing to record a covenant preventing the property from being divided without express Planning Commission approval. Discussion by the Commission included restoration of storage area on so called parcel B to its original use as a garage and installing a driveway to the garage, establishment of a new storage room, ingress and egress from the site in the event of an emergency, and existing and proposed parking facilities. Mr. Higley, 736 San Salvatore, San Gabriel, addressed the Commission regarding information he had received from the Fire Department concerning the possibility of a fire truck gaining access to one of the dwellings, stating the department evidenced no concern about such a possibility. (MO) It was moved by mmmis,ion second by Commissioner Floe that Plot Plan No. 38 approved subject to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall submit revised plans in accord with Commission requests and the property shall thereafter be developed substantially in accord with the approved plot plan marked "Exhibit A - Revised ". 2. The storage structure (indicated on original plans as parcel B) shall be restored and shown as a two car garage with a paved driveway provided for access. 3. The owner of the subject property shall record a covenant on the property stating the property shall remain under one ownership and shall not be divided without the approval of the Rosemead Planning Commission. A copy of the recorded document to be submitted to the City Planning Department for the record. 4. Development of the subject property shall otherwise be in accord with the applicable standards and policies of the Planning Commission and in accord with the regulations of the City Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 112). S. This approval shall expire one year from the date of approval unless a building permit has been issued; con- struction has started and is being diligently pursued to completion prior to the stated expiration date. 6. Applicant /owner shall submit a signed Affidavit of Acceptance of Conditions to staff. PC December 17, 1968 Page Three . PLOT PLAN NO. 387 (Continued) ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners: Dauer, Floe, Hunter Nos: Commissioners: Larson and Schymos Absent: Commissioners: None 7. DISCUSSION OF AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS AND BROADCASTING ANTENNAS. Chairman`Larson set this item back on the agenda to follow. Item No. 9 NEW.BUSINESS 8.. PLOT PLAN NO. 400 - Rosemead Square Shopping Center - C -3 -d Zone - Design approvals -of uses and buildings - Theodore Rhodes, applicant Planning Director Hersh presented a chronological history of the development of Rosemead Square and the conditions of the approval of the Square to date, and explained current plans and elevations of the proposed satellite'stores. Mr. Hersh also presented the Commission with nine suggested conditions of approval for the proposed satellite retail store buildings. Discussion by the Commission included desirability and previous indications to develop a "pedestrian mall" between the satellite stores and Montgomery Wards, the placement of above - ground transformer now existing, required parking, signs, and the architectural review board to advise Commission and staff on technical matters. Commissioner Schymos wanted the record to show:. that the under- ground utility condition had been circumvented with the erection of the existing transformer. Mr.. Ross, of the Southern California Edison Company, addressed the Commission regarding the financial and physical reasons behind the transformer being placed above ground. Discussion by the Commission included the high cost of placing the transformer under ground, the type of screen which could be placed around the transformer and the possible results if an auto hit the transformer. Mr. Ross assured the Commission that the subject transformer would not be electrically hazardous if hit by an auto since the power would be automatically cut off by the impact: LI PC December 17, 1968 Page Four PLOT PLAN NO.. 400 (Continued) n Mr. Theodore Rhodes of the Larwin Fund and associate of Mr. Arthur Gilbert, addressed the Commission stating he had no knowledge of the type of customer traffic referred to as a "heavy commercial traffic" in the satellite portion of the mall.. He said that in early discussions he and his associates had felt this mall would be set up merchandise wise as a feature at the entrance to the stores onto the mall, and they had made no previous indication that this would be a regional shopping center. They tried to obtain a market, there is no super- market chain they did not contact, but they had no positive response from any supermarket chain. 'in regard to a junior department store, variety store, or dime store, the conditions are about the same as with a supermarket. Construction of the satellite buildings was done to attract tenancy into the center. He stated he and his associates have no objections to putting entrances and /or glass facing the Ward building but they pre- sently have no tenant who wishes to do so. They intend to screen the roof top equipment but this has not yet been done because of a temporary lapse in construction and the fact that they are not yet sure what type of roof top equipment will be used until all tenants have been secured. The lack of a super- market tenant affects his ability to attract tenants to the satellite stores. Mr. Rhodes also stated that a problem existed with the men's ready to wear store and the jeweler, as they had ordered their fixtures on the basis of a blank wall to the east. Mr.. Rhodes stated he had discussed the blank buil'di'ng wall with Mr.. Hersh and Mr. Farrell and indicated he would prefer the building permit not be suspended, but had willingly agreed in writing to cease construction until a satisfactory arrangement could be made in a presentation to the Planning Commission in accordance with Mr. Hersh's request. Chairman Larson declared a recess at 9:40 P.M.. and reconvened the meeting at 9:50 P.M. Mr..Robert Turner,.Regional Engineer of Montgomery Ward in Oakland, addressed the Commission stating he was not present at the original transactions but in discussion with the Ward staff he had understood there would be an active pedes- trian walkway with anticipated entrances from the satellite stores onto the mall.. That he understood this was the reason for Wards three existing entrances onto the mall. Speaking for Montgomery Ward, they obyiect to a solid wall on the satellite buildings from a merchandising stand point. Mr. Turner, down from San Francisco only to attend this meeting, also stated he would like to see the matter cleared up as soon as possible since it was affecting the business in the Montgomery Ward store. s PC' December`17, 1968 Page Five PLOT PLAN NO, 400 (Continued) Ll Mr. Farrell stated the city would like to eventually see this center with the PD zoned areas to the west and east become a regional center to include the good retail stores the ci..ty needs, and that the original basis for the Zone Variance and Zone Change approvals, to his recollection, had been indicated to be developed so that the mall between Wards and the satellite stores would be constructed in an open manner to encourage I a. pedestrian flow of potential customers. Mr. Farrell also stated that in accord with the recommended conditions the staff would have the authority to approve design plans after- appropriate plans are submitted, with the aid of the archi tectural review committee. If the staff and the committee cannot settle upon an arrangement satisfactory to the staff or the applicant the plans will be submitted to the Commission ,for a decision ;. He also stated the city would like to see uniformity in the signs of the satellite stores., Mr. Farrell . suggested the Commission approve the conditions suggested byt Planning Director Hersh. Mr.: Richardson,:associate vice - president of Leach Cleveland and Associates,. Architects, addressed the Commission stating he was present at the time the project was planned and.the design concept was def.i.nitly based on the fact that the mal] should be a traffic mall with store entries onto the.mall, so foot traffic would be attracted to this mall. He also stated there is no hazardous situation with the transformer but that it should be screened and a curb placed around it.. Mr: Richardson stated that a small amount of the east wall could be left for lateral support and the rest of the area used as store windows and entrances, He suggested Mr. Rhodes might be agreeable to continuing construction on the.buildings without the east wall until the matter could be resolved. Discussion by the Commission included screening of roof top equipment, possibility of a junior department store, a variety store or a dime store, or other "draw" instead of the originally proposed market, required submission of detailed plans of parking and landscaping, and procedures for approval of all design plans, utilizing the appointed Architectural Review Committee for technical advice. (MO) It was moved by Commissioner Schymos, second by Commissioner Hunter that Plot Plan No. 400 be approved subject to the following nine conditions: The north -south pedestrian mall, between the Montgomery Ward department store and the two buildings under construction and known as buildings "A" and "6" , shall be the focal point of pedestrian circulation with satellite stores to front or open onto said mall. 2. All air conditions and other roof -top equipment shall be adequately screened. Screening should be opaque, fireproof, and more or less continuous so that said screening f:i.ts or is compatible with the architecture of adjoining buildings. e 0 December 17, 1968 Page Six PLOT PLAN N0. 400 (Continued) 3. The Edison Company transformer mounted on the surface to the west of the Thrifty Drug store in building "A" shall be screened by a six foot tall architectural screen and adequate landscaping, subject to approval of the Director of Planning. It should be noted that all utilities are otherwise required to be located underground. 4. All uses should be as previously proposed when the zoning was granted. Since a market apparently cannot be obtained as a primary draw at the south end of the pedestrian mall ", a junior department store, a 5 and 10 store, or a variety store should anchor the south end of said mall. 5. Precise plans are required to be submitted, indicating the entire development of the shopping center, including all structures, elevations, parking spaces, landscaping, walls, utilities, lighting and signs. 6. Plans shall include precise dimensions, uses, pedestrian and automobile access, and shall include the dimensions, size and locations of doors and windows. 7. The proposed color and types of material for all structures and equipment shall be submitted. 8. Construction of building "B" shall not proceed until con- struction plans have been changed to delete the masonry wall on the east side of building "B" to provide for future doors and windows. 9. In the event of any disagreement with regard to approval of the "design plan ", plans shall be re- submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners: Dauer, Floe, Hunter, Larson and Schymos Nos: Commissioners: None Absent: Commissioners: None MA TTERS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF 9• Horses in Residential Zones Chairman Larson suggested that since this item was not a pressing one that the Animal Regulations Committee look into this and the matter be taken up at a future meeting. The Commission agreed. PC December 17, 1968 Page Seven 10. Commissioner Schymos suggested the Commission study the zoning layout of Rosemead to see if there were any beneficial changes to be made. Planning Director Hersh pointed out that it was planned to review the City General Plan in the near future, that approved revisions would alter the plan so that it was necessary to hold up zone changes until the revised General Plan could be used as a, guide. Mr. Schymos, a member the Zoning Committee agreed this procedure was more appropriate. 7. Discussion of Amateur Radio Operators and Broadcasting Antennas. The Commission decided to study the proposed regulations and discuss the matter at the next meeting. 11% TIME RESERVED FOR PERSONS IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE CbMMISSION. NONE There being not further business, Chairman Larson adjourned the meeting at 9:50 P.M.