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PC - Minutes - 10-21-13Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING October 21, 2013 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Herrera in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Dinh INVOCATION - Vice -Chair Eng ROLL CALL - Commissioners Dinh, Lopez, Tang, Vice -Chair Eng, and Chair Herrera ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: City Attorney Murphy, Community Development Director Ramirez, Associate Planner Trinh, Planning Intem Harm, and Commission Secretary Lockwood. 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS Greg Murphy, City Attorney, presented the procedure and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. MODIFICATION 13.05 - Jason Sun has submitted a Modification application requesting to modify Design Review 00.82, to perform exterior renovations to the main office building. This project will not add any new square footage to the building. The subject site is located at 3940 Rosemead Boulevard (formally 9020 Steele Street), in the CBD -D (Central Business with a District Overlay) zone. STAFF RECOMMENDATION - Based on the Analysis and findings contained in this report, it is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 13.17 with findings, and APPROVE Modification 13.05, subject to the thirty -eight (38) conditions. PC RESOLUTION 13 -17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING MODIFICATION 13 -05, FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR FAgADE OF THE MAIN COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 3940 ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD IN THE CBD -D (CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE. Planning Intern Hanh presented the staff report Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission it there were any questions or comments for staff None Chair Herrera opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant or anyone else wish to speak for or against this item. None Chair Herrera closed the Public Hearing and asked the Planning Commission if there were any questions or comments. Commissioner Tang asked if the carport and building next to it would also be painted to match the main office building. Planning Intern Hart replied yes. Commissioner Dinh referred to the Elevation Material Legend,( on page three (3) of staff report), item one (1) :New Stucco with Metal Reveal ", and asked if the Metal Reveal will create any substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or night time views in the area. Planning Intern Hann replied no. Commissioner Dinh asked if it was shiny glass because of the way it is angled it is facing Rosemead and Valley Boulevard. Associate Planner Trinh explained that it is recessed, so there won't be any glare. Commissioner Lopez asked if the name of the building is going to be "CCYP.COM'. Associate Planner Tnnh explained this approval is only for the design of the building. She added the sign will be on a separate permit and that staff will ensure the applicant identifies the type of business in English. Commissioner Lopez asked if the sign will look as it is proposed in the staff report. Associate Planner Tnnh replied no Commissioner Tang referred to signage and staled there are two (2) signs for this building', one is on the building and one is on Rosemead Boulevard. He asked staff if that makes a difference. Planning Intern replied that all signs will be submitted on a separate permit, Commissioner Herrera asked if there were any other questions. None Chair Herrera asked for a motion. Commissioner Tang made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez, to ADOPT Resolution No. 13 -17 with findings, and APPROVE Modification 13.05, subject to the thirty -eight (38) conditions. Condition of Approval number twelve (12) was modified by the Planning Commission to state, "Signs shall comply with the appropriate section of the Rosemead Municipal Code (RUC). Signs shall not cover more than 25% of the building area or 15% of window area. All signs shall comply with the Rosemead Municipal Code regarding identification of the type business in English." Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Community Development Director Ramirez explained the ten (10) day appeal process. She introduced Planning Intern Hanh to the Planning Commissioners. B. CITY OF ROSEMEAD HOUSING ELEMENT 2014 -2021 - State housing law requires local governments to adequately facilitate the improvement and development of housing to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. As the official housing policy document of the City of Rosemead (City) - one of the mandatory elements of the General Plan - the City of Rosemead 2014.2021 Housing Element (Housing Element) analyzes existing housing conditions, describes existing and future housing needs, and identifies opportunities for improving and expanding the City's housing supply. The City has been working with GRC Associates in preparing the proposed Housing Element (Attachment "B "). As part of the Housing Element adoption process, the City has conducted two public workshops to receive comments on the Housing Element. In addition, as required by State housing law, the Housing Element was submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on June 6, 2013 for review and comment. Based on this submittal, HCD has conditionally approved the Housing Element and has indicated in its letter dated July 30, 2013 that the draft Housing Element will comply with State housing element law (Article 10.6 of the Government Code) when adopted and submitted to HCD, pursuant to Section 65585(g) (Attachment "C "). Upon Planning Commission approval and City Council adoption of the Housing Element, HCD will certify the Housing Element. RESOLUTION NO. 13.18 - RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD 2014.2021 HOUSING ELEMENT AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND SUBMITTING IT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE CERTIFICATION Staff Recommendation - It is recommended that the Planning Commission take the following actions: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 13.18 approving the City of Rosemead Housing Element 2014.2021 and Negative Declaration (Attachment "A" ); and 2. Recommend City Council adoption of Rosemead Housing Element 2014.2021 and submittal to HCD for State certification. Community Development Director Ramirez presented the staff report. She introduced John Oshimo, President of GRC Associates, and stated he will present a PowerPoint overview of the Housing Element. John Oshimo, President of GRC Associates, presented a PowerPoint overview of the Housing Element. Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission if there were any questions or comments. Commissioner Lopez asked if the Native American Commission is contacted in reference to bunal grounds or cultural facilities where they may want to build. John Oshimo, replied yes, and added as well as finding out if there have been any studies that have been prepared that have identified any Native American cultural resources within the City. Vice -Chair Eng referred to the Outreach Program for people with developmental disabilities and asked if there is anything in place yet or is there a component that will be looked at to put programs together. Community Development Director Ramirez explained that the City currently works with agencies where people can be referred. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the Housing Programs in place are the Rehab Program, Down Payment, and Section 8. Community Development Director Ramirez clarified that Section 8 Program is run by the County of Los Angeles and that the City does not have its own Section 8 program. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the City is tracking that information. Community Development Director Ramirez replied she can contact the County and find out how many Section 8 vouchers are within the City at any time. Vice -Chair Eng stated she would like to have that information. She asked if the other two (2) programs are actively being used and are people qualifying for them. Community Development Director Ramirez replied they are both actively used, so much that there is not enough funding for them. She explained that the City had to apply for additional funding under the State CalHome Program, because the funding for both the Community Block Grant and Home Funds were significantly cut. She added that is a key reason for having a Housing Element because without having an approved Housing Element you cannot apply for those State funds. Vice -Chair Eng asked if CalHome is back in effect now. Community Development Director Ramirez replied that CalHome has always had funding. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the Fair Housing Program is an education program or is there a financial system component to it. Community Development Director Ramirez asked Vice -Chair Eng for clarification in regards to financial component. Vice -Chair Eng asked if they apply for financial assistance or is this for educational purposes. Community Development Director Ramirez replied the City contracts with the Southern California Housing Right Center and they provide free housing counseling to any landlord or tenant within our community. She stated if it is in regards to landlord /tenant disputes then they can guide them on options available to them. She explained that they can take on the case themselves, they can refer them to other attomey's, or they can refer them to the State. She added it is possible they can assist them with a case but they will not give them money. Vice -Chair Eng asked for clarification and if the program is mostly educational. Community Development Director Ramirez staled that it is not necessarily just educational as they can take on discrimination lawsuits if they so choose. Vice -Chair Eng commented she enjoyed reading the staff report and asked if the Census that was used was from the year "2010 ". Community Development Director Ramirez replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng referred to the staff report and based on the census it appears that a lot of people work in Rosemead but live in other cities. She stated the predominant population for the this City is between the age group of 25 -54 and asked staff if they have a sense of what type of housing this group is looking for. She stated most families would like a single - family home but it may not be affordable here and that may be why they live outside of Rosemead. She asked what other cities do to address or accommodate that need. Community Development Director Ramirez replied that it really does not matter what your age is, everyone has their own feeling of what they would like. She stated a single person may still want a single - family home to prepare for a family in the future. She stated staff knows that the smaller families like condominiums and townhomes because they don't want the responsibility of the maintenance, and upkeep of the property, or the landscaping. She added that condominiums and townhomes are ideal for the mixed -use nodes and they will work well for this community. Vice -Chair Eng asked what (SRO) Single Room Occupancies are. Community Development Director Ramirez replied a Single Room Occupancy is a single room that may or may not have a bathroom. She added it can have a shared bathroom or a community kitchen. John Oshimo explained a studio would be considered a single unit but a SRO is generally smaller with a shared bathroom or shared kitchen. He added a studio will have its own bathroom and kitchen. Vice -Chair Eng asked if this is a community type of housing or what type of housing is this considered, Community Development Director Ramirez replied it could be a single - family residency that has six bedrooms in it and each bedroom would be rented out individually. She explained that would be considered a Single Room Occupancy. Vice -Chair Eng stated one of the needs indicated in the staff report is housing for large households or large families. She addressed John Oshimo and asked what practical options am there or has been to accommodate that concern. John Oshimo replied there are incentives that can be done, but in terms of programs and financial assistance it would be difficult to do right now He recommended that the City's Zoning Code could allow for larger units as a start. Vice -Chair Eng asked by larger units does he mean more square footage. John Oshimo replied yes, either more square footage or change set -back or density requirements. He explained that is what other Cities have done to accommodate larger units, but that does not mean it necessarily needs to be done here. Vice -Chair Eng stated that land is very expensive in this area and sometimes this does not pencil out for property owners and developers to build those. Commissioner Dinh asked if there are incentives for meeting the due date to adopt the Housing Element in compliance with State Housing laws, besides receiving State grants or incentives that the State provides for each jurisdiction to meet RHNA requirements. Community Development Director Ramirez replied it is not necessarily meeting RHNA requirements and explained you do not need to meet the requirements; you need to show you have the land available to build according to the RHNA needs. She staled the biggest incentive is doing an eight year Housing Element verses doing a four year Housing Element and explained the State can sue a City that does not have an approved Housing Element. Commissioner Dinh asked if the Housing Element can be revised or updated once it has been implemented. Community Development Director Ramirez replied that there is an annual review of this plan, which is submitted to the State to let them know what has been accomplished in the last year. She added the State is aware of what is being done and not being done. Commissioner Dinh asked if the City is required to submit an annual review of progress. Community Development Director Ramirez and John Oshimo replied yes. John Oshimo explained that the Housing Element is one the seven mandated elements of the General Plan and like any of the other elements to the General Plan, there are opportunities to amend, change policies, or update those sections of it. Commissioner Dinh asked if there is a time -line for certain programs that are being implemented by and is there a date of when it will be done. Community Development Director Ramirez replied by the year "2021 ". Commissioner Dinh asked if each part will have its own timeline. Community Development Director Ramirez explained that it can be put in there and in some area's it may have been set up that way, but generally it is left open to the year "2021'. John Oshimo stated many of these are ongoing programs so you just continue them on, unless there are specific requirements by State law that says it has to be completed within one year of adoption of the Housing Element. Commissioner Dinh asked how our City and other Cites, such as the City of San Marino, meet up to the demands of the Housing Element. Community Development Director Ramirez replied some don't and explained you can go on the State Website to see which cities have submitted, which one's haven't, or which one's never had. Commissioner Dinh stated she did look at the website and read that the City of San Gabriel had a number of appeals and had a number that were rejected. Greg Murphy, City Attomey, stated some cities didn't even try to meet the States' requirements for them and that is no longer an option. He added they will have to come into compliance or they will lose out on State funds and the ability for project opponents to sue on a variety of projects becomes much greater. He stated you will see a lot more cities that were never in compliance starting to become in compliance starting as the year goes on Vice -Chair Eng asked Greg Murphy what the penalty is if they are not compliant. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, referred this question to John Oshimo, GRC Consultant. John Oshimo replied it is the cycle updates and you won't have to do it every four years, you can do it every eight years now. Community Development Director Ramirez explained that a City can be fined by the State and some cities have been fined and it is up to the State to determine that penalty. Commissioner Tang asked where the mixed -use nodes are currently zoned. Community Development Director Ramirez replied one is located here at City Hall. Associate Planner Trinh stated they are located at Delta/Garvey Avenue, Garvey Center where the bridge is, and one is at Temple CityNalley Boulevard. Commissioner Tang stated that an issue that the City faces is higher housing cost and referred to a section that he read in regards to overpayment. He added that the income falls below medium county income and the housing falls above and asked if it is normal situation for a particular City to be in Community Development Director Ramirez explained that one of the things that make this so difficult is that a lot of this is based on the 2010 Census, which we know that those census numbers were not reported accurately for our City. She added that is one of the reasons why the City loss so much in federal funds because a lot of the people did not respond to the census when the surveys went out or they were not truthful about them. She recommended that better education be done on the City's part, so next time people will not be afraid to fill them out. She stated that those numbers may not be an actual refiection on what the community really is. She explained with the First -Time Homebuyees Program when a home comes up for sale, they have eight to ten buyers still bidding on that home and some of them are Rosemead residents, so these homes are affordable and they have the funding to do so. Chair Herrera opened the Public Hearing and asked if there was anyone wishing to speak for or against this item. None Chair Herrera closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. Commissioner Tang made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez, to 1. Adopt Resolution No. 13 -18 approving the City of Rosemead Housing Element 2014 -2021 and Negative Declaration; and 2. Recommend City Council adoption of Rosemead Housing Element 2014 -2021 and submittal to HCD for State certification. Vote resulted in Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Community Development Director Ramirez announced that this item will be presented at the City Council meeting to be held on November 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. 4. CONSENTCALENDAR A. Withdrawal of Modification 13.04 Brian Lewin, resident, stated that on behalf of the residents that reside around Wal -Mart, he would like to thank the Planning Commission for listening to their concerns and for their decision that this Annual Review continue. He added that he would like to submit a letter from Yuki Fukumoto, a resident that was unable to attend tonight's Planning Commission meeting in regards to Wal -Mart for the record. Vice -Chair Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez, to approve the Withdrawal of Modification 13 -04. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Community Development Director Ramirez stated the date, time, and location of the upcoming Fitness Day and Health Fair. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Dinh stated she would like to commend and thank David Montgomery Scott, Director of Parks & Recreation, for putting the awesome program "The Young Americans" together in which her daughter participated in She stated the performance was inspiring, heartwarming, and the community needs to have more events like this one. Chair Herrera also stated the show was great. Vice -Chair Eng stated she concurs, the show was awesome and her son also participated in this event. She added everyone had a grand time and she was lucky enough to watch the rehearsals and how amazing it was to see how the show was put together. She stated the show was great, there were a lot of participants and residents in attendance, and unfortunate if you did not get to see it. She added she hopes that the City will be able to bring this venue back again. Chair Herrera asked staff for an update on the renovation that will be taking place in front of City Hall. Community Development Director Ramirez explained the renovation will be taking place between the area of the Library and City Hall. She added it will begin at the end of this month and explained that the 911 Statue has temporally been removed, so it will not be damaged, and is currently in a storage facility. She stated the renovation is a very nice design and it will include a water feature, benches, trees, a new entrance into City Hall, and it will be the center point of Valley Boulevard that will help symmetries the other improvements that will continue down Valley Boulevard. Chair Herrera asked if the Memorial will be brought back to City Hall when the renovation is completed. Community Development Director Ramirez replied yes. Commissioner Tang commented that he enjoyed reading the Housing Element Staff Report and found it very interesting and thanked staff. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Herrera adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. Diana Herrera Chair ST: C4 � Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary