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PC - Minutes - 12-02-13Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING December 2, 2013 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Herrera in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Vice -Chair Eng INVOCATION - Chair Herrera 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 Tnnh, 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 Sally Hausler, resident of 26 years, expressed concern with a development on the property of 8929 Emerson Place, which is to the north of her home. She explained that driveway is being installed and two additional homes are being built on the back lot. She stated her concerns are that currently there is not enough parking availability on the street, placing trash disposal containers at the curb is difficult, the disposal vehicles do not have enough room to pick up the trash disposal containers, and there is not enough access for emergency vehicles. She added that once the two homes are completed she is concerned that there will be more street congestion. Community Development Director Ramirez stated the city Is aware of this concern and the Planning Technician spoke with Sally Hausler's husband in regards to the plans and concerns. She stated staff requested that the public works inspector investigate this site and he verified that the construction is being done according to the plans that were approved, She explained in regards to parking on the street, it is a public street, that people can park on and the City cannot tell residents that they have to park in their own driveway. Sally Hausler, resident, asked if on trash day are residents to leave their trash containers out and let the disposal company pick them up wherever they can. Community Development Director Ramirez replied Consolidated Disposal will contact the Public Works Director if there are any concerns or issues, 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DESIGN REVIEW 13.04 - Redstone Grocers Inc., doing business as "Hoe Binh Supermarket" has submitted a Design Review application requesting to renovate the exterior fayade of an existing commercial building, located at 8235 Garvey Avenue, in the C -31) (Medium Commercial with a Design 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 Design Review 13.04, subject to the twenty -four (24) conditions. PC RESOLUTION 13.17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 13- 04, FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR FACADE OF AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING, LOCATED AT 6235 GARVEY AVENUE, IN THE C -313 (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE. Associate Planner Tnnh presented the staff report. She stated staff would like to make a correction to the PC Resolution Number No. 13 -17 to 13 -19, and add Condition of Approval number twenty-five (25), which states,', "All supermarket shopping carts shall be identified with the business name. Electronic shopping cart wheel locks shall be installed on all shopping carts that are utilized on the site to contain all carts within the perimeter property lines of the commercial development". Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission if there were any questions or comments for staff. Vice -Chair Eng asked staff if lighting improvements will be implemented. She expressed concern that there is not enough lighting on the South side of the building. Associate Planner Trinh replied no. Vice -Chair Eng asked staff if the metal awning in front of the building will remain and if it is will it be repainted. Associate Planner Trinh replied, that it will not be removed but instead repainted Chair Herrera opened the Public Hearing and invited the applicant to the podium. Doreen Hahn, applicant, stated she is the owner and operator of "Hoa Binh Supermarket ". She stated she has thirty (30) years of experience and currently operates two (2) other markets (one is located in the City of Pomona and the other is in the City of Garden Grove). She added now she would like to serve and support the community, and explained that before the store opens, improvements will be taking place inside the market, as well as renovating the facade of the building, so as to be cohesive with the neighboring businesses. She stated she agrees and will comply with all the conditions of approval and explained that the wheel lock system for shopping carts is currently used at one of her other locations. She added it is an investment but one that benefits the City and the business. She thanked the City and Planning Commission and asked if they had any questions. Vice -Chair Eng welcomed Doreen Hahn to Rosemead and asked when she planned to open. Doreen Hanh replied that they hope to open in March or April of 2014. Vice -Chair Eng referred to the site plan and stated that by loading area, it looks like shopping carts are stored there, and asked if this area is being converted to the trash enclosure. Associate Planner Tdnh replied that it is a trash enclosure, but it was used for shopping can storage. Vice -Chair Eng confirmed there will be two (2) trash enclosures and asked if they will have solid tops. Associate Planner Trinh replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng stated she is concerned with the sifting water by the loading area and suggested that while the grading is taking place it can address the sitting water situation. Doreen Hanh explained they have a sewer pump system to address the sitting water Vice -Chair Eng asked if the block wall along the loading dock will be painted one color. Doreen Hanh replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng asked if they are keeping the metal awning in the front. Doreen Hanh replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng asked how the metal awning will be updated. Doreen Hanh explained that it will be repainted in a dark lone brown with dark/earth tone red clay color trim. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the lighting system can be improved on the south side of the building facing Garvey Avenue, Doreen Hann and Frank Nuygen, architect for the project, replied yes and explained that flood lights will be installed to provide more lighting. Commissioner Dinh asked if security cameras be installed along the south side of the building on Garvey Avenue. Doreen Hann replied yes. Commissioner Dinh referred to the west side of the building which is the front entrance and stated there are two entrance's and asked if that is correct. Frank Nguyen, architect, replied that one of the entrances has been removed and explained there will be one sliding entrance door. Commissioner Dinh referred to the site plan and commented on the northwest section where there is a reserved section for a possible retail space for the future. Frank Nguyen replied that space has been replaced with a flower area. Commissioner Dinh asked if they are affiliated with the other "Hoa Binh Supermarkets" two (2) located in Georgia, and one (1) in Houston. Doreen Hann replied no. Brian Lewin, resident, asked if the lot will be re -paved or slurried over and commented that the lot is uneven and there are places where there is standing water. Associate Planner Tnnh replied the lot will only be rehabilitated, so it will only be slurried, Brian Lewin confirmed that it will just be resurfaced and commented that hopefully they will work to get it evened out for better flow. He commented that hopefully the pumps will be working and flowing properly in the loading dock area because there are a lot more storm water regulations now that the City will have to be in compliance with. He asked if the flood lighting that is going to be installed will be for the whole lot orjust for the south side of the building. Chair Herrera commented that it sounds like its for the south side and that they are working with staff on lighting concerns. Brian Lewin expressed concern that there is not enough lighting and it would be appreciated if the lot, as a whole, would be better lit and stated he looks forward to seeing the business. Chair Herrera asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak on this item. None Chair Herrera closed the Public Hearing and asked if the Planning Commission had any further questions or comments. Commissioner Tang commented that he has lived in the community most of his life and visited Beach's Supermarket quite a few times and that it has not changed much in that area. He added he is happy to see the improvements and investments being done in that part of the community. He thanked and welcomed the applicant to the City of Rosemead. Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission if there were any other questions or comments. None Chair Herrera asked for a motion. Commissioner Tang made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez to ADOPT Resolution No. 13 -19 with findings, and APPROVE Design Review 13.04, subject to the twenty-five (25) conditions. (Amended by Planning Commission on 12- 2.13). 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 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes- October 7,2013 Vice -Chair Eng addressed the Chair and stated she has a question on Minutes of October 7, 2013. She stated she recalls that a resident had submitted written comments to be recorded as part of these minutes and asked why they are not included as part of the minutes. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, explained that written comments are not incorporated into the minutes but would be incorporated into the administrative record so if there was ever an appeal or if the matter comes back, those comments would be within the record for the City Council and Planning Commission's review of the matter. Vice-Chair Eng asked Greg Murphy, City Attorney, if the comments were addressed to the Planning Commission and they did not see or read the comments what would be the outcome or practice. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, explained normally if someone submits written comments they are included and just go into the record. He added the other option is to submit a copy of those comments to each member of the Planning Commission to look at, but if they submit something and decide not to speak on the item the comment is included with the file. He slated if it is requested to be read and they are not read then they simply go into the record and not part of the minutes. Vice -Chair Eng expressed concern that the Planning Commission did not have the opportunity to see those written comments. Community Development Director Ramirez explained that the comments were asking the Planning Commission to vote against Wal -Mart's application. She added she can provide a copy of those comments to the Planning Commission if requested. Vice -Chair Eng thanked Community Development Director Ramirez. Chair Herrera stated she was not present at the October 7, 2013 Planning Commission meeting and asked if she should Abstain from voting on the Minutes of October 7, 2013. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, replied yes. He recommended the Consent Calendar be split and voted on separately for Items A and B and explained Chair Herrera will need to abstain on Item A. Community Development Director Ramirez addressed Vice -Chair Eng and asked for clanfcation on which meeting she is referring to, because she received the written comment letter on October 21, 2013 and not on October 7, 2013, as stated by Commissioner Eng. She explained the minutes of October 21, 2013 do mention the receiving of that written comment letter. Vice -Chair Eng replied Community Development Director Ramirez is correct. Chair Herrera asked for a motion for Item A on the Consent Calendar. Commissioner Lopez made a motion, seconded by Vice -Chair Eng, to APPROVE Item A. the Minutes of October 7, 2013 as presented. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Lopez, and Tang No: None Abstain: Herrera Absent: None B. Minutes - October 21,2013 Chair Herrera asked for a motion for Item B on the Consent Calendar. Commissioner Lopez made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dinh, to APPROVE Item B. Minutes of October 21, 2013 as presented. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, and Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Community Development Director Ramirez announced the date, lime, and location of the City "Christmas Tree Lighting" event and invited the Planning Commission to attend. She explained it is normally held in front of City Hall but due to the construction taking place, it has been relocated to the front of the "Rosemead Community Recreation Center ". 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR 8 COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Lopez referred to the business signage located at 9011 Garvey Avenue, Unit C, and asked if the sign is required to be in English. Community Development Director Ramirez replied no, and explained the signage does not need to be in English but an identification of the type of business will need to be in English for Public Safety reasons. Commissioner Lopez stated there is nothing like that and there is only the foreign language. Community Development Director Ramirez explained that it may have been done prior to this requirement. Commissioner Lopez stated this has been done recently this year. Community Development Director Ramirez stated staff will check the status of the signage for the property. Chair Herrera asked if it is possible to have a picture on the sign to identity the business. Community Development Director Ramirez replied that may be possible, but normally they do not put pictures; usually it will have identification such as pharmacy or restaurant. Associate Planner Trinh stated the sign may be illegal and staff will have to go and look at it. Commissioner Lopez stated that he would like to thank whoever contacted Caltrans's because Walnut Grove has been cleaned up very nicely. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that the Public Works Director is constantly working with Caltrans's for different locations, so he would be the one to thank. Vice -Chair Eng stated she received a complaint from a resident on Delta Avenue, The resident reported that the Wal -Mart shopping carts are not actually being picked up by the person's that are supposed to pick them up on Delta Avenue and that they are just being left there. Vice -Chair Eng asked if someone from Wal -Mart makes sure they send someone once a week to make sure the shopping carts are picked up on Delta Avenue. Commissioner Lopez asked if that was one of the Conditions of Approval that Wal -Mart would send someone to check if shopping carts were being picked up, Community Development Director Ramirez explained the condition is similar to what was adopted tonight that being shopping carts must have the security self - locking wheels. She added they do but it does not stop someone from picking up the shopping cart up or putting them on skateboards. She stated staff will call and make sure someone picks the carts up. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Herrera adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m &/7'1 Diana Herrera Chair ATT ST Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary