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PC - Item 4B - Minutes of February 3, 2014Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING February 3, 2014 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 Tang INVOCATION - Commissioner Dinh ROLL CALL - Commissioners Dinh, Lopez, Tang, Vice -Chair Eng, and Chair Herrera 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. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13 -05 - Jun Gao has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application, requesting approval to operate a table tennis training center, located at 2727 Stingle Avenue, Units 10. 12, in the C3- MUDO -D (Medium Commercial with a Mixed Use and Design Overlay) zone. PC RESOLUTION 14.04 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13.05, FOR THE OPERATION OF TABLE TENNIS TRAINING CENTER LOCATED AT 2727 STINGLE AVENUE, UNITS 10.12. STAFF RECOMMENDATION - Based on the analysis and findings contained in this report, it is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 14-04 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 13.05, subject to the twenty-seven (27) conditions. Associate Planner Trinh presented the staff report . Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission if there were questions or comments for staff. None Chair Herrera opened the Public Hearing and asked if the applicant or representative is present. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that the applicant, Jun Gao, is not present, but has senta representative. Kevin Yu, representative for Jun Gao, stated he is available to answer any questions the Planning Commission may have. Vice -Chair Eng asked if this facility is a club that will be used for training and when will it open. Kevin Yu replied yes it is a club used for training, Vice -Chair Eng asked if competitions or tournaments will be held. Kevin Yu replied that they do not anticipate any competitions or tournaments. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the facility is mainly just for classes. Kevin Yu replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng stated this organization is non -profit and asked how the community would sign -up to participate. Kevin Yu replied that anyone interested in table tennis may go to the center and sign -up for a general membership. He also gave a brief description of their non -profit corporation. Vice -Chair Eng asked what is the organizations vision or goal. Kevin Yu replied the goal is to train future Olympians. He stated Jun Gao, herself was a renowned table tennis Olympian, has represented the United States and won a World Champion in the past. Vice -Chair Eng asked at what age you can become a member to begin training. Kevin Yu replied his daughter began at the age of four (4) years old and they have a student that is sixty (60) so this is good for all ages. He commented that Jun Gao would have been here tonight but she is delivering her baby and she would like to thank staff and the City of Rosemead for all their help. Commissioner Dinh asked if this space is available to be rented out or just used for training. Kevin Yu replied it will just be used for training. Commissioner Dinh asked if private lessons are available. Kevin Yu replied yes. Commissioner Dinh asked if Jun Gao has had any other facilities elsewhere or is this the first facility. Kevin Yu replied this is her second facility; the first was in the City of El Monte. Commissioner Dinh asked if the facility in El Monte is still operating. Kevin Yu replied no, and explained they moved from El Monte to Rosemead because it is a bigger and better location. Commissioner Tang asked if the general public may come in and attend the classes as long as they become members of the club. Kevin Yu replied yes. Edmund Chang, property owner of this building, expressed his gratitude for his new tenant. He stated that he hopes this gets approved and referred to the twenty -seven Conditions of Approval, which he does not know if any 2 relate to him. He added that his building has been in Rosemead for almost twenty (20) years and has met all the Conditions of Approval requirements. He added that he understands the landscaping and upkeep of the property needs to be maintained. He expressed concern that the street, sidewalk, curb, and gutter is not kept up and that there is not any street cleaning on Stingle Avenue. He stated he has gone and cleaned the street and gutter in front of his building himself. He stated he is grateful that he can provide plenty of parking but expressed concern that residents continually park in front of his property and requested the curb be painted blue and a fifteen (15) minute time limit be installed. Community Development Director Ramirez stated staff can give Edmund Chang's information to the Public Works Director, who is charge of the Traffic Commission. She explained that request would have to go to the Traffic Commission to make a determination if something can be done. She addressed Edward Chang and explained he would have to get in touch with the Public Works Director. Edmund Chang thanked staff and stated it will mean a lot to him if it can be done. Vice -Chair Eng thanked Edmund Chang for attending this evening in support of his tenants. She referred to Condition of Approval number twenty (20) and asked if the existing lighting is satisfactory and if upgrades are going to be made. Edmund Chang replied it will be High Mercury Sodium lighting and it is very bright set with a timer. Vice -Chair Eng stated she visited the site that morning at 8:30 a.m. and commented the street did have a lot of vehicles in the street. She commended Edmund Chang for having one of the better industrial parks on that street. She referred to the three Conditions of Approval that were added and addressed to the Property Owner and asked staff what they were. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that there are three (3) Conditions of Approval that are being placed against the property owner himself and they are: 1.) all landscape planters onsite shall be rehabilitated, 2.) the existing trash enclosure shall be returned to a sanitary and safe condition, and 3 ) the parking lot shall be power washed and restnped per City of Rosemead standards. Edmund Chang replied this is acceptable and is not a problem at all. He commented that vendors selling fruit in the community and other tenants use his trash receptacles and he does not mind as long as there is room, He stated trash is left in his planter and he has to pay his gardener extra to clean it up. Community Development Director Ramirez addressed the Planning Commission and stated that selling fruit door to door is not allowed in Rosemead and they should not be doing that. She suggested that if that is happening they need to be asked for their business license and if they cannot produce it, then Code Enforcement should be called to site them. Edmund Chang commented that by the time Code Enforcement arrives the vendor is usually gone. Community Development Director Ramirez recommended that Edmund Chang call when he knows the vendors will be there because it sounds like they are coming around at the same time every day. Edmund Chang stated that he was hoping that by setting a time limit for parking or painting the curb blue for temporary parking in front of his business would solve this problem. Community Development Director Ramirez stated staff will put Edmund Chang in touch with the Public Works Director in regards to the traffic and parking concerns on the public street. Edmund Chang stated he would like to thank Associate Planner Tnnh and Planning Technician Casillas for all their help. He stated that he is fortunate that his site has plenty of parking but he expressed concern with information that was given to him by staff regarding parking requirements and requested clarification for in the future. Community Development Director Ramirez staled that both Associate Planner Tnnh and Planning Technician Casillas has put in extensive hours working on this project, talked with Edmund Chang at the same time, and have given him the same answers. She added if there was some confusion on information given staff does apologize. Edmund Chang stated he thanks them, but is concerned that if he has to come back in the future to request more parking, he would like to be assured that he will get the proper information. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that staff will refer to the Zoning Code at that time to see what is in place to confirm that it can be done. Erica Wu, resident of Arcadia, stated she is seventeen (17) years old and was a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. She expressed their club is one of the best in the country and is a great facility, especially here in Rosemead, with lighting and Flooring, She added they have some of the greatest players, coaches, and Coach Jun Gao is a former Word Champion that won a Silver Medal. She added table tennis is an indoor non - contact sport for all ages and encourages everyone to come and visit the club. Chair Herrera asked if there were any other questions or comments. None Chair Herrera closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. Commissioner Lopez made a motion, seconded by Vice -Chair Eng, to ADOPT Resolution No. 14.04 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 13 -05, subject to the twenty-seven (27) conditions. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, and Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13 -06 - Billy Chuong-Van of Billy's Auto has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application for the operation of an automotive repair business, located at 2727 Stingle Avenue, Unit Al, in the C -3 MUDO -D (Medium Commercial with a Mixed Use and a Design Overlay) zone. PC RESOLUTION 14.15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13 -06, FOR THE OPERATION OF AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY LOCATED AT 2727 STINGLE AVENUE, UNIT Al. STAFF RECOMMENDATION - It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 14 -15 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 13.06 subject to twenty-six (26) conditions. Planning Technician Casillas presented the staff report. Chair Herrera asked the Planning Commission if there are any questions or comments for staff. Vice -Chair Eng asked if this business is currently on suspension or is it operating. Planning Technician Casillas replied it is currently operating. Vice -Chair Eng asked how long has it been operating. Planning Technician Casillas replied since the year "2011 ". Vice -Chair Eng asked if there are eight (8) other automotive repair businesses in that development. Planning Technician Casillas replied there are several. Vice -Chair Eng asked if they all have Conditional Use Permits. Planning Technician Casillas replied yes. Vice -Chair Eng asked if this business has had the same owner since "2011 ". Planning Technician Casillas replied yes. Commissioner Tang asked for clarifcatlon on the history of the business in Unit Al. Planning Technician Casillas explained that history for Unit At originally did have a different automotive business operating with an approved Conditional Use Permit and it closed. The next business in Unit At was a carpentry (wood working) business that was approved by the City, which made the Conditional Use Permit for the automotive repair business that was not in use, become null and void. Commissioner Tang asked if the automotive equipment used from the previous automotive repair business that ceased, left their equipment or did this current business have to do any reconstruction, for example install a lift. Planning Technician Casillas replied that question may be directed to the applicant and explained that the car lifts are nol bolted to the ground and are like a piece of furniture. Vice -Chair Eng asked where the trash enclosure is located. Planning Technician Casillas replied there is a trash enclosure, which is shared by all the units, located in the middle of the parking lot. Commissioner Tang referred to the picture of the business sign in the staff report and asked if one of the Conditions of Approval require the applicant to maintain the business sign. Planning Technician Casillas explained the sign pictured in the staff report is an illegal sign and the applicant will need to come in and get Planning Division approval for the sign. Chair Herrera asked if the Planning Commission had any further questions or comments for staff. None Chair Herrera opened the Public Hearing and asked the applicant to the podium. Edmund Chang, property owner and representative for applicant, stated he is present to answer any questions for the applicant due to his limited English. Vice -Chair Eng asked if the business has been operating since "2011" and asked how the business is doing. Edmund Chang, representative, replied yes they have been operating since 2011, and explained business is not doing very well, but at the same time is not doing that bad. He explained that he helps his tenants as much as he can with low rental rates, water, and trash. He also expressed concern with the City changing the zone from Manufactudngllndustrial to Commercial and stated he is lucky because his site has plenty of parking and there are others that do not. Commissioner Dinh asked if this is only for car repairs or will cars also be painted there. Edmund Chang replied this is a one man shop and he will only be doing oil changes and car repairs. Commissioner Tang thanked Edmund Chang for assisting his tenants and asked the property owner and his tenant if they understand that the business sign will have to be brought up to conforming standards. Edmund Chang replied yes and explained they are just waiting for this project to get approved tonight. Brian Lewin, resident, asked since this is a new use, why the conditions of approval were not updated to reflect the City's current conditions of approval, since this is not an existing business. Community Development Director Ramirez explained this application was submitted under the old Zoning Code; therefore staff must follow the old Zoning Code regulations. Brian Lewin, resident, slated some of the old Zoning Code has changed quite a bit since this business has been discovered. He stated some of this is very old and referred to Condition of Approval number eighteen (18) and recommended I be changed to 17.112 because the reference to Chapter 17.84 currently does not refer to parking stalls. Planning Technician Casillas responded but the comment was not audible. Brian Lewin, resident, expressed concern that these Conditions of Approval are binding to the applicant and this is referencing to the wrong code and recommended that it gets referenced to the proper Zoning Code. Community Development Director Ramirez, stated that Greg Murphy, City Attorney, may help address this concem, and explained that staff keeps the old Zoning Code because a lot of applicants fall under the old Zoning Code. She stated the applicant fled under the old Zoning Code and it is required to be referenced to the old Zoning Code and not the new Zoning Code, Brian Lewin, resident. asked if this applies if they are new conditions of approval. Community Development Director Ramirez, stated there may be new conditions of approval, but they are new conditions of approval under the old Zoning Code and the applicant applied under the old Zoning Code. She explained staff will reference to the old Zoning Code, which are in the records for not only this applicants property, but for all properties that fall under the old Zoning Code. Brian Lewin, resident, expressed concern because in the past items may have been corrected Community Development Director Ramirez explained that the new Zoning Code was just recently adopted, so very few applications have been brought to the Planning Commission under the new Zoning Code. Brian Lewin, resident, referred to Condition of Approval number eighteen (18) and recommended that when referencing to power washing, include some type of referencing of reclaiming that water. He added according to County Code you cannot discharge that water. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that concern is addressed in Condition of Approval number twenty- four (24). Brian Lewin, resident, stated he would be reassured if applicants were told explicitly that they cannot discharge water from power washing. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that would be up to the Planning Commission if they would like to do that and it would not be a problem for staff. Brian Lewin, resident, referred to the point of applying under the old Zoning Code and asked whether or not it would be legally appropriate to update the conditions of approval for what they are currently being approved for from a legal standpoint. Greg Murphy, City Attorney, replied in general no. Chair Herrera asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak for or against this item. None Chair Herrera closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion. Commissioner Dinh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lopez, to ADOPT Resolution No. 14.15 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 13 -06 subject to twenty-six (26) conditions. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dinh, Eng, Herrera, Lopez, and Tang No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4. CONSENTCALENDAR A. Minutes - January 6, 2014 Commissioner Lopez made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tang, to approve the Minutes of January 6, 2014 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 stated she would like to remind everyone that the Lunar New Year Festival is coming up and gave the date, location, and time of the event. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Lopez asked for an update on the illegal business sign on Garvey Avenue and stated he saw it has been taken down. Community Development Director Ramirez stated Code Enforcement must have taken action but she did not receive any notice of what had been done. Commissioner Lopez asked what is required for the business owner to apply for a business sign. Community Development Director explained the business owner will have to visit the Planning Division for approval for a new sign. Commissioner Lopez asked if a sign needs to be posted on the building to indicate the type of business they are Community Development Director Ramirez replied yes, and Code Enforcement will stay on top of that. Vice -Chair Eng stated she attended the Rosemead Public Safety Connections Forum Meeting and gave a brief overview of two programs that Public Safety is implementing to address the increase of property crimes with an emphasis on residential burglaries. The first program is a flyer (written in four (4) languages) to be distributed by the Public Safety Department in areas when; residential burglaries have occurred. She explained the intent is to seek possible witnesses, alert the area of the recent crime, educate about crime prevention measures, and reinforce public safety telephone numbers. The second program is the Community Area Watch Program and recommended that the Planning Commission attend the meetings which are held once a month and will let them know the date, time, and location of the first meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, February 17, 2014, will be Cancelled due to City Hall being closed for the President's Day Holiday. The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2014, at 7:00 p.m Chair ATTEST. Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary