PC - 2014-05 - Approving Conditional use Permit 13-04 for the Operation of a Tutoring Center and Zone Variance 13-03 Requesting to Deviate from the Required Number of Parking Stalls Located at 9241 Valley Boulevard ,Units 202,203 and 204, in C-3D ZonePC RESOLUTION 14 -05
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13 -04 FOR THE
OPERATION OF A TUTORING CENTER AND ZONE VARIANCE 13 -03
REQUESTING TO DEVIATE FROM THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF
PARKING STALLS LOCATED AT 9241 VALLEY BOULEVARD, UNITS
202, 203, AND 204, IN THE C -31) (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A
DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE. (APN: 5391- 014 -017)
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2013, Paul Dang of Advance Tutoring Center,
submitted a Conditional Use Permit application for the operation of a tutoring center and
a Zone Variance application requesting to deviate from the required number of parking
stalls located at 9241 Valley Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, 9241 Valley Boulevard is located in the C -3D (Medium Commercial
with a Design Overlay) zone, and
WHEREAS, Section 17.112.020(6) of the Rosemead Municipal Code permits the
operation of education institutions in any zone upon the granting of a Conditional Use
Permit; and
WHEREAS, Sections 65800 & 65900 of the California Government Code and
Sections 17.112. 010 and 17.108.020 of the Rosemead Municipal Code authorize the
Planning Commission to approve, conditionally approve, or deny conditional use permit
and zone variance applications; and
WHEREAS, Section 17.112.010 of the Rosemead municipal Code specifies the
criteria by which a Conditional Use Permit may be granted; and
WHEREAS, An applicant must obtain a zone variance in order to create a
development that does not meet the minimum standards. Section 17.108.020 sets
criteria required for granting such a variance. If one of these criteria cannot be met then
the variance may not be granted; and
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2014, thirty -five (35) notices were sent to property
owners within a 300 -foot radius from the subject property, in addition to notices posted
in five (5) public locations and on -site, specifying the availability of the application, plus
the date, time, and location of the public hearing for Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and
Zone Variance 13 -03, and on February 20, 2014 notice was published in the Rosemead
Reader, and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2014, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed and
advertised public hearing to receive oral and written testimony relative to Conditional
Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03; and
WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has sufficiently considered all
testimony presented to them in order to make the following determination.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Rosemead as follows:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission HEREBY DETERMINES that
Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03 is classified as a Class 9
Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15309 of California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) guidelines. Section 15309 of the CEQA guidelines exempts projects that
consist of inspections to check for the performance of an operation, or for quality,
health, or safety of a project.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES
that facts do exist to justify approving Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 according the
Criteria of Chapter 17.112.010 of the Rosemead Municipal Code as follows:
A. The granting of such a Conditional Use Permit will be in harmony with the
elements or objectives of the General Plan.
FINDINGS: The proposed use is designated as Commercial in the General Plan.
The proposed use is in conformity with the General Plan in that C -31D (Medium
Commercial with a Design Overlay) zoning is a corresponding zoning district with the
Commercial General Plan land use category.
B. The establishment, maintenance, or conduct of the use for which the
Conditional Use Permit is sought will not be detrimental to the health, safety, peace,
morals, comfort, or general welfare of the persons residing or working in the
neighborhood thereof.
FINDINGS: The maintenance and operation of the proposed tutoring center will
not be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, or general welfare of
the persons residing or working in the neighborhood. The proposed tutoring center is
located in a commercial building with two separate driveways accessed directly from
Valley Boulevard. To prevent any unforeseeable impacts to the available parking within
the commercial center, a condition of approval will limit the maximum number of
students and employees permitted onsite during each tutoring session. A condition of
approval has also been added to prohibit parents from leaving their cars idle in the
parking lot drive aisles, so that onsite circulation is not impacted.
C. The establishment, maintenance, and operation of the proposed use so
applied for will not, under the circumstances of the particular case will not be detrimental
or injurious to the general welfare of the City.
FINDINGS: All activities of the tutoring center will be conducted entirely within
the enclosed units. The tutoring center is located in a commercial building and is
considered to be complementary to the existing businesses surrounding the subject
property. To prevent any unforeseeable impacts to the available parking within the
commercial center, a condition of approval will limit the maximum number of students
and employees permitted onsite during each tutoring session. A condition of approval
has also been added to prohibit parents from leaving their cars idle in the parking lot
drive aisles, so that onsite circulation is not impacted.
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission HEREBY APPROVES Zone Variance
13 -03 granting a deviation from the required number of parking stalls.
D. Constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon
other properties in the vicinity,
FINDINGS: The subject property is improved with a surface parking lot
containing approximately thirty -seven (37) spaces. The tutoring center operates
differently than other tutoring centers in which it provides pick -up and drop -off services
to the students, which reduces the actual demand for parking stalls. A parking study
determined that the center could accommodate the tutoring center operation along with
the current and future uses of the center with a surplus of eleven (11) spaces on
weekdays and fifteen (15) spaces on Saturdays. Therefore, the parking variance would
not grant a special privileged inconsistent with the limitations upon the other properties
in the vicinity and zone.
E. Be materially detrimental to the public health or welfare or injurious to the
property or improvements in such zone or vicinity,
FINDINGS: The tutoring center will operate within an established commercial
center and all activities will be conducted entirely within the enclosed units. To prevent
any unforeseeable impacts to the available parking within the commercial center, a
condition of approval will limit the maximum number of students and employees
permitted onsite during each tutoring session. A condition of approval has also been
added to prohibit parents from leaving their cars idle in the parking lot drive aisles, so
that onsite circulation is not impacted. Therefore, the granting of such variance will not
be materially detrimental to the public health or welfare or injurious to the property or
improvements in such zone or vicinity in which the subject property is located.
Adversely affect the comprehensive General Plan; and
FINDINGS: The proposed use is designated Commercial in the General Plan.
Permitted uses within the Commercial land use category include a broad range of retail,
office, and service uses that serve local and regional needs. Approval of the Zone
Variance would be consistent with Action 3.4 of the General Plan which encourages
grouping of land uses of certain types of commercial activities that would benefit from
this development. The tutoring center would be consistent with other uses on the
subject property under the General Plan. Therefore, the granting of the parking
variance will not adversely impact the General Plan.
G. That because of special circumstances, the strict enforcement of the code
would deprive the subject property of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the
vicinity under identical zone classifications.
FINDINGS: Strict application of the zoning ordinance would require seventy (70)
onsite parking spaces. A parking study determined that the center could accommodate
the tutoring center operation along with the current and future uses of the center with a
surplus of eleven (11) spaces on weekdays and fifteen (15) spaces on Saturdays. The
tutoring center operates differently than other tutoring centers in which it provides pick-
up and drop -off services to the students, which reduces the actual demand for parking
stalls. Therefore, approval of a Zone Variance allowing the tutoring center to operate is
reasonable.
SECTION 4. The Planning Commission HEREBY APPROVES Conditional Use
Permit 13 -04 permitting the operation of a tutoring center and Zone Variance 13 -03
granting a deviation from the required number of parking stalls.
SECTION 5. This action shall become final and effective ten (10) days after this
decision by the Planning Commission, unless within such time a written appeal is filed
with the City Clerk for consideration by the Rosemead City Council as provided in
Article IX — Planning and Zoning of the Rosemead Municipal Code.
SECTION 6. This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning
Commission on March 3, 2014, by the following vote:
YES:
DINH, ENG, LOPEZ, AND TANG
NO:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
ABSENT:
HERRERA
SECTION 7. 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 3rd day of March, 2014.
Diane Herrera, 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 3rd day of
March, 2014 by the following vote:
YES: DINH, ENG, LOPEZ, AND TANG
NO: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: HERRERA
Michelle Ramire Osecretary
APPROVED AS TO FO
Gregory y, Planning Com ission Attorney
Burke, William & Sorensen, LLP
EXHIBIT "B"
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13 -04 AND ZONE VARIANCE 13 -03
(APN: 5391 -014 -017)
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
March 3, 2014
1. Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 is approved for the operation of a tutoring center
and Zone Variance 13 -03 is approved for the deviation from the required number
of parking stalls in accordance with the plans marked Exhibit "C ", dated
November 26, 2013. Any revisions to the approved plans must be resubmitted
for the review and approval of the Planning Division.
2. Approval of Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03 shall not
take effect for any purpose until the applicant has filed with the City of Rosemead
a notarized affidavit stating that he /she is aware of and accepts all of the
conditions of approval as set forth in the letter of approval and this list of
conditions within ten (10) days from the Planning Commission approval date.
3. Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03 is approved for a period
of six (6) months from the date of adoption of Planning Commission Resolution
14 -05. The applicant shall commence the proposed use or request an extension
within 30- calendar days prior to expiration. The six (6) months initial approval
period shall be effective from the Planning Commission approval date. For the
purpose of this petition, project commencement shall be defined as beginning the
permitting process with the Planning Division and Building and Safety Division so
long as the project is not abandoned. If Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone
Variance 13 -03 has been unused, abandoned, or discontinued for a period of six
(6) months, it shall become null and void.
4. Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03 is granted or approved
with the City and its Planning Commission and City Council retaining and
reserving the right and jurisdiction to review and to modify Conditional Use
Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03, including the conditions of approval,
based on changed circumstances. Changed circumstances include, but are not
limited to, the modification of the use, a change in scope, emphasis, size, or
nature of the use, or the expansion, alteration, reconfiguration, or change of use.
This reservation of right to review is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the right of
the city, its Planning Commission, and City Council to review and revoke or
modify any permit granted or approved under the Rosemead Municipal Code for
any violations of the conditions imposed on Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and
Zone Variance 13 -03.
5. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Rosemead
or its agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding
against the City of Rosemead or its agents, officers, or employees to attack, set
side, void, or annul, an approval of the Planning Commission and /or City Council
concerning the project, which action is brought within the time period provided by
law.
6. The onsite public hearing notice posting shall be removed by the end of the 10-
day appeal period of Conditional Use Permit 13 -04 and Zone Variance 13 -03.
7. The Planning Commission hereby authorizes the Planning Division to make or
approve minor modifications to the approved Plans where necessary.
8. The following conditions must be complied with to the satisfaction of the Planning
Division prior to final approval of the associated plans, building permits,
occupancy permits, or any other appropriate request.
9. Any changes to the conditions of operation listed in this Exhibit "B" must first be
approved by the Planning Commission through a modification application.
10. Prior to occupancy, the applicant shall obtain a City of Rosemead Business
License.
11. The hours of operation for shall be limited to 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturdays. The hours of operation
shall be posted on the front window or door.
12. The applicant shall comply with all Federal, State, and local laws relative to the
approved use including the requirements of the Planning, Building, Fire, Sheriff,
and Health Departments. Prior to submittal to the Planning, Building, Fire, Sheriff,
and Health Departments for any approvals related to this Conditional Use Permit,
the applicant shall submit a revised and correct site plan to the Planning Division,
which shall be subject to Division review and approval.
13. No portion of the lot, outside of the building, shall be used for storage of any type,
unless designated and approved by the Planning Division.
14. The numbers of the address sign shall be at least 6" tall with a minimum
character width of 3/4 ", contrasting in color and easily visible at driver's level from
the street. Materials, colors, location, and size of such address numbers shall be
approved by the City Planner, or his or her designee, prior to installation.
15. Occupancy will not be granted until all improvements required by this approval
have been completed, inspected, and approved by the appropriate
department(s).
16. The site shall be maintained in a graffiti -free state. Any new graffiti shall be
removed within twenty-four (24) hours. A 24 -hour Graffiti Hotline can be called at
(626) 569 -2345 for assistance.
17. The site shall be maintained in a clean, weed and litter free state in accordance
with Sections 8.32.010- 8.32.040 of the Rosemead Municipal Code, which
pertains to the storage, accumulation, collection, and disposal of garbage,
rubbish, trash, and debris. All trash containers shall be stored in the appropriate
trash enclosure at all times. All trash, rubbish, and garbage receptacles shall be
regularly cleaned, inspected, and maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary
condition. The trash enclosure doors shall be closed at all times.
18. The parking area, including handicapped spaces, shall be paved, and re- striped
periodically to City standards to the satisfaction of the Planning Division. In
accordance with Rosemead Municipal Code, all designated parking stalls shall
be double striped and have wheel stops. Such striping shall be maintained in a
clear, visible, and orderly manner.
19. All landscape planters onsite shall be rehabilitated and maintained at all times.
20. Adequate lighting shall be provided in the parking area where deemed
appropriate by the Planning Division. All exterior lighting shall be directed away
from adjacent properties.
21. The maximum number of students and employees present during any given time
shall be limited to sixty -five (65) students and ten (10) employees.
22. No vehicles associated with the tutoring center shall be stored onsite.
23. Any exterior signage shall be subject to the requirements of the Rosemead
Municipal Code and the review and approval of the Planning Division prior to
installation.
24. Two (2) parking stalls shall be posted with 15 minute parking limit signs and
marked reserved for ATC use only. (Revised by Planning Commission on
March 3, 2014)
25. All driveway entrances and exits shall remain open and unobstructed at all times.
26. The vehicles of parents' and guardians' shall not be permitted to idle in drive
aisles at any time.
27. Violations of the conditions of approval may result in citation and /or initiation of
revocation proceedings.