PC - 2015-07 - Approving Design Review 14-03 for the Construction of A New Residential/ Commercial Mixed Use Development at 8408 Garvey AvenuePC RESOLUTION 15 -07
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 14 -03 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
NEW RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
TOTALING 11,860 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE AND 46
APARTMENTS. THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 8408 GARVEY
AVENUE IN THE C -3 MUDO -D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A
MIXED USE AND DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE (APN: 5283 - 005 -028).
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2014, Garvey Garden Plaza, LLC submitted a
Design Review for the construction of a new residential /commercial mixed use
development, located at 8408 Garvey Avenue; and
WHEREAS, 8408 Garvey Avenue is located in the C -3 MUDO -D (Medium
Commercial with Mixed Use and Design Overlay) zone; and
WHEREAS, Section 17.28.020(A)(1) & Section 17.28.020(C) of the Rosemead
Municipal Code (RMC) provides the purpose and criteria for a design review; and
WHEREAS, Sections 65800 & 65900 of the California Government Code and
Section 17.28.020(C) of the Rosemead Municipal Code authorize the Planning
Commission to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove design review
applications; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2015, an Initial Environmental Study for the proposed
Design Review 14 -03 was completed finding that the proposed project would have a
less than significant effect on the environment and a Mitigated Negative Declaration
was prepared, in accordance with the guidelines of the California Environmental Quality
Act, and local environmental guidelines; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2015, thirty -six (36) notices were sent to property
owners within a 300 -feet radius from the subject property, in addition to notices posted
in five (5) public locations, on -site, published in the Rosemead Reader, and filed with
the Los Angeles County Clerk, specifying the availability of the application, plus the
date, time, and location of the special public hearing for Design Review 14 -03 pursuant
to California Government Code Section 65091(a)(3); and
WHEREAS, on May 18, 2015, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed and
advertised public hearing to receive oral and written testimony relative to Design Review
14 -03; and
WHEREAS, the Rosemead Planning Commission has sufficiently considered all
testimony presented to them in order to make the following determination.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Rosemead as follows:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission hereby makes a finding of adequacy
with the Mitigated Negative Declaration and HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the City
Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration as the environmental clearance for
Design Review 14 -03.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES
that facts do exist to justify approving Design Review 14 -03 in accordance with Section
17.28.020(C), of the Rosemead Municipal Code as follows:
A. The plans indicate proper consideration for the relationship between the
proposed building and site developments that exist or have been approved for the
general neighborhood;
FINDING: The proposed development is located within an established
commercial district of the City. The Applicant has provided a design of high aesthetic
quality, which in Staff's determination will improve the aesthetics of that intersection and
the project site's relationship to the commercial district. The proposed project is
consistent with the Goal 3, Policy 3.1 of the Land Use Element of the City's General
Plan in that the goal and policy call for encouraging mixed use development as a means
of upgrading established uses and developing vacant parcels along arterials to provide
new commercial, residential, and employment opportunities. In addition, Goal 3, Policy
3.5 of the Land Use Element of the City's General Plan calls for promoting lively and
attractive ground -floor retail uses that will create public revenues needed to provide for
City services and the City's tax base.
B. The plan for the proposed building and site development indicates the
manner in which the proposed development and surrounding properties are protected
against noise, vibrations and other factors which may have an adverse effect on the
environment, and the manner of screening mechanical equipment, trash, storage and
loading areas;
FINDING: To ensure that the surrounding properties are protected against noise,
vibrations, and other factors, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)
specifically addresses noise and lighting mitigation measures. All new lighting will be
fully shielded and directed downwards to mitigate glare on adjacent properties.
Conditions of approval have been incorporated to eliminate adverse effects on the
environment as a result of the proposed project. This development will not generate
any permanent impacts to noise levels for the surrounding area. All construction work
will be required to comply with the timeframe, and decibel levels indicated in the City's
Noise Ordinance. Conditions of approval will specifically address factors such as noise,
construction hours, screening of mechanical equipment, landscaping, lighting, and the
overall maintenance of the property.
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C. The proposed building or site development is not, in its exterior design and
appearance, so at variance with the appearance of other existing buildings or site
developments in the neighborhood as to cause the nature of the local environment to
materially depreciate in appearance and value;
FINDING: The proposed project will improve the aesthetics of the corner by
establishing a mixed use development of high architectural quality. The improvements
to the site will provide a marked improvement over the existing appearance of the
intersection of Garvey Avenue and Delta Avenue.
The architectural style of the building is modern, characterized by multi -story
street - facing facades, tall, narrow and arched windows with painted foam - stucco trims,
and flat roofs with parapets at the rooflines. The front fagade has been designed to
create visual interest at the street level. The main entrance of the building is highlighted
through the use of a plaza corner element at the northwest corner of the building. In
addition, various elements have been added to provide architectural interest to the
design, such as landscaping throughout the development site, metal trellises on the top
floor, wrought iron balconies, contrasting exterior finishes and stone veneer to highlight
the commercial entrances on the north and west side of the building. The subtle details
of common open spaces and pedestrian - scaled architectural elements echo the modern
design aspect for this mixed use development.
Notwithstanding this, the approved design will create a development that is an
aesthetic upgrade over the surrounding area and that has the potential to enhance land
values in the general area. This is due to the proposed new building fagade with higher
quality materials, a design that blends better with the area, and greatly improved
landscaping and parking lot area.
D. The proposed building or structure is in harmony with the proposed
developments on land in the general area, especially in those instances where buildings
are within or adjacent to land shown on the General Plan as being part of the Civic
Center or in public or educational use, or are within or immediately adjacent to land
included within any precise plan which indicates building shape, size or style;
FINDING: The property is not part of the Civic Center Plan, precise plan or land
reserved for public or educational use, so there is no special need to create harmony
with the general area. Notwithstanding this, the approved design will create a
development that is an aesthetic upgrade over the surrounding area and that has the
potential to enhance land values in the general area. This is due to the proposed new
building fagade with higher quality materials, a design that blends better with the area,
and greatly improved landscaping and parking lot area.
E. The proposed development is in conformity with the standards of this
Code and other applicable ordinances in so far as the location and appearance of the
buildings and structures are involved; and
FINDING: This proposed development meets all of the minimum code
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requirements for the C -3 MUDO -D (Medium Commercial with a Mixed Use and Design
Overlay) zone, and all applicable referenced code sections of the Rosemead Municipal
Code, as modified by the request for concessions under SB 1818.
F. The site plan and the design of the buildings, parking areas, signs,
landscaping, luminaires and other site features indicates that proper consideration has
been given to both the functional aspects of the site development, such as automobile
and pedestrian circulation, and the visual effect of the development from the view of
public streets.
FINDING: The Applicant has worked with the Planning Division in designing an
aesthetically interesting project that meets the City's design goals for the MUDO -D
overlay. The architectural style is modern, characterized by multi -story street - facing
facades, tall, narrow and arched windows with painted foam - stucco trims, and flat roofs
with parapets at the rooflines. The front fagade has been designed to create visual
interest at the street level. The main entrance of the building is highlighted through the
use of a plaza corner element at the northwest corner of the building.
In addition, various elements have been added to provide architectural interest to
the design, such as landscaping throughout the development site, metal trellises on the
top floor, wrought iron balconies, contrasting exterior finishes and stone veneer to
highlight the commercial entrances on the north and west side of the building. The
subtle details of common open spaces and pedestrian - scaled architectural elements
echo the modern design aspect for this mixed use development.
Access to the site would be provided from two (2) driveways along Delta Avenue.
Parking is proposed as a combination of surface and one level of subterranean
basement parking.
SECTION 3 . The Planning Commission HEREBY RECOMMENDS CITY
COUNCIL APPROVAL of Design Review 14 -03 for the construction of a new
residential /commercial mixed use development, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
SECTION 4 . This resolution is the result of an action taken by the Planning
Commission on May 18, 2015, by the following vote:
YES: ENG, HERRERA, LOPEZ, AND TANG
NO: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
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SECTION 5 . 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 18 day of May, 2015.
Nancy 50g, C of
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 18 day of
May, 2015, by the following vote:
YES: ENG, HERRERA,
NO: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
LOPEZ, AND TANG
Michelle RamireZ3ecretary
APPROVE S TO FOR
Gregory M. M p y, Planning Commission Attorney
Burke, Williams Sorensen, LLP