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PC - Minutes - 09-27-16 Special MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING COMMISSION,TRAFFIC COMMISSION AND GARVEY SPECIFIC PLAN AD HOC COMMITTEE JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING SEPTEMBER 27,2016 The joint workshop meeting of the Rosemead City Council, Planning Commission, Traffic Commission, and Garvey Avenue Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee was called to order by Mayor Armenta at 6:02 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: City Council - Mayor Armenta, Mayor Pro Tem Low, Council Members Alarcon, Clark, Ly Planning Commission—Chair Lopez, Vice-Chair Dang, Commissioners Eng, Herrera, Tang Traffic Commission - Vice-Chair Masuda, Commissioners Hall, Quintanilla Ad Hoe Committee—Chair Low, Vice-Chair Tang, Committee Members Lewin, Ly ABSENT: Traffic Commissioner Russell-Chavez and Omelas City Attorney Richman announced because Council Member Clark owns property within 500 feet of the specific plan area, by law she would be required to step down from the dais. As a resident, Mrs. Clark does have a personal interest in her home; therefore she could stay in the meeting for the discussion. 1. WORKSHOP A. Garvey Specific Plan Update Special Projects Manager Cannon presented a Power Point presentation on the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan. The Specific Plan assists the environmental review process and gives a consolidated document for new and existing property or business owners wanting to do projects within the specific plan area. For example, if there were no specific plan for the Garvey Avenue area, an individual wanting to do a project would have to do their own environmental review process which could take nine to eighteen months. With a Specific Plan in place, it would be a quicker process for a project, because they are covered under the environmental review already in place. The Specific Plan also initiates economic development, increased business growth, and promotes consistency on development. In addition, the specific plan addresses adequate parking, higher floor area ratio, and density in exchange for community benefits. Mayor Armenta asked if the reason why the auto auction site was not given the entire floor area ratio was because the City was pushing for a hotel. Rosemead City Council, Traffic Commission, Planning Commission and Garvey Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee Joint Meeting Minutes of September 27,2016 Page 1 of 4 Special Projects Manager Cannon replied the floor area ratio was not based on a potential hotel at the auto auction site. In addition, developers could get extra points for visual effects on a building project and if they provide more open space than what is required. Council Member Ly asked if the Specific Plan analyzed water pressure along mixed use projects along the corridor. Special Projects Manager Cannon explained water pressure has been evaluated within the Specific Plan, which is primarily serviced by American Water. Staff has been in contact with other water companies to keep them informed of the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan to address water pressure issues. Mayor Pro Tem Low asked if the zoning on property between Strathmore and Brighton Avenue was different than the auto auction site. She asked if there was a buyer for the auto auction site. Special Projects Manager Cannon replied there was a buyer who was considering purchasing the auto auction site along with adjacent parcels. He noted the purchase did not go through and if the buyers decide to come back and purchase the sites, and the Specific Plan has not been approved, they will have to come back to amend the specific plan. Mayor Pro Tern Low clarified when the Specific Plan is approved, if anybody were to be --- interested in purchasing the nearby parcels from the auto auction, a developer could do an update to the Specific Plan. _ .. Special Projects Manager Cannon answered in the affirmative. He noted it's much faster amending a Specific Plan than a General plan. The developer could utilize the complete environmental document. Ad Hoc Committee Member Lewin stated the Beautification Committee proposed emphasizing the roses as an identifier for Rosemead. They suggested incorporating a rose motif element into the Garvey Avenue Specific Plan in some of the public infrastructure such as sidewalks, lighting fixtures, bus stop enclosures or bike racks. In addition, he suggested a welcoming rose motif at the intersection of Garvey Avenue and San Gabriel Boulevard. Lastly, he suggested incorporating drought tolerance roses in right-of-ways. Planning Commissioner Tang asked if the Specific Plan will need further update in the future,if the auto auction does not sell soon. Community Development Director Ramirez replied staff hopes the Specific Plan is sufficient to last. Staff had not developed the most intense uses that are allowed within the auto auction site. Planning Commissioner Eng asked what the shelf life is on a Specific Plan. Rosemead City Council, Traffic Commission, Planning Commission and Garvey Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee Joint Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2016 Page 2 of 4 City Attorney Richman explained the Specific Plan is an ordinance adopted in the municipal code. It could also be done as an overlay when you are updating code. Community Development Director Ramirez added the intent is to adopt the specific plan into the zoning code and general plan amendment. Planning Commissioner Eng asked if a hospital was considered a C-3 in the mixed use zone. Community Development Director Ramirez replied medical centers are allowed within the Garvey Specific Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Low asked if the proposed properties shown on slide eight, shaded in pink, would allow for mixed use overlay to the current C-3 usage in the Specific Plan. Community Development Director Ramirez explained the Specific Plan will be its own and not an overlay,but would be designed similar to an overlay as far as mixed use zone. Planning Commissioner Tang stated adjacent to the auto auction site, is a different property where the wash is. He asked if there are incentives for a developer to develop a project and have it consistent in terms of design. Community Development Director Ramirez stated the Specific Plan is set up to have the design elements with the same flow and consistently throughout the area. There are no extra incentives when the City cannot control what different property owners are willing to do. Mayor Armenta stated the only type of project which could go over the wash is a parking lot. Community Development Director Ramirez stated there have been projects proposed over the wash and the County has denied the developer. Council Member Alarcon asked what would be the next phase of the Specific Plan. Community Development Director Ramirez stated once the Environmental document is completed it will be presented to the Ad Hoc Committee. Lastly, individual presentations will be done with the Traffic Commission and Planning Commission for recommendations which will he approved by the City Council. Planning Commissioner Dang referenced slide seven, the yellow shaded parcel on the map, and asked if it's considered commercial/residential and if there was a particular use versus the orange shaded parcels such as restaurants, retail, or offices. Rosemead City Council, Traffic Commission, Planning Commission and Garvey Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee Joint Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Special Projects Manager Cannon replied the chart shows what the permitted uses and what x conditional permitted uses are for each of the parcels. The yellow shaded parcels are designated as public and civic uses. For example cultural institutions, parks and recreation facilities, places of religious assembly, public utility facilities, drive-thru businesses, eating and drinking establishments would be permitted; however with on-site sales it would not and sidewalk dining, would be under administrative use permit. Mr. Cannon added because the yellow shaded areas are not directly on Garvey Avenue,for many different reasons, not just environmental reasons, but for traffic flow circumstances, you do not want to have intense uses which are away from Garvey Avenue. 2. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on September 27, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rosemead City Hall Council Chamber. Oar Marc Donohue, City Clerk APPROVED: 411.:Sa d ft- Sandra Armenta, Mayor Rosemead City Council, Traffic Commission, Planning Commission and Garvey Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee Joint Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2016 Page 4 of 4