Loading...
PC - 11-03-08CITY OF ROSEMEAD PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 3, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City of Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Lopez at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers at 8838 E. Valley Blvd, Rosemead. Vice-Chairman Kunioka led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Gay delivered the invocation. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Chairman Lopez, Vice-Chairman Kunioka, and Commissioner Gay, ABSENT: Commissioners Cam and Vuu EX OFFICIO: Agaba, Trinh, Everling, Lockwood, and Yin T. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS: Attorney Yin explained the public hearing process and the right to appeal Plannirg Commission decisions to the City Council. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Chairman Lopez asked if anyone would like to speak on any items not on the agenda, to step forward. None. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR - These items are considered to be routine actions that may be considered in one motion by the Planning Commission. Any interested party may request an item from the consent calendar to be discussed separately. A. Approval of Minutes - September 29, 2008 Chairman Lopez asked for a motion for approval of from September 29, 2008. Vice-Chairman Kunioka had corrections on pages 4 & 5. Attorney Yin had corrections on page 2. B. Approval of Minutes - October 6, 2008 Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting.: November 3, 2008 Page 1 of 9 Vice-Chairman Kunioka had corrections on pages 3,5,11, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 20. Attorney Yin had corrections on pages 4, 5, 6, 15, 19 and 22. Chairman Lopez asked for a motion for approval with corrections of the items on the Consent Calendar. MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GAY TO WAIVE FURTHER READING AND ADOPT CONSENT CALENDAR. Vote results: YES: GAY, KUNIOKA, AND LOPEZ NO: NONE. ABSENT: CAM AND VUU ABSTAIN: NONE. Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Design Review 08-07- 9403 Valley Boulevard - The City has received an application for a Design Review to reimage all exterior signage on an existing Taco Bell Restaurant, located at 9403 Valley Boulevard in the C3-D (Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay) zone. (Lily Trinh, Assistant Planner) PC RESOLUTION 08-27 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 08-07, TO REIMAGE ALL EXTERIOR SIGNAGE ON AN EXISTING TACO BELL RESTAURANT, LOCATED AT 9403 VALLEY BOULEVARD IN THE C3-D (MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY) ZONE (APNS: 8592-009-007 & 8592-009-008). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design Review 08-07 for a period of one (1) year and adopt Resolution 08-27, subject to conditions of Exhibit "B" attached hereto. Presentation: Assistant Planner Lily Trinh Assistant Planner Trinh read her presentation and stated that she and the representative were in the audience to answer any questions the Planning Commission might have. Chairman Lopez asked if there were any questions for staff. Vice-Chairman Kunioka asked if the new sign was bigger or brighter. Assistant Planner Trinh responded that the new building wall signs are smaller than what is existing today. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 2 or 9 Commissioner Gay questioned if the trash enclosure doors will be cleaned and re-painted. Assistant Planner Trinh responded condition #20 refers to the trash receptacle and read the condition. She stated she has spoken with the representative and he accepts all the conditions of approval. Commissioner Gay questioned if the trash enclosure doors will be re-painted to match. Assistant Planner Trinh answered staff can add that as a condition. Commissioner Gay said it does not have to be the same color, but it has to be cleaned. Assistant Planner Trinh responded we can add a condition to have applicant repaint the trash enclosure doors. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if Commissioner Gay is referring to the actual enclosure doors and not the stucco. Commissioner Gay responded that it looks like it needs to be cleaned up. He said the doors look a little run down and the stucco looked fine. Assistant Planner Trinh stated the applicant is in the audience if they had any questions. Chairman Lopez stated the item was now open to the public. Mr. Claude Ellena of 13580 Fifth Street, Chino, the representative, stated he was present to answer questions relating to signage of the existing Taco Bell and could not make any commitments of trash enclosure issues for the owner. Chairman Lopez stated he likes the new signs and thanked the representative. Chairman Lopez asked if anyone is wishing to speak in favor of this project. None. Chairman Lopez asked anyone wishing to speak against this project. None. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GAY, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA TO APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 08-07 WITH ADDED CONDITION. Vote results: YES: GAY, KUNIOKA, AND LOPEZ NO: NONE. ABSENT: CAM AND VUU Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting.: November 3, 2008 Page 3 of 9 ABSTAIN: NONE. Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered B. Design Review 08-04 - 9628 Valley Boulevard - Hanson Ho, A.I.A. & Associates has submitted a Design Review application proposing to renovate an existing 4,600 square feet single story commercial building for retail of solar power equipment and lighting accessories. The building will be used to promote green renewable energy products. The proposed site improvements will include adding an 864 square-foot conference room and lobby, restriping the parking lot, revitalizing landscaped areas, building a new trash enclosure all designed to improve the aesthetics of existing building and to provide a fresh look to the site. The subject property is located at 9628 Valley Boulevard in the C3-D, Medium Commercial Zone within a Design Overlay zone. (George Agaba, Associate Planner). PC RESOLUTION 08-25 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 08-04 TO ALLOW RENOVATION OF AN EXISTING 4,600 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING AND ADDITION OF 864 SQUARE-FOOT CONFERENCE ROOM AS WELL AS IMPROVING PARKING AND LANDSCAPING AREAS FOR RETAIL OF SOLAR EQUIPMENT LOCATED AT 9628 VALLEY BOULEVARD (APN: 8593-002-004). Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Design Review 08-04 for a period of six (6) months and adopt Resolution 08-25, subject to conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto. Presentation: Associate Planner George Agaba Associate Planner Agaba read his presentation and stated that he and the applicant are both available to answer any questions the Planning Commission might have. Chairman Lopez asked if there are any questions for staff. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned Condition #9, regarding lighting. He asked if there was anything for shielding, so the light does not spill onto the neighbors. Associate Planner Agaba responded that the applicant will provide no lighting spillage on the neighbors. City Planner Everling stated we can add that language to the condition. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned Condition #17, regarding air conditioning. He said he did not see anything in the conditions regarding the shielding of noise from the air conditioners and recommended that something be added to protect the neighbors from the noise. He then questioned if the cartridges are disposed as normal garbage or as hazardous waste. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 4 of 9 Associate Planner Agaba responded they are recyclable. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if it is an issue for our landfills or water disposals and whether it will go into either one of them. Associate Planner Agaba answered the cartridges are environmentally friendly. Vice-Chairman Kunioka asked if the painting of the building and solar panels will be surface cleanable due to graffiti. Associate Planner Agaba responded that he was not sure of the solar panels. City Planner Everling stated that would be a question for the applicant. Vice-Chairman Kunioka asked if there was a change in the set-backs in the rear of the building or a change of overall height of the building. Associate Planner Agaba responded the rear yard set-backs are not changing. He said the only change is in the front elevation with the addition of a conference room. He also said the rest of the footprints will remain the same. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if the fagade is going to be any taller. Associate Planner Agaba stated no. Vice-Chairman Kunioka referred to Condition #5 and questioned if the solar panels will be sufficient lighting for both the parking lot lighting and the interior of the building. He also questioned if a speed bump will be required. Associate Planner Agaba responded yes with the intent of the Commission. Chairman Lopez opened the public hearing to the public. Mr. Hanson Ho of 11680 Goldring Road, Arcadia, the architect of the project, responded to the question regarding the type of paint to prevent graffiti. He said the solar panel is protected by tempered glass and should be easy to clean. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if the air conditioning would be shielded for noise. Mr. Ho answered there will be no visual contact from the rear. He said it will be installed behind the parapet wall. Chairman Lopez questioned Condition #16, regarding the hours of construction. He is concerned the construction hours are a little late. Associate. Planner Agaba stated the standard conditions of hours of construction is from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00.p.m. Monday to Saturday. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 5 of 9 Commissioner Gay stated he was very pleased with what will be built Mr. Ho stated this is a good project to demonstrate the usage of environmentally safe materials. Ms. Jacqueline Evans of 9619 Steele Street, a resident, stated she lives directly behind the building that is being discussed, and questioned Mr. Ho if the building was going to be built up with a second story and a conference room. She also wanted clarification on the lighting issue. Chairman Lopez responded that the lighting on the rear is to be shielded, so that it will not go onto her property. Ms. Evans stated that was fine. Chairman Lopez stated that a second story will not be built. Ms. Evans, questioned if the 864 square-foot conference room and lobby were going to be added onto the existing structure. Mr. Ho responded that this is not going to be a two-story building. He said they are adding to the height of the existing building. He explained that the rear of the building will be four (4) feet higher to hide the air conditioning unit. Ms. Evans stated that won't be too' bad Mr. Ho stated they will also add landscaping and new trees along the block wall, so cars will not be able to park along the block wall. He said the trees and shrubs will act as a landscape buffer. Ms. Evans questioned if all the parking will be in the back of the building. Mr. Ho answered yes, it will. He said they will resurface the parking lot, clean up the area, and add landscaping and trees. He also said there will be a lot of green in the back of the building. Ms. Evans stated trees are alright, but questioned if they will make a mess and if it will end up in her.yard. Mr. Ho said he will make sure the trees require minimal maintenance. Chairman Lopez stated the applicant will plant trees that are approved by our staff and staff will try to plant trees that do not shed a lot. Ms. Evans stated she would appreciate that. She said she understands that the lighting will not shine on her property, but questioned if there will be a lot of noise from the air conditioner. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 6 of 9 Mr. Ho responded that the air condition unit will be mounted on the roof closer to Valley Boulevard and the parking lot will add a distance of 80 feet. He also said the air conditioner will be screened off by a parapet wall, so she should not hear any noise at all. Ms. Evans questioned if it was going to be above the structure. Mr. Ho, Architect responded yes. Ms. Evans thanked the Planning Commission and Mr. Ho for being so informative. Mr. Ho responded with you're welcome and gave Ms. Evans his business card for future questions. Ms. Mary House of 9623 Steele Street, a resident, questioned if part of the asphalt next to the block wall is going to be removed for the installation of the trees. Mr. Ho answered yes Ms. House stated in the past, they have had problems with drainage and it usually ends up under her house or in Jacqueline Evans back yard. She said this was fixed and questioned if it will cause problems now. Mr. Ho responded that they are proposing to build another retaining wall that is 30" high. He said the lot is low and the back of the parking lot will be elevated and sloped towards Valley Boulevard. He also said they will make sure water will not seep into your back yard. Ms. House stated that is good because we have gone through this before. Chairman Lopez questioned if anyone else is wishing to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Brian Lewin of 9501 Ralph Street, a resident, stated he likes this project a lot and has a couple of things that he would like to mention. He said the water free urinals were installed at his workplace and he is not sure if it is the same system, but they are working out quite well and it is definitely a water reducer. He said he hopes that they will be installed in City Hall sometime in the future. City Planner Everling stated that he and Associate Planner Agaba have been discussing this very same subject. Mr. Lewin stated maybe it can be suggested, but said that he did not know if it was very expensive to install. He said they had installed theirs themselves. He also said it did not require any major plumbing, just the capping of the end of the water flow. Associate Planner Agaba stated they are provided free of charge. Mr. Lewin stated that is even better and hopefully City Hall will install them. He then questioned if a lock was required on the trash enclosure. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 _ Page 7 of 9 City Planner Everling responded yes, a lock is required and that Associate Planner Agaba incorporated in Condition #27. Chairman Lopez asked if anyone else is wishing to speak in favor of this project. None. Chairman Lopez asked if anyone else is wishing to speak against this project. None. Chairman Lopez stated staff may speak now. Associate Planner Agaba stated he. would like clarification on the conditions of approval. He stated Condition #9 will be modified to require lighting to be shielded from impacting the neighboring homes and Condition #15 regarding noise will be modified. . Chairman Lopez asked if there were any other questions for staff. Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if the trees were already selected for the back and if they will be palm trees. City Planner Everling responded that the trees will be selected at a later time, when they submit their landscaping plan. Vice-Chairman Kunioka stated that the Palm Trees were not attractive and listed the conditions that are to be taken care of. MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GAY TO APPROVE DESIGN REVIEW 08-04 WITH MODIFIED CONDITIONS. Vote results: YES: GAY, KUNIOKA, AND LOPEZ NO: NONE. ABSENT: CAM AND VUU ABSTAIN: NONE. Chairman Lopez declared said motion duly carried and so ordered 5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS None. 6. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 8 of 9 None. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Lopez adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 7:57 p.m. MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRMAN KUNIOKA to ADJOURN UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. QJI x Daniel Lope Chairman ATTT: / ache) LCommission Secretary Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting: November 3, 2008 Page 9 of 9 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. CITY OF ROSEMEAD ) I, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the minutes from November 3, 2008, were duly and regularly approved and adopted by the Rosemead Planning Commission on the December 15, 2008 Meeting , by the following vote to wit: Yes: GAY, KUNIOKA, LOPEZ, AND VUU No: NONE Abstain: NONE Absent: CAM 6U-QA ` Gloria Molleda City Clerk