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PC - Minutes - 06-05-17 Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING June 5,2017 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:02 pm by Vice-Chair Dang in the Council Chambers,8838 E.Valley Boulevard. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Vice-Chair Dang INVOCATION-Commissioner Eng ROLL CALL-Commissioners Eng, Herrera, and Vice-Chair Dang ABSENT-Commissioner Tang and Chair Lopez STAFF PRESENT:City Attorney Thuyen,Community Development Director Ramirez,City Planner Valenzuela,Assistant Planner Lao, and Commission Secretary Lockwood. Community Development Director Ramirez introduced City Attorney Kane Thuyen and announced that he will now be the Planning Commission Attorney. 1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS City Attorney Thuyen presented the procedure and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 17-01 • Chau Minh Le has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application to operate a bona fide public eating establishment with a new On-Sale Beer and Wine (Type 41)ABC License at 8766 Valley Boulevard. A Conditional Use Permit shall be required for any business that sells alcoholic beverages for on-site or off-site consumption.The proposed project would not increase the floor area of the existing building or business. The project site is located in a Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay(C-310-0)zone. PC RESOLUTION 17-11 • A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 17-01, PERMITTING A NEW ON-SALE BEER AND WINE (TYPE 41) ABC LICENSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A BONA FIDE PUBLIC EATING ESTABLISHMENT AT 8766 VALLEY BOULEVARD (APN: 5390-010-082),IN A MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY(C-31D-O)ZONE. Staff Recommendation - It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 17• 11 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 17-01,subject to the 36 conditions. Assistant Planner Lao presented the staff report. Vice-Chair Dang asked if there were any questions or comments for staff. Commissioner Eng asked if the previous establishment was a"Type 41"ABC license. 1 Assistant Planner Lao replied yes. Commissioner Eng asked why it was discontinued. Assistant Planner Lao replied it was discontinued because it was not pursued within the 1 year time frame that is given. Commissioner Eng asked what the current regulation is in terms to stop serving alcohol. Community Development Director Ramirez replied state law states that it is 2:00 am. Commissioner Eng stated a previous use was recently approved by the Planning Commission for an ABC license and asked if it was within this census tract. Assistant Planner Lao asked if Commissioner Eng was referring to the 626 Boston Lobster. Commissioner Eng stated she is not sure, but she recalls there were two applicants, one wanted to expand the space,and the other was for a new ABC license. Assistant Planner Lao replied if Commissioner Eng is referring to 626 Lobster and Ji Rong,then they are both in this census tract. Commissioner Eng stated there are 9 existing ABC licenses, which does not include the previous ABC license because it is still in the process, and once that gets approved there will be 10. She asked if this item gets approved by ABC will it make it a total of 11 in this tract. Assistant Planner Lao replied yes. Commissioner Eng referred to the ABC Map and stated there are three proprietors near-by, which have "Type 41" ABC licenses,and asked who they were. Assistant Planner Lao replied they are: 1) Hunan Mao Restaurant,2) Corn Tarn Ninh Kieu,and 3) Si Chuan No. 1. Commissioner Eng thanked staff for providing the detail of the alcohol related crimes for this reporting district in the staff report. She added 6 of the reported crimes were "driving under the influence" and asked staff if they had just been stopped and pulled over when law enforcement happens to see someone near this location. Assistant Planner Lao replied that is something that staff can check with the Chief of Police. Commissioner Eng stated she hopes that these Dill's are not by patrons by the near-by areas. Community Development Director Ramirez stated that would not be information that the Sheriffs would have, because that is not a question they would ask, on where they consumed their alcohol. She stated that they would not know if it is a near-by restaurant,a restaurant from another city, or from someone's home. Vice-Chair Dang asked if the three establishments that were read out earlier are Chinese Restaurants. Assistant Planner Lao replied they are Asian Restaurants. 2 Vice-Chair Dang commented that he was wondering if it was Chinese because there was an applicant that was a Vietnamese Restaurant,and he was wondering if there was a distinction. He stated hearing no further comments,opened the Public Hearing, and called the applicant to the podium. Applicant Alphonse Duong and Representative Quan Tran stated they are a family owned Vietnamese Restaurant. They added they are trying to establish their business into selling alcohol with their regular dining usage. Commissioner Eng asked if they have or managed any other restaurants. Applicant Duong replied no,this is the only one and it is a family-owned restaurant. Commissioner Eng asked if he had any experience managing a restaurant that serves alcohol. Applicant Duong replied this is his first time. Commissioner Eng asked if the applicant knows that all the employees are required to get trained in serving alcohol. Applicant Duong replied yes, staff has gone through the training, got the ABC seller's permit, and some of the staff had already received their licensing for that. Vice-Chair Dang asked if there were any further questions or comments. None Vice-Chair Dang closed the Public Hearing and requested a motion. Commissioner Eng commented that this type of ABC license is important for food establishments and is a convenience. She expressed that she is getting a little uncomfortable with the numbers going up and luckily there has not been any significances involving alcohol establishments in the City,which is a good thing. She recommended that as a City,a policy should be looked into, to see what can be done about it, so as to get a handle on it. She commented this serves a need, is a convenience to customers, and for restaurants because they are very competitive. Commissioner Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Herrera, to ADOPT Resolution No. 17-11 with findings and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 17-01, subject to the 36 conditions. Vote resulted in: Yes: Dang, Eng,and Herrera No: None Abstain: None Absent: Lopez and Tang Community Development Director Ramirez stated the motion passes with 3 Ayes, 0 Noe's, and 2 Absent vote and explained the 10-day appeal process. B. MODIFICATION 17-03 • Rosemead Place, LLC has submitted a Modification application, requesting to modify Design Review 03-109, to split an existing L-shaped building (Pad "A")at the northwest corner of the Rosemead Place Shopping Center into two buildings to create a new corner façade, three new tenant spaces, an outdoor seating area, new landscape and hardscape, and new pedestrian pathways. The project will include the demolition of 2,139 square feet of existing building area and the 3 addition of 543 square feet to the Pad "A" - West building. In addition, the applicant is proposing to improve pedestrian circulation within the shopping center. The subject building is located at 3620- 3684 Rosemead Boulevard, in a Medium Commercial with a Design Overlay(C-31D-0)zone. PC RESOLUTION 17-09 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,APPROVING MODIFICATION 17-03, A MODIFICATION OF DESIGN REVIEW 03-109, TO SPLIT AN EXISTING L-SHAPED BUILDING (PAD"A") AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE ROSEMEAD PLACE SHOPPING CENTER INTO TWO BUILDINGS TO CREATE A NEW CORNER FACADE, THREE NEW TENANT SPACES, AN OUTDOOR SEATING AREA, NEW LANDSCAPE AND HARDSCAPE, AND NEW PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS. THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 3620-3684 ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD, IN A MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY(C•3/D•O)ZONE. Staff Recommendation • It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 17• 09 with findings and APPROVE Modification 17-03, subject to the 38 conditions. City Planner Valenzuela presented the staff report. Vice-Chair Dang asked if there were any questions or comments for staff. Commissioner Eng thanked the applicant and expressed that this will enhance the shopping center. She stated she was curious on what was going to happen to the monument sign and looking at the rendering she sees that it is staying. She stated she has no questions at this time. Vice-Chair Dang stated there are no further comments/questions for staff,opened the Public Hearing, and invited the applicant to the podium. Applicant,Jim Notley, representative for Rosemead Place LLC,the ownership for Rosemead Place Shopping Center, stated this is for the latest improvement project and not so much a building project for the center. He stated there have been comments before on the access of the center, the pedestrian access around the center, and there are another number of issues they want to clean-up around the center. He stated there will be pedestrian access from Building "A" to the rest of the center,they are cleaning up the landscaping, cleaning up the parking lot in his area, making some improvements to the lighting, and from their view from Rosemead Boulevard,going primarily south and going north, having a better impression of the center. He stated they have a 450,000 square foot shopping center and their visibility along Rosemead Boulevard being a main street is very limited and largely blocked by this Building "A". He stated the idea is to open up the view by demolishing the elbow of the building and then creating a 1500 square feet opening to get a view of in-and-out of the center. He stated going south on Rosemead Boulevard you will be able to see the new"Ross Store" when it opens, you will be able to see a large shopping center inside, and it will draw people into the center. He said the courtyard will be a place for people to gather,there will be a new "Panda Express"on the right side and a new tenant on the left-hand side that will be able to use the outdoor seating area. He added there will be a ramp for ADA access, there will be stairs coming in from Rosemead Boulevard and Marshall into the center, it will draw some life into the center, and you will have a good impression driving by. He said the idea is to clean-up the view, clean-up the access into the center, and create some new leasable spaces. He added the access from Building "A" across to the pad building where they have"Chipolle" is getting cleaned-up with a walk-way going directly across, the ADA access will be along the north-side of Building "A"to the driveway, and a new ADA pathway going south down to"Cold Stone" and across the street. He stated they also have better access going across that driveway and into the parking field going north of told Stone"that is the largest area of un-utilized parking in the center. He said that Building "A" is the tightest parking area and they are creating 9 or 10 additional parking stalls around Building "A', but they are also increasing the access to the underutilized areas north of"Cold Stone"for parking. He added he can answer any questions that anyone may have. 4 Commissioner Herrera stated that it looks beautiful. Commissioner Eng stated this is beautiful improvement and thanked the applicant. She stated that the site plan shows 4 parcels and asked if he was planning for in the future to make improvements and enhancements to the other areas in the shopping center or is it a phase by phase project. Applicant Notely replied that this is the first phase in terms of asphalt and landscaping. He added when the "Ross Store"opens they will be doing some asphalt and landscaping in that area as well. Vice-Chair Dang stated this is a beautiful design and applauds the applicant on this particular focal point and it makes sense to open a center courtyard to provide visibility, which was hidden by Building "A". He stated the fact that by opening this up and creating a little courtyard eating area creates a focal area, it brings people out, and the current trend is to have out-door dining. He thanked the applicant for that and for bringing this design to Rosemead. He stated some of the renderings show trees between the building and the street(Rosemead Boulevard and Marshall)and asked if the trees are part of the landscaping plan. Applicant Notely replied he does not know if that is confirmed yet because signage is critical in that area. He stated he likes trees and there will be trees added in the interior part of the center, but the signage is pretty tight in there with all the tenants and the trees may be an obstacle. He added that he did see the same thing on the plans and they will work on it. Vice-Chair Dang stated he understands if the trees are tall and may block the signage and recommended that they speak to their landscape architect and introduce trees that are not tall such as a"Crape Myrtle". Applicant Notely stated that is the intent to plant'Crape Myrtle"trees that are shorter. Vice-Chair Dang stated he knows that pedestrian access was created by the sidewalk to the tenant space on the rendering and on the opposite side where Building "A' north,on the easterly side, next to the Indian Restaurant there is an existing walk-way. Applicant Notely stated there is a walk-way that's at ground level but it does not come up the driveway. Vice-Chair Dang stated he noticed that it terminates and does not go anywhere. He asked if that could be extended to the sidewalk. Applicant Notley replied for a long time they have worked on that being a pedestrian access from that side, but it gets difficult because of the slope and the distance from the sidewalk to the building to install a ramp like they are putting in at the corner. He explained that the traffic moves quickly, people don't slow down when they turn, and it is a very tight space to get the ADA path to travel in that direction. He added that's when they came back to tearing down a piece of the building to create the room to have the ramp and courtyard come in for better access and is safer for everyone involved. Vice-Chair Dang asked if it was possible to not have a ramp but a stair access instead. He stated there is a grade differential between Marshall and as you get down to the pad where the Indian Restaurant is and some steps just to get the pedestrian to the sidewalk down to their facility. He stated the only way to get down is to walk along the driveway. Applicant Notely replied they will look into it because they have added stairways elsewhere and they will check to see if it is possible. 5 Vice-Chair Dang stated that he noticed on the plans they extended the driveway and created a walk-way and extended on to it. Applicant Notely stated that is the ADA path of travel that if you are walking inside to the intersection by"Cold Stone" and connect to all the other buildings there. Vice-Chair Dang expressed it would be nice if the walk-way was extended to get onto Marshall, as opposed to people walking along the driveway. Applicant Notely stated that is a good point and they will look into it. Resident Brian Lewin stated he appreciates what is being done here, it will make this area look much nicer, and will add some much needed circulation improvements. He stated he does echo Vice-Chairman Dang's comment on finding a way to make that connection because he has seen parents with kids pushing strollers down that driveway alongside that entrance more than once. He added some type of sidewalk connection there would be a good idea. He stated looking at the plans it is unclear and asked if there will be some sort of physical or aesthetic barrier between the improved area and the old area, which is the back doors of all of those stores, because it is not the best aesthetically and there are some storm water issues. He explained that when they irrigate or rains they get mud and there are storm water issues when you get tenants dumping mop water or washing mats out in the back. He stated he hopes some improvements would get done on the north face east of the new development that would enhance that part of the project. He added a few seniors have asked if in the future some sort of ramp could be installed on the curb by the"Habit" because that curb is very high and the disabled parting is on the other side by "Chipotle", which makes it difficult. He requested this be considered in the future. Vice-Chair Dang asked if there were any further comments or questions. Commissioner Eng asked if there any plans for gutter improvements or landscaping on the north building pad. She stated she saw they are removing a gutter on the west pad. Applicant Notely replied that on the west-side they are re-routing the drainage, on the north-side the issue is the slope, and they are making some landscaping improvements in that area. He added this is the back-side of the building, there are limited options, and they want to be able to preserve the signage to see the building, so they will not block it with trees or anything like that. He stated the tenants are faidy good at keeping it clean and he has not noticed a problem with that. Commissioner Eng asked if there were plans to improve the drainage issue. Applicant Notely replied they have not had a drainage issue. Vice-Chair Dang commented it is not a drainage issue it is a drain and does not feel there was a drainage issue because every time he walks by it is always clean and well kept. He added it is a deep slope and you have to catch the run-off somehow. Applicant Notely stated it is picked up on the drain plan and there is the drainage that comes along that side, it will have to come through the courtyard, and it will be re-routed out through, and then come down the south-side of the west-side of the south Building"A"and west Building "A". Vice-Chair Dang stated Mr. Lewin brought up a good point and because this is the back-side of the restaurants, he does see tenants cleaning their rubber mats outside. He added grease does not flow very well and recommended they consider planting some low growing shrubbery to block some of that activity. He added the low growing shrubbery will not block the signage also. 6 Applicant Notely stated that it is the slope coming down, the sidewalk is almost at the signage level, and it is the elevation change that makes it difficult to block what you see down below. Vice-Chair Dang stated he was anticipating that the pad is several feet lower than the street, so if shrubbery is planted close to the drainage location and if it grows another 3-4 feet tall, it will not block any signage. He added it will block the view of the drain itself and maybe it will be a consideration. Applicant Notely stated what they are focused on is keeping the tenants from doing what they should not be doing from behind the building because the way that slope comes down, you don't have that much space, and you need space for the drainage and run-off. He added you need to cement an area for the water to move out of that area and slope back away from the building, so there is really no good space given the slope of the hill coming down to be able to get enough plants or to get a height off the plant to make a difference. Community Development Director Ramirez stated since Public Works is present she recommended that the City Engineer go out there and take a look and work with the applicant to see if there is anything that can be done. She added there is an arborist on staff and they can see if anything can be done. Vice-Chair Dang stated that is a great recommendation and asked the Planning Commission if they agree. Commissioner Eng and Commissioner Herrera agreed. Vice-Chair Dang asked for a motion. Commissioner Eng stated before a motion is made, she referred to Condition of Approval number 29, read it, and asked if the wording should be"issued"or"obtained",or does it make a difference. City Engineer Rafael Fajardo replied it does not make any difference. Vice-Chair Dang asked if there are any further questions or comments for staff. None Vice-Chair Dang asked for a motion. Commissioner Eng made a motion,seconded by Commissioner Herrera to ADOPT Resolution No. 17-09 with findings and APPROVE Modification 17-03,subject to the 38 conditions. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Dang, Eng,and Herrera Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Lopez and Tang Community Development Director Ramirez stated the motion passes with 3 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Absent vote and explained the 10-day appeal process. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of 5-15-17 7 Commissioner Eng referred to the bottom of page 4, where she asked: "if the applicant is planning to arrange casino tours as pad of Their services." She stated that he really did not answer the question but that he knows a lot of General Managers in casinos and requested that staff re-listen to the tape and confirm what his response was. Community Development Director Ramirez stated staff will go back, listen again, and write what he said verbatim for that one item. She explained the minutes can still be approved with that 1 item revisited and corrected. Commissioner Eng agreed that would be acceptable. Commissioner Eng made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Herrera, to approve the Minutes of 5-15-17 with the correction on page 4. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Dang, Eng, and Herrera Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Lopez and Tang Community Development Director Ramirez stated the motion passes with 3 Ayes,0 Noes,2 Absent vote. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Community Development Director Ramirez announced the date, time, and location of the City of Rosemead's "Farmers Market". She stated it will be every Monday night and will run through until September 25th. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR&COMMISSIONERS None 7. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:37 pm. The next regular Planning Commission will be held on Monday, June 19,2017 at 7: in the Council Chambers. Sean Dang Vice-Chair ATT:t Rachel Lockwood Commission Secretary S