PC - Minutes - 09-16-19 Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
September 16,2019
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Eng at 7:00 pm in the City Hall Council
Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Commissioner Berry
INVOCATION—Commissioner Vuong
ROLL CALL—Commissioners Berry,Tang,Vuong,Vice-Chair Lopez and Chair Eng
STAFF PRESENT—City Attorney Thuyen,Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Kim,
Planning&Economic Development Manager Valenzuela,Associate Planner Lao,Assistant Planner Wong,
and Commission Secretary Lockwood.
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. MINOR EXCEPTION 19-09 - Danny and Marilynn. Hu have submitted a Minor Exception application,
requesting to construct a new 1,387 square-foot,single-family dwelling with an attached two-car garage
at the rear ("Unit #3") of an existing lot containing two nonconforming, single-family dwellings. In
addition,a 372 square-foot addition with an attached two-car garage is proposed to the existing single-
family dwelling at the front ("Unit#1") of the lot. No modifications will be made to the single-family
,dwelling at the center of the lot ("Unit#2"). The granting of a Minor Exception is required before the
Planning Commission for new structures constructed on a lot where nonconforming structures exist.
The project site is located at 7428 Emerson Place(APN:5286-016-008),in the Light Multiple Residential
(R-2)zone.
PC RESOLUTION 19-10 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MINOR EXCEPTION
19-09, PERMITTING A NEW 1,367 SQUARE-FOOT SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING WITH AN ATTACHED
TWO-CAR GARAGE ("UNIT #3") AND A 372 SQUARE-FOOT ADDITION TO A SINGLE-FAMILY
DWELLING WITH AN ATTACHED TWO-CAR GARAGE ("UNIT #1"), ON A LOT WHERE TWO LEGAL
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES EXIST, LOCATED AT 7428 EMERSON PLACE (APN: 5286-016-008),
IN A LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL(R-2)ZONE.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION-It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No.
19-10 with findings and APPROVE Minor Exception 19-09,subject to the 31 conditions..
Assistant Planner Wong presented the staff report and stated there is a typo in the staff report. He stated that it is
noted as 1,387 square-foot and it should be corrected to 1,367 square-foot.
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Chair Eng asked if there were any questions or comments for staff.
Commissioner Tang stated it looks like the nonconforming is the side yard setback of Unit#1 and Unit#2 on and asked
if that was correct.
Assistant Planner Wong replied yes,Units#1 and 2 have substandard setbacks,and in addition,there is a substandard
building separation between the detached two-car garage with Unit#1.
Commissioner Tang asked what is the required and what is currently.
Assistant Planner Wong asked for clarification if Commissioner Tang was referring to the building separation.
Commissioner Tang stated he is referring to both the setbacks and building separation.
Assistant Planner Wong replied for the minimum side yard setback for this property, currently the lot width is 75 feet,
so the municipal code requires ten percent of the lot width or five feet,whichever is greater. He stated in this case it is
7.5 feet however, it is rounded up to eight feet, so the minimum side yard setback would be eight feet. He explained
for the building separation the municipal code requirement is six feet for accessory structures and single-family
dwellings,so Unit#1 only has a distance of two feet and ten inches.
Commissioner Tang asked what is required.
Assistant Planner Wong replied six feet between the garage and single-family dwelling.
Commissioner Vuong stated for clarification in regard to Unit#1 and asked if the property owners are planning to
demolish the existing two-car garage for the proposed addition.
Assistant Planner Wong replied no and explained the existing two-car garage belongs to Unit #2. He added as
their proposal for the addition of Unit#1 they are proposing a two-car garage.
Commissioner Vuong referred to the fire prevention notes and stated that it seemed that the proposed additions meet
fire code and asked staff to explain the municipal code that this access way is viable for emergency vehicles when
necessary to get to the third unit.
Assistant Planner Wong stated staff routed the plans to the Fire Department for review and they did not issue any
comments pertaining to fire access onto the property.
Commissioner Tang asked on a property like this with three different units, is it the property owner responsibility for
maintaining the common area like the driveway.
Assistant Planner Wong replied yes, it would be the property owner.
Chair Eng stated currently the setback is nonconforming because the City updated the code. She questioned if the
setback would have conformed when it was constructed in 1955 but became nonconforming due to Municipal Code
updates.
Assistant Planner Wong replied yes.
Chair Eng asked if there were any further questions for staff.
None
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Chair Eng opened the Public Hearing and invited the applicant to the podium.
Raymond Hu,applicant stated that he recently addressed the Planning Commission and is looking forward to another
phase of the Minor Exception process. He explained his family has resided at this location for more than 20 years and
they are expanding the unit in the front and building a unit in the back because they will be occupied by three
generations of the family. He added that his grandmother will be living in the front unit,his parents are currently residing
in the middle unit, and his sister and nephew will be residing in the rear unit. He stated this has taken a year to
accomplish,will be their family compound, and thanked the Planning Commission.
Chair Eng thanked Mr. Hu and stated he had answered her question because she was going to ask if the units will be
owner-occupied.
Commissioner Vuong asked staff how many parcels are similarly designed like this in the City for driveway access and
what is normally Fire Code's requirement for driveway access if you have multiple units on a parcel.
Planning &Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied that typically a driveway is 18-20 feet. She added,
through the agency distribution process, this project was sent to the Fire Department and if there had been major
concerns, they would let staff know. She explained that during the building plan check process, this will again be
reviewed by the Fire Department.
Commissioner Tang thanked Mr. Hu for sharing his story with three generations living here and it is common story in
Rosemead where we have a lot of multi-family dwelling units as well as long term residents that have been living here
for multiple years. He added as families grow, you have to find room to house them and thanked Mr. Hu for sharing
his story again.
Vice-Chair Lopez thanked Mr. Hu also and stated he has lived in Rosemead for 44 years. He added he has thought
of selling his home from time to time, but his grandkids tell him no, it's going to be theirs.
Chair Eng thanked Mr. Hu and asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak on this item.
None
Chair Eng closed the Public Hearing. She asked if the Planning Commission had any further questions or comments
for staff.
None
Chair Eng asked for a motion.
Commissioner Berry made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tang,to ADOPT Resolution No. 19-10 with
findings and APPROVE Minor Exception 19-09,subject to the 31 conditions.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes: Berry, Eng, Lopez,Tang, and Vuong
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
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Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Kim stated the motion passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and 0
Noes. He reminded the applicant to remove the onsite Public Hearing Notice and explained the 10-day appeal process.
B. DESIGN REVIEW 19-03—Kim Tu has submitted an application for a Design Review to construct a new
two-story,3,000 square feet single-family dwelling unit,with an attached three-car garage.The granting
of a Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review is required for any dwelling unit to be constructed that
equals or exceeds two-thousand five-hundred(2,500)square feet of developed living area.The subject
( site is located at 8263 Kelm Street(APN:5283-036-038)in the Single-Family Residential (R-1)zone.
The public hearing for Design Review 19-03 was originally scheduled for August 19, 2019. However,
due to discrepancies in the previously approved and recorded Lot Line Adjustment Application, staff
had requested the Planning Commission to continue the public hearing to the regular meeting of
September 16,2019.The draft Planning Commission meeting minutes of August 19,2019 are attached
as "Exhibit D".
PC RESOLUTION 19-08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 19-
03, PERMITTING A NEW TWO-STORY, 3,000 SQUARE FEET SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT, WITH
AN ATTACHED THREE-CAR GARAGE.THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 8263 KEIM STREET(APN:
5283-036-038), IN THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL(R-1)ZONE.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION-It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No.
19-08 with findings and APPROVE Design Review 19-03,subject to the 37 conditions.
Associate Planner Lao presented the staff report.
Chair Eng asked if there were any questions or comments for staff.
Commissioner Tang referred to the lot line discrepancy and asked what it means,what is the process, and what does
the applicant need to do.
Associate Planner Lao stated on September 27, 2018, the previous applicant applied for a lot line adjustment to
unmerge the lots. In staffs review of the current entitlements, it was determined that the property owners were not
consistent. In the previous lot line adjustment, it was a different property owner than what is on title now. She added
after staff routed the plans and Lot Line Adjustment to the City Engineer, he also brought up the fact that the legal
description was inconsistent, therefore, the applicant is currently working with the Public Works Department to
complete a Certificate of Compliance,which provides a record that the City is determining that each parcel was created
legally.
Commissioner Tang asked if the previous owner had owned both properties and didn't have a fence to separate the
two properties,so theymade a makeshift line.
Associate Planner Lao replied no, it's still the same property owners and it was a living trust,and currently it is an LLC.
Chair Eng asked if staff knows why the lots were originally merged.
Associate Planner Lao replied staff does not have any record of why the lots were merged.
Chair Eng asked if staff if there is record that the lots had previously been separate parcels and they had been tied
together.
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Associate Planner Lao replied yes.
Chair Eng asked if this is a new owner or is it indicated that they just changed the title of ownership.
Associate Planner Lao replied it is the same owners it just went from a trust to an LLC.
Chair Eng stated the homes will be two-story homes and she noticed that there are other two-story homes in the
neighborhood. She asked in terms of height,will the proposed height conform with the other two-story homes in the
area.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes,they are very similar.
Chair Eng asked if are both homes are proposed to be 3,000 square feet each and if they are similar to the other
homes.
Associate Planner Lao replied the other homes range from 2,100 square feet to 2,600 square feet.
Chair Eng referred to Condition of Approval 25 and 37. She read Condition of Approval 35,"A Certificate of Compliance
for the Lot Line Adjustment to unmerge two lots shall be recorded before the issuance of a building permit". She asked
if that should be meant to say"building permits"or"building permit"or does it need to be just one permit.
Associate Planner Lao replied it only needs to say one permit because there are two resolutions and each project is
separate.
Chair Eng asked if"permit"is inconclusive of all permits such as the demo,excavation, and the other required permits.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes.
Chair Eng referred to Condition of Approval 37 and read "Detailed construction requirements will be determined after
a full Building Division plan review". She asked staff what the purpose of this condition of approval is.
Associate Planner Lao replied this condition of approval was given by the Building Official, Brad Fliehmann,and when
the applicant submit their plans,the Building Official is requiring detailed construction plans and grading plans.
Chair Eng clarified that is something that the Building Official is requesting after the Planning Commission has
determined this item this evening.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes.
Chair Eng asked if patios are included in the upstairs units.
Associate Planner Lao replied no.
Chair Eng asked if the Planning Commission had any further questions or comments for staff.
None
Chair Eng opened the Public Hearing and invited the applicant to the podium.
Eric Tsang, Designer for this project stated that he may answer any questions the Planning Commission may have.
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Chair Eng asked if either one of these homes be owner-occupied.
Eric Tsang replied one of the homes will be owner-occupied and the other will be sold.
Chair Eng asked if there were any further questions or comments.
None
Chair Eng asked the Planning Commission if there were any further comments or questions.
None
Chair Eng closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion.
Commissioner Berry made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chair Lopez, to ADOPT Resolution No. 19-08 with
findings and APPROVE Design Review 19-03,subject to the 37 conditions.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes: Berry, Eng, Lopez,Tang,and Vuong
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Kim stated the vote passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and 0
Noes. He reminded the applicant to remove the onsite Public Hearing Notice and explained the 10-day appeal process.
C. DESIGN REVIEW 19-04—Kim Tu has submitted an application for a Design Review to construct a new
two-story,3,000 square feet single-family dwelling unit,with an attached three-car garage.The granting
of a Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review is required for any dwelling unit to be constructed that
equals or exceeds two-thousand five-hundred(2,500)square feet of developed living area.The subject
site is located at 8267 Keim Street(APN:5283-036-039)in the Single-Family Residential (R-1)zone.
The public hearing for Design Review 19-04 was originally scheduled for August 19, 2019. However,
due to discrepancies in the previously approved and recorded Lot Line Adjustment Application, staff
had requested the Planning Commission to continue the public hearing to the regular meeting of
September 16,2019.The draft Planning Commission meeting minutes of August 19,2019 are attached
as "Exhibit D".
PC RESOLUTION 19-09 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW 19-
04, PERMITTING A NEW TWO-STORY, 3,000 SQUARE FEET SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT, WITH
AN ATTACHED THREE-CAR GARAGE.THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT 8267 KEIM STREET(APN:
'5283.036.039), IN THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL(R-1)ZONE.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION-It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No.
19-09 with findings and APPROVE Design Review 19-04,subject to the 37 conditions.
Associate Planner Lao presented the staff report.
Chair Eng asked if there were any questions or comments for staff.
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None
Chair Eng opened the Public Hearing and asked if there was anyone wishing to speak on this item.
None
Chair Eng closed the Public Hearing and asked for a motion.
Vice-Chair Lopez made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Vuong, to ADOPT Resolution No. 19-09 with
findings and APPROVE Design Review 19-04,subject to the 37 conditions.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes: Berry, Eng, Lopez,Tang, and Vuong
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Kim stated the motion passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and
0 Noes. He reminded the applicant to remove the onsite Public Hearing Notice and explained the 10-day appeal
process.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. PC MINUTES 8-19-19
Commissioner Tang made a motion, seconded by Vice-Chair Lopez, to approve PC Minutes 8-16-19 as
presented.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes: Berry, Eng, Lopez,Tang, and Vuong
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Kim stated the motion passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and 0
Noes.
5. MATTERS FROM STAFF
Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated the City of Rosemead is participating in the 6th
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Cycle. Staff is working with Southern California Association of
Governments(SCAG)and they have come up with three proposed RHNA methodologies to develop the total number
of units. Once that number is finalized,they will determine how many units will be allocated to each of the cities within
the regions. She added the numbers are quite high and are between 2,000 and 4,000 for the City of Rosemead. San
Gabriel Valley Council of Government's(SGVCOG)wrote a letter to SCAG and they are supporting SCAG's objection
to the total number of units by HCD. SCAG is hoping HCD will reduce the numbers. She added currently the number
is 1.3 million and hopefully once the numbers are reduced,then all the cities would have a less units. She stated staff
is expecting an update from SCAG next week with the numbers, comments, and hoping the numbers are reduced
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because it is significant. She also announced that the Planning Division applied for the Most-Business Friendly City
Award and the City of Rosemead is included as one of the finalists.
Chair Eng congratulated staff and wished them good luck.
6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR&COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Tang stated he hopes the City of Rosemead wins the Most Business-Friendly City this year and it is
well deserved. He also congratulated Community Development Director Ben Kim on his recent promotion as Assistant
City Manager and stated the Planning Commission will miss him.
Chair Eng thanked and also congratulated Community Development Director Ben Kim on his recent promotion to
Assistant City Manager.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Eng adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 pm.
The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, October 7,2019,at 7:00 pm in
the Council Chambers.
Nancy Eng
Chair •
ATTES .
Oaded-
Rachel Lockwood
Commission Secretary
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