PC - Item 4A - Minutes of February 3, 2020Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
February 3, 2020
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 Vuong
INVOCATION — Commissioner Tang
ROLL CALL — Commissioners Berry, Tang, Vuong, Vice -Chair Lopez and Chair Eng
STAFF PRESENT — City Attorney Burrows, Assistant City Manager Kim, Community Development Director Frausto-
Lupo, Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela, Associate Planner Lao, and Commission Secretary
Lockwood.
PRESENTATION - Introduction of newly hired Director of Community Development Angelica Frausto-Lupo.
Assistant City Manager Kim announced the newly hired Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo, gave a
brief history of her background, and welcomed her to the City of Rosemead.
Chair Eng and the Planning Commission welcomed Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo and stated they
look forward to working with her. She thanked Assistant City Manager Kim for all his help and will look forward to
continuing working with him also.
Assistant City Manager Kim stated it has been a privilege and honor to have served the Planning Commission for the
last two years. He added that it has been a great experience and the Planning Commission has been an amazing body
for him to work for and thanked the Planning Commission for their support over the last two years,
Vice -Chair Lopez thanked Assistant City Manager Kim and complimented the way he ran the department, how he
made things come into play, and made things easier to understand, which made their job easy.
1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS
City Attorney Christina Burrows presented the procedure and appeal rights of the meeting.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
None
A. MODIFICATION 20.01 — Gerard Ngo has submitted a Modification Application ("Modification 20.01")
requesting to amend Design Review 03-112 (Modification), which was approved by the Planning
Commission on August 4, 2008. Specifically, Design Review 03.112 (Modification) was approved with
Condition of Approval No. 1 which limited the square footage of restaurant or fast food use within the
shopping center ("New Valley Plaza"). The said Modification 20.01 would amend Condition of Approval
No. 1, allowing for additional restaurant or fast food use to be established in the shopping center.
PC RESOLUTION 20.01 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MODIFICATION 20.01,
AMENDING CONDITION OF APPROVAL NO. 1, ALLOWING FOR ADDITIONAL RESTAURANT OR FAST
FOOD USE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE SHOPPING CENTER. THE SUBJECT SITE IS LOCATED AT
8508.8522 VALLEY BOULEVARD, IN THE MEDIUM COMMERCIAL WITH A DESIGN OVERLAY (C.31D-O)
ZONE.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION - It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No.
20.01 with findings and APPROVE Modification 20.01, subject to the 40 conditions.
Associate Planner Lao presented staff report,
Chair Eng asked if the Planning Commission had any questions or comments for staff.
Vice -Chair Lopez asked if the square footage available is accessible/equipped for restaurant use regarding water,
sewage lines, and restaurant use, or will they need to redesign with something hew.
Associate Planner Lao replied currently there is only one vacancy, but in the future if the property owner wants to
incorporate a restaurant use, a tenant improvement will have to be submitted to the Planning and Building Divisions
for review and approval.
Vice -Chair Lopez asked if this is only being applied to one site, not the entire plaza, or is it including the surrounding
plaza. He asked if the retail use is changed to a restaurant use, would it then have to be approved by the Planning
Commission.
Associate Planner Lao stated no and added that it applies to the entire shopping center.
Commissioner Vuong asked how many other plazas or parcels have this condition that limits restaurant use because
there was one at a previous Planning Commission meeting. He asked if there are more or is this the last one.
Associate Planner Lao replied this is the last one.
Commissioner Berry asked if this item is similar to the previously discussed item at the December Planning
Commission meeting, however, located at a different site. He also questioned if the same rules are applied.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes.
Chair Eng stated there are fifteen businesses in this shopping center and asked if currently six out of the fifteen are
restaurant use.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes.
Chair Eng stated the applicant is requesting this Modification so restaurant use will not be limited, because currently
restaurant use is now limited to 15,000 square feet, and the total square footage of this site is 30,000 square feet, She
commented that currently fifty percent of the improvement is dedicated to restaurant use.
Associate Planner Lao replied yes, that is correct.
Chair Eng asked if there were any further questions or comments.
None
Chair Eng opened the Public Hearing and invited Michael Lewis to the podium.
Mike Lewis, Land Use Consultant, stated he is here representing Mr. Gerard Ngo's application, and with him are Simon
Lee the architect. He thanked the Planning Commission and staff for reviewing this item and all their help. He gave a
brief summary and history of this project and explained why the applicant is requesting the Modification. He added
their request is simple and to eliminate the square footage restriction on restaurant space and to give them the same
opportunity to compete for tenants that everyone else in the city has. He thanked the Planning Commission for their
time and added that he hopes the Planning Commission approve staffs recommendation and he would be happy to
answer any questions.
Chair Eng thanked Mr. Lewis and asked the Planning Commission if there were any further questions or comments.
Commissioner Berry thanked Mr. Lewis for his summary.
Commissioner Tang stated currently there is one vacancy and asked how many vacancies this property has had in the
last year.
Mr. Lewis replied there were not very many and added there was two or three.
Commissioner Tang asked what the uses were.
Mr. Lewis referred to someone in the audience and it was stated the uses were retail.
Commissioner Tang asked if they had managed to replace those units with retail uses to comply with the condition of
approval,
Mr. Lewis replied yes, but they are at the maximum square footage.
Commissioner Tang asked what the former use of this current vacancy was.
Mr. Lewis replied he believes this was a retail use.
Chair Eng asked if the infrastructure will be able to accommodate restaurant use equipment such as grease
interceptors since it had been previously approved for retail use. She also asked how it is being addressed or is it
included in the infrastructure already.
Mike Lewis replied the infrastructure that is there is capable and if it is not then modifications will have to be made
regarding satisfying other agency requirements, accommodating equipment, grease interceptors, plumbing, and health
regulations. He stated it is a big investment, but it is part of the process and no one is going to enter it not understanding
what they must do.
Chair Eng thanked Mr. Lewis and asked if there were any other questions or comments.
None
Chair Eng closed the Public Hearing and asked if the Planning Commission had any further discussion.
Commissioner Wong made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Berry to ADOPT Resolution No. 20-01 with
findings and APPROVE Modification 20.01, subject to the 40 conditions.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes:
Berry, Eng, Lopez, Tang, and Wong
Noes:
None
Abstain:
None
Absent:
None
Community Development Director Angelica Frausto-Lupo stated the motion passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and 0 Noes.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. PC MINUTES 12-16.19
Vice -Chair Lopez made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tang, to approve PC Minutes 12.16-19 as
presented.
Vote resulted in:
Ayes:
Berry, Eng, Lopez, Tang, and Wong
Noes:
None
Abstain:
None
Absent:
None
Director of Community Development Angelica Frausto-Lupo stated the motion passes with a vote of 5 Ayes and 0
Noes.
5. MATTERS FROM STAFF
Director of Community Development Angelica Frausto-Lupo stated she is excited to be here, thanked staff and the
Planning Commission for the warm welcome, and looks forward to working with everyone.
6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS
The Planning Commission welcomed Angelica Frausto-Lupo to the City of Rosemead, congratulated her, and stated
they look forward to working with her.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm
The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020, at 7:00 pm in
the Council Chambers.
Nancy Eng
Chair
ATTEST:
RachelLockwood
Commission Secretary