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PC - Item 4A - Minutes of November 2, 2020 Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 2, 2020 Commission Meeting will be held via teleconference and the public will have access to observe the meeting telephonically and to watch online. Ple-29-20 and N-35-20, there will not be a physical location from which the public may attend. If you have a request for an accommodation under the ADA contact: Ericka Hernandez (626) 569-2100. Agenda: Planning Commission agenda materials may be viewed online at www.Cityofrosemead.org Streaming: The meeting will be streamed live on the City web portal: http://www.Cityofrosemead.org/government/City_departments/City_clerk/meeting_agendas_and_minutes Listen to the meeting only by phone by dialing: 1(267)866-0999, Code ID:6163 10 9205 Remote Public Comments: Public comments will be received by calling (626) 569-2100 or via email at publiccomment@City line. All comments are public record and will be recorded in the official record of the City. The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Lopez at 7:00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice-Chair Vuong INVOCATION Commissioner Tang ROLL CALL Commissioners Berry, Leung, Tang, Vice-Chair Vuong, and Chair Lopez STAFF PRESENT City Attorney Thuyen, Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo, Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela, Associate Planner Lao, and Assistant Planner Wong. 1.EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS City Attorney Thuyen explained since there is not any public hearing items on the Agenda, an explanation is not necessary. 2.PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Public comments will be received by calling (626) 569-2100 or via email at publiccomment@Cityofrosemead.org by 5:00 p.m. You also have the option to email your subject line. All comments are public record and will be recorded in the official record of the City. See None 3.PUBLIC HEARINGS A.None 4.CONSENT CALENDAR A.PC MINUTES 10-19-20 Њ Vice-Chair Vuong made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tang, to approve PC Minutes 10-19-20 as presented. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Leung, Lopez, Tang, and Vuong Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Berry Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo stated the motion passes with a vote of 4 Ayes, 0 Noes, and 1 Absent. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated with this presentation staff will provide the Planning Commission with an overview of review process for Site Plan and Design Reviews for single-family homes. She explained there are two types of site plan and design reviews. The first is an Administrative Site Plan and Design Review, these projects are reviewed by Planning Division staff, and they are for; 1) New single family dwellings or residential additions under 2,500 square feet of developed livable area, 2) New hardscape directly adjacent to a new or remolded residential driveway, 3) Installation of a portable shade structure in the rear yard of a R-1 or R-2 lot, 4) Installation of new fences and walls in a residential front yard, and 5) Construction including expansion of square footage of any accessory structures and this could include patio covers, pools, and spas. She continued the second type of site plan and design review is the Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review. She explained these are reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and they are for; 1) New single family dwellings or residential additions that equal or exceeds 2,500 square feet, 2) any fill that would raise the building pad or the front yard elevation more than 24 inches above the natural grade, and/or, 3) the construction of a multi-family dwelling or apartment building in the R- 3 zone. She continued slide presentation, showed examples of single-family dwellings, and at conclusion stated she is available to answer any questions the Planning Commission may have. She added Vice-Chair Vuong also requested that a few pictures be shown. Chair Lopez asked if there were any questions or comments for staff. Vice-Chair Vuong requested staff to present the pictures. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated only one picture can be displayed at once. Vice-Chair Vuong made his request and referred to RMC Section 17.136.010(C) and asked staff how that code is enforced and what are some of the enforcement mechanisms. He also asked if there is any recourse for developers or homeowners when they are not meeting the design standards or guidelines. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied that RMC Section 17.136.010(C) is the Site Plan and Design Review code section of the Zoning Code and under purpose, it states that development projects shall be reviewed according to letters (A,B,C, D, E, F, & G), where letter (C) includes the Design Guidelines. She explained that because design guidelines are so subjective, staff consulted with the City Attorney's Office and determined that the City has the leverage to include the code in the comment letters and to work with each developer, Architect, and property owner to ensure they are applying these recommendations. Ћ Vice-Chair Vuong asked what the recourse is if they are not meeting the guidelines, and they claim they are subjective, and staff is only citing code. He asked what recourse the City has to stop the owner from making changes that does not comply on what the City envisions for design standards. He asked if there is penalty assessed, do their plans get rejected, or what is the recourse. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied staff can deny the project. City Attorney Thuyen stated this is a requirement for certain properties that are eligible to go through this process. He said that Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela mentioned the first code section which, is ending in .010, and that is the perfect section, and that gives some context on how you interpret this chapter. He added more specifically, there is a section ending in .040 (B) and that can be incorporated as well. He explained if the application is not consistent with the design guidelines, staff can ask for corrections, and if you look at Section 17.136.020 denial, then that would mean the applicant would not get their building permit or construction permit issued. He added that it is a strong incentive for the applicant to comply with the City design guideline requirements. Vice-Chair Vuong asked why the City is not really enforcing the Zoning Code on these projects, because for projects like this photo and other houses, He asked if there is a reason why. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied that staff has always enforced the Zoning Code, and in the past with guidelines, it has been so subjective, but in reviewing the code section, and having a long discussion with the Community Development Director and the City Attorney, it is clear that staff can utilize this code section. She added, two weeks ago staff has been incorporating this into their letters. She explained that in the past, there h been issues with property owners or Architects not wanting to incorporate design elements, but recently, with the pandemic and people losing their jobs, they are trying to build the minimum. Vice-Chair Vuong referred to the Design Guidelines and what he takes away from the guidelines. He said it states that any renovations, remodels, or new construction that is built in a neighborhood would assumable match the neighborhood. He added in comparing these two homes (slide picture) and their styles, what makes this home compliant with the City's design standards. He commented there is mention of earth tone colors, but this home is bright, and how are the guidelines interpreted, its subjective and how do you ensure homeowners are interpreting the City's guidelines appropriately. He expressed he wants to respect home ability to make improvements to their homes and that they feel best at what they want. He added that he wants to have some type of consistency. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated that earth tone colors are the beiges, browns, off- whites. In addition, staff does not encourage property owners to have the same colors, so if they want to deviate from the colors staff would work with them. She explained that staff works diligently with the property owners and staff agrees with Vice-Chair Vuong with this home because it does need more design elements applied to that façade. After Vice-Chair Vuong brought this to staff's attention, we went and spoke with the property owner's and they agreed. The property owner stated they would like to improve the look of this home and asked staff what can they do that will not be too costly for them. She reported that staff gave the property owners some ideas and since then, they have improved the façade, which staff can show the Planning Commission. She asked for the picture and stated that staff did an inspection today and pointed out that the property owner incorporated some stone veneer, trimming around the windows, and the front door. She added that the Planner that approved this project is aware that design elements need to be applied to better these homes, not just for the City, but also for the property owner. Chair Lopez asked when the house demonstrated on the slide presentation was built. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied it was recently built this year. Chair Lopez commented then it was built within the City's current guidelines. Ќ Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied yes. Commissioner Tang asked when the plans for this property approved. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied it was approved at the end of last year. It has been an on-going project from 2019 to present and when Vice-Chair Vuong brought this to staff's attention, we agreed. She added the property owner was very willing to make those changes and they are happy. Staff is aware these design elements need to be applied, and now knowing that the code sections can provide them with leverage, staff is using that in their comment letters. Vice-Chair Vuong asked if the City's design guidelines and standards are comparable to the surrounding cities. He named cities surrounding Rosemead, like San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Alhambra and stated he is curious if they have similar guidelines. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied yes, and explained most cities do have guidelines, but because guidelines are subjective and some cities do not have that code section, they do not require people to incorporate all design elements. She reiterated that some cities do, and some cities don't. Vice-Chair Vuong asked if homeowners that renovate without informing the City, like if the repaint their home, would they need to follow the same design guidelines and standards. He asked how that works or does that only apply to renovations, remodels, and new construction. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied for most people that are repainting their homes and they are trying to change colors; staff receives a lot of calls from property owners and they ask if there are any rules or requirements. Planning Staff will refer to the design guidelines and let them know to keep it in the earth tone colors, but the majority will repaint it the existing color. She added for drastic changes they will come to the City, but the Zoning Code does not require you to come to the City to obtain approval for painting or repainting your home. Vice-Chair Vuong stated he lives in a Planned Development on Graves Avenue and Del Mar Avenue and one of his neighbors has repainted their home very differently than the Planned Development and his parents were told when they bought the home that they had to follow the same design elements as the other homes before any drastic changes could occur. He added the home is three different colors, one is a tannish green, a grey, and a blue, so would that home be out of place for a Planned Development or is that homeowner within its rights. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied in a Planned Development typically you have an HOA and you have requirements in that HOA of what colors you can paint your house. Vice-Chair Vuong stated he doesn't live where there is an HOA but lives in an area where most of the homes are pretty much the same. City Attorney Thuyen addressed Vice-Chair Vuong and directed him to look at Section 17.136.030 (B) and specifically Subsection 1G, and it mentions minor structural repairs and maintenance to structures and minor improvements would not be subject to this. He added this makes sense because staff cannot review every improvement in the City. He added the way he understands the code is that if there is something of a more significant improvement like an expansion, or grading or something along those lines, depending on how big or severe it will go to the Planning Commission or it goes to Administrative Staff review. Vice-Chair Vuong stated he understands, and the concern that he wants to understand are the consistency issues that the City is facing. He stated he just wants to make sure that consistency goes along with improvements and that there is curb appeal. He asked the Planning Commissioners if they have seen in the community if there needs to be any Ѝ changes or direction on this issue. He commented he feels more is needed and asked if there are any actual items that they can do so this can be addressed. Chair Lopez reminded the Planning Commission that these changes are not that old from what they originally had 10 or 15 years ago. He continued and stated that a lot of the homes are under different requirements and different restrictions that the City allowed, especially from 1992 and on, when the City allowed the mansionization of homes, but the City has tightened up the requirements and staff is doing a good job. He added it is just as the City Attorney stated, staff cannot monitor everything. He stated it is nice that the residents are calling and asking for advice when they do want to upgrade their homes. He stated the City has grown since he has been living here for 45 years and you see many changes and the City is just growing with them. He reiterated that staff is doing a good job and sometimes you will see that something is out of place and that is why he asked when this home was built because if it was built 10 or 15 years ago it may not have the same design guidelines that the City has today. He expressed that the community does change, neighborhoods tend to look the same, and bring in the same style. City Attorney Thuyen stated a lot of these items that would trigger this design review, expansion of home, or addition would require a building permit and some other approval as well. He explained that would build into this enforcement and sometimes people will do it without proper City permits and that is something you have to watch out for in terms of code enforcement, but as a general approach the way it is crafted is if you are going to build a home however big, get permits for it, staff always get a say on what the aesthetics should be to keep the community character. Commissioner Tang asked if there is an internal approval policy when Planners and staff review these development proposals. Planning Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied for site plan reviews of new homes, the Planning staff would review it together. She explained she sits down with both Planners and they look at the design of the home and they would address improving the design by applying design elements from the design guidelines. She stated together they review the floor plan, site plan, landscaping and elevations, to determine what can be improved. She stated reviews are done as a team, but if it is an addition that is small, then the Planners would review the projects themselves. Commissioner Tang requested to display the previous slide and he asked in this case, staff would originally make recommendations to improve the design of this particular property. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied that is correct. Commissioner Tang stated in this case and asked what happened here, how was staff not able to incorporate those design recommendations. He added in this particular case, permits should not have been granted in the first place because if you look at the home, it does not meet the City code standards. He expressed if that's the case, then there is a gap in the code. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated there is not a gap in the code and explained that it was reviewed by a Planner and this is something staff has corrected by reviewing projects as a team. Vice-Chair Vuong asked if future approvals be made as a team or will it still be left to a single Planner to review. He asked what has changed other than making sure we at least cite the code. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied staff will cite the code and together if there are any facade changes that effects the curb appeal, the team together would review the elevation plans. Commissioner Tang expressed that he likes the before and after as it shows the improvements that the developer has made, but still needs to put lipstick on it. He recommended that it still needs a lot of work in terms of design and he likes how it looks after, but he knows the developer is working with what they have. Given that the construction looks Ў like it has been completed, but there is a standard that he feels is not being met from the design perspective. He added in this case if the plans were already approved, he asked if they can deviate from the plans. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela replied they can request minor modifications which, staff can approve, but deviating completely no, they cannot. Commissioner Tang stated he appreciates Vice-Chair Vuong bringing this to the Planning Commission's attention, because Rosemead is a legacy community, there are a lot of people that have lived here for a long time, and there are homes that are a lot older, because it is an older community. He added now we are starting to see a transition where those people that have owned those older homes are moving and people are buying them, demolishing them, and developing newer homes, so he agrees with Commissioner Lopez that the community evolves over time. He stated that we are seeing newer developments, but he also sees it as an opportunity to implement and to have certain design standards, so that we beautify our community and create a community for years to come. He added a lot of these people including this home, are going to construct these homes, and they will be there for the next 20 to 40 years, so there should be a level of standards. He stated he liked the presentation where staff showed the before and after and what it would look if it didn't have the design standards because we need to have those types of standards. He reiterated that the examples that Vice-Chair Vuong referenced to does not meet that standard at all. Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela agreed. Vice-Chair Vuong commented that the Planning Commission and staff try to be consistent with the design standards for projects. He added he has expectations from staff, this is our community, and we want to see this community transform, be vibrant, and attractive to both current and future residents. He hopes with this correction and any potential future changes that we do keep that in mind. He expressed he wants to continue to live in Rosemead and see Rosemead grow for the better and make sure that the neighborhood reflects that. He does not think that is too much to ask, he really appreciates staff bringing this up, and having this discussion with his colleagues. He thanked everybody. Chair Lopez thanked everyone and asked if there were any further questions or comments. Seeing none, Chair Lopez thanked staff and stated they did a great job and as they move along things are starting to look better. He stated some of these options and designs that are coming in really show the effect of what they do, when they sit with the Planner's, you sit with the designer, and it really shows. He added staff is doing an excellent job, but it is also good to bring this up as far as anything new for the Planning Commission because sometimes they don't see projects when they are under 2,500 square feet. The Planning Commission gets to see the larger projects, but it shows that staff is dedicated, they are putting a lot of effort to make sure our community comes together really nice, and thanked staff. Commissioner Tang stated he would like to add that he appreciates staff's hard work on this, as well, and a lot of the plans that the Planning Commission has reviewed, they have seen remarkable homes being built by some amazing Architects and developers that work in the City and knows our City. He added an overwhelming majority of those plans that the Planning Commission gets to see, will be worked through, where staff does a fantastic job with it. He stated it is a small percentage of those applicants that will just try to build something at bare minimum to just get through and those are the ones that we cannot just let our guard down. He expressed that they need to be held to the same standards as a developer that would bring in a nice project and he thinks that it is the consistency that Vice-Chair Vuong is mentioning. Chair Lopez stated he agreed and asked if there are any further comments or questions. Commissioner Leung stated he agrees as well, and it was very important for Vice-Chair Vuong to bring this up. He added he is very thankful for all the hard work from everyone. Џ B. APPOINTMENT OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER Director of Community Development Director Frausto-Lupo stated staff is asking the Planning Commission to discuss amongst themselves and come up with a consensus on who from the Planning Commission will be the representative for the Housing Development Subcommittee. She stated there are three interested Planning Commissioners, Michael Vuong, John Tang, and James Berry. James Berry is not present this evening, but staff is hoping they will be able to select a representative tonight. Commissioner Tang addressed Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo and stated before the Planning Commission decides on a representative, is there an explanation of the scope of work of this subcommittee. Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo stated City Council recently decided to have the Housing Development Subcommittee to help identify potential planning and designing tools, such as for example; small lot subdivisions, six-cycle regional housing needs assessment the RHNA allocations, as well as the housing updates. She added these are the topics the subcommittee will be discussing. Commissioner Tang stated based on that, he knows it was Commissioners Berry, Vuong, and himself that submitted interest in participating, but he knows Commissioner Vuong has been studying the policy of RHNA numbers and working with local cities on that, so he does not mind stepping back, and letting Commissioner Vuong take this position, because he is more knowledgeable in this policy area. Chair Lopez asked Vice-Chair Vuong if he accepts Commissioner Tang's recommendation. Vice-Chair Vuong accepted and expressed he is excited. He added this is a great opportunity to really see where we place housing in the City. He added small lots is something the City has not tried and who knows it could be a good opportunity for new homeowners. Chair Lopez asked if a vote will need to be taken to approve this and commented if a vote is not needed Vice-Chair Vuong is an excellent choice. City Attorney Thuyen stated a vote will not be necessary because this was to get direction from a consensus from the Planning Commission. Chair Lopez stated Vice-Chair Vuong will be the Planning Commission Representative on the Housing Development Subcommittee. Vice-Chair Vuong thanked his colleagues. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Vice-Chair Vuong asked if there will be a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020. Director of Community Development Frausto-Lupo replied no and explained that based at this time, there are no projects to present before the Planning Commission. She announced that that Rachel Lockwood is retiring and reminded the Planning Commission that if they need to contact the department to please contact her or Planning & Economic Development Manager Valenzuela. Planning Commissioners Leung, Tang, Vice-Chair Vuong, and Chair Lopez thanked Rachel Lockwood. А 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers. ______________________________________ Chair Lopez Chair ATTEST: __________________________________ Angelica Frausto-Lupo Commission Secretary Б