Loading...
PC - Minutes - 02-05-24Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING February 5, 2024 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Berry at 7:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Tang INVOCATION — Commissioner Berry ROLL CALL — Commissioners Lopez, Tang, Vice -Chair Escobar, Chair Berry. Commissioner Ung was absent. STAFF PRESENT— Deputy Directorof Community Development Valenzuela, Associate Planner Lao, and Commission Liaison Lam. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS City Attorney Stephanie Gutierrez presented the procedure and appeal rights of the meeting. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE There being no comments, Chair Berry opened and closed the Public Comment period. PUBLIC HEARINGS DESIGN REVIEW (DR) 23.04 — Taiwan Center of Greater Los Angeles has submitted a Design Review application, requesting to construct a new three-story 42,041 square feet commercial complex, which will consist of offices, retail, restaurants, and a community hall. The granting of a Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review is required for any proposal to construct a new building of three thousand (3,000) gross square feet or more in the P-0, C-1, C-3, CBD, CI -MU, and M-1 zones. The proposed project will also consist of new site improvements pertaining to off-street parking, landscaping, lighting, and solid waste and recyclable material collection. The subject site is located at 3001-3027 Walnut Grove Avenue (APN: 5288-001-040, 5288-001-041, 5288-001-042, and 5288-001-043) in the Medium Commercial with Residential/Commercial Mixed -Use Development and Design Overlays (C-3/RC-MUDO/D-0) zone. CEQA — Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act exempts projects characterized as in -fill development if the project meets the following conditions: 1) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations, 2) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses, 3) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species, 4) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and 5) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 1of6 public services. Accordingly, Design Review 23-04 is classified as a Class 32 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA guidelines. STAFF RECOMMENDATION — It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 24- 01 with findings (Exhibit "A"), and APPROVE Design Review 23-04, subject to the 109 conditions outlined in Attachment "A" with the modification of Conditional of Approval No. 59 to state: "Prior to the issuance of the first occupancy permit, a sign shall be posted at the project driveway exit that states, "No left -tum". The same sign shall also be posted on the building exterior at the project driveway entrance to restrict left turns into the project from northbound Walnut Grove Avenue. The City Engineer shall determine the location of both signs." Associate Planner Lao presented the staff report. Chair Berry opened the Public Hearing. Vice -Chair Escobar has no comments. Commissioner Lopez asked if Taiwan Center has already signed leases for the commercial spaces or will the leasing begin after the project is completed. He has noticed that some of these projects take years to complete. Chair Berry commented that he also noticed that some of these buildings in Rosemead and in other cities are vacant for a long time. Chair Berry added that he understands times are tough, but he knows that other cities have done a Master Lease. In case this becomes a bigger problem, he asked if the applicant may want to consider a Master Lease with businesses and restaurants that are well established. Associate Lao replied that she can defer that question to the applicant regarding the Master Lease since it is private property. Chair Berry replied that this is something the city would do. The City would take out the Master Lease for the retail spaces to help bring in businesses that the city prefers at either a discounted rate or provide the businesses with a discounted tax rate. Deputy Director Valenzuela responded that the city has never done a Master Lease. There is nothing in our code that requires that. At this moment it is up to the applicant to decide who they would like to lease to. She understands that the retail market at this moment is difficult and believes they have an idea of who their tenants would be. Commissioner Lopez asked if a grease trap will be built for the cafe and what would happen if they decided to relocate to a different unit. Associate Lao responded that the applicant did not inform Staff of any future tenants. However, these uses are permitted by right, so the applicant can propose an interior tenant improvement or modification if they wish to do so. Also, she would like to defer these questions to the applicant representative or the applicant who can better answer the questions about future tenants. Commissioner Tang commented that he does recall this project from last year and asked if this project is the same as last year, but just without residential. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 2of6 Associate Lao confirmed that his statement is correct Commissioner Tang added that he appreciates that they are keeping the community hall, which he believes is a great addition to the project. However, he does have concerns about parking and circulation. He understands it is referenced in AB2097, which was assigned into law effective this year, which doesn't require them to have parking spaces. He inquired how many parking spaces they are offering onsite. Associate Lao replied that they are offering 104 parking spaces. Commissioner Tang asked if they were to require to, how many do they must provide Associate Lao responded that they must provide 209 parking spaces. Commissioner Tang further expressed his concerns about parking because there is always tension with commercials properties on major corridors since they are next to residential streets. We received complaints from residents that there has been an increase in traffic, people parking in the streets, or blocking their driveways. We want to be mindful of this issue. He wonders if we can work with developers during this project and any other future projects that do not require us to follow the parking spaces requirements to mitigate these issues. In terms of the bill that states if a project is located within half a mile of a public transit, can staff or the city attorney define what it means to have a public transit. Associate Lao answered that in the bill AB 2097 public transit define as a bus stop or anything that has intervals of 15 minutes or more. We do consistently check our bus routes along the city; Valley Boulevard and Garvey Avenue have bus lines that do have 15 minutes intervals or more, therefore the project does qualify, and are exempt. Commissioner Tang commented that if they are 20 minutes intervals that would not qualify Associate Lao confirmed that Commissioner Tang's statement was correct. Chair Berry opened the floor for the applicant to speak. The applicant, Paul Chen stated his name and introduced himself as the current President of the Taiwan Center Foundation. He stated that the Taiwan Center has been operating from the project site for the past 26 years. The community elders have expressed their concerns that the building is too old, and they cannot attract new younger members. They operate as a non-profit 501 C3 Cultural Heritage Community Center for mostly Taiwanese Americans, but also other Asian Americans. They offer their space for free or at a discounted rate for the public to use. They noticed over the years that the buildings on Garvey Avenue have been remodeled and they would like to update their building as well. The applicant added that they started fundraising and getting bids to submit their plans to the city, however, the cost of the remodel has increased dramatically due to the rising inflation rates that they had to remove the residential portion of the project. Ultimately, the Center's goal is a Community Center that offers classes and a shared space for events to help unite the community from older to younger generations. The new plan will have offices and classrooms upstairs and retail on the ground floor with a cafe, souvenir shop, or a possible medical office and a fitness center. He agreed that it may be a good idea to have a Master lease. The retail spaces will serve as operating funds to run the center; he added that the center is run by volunteers. They are hopeful that this new plan will be economically feasible. Chair Berry thanked the applicant and the center for being in the community. He asked if the other commissioners have questions and comments. Commissioner Escobar commented that she liked the design of what they presented, and she is excited for this project. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 3of6 Chair Berry added that he is excited for that whole area to be redone because it is an old building and there have been issues in the past. Commissioner Lopez commented that he used to play racket ball in that building. He praised and thanked the community center for everything they have done over the years, such as opening its door for the voting polls. As much as the city has grown, he understands that the city needs housing, but the center is laying down a great foundation for education and culture. Culture is one of the strongest and biggest community outreach to everybody. Rosemead has really expanded in diversity and we have welcomed all cultures. He continued to praise the plan for the Taiwan Center and believes that the center will help bring the people back together and the retail spaces in the center will help with the fund the center. The applicant added that the elders of the Taiwan Center wanted to continue to keep the center in Rosemead because they have been in Rosemead for so long and they have a good relationship with the community. Commission Tang thanked the Taiwan Center for investing in the Rosemead community, bringing the community together, and offering their facilities to the community. He is sad that the residential part is no longer in the project because we are in need of housing, especially in our community, but he understands the rising cost of building housing for the community. He appreciates them figuring out how to scale back the project to ft their budget and that it is still open to the community. He is curious to see what that would look like and what tenants they are able to get. They may get great restaurants, and too many people come through the center, and it may become an issue, however, we will figure out a solution when that day arises. The applicant responded that the original vision for the center is a simple cafe, nothing like a restaurant. They have worked with their architects to include grease traps, but he does not know who their tenants will be. Ideally, they would like a simple eatery, not a large-scale restaurant because of the limited parking space at the center. Although it is a community center, they do not have many visitors, but they are hopeful that after this project is completed, they will have more visitors. They are hoping to have a cafe or a bakery, so it will not cause heavy traffic. Commission Tang adds, a lot of eateries start off small and gain popularity, and if the food is good, people will come. Often when we look at project specific sites, especially located on Garvey Avenue, there is this whole corridor that we have been working hard to revitalize. He believes that this project will continue to help revitalization of Garvey Avenue. Seeing no additional questions, Chair Berry asked if there were any public comments. There being no additional questions or public comment, Chair Berry closed the hearing period and requested for motion and a second. ACTION: Chair Berry motion to approve Design Review 23-04 and PC Resolution 24-01 with the modification of Condition of Approval 59 and Commissioner Tang seconded the motion. City Attorney Gutierrez added to the recommendation and included that the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15332 of the CEQA guidelines. Chair Berry agreed, and motioned that the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15332 of the CEQA guidelines. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 4of6 Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez, and Tang Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Ung Vote resulted in 4 Ayes, 0 Noes 1 Absent 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. PC MINUTES 12-04.23 Commissioner Lopez made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Escobar, to approve PC Minutes 124-23 as presented. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez, and Tang Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Ung Vote resulted in 4 Ayes, 0 Abstain and 1 Absent. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Deputy Director Valenzuela reminds the commissioners that there will be a concept presentation with the Planning Commissioners and City Council nerd week for PCC, they are hoping to develop satellite campus. She would love the commissioners to join them. The presentation is next Tuesday, February 13th at 6:00 pm. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Lopez asked if there is an update on the homeless issue on the bridge on Garvey Avenue because it is growing. Deputy Director Valenzuela responded that it is under the County jurisdiction, and the City has tried to reach out to them, but she will inform our Rosemead team about the homeless issue. Commissioner Tang informed us that we recently lost a community member, the former General Manager at UFC Gym, Jason Carter. He is a big contributor to the Rosemead community, and he has been the manager there since it opened. It is a sad loss for the community. I hope we can adjourn the meeting on behalf of him. 7. ADJOURNMENT Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 5of6 Chair Berry adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. in Jason Carters name. The next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for Manch 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. ATTEST: Lin Lam Administrative Assistant Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 5, 2024 6of6