Loading...
PC - Minutes - 04-15-24Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 15, 2024 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Berry at 7:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Vice -Chair Escobar INVOCATION — Commissioner Tang ROLL CALL — Commissioners Lopez, Commissioner Tang, Commissioner Ung, Vice -Chair Escobar, and Chair Berry. STAFF PRESENT — Deputy Director of Community Development Valenzuela, Associate Planner Lao, and Commission Liaison Lam 1. 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. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DESIGN REVIEW (DR) 23.01 and Tentative Tract Map 83992 — Viet Mai has submitted a Design Review and Tentative Tract Map application, requesting to utilize the City's Small Lot Ordinance for the subdivision of one parcel into five small lots. Each lot will contain one, three-story single-family dwelling unit with an attached two -car garage. The proposed project will also consist of new site improvements, which includes landscaping, lighting, and solid waste and recyclable material collection facilities. Per Rosemead Municipal Code Section 17.12.030(2)(g), the granting of a Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review and Tract Map is required for a small lot subdivision. The subject site is located at 4036 Walnut Grove Avenue (APN: 5391-006-024) in the Medium Multiple Residential (R-3) zone. CEQA — Class 32, 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 public services. Accordingly, Design Review 23-01 and Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024 1of5 Tentative Tract Map 83992 are 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. 24-04 with findings (Exhibit "A") and APPROVE Design Review 23-01 and Tentative Tract Map 83992, subject to the 89 conditions outlined in Attachment "A" attached hereto. Associate Planner Lao presented the staff report Chair Berry opened the Public Hearing Vice -Chair Escobar commented that the project is consistent with all development standards and general plan policies. VMT analysis shows less than significant impact and the site can be adequately served by utilities and public services. The project will contribute five more units to the RHNA allocation. Commissioner Tang commented that the small lot subdivision is new to our City and questioned if the ordinance has been adopted and implemented in other cities. Associate Planner replied yes, the City of Los Angeles has a small lot ordinance. Commissioner Tang asked if there are potential or unforeseeable consequences with this type of development. Associate Planner responded that the City has approved two small lot subdivision projects. One for the Cassia project with Shea Homes and the second for the Muscatel Avenue project. She added that small Lots contribute to the RHNA allocation and it increases the chances of homeownership. The City has not seen any negative impact yet. Commissioner Tang further commented if the City anticipated any short- or long-term issues that may arise with residents or with the City. Deputy Director of Community Development Valenzuela replied that at the current moment, the City currently does not anticipate issues arising. This is an opportunity for homeowners to have more than one unit on the lot because they are minimal in size. The City has not seen any issues, however, if it becomes an issue, the City will bring them to the Commissioner's attention. She added, through the Zoning Code Update, the Commercial Task Force Subcommittee is pursuing small lots within the mixed-use development zone to provide residents an opportunity for homeownership. Commissioner Tang agrees and appreciates the opportunities it will allow for homeownership. He further asked since the trash receptacles are shared, who pays for the maintenance and management. Associate Lao responded that all small lot subdivisions must have a maintenance agreement. The maintenance agreement shall be executed, and the property owners shall maintain the common areas. Commissioner Tang questioned if the maintenance agreement is legally binding, like an HOA Associate Lao replied that it will need to be recorded, but it is not an HOA. Commissioner Tang asked again if it is legally binding. Deputy Director Valenzuela responded that it is recorded against the property Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024 2of5 Commissioner Tang further asked if the homeowner decides not to pay maintenance agreement, what would happen Deputy Director Valenzuela replied that she does not believe the homeowners would not have that option. City Attorney Gutierrez added that these agreements are similar to how HOA works. If something is recorded on the property, it gives the purchaser notice that if you want to purchase the property, it would be a requirement of the purchase. Commissioner Tang thanked them for the clarification Commissioner Ung commented on the building height and the wall between the roof decks. These housing units are adjoining, but each will have their own roof decks and the residents may have a desire to have some sort of screen security separation. If they added to the height, they would be going over the maximum building height. They may need to reduce the floor -to -floor height to give the homeowner a five-foot wall between each of the adjoining homes. Chair Berry approves of the small subdivision project. He is glad the City is heading in this direction because the City needs more housing. Chair Berry opened the floor to the applicant to speak The applicant's representative, Philip Chan, stated his name and introduced himself as the applicant's architect for the project. He is excited to be presenting the small sub -division project in the City of Rosemead. Mr. Chan has had positive experiences with the small lot subdivisions in the City of Los Angeles, Silverlake, and East Hollywood. He states that it is an efficient way to utilize the lot without going through the strenuous HOA process. Mr. Chan and his team submitted their application over a year ago and they made sure they addressed all of staffs comments and concerns, especially since a small sub -division is new to the City of Rosemead. Mr. Chan further commented that the maintenance agreement is required, which will address the maintenance issues at the property, including the shared usage of the trash enclosure. Mr. Chan and his team drove around nearby neighborhoods to check out the architectural designs and noticed a lot of the designs were dated and boxy. His team decided on a modem style and cozy design for these homes; it would be a fresh look along the main street. Mr. Chan brought with him a sample of a wood siding that will be part of the design; it is made from composite material that is new on the market which is durable and requires less maintenance. Chair Berry asked about the roof deck area, what will be there, and how it will be utilized. Mr. Chan replied that ultimately it will be up to the residents who will be living there; however, a portion of the roof will be dedicated to solar panels. Although there may not be a lot of space on the ground floor, there are balconies on the second floor where the residents can utilize the space. Mr. Chan further explains that they did not have a lot of design on the roof deck simply because they want to make it more flexible for the residents. He added that they can add a planter box, but they will need to add irrigation for maintenance for the plants which would help with privacy screening on the roof deck. Commissioner Ung commented that plants for screening are acceptable, but once you attach anything it will become conflicting to the maximum building height. Mr. Chan answered that they can discuss adding a planter that is three and half feet long that will be suitable for any planting on the roof deck that requires less maintenance with his landscape architect. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024 3of5 Vice Chair Escobar commented that a small lot ordinance is a great way to create new homeownership opportunities compared to traditional single-family homes or condos. Commissioner Lopez commented that the wall height for roof deck is forty-two inches, therefore, there is no privacy on roof deck. Mr. Chan responded that unfortunately they are at the maximum building height and forty-two inches is the minimum requirement for guard rails. Commissioner Lopez further commented that the guard rails are not that high, and his concern is for the safety of the children or anyone on the roof deck. Mr. Chan replied that there is a little setback for the guard rails to ensure it is not up against the edge of the building. Commissioner Tang commented that the guard rails are the same height at hotels, it is about forty-two inches. Commissioner Ung commented that she appreciates that the units are adjoining since the last reviewed were separate units, which caused a reduced number of units on the lot. Having these homes adjoined allows for more units on the lot, which creates a more interesting fagade. There being no additional questions or public comments, Chair Berry closed the hearing period and requested for a motion and a second motion. ACTION: Chair Berry motioned to approve, and Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion to adopt PC Resolution 24-04. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez, Ung, and Tang Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Vote resulted in 5 Ayes, 0 Noes 0 Absent 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. PC MINUTES 03.18-24 Chair Berry request motions to approve the minutes. ACTION: Commissioner Ung to approve and Vice Chair Escobar seconded the motion. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez, and Ung Noes: None Abstain: Tang Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024 4 of 5 Absent. None Vote resulted in 5 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Abstain and 0 Absent. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF No Matters from staff. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS No Matters from staff. Vice -Chair Escobar praised Staff for all their hard work. Commissioner Ung seconded Vice -Chair Escobar's comment. ADJOURNMENT Chair Berry adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m. The next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. ATTEST: a _42� Linda Lam Administrative Assistant Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2024 5of5 v 'k.ak �= James Berry Chair