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CDC - 02-24-04• • , "'%',it0vED C1't ' 0 - RO 'EME 1) MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING V j} ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 2004 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Community Development Commission was called to order by Chairman Vasquez at 7:03 p.m. in the conference room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the flag was led by Commissioner Imperial. The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Alarcon. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Commissioners Alarcon, Imperial, Taylor, Vice-Chairman Clark, Chairman Vasquez Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 10, 2004 - REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER IMPERIAL that the Commission approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 10, 2004 as submitted. Vote resulted: Aye: Alarcon, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 1. CDC RESOLUTION NO. 2004-03 CLAIMS AND DEMANDS The following Resolution was presented to the Agency for adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2004-03 CLAIMS AND DEMANDS A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $50,843.66 AND DEMANDS NO. 7278 THROUGH 7286 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER IMPERIAL, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ALARCON that the Commission adopt Resolution No. 2004-03. Vote resulted: CDCMINUTES:2-24-04 Page N I C 0 Aye: Alarcon, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial, Taylor No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 2. PRESENTATION BY HOGLE-IRELAND - HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND THE IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES OF CEQA AS IT RELATES TO LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING PROCESSES AND STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT (ER) GUIDELINES Larry Hogle of Hogle-Ireland, gave a presentation to the Commission on the history of the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) and an overview of the implementation measures of CEQA. Mr. Hogle explained that projects subject to CEQA are projects undertaken by a public agency that the agency has approval authority over, which includes private development. CEQA applies to or deals with physical impacts on the environment caused by a project. Mr. Hogle addressed the concerns and problems involved with the Environmental Impact Report (E.I.R.). State law requires various time frames to allow for public input. Mr. Hogle stated that E.I.R.'s do not approve or disapprove a project. It is an informational document only. An E.I.R. addresses the potential environmental impacts and identifies how to mitigate any problems. Mr. Hogle continued that while an agency does not approve an E.I.R., State law allows an agency to certify the E.I.R. that it adequately addresses the environmental impacts of a project. The agency may then approve or disapprove a project. Mr. Hogle stated that State law provides for the agency to recover the E.I.R. costs from the developer. The E.I.R. has to be certified prior to proceeding with the project. Mr. Hogle continued that State law does not require that every impact be totally mitigated, but, they have to be mitigated to the extent feasible. And, State law allows the agency to provide a Statement of Overriding Considerations to approve a project even if a project has negative impacts. Mr. Hogle then answered questions from the Commissioners. 3. GARVEY AVENUE CONCEPT PLANS - LANDWIN INVESTMENTS Doug Joyce, of Onyx Architects, introduced Sunny Chen of Landwin Investments, and presented an overview of a proposed project located at the northwest corner of San Gabriel Boulevard and Garvey Avenue. Mr. Joyce stated that the project site will consist of 50 senior citizen units, 150 condominiums and a 120-room hotel project. Restaurants and shops will be located along the street. Mr. Joyce stated that this development is designed to make it inviting for people to come and shop, and to create an urban environment for people living or staying there. Commissioner Taylor asked about the parking requirements. CDCMINUTES:2.24-04 Page #2 • 0 Mr. Joyce stated that the project has approximately 500 stalls, but that a parking study still needs to be done. Mr. Joyce continued that the restaurants and hotel parking requirements will be addressed as they progress with the project. Commissioner Taylor stated that he is concerned that the development will not have adequate parking spaces. Mr. Taylor asked if the entire 7 stories of the hotel will be above ground. Mr. Taylor continued that one of the biggest complaints from residents is the loss of privacy, hotel patrons will be looking down into their backyards, and the site plan does not indicate how close the project is to residential properties. Mr. Taylor stated that this can become a big problem, and asked what the City's current zoning requirements are for hotels. Brad Johnson, Planning Director, replied that it is 75 feet. Mr. Johnson stated that the adjacent areas to the development consists of four trailer parks, with the developer, Mr. Chen, owning two of them. The trailer parks to the north and west are zoned C-3, medium commercial which does not have the variable height setback requirements that commercial zones next to an R-I or R-2 zone have. Commissioner Taylor asked how close R-I homes are to that area. Mr. Johnson replied that they are hundreds of feet away. Commissioner Taylor stated that this will set a precedent for other developments of this type to come in. Commissioner Imperial stated that anything developed there within reason will be an improvement, especially if it fills a need in the community. Vice-Chairman Clark asked, hypothetically, if the motel property was purchased, could the hotel then be designed with less stories and more width. Mr. Joyce replied that the hotel is designed to be a symbol and visible from a distance. Mr. Joyce explained that at one point a site plan that worked very well was developed utilizing the motel property. However, that option is not available at present. Vice-Chairman Clark asked if the project, including the motel, is in the redevelopment area. Mr. Johnson explained that half of the project, mainly the eastern portion which includes the hotel, senior housing and a portion of the restaurants on San Gabriel Boulevard, which includes the motel, are within the redevelopment project area. Commissioner Alarcon asked who is the franchise holder. Mr. Chen replied that Best Western has agreed, and that he is also in discussions with Holiday Inn. CDCMINVPES:2-24-04 Page n3 0 Commissioner Alarcdn stated that Garvey Avenue has problems with day laborers. Have they addressed the problem of them gathering on the comers or in front of the proposed restaurant. Commissioner Imperial stated that anything in that area will be an improvement, and that something needs to be done so that it will be safe for people to walk up and down those streets. Mr. Joyce stated that if a project is done well, it is a transforming thing for that district. Mr. Joyce explained that if there is enough of a good presence there, then it will push the undesirable elements to go elsewhere. Vice-Chairman Clark asked about relocating the trailer park residents. Mr. Joyce replied that a relocation plan will be in place before approval of the project. Vice-Chairman Clark asked Mr. Chen if some of the trailer park residents have already moved and has he purchased their trailers. Mr. Chen replied that he owns 20% to 30% of the trailers, and is buying the trailers as they become available. At present he is leasing the trailers. Mayor Vasquez stated that he is concerned with the height of the hotel, and if there will be adequate foot traffic for the proposed restaurants. Mr. Vasquez gave as an example Paseo Colorado Mall in Pasadena. Several of their restaurants have closed recently due to lack of foot traffic. Mr. Vasquez continued that there are several nice developments in the Pasadena area on Walnut and Hudson that are four to five stories. Mr. Joyce explained that the proposed hotel is two stories in the front and work up to seven stories in the back units. Mayor Vasquez stated that he is very concerned that the restaurants will not get the necessary foot traffic. Commissioner Taylor asked how many restaurants are proposed. Mr. Joyce replied that they proposing two to three areas with restaurants. Vice-Chairman Clark asked how many stories does the hotel being built in San Gabriel have. Mr. Joyce replied that the hotel is six stories and that it is one of Mr. Chen's projects. Vice-Chairman Clark asked if the hotel abuts residential properties. CDCMINU7ES:2-24-04 Page a4 C Commission Attorney Peter Wallin replied that hotel requires buffer zones, and that no windows will be overlooking residential backyards. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER IMPERIAL, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ALARCON that the Commission find the subject concept plan is consistent with the goals of the Redevelopment Plan subject to determining that the traffic, parking, environmental and architectural design studies indicate the project is feasible. Before vote could result, Vice-Chairman Clark confirmed that the Commission has the option to discuss and or disapprove the height of the hotel in the future. Vote resulted: 2. 3. 4. p.m. Aye: Alarcdn, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Abstain: Taylor Absent: None The Chairman declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Commissioner Taylor stated that he abstained pending further information. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS - None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADJOURNMENT MATTERS - None There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 Respectfully submitted: Commission Secretary APPROVED: CDCMINVrES:2-24-04 Page #5