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PC - Minutes - 08-05-24Minutes of the PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING August 5, 2024 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Berry at 7:05 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Tang INVOCATION — Commissioner Escobar ROLL CALL — Chair Berry, Vice -Chair Escobar, Commissioner Lopez, Commissioner Tang and Commissioner Ung are present. STAFF PRESENT — Director of Community Development Valenzuela, Assistant Planner Dabbous, and Commission Liaison Lam EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS Chair Berry reads item number two from the agenda. 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) 24.03 — Zhaohui Hu has submitted a Conditional Use Permit application, requesting to establish a massage services use. The business will encompass one unit totaling 1,239 square feet of area. The proposed use will be located at Fortress Plaza, an existing shopping center on the southwest comer of Garvey Avenue and River Avenue. More specifically, the proposed location is 8966 Garvey Avenue, Unit F (APN: 5282-010-030) in the Medium Commercial with Residential/Commercial Mixed -Use Development and Design Overlays (C-3/RC-MUDO/D-0) zone. Per Rosemead Municipal Code Table 17.16.020.1, approval of a Conditional Use Permit is required to establish a massage services use within the Medium Commercial (C-3) zone. CEQA — Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines exempts projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Accordingly, CUP 24-02 is classified as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15301 of CEQA guidelines. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 1 of 5 STAFF RECOMMENDATION — It is recommended that the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 24-08 with findings (Exhibit "A"), and APPROVE Conditional Use Permit 24-02, subject to the 33 conditions outlined in Attachment "A" attached hereto. Assistant Planner Dabbous presented the staff report. Chair Berry opened the Public Hearing. Vice Chair Escobar commented that this project meets all minimum zoning requirements, and the Chief of Police did not note any concerns with the proposed establishment. Commissioner Lopez asked how many massage establishments are in the vicinity of the proposed site. Assistant Planner Dabbous answered that within the two blocks of the proposed site, there are three existing massage establishments, and this would be the fourth. Commissioner Lopez further asked if the three other establishments had any issues or issues with the police. Assistant Planner Dabbous replied that staff verified with the Chief of Police and routine checks or inspections are completed. They did not have any concerns or issues for the proposed site. Commissioner Tang asked since staff mentioned that there are no issues with the current proposed site, if there are any issues with the other three massage establishments. Assistant Planner Dabbous replied that staff did not have the statistics for the three other massage establishments, however, staff could provide an update to the Commissioners. Commissioner Tang commented that he noticed that the staff report included a crime report and asked if there is a specific reason why it was included for massage services, but not any other projects. Assistant Planner Dabbous responded that massage establishments are considered a sensitive use. The Code Enforcement Team and the Chief of Police do conduct routine inspections; the City has an Act for conditions enlisted for projects like these. Director Valenzuela added that the Code Enforcement Team conducts random inspections of massage establishments, and we have not had any issues with the massage establishments within that vicinity. Commissioner Tang further commented that we should be mindful of the number of massage establishments growing within the same vicinities. We do not want a saturation of the same type of business within the same vicinity rather than other types of businesses we would want. Chair Berry opens the floor for the applicant to speak. The applicant's designer, Sherry Shi stated her name. She wanted to know if they are allowed to install a shower in this establishment. Chair Berry replied that the question is part of the design aspect. Assistant Planner Dabbous responded that based on the massage ordinance, a shower can be implemented. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 2 of 5 Mrs. Shi expressed further that the reason why she is concerned is because in the past, their request was denied in other cities. Chair Berry explained if you have any design questions regarding what you are allowed to install or the design of your project, the Planning Division can provide you with the right direction. Mrs. Shi did not have any further questions, just concems regarding the shower design. There being no additional questions or public comments, Chair Berry closed the hearing period and requested a motion and a second motion. ACTION: Vice -Chair Escobar motioned to approve the project and Commissioner Ung seconded the motion. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez, Tang and Ung Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Director Valenzuela explained the 10 -day appeal process. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR PC MINUTES 06.017.24 Chair Berry requested motions to approve the minutes. ACTION: Commissioner Lopez motioned to approve, and Chair Berry seconded the motion. Vote resulted in: Ayes: Berry, Escobar, Lopez and Ung Noes: None Abstain: Tang Absent: None Vote resulted in 4 Ayes, 0 Noes, and 1 Abstain, 0 Absent. 5. MATTERS FROM STAFF Director Valenzuela kindly reminded the Commissioners that National Night Out is this Friday, August 91h and the festivities will begin at 6:00 pm. If the Commissioners have not RSVP, please let her know. Chair Berry thanked Director Valenzuela. He added that the City will be giving out 500 backpacks. 6. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR & COMMISSIONERS Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 3 of 5 Commissioner Tang commented that he noticed a few letters of the Rosemead Place Shopping Center freestanding sign is not lit again and requested staff to contact the property owner. He expressed that there must be a better way to maintain the signage and wondered if the City could help with upgrading the signage. Director Valenzuela responded that staff has discussed this issue with the property owner serval times and the height of the signage is the reason why it has taken them longer. However, staff will reach out to the property owner again. Commissioner Lopez inquired about the status of Da Vien Coffee. Director Valenzuela replied that we are getting close. Da Vien Coffee has submitted their tenant improvement plans; they are expecting to be opened sometime in the Fall. We are hoping that they will be open in November. Commissioner Ung asked what the status is for the Starbucks on the comer of San Gabriel Boulevard and Garvey Avenue. Director Valenzuela replied that Staff has been reaching out to Edison. Edison is the issue; they must install a new transformer and the process takes a long time. She added that Staff has requested Edison to expedite the project, which they are currently plan checking. Chair Berry asked what the construction is on Walnut Grove Avenue and Garvey Avenue. Director Valenzuela answered that its a Public Works project and unfortunately, she did not know the details of the project. However, she will find out and email the Commissioners with an update. Commissioner Tang requested if the Commissioners could get updates on new applicants for commercial projects, so the Commissioners are aware of what is happening and what is coming into the City. Director Valenzuela replied that in the future for staff comments, she would provide updates on future businesses coming into the City. She added that several of these new businesses are receiving Commercial Improvement Programs grants from our City. Commissioner Lopez asked the status on the vacant auto auction lot Director Valenzuela responded that the project has not moved since the concept presentation ADJOURNMENT Chair Berry adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m. The next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 4of5 ATTEST: L Lam Administrative Assistant Rosemead Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 5of5