PC - Minutes 03-02-09Jr
Minutes of the
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
March 2, 2009
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Lopez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Commissioner Vuu
INVOCATION - Chairman Lopez
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Commissioners Cam, Gay, Vuu, Vice-Chairman Kunioka,
and Chairman Lopez.
OFFICIALS PRESENT: City Attorney Yin, Principal Planner Bermejo, Assistant Planner Trinh, and
Commission Secretary Lockwood.
1. EXPLANATION OF HEARING PROCEDURES AND APPEAL RIGHTS
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
City Manager Oliver Chi would like to announce publically that Sheri Bermejo has been doing a
fantastic job as Acting Planning Services Manager and is proud to announce to the Planning
Commission that she is now the official Principal Planner for the Planning Division. Shen works
hard and is very deserving. Thank you, Sheri.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes - January 20, 2009
Commissioner Vuu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gay, to approve the
minutes of January 20, 2009.
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Gay, Lopez, and Vuu
No: None
Abstain: Cam and Kunioka
Absent: None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07.1111 (Modification) - T-Mobile USA has submitted an
application to modify Conditional Use Permit 07-1111, requesting to increase the height of an
unmanned wireless monocypress tree from 40'-0" to 44'-6 located at 7839 Emerson Place in the R-2
(Light Multiple Residential) zone. (Lily Trinh, Assistant Planner)
PC RESOLUTION 09.04 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07-1111 (MODIFICATION), TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF AN
UNMANNED WIRELESS MONOCYPRESS TREE FROM 40'-0" TO 44'-6," LOCATED AT 7839
EMERSON PLACE IN THE R-2 (LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL) ZONE. (APN: 5287-020-039)
Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Conditional Use
Permit 07-1111 (Modification), for period of (6) months and adopt Resolution 09-04, subject to
conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
Vice-Chairman Kunioka made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gay, to approve
Conditional Use Permit 07.1111 (Modification), for period of (6) months and adopt
Resolution 09.04, subject to conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Cam, Gay, Kunioka, Lopez, and Vuu
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 09.01 - Howard Trieu has submitted a Conditional Use Permit
application, requesting to construct a new two-story second residential unit, totaling approximately
732 square feet, located at 2440 Denton Avenue in R-2 (Light Multiple Residential) zone.
(Lily Trinh, Assistant Planner)
PC RESOLUTION 09-05 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 09-01, REQUESTING TO CONSTRUCT A NEW TWO-STORY
SECOND RESIDENTIAL UNIT, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 732 SQUARE FEET, LOCATED
AT 2440 DENTON AVENUE, IN THE R-2 (LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL) ZONE. (APN: 5284-
024-031)
Recommendation - Staff recommends that the Planning Commission APPROVE Conditional Use
Permit 09-01, for period of one (1) year and adopt Resolution 09-05, subject to conditions outlined
in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
Vice-Chairman Kunioka would like it noted to remind staff that consistency should be kept in the
zoning code, referring to city codes 17.30.030 vs. 17.20.130.
Attorney Yin would like the bottom of page 8 and top of page 9 of resolution 09-05 noted for
correction, as text is pasted twice.
Kamen Lai commented that he would like to clarify some of the windows on second floor. Bedroom
#1, which faces east, has a 44 egress window and Bedroom #2, which faces west, has a 44
egress window, and a window in the hallway. These windows are very small and he would like to
make sure he will be allowed to keep these 3 windows.
Kamen Lai stated that trees will be 8 to 10 feet tall and will be planted spaciously around property if
needed. The applicant will also work with staff to include drought resistant trees and plants.
Vice-Chairman Kunioka made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Vuu, to approve
Conditional Use Permit 09.01, for period of one (1) year and adopt Resolution 09.05, subject
to conditions outlined in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Cam, Gay, Kunioka, Lopez and Vuu
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
5. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Lopez commented on the trash along Rosemead along the wash where La Victoria was.
He stated that we need to get a crew to clean it up or contact the state to take care of it.
Chairman Lopez stated that along Ramona, east of Walnut Grove, the weeds need to be cut
down.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied that this is maintained by Cal Trans and she will contact them to
take care of it.
Commissioner Gay stated the west bound exit on the 10 Freeway, at Temple City Boulevard, also
needs to be looked into.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied she will see if Cal Trans also maintains that exit.
Attorney Yin would like the Commissioners to direct staff to work on a list of drought resistant
plants for applicants to choose from.
Principal Planner will look into the drought tolerant issues and made reference that these issues
are goals, policies, and guidelines in the General Plan. She added that the comprehensive zoning
update will include standards.
Vice-Chairman Kunioka questioned if we had heard anything about Wal-Mart and the sound
mitigation on the roof top HVAC topics, and if anything has changed.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied we will be bringing Wal-Mart back for an Annual Review at the
March 16, 2009, Planning Commission Meeting, and that she is currently reviewing the studies.
Commissioner Vuu questioned if there are new projects coming into the City.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied yes and gave a brief description of a few of them.
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Commissioner Vuu questioned if all the projects that have been approved in the past are they on
hold.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied no, and stated that once we update the Zoning Code we will see
more projects coming in.
Chairman Lopez questioned how the mixed use project on Mission was doing.
Principal Planner Bermejo responded that applicant is having trouble finding tenants for the office
spaces and anticipates the applicant to submit an application to request a modification to allow
retail uses on the ground floor. The applicant is also having trouble leasing the apartments on the
second floor.
Chairman Lopez questioned the status of Cal Poultry.
Principal Planner Bermejo responded that she had not heard any new news, and let the Planning
Commission know that the ordinance never passed and that it was not approved by the City
Council.
Vice-Chairman Kunioka commented that the Land Use Law and Planning Conference he attended
on Friday, January 23, 2009, was very informative. He stated that every two years the
Planning Commissioners will have to have Ethics Training, and the Principle Planner is responsible
for scheduling this. Vice-Chairman Kunioka shared other topics that were discussed at the
conference.
6. MATTERS FROM THE PRINCIPAL PLANNER & STAFF
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that the Wal-Mart Review will take place at the next Planning
Commission Meeting on March 16, 2009.
Chairman Lopez questioned when Panda Express was going to open.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that staff is still reviewing their master sign program that they
submitted, and that the prospective tenants are Game Stop and Subway.
From the audience, a gentleman questioned the status of the projects located across the street
from Taco Bell on Valley and where Paul's Steak House use to be.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that the proposed mixed-use project near the southeast corner of
Rio Hondo and Valley is on hold. She also stated that a project was approved by the Planning
Commission last year at the old Paul Steakhouse site.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Vuu made a motion, seconded by Chairman Lopez to adjourn.
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Vote resulted in:
Yes: Cam, Gay, Kunioka, Lopez, and Vuu
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Chairman Lopez adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:06 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
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an el Lopez
Chairman
ATTEST:
Rachel Lockwood,
Commission Secretary