CC - Item 5B - CC Minutes Special Joint Meeting 5-28-2019 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
MAY 28, 2019
The special joint meeting of the Rosemead City Council and Planning Commission was called to
order by Mayor Clark at 5:40 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East
Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Mayor Clark, Mayor Pro Tern Armenta (arrived+at 5:44 p.m.), Council Members
Dang, and Ly; Chair Tang, Vice Chair Eng, Commissioners Herrera, and Vuong
ABSENT: Council Member Low; Commissioner Lopez :".. .
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Molleda, CityAttorney Richman,'Chief of Police Kusayanagi,
Director of Community Development Kim, "Planning and Economic\Development Manager
Valenzuela, and City Clerk Hernandez
, �.
1. WORKSHOP ,'
.; .y
A. Olson Company PIesentation,. on Proposed 29-Unit Residential Planned
Development �`\ ,.
Planning and Economic Development Manager Valenzuela stated the subject site
is located,-a -31.33\-3,141 Willard'Avenue •.informed Council that The Olson
Companrhas submitted a Pre`Apphication (Pre-Application 19-01), proposing to
develop-'a"new 29-unit residential planned development; noted the size of each
single-family dwelling varies from-.1,150 square feet to 1,800 square feet with an
attached-.two-car garage;'introduc4•`the applicant: Steve Armanino, Director of
Development, The Olson Company'to present the project in detail.
\Applicant MK. ArmaiIino'stated The Olson Company entered into agreement to
\purchase subject propertHn':December 2018, and since then has been under due
'diligence which'includes geotechnical investigation, environmental investigation,
title site planning, Rosemead Pre-Application submittal and staff review,
meetings'-with„/Rosemead Community Development and Public Works staff,
review ander "inspection of surrounding infrastructure, and understanding of
entitlement process. Mr. Armanino provided a project overview of the 29 three
story townhomes consisting of the following:
• Open space areas: landscaped paseos, connecting resident entries to
amenities and Willard Avenue, shade trellis, barbecue/picnic area, site
furniture, mailboxes, etc.
• Community features: upgraded architecture including Spanish Colonial
Architecture with tile roofs, balconies, and enhanced elevations,water and
energy efficient fixtures, high efficiency insulation, new sidewalk,
landscape, street trees, and improvements along Willard Avenue.
Rosemead City Council and Planning
Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Page I of 5 AGENDA ITEM NO. 5.B
In response to Council Member Ly's inquiry, Mr. Armanino asserted after the
geotechnical and environmental investigations, there were no issues of fault lines
to be reinforced; informed Council that the posttension rods will be built to help
keep the foundation more rigid.
Planning and Economic Development Manager Valenzuela responded to Council
Member Ly, confirming that the Edison easement right behind the project is a
vacant lot as the nursery is no longer there.
Mayor Pro Tern Armenta clarified the nursery-is now located in the front on
Dorothy Street and Hellman Avenue; opined the.Superintendent is in support of
the development as it will increase the number of attendees, however there is
concern of the congestion before and after school;�inquired if The Olson Company
has completed any traffic studies since..there is ari'elementary school in the vicinity,
and what are their plans in partnering with the City`to ensure these potential home
owners are aware of the parkingrissues.
Mr. Armanino noted he is personally working with a school that is adjacent to his
project in the City of.,,Torrance byvmeeting with the principaPand California
Environmental Quality Act,h(CEQA) representative from Los `Angeles School
District to put plans in'place will ensure the school is not impacted; indicated
that The Olson Company will ,make those same efforts by partnering with
Rosemead City staff to conduct a� traffie study fo,learn the existing traffic pattern
generated by Willard Elementary School and-require all potential home owners to
sign the Covenants'Conditions and Restrictions`(CCRs), which will disclose the
use of�theadjacent-school anddictate its associated rules; emphasized the Home
Owner Association (IIOA) Champion program not only provides community
presence, but. also inspections to ensure that garages are properly being used for
-par-king'rather'than.storage:.. M ,>
\' ' In response,to'Counci1Member Ly, Mayor Pro Tem Armenta ascertained from her
" ',familiarity with'the site;,that,other than street sweeping restrictions, there are only
`
‘•red and white curbs in front.of the school.
Council.Member Pang inquired with respect to the parking issues, if there is
surplus/guest parking available.
r,
Mr.Ai-mann-lot-responded there is 15 spaces for guests,with a combination of seven
parking spots outdoor and some in the garages.
Mayor Clark opened the Public Comment period.
Speaker Rosemary Berumen indicated she lives a couple of houses down from this
development; expressed concern for the safety of students and residents, noting a
young man was killed years ago on Willard Avenue due to a driver speeding; stated
the City denied the school's previous request for installation of speed bumps;
suggested the City build something beneficial to all residents such as a park or
Rosemead City Council and Planning
Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Page 2 of 5
community garden instead of this development; urged Council to consider how
the construction will affect the students and nearby residents — more congestion
and no privacy.
Speaker Julie Liang echoed Ms. Berumen's concerns; further noted increased
parking, crime, and pest issues; stated the height poses potential danger to the
Edison poles.
Speaker Jeff Lam expressed concern for his son and other students that attend
Willard Elementary School as there is no crosswalk; indicated opposition to
enduring two more years of construction for another development.
Speaker Brian Lewin opined he is pleased that'nnotification was made to affected
residents; expressed concern for the density as\thedevelopment will be in the
middle of a neighborhood; inquired how the City rwill,,mitigate the impact of the
traffic congestion.
..t
t
There being no other comments,Mayor Clark closed the Pub11c„Comment period.
Mayor Clark expressed'concern with ,a threeastory home being l uilt next to a
single-story home as"the proposed changes 'double the density, creating privacy
issues; inquired if therevare any,low-income units available.
Mr. Armanino responded there are no plans.of providing low-income units.
Vice ChaiiNancyEng urged Council to uphold the"City's goal in protecting single-
family"stories in R-1 and R-2:.zones; indicated support for the development's
3-bedroo tiunits, noting.it will help\accommodate Rosemead families; queried if
' the developer�has
researched-other design alternatives and liabilities for families
with physical limitations orseniors,asked if the price point of$500,000 is realistic;
expressed appreciationfor the company's long term HOA.
\\ 'City Attorney R clunan reiterated for the record that the Mayor already opened and
"cld �
sed the PublicCommerit period; suggested members of the audience with
fiirther,questions shb uld speak with the developer after the meeting.
Chair John'Tang ekpressed appreciation that The Olson Company is interested in
developing'in Rosemead; inquired if there is any interest in making these a PUD
standalone townhome, developing 3-4 bedroom units rather than 2-3 bedroom
units; opined by limiting the number of total units and selling it at a higher price,
the surrounding areas will not be as impacted.
In response to Vice Chair Eng,Mr.Armanino affirmed there will be a master water
meter with submeters to be serviced by the San Gabriel Valley Water Company.
Council Member Ly emphasized the importance in the City making a concerted
effort to commit to building quality housing, it will give the State more incentive
Rosemead City Council and Planning
Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Page 3 of 5
to take away our local government authority; queried how far was Rosemead from
reaching the numbers set by Southern California Association of Governments'
(SCAG) Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for this year in terms of
actual housing development and allocation.
Planning and Economic Development Manager Valenzuela responded Rosemead
was expected to reach 602 units, however only reached 262 units.
Mayor Clark clarified the City zoned for the housing; however, we simply did not
meet the RHNA numbers as to units built.
Council Member Ly requested that City staff/Work with Edison Company to
convert the parcel behind the project into a park;and as part of the traffic study,
to create an ingress and egress for pedestrian and`vehicular access,which will help
mitigate traffic issues for Willard Elementary School; inquired if the project meets
the variable height requirement.
Planning and Economic Development Manager Valenzuela.stated the developer
does not have to comply,with the variable height requirement as`itnot mandatory
for residential Planned Development projects. y
Council Member Ly urged\staff to`work with thedeveloper to ensure good faith
effort in following the variable heighthrequirement,or if not possible,to determine
other alternatives'to improvethe privacy concern of.these residents.
Council Member Karig echoed r Council Member Ly's concerns; applauded The
Olson Company for`taking on this project as it is a challenging site; inquired what
-isthe required"code setback as
gdPanning anEconomic Development Manager Valenzuela stated City staff and
!� o the developer worked,oi,the setback requirements as it is an irregular shape,further
explaining in some areas,itis 8 feet, 10 feet and other areas it is 15 feet; noted the
``jdans right now„are very preliminary, however, the developer has strived to meet
the standards in the condominium section as much as possible.
Mayor'ProoTern Armenta indicated support for Council Member Lys request to
create a pedestrian and vehicular access; suggested staff work with Edison on
establishing'a'side alley as another means to exit the street.
Commissioner Michael Vuong inquired if there are any plans to build solar panels
on this property, and if the State has any such requirements.
Mr. Armanino affirmed California has a mandate for new homes to be "net-zero
energy” as part of the State's Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which will
require solar panels on homes and take effect in 2020; there will be a solar lease
between the owner of the unit and the solar company.
Rosemead City Council and Planning
Commission Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Page 4 of 5
Mayor Clark stated she serves on the SCAG Regional Council, further explaining
the City has done their due diligence to zone for housing,however,we cannot make
developers come and build in Rosemead; emphasized the issue with the project is
it is doubling the amount of units that the City zoned for; opined this is the wrong
place for this high density development and the three-story units are unfair for
those residents that bought into an R-2 zone and we are now allowing an R-3.
Council Member Ly opined that it is worth working with The Olson Company on
this rather than being outright against the project; stated it's important to ensure
any project brought forth to Council is fully mitigated and to move forward on it
as there is a shortage in housing. ,/' a,
Mayor Pro Tem Armenta opined legislation is`cre\ating bills such as SB 50 in effort
to take away our local control of land use;noting"it'"is unfair to use these RHNA
numbers as many of the allocated-areas'are not viable for development.
a \. R\
Commissioner Vuong concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Armenta.
Chair Tang reiterated this is a Pre-Appi.icationprocess,which means residents will
have another opport�inity`to. speak on this matter. f
\ "
\ C'''' °-. °." s.
2. ADJOURNMENT °� .`ty" "" ° ''4.
v \ ""
N.
Mayor Clark adioumed'the special joint meeting-at.6 34,,.p:m. The next City Council
meeting is scheduled to-he held on Mayv28; 2019, at-6 00>>p.m., in the Rosemead City Hall
Council Chamber:, \� \ `\ �''j
f \
\ `°� ,.,, \
Erick Hernandez, City Clerk
PPR
AOVED: \ ; *°'
ti `�. °'s
° . y� \
Margaret Clark, IVlayof i
Rosemead City Council and Planning
Commission Special Joint Meeting .
Minutes of May 28, 2019
Page 5 of 5