7:00 P..M. CITY OF EL MONTE PLANNING COMMISSION OPENING OF MEETING. Disclosures. so at this. and. given the. by staff. address at the. 7.

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1 AGENDA CITY OF EL MONTE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF EL MONTE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 11, :00 P..M. CITY HALL EAST COUNCIL CHAMBERS VALLEY BOULEVARD CHAIRPERSON Dallas Baker VICE-CHAIRPERSON Alfredo Nuño COMMISSIONER Cesar Peralta COMMISSIONER Adrian Garcia COMMISSIONER Maria Romero Morales OPENING OF 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Flag Salute 3. Roll Call 4. Commission Disclosures 5. Public Comments MEETING Citizens wishing to address the Planning Commission on land use and development matters may do so at this time. Note that the Commission cannot respond to or take any action on the item. Citizens wishing to speak on an agenda item will be opportunity to speak after the item is presented by staff. given the Limit your comments too three (3) minutes. State your name and address at the podium for the record. CONSENT CALENDAR 6. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes Phone: (626) Fax: (626) nteca.gov Action minutes from thee meeting March 28, Approval of Modification Minutes Action minutes from thee meeting of March 28, 2017.

2 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA APRIL 11, 2017 PUBLIC HEARINGS None REGULAR AGENDA 8. Discussion of Condition of Approval No. 37 for Conditional Use Permit No & Design Review No Address: Request: 9920 Valley Boulevard A request for Planning Commission direction in regards to Condition of Approval No. 39 of Conditional Use Permit No and Design Review No which was approved by the Planning Commission on September 2, The approved project is for the construction and operation of a 93,200 square foot, 133-room Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. The application requests a determination from the Planning Commission regarding the appropriate number of palm trees to be planted on the site. No other changes are proposed. The hotel is currently under construction. The subject property is located in the C-4 (Heavy Commercial) zone. The request is made pursuant to Chapter of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC). CEQA Determination: Case Planner: Recommendation: Not applicable. Betty Donavanik, Senior Planner Discuss Condition of Approval No. 39 regarding the appropriate number of palm trees to be planted on the Hilton Garden Inn site. 9. Director s Report 10. City Attorney s Report 11. Commission Comments Agenda 2

3 CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA APRIL 11, 2017 NEXT SCHEDULED CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. City Hall East Council Chambers Availability of staff reports: Copies of the staff reports or other written documentation relating to each item of business described hereinabove are on file in the offices of the Planning Division, City Hall West, Valley Boulevard, El Monte, California, These documents are available for public inspections during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except legal City holidays. You may also call the Planning Division at (626) for information. Individuals with special needs: The City of El Monte wishes to assist individuals with special needs. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Division at (626) Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable us to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 Code of Federal Regulations ADA Title II] General explanation of how the meeting is conducted: 1. The staff report is presented by City Planning staff. 2. The City Planning Commissioners ask questions if necessary for clarification. 3. The City Planning Commission Chair opens the public hearing. 4. The applicant makes a presentation to the City Planning Commission. 5. Individuals speaking in favor of the project address the Commission. 6. Individuals speaking against the project address the Commission. 7. The applicant responds to project opponents. 8. The public hearing is closed. 9. City Planning Commission members discuss the project. 10. City Planning Commission members vote on the project. 11. At the next scheduled Commission meeting, which is usually two weeks after the hearing, a resolution confirming the Commission action will be adopted. 12. Any interested party who disagrees with the City Planning Commission decision may appeal the Commission s decision to the City Council within 10 calendar days of the adoption of the resolution. Any appeal filed must be directed to the City Clerk s Office and must be accompanied by a fee of $1, Any individual that received notice of this meeting from the City of El Monte will receive notice of an appeal, if one is filed. Agenda 3

4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES ACTION MINUTES FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017 AT CITY HALL EAST, COUNCIL CHAMBERS VALLEY BOULEVARD, EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baker at 7:07 p.m. 2. Flag Salute The Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Garcia. 3. Roll Call Commissioners present: Commissioner absent: Staff present: Baker, Garcia, Nuño, Peralta Morales Economic Development Director Thai Deputy Assistant City Attorney Vasquez Senior Planner Donavanik Planning Commission Secretary Magdaleno 4. Commission Disclosures: Commissioner Garcia disclosed that he frequently travels by the proposed project site on Exline Street, his wife works off that street. Commissioner Peralta had nothing to disclose. Vice-Chair Nuño had nothing to disclose. Chairperson Baker nothing to disclose. 5. Public Comments: Speaker Card #1 (Not present) Vicky Pallares, resident of Chosen Street and representative of the Save Our Neighborhood Association, spoke against the Lawrence Equipment project, specifically on traffic safety. Speaker Card #2 (Not present) Michael Pallares, resident of Chosen Street and representative of the Save Our Neighborhood Association, spoke against the Lawrence Equipment project. March 28, 2017 MEETING MINUTES 1

5 Speaker #1 Charles Hoffman, representative of the Save Our Neighborhood Association, spoke against the Lawrence Equipment project. A letter and petition against the Lawrence Equipment project from Mr. Rael Rickerd was entered and read into the record (Letters were provided for each commissioner and handdelivered to the Economic Development Department on 3/28/17). CONSENT CALENDAR 6. Approval of Consent Calendar Item No. 6 Action minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of February 28, 2017 & March 14, Motion: by Vice-Chair Nuño to approve Calendar Item No. 6, seconded by Commissioner Garcia. Motion carried 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. Conditional Use Permit No & A request to allow the operation of an indoor airsoft field entertainment use within an existing 11,872 square foot industrial building located within 150 feet from residentially zoned and used properties. The subject property is located in the M-1 (Light Manufacturing) zone. The request is made pursuant to Sections (26) and (39) of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC) for property located at Exline Street, El Monte, CA. PUBLIC COMMENT: Speaker #1: Sergio Camacho, president of Arbor Pines HOA, expressed concerns regarding noise, traffic/parking, and people loitering on the streets. Motion: by Vice-Chair Nuño to approve Conditional Use Permit Nos & with the following added and/or amended conditions, seconded by Commissioner Peralta. Motion carried 4-0. CONDITIONS: Condition No. 11: The airsoft field hours (non-office hours) of operation shall be limited to the following: Regular Hours: Monday through Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM Sundays from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM. March 28, 2017 MEETING MINUTES 2

6 Summer months (June through September): Mondays through Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM with regular hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. (Modified by the Planning Commission on March 28, 2017) Condition No. 28: The applicant shall submit a good neighbor program to be reviewed and approved by the Economic Development Department and the El Monte Police Department prior to the issuance of permits. The plan shall include the following: a. Signage posting: hours of operations, compliance with the City s Noise Ordinance, contact information, no loitering, no parking on the street, etc. b. Security camera facing the street. (Added by the Planning Commission on March 28, 2017) Condition No. 34: Prior to the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant shall submit a security plan for review and approval by the El Monte Police Department. The plans shall incorporate a High Definition Recording camera surveillance in each room as well as throughout the playing field. Security cameras shall also be installed on the outside of the building, at all exits and entrances, and within the parking lot, and facing the street. The Police Department shall have the authority to make changes to the plan as needed to enhance public safety. The camera surveillance system must be set up for a 45 day rotation period. All recordings must be kept onsite for at least 45 calendar days and must be made available to a City Employee upon request. The system shall be maintained and operating at all times. All building doors and the entrance gate shall be secured with a pad lock when the business is closed. Additionally, an alarm system shall be installed for the building (Modified by the Planning Commission on March 28, 2017). 9. Final Parcel Map No Approve the final parcel map, which will subdivide an existing 478,942 square foot site improved with a Home Depot to create a new 17,898 square foot parcel for a Starbucks development. The original entitlements for the project were approved by the Planning Commission on December 13, 2016 and included Tentative Parcel Map No , Conditional Use Permit No and Design Review No for property located on 9700 Lower Azusa Road, El Monte, Ca. Motion: by Commissioner Garcia to approve and authorize recordation of Map with Los Angeles County, seconded by Vice-Chair Nuño. Motion carried 4-0. March 28, 2017 MEETING MINUTES 3

7 10. Director s Report None 11. City Attorney s Report None 12. Commission Comments None Respectfully submitted, Planning Commission Chairperson Dallas Baker Planning Commission Secretary Marcella Magdaleno March 28, 2017 MEETING MINUTES 4

8 AGENDA-RESULTS CITY OF EL MONTE MODIFICATION COMMITTEE CITY OF EL MONTE MODIFICATION COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON ADRIAN GARCIA CITY PLANNER JASON C. MIKAELIAN CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL JAMES M. GUERRA TUESDAY, MARCH 28, :00 P.M. CITY HALL WEST CONFERENCE ROOM A VALLEY BOULEVARD OPENING OF MEETING 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Flag Salute 3. Roll Call Committee Members: Adrian Garcia, Planning Commissioner Betty Donavanik, Seniorr Planner James Guerra, Chief Building Official 4. Public Comments Citizens wishing to address the Modification Committee on land use and development matters may do so at this time. Note that the Committee cannot respond to or take any action on the item. Citizens wishing to speak on an agenda item will be opportunity to speak after the item is presented by staff. given the Limit your comments too three (3) minutes. State your name and address at the podium for the record. Phone: (626) Fax: (626) planning@elmon nteca.gov No comments made.

9 MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA MARCH 28, Modification No PUBLIC HEARING Address: Request: 2719 Gage Avenue A Modification request to reduce the side yard setback from the required five feet (5-0 ) to one foot and six inches (1-6 ) to legalize an as-built, 492 square foot master bedroom and bathroom addition to an existing 905 square foot single family dwelling unit. The property is located in the R-1A (One-Family Dwelling) zone. This request is made pursuant to the requirement of Chapter of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC). CEQA Determination: Article 19. Categorical Exemptions - Section (Class 1 Existing Facilities) in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 and the CEQA Guidelines, as amended. Recommendation: Continue to April 11, Case Planner: Daniel Malignaggi, Planning Intern Motion: by Chief Building Official Guerra to continue Modification No to the meeting of April 11, 2017, seconded by Chairperson Garcia. 6. Modification No Address: Request: Federal Drive A Modification request to reduce the required landscape planter width for parking areas for the restriping of the Ross Nissan parking lot. The property is located in the C-3 (General Commercial) zone. This request is made pursuant to the requirements of Chapter of the El Monte Municipal Code (EMMC). CEQA Determination: Article 19. Categorical Exemptions - Section (Class 1 Existing Facilities) in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 and the CEQA Guidelines, as amended. Recommendation: Case Planner: Approve subject to conditions. Betty Donavanik, Senior Planner Agenda 2

10 MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA MARCH 28, 2017 Motion: by Chief Building Official Guerra to approve Modification No , seconded by Chairperson Guerra. Approved with the following conditions: 1. Shall comply with all Building Code Requirements. 2. Street Improvement Plans and Site Improvement Plans showing the proposed landscape improvements shall be approved by the Public Works and Economic Development Departments prior to the issuance of permits. 3. All landscape shall comply with the City s Landscape Ordinance and the Model Water Landscape Efficiency Ordinance (MWELO). NEXT SCHEDULED MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. City Hall West, Conference Room A Agenda 3

11 STAFF REPORT APRIL 11, 2017 TO: FROM: CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MINH THAI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JASON C. MIKAELIAN, AICP CITY PLANNER BY: APPLICATION: LOCATION: APPLICANT/ PROPERTY OWNER: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: BETTY DONAVANIK SENIOR PLANNER CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO & DESIGN REVIEW NO VALLEY BOULEVARD ZHONG FANG 9911 VALLEY BOULEVARD EL MONTE, CA NOT APPLICABLE. RECOMMENDATION: DISCUSS CONDITION OF APPROVAL NO. 39 REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF PALM TREES TO BE PLANTED ON THE HILTON GARDEN INN SITE. REQUEST: The applicant requests Planning Commission direction in regards to Condition of Approval No. 39 of Conditional Use Permit No and Design Review No , which was approved by the Planning Commission on September 2, Please see Attachment A. The approved project allowed for the construction and operation of a 93,200 square foot, 133-room Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. The application requests a determination from the Planning Commission regarding the appropriate number of palm trees to be planted on the site. No other changes are proposed. The hotel is currently under construction Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 1

12 SUBJECT PROPERTY: Location: General Plan: Zone: Street Frontage: Building size: Existing Improvements: Northwest corner of Valley Blvd. and Baldwin Ave. General Commercial C-4 (Heavy Commercial) feet of frontage along Valley Boulevard 6,020 sf Restaurant/kitchen/bar area (Building size: 93,200 sf total) 93,200 sf Hilton Garden Inn Hotel SURROUNDING PROPERTIES: General Plan: Zoning: Land Use: North: High Density Residential C-4 & R-4 Commercial & Residential South: Medium Density R-3 Residential Residential West: Eaton Wash Eaton Wash Eaton Wash East: General Commercial C-4 Commercial AERIAL AND ZONING: PROJECT SITE 9920 Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 2

13 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2014: Onsite Trees On September 2, 2014, the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit No and Design Review No for the construction and operation of a 93,200 square foot, 133-room Hilton Garden Inn Hotel with 179 parking spaces. The conceptual landscape plan that was presented to the Planning Commission showed a plant palette consisting of 57 queen or date palm trees, eight (8) emerald king carolina cherry laurel trees, and accent shrubs consisting of New Zealand flax, seasonal flowers, and bird of paradise. Please see Attachment B. The 57 palm trees consist of 25 palm trees being planted adjacent to Valley Boulevard and in front of the building, nine (9) palm trees on the sides and rear of the building, and 23 palm trees along the Eaton Wash and the eastern property line. The following was discussed during Commission comments: Art Barrios, Planning Commissioner Palm trees, thought we did not have palm trees in the City of El Monte anymore. I see everything with palm trees, not too happy about that. Minh Thai, Economic Development Director Palm trees can be used for identification of primary locations or areas where they can provide some iconic height but there is a policy of not necessarily using them throughout the site, the City will work with the applicant to reduce the amount of palm trees and increase the amount of canopy trees on the site. Jason Mikaelian, City Planner The type of palm tree that is proposed is more of a date palm, more of substantial type palm as opposed to like a Queen palm. Michael Hastings, Applicant s Representative We ll work closely with the City on landscaping. Their landscape architect will be more than happy to work with staff. Fernando Solis, Assistant Planner Only a few palm trees will be allowed in the front of the building (stated along with conditions). As a result of the above discussion, the Planning Commission added the following Condition of Approval: Condition of Approval No. 39 The applicant will work with staff to reduce the number of proposed Date Palms and include other tree species. Landscape Median At the September 2, 2014 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission also added Condition of Approval No. 55: The applicant shall work with the Public Works Department on the possibility and feasibility of installing landscaped medians along Valley Boulevard in front of the proposed project site. Please see Attachment D. The applicant has complied with Condition No. 55 and Off-site Improvement Plans including 9920 Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 3

14 the construction of two (2) landscape medians on Valley Boulevard were approved on March 8, 2016 by the Public Works Department. The approved plans show pink trumpet trees to be planted in the medians. The medians are currently under construction. However, the pink trumpet trees have not been planted. APPROVED ONSITE LANDSCAPE PLANS: Subsequent to the Planning Commission meeting, the applicant worked with staff to reduce the number of palm trees to be planted on site to include ten (10) palm trees for the entire site. The palm trees would be focused at the driveway entrances and to highlight the building entrances. The landscape construction plans were approved in March 2015 and include a mix of palm and shade trees (crape myrtles, paper bark, and strawberry trees). Please see Attachment C showing the approved landscape plans for construction. PALM TREES PLANTED ONSITE: Upon conducting a site inspection, staff observed that there were more palm trees planted onsite than shown on the approved landscape plans. There are currently 22 palm trees planted adjacent to Valley Boulevard and in front of the building where the approved landscape plan shows 10. The remainder of the site is planted with 17 paper bark trees and 14 crape myrtle trees along the Eaton Wash, the eastern property line and around the building. The trees currently planted onsite are out of compliance with the approved landscape plan and Condition of Approval No. 39. Condition of Approval No. 39 required the applicant to work with staff to reduce the number of palm trees and include other tree species. Although the number of palm trees planted onsite is a reduction from the 57 trees presented at the Planning Commission, there are still a significant number of palm trees planted adjacent to Valley Boulevard and in front of the building. Furthermore, the approved landscape plan shows only ten (10) palm trees for the entire site. APPLICANT S REQUEST: The applicant requests that the Planning Commission allow 22 palm trees to be planted adjacent to Valley Boulevard and in front of the building. Please see Attachment E. Additionally, the applicant requests to plant palm trees within the Valley Boulevard parkway along the property s frontage and within the landscape median on Valley Boulevard. The parkway and street medians are under the purview of the Public Works Department and although the landscape median is being constructed by the applicant in conjunction with the hotel s onsite improvements, medians and the parkway are not under the control of private property. Upon completion of construction, the medians will be owned and maintained by the City. After conferring with the Public Works Department, palm trees would not be allowed to be planted in the median as palm trees are not included in the 9920 Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 4

15 City s tree plan for medians. Furthermore, the approved Off-street Improvement Plans show pink trumpet to be planted in the median. The City is currently developing a master street tree plan which would specify the tree species for each major arterial and collector street within the City along with trees in medians. All new medians that have been installed within the past few years have been planted with pink trumpet. Currently, the parkway is planted with California sycamores that were planted through Air Quality Management District (AQMD) funds. Furthermore, palm trees are not proposed to be included in the City s proposed master street tree plan. Therefore, any trees removed would have to be replaced with California sycamores as to comply with AQMD funding. STAFF S RECOMMENDATION: Onsite The General Plan Community Design Element Goal Policy CD-8.4 states that parking lots within commercial areas should provide ample landscaping using landscaped bays, shade trees, and clearly delineated pedestrian routes with shade trees and landscaping along walkways that allow easy and safe passage to retail uses. Policy CD-8.7 requires landscaping to define building entrances, key activity hubs, focal points, and the street edge; provide screening for unattractive/unsightly service areas; and serve as buffers between neighboring uses. Planting crape myrtle and paper bark trees within the parking areas and along the street edge would provide shade for cars and pedestrians. Palm trees should be planted to define driveway and building entrances and be used as focal points. Therefore, staff recommends that the palm trees be reduced from 22 to 15. The palm trees should be located at the site corners, driveway entrances, building entrances, and in the pool area. The site frontage should provide a variety of trees including crape myrtle and paper bark trees. Unlike other tree species growing tentaclelike roots that widen as they lengthen, palm varieties generate roots that grow with the same girth regardless of age or length. Due to their narrow root system palm trees can easily be transplanted without damaging or harming the root system. Fifteen palm trees is a reasonable reduction from the proposed 25 palm trees (57 total proposed onsite) adjacent to Valley Boulevard and in front of the building which was presented to the Planning Commission in 2014, thus complying with Condition of Approval No. 39. The planting of 15 palm trees with a mix of crape myrtle and paper bark trees will achieve the General Plan Community Design Element s goals of providing shade trees and landscaping to define focal points. Please see Attachment F for staff s recommended onsite tree planting plan. Parkway and Median In regards to the parkway, staff recommends that trees removed within the parkway fronting the project site be re-planted with California sycamores as to comply with AQMD funding Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 5

16 In regards to the Valley Boulevard medians, staff recommends that pink trumpet be planted as approved by the Public Works Department and consistent with newly installed medians within the City. Staff s recommendation would further General Plan Community Design Element Goal CD-2 which calls for Attractive commercial corridors exemplified by consistency of hardscape, landscaping, signage, sidewalks, and other treatments appropriate to their context to foster a pleasant driving and pedestrian experience. Additionally, Policy CD- 2.2 Streetscape Design states, Incorporate unifying and consistent elements for major arterials landscaped parkways and medians, regularly spaced street trees, distinctive street lighting and furniture, and quality and appropriately scaled signage. California sycamores and pink trumpet trees are consistent with the existing trees planted on City parkways and medians. ATTACHMENTS: A. Planning Commission September 2, 2014 Resolution No B. Conceptual Landscape Plans Presented at September 2, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting C. Approved Landscape Plans March 2015 D. Approved Off-site Improvement Plans March 8, 2016 E. Proposed Revised Landscape Plans March 27, 2017 F. Staff Recommended Landscape Plans 9920 Valley Blvd. Hilton Hotel CUP & DR Page 6

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