MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF WEST COVINA
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF WEST COVINA
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the West Covina City Council Chambers, 1444 West Garvey Avenue, West Covina, California.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER/MEDITATION
The Commission observed a moment of silent prayer and meditation.
The Commission observed a moment of silent prayer and meditation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Heng led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Heng led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Heng, Becerra, Gutierrez, Williams, Lewis
- Staff Present:
- Burns, Machado, Rivera, Koo
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.
Regular meeting, June 25, 2024
Regular meeting, August 13, 2024
Motion by Heng, seconded by Williams, to adopt the minutes as amended.
AYES: Heng, Lewis
NOES: Becerra, Gutierrez
ABSTAIN: Lewis
Motion fails. The minutes of the regular meeting, June 25, 2024 and August 13, 2024 will be amended and brought for adoption at the next regular meeting.
Regular meeting, August 13, 2024
Motion by Heng, seconded by Williams, to adopt the minutes as amended.
AYES: Heng, Lewis
NOES: Becerra, Gutierrez
ABSTAIN: Lewis
Motion fails. The minutes of the regular meeting, June 25, 2024 and August 13, 2024 will be amended and brought for adoption at the next regular meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This is the time when any member of the public may speak to the Commission on any matter within the scope of duties assigned to the Commission relating to non-agendized or consent calendar items. Other matters included on this agenda may be addressed when that item is under consideration. For all oral communications, the chairperson may impose reasonable limitations on public comments to assure an orderly and timely meeting. The Ralph M. Brown Act limits the Planning Commission and staff's ability to respond to public comments at this meeting. Thus, your comments may be agendized for a future meeting or referred to staff. The Commission may ask questions for clarification, if desired, at this time.
By policy of the Commission, Oral Communications at this time on the agenda is limited to a total of 15 minutes.
Mario Sobalvarro spoke regarding the recent Candidate Forum, which Commissioner Gutierrez missed.
Steve Bennett also commented on Mr. Gutierrez's absence from the Candidate's Forum and commented on Commissioner Gutierrez's campaign signs.
John Shewmaker spoke regarding misinformation given out by Commissioner Gutierrez.
William Elliott spoke regarding citizens who are opposed to members of the current City Council.
JD spoke regarding homelessness in West Covina and the 5-Star Motel's plan to participate in a Los Angeles County program to house the homeless within West Covina. He also expressed his opinion that the Commission should take their duties more seriously.
Dan Tran, spoke regarding his candidacy and said he wants to bridge the gap to provide solutions to problems experienced by the public.
Commissioner Gutierrez responded to comments made by the public.
Chairperson Williams recessed the meeting for five minutes.
The meeting reconvened.
Commissioner Gutierrez finished his response after the recess.
Commissioner Becerra requested that staff publish incidents on the City's website to help keep the Commission and residents informed.
This is the time when any member of the public may speak to the Commission on any matter within the scope of duties assigned to the Commission relating to non-agendized or consent calendar items. Other matters included on this agenda may be addressed when that item is under consideration. For all oral communications, the chairperson may impose reasonable limitations on public comments to assure an orderly and timely meeting. The Ralph M. Brown Act limits the Planning Commission and staff's ability to respond to public comments at this meeting. Thus, your comments may be agendized for a future meeting or referred to staff. The Commission may ask questions for clarification, if desired, at this time.
By policy of the Commission, Oral Communications at this time on the agenda is limited to a total of 15 minutes.
Mario Sobalvarro spoke regarding the recent Candidate Forum, which Commissioner Gutierrez missed.
Steve Bennett also commented on Mr. Gutierrez's absence from the Candidate's Forum and commented on Commissioner Gutierrez's campaign signs.
John Shewmaker spoke regarding misinformation given out by Commissioner Gutierrez.
William Elliott spoke regarding citizens who are opposed to members of the current City Council.
JD spoke regarding homelessness in West Covina and the 5-Star Motel's plan to participate in a Los Angeles County program to house the homeless within West Covina. He also expressed his opinion that the Commission should take their duties more seriously.
Dan Tran, spoke regarding his candidacy and said he wants to bridge the gap to provide solutions to problems experienced by the public.
Commissioner Gutierrez responded to comments made by the public.
Chairperson Williams recessed the meeting for five minutes.
The meeting reconvened.
Commissioner Gutierrez finished his response after the recess.
Commissioner Becerra requested that staff publish incidents on the City's website to help keep the Commission and residents informed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 24-07
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
APPLICANT: Xuhe Yuan
LOCATION: 112 Plaza Drive, Suite #639
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow a massage parlor (Relax Station) to be located within an existing tenant space at the Plaza West Covina Mall in the "Urban Center" (UC) Zone of the Downtown Plan and Code.
Planning Assistant Jerry Rivera presented the staff report.
Chairperson Williams called a recess.
The meeting reconvened.
Planning Assistant Jerry Rivera continued his presentation and recommended adoption of Resolution No. 24-6151, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 24-07.
Chairperson Williams opened the public hearing.
PROPONENTS:
Chris Linn, applicant, spoke in favor of his application.
OPPONENTS:
No one spoke in opposition to the application.
Chairperson Williams closed the public hearing.
There was a short discussion by the Commission regarding the mall's hours of operation on holidays.
Chairperson Williams commented regarding Condition No. 5.d. in the resolution that the certification comes from the California Massage Therapy Council.
Motion by Gutierrez, seconded by Williams, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 24-5161 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 24-07. Motion carried 5-0.
Chairperson Williams stated that this decision may be appealed to the City Council in writing, within ten days.
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
APPLICANT: Xuhe Yuan
LOCATION: 112 Plaza Drive, Suite #639
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow a massage parlor (Relax Station) to be located within an existing tenant space at the Plaza West Covina Mall in the "Urban Center" (UC) Zone of the Downtown Plan and Code.
Planning Assistant Jerry Rivera presented the staff report.
Chairperson Williams called a recess.
The meeting reconvened.
Planning Assistant Jerry Rivera continued his presentation and recommended adoption of Resolution No. 24-6151, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 24-07.
Chairperson Williams opened the public hearing.
PROPONENTS:
Chris Linn, applicant, spoke in favor of his application.
OPPONENTS:
No one spoke in opposition to the application.
Chairperson Williams closed the public hearing.
There was a short discussion by the Commission regarding the mall's hours of operation on holidays.
Chairperson Williams commented regarding Condition No. 5.d. in the resolution that the certification comes from the California Massage Therapy Council.
Motion by Gutierrez, seconded by Williams, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 24-5161 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 24-07. Motion carried 5-0.
Chairperson Williams stated that this decision may be appealed to the City Council in writing, within ten days.
NON-HEARING ITEMS
TEN-DAY APPEAL PERIOD: Actions taken by the Planning Commission that are not recommendations to the City Council will become final after ten (10) calendar days unless a written appeal with the appropriate fee is lodged with the City Clerk's Office before close of business on the tenth day.
COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
This is the time when any member of the Commission may bring a matter to the attention of the full Commission that is within the scope of duties assigned to the Commission. Any item that was considered during the Agenda is not appropriate for discussion in this section of the agenda. NO COMMISSION DISCUSSION OR ACTION CAN BE CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME. If the Commission desires to discuss an issue raised by a speaker or take an action, the Commission may vote to agendize the matter for a future meeting.
Commissioner Becerra wished her mother, Rosa Maria Rocha, a Happy 100th Birthday today. Mrs. Rocha has been a resident of West Covina since 1970. She also requested a proclamation from the City of West Covina to celebrate her 100th birthday.
This is the time when any member of the Commission may bring a matter to the attention of the full Commission that is within the scope of duties assigned to the Commission. Any item that was considered during the Agenda is not appropriate for discussion in this section of the agenda. NO COMMISSION DISCUSSION OR ACTION CAN BE CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME. If the Commission desires to discuss an issue raised by a speaker or take an action, the Commission may vote to agendize the matter for a future meeting.
Commissioner Becerra wished her mother, Rosa Maria Rocha, a Happy 100th Birthday today. Mrs. Rocha has been a resident of West Covina since 1970. She also requested a proclamation from the City of West Covina to celebrate her 100th birthday.
3.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Community Development Director Jo-Ann Burns informed the Commission that Housing and Community Development notified the city that the Housing Element is in compliance with State law and will be certified pending some minor text amendments in the Development Code.
Ms. Burns added that per Planning Commission direction at the August 13, 2024 meeting there will be a report regarding motels and the 5-Star Motel available to the Planning Commission in late January or early February, 2025.
Community Development Director Jo-Ann Burns informed the Commission that Housing and Community Development notified the city that the Housing Element is in compliance with State law and will be certified pending some minor text amendments in the Development Code.
Ms. Burns added that per Planning Commission direction at the August 13, 2024 meeting there will be a report regarding motels and the 5-Star Motel available to the Planning Commission in late January or early February, 2025.
4.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
This is an oral presentation of City Council matters and actions, which are in the Commission’s area of interest
Ms. Burns told the Commission there were no Council actions.
This is an oral presentation of City Council matters and actions, which are in the Commission’s area of interest
Ms. Burns told the Commission there were no Council actions.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Williams adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. in honor of Rosa Maria Rocha, Commissioner Livier Becerras' mother,
Respectfully submitted:
Lydia de Zara
Senior Administrative Assistant
Respectfully submitted:
Lydia de Zara
Senior Administrative Assistant