Design Review 23-04

2024020224

City of Rosemead

NOE - Notice of Exemption

2/6/2024

2/6/2024

Annie Lao

City of Rosemead

Associate Planner

Lead/Public Agency

8838 E. Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770

(626) 569-2144

alao@cityofrosemead.org

Walnut Grove Avenue and Garvey Avenue

91770

1.06

5288-011-040, 5288-001-041, 5288-001-042, 5288-001-043

Categorical Exemption

Class 32 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332 of CEQA guidelines

Section 15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act exempts projects characterized as in-fill development if the project meets the following conditions: 1) The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations; The Rosemead General Plan land use designation for the project site is Mixed-Use Residential/Commercial (30 du/ac; 3 stories) and the project site is zoned C-3/RC-MUDO/D-O. The project is consistent with the applicable General Plan Land Use designations and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with all applicable zoning designations and regulations as the commercial development is permitted by-right, and the community hall has obtained a Conditional Use Permit to operate. 2) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses; The project site is approximately 1.06 acres and is located within the City of Rosemead’s municipal boundaries. The project site is surrounded by urban uses. Specifically, it is bounded by Garfay Auto Sales and Parts to west, residential use to the north, residential use and a Circle K gas station to the east, and a shopping center to the south. The two blocks extending west and east along Garvey Avenue is generally characterized by a mix of commercial uses, including pharmacies, motels, auto supplies/repair shops, offices, personal care, self-storage, restaurants, and retail. 3) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species; The project site, located within a fully urbanized, commercial corridor, is disturbed and has been completely developed with a commercial building and three residential units, paved surface parking lots and other site improvements for many decades. There is no habitat on the project site to support any endangered, rare, or threatened wildlife species, and there are no wetlands, riparian habitat, or other sensitive natural communities either on or adjacent to the project site. In addition, there are no plants or wildlife on the project site that are designated or would qualify as a sensitive or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations by the California Department of Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 4) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and; Traffic A focused traffic analysis was reviewed and accepted by the City’s contract traffic engineer. The proposed commercial development will result in fewer than 50 peak hour trips and does not require an intersection level of service analysis. The project is a small infill project within a low VMT area and is presumed to have a less than significant impact on VMT. In addition, the right-turn-only driveway is expected to operate acceptably. Furthermore, Assembly Bill 2097 prohibits a public agency from imposing any minimum automobile parking requirement on any residential, commercial, or other development project that is located within a half-mile of public transit. Since the project site is located within one-half-mile of public transit, minimum automobile parking requirement do not apply to the project, and the project can provide less than the required off-street parking requirements. Noise The general use of the commercial development will be conducted indoors between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The project will not have any noise impact to the adjacent residential lot to the north. There is a 33' buffer between the residential lot and the proposed project. Both the construction and operation of the project will comply with all requirements of the Rosemead Noise Ordinance, per RMC Chapter 8.36. Therefore, the project will not cause significant noise impacts. Air Quality Vehicle trips will be the primary source of emissions associated with the project's operations. Given the nature of the proposed uses, net emissions from operation of the project will be well below South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) thresholds. During project construction, the development team will comply with all applicable SCAQMD and City standards regarding construction equipment and fugitive dust to minimize any air quality impacts. Water Quality The proposed project has a similar impermeable footprint as compared to the existing use and the storm water collected from the building will be collected and gone through an extensive on-site filtration and below-grade stormwater detention system. By reducing the amount of runoff that will be generated from the project site, the project will reduce and have a less than significant impact on erosion or siltation, both on and off-site. Preparation and compliance with the Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan and all applicable Best Management practices will ensure that the project meets all applicable water quality and water discharge requirements and has no significant water quality impacts. 5) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The urbanized project site is already served by Southern California Edison (electric), the Southern California Gas Company (gas) and Amarillo Mutual Water (water). Sanitary sewer service is provided by the City of Rosemead in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. Recycling and waste collection are provided by Republic Services, Inc. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department provide emergency response services. The project will be adequately served by all of the foregoing.