City Council

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MONROVIA Monrovia Development Review Committee CALIFORNIA June 17, 2026, 4:00 PM CONVENE: Chair Bermejo convened the Regular Meeting of the Monrovia Development Review Committee on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 4:01 p.m. In attendance were Planning Division Manager John Mayer, Senior Planner Jennifer Driver, Assistant Planner Austin Arnold, Planning Technician Alaura Contreras, and Planning Technician Krystin Gates. ROLL CALL: In attendance were Committee members Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez, Public Works Director Alex Tachiki, Assistant to the City Manager Jackie Tran, and Community Development Director Sheri Bermejo. Police Chief Heath Harvey was excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None PUBLIC INPUT: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: PH-1 Minor Exception; ME2026-0004 790 and 800 West Chestnut Avenue, Jonathan Tsou (Foothill Unity Center) and Patrick Hovespian (World Vision International), Applicants (Continued from May 20, 2026) Assistant Planner Austin Arnold presented the staff report regarding a Minor Exception from Monrovia Municipal Code Section 17.16.030(A)(1) to construct a new six-foot-high wrought iron fence with gates with a reduced front yard setback (3’-0” in lieu of 10’-0”) to enclose a shared parking lot on two properties. In response to questions from the Committee, staff provided the following information: • The applicants are working with Code Enforcement to resolve the open code case; • Planning has not received public comment after the April 1, 2026 DRC meeting; • Staff spoke with the neighbors who provided public comment during the April 1, 2026 DRC meeting, and their concerns have been addressed; and • The individuals that provided public comment were notified of the continued meeting date. Public Input: 1. Jonathan Tsou, applicant, spoke in support of the project. Chair Bermejo closed the public input portion, as there was no one else present and no written comments were received pertaining to the item. Following discussion, it was moved by Committee member Tachiki, seconded by Committee member Tran, to approve ME2026-0004 with conditions. The motion carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote. Chair Bermejo stated for the record that the actions of the Development Review Committee may be appealed to the Planning Commission if filed in writing within ten days. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONROVIA DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE OF JUNE 17, 2026 2 AR-1 Major Determination; MAJD2026-0010 806 East Huntington Drive, Systems Real Estate Management, Inc. (Eric Dickens), Applicant Planning Division Manager John Mayer presented the staff report regarding a Major Determination pursuant to Monrovia Municipal Code Section 17.08.010(D) to determine whether certain uses not specifically listed in Planned Development Area 10A (Auto Center) are comparable to the uses permitted in the zone and compatible with adjacent uses, and establish an expanded list of allowable uses for the existing building at 806 East Huntington Drive. In response to questions from the Committee, staff provided the following information: • For the uses that require a minor Conditional Use Permit or parking determination, similar levels of review are required in other zones; and • Previous uses at this location included tutoring and a karate studio. Chair Bermejo opened and closed the public input portion, as there was no one present who wished to speak on the item. The Committee discussed various aspects of the application and staff provided the following answer to the Committee’s question: • The DRC has previously reviewed approved uses for a commercial property located in a residential zone. Following discussion, it was moved by Committee member Tachiki, seconded by Committee member Sanchez, to approve MAJD2026-0010 as presented. The motion carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote. Chair Bermejo stated for the record that the actions of the Development Review Committee may be appealed to the Planning Commission if filed in writing within ten days. AR-2 Miscellaneous Review; MISC2026-0014 356 North Primrose Avenue, Ping Jung Tang, Applicant Planning Technician Alaura Contreras presented the staff report regarding a Miscellaneous Review to remove a Coast Live Oak tree in the street-facing side yard of a single-family developed property that has multiple dead splits and exhibits branch dieback. Chair Bermejo opened and closed the public input portion, as there was no one present who wished to speak on the item. Following discussion, it was moved by Committee member Sanchez, seconded by Committee member Tran, to approve MISC2026-0014 with conditions. The motion carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote. AR-3 Miscellaneous Review; MISC2026-0015 718 Ocean View Avenue, Discount Tree Services (David Limon), Applicant Planning Technician Krystin Gates presented the staff report regarding a Miscellaneous Review to remove a Coast Live Oak tree in the common recreation space of a multi-family developed property that is no longer alive. Chair Bermejo opened and closed the public input portion, as there was no one present who wished to speak on the item. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONROVIA DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE OF JUNE 17, 2026 3 Following discussion, it was moved by Committee member Tran, seconded by Committee member Tachiki, to approve MISC2026-0015 with conditions. The motion carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote. AR-4 Sign Review; SIGN2026-0024 903 East Huntington Drive, 7 Leaves Cafe (Josh Newmaster), Applicant Assistant Planner Austin Arnold presented the staff report regarding a Sign Review for two new building wall signs and a monument sign face change for a new business, 7 Leaves Cafe. In response to questions from the Committee, staff provided the following information: • Staff will work with the applicant on the monument sign structure and the surrounding landscaping. Chair Bermejo opened and closed the public input portion, as there was no one present who wished to speak on the item. Following discussion, it was moved by Committee member Tachiki, seconded by Committee member Sanchez, to approve SIGN2026-0024 with conditions. The motion carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote. REPORTS FROM STAFF: None ADJOURNMENT: Chair Bermejo adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: Sheri Bermejo, Chair John Mayer, AICP, Secretary Monrovia Development Review Committee Monrovia Development Review Committee