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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Planning Commission Minutes 02-07-24 MINUTES DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 PM Vice Chair Uva called the February 7, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:35 pm, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Commissioner Guerra COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Carmela Uva, District 4, Vice Chair Mario A. Guerra, District 2 Hector Lujan, District 1 Elias Saikaly, District 3 Louis Morales, District 5 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Irma Huitron, Director of Community Development John Funk, City Attorney Alfonso Hernandez, Principal Planner Abraham Luna, Associate Planner Jerry Clemente, Associate Planner Marissa Montero, Assistant Planner Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chair Uva requested the newly appointed Planning Commissioners to be sworn into office. Planning Secretary Ria Ioannidis led the oath of office. Vice Chair Uva congratulated all three new Planning Commissioners. Vice Chair Uva asked if any of the Commissioners have any announcements. Commissioners Guerra, Lujan, and Saikaly had none. Commissioner Morales gave thanks for being back on the Planning Commission and Vice Chair Uva had none as well. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: None. PRESENTATIONS: Vice Chair Uva and the Planning Commission recognized former Planning Chair Horacio Ortiz who is now a Councilmember and former Planning Commissioner Miguel Duarte. Councilmember Ortiz is delayed, and Mr. Duarte reported his absence to staff and appreciates the recognition. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Community Development Director Irma Huitron requested the Commission to change item IV under Presentations to section X under Other Business to assure public input. PUBLIC HEARINGS : None NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Public Comment: Speaker, Javier Ganadas, Downey resident at 7205 Coolgrove Drive on the Island, requested a traffic study and footprints of the proposed 33 condominiums units project proposed to be built on Suva and Foster Bridge Road. Speaker, Adrian, Downey resident on Coolgrove Drive in the Treasure Island area, expressed concern about increase of traffic during school hours and homelessness around Treasure Island Park and the proposed project will only worsen the conditions. Planning Commission February 7 2024, Minutes - 2 - Speaker, unknown, expressed that the proposed project, is out to destroy single-family dwelling neighborhoods. Believes the parking will be a nightmare and a total disaster and the project is out of compliance on the proposed location. Speaker, Downey resident for 50 years on the “Island ,” described the proposed project as a disaster. Speaker, Ahmet, Downey resident for 20 years, doesn’t believe the condominium project is good for the community of Downey and the people that live in the neighborhood. Speaker suggested an extension of the park which will help service the community effectively. Speaker, Alfred Calderon, resident of Coolgrove Drive in the “Island” area, stated there is already an existing traffic issue in the area with the two elementary schools in the neighborhood and the proposed project will only worsen the traffic problem. Speaker, unknown name, resident of the “Island,” expressed concern about the proposed project and the impact it will have on the street parking and traffic. Speaker, unknown name, detailed a traffic study he conducted of vehicles driving through Suva Street and is concerned the proposed project will only bring more traffic to the intersection. Speaker, resident of the “Island,” concerned about property value s in the neighborhood with the proposed project being approved and shared concerns about traffic and street parking. Community Development Director Irma Huitron informed the public that the subject project is not set for public hearing since it is not on the agenda. Therefore, the Planning Commission is unable to respond to each comment. All concerns have been noted by staff. Speaker, resident of the “Island,” expressed concern on traffic and suggested that a community service type of project in the “Island” neighborhood would be more beneficial. Principal Planner Alfonso Hernandez stated the City received a public comment via email and a copy of the email is placed on the dais for review by the Planning Commission and at the back of the room for review by the public. Community Development Director Irma Huitron thanked the members of the public for voicing their concerns and there will be an official notice of the upcoming public hearing which will take place on February 21, 2024. There are also environmental documents available for review on the City’s website. Director Huitron introduced the Planners assigned to the project, Principal Planner Alfonso Hernandez and Associate Planner Abraham Luna, and informed the public that questions can be directed to them that day or at a later day. Commissioner Guerra shared he was the Mayor at the time the Treasure Island Park was built and thanked the members of the public for coming. Vice Chair Uva closed the public hearing Vice Chair Uva announced Councilmember Horacio Ortiz’s arrival and presented him with a recognition certificate and thanked him for his service with the Planning Commission. Commissioner Guerra shared his gratitude to Councilmember Ortiz for his service and friendship. Commissioner Lujan congratulated Councilmember Ortiz, wished him the best of luck on City Council and thanked him for appointing him to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Saikaly as well as Commissioner Morales thanked Councilmember Ortiz for his service. Planning Commission February 7 2024, Minutes - 3 - Vice Chair Uva read the Certificate of Appreciation to Councilmember Ortiz. Council member Ortiz thanked the Planning Commission for the opportunity given to him as a member of the commission and for the education and friendship he obtained while serving as a member. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Vice Chair Uva asked the commissioners if they had any questions or comments on the consent calendar item or motion to accept. A motion to accept the Consent Calendar was requested by Commissioner Guerra and seconded by Commissioner Morales. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-2 with Commissioners Lujan and Saikaly abstaining. OTHER BUSINESS: Community Development Director Irma Huitron requested a 5-minute break to meet with staff. Commissioner Guerra requested to break after the election of officers and made a motion to nominate Vice Chair Uva as Chairwoman. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Morales and passed by a vote 5-0 vote to elect Vice Chair Uva as Chairwoman of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Morales nominated Commissioner Guerra for Vice Chairman. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Chair Uva, and passed by a 5-0 vote to elect Commissioner Guerra as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. Chair Uva called for a recess. Chair Uva reconvened the meeting with an overview of the Housing Element Implementation. Director Irma Huitron introduced Jose Rodriguez from the consulting firm MIG who has been assisting with the City’s Housing Element Implementation. Project Manager Jose Rodriguez gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Housing Element Implementation which included an overview of the Housing Element, the City’s RHNA numbers, and upcoming changes to the General Plan and Zoning Code. The presentation also detailed upcoming community engagement opportunities and an overall project timeline. After the presentation, Mr. Rodriguez welcomed questions from the Commissioners. Vice Chair Guerra inquired about the funding of the project. Community Development Director Irma Huitron stated the adoption of the Housing Element preparation, which is part one of the project, was grant-funded by SB2 and the second part of the project was approved by City Council to use general funds. Vice Chair Guerra expressed concern and interest on how “disadvantaged communities” are categorized. Project Manager Jose Rodriguez explained that the “disadvantaged community” categorization was based on a variety of data points including but not limited to environmental factors, and socioeconomic and health indicators. He also explained that the categorization is made by census tract and those labeled as a “disadvantaged community” were identified as the top 25% in the State needing environmental justice initiatives. Community Development Director Huitron intervened and expressed concern regarding the orange color on the map and is working with Jose and the team to explain to the public the environmental justice component. Chair Uva expressed concern about the outreach to the public and would like notifications to be sent out to the household and published for the community. Planning Commission February 7 2024, Minutes - 4 - Community Development Director Huitron stated there is an opportunity to provide messaging of the subject project through utility billing and other city wide notices being mailed out. Project Manager Jose Rodriguez stated he will be working with staff on media outreach out to the residents. Chair Uva thanked Project Manager Jose Rodriguez for the project presentation. Chair Uva asked if the Planning Commissioners have any questions for staff. Vice Chair Guerra asked staff about the continuation of the future agenda dates. Community Development Director Huitron confirmed the notices for the February 21st projects have been published and the preparation of reports is in process. Commissioner Saikaly asked staff about the four-way stop sign mentioned by a resident and for the project’s traffic study. Community Development Director Huitron stated staff has noted all comments made by residents and will address those concerns. Commissioner Morales requested copies of the plans, and stated the plans previously provided were blurred. Director Huitron stated there will be a separate link to access the project plans which will give the ability to view the documents. Vice Chair Guerra commented he met with the developer of the project and felt it was very informative. City Attorney John Funk stated there is no obligation to attend a meeting request by the developers and these meetings are intended as a learning exercise. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Uva adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm, to Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of February, 202 4. _____________________________ Carmela Uva, Chair City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on this 21st day of February 2024, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _____________________________ Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary Community Development Department