Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. Minutes 2-21-24 MINUTES DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, February 21, 2024 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 PM Chair Ortiz called the February 21, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:33 pm, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Commissioner Morales COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Carmela Uva., District 4, Chair Mario Guerra, District 2, Vice Chair 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 Jerry Clemente, Associate Planner Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Morales responded that he had none. Vice Chair Guerra reported he had spoken to residents from treasure island contacting him regarding the project on Suva and informed the residence to learn more about the project and no prejudgment should be made. Commissioner Lujan as well as Commissioner Saikaly responded stating none. Chair Uva thanked the residents for coming forward and voicing their concerns. Chair Uva informed the residents there will be no hearing on the Foster Bridge Rd project due to continuance, however comments can be made during the non-agenda public comments. PRESENTATIONS: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Community Development (CD) Director Irma Huitron reported that item number 1 [PLN-23-00035 (General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Site Plan Review, Tentative Tract Map, Density Bonus)] on the agenda for 7360 Foster Bridge Blvd has been continued per request of applicant, the Olsen Company, to a future date undetermined. CD Director Huitron also informed there are copies of the applicant’s letters requesting the project hearing continuation on the dais and in the back of the council chambers room. In addition, CD Director Huitron stated once the project establishes a date on the agenda staff will be sending out new public hearing notices to all residents within a 500 radius of the project site. Chair Uva announced her conflict of interest on project PLN-23-00039 (Conditional Use Permit) and PLN- 23-00043 (Conditional Use Permit) and recused herself as Chair Vice Chair Guerra continued the meeting. Planning Commission February 21, 2024, Minutes - 2 - PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. PLN-23-00039 (Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chair Guerra opened the public hearing for PLN- 23-00039, and Planning Secretary affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente presented a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for AT&T to construct a new roof mounted wireless communication facility on an existing 40’-5” three story medical office building to be concealed behind a decorative screen that will resemble an additional floor. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente addressed questions from Planning Commissioners related to the property. Vice Chair Guerra asked the Planning Commissioners if they may have any questions for staff. Commissioner Saikaly asked Associate Planner Jerry Clemente if any structural analysis was done on the roof of the project. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente explained the design and structural components are examined during the plan check review for Building Permits. CD Director Huitron explained the current application evaluates the design of the project, however structural review is not conducted at this stage of the overall project. In addition, CD Director Huitron suggested that the applicant may be able to provide further detail the extent of their structural analysis. Vice Chair Guerra asked if there is any other Commissioners that have any questions for staff and Commissioner Lujan as well as Commissioner Morales responded to none. Vice Chair Guerra asked staff regarding the color of the project building and if it will be painted to match the existing building. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente confirmed the added screening will be painted to match the existing structure. Vice Chair Guerra complimented the overall design and asked of the extent of coordination to achieve the design. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente replied it was a great coordination between both wireless communication carriers as well as with staff. Disclosures: Commissioner Lujan had nothing to disclose as well as Commissioner Saikaly and Commissioner Morales. Vice Chair Guerra disclosed he has passed by the project site several times. Vice Chair Guerra opened the Public Hearing. Vice Chair Guerra asked the applicant or representative to come forward and give testimony. Applicant, Sono Tocward, with Yukon group on behalf of AT&T, stated she has read the conditions of approval and AT&T is also in compliant with the FCC standards. Applicant also addressed Commissioner Saikaly’s concern regarding the structural analysis done on the roof of the project and informed the Commissioner there has been an initial structural analysis and found preliminary that it was structurally appropriate. Vice Chair Guerra asked why AT&T is on the front end and Verizon is on the back end and not together on the same side on this project. Planning Commission February 21, 2024, Minutes - 3 - Applicant, explained, the space is needed to accommodate both carriers equipment including separation distances required by AT&T to reduce signal interference. Vice Chair Guerra asked if the rooftop project is more expensive than stand alone cell tower. Applicant responded yes. Vice Chair Guerra asked how the project cost were divided. Applicant verified the split of the cost and AT&T will be the lead carrier to forward the project to building plan check. Vice Chair Guerra asked if there is any correspondence. Correspondence: None Public Comment: None Vice Chair Guerra closed the public hearing. Associate Planner Clemente recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit for PLN-23-00039 and adopt the proposed Resolution. Deliberation: Commissioner Morales complimented the project plans and staff as well and Vice Chair Guerra thanked staff and applicant for working together for coming up with an impressive design. It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Commissioner Morales, and passed by a vote of 4-0 to pass PLN- 23-00039 (Conditional Use Permit). Chair Uva excused due to conflict of interest. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3. PLN-23-00043 (Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chair Guerra opened the public hearing for PLN-23-00043, and Planning Secretary affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente presented a conditional use permit for Verizon Wireless to construct a new roof mounted wireless communication facility on an existing 40’ 5” three story medical office building to be concealed behind a decorative screen that will resemble an additional floor. Vice Chair Guerra asked the Planning Commissioners if they have any questions for staff. Commissioner Lujan and Commissioner Saikaly as well as Commissioner Morales had none. Vice Chair Guerra had a question regarding the quality of the glass windows and if it is the same as the existing windows in the building. Associate Planner Jerry Clemente explained the glass on the existing building is similar, but not the same material. Disclosures: Commissioner Lujan had nothing to disclose as well as Commissioner Saikaly and Commissioner Morales. Vice Chair Guerra also had nothing to disclose. Planning Commission February 21, 2024, Minutes - 4 - Vice Chair Guerra opened the Public Hearing. Vice Chair Guerra asked for the Applicant or Representative to please come forward and give testimony. Applicant Michael Sigal, Representative for Verizon, thanked all parties involved in this project. Vice Chair Guerra asked the applicant about the location selection of the project. Applicant stated they were looking to relieve congestion cell towers and while pairing up with the Yukon group the project site met their criteria for a rooftop wireless communication facility. Vice Chair Guerra asked the applicant whether the carriers work together often.. Applicant stated there was no interference and able to share the same site. Vice Chair Guerra asked the applicant for details related to project costs and leasing. Applicant replied he could not provided specifics, however rooftop sites are perhaps 250,000. The applicant also stated that leasing information could not be provided. However, they did disclose that the lease will be in place for the foreseeable future. Vice Chair Guerra asked if there is any correspondence. Correspondence: None Public Comment: None Vice Chair Guerra closed the public hearing. Associate Planner Clemente recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit for PLN-23-00043 and adopt the proposed Resolution. Deliberation: Commissioner Lujan, along with Commissioner Saikaly and Commissioner Morales had none as well as Vice Chair Guerra. It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Vice Chair Guerra, and passed by a vote of 4-0 to pass PLN-23-00043 (Conditional Use Permit). Chair Uva excused due to conflict of interest. Chair Uva returned to lead Planning Commission Meeting. Chair Uva proceeded with the Planning Commission Meeting with the Non-Agenda Comments. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Public Comments: Speaker, name not stated, expressed opposition for the 33 Townhouse project on 7360 Foster Bridge Blvd, believes this project will have detrimental effects to the community and asked for the Planning Commission to reconsider. CD Director Huitron informed the public that the commissioners are unable to provide response on item 1 as it is not a public hearing item at this time. Planning Commission February 21, 2024, Minutes - 5 - Speaker, name not stated, commented that the item was pulled from tonight’s agenda and postponed from one date to another to try to discourage the residents from public comment. They also stated the project destroys Single-family neighborhood character. Speaker, name not stated, expressed opposition for the 33-condominium project development near treasure island, the hidden gem in Downey is a source of pride in the community and the project development will impact the neighborhood adding to the overwhelming traffic on Foster Bridge Road. Speaker, name not stated, Downey resident of 25 years, expressed his opposition for the development project in his neighborhood, commented on the already existing traffic and the parked cars on the street in which it makes it difficult to get into his own driveway. He feels the project would only make it worse. Speaker, name not stated, shared support for the previous speakers and identified as a Commissioner of the City’s Public Works Committee. He continued to share his support of the island neighborhood and expressed his opposition for the development project due to the existing bumper to bumper morning traffic. He also shared he had contact with the Olsen Company and addressed the neighbor’s concerns. Speaker, Alan Tier, Downey resident for 52 years, stated he witnessed an ambulance was stuck in traffic and not able to attend a service call because of the traffic in his neighborhood. Chair Uva closed the non-agenda public comment period. Director Huitron addressed the members of the public regarding item 1 being under the public hearing agenda and clarified tonight was the first time this was placed on the agenda as a public hearing and at the last Commission Meeting the item was not set by the City and not placed on the agenda. She stated proper notice will be sent to neighbors and interested parties. CD Director added that any member of the public that has any questions may speak to Staff after the meeting or in the future. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Chair Uva asked the commissioners if they had any questions or comments on consent calendar item or motion to accept. It was moved by Commissioner Morales and seconded by Commissioner Lujan, and passed by a vote of 5-0 to approve the February 7, 2024 Minutes. OTHER BUSINESS: None. Chair Uva asked if the Community Development Director has any additional comments. CD Director Huitron announced the Planning Commission Academy Conference held in Long Beach for any of the Planning Commissioners that would like to attend. Vice Chair Guerra requested CD Director Huitron to verify all Planning Commissioners reside in the City of Downey. Director Huitron stated all members of the Planning Commission are residents of the City of Downey. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Uva adjourned the meeting at 7:38 pm, to Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of March, 2024. _____________________________ Carmela Uva, Chair City Planning Commission Planning Commission February 21, 2024, Minutes - 6 - I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on this 6th day of March, 2024, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _____________________________ Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary Community Development Department