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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. Planning Commission Minutes 11-15-23MINUTES DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, November 15, 2023 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 PM Chair Ortiz called the November 15, 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 Duarte COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Horacio Ortiz, Jr., District 5, Chair Carmela Uva, District 4, Vice Chair Miguel Duarte, District 1 Mario Guerra, District 2 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Irma Huitron, Director of Community Development John Funk, City Attorney Alfonso Hernandez, Principal Planner Abraham Luna, Associate Planner Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chair Uva responded that she has none. Commissioner Duarte responded he has none. Commissioner Guerra responded that he has none. Chair Ortiz responded he has none. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS: Community Development Director Irma Huitron congratulated Chair Ortiz for his victory on the Council seat . Community Development Director Irma Huitron also reported on upcoming development projects in the City, including code enforcement related activities. PRESENTATIONS: None. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Chair Ortiz asked the commissioners if they had any questions or comments on consent calendar item or motion to accept. It was moved by Vice Chair Uva and seconded by Commissioner Guerra, and passed by a vote of 3-0-1, with Commissioner Duarte excused from passing the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-23-00136 (Tentative Parcel Map): Chair Ortiz opened the public hearing for PLN-23- 00136, and Planning Secretary affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Abraham Luna presented a request to subdivide a 29,209 square-foot parcel into two parcels. The property is located at 12020 Rives Avenue, Zoned R-1 5,000 Single-family Planning Commission November 15, 2023, Minutes 2 - residential. Upon completion of the presentation, Associate Planner Luna recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map (PLN-23-00136). Associate Planner Abraham Luna addressed questions from Planning Commissioners related to the property. Vice Chair Uva asked Planning Staff about parking requirements for each parcel. Commissioner Guerra disclosed concerns related to conflict of interest due to the proximity of the project to his primary residence. City Attorney John Funk informed there is no conflict of interest in Commissioner Guerra’s participation. Commissioner Guerra asked Planning Staff about driveway placement and architectural design of the future buildings. Associate Planner Luna stated that due to the specific request of a subdivision the project design and layout are preliminary and the project is conditioned to comply with all development standards to be reviewed during the building permit process. Commissioner Guerra commented the subject property has the potential to also construct Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and expressed concerns related to the potential maximum dwelling units. Associate Planner Luna confirmed that was correct, but noted none were proposed at this time. Community Services Director Huitron added the R-1 zone per state law allows one primary dwelling, an ADU and a junior ADU dwelling. Disclosures: Vice Chair Uva and Commissioner Guerra drove and walked by the site separately. Commissioner Duarte and Chair Ortiz had none. Chair Ortiz asked the applicant to give testimony. The Applicant welcomed questions from Commissioners. Vice Chair Uva asked the Applicant of their future development plans. Commissioner Guerra asked about plans for future ADUs and driveway placement. The Applicant stated that a home and one ADU will be proposed on each lot. In addition, the Applicant stated they were open to constructing two separate driveways. Commissioner Guerra asked Planning Staff on notification procedures to surrounding residences. Community Services Director Huitron verified notices were mailed out to property owners within a 500- foot radius and also publicized the public hearing on the Downey Patriot, a local newspaper.. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: Speaker Justin Philips, mother lives next door to subject property, shared concerns related to traffic congestion, traffic safety, and construction noise. Chair Ortiz closed the public hearing. Planning Commission November 15, 2023, Minutes 3 - Associate Planner Abraham Luna recommended the Planning Commission approve PLN-23-00136 Tentative Parcel Map) and adopt the proposed resolution. Deliberation: Vice Chair Uva, Commissioner Duarte and Commissioner Guerra requested that conditions of approval be added to the resolution related to driveway placement and construction hours. Commissioner Guerra asked if conditions of approval can be added limiting the construction of ADUs. Community Development Director Huitron and City Attorney Funk clarified state law related to ADUs. Commissioner Guerra requested to address the applicant. Chair Ortiz opened to public hearing. Commissioner Guerra asked the applicant if the property is in use or vacant, and complimented the maintenance of the property. The Applicant stated the property was vacant, but regularly maintained. Chair Ortiz closed the Public Hearing. Community Development Director Huitron, at the request of the Planning Commission, drafted modified conditions of approval related to driveway placement and construction hours. Chair Ortiz opened the Public Hearing. Chair Ortiz asked the applicant if they agreed with the newly drafted conditions of approval. The Applicant responded that they were accepting of the new conditions of approval. Chair Ortiz closed Public Hearing. It was moved by Commissioner Duarte, seconded by Vice Chair Uva, and passed by a vote of 4-0 to pass Tentative Parcel Map (PLN-23-00136). PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-23-00119 (Conditional Use Permit): Chair Ortiz opened the public hearing for PLN-23- 00119, and Planning Secretary affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Abraham Luna presented a conditional use permit application to locate a new rooftop mounted wireless communication facility on an existing building. The property is located at 12006 Lakewood Blvd at the Downey Landing. Commissioner Guerra asked to confirm the height measurement of the unscreened portion of the antenna. Associate Planner Luna confirmed the measurement is 24 inches. Disclosures: Vice Chair Uva had none. Commissioner Guerra stated that the same paint is used as the building. Commissioner Duarte had none and Chair Ortiz visits the site frequently. Chair Ortiz opened to Public Hearing: Planning Commission November 15, 2023, Minutes 4 - The Applicant Justin Robinson, representative of Verizon, confirmed the measurements of the antenna. Correspondence: None Public Comment: None Chair Ortiz closed the Public Hearing. Associate Planner Luna recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit for PLN-00119 and adopt the proposed Resolution. Deliberation: The Commissioners stated they were ready to make a motion. It was moved by Vice Chair Uva, seconded by Chair Ortiz, and passed by a vote of 4-0 to pass PLN- 23-00119 (Conditional Use Permit). ADJOURNMENT: Chair Ortiz adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm, to Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of February, 2024. 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 7th day of February, 2024, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Ria Ioannidis, Planning Secretary Community Development Department