HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02-03-10OV D04,
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Yi Y
®' WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held February 3, 2010. After the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag, roll was called at 6:30 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Michael Murray, District 1
Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman
Fernando Vasquez, District 5
Terry Lambros, District 4
Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman
ALSO PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Community Development Director
G. Ross Trindle, III, Assistant City Attorney
William Davis, City Planner
Jessica Halak, Assistant Planner II
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
III. MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Lambros, seconded by Commissioner Murray and
passed by a unanimous vote, to approve the Minutes of January 20, 2010.
IV. AGENDA CHANGES: No changes were indicated.
V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Mr. Saeki reported the Planning - related actions from City
Council's meeting of January 26, 2010 which included: 1) approved an update to the Housing Element
of the General Plan covering the period of 2006 -2014; 2) approved the Code Amendment request to the
Zoning Ordinance (Code Amendment No. 06 -120, Revision B), to amend the side yard setback
requirements for new structures in the H -M (Hospital Medical Arts) zone; and 3) approved the Five -Year
Implementation Plan for the Downey Redevelopment Project and Woodruff Industrial Project Areas for
the period 2010 — 2014.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
No Consent Calendar items were scheduled.
VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
SITE PLAN REVIEW No. 09 -82
Location:
11126 Downey Avenue
Owner /Applicant:
Haralambos Paliobeis
Authorized Agent:
Mauricio Durazo
Staff:
Jessica Halak
CEQA:
As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project
has been determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA, per CEQA
Guidelines, Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities).
Request:
A request for approval of the architecture, colors and exterior materials for the
conversion of a 1,450 s.f. retail building into a restaurant (Eurofresh Salads and
More) on property zoned C -3 /DP (Central Business District/Downtown Plan).
Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for Site Plan Review No. 09 -82.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 — PAGE 1
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Jessica Halak, Assistant Planner II, presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint. Her
description included pictures of the site that showed the former business to have been a take out food
establishment (Tropic Bionico). She stated that the applicant's proposed improvements to the building
utilize earth -tone colors and contemporary accents. She indicated that the applicant had purchased
parking credits from the City to meet the nine parking space deficiency for the proposed restaurant,
and those fees are paid annually. She stated staff supported the request and the restaurant is the
type of use the City welcomed as part of its revitalization plan for the downtown area.
Ms. Halak responded to Commissioner Kiefer's question if the parkway area was sufficient to support
an outside patio as well as provide adequate room to meet ADA requirements, noting that the parkway
width was 12', the encroachment is planned at seven (7) feet, leaving 5 -feet.
Responding to Commissioner Kiefer's question regarding the proposed colors for the building, Ms.
Halak provided a color sample and described the dark brown color as Roasted Nuts. Commissioner
Kiefer commented that the color on the material sample was a bit lighter than the colored rendering
provided with the staff reports.
Mauricio Dorazo, 9081 Otto Street, Downey addressed the Commission, asked if they had any
questions that he might answer?
Commissioner Lambros asked if Mr. Dorazo would be running the restaurant and asked that he
describe it a bit. Mr. Dorazo replied that he would be running the restaurant and that they would be
making healthy, freshly tossed gourmet salads and nutritious soups.
Staff noted there was no correspondence received on this matter. In addition, there was no one in the
audience wishing to address the Commission.
Chairman Morales closed the public hearing.
Commissioners Murray, Kiefer and Lambros shared their positive statements in support of the
restaurant, which included comments that the restaurant would be a definite asset toward revitalization
of the downtown area and they were happy that the applicant had made this choice.
Commissioner Vasquez stated that he had no comments.
Chairman Morales noted that staffs recommendation was for approval, and asked staff to provide the
corresponding Resolution number.
William Davis, City Planner, stated the resolution number will be 10 -2625.
There being no questions regarding staff's recommendation, Chairman Morales closed the public
hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner Kiefer, seconded by Commissioner Lambros and passed by a 4 -0 -1
vote of the Commission, with Commissioner Vasquez abstaining, to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2625
approving Site Plan Review No. 09 -82 as presented.
Chairman Morales stated the action of the Planning Commission will be final unless the matter is
appealed to the City Council, with the appropriate fee, within the specified time period as set forth in
the City's Ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 — PAGE 2
Page 3
VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: There were no persons wishing to address the Commission. However,
the Commissioners addressed several items, including:
Commissioner Vasquez informed the Commissioners of an upcoming charity event that he was helping
to coordinate a charity softball game scheduled for April 24, 2010; Commissioner Lambros inquired into
whether or not anybody had heard anything about Downey Regional Medical Center being sold. The
Commissioners indicated that they had not. Commissioner Murray inquired into status of various
properties: Salvatore's, and the property just south of Citibank on Lakewood, south of Firestone.
Commissioner Lambros asked about the vacant World of Decor property on Florence Avenue at
Studebaker.
Community Development Director Saeki stated that there had been discussions involving a potential new
use at this site. He noted that there were several vacant large parcels, former auto dealerships, that now
offer the potential for exciting developments.
City Planner Davis added that the developers of the proposed medical office building on Davis Street had
submitted new plans today for this site, providing all required parking on -site and eliminating the need for
a parking variance, in accordance with the recently approved revised setbacks in the H -M zone.
IX. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was discussed.
X. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA: There were no future agenda items addressed.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the
Commission adjourned at 6:55 p.m., to February 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of March, 2010.
Louis Morales
Louis Morales, Chairman
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the
Commission held on the 3rd day of March, 2010, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lambros, Murray, Kiefer, Vasquez, Morales
Theresa Donahue
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 — PAGE 3