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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-06-10MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL JULY 6, 2010 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission at 6:05 p.m., July 6, 2010, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Mayor Anne M. Bayer presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Anne M. Bayer Mayor Luis H. Marquez Mayor Pro Tern Roger C. Brossmer David R. Gafin Mario A. Guerra PRESENT: Planning Commissioners: Louis Morales Chairman Robert Kiefer Vice - Chairman Terry Lambros Michael Murray Fernando Vasquez (arrived at 6:20 p.m.) ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Brian Saeki, Community Development Director John Perfitt, Assistant Community Development Director David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Mark Sellheim, Principal Planner Alexa Washburn, City Consultant/Hogle- Ireland Theresa Donahue, Secretary STUDY SESSION REGARDING DOWNTOWN DOWNEY DRAFT SPECIFIC PLAN: Community Development. Written correspondence was received by George Redfox via email dated and received on July 6, 2010. Community Development Director Brian Saeki gave a staff presentation noting that the City hired consultants Hogle- Ireland, Inc. in August, 2009 to prepare the draft specific plan in response to the City Council directive of revitalizing the downtown to foster economic growth. Notice of this joint meeting was given to the property owners in the area and was published in the Press Telegram. On June 10, 2010 it was presented to the Project Area Committee and is scheduled for a Public Hearing before the Planning Commission in approximately sixty days. Thereafter, it will be presented at a Public Hearing of the City Council. The draft specific plan has been prepared to act as a tool to create a vibrant, pedestrian friendly downtown and to embrace the uniqueness of Downey. Senior Planner Blumenthal presented Power Point slides noting that the draft downtown specific plan attempts to convert the area from car - central to pedestrian oriented and get more people visiting and living downtown. The downtown area is proposed to be expanded to include the old Gallatin medical facility property and the Rives mansion. Five unique land use districts are proposed. He explained the community outreach has included stakeholder interviews, a public workshop, an environmental impact report meeting, a downtown Project Area Committee meeting, and the joint workshop this evening. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 6, 2010 — PAGE 1 Page 2 Senior Planner Blumenthal continued that the downtown objectives include: retail development, housing development, a park -one system, public gathering spaces, including religious institutions as stakeholders and catalysts, and establishing a sense of identity. The proposed land use districts include: Paramount Boulevard Professional District, Downtown Residential District, Downtown Core District, Civic Center District and Firestone Boulevard Gateway District. The proposed Paramount Boulevard Professional District has key landmarks of the former Gallatin Medical site and the Rives Mansion. The vision is for an employment corridor with professional offices, to provide supporting services and develop residential uses. The standards proposed are a height limit of four stories, a floor area ratio of 2.0, and a density of twenty to forty dwelling units per acre. The proposed Downtown Residential District has key landmarks of the Heritage Court Senior Village and the Bank of America building. The vision is to establish a residential neighborhood in downtown; and to provide neighborhood commercial services. The standards proposed are a height limit of four stories, a floor area ratio of 1.5, and a density of eight to forty dwelling units per acre. The proposed Downtown Core District has key landmarks of the Krikorian Theater and the churches. The vision is for a pedestrian main street, mixed use development and unique dining /shopping area. The standards proposed are a height limit of three stories, a floor area ratio of 1.5, and a density of twenty to forty dwelling units per acre. The proposed Civic Center District has key landmarks of City Hall, the City Library, and the Civic Theatre. The vision is to create a large outdoor space to hold events, construct a parking structure, and relocate the transit center. Since this is all City owned land, no restrictions on standards are proposed. The proposed Firestone Boulevard Gateway District has key landmarks of Embassy Suites Hotel, the post office, Portos Bakery, and Fresh & Easy. The vision is for high density /intensity development, mixed use (office, retail, housing) flexible space, and entertainment uses. The standards proposed are a height limit of six stories, a floor area ratio of 3.0, and a density of forty to seventy -five dwelling units per acre. The key specific plan elements are: Open Space opportunities; Urban design standards and guidelines; parking, signs, and mobility plan. Open Space opportunity sites are identified and a Green Pedestrian Corridor is proposed with large sidewalks and parkways. A parking study has been completed and it has been determined that the parking is presently sufficient and is at about forty percent (40 %) utilization. It should be reevaluated at sixty percent (60 %). Residential parking will be provided on -site. Types of signs include: canopy /awning, marquee /theater, multiple- tenant complex, projecting and wall. For way- finding signs, it is suggested to use gateway and directional signs. The mobility plan includes bicycles, public transportation and possibly neighborhood electric vehicles. At this time, Assistant Community Development Director Perfitt gave a presentation on the economic development aspects noting there are opportunity sites for residential development. There are only 111 residential units now in the area, with a potential of 200 — 250 new units. He noted the key opportunity site of the former Gallatin Medical Center with the proposed specific plan providing more development scenarios. The Rives Mansion is a gateway to the downtown from 3 d Street and needs more opportunities such as retail events. 3 d and La Reina Avenue is vacant and available for residential development. The parking is adjusted to be consistent with downtown development standards for residential units. Redevelopment monies can be used for public improvements in the area. Entertainment, cultural uses and outdoor dining can help retain and attract more retail uses. Council Member Gafin questioned what seems to be a conflict with pushing storefronts out versus the cafes with outdoor dining and the increased pedestrian usage. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 6, 2010 — PAGE 2 Page 3 Planning Commissioner Murray expressed the need for a center place to set up for drawing in businesses and future developments. Planning Commissioner Vasquez indicated the parking is adequate for now, but there is a future need for a parking structure with retail. He stressed the importance of a sense of connectivity for the pedestrians. Lawrence Crister expressed he was overall pleased with the plan, but what is it that will make it attractive, livable and bring the people? There needs to be more cultural development in the plan. George Messinia thanked everyone for the hard work on the plan and suggested a place for the Downey Museum of Art, studio spaces, visibility from street and historical elements. Emery Sipos questioned how large the parcel had to be for the mixed development. He was told there is no minimum size in the proposed plan. Kirk Cartozian, former Council Member, expressed that there is a need for a new urbanized residential community downtown and a need to bring the people here. Gabriel Gonzales, stated that the plan sounds great, although he is concerned regarding traffic on 5 th Street where he resides where the transit buses now go down quite fast; and cultural concerns. Council Member Guerra expressed that he is excited about the plan which lays a foundation for a bigger downtown than just Downey Avenue. He is a member of the Council Downtown subcommittee along with Council Member Brossmer and they have visited many successful downtowns such as Pasadena, Brea and others. He noted they all have residential components. He indicated it is a great time to work on the plan and it will continue to evolve until implementation. Council Member Gafin referenced the audience comments that 1S floor visibility is an attracting feature. The reuse of buildings should be promoted along with a vibrant attitude. The evenings can have dining and cultural events. There needs to be a water feature, or some cultural point to attract people to downtown after 5:00 p.m. He noted some densities seen high, but are acceptable to him. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated that a big part of the plan is reviewing the traffic flow along with the parking. He supports the concept of an Arts District with galleries including lofts for living spaces. Planning Vice - Chairperson Kiefer indicated he is in favor of many aspects of the plan which provides the opportunity for Downey Avenue to grow to an area many residents want to visit and agreed that building too close to the sidewalk will restrict pedestrian traffic flow. Commissioner Lambros hopes for more input from the existing businesses downtown. She feels this is a good time with the upcoming opening of Portos Bakery and suggested that their customers be surveyed. Commissioner Murray thanked staff for doing an excellent job and he supports the mixed uses and hopes the plan will be moved along expeditiously and will draw in numbers of people. Mayor Bayer noted that there were apartments above some Downey businesses in the past years. She expressed that we have a more health conscious society living in almost a 24 hour environment which is a good match to the draft plan. Assistant City Manager Livas thanked the staff and the City Council subcommittee of Council Members Brossmer and Guerra. He expressed that the draft plan is grounded in reality and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 6, 2010 — PAGE 3 Page 4 economically viable with the housing, entertainment and pedestrian components. Commissioner Morales expressed that the draft plan is headed in the right direction, but suggested more market research as to what types of uses will work in this area. Commissioner Vasquez expressed the need for public outreach to involve youth groups in order to bring high school and college students back to Downey. NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Andrew Ardando, a teacher in a neighboring city provided some insight into what might draw students to ensure success of the plan. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.: City Council to 6:30 p.m., July 13, 2010; Planning Commission to 6:30 p.m., July 7, 2010. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of July, 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 21st day of July, 2010, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Vasquez, Murray, Morales ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Lambros, Morales Theresa Donahue Theresa Donahue, Secretary CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Document11 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 6, 2010 — PAGE 4