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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-07-10OF D04, C gUFORN� P MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held July 7, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, roll was called at 6:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman Terry Lambros, District 4 Michael Murray, District 1 Fernando Vasquez, District 5 Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman ALSO PRESENT Brian Saeki, Community Development Director G. Ross Trindle, III, Assistant City Attorney Jessica Flores, Associate Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Shion Hori, Assistant Planner Theresa Donahue, Secretary III. MINUTES: June 16, 2010 —approved. IV. AGENDA CHANGES: No changes V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Community Development Director, Brian Saeki, reported that the City Council had met with the Planning Commission last night for a Joint workshop to address the Draft Specific Plan for Downey's Downtown area. He noted that he hoped the document would be coming to the Planning Commission in its final form for their consideration within the next 60 days. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Chairman Morales noted there were no Consent Calendar items scheduled. VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: VARIANCE No. 10 -24 Location: 8153 Gardendale Street Owner /Applicant: James Galloway Authorized Agent: Mary Jaramillo Staff: Kevin Nguyen CEQA: As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this request has been found to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA, per CEQA Guidelines, Section 15305 (Class 5, Minor Alterations of Land Use Limitations). Request: A request to deviate from Section 9312.08 and 9534.22 of the Municipal Code, thereby allowing the construction of a detached 2 -car garage that will occupy more than 50 percent of the required rear yard setback and encroach into the required 10 -foot street side yard setback by 5 feet on property zoned R -2 (Two - Family Residential). Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for Variance No. 10 -24. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 1 Page 2 Community Development Director Saeki stated that Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen would present Staff s report. Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner, presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint. Mr. Nguyen showed that the subject property had an allowed carport which had been damaged and that the property owners wish to replace it with a two car garage. He explained that due to the substandard lot size (25' x 80) it would be necessary to encroach into the required rear yard setback by five (5) feet. He reminded the Commission of the substandard parcels along this portion of the street, creating a hardship in being able to develop a garage that complies with the City's Code and noted that the Commission had approved a similar project in this neighborhood last year at 8043 Gardendale Avenue. Responding to Commission Murray's inquiry, Mr. Nguyen stated that the garage door will face the rear of the property, will be accessed thru the alley, and would meet the minimum set back of 6 feet from the rear property line. Mr. Nguyen also stated that the property had always been residential, to the best of his knowledge. Applicant's representative, Mary Jaramilla, 7231 Ira Avenue, Bell Gardens, 90201 addressed the Commission, noting that she had no questions regarding staffs recommendation and accepted the stated conditions of approval. In addition, she noted that the property belonged to her father, and she was speaking on his behalf. Chairman Morales invited members of the public to come forward and address the Commission. There were no persons wishing to address the Commission on this item. In addition, staff noted that no correspondence had been received regarding this matter. Commission comments: Commissioner Lambros noted that due to the size of the property, the applicant is doing what must be done to build the garage; the applicant has accepted the recommended conditions; and she supports. Commissioner Kiefer agreed that due to the lot size and because he would like to see the garage be built for the site, he would support the request. Commissioner Vasquez noted that the property is in need of the requested improvement, and he felt the proposal to be straight forward and he supports it. Commissioner Murray said that this is type of situation that supports a variance, a substandard property built in the 20's or 30's is appropriate to allow a variance to build a garage. Chairman Morales agreed, noting this is the type of request that meets the required findings to support a variance, in particularly to reduce a deficiency on the property and to bring more in conformity wit the Code. It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Lambros and passed by a vote of 5 -0 to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2647, approving Variance No. 10 -24. 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, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 2 Page 3 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT No. 10 -30 Location: 7447 Firestone Boulevard Owner /Applicant: Christos Smyrniotis Authorized Agent: Jim Louder Staff: Jessica Flores CEQA: As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this request has been found to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA, per CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Request: A request to approve a new Type 41 (On -Sale Beer and Wine, Eating Place) alcohol license at an existing restaurant (Bob's Big Boy) on property zoned C -2 (General Commercial). Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for Conditional Use Permit No. 10 -30. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner, Jessica Flores, presented staffs report and accompanying PowerPoint, noting the request is to allow the sale of beer and wine, along with meals, within the confines of the existing Bob's Big Boy restaurant, and providing the chronological order of various approvals at the property. She pointed out that the request is supported by staff, with the conditions as recommended. Ms. Flores stated there is a condition restricting serving alcohol at the car hop or drive - through. Mr. Jim Louder, owner of Bob's Big Boy restaurant, addressed the Planning Commission. He stated that he wished to provide beer and wine as a convenience to his customers. He noted that, although his other two restaurants offer the alcohol, the percentage of alcohol sales is minimal. He stated the restaurant is open until 11 p.m., during the week and until 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Mr. Louder stated that he had read and accepted the recommended conditions of approval. Chairman Morales invited members of the audience to address the Commission at this time. There were no persons in the audience wishing to address the Commission on this item. Chairman Morales noted staff's recommendation for approval and that the associated Resolution number is 10 -2648. There were no questions regarding staff's recommendation. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. The Commissioners indicated their support of the request, noting this was a family restaurant and they did not anticipate problems to be created by the accessory sales. It was moved by Commissioner Lambros, seconded by Commissioner Murray and passed by a unanimous vote to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2648, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 10 -30. 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. 3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 91 -157. REVISION C Location: 12031 Regentview Avenue Owner /Applicant: Leo J. and Lois A. DuLac Trust Authorized Agent: Roger Spencer /Clearwire /Sprint Staff: Shion Hori CEQA: As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this request has been found to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA, per CEQA Guidelines, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 3 Page 4 Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Request: A request to collocate three (3) Sprint antennas and five (5) microwave dishes to the existing wireless telecommunications freestanding monopole, thereby bringing the total number of antennas on the monopole to 21, on property zoned M -2 (General Manufacturing). Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for Revision "C" of Conditional Use Permit No. 91 -157. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Hori presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint. She stated that the original approval for the monopole was by the Planning Commission on 2/4/92 and was for 110 -foot high with 12 antennas. On 10/6/04 the Planning Commission approved Revision B, to permit the collocation of one dish. And tonight's request is to collocate three antennas and five microwave dishes for Sprint, bringing the total number of antennas on the existing monopole to twenty -one. She stated staff's recommendation was for approval. Responding to Commissioner Murray's question if the chain link fence would be visible from the street, Ms. Hori stated that it would not be. Roger Spencer, applicant, 1335 21S Street, Manhattan Beach, stated his acceptance of the recommended conditions. The Commissioners stated they had no questions of the applicant, nor of staff. There were no persons in the audience wishing to address the Commission on this matter The Commissioners stated their support, noting that they can support collocation on an existing pole since there would be no visible change, but noted that no pine trees had been added to soften the look. Commissioner Kiefer added that he preferred the pole over building a huge tower. It was moved by Commissioner Kiefer, seconded by Commissioner Murray and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2649, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 91 -157, Revision "C ". 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. 4. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 10 -20 Location: 13101 Lakewood Boulevard Owner /Applicant: J. Anthony Kouba Authorized Agent: Aimee Weeks /Coastal Business Group, Inc. Staff: Shion Hori CEQA: As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this request has been found to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA, per CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). Request: A request to permit a wireless telecommunications facility (T- Mobile) with 16 panel antennas stealthed by a proposed ten -foot tall extension of an existing tower element on the building zoned C -2 (General Commercial). Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for Conditional Use Permit No. 10 -20. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Shion Hori presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint, showing the proposed cell site as it is currently developed, and the elevations of the building with the proposed ten foot tall tower element extension. Ms. Hori stated staffs recommendation for approval, and the Resolution number is 10 -2650. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 4 Page 5 Aimee Weeks of Coastal Business Group, Inc., applicant's agent, 16460 Bake Parkway, Ste 100 addressed the Commission on behalf of T- Mobile. She informed the Commissioners of their acceptance of the recommendation conditions of approval. Commissioner Lambros commented that she found the added architectural element, the tower, to be an attractive addition to the building. Commissioner Murray agreed, but asked for the record who would be maintaining the clock. Ms. Weeks responded, T- Mobile with maintain and she will arrange for contact information to be provided to the city staff, for the record. Chairman Morales invited members of the public to address the Commission. No persons came forward to address the Commission on this matter. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing The Commissioners stated their support of the tower design to stealth the cell antennae, noting that the parapet wall enhances the design of the building. It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez and unanimously approved, to adopt Resolution No. 2650, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 10 -20, as recommended. 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. VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No oral communications IX. OTHER BUSINESS: The Commissioners addressed the following matters: 1. Commissioner Murray asked who was responsible for clean up of the property directly behind the Elks Club, on Rail Road Right of Way. Mr. Saeki said he would check on this, noting that he believed it would be the Railroad. 2. Commissioner Kiefer inquired into the status of the property just south of Citibank on Lakewood. Assistant Community Development Director Perfitt informed the Commissioners of on -going discussions with potential developers, but that there is no project proposed at this time. 3. Mr. Perfitt also addressed questions regarding other sites of potential development, including: the "four corners" at Lakewood and Gallatin; the former Massey dealership at Florence /Studebaker; status of responses from companies interested in our Civic Theater. He shared efforts being made to bring quality markets into the city, such as Sprouts or Henry's; and responded to questions regarding the current health of the Downey Landing property. Community Development Director, Brian Saeki, informed the Commissioners that Shion Hori, Assistant Planner for the City for the past five years, was leaving Downey in order to move up north. The Commissioners expressed their disappointment at the City's loss, but wished her well on her future ventures. X. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA: No future agenda items were addressed. XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the Commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m., to July 21, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca. 90241. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 5 Page 6 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of July, 2010. Robert Kiefer Robert Kiefer, Vice - Chairman CITY PLANNING COMMISSION I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Commission held on the 21 st day of July, 2010, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Vasquez, Murray, Kiefer ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Lambros, Morales Theresa Donahue Theresa Donahue, Secretary CITY PLANNING COMMISSION H: \PLANNING \PC Minutes- 201 0Wuly 7, 2010 - Minutes.doc PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JULY 7, 2010 — PAGE 6