HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08-18-10OV D04,
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Yi Y
®' WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 FO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held August 18, 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
Charles Vose, Interim City Attorney
John Perfitt, Asst. Community Development Director
William Davis, City Planner
Jessica Flores, Associate Planner
Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
III. MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Kiefer, seconded by Commissioner Murray and passed
by a vote of 3 -0 -2, with Commissioners Murray, Kiefer, Vasquez voting "Aye" and Commissioners
Lambros and Morales abstaining, to approve the Minutes of July 21, 2010.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Kiefer and passed by a vote of 3-
0-2, with Commissioners Murray, Kiefer, Morales voting "Aye" and Commissioners Lambros and
Vasquez abstaining, to approve the Minutes of August 4, 2010.
IV. AGENDA CHANGES: City Planner, William Davis, informed the Commission that there were no
changes to the agenda.
V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Mr. Davis indicated there would be no report on City Council
actions.
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: There were no Consent Calendar items.
VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (PLN -10- 08045)
Location: 7877 Florence Avenue
Owner /Applicant: George Efstathiou, The Courtyard Business Center
Authorized Agent: Same
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 allow for a type 41 (On Sale Beer and Wine, Eating Place) alcohol
license at a new restaurant (The MarketPlace Grill and Cafe), on property
zoned C -2 (General Commercial) and P -B (Parking Buffer).
Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN -10- 08045. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of
publication.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 18, 2010 — PAGE 1
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Associate Planner, Jessica Flores, presented staffs report and accompanying PowerPoint, reminding
the Commission of their recent approval for the planned restaurant, on December 2, 2009, which was
originally named "Stackers ". She stated that staff could support the request for alcohol sales inside the
restaurant with the condition that no alcohol be allowed in the outside patio.
George Efstathiou, owner /applicant, 9412 Tweedy Lane, Downey addressed the Commission, noting that
he'd changed the proposed name to Market Place Grill & Cafe. He stated that he accepted staffs
recommended conditions. Responding to questions from the Commission, he provided the following: they
are about two weeks from pulling permits; the restaurant has 88 seats inside, and 30 seats available in the
patio; they are planning to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and describe their type of restaurant as "fast
comfortable" family restaurant. He affirmed that they will be next door to George's Restaurant and Bar.
There were no persons in the audience to address the Commission on this matter.
Chairman Morales closed the public hearing.
Commission discussion:
Commission Vasquez asked staff to clarify the reasoning behind restricting alcohol sales from the patio
area.
Associate Planner Flores explained the reason for the restriction is because the restaurant's main
entrance, through the open patio area, is not protected, nor easily enclosed. She also noted an objection
due to the close proximity to a busy intersection at Florence Avenue and Tweedy Lane, to minimize the
potential for alcohol - related incidents.
Commissioner Vasquez noted that the Commission has supported outdoor dining, to include the
enjoyment of a glass of beer or wine; however, he is comfortable with the restriction to the patio due to this
particular design. He noted he was ready to move forward.
The Commissioners each expressed their support for the proposed Conditional Use Permit noting that the
applicant could return with a request to allow alcohol in the patio once the matter of securing the patio has
been resolved.
It was moved by Commissioner Murray, seconded by Commissioner Kiefer and passed by a full vote of
the Commission, to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2655, approving PLN -10 -08045 to permit the serving of
alcohol within the restaurant for property located at 7877 Florence Avenue.
Chairman Morales stated the action of the Planning Commission will become 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.
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (PLN -10- 08031)
Location:
10046 Imperial Highway
Owner /Applicant:
Scott Haney
Authorized Agent:
Roger Spencer, Cortel for Sprint
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 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities).
Request:
A request by Clearwire Communications to install three (3) wireless antennas
and three (3) dish antennas at a height of sixty -one (61') feet, to the existing
141 -foot high Southern California Edison high tension tower, on property
zoned R -1 (Single Family Residential).
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 18, 2010 — PAGE 2
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Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN -10- 08045. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of
publication. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication.
Assistant Planner, Kevin Nguyen, presented staffs report and accompanying PowerPoint, which showed
where the proposed cell antennas would be installed on the existing Edison tower. He stated that the
City's Code allows cell antennas to be collocated on an existing standalone /tower facility as long as it does
not exceed the height of the existing structure. The existing tower is 141 -feet tall and the antennas are
proposed to be installed at 61 -feet. Therefore, he stated, staff is able to support the request. He noted
that one of the conditions of approval is to paint the new antennas to match the existing structure.
Responding to questions, Mr. Nguyen stated that the antenna units are no more than 18- inches across;
the nearest residential properties are to the west, adjacent to the subject site and on the opposite side of
the riverbed, to the east.
Commissioner Murray commented that there certainly would not be much of a visible change to the site.
Roger Spencer, applicant, 1335 21S Street, Manhattan Beach, 90266, addressed the Commission.
Mr. Spencer stated that he had reviewed staff's report and recommended conditions of approval, and
that he accepts the conditions as stated.
Commissioner Vasquez inquired of Mr. Spencer what level of noise is typically generated by such
facilities?
Mr. Spencer responded that they would utilize one (1) equipment cabinet on the ground, and the
intermittent sound is similar to what a refrigerator would create.
Chairman Morales stated that many cell sites provide block walls around their properties, but in this
case, no additional fencing is proposed.
Mr. Spencer confirmed that the site would remain much the same, noting that the site is also
developed as a nursery, and as such, screening is provided by the greenery.
Chairman Morales invited the public to address the Commission on this matter. No one came
forward. In addition, Mr. Nguyen informed the Commission that no correspondence had been
received on this matter.
There being no further comments, Chairman Morales closed the public hearing
Commission comments:
Chairman Morales stated that he thought the request to collocate on the existing tower, was pretty
straight forward. He noted that he did not believe there'd be much of an impact. Commissioner
Vasquez stated that he thought the site location was ideal; one of the best he'd seen in awhile. He
said it made sense to locate the antennas within the utility corridor. Commissioners Murray, Kiefer
and Lambros also stated the location was appropriate.
It was moved by Commissioner Lambros, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez and passed by a
vote of 5 -0, to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2656 approving PLN -10- 08031, as recommended.
Chairman Morales stated the action of the Planning Commission will become 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: The Commissioners welcomed Commissioner Lambros back from her
absence while recuperating from surgery. She thanked the Commissioners for their well- wishes and
noted that she was happy to be back.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 18, 2010 — PAGE 3
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IX. OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Murray informed the Commissioners of an upcoming event
tomorrow, August 19 th , involving the City's celebration of Fifty years as "Sister City" to Guadalajara,
noting that Downey was the first City to participate in the Sister City Program when first initiated by then
Senator Eisenhower in 1960.
X. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA: No future agenda items were discussed.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the
Commission adjourned at 7:05 p.m., to September 1, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111
Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca.,
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1st day of September, 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
Planning Commission held on the 1 st day of September, 2010, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lambros, Murray, Kiefer, Vasquez, Morales
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: None
Theresa Donahue
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
HAPLANNINGWGENDAS 2010 - PCWug 18, 2010 - Minutes.doc
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