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STAFF REPORT DATE: JUNE 1, 2011 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT KEVIN NGUYEN, ASSISTANT PLANNER SUBJECT: PLN-11-00107 (SPECIAL EVENT) – A
REQUEST TO CONDUCT AN ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4 AND SUNDAY JUNE 5, 2011, FROM 11:00 AM TO 10:00 PM, AT 10830 DOWNEY AVENUE, ZONED DDSP (DOWNTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN).
CEQA Staff has reviewed the proposed use for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review, staff determined that this request is categorically
exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15304 (Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land). Categorical Exemptions are projects, which have been determined not to have a significant
effect on the environment and have been exempted from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. Class 4 exemptions include temporary uses, such as a carnival, that
will have no permanent effect on the environment. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the the Planning Commission adopt the following titled resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN-11-00107 (SPECIAL EVENT), TO PERMIT AN ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS (SATURDAY, JUNE 4 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011, 11:00
A.M. TO 10:00 P.M.) IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ON PROPERTY AT 10830 DOWNEY AVENUE, ZONED DDSP (DOWNTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN). CODE AUTHORITY The applicant
is making their request pursuant to Municipal Code Section 9420, which allows temporary outdoor events, subject to the approval of a Special Event Permit. The Planning Commission’s authority
to consider the requested Special Event Permit is set forth in Municipal Code Section 9420.04.
SITE LOCATION 10830 DOWNEY AVE SITE DESCRIPTION A. Subject Property 1. Property Information: Site Location: 10830 Downey Avenue AIN 6254-017-024 & 025 2. Applicant Information: Property
Owner: Representative: Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Inc. 10830 Downey Ave. Downey, CA 90241 (562) 862-6461 Christina Davilas Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 10830 Downey Ave.
Downey, CA 90241 (562) 761-6080 3. CEQA Determination: Categorically Exempt, Class 4 4. Noticing Information: Applicant Notification: Required Action Date: May 16, 2011 July 15, 2011
B. Surrounding Properties Zone Use North DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan) Commercial Center East DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan) Apartment Complex West DDSP (Downtown Downey
Specific Plan) Commercial Building South DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan) Commercial Building PLN-11-00107 – 10830 Downey Ave June 1, 2011 -Page 2
C. Aerial Photograph Subject Site BACKGROUND The subject site is a 2.2 acre irregular-shaped lot that is located on the southeast corner of Downey Avenue and La Villa Street. The site
is currently improved with the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and a small commercial building. Parking facilities exist on the easterly half of the subject site. On May 3, 2011,
the applicant, Mrs. Christina Davilas, submitted an application for a Special Event Permit, to allow an outdoor festival to take place in part of the parking lot of the subject site.
Staff deemed the application complete on May 16, 2011. On May 20, 2011 notice of the pending application was mailed to all property owners within 500’ of the subject site and published
in the Downey Patriot. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS The proposed outdoor event will take place in the eastern portion of the church’s parking lot, immediately adjacent to Downey Avenue and La
Villa Street. As noted previously, the event will occur on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, 2011 from, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Set up of the event will take place on Friday, June
3, 2011, and the site will be cleaned up no later than Monday, June 6, 2011, by 3:00 p.m. Activities at the festival include the sales of a variety of foods and alcoholic beverages,
dancing, live music, games, cultural events, and a kid’s zone (See attached site plan). These types of events are typical for churches and can prove to be a pleasant community affair
for the surrounding residents. Due to the location of the event on the property, staff is not concerned about significant impacts to surrounding properties. Parking will not be impacted,
because the First Baptist Church located at 8348 East Third Street and Downey United Methodist Church located at 10801 Downey Avenue have permitted Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
to use their parking lot during the Greek Festival (See attached letters from Pastor J.D. Williams and Pastor Lui Tran). Additionally, street parking along Downey Avenue offers 2 hour
parking between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and La Villa Street permits parking except on Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for street sweeping. To minimize impacts further, staff has recommended
several conditions of approval on the permit, which include, among other things, litter to be picked up during the event, and church restroom facilities be made available to patrons.
PLN-11-00107 – 10830 Downey Ave June 1, 2011 -Page 3
PLN-11-00107 – 10830 Downey Ave June 1, 2011 -Page 4 Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 9420, consideration of this event is within the discretion of the Planning Commission. The Commission
may also impose conditions of approval that are necessary to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Staff has provided several conditions of approval from various City Departments
for the Commission’s consideration. FINDINGS Pursuant to the requirements of the Municipal Code, the following findings shall be made in order for the Planning Commission to approve
the request. 1. That the proposed activity or use will be consistent with the objectives, policies, and general land uses and programs specified in the City’s General Plan. General Plan
Policy 8.4.3 states, “Enhance the City’s existing cultural resources,” which in part is implemented by Program 8.4.3.2 that states “Support and encourage community events…” The proposed
Special Event Permit will allow a two-day church festival that is open to the community community and will have family friendly activities. Approval of the festival is consistent with
the General Plan Policy 8.4.3. 2. That the proposed activity or use is consistent with other provisions of Article IX of the Downey Municipal Code. The proposed special event will be
located within the easterly portion of the church parking lot. The event will utilize temporary structures only and operation of the event will not hinder the movement of traffic (on
and/or off site) or create impacts unto adjoining properties. Furthermore, there is sufficient parking on-site and at the First Baptist Church nearby to accommodate the patrons of the
event. Therefore, the special event is consistent with the other provisions of Article IX of the Municipal Code. 3. That the proposed activity or use will not result in conditions or
circumstances contrary to the public health, safety, and general welfare. As noted previously in this report, the proposed event will not create a significant impact to surrounding properties.
The location of the event will not hinder traffic circulation or pedestrian movement. The event will not create a condition of circumstance that is contrary to the general public health,
safety, or welfare. As such, conditions have been imposed to prevent such conditions and circumstances (see Exhibit A – Conditions, of this Resolution). CORRESPONDENCE As of the date
that this report was printed, staff has not received any correspondence regarding this matter. CONCLUSION After considering the information provided by the applicant and contained in
this report, staff feels that any potential impacts can be mitigated with the recommended conditions of approval. As such, staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve PLN-11-00107
(Special Event), subject to the conditions of approval contained in Resolution No. 11-2715. H:\Community Development\Nguyen\CASES\Special Event\PLN-11-00107 (10846 Downey) Greek Festival\staff
report.doc