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Home My WebLink About1. PLN-11-00212, 12808 Woodruff Ave - staff report STAFF REPORT PLANNING DIVISION CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA DATE: OCTOBER 5, 2011 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NARINEH SHAHINIAN, PLANNING INTERN SUBJECT: PLN-11-00212 (SPECIAL EVENT) -A REQUEST BY CALVARY CHAPEL TO CONDUCT A ONE-DAY “ALTERNATIVE NIGHT” CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011, FROM 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, ON THE PARKING LOT OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12808 WOODRUFF AVENUE, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL). CEQA Staff has reviewed the proposed application for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review, it has been 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 consists of minor alterations to the condition of land, including approval of temporary land uses that have a negligible or no permanent effects on the environment. It is staff’s opinion that the temporary outdoor event will not have a permanent effect on the environment; therefore it qualifies for the Class 4 exemption. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the following titled resolution: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PLN-11-00212 (SPECIAL EVENT) -A REQUEST BY CALVARY CHAPEL TO CONDUCT A ONE-DAY “ALTERNATIVE NIGHT” CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011, FROM 5:00 PM TO 10:00 PM, ON THE PARKING LOT OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12808 WOODRUFF AVENUE, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL). CODE AUTHORITY The applicant is making this request pursuant to the provisions of Downey Municipal Code Section 9420.18 which lists this type of event as a “Special Outdoor Event – Nonresidential Zone”. The Planning Commission’s authority to act on it is pursuant to Municipal Code Section 9420.04 (b) which states that the City Planner may forward a Special Event Permit application to the Commission if the use may result in extensive potential and/or temporary impacts to the community. PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 2 SITE LOCATION 12808 Woodruff Ave. SITE DESCRIPTION A. Subject Property 1. Property Information Site Location: 12808 Woodruff Avenue APN 6283-024-007 2. Applicant Information Applicant: Property Owner: Hector Gonzales 12808 Woodruff Avenue Downey, CA 90242 Calvary Chapel of Downey 12808 Woodruff Avenue Downey, CA 90242 3. CEQA Determination: Categorical Exemption (Class 4) 4. Noticing Information Applicant Notification: Required Action Date: September 7, 2011 November 6, 2011 PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 3 B. Surrounding Properties: Zone Use North C-2 (General Commercial) and R-1 5,000 (Single-Family Residential) High school, Downey Adult School, service station, convenience market, dental office, auto repair facility, and apartments East R-3 (Multiple-Family Residential) Apartments South R-1 5,000 (Single-Family Residential) Single-family homes West R-1 5,000 (Single-Family Residential) Single-family homes C. Photograph of Subject Property: BACKGROUND The subject site is an approximate 12 acre irregular shaped corner lot located on the southeast corner of Woodruff Avenue and Imperial Highway. The subject site is zoned C-2 (General Commercial). It is developed with a church, parochial school, gymnasium, offices, child care facilities, and kitchen room. Additionally, there is an 890 space parking lot that surrounds the PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 4 building, with the majority of the field of parking being located on the north and west sides of the building. On August 18, 2011, the applicant submitted a request for a Special Event Permit (PLN-11-00212), requesting to conduct an alternative night celebration at the subject site. Staff completed their review of the application on September 7, 2011, at which time the application was deemed complete. On September 22, 2011, notice of the pending application published in the Downey Patriot. Furthermore, the notice was mailed to all property owners within 500’ of the subject site on September 23, 2011. DISCUSSION The applicant’s request is for an outdoor special event to be held on Monday, October 31, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The applicant will close down the north parking lot to setup the event. According to the applicant, the event will include a 20’ x 40’ obstacle course, an 18’ x 18’ balls circus, a castle jump, a Kraken slide, an ESPN zone, a gyroscope, a human foosball, a bungee run, two basketball shooters, a dunk tank, a baseball shooter, a space jumper, a big wheels area, ministry booths, a kids’ stage, a youth stage, a half-court basketball tournament, carnival booths, and candy distribution. Set-up is intended to begin at 12:00 p.m. the day of the event, and clean-up is intended to be completed by midnight the evening of the event. There will be no furniture or equipment left outside overnight. The applicant estimates that there will be approximately 300-400 guests in attendance. The applicant is proposing to use amplified music during the event. In order to avoid potential impacts to the surrounding residences, staff has recommended conditions of approval that speakers be pointed away from the adjoining residences and the if the Police Department receives excessive complaints about noise, the Watch Commander can order the music be turned down or stopped. In addition to noise, staff is concerned about accumulation of litter on the site and surrounding area. Accordingly, staff is recommending a condition of approval that requires the applicant to have a roving patrol of volunteers to pick-up litter from the site and adjoining sidewalk during the event. Finally, staff would like to address concerns about parking. The applicant’s proposal will include closing the parking lot on the north side of the building. It is staff’s opinion that this will not present a parking issue for the event due to the large parking lot on the west side of the building and the parking area on the south side of the building. In fact, the applicant will be closing approximately 300 of the 890 spaces available, which is staff’s opinion is more than sufficient to accommodate the anticipated crowd and employees at the event. Findings Pursuant to Municipal Code 9814.08, there are three (3) findings that must be adopted prior to Planning Commission approving a Special Event. A discussion of the findings follows: 1. 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. The City of Downey General Plan Program No. 1.1.5.3 states, the City shall “promote recreation and entertainment uses that serve needs of the public.” Inasmuch as the PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 5 proposed event is a community event that is open to the public and will include live entertainment, games, and rides for attendees to enjoy, it is staff’s opinion that allowing this event will be consistent with the aforementioned General Plan program. 2. The proposed activity or use will be consistent with other provisions of Article IX of the Downey Municipal Code. The proposed activity is located within the C-2 (General Commercial) zone, where special events such as outdoor events and festivals are permitted, subject to Section 9420.04 of the Downey Municipal Code. The applicant proposes to utilize the parking area on the north side of the property for the event. In staff’s opinion, the parking needs for the site will not be affected by the proposed event, since there will be over 500 parking spaces available to meet the parking needs during the event and other church activi8tes (congregations, schools, etc) will not be utilizing the site during the meeting. 3. The proposed activity or use will not result in conditions or circumstances contrary to the public health, safety, and general welfare. It is staff’s opinion that approving the Special Event Permit will not result in conditions contrary to the public health, safety and general welfare given that it is a temporary one day event. Nevertheless, Staff is recommending several conditions of approval that will prevent the event from impacting surrounding sites. With these conditions of approval staff believes that the proposed event will not be contrary to the public health, safety and welfare. 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 by the recommended conditions of approval. As such, staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve PLN-11-00212 (Special Event) – a request by Calvary Chapel to conduct a one-day “Alternative Night” celebration, featuring a stage with live music, game booths, and rides, on Monday, October 31, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the parking lot of property located at 12808 Woodruff Avenue, zoned C-2 (General Commercial). H:\Community Development\Shahinian\Cases\Special Event\12808 Woodruff (Calvary Chapel)\Staff Report.doc PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 6 Exhibit ‘A’ – Aerial Photograph Aerial of entire site Aerial of event area PLN-11-00212 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff October 5, 2011 -Page 7 Exhibit ‘B’ – Zoning Map Subject Site