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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes - 10/26/2011MINUTES ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 5:30 P.M. I. An Adjourned Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held October 26, 2011. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, roll was called at 5:30 P.M. II. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Louis Morales, District 3 Michael Murray, District 1, Vice-Chairman Ernie Garcia, District 4 Robert Kiefer, District 2, Chairman COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Hector Lujan, District 5 ALSO PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Director of Community Development Yvette M. Abich, City Attorney William Davis, City Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Theresa Donahue, Secretary III. MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed by a 3-0-1-1 vote, with Commissioner Lujan absent and Commissioner Murray abstaining, to approve the Minutes of October 5, 2011, as presented. IV. AGENDA CHANGES: No changes. V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Community Development Director Saeki stated there were no reportable actions from Council’s October 25, 2011 meeting. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Chairman Kiefer noted there were no Consent Calendar items on this evening’s agenda. VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: Chairman Kiefer stated, that due to a potential conflict of interest, whereby his company has an account with St. Raymond’s Church, he would be abstaining on this item. He handed the gavel over to Vice- Chairman Murray and left the dais. 1. PLN-11-00228 (SPECIAL EVENT) Location: 12348 Paramount Boulevard Owner: Rev. John Higgins, St. Raymond Catholic Church/Archdiocese of Los Angeles Applicant: Gerardo Aguero 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 15304 (Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land). Request: A request to permit the operation of a three-day outdoor carnival, which includes rides, game booths, food sales, and live entertainment on October 28, 29 and 30, 2011, in the parking lot of St. Raymond Catholic Church, on property zoned R-1 (Single Family Residential). Vice-Chairman Murray opened the public hearing on PLN-11-00228 (Special Event). Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 26, 2011 – PAGE 1 Page 2 Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner, presented staff’s report and accompanying PowerPoint, noting staff’s recommendation is for approval. He indicated th at the applicant had secured parking agreements from the former Alin Party Supplies parking lot to the north (135 parking spaces). He confirmed that Condition No. 2 requires that the music stop 30 minutes before closing, 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9:30 p.m., on Sunday. Gerardo Aguero, Applicant, 7933 Quill Dr., Downey addressed the Commission, providing the following: 1) He would like the Commissioners to consider allowing the music to play until 11:00, since he had contracted with the band prior to knowing about the limitation to stop at 10:30 p.m.; 2) This is the first carnival of this size that St. Raymond’s has put on; 3) The beer garden will be roped off and controlled; 4) They have secured the agreements of three off- site nearby parking lots; 5) They are providing notices/posters around town to advertise; 6) He has informed neighbors of the upcoming event, and provided his personal cell phone number to each of them to contact him if any problems arise; 7) The stage is positioned to face away from the residential properties, and the school classrooms will help buffer the noise from the carnival from the residents. Vice-Chairman Murray asked Mr. Aguero if he was aware of the City’s policy to keep the site clear of any debris during and following the carnival activities. Mr. Aguero responded, assuring that the staff will try to keep the property clean and stated that he would personally assure their compliance. Commissioner Garcia inquired into how the participants would know of the off-site locations. Mr. Aguero stated that the parking attendants would in form the carnival-attendees as they drove up. Commissioner Morales noted that the Beach’s Market parking lot was a little far to be realistically utilized by carnival attendees. Mr. Aguero noted that they had considered using a shuttle back and forth from the market lot to the school, but it would be cost-prohibitive. He assured that they would be able to meet all the conditions the City is requiring. Vice-Chairman Murray asked staff for any correspondence. Mr. Nguyen stated that no written correspondence had been received on this item. Vice-Chairman Murray invited members of the audience to address the Commission. No one came forward at this time. There being no further questions/comments regarding staff’s recommendation, Vice-Chairman Murray closed the public hearing. Commission discussion: The Planning Commissioners indicated that they would not have a problem allowing the music to play until 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights, while still endi ng at 9:30 on Sunday night. Commissioner Morales asked that Condition No. 5 be revised to include the area neighborhoods in the staff’s sweeps for trash. Commissioners Morales, Garcia and Murray stated that they believed the event would be a positive activity for Downey residents and hoped the event and believed all the important safeguards had been addressed. It was moved by Vice-Chairman Murray, seconded by Commissioner Morales and passed by a vote of 3- 0-1-1, with Commissioner Garcia absent and Commissioner Kiefer abstaining, to adopt Resolution No. 11- 2737, revising Conditions No. 2 & 5, as discussed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 26, 2011 – PAGE 2 Page 3 Chairman Kiefer returned to the Cham bers and took his place as Chairman. 2. PLN-11-00230 (SPECIAL EVENT) TH Location: 8454 5 Street th Owner: Residence Cottage on 5 St. L.P. Applicant: Edgar Serrano 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 15304 (Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land). Request: A request to permit a one-day outdoor festival on October 31, 2011 in the parking lot of La Promesa Christian Church on property zoned R-3 (Multi- Family Residential). For the Record, Chairman Kiefer noted the applicant had withdrawn his Special Event PLN-11-00230. VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS : Commissioner Morales offered his condolences to City Planner, William Davis, on the passing of his father, Eugene earlier this month. IX. OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Morales asked Mr. Saeki when the Fiat Dealership would be moving forward with their showroom. Community Development Director S aeki stated that the showroom would commence following the transfer of title to Champion Motor Properties, adding that he believed that Alfa Romeo will soon follow. Commission er Murray stated a concern regarding visibility of retail businesses along Lakewood Boulevard, where the trees are being placed in the center medians, pointing to a location near to Alameda school. X. ITEMS F OR FUTURE AGENDA: XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the Commission adjourned at 6;00 p.m., to November 2, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of November, 2011. Michael Murray Michael Murray, Vice-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 2nd day of November, 2011, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Garcia, Morales, Murray ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Lujan, Kiefer NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None Theresa Donahue Theresa Donahue, Secretary CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 26, 2011 – PAGE 3