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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes - 10/05/2011MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. I. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held October 5, 2011. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, roll was called at 6:30 p.m. II. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hector Lujan, District 5 Ernie Garcia, District 4 Louis Morales, District 3 Robert Kiefer, District 2, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Michael Murray, District 1, Vice-Chairman STAFF PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Community Development Director Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Narineh Shahinian, Planning Intern Theresa Donahue, Secretary III. MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Murray absent, to approve the Minutes of September 21, 2011. IV. AGENDA CHANGES: Community Development Director Saeki stated there were no changes to the agenda. V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Community Development Director Saeki reported that there were no Planning-related items to report from the September 27th City Council meeting. VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Chairman Kiefer noted there were no Consent Calendar items. VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 1. PLN-11-00212 (SPECIAL EVENT) Location: 12808 Woodruff Avenue Owner: Calvary Chapel Applicant: Hector Gonzales Staff: Narineh Shahinian 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 by Calvary Chapel to conduct a one-day “Alternative Night” celebration on Monday, October 31, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on the parking lot of the property, zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-11-00212. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 5, 2011 – PAGE 1 Page 2 Planning Intern, Narineh Shahinian, presented staff’s report and accompanying PowerPoint, noting that staff addressed potential impacts with the recommended conditions of approval, amplified music, requiring that the speaker be directed away from adjacent residential areas; litter impacts on surrounding properties; parking and safety in parking areas. Ms. Shahinian reviewed the project for the Commission, also noting that sufficient parking was being provided on-site. She stated staff’s recommendation is for approval, with the conditions as presented, Chairman Kiefer noted that Calvary Chapel had a sim ilar event last year, and inquired if there had been any complaints or problems reported. He also inquired about the number of parking spaces. Ms. Shahinian responded by stating no problems had been documented from last year’s event; and there are 590 parking spaces available. The applicant, Hector Gonzalez, 12808 Woodruff Avenue, thanked the Commission for their consideration on this matter. Responding to the Commission’s questions, he provided the following testimony: 1) The volunteers/carnival staff provide continuous litter control during the event and after closing at 9:00 p.m. They will continue to clean up after closing, but no later than midnight. 2) The event is similar to a carnival, providing an alternat ive to the traditional Halloween activities; and is all geared toward the kids, and will include a food court. 3) Set up time is approximately 3 hours, while break-down is much quicker. Chairman Kiefer asked for correspondence received. Ms. Shahinian responded, no correspondence had been received. Chairman Kiefer invited members of the audience to address the Commission. No one came forward to address the Commission on this item. Planning Commission discussion: The Commissioners were in agreement that all concerns had been sufficiently addressed by staff’s recommended conditions; and they believed the event would be nice for the community. It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Commissioner Garcia and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Murray absent, to adopt Resolution No. 11-2735, approving Special Event, PLN-11-00212. Chairman Kiefer 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. 2. PLN-11-00185 (PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM) Location: 7355 Florence Avenue Owner: Progressive Real Estate Applicant: Tony Shreve, Young Electric Sign Company Staff: David Blumenthal 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 the size, color, and location of signs on a multi-tenant retail center located at 7355-7371 Florence Ave and 10011-10033 Tecum Road, zoned C-2/PB (General Commercial/Parking Buffer). Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-11-00185. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of publication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 5, 2011 – PAGE 2 Page 3 Senior Planner, David Blumenthal, presented staff’s report and accompanying PowerPoint, noting that the Commission had recently reviewed the plans for the property and approved changes to the building for the new 7-11 business, which replaced the liquor store. Now the owner is providing the Sign Program for the center. He noted that the property has dual zoning, C-2 (General Commercial) with P-B (Parking Buffer) along the 60’ strip along Florence Avenue. Mr. Blumenthal noted that the wall signs are only for the southern building, while the northern building has no wall signs. He also noted that the monument sign is outside of the 25-foot triangle, for visibility. Mr. Blumenthal stated that the Planned Sign Program meets all six findings, and staff recommends approval. The applicant, Robert Mountain, representing Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), 1710 Van Buren, Riverside, addressed the Commission. He noted that 7-11 had originally proposed a pole sign, but they are happy to accept the monument sign. He stated they accepted staff’s recommendation. Chairman Kiefer asked staff for any correspondence. Mr. Blumenthal responded, no correspondence had been received. Chairman Kiefer invited members of the audience to address the Commission on this matter. No one came forward at this time. Planning Commission discussion: The Planning Commissioners were in agreement that the Sign Program was appealing in design and proportion; and that these signs added to the improvements for the site. Chairman Kiefer noted his support of Condition No. 7 that required the monument sign be in a landscaped planter and would not block visibility. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Lujan and passed by a vote of 4-0- 1, with Commissioner Murray absent, to adopt Resolution No. 11-2736, approving PLN-11-00185, (Planned Sign Program). Chairman Kiefer 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 : The Commissioners expressed their enjoyment of the Taste of Downey event on September 30, 2011. IX. OTHER BUSINESS: The Commissioners inquired into various development si tes in the City: 1) The vacant Von’s building on Paramount Boulevard; 2) The former Alin Party Supply site on Paramount Boulevard; and 3) The La Barca Restaurant, also on Paramount Boulevard. Community Development Director Saeki responded, noting the following: 1) He had heard that the Payless Foods’ plan to move into Von’s location may have developed some problems; 2) Walmart Neighborhood Market is moving forward with their plans to occupy the Alin Party Supply location and they are nearly ready to pull permits for the tenant improvements; and 3) La Barca is within two months of completion. X. ITEMS F OR FUTURE AGENDA: Mr. Saeki informed the Planning Commissioners of a Special Meeting being scheduled for November 30, 2011 for the Planning Commissioners to consider the Tierra Luna amended Specific Pla n project. He asked that they keep that date available. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 5, 2011 – PAGE 3 Page 4 XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further questions to come before the Planning Commission, the Commission adjourned at 7:05 p.m., to October 19, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca., in memory of Eugene Da vis, father of William Davis, Downey’s City Planner. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of October, 2011. Robert Kiefer Robert Kiefer, 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 19th day of October, 2011, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Morales, Garcia, Kiefer ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: Lujan ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Murray NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None Theresa Donahue Theresa Donahue, Secretary CITY PLANNING COMMISSION H:\Community Development\Planning Commission\Minutes\2011\Oct 5, 2011- Minutes.doc PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, OCTOBER 5, 2011 – PAGE 4