HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12-01-12ALSO PRESENT:
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
I. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held December 1, 2010. After the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag, roll was called at 6:30 p.m.
II. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman
Fernando Vasquez, District 5
Terry Lambros, District 4
Michael Murray, District 1
Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman
Brian Saeki, Community Development Director
William Davis, City Planner
David Blumenthal, Senior Planner
Jessica Flores, Associate Planner
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
III. MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Vasquez, seconded by Commissioner Murray and
passed by the full Commission (5 -0), to approve the Minutes of November 17, 2010.
IV. AGENDA CHANGES: Community Development Director Saeki stated there were no changes to
the agenda.
V. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Mr. Saeki reported the City Council, at their regular meeting
held November 23, 2010 took two actions of interest to the Commission: 1) appointed Yvette M. Abich
Garcia as the City Attorney; and 2) appointed Lonnie Croom, Assistant Fire Chief, as Fire Chief,
effective upon Chief Jeff Turner's retirement, December 20, 2010
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
Chairman Morales noted there were no Consent Calendar Items on this evening's agenda.
VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
1. PLN -10 -08122 (PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM)
Location: 8077 -8111 Florence Avenue
Owner /Applicant: Blanca, LLC
Authorized Agent: Jim Simington /Ecosign, Inc.
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 Planned Sign Program for the location and appearance of signs within a
multi- tenant office building on property zoned C -P (Professional Office.)
Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN -10- 08122. Theresa Donahue, Secretary,
affirmed proof of publication.
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Associate Planner Jessica Flores presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint noting that the
sign program is required because the building has multiple tenants: Century 21 ( "0 -21 "), Rose Hills, EFS
( "Estate Financial Services "), and one yet unnamed tenant. She reviewed the planned location of and
appearance for the signs.
Monica Sanchez, applicant's representative, 8077 Florence Avenue, Downey addressed the Commission
noting she had no questions, nor any additional comments. She stated their acceptance of the
recommended conditions of approval.
There being no further comments, Chairman Morales closed the public hearing.
Commission discussion:
The Commissioners indicated their support for the proposed sign plan, noting that the building was a nice
addition to the community and they are happy with the building's design and underground parking.
It was moved by Commissioner Lambros, seconded by Commissioner Kiefer and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to
adopt Resolution No. 10 -2691, approving (SIGN) PLN -10- 08122.
Chairman Morales 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 -10 -08141 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT)
Location: 8036 Third Street
Owner /Applicant: Maria Johnson /Winning Image
Authorized Agent: Persico Intervivous Trust
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 revise a Conditional Use Permit to add an aerobic studio to a fitness
center /beauty salon, on property zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific
Plan).
Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN -10 -08141 (Conditional Use Permit). Ms. Donahue
affirmed proof of publication.
Senior Planner David Blumenthal presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint. He stated staff
supports the expanded use at this location where the Commissioners recently approved the fitness studio.
He noted the recommended conditions of approval are included in the attached Resolution, No. 10 -2692.
Commissioner Murray asked if Condition No. 21 was a standard condition, because as a newly developed
center, the condition may not apply. Senior Planner Blumenthal stated that it was a standard condition
and the City would like to have it maintained.
Commissioner Kiefer asked if parking had been addressed. Mr. Blumenthal responded, the center was
developed as a retail center and Downey's Downtown Specific Plan calculates parking the same as that
for an aerobic studio.
Commissioner Lambros noted that the hours for the operation had been extended, and clarified that the
studio may now open at 5:00 a.m.
Marie Johnson, applicant and operator of Winning Image, 8036 Third Street, addressed the Commission,
noted that they begin their yoga classes as early as 5 a.m. to accommodate working women. She
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, DECEMBER 1, 2010 — PAGE 2
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stated her acceptance of the recommended conditions of approval. She also noted that they had not been
able to open the studio, due to the processing of necessary plans, but hoped that it would open soon. She
described how the beauty salon and aerobic activities would be laid out to avoid conflicts.
Melissa Sureal, co -owner of Winning Image, addressed the Commission and explained measures taken to
ensure no noise impacts to neighboring residents or businesses. She added that she welcomed the
additional activity at the location. She also informed the Commission that their salon was uni -sex; men are
encouraged to sign -up, as well as women.
Carla Sandoval, co -owner of the salon affirmed that the two businesses would be able to operate
successfully, side -by -side.
The Commissioners indicated that they had no concerns regarding this request, because the two
businesses share ownership and the operators should be able to work out a successful mix of the two
activities.
It was moved by Commissioner Kiefer, seconded by Commissioner Lambros and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to
adopt Resolution No. 10 -2692, approving PLN -10 -08141 (Conditional Use Permit).
Chairman Morales 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.
3. PLN - 10 - 08127 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT)
Location: 9972 Lakewood Boulevard
Owner /Applicant: Kitsigianis Properties, LLC
Authorized Agent: Yi He
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 Conditional Use Permit request to operate a foot massage (reflexology)
establishment on property zoned C -2 (General Commercial).
Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN -10- 08127. Ms. Donahue affirmed proof of
publication.
Commissioner Murray stated that due to a potential conflict, because of the proximity to his place of
business, he would be abstaining on this matter. He then stepped down from the dais and removed
himself from the Council Chambers.
Senior Planner Blumenthal presented staff's report and accompanying PowerPoint, indicating staff
supported the applicant's request, with the conditions as recommended in the attached Resolution,
pointing out condition #9 is designed to provide open visibility of each work station.
Yi He, applicant, addressed the Commission. She indicated that she would not be the masseuse, but she
will operate the business and would hire the masseuses. She stated that a foot massage takes about 45
to 60 minutes and that no pedicure was included — massage only. She informed the Commissioners that
the operators are required to show State - issued certificates.
Senior Planner Blumenthal affirmed that the City of Downey verifies the certificates for each operator as
part of their background check.
Chairman Morales noted this requirement was stated under Condition No. 11.
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Addressing the Commission, in favor:
Jim Goethes, manager for the retail center, thanked Mr. Blumenthal for his assistance processing this
requested Conditional Use Permit and explained that they were happy to have this operator at the center.
He thanked the City for their diligence reviewing this and other such applications, to ensure their
legitimacy.
There being no further comments, Chairman Morales closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners stated their support for the proposal, believing the issues had been adequately
addressed.
It was moved by Commissioner Kiefer, seconded by Commissioner Lambros and passed by a vote of
4 -0 -1, with Commissioners Kiefer, Vasquez, Lambros, and Chairman Morales voting "Yes" and
Commissioner Murray abstaining, to adopt Resolution No. 10 -2693, approving Conditional Use Permit,
PLN -10- 08127.
Chairman Morales 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.
Commissioner Murray rejoined the Commission at the dais.
VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Public: There were no persons wishing to address the Commission from the audience. The
Commission acknowledged three (3) Cerritos College students in the audience; two from the Business
Department and one studying Psychology.
Staff:
Community Development Director Saeki congratulated Commissioner Vasquez on his successful run
for the City Council seat, District 4 and thanked him for his contributions to the Planning Commission;
noting that he'd be seeing him on Tuesday night's now, rather than Wednesday nights.
Commission:
Commission Lambros shared her enthusiasm and congratulated staff over this year's successful Dine in
Downey, "Taste of Downey ", noting that she had received positive feedback from the community which
included the decorations, a great band, and an appreciation of the heaters, hoping it would be repeated.
Commissioner Murray agreed; the City was overwhelmed with the response from the community. Mr.
Saeki thanked the Commission for their comments, noting that they City was very pleased with the
participation from the community, that 27 restaurants participated in the event and over 1500 people
attended. He stated that they planned on making a few changes for next year's venue, perhaps having a
little earlier in the year and prepare for a larger crowd.
Commissioner Vasquez thanked the Commission and staff for their time together and believed he was
ready to move on to City Council and continue to promote the Economic Development projects. He
thanked staff for making it easy to know the issues. The Commissioners each thanked Commissioner
Vasquez for his past two years working together with the Commission, wished him luck on the City
Council, and that they were looking forward to his work with Council.
Commissioner Murray stated that he was pleased with how the former Boeing building was improved with
the panels going up to cover the broken windows. He also reminded the community that the City's annual
parade was this week -end.
Commissioner Lambros stated that she looked forward to the annual parade going back to being called
the "Christmas" parade, "as it has always been called ".
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IX. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was addressed.
X. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA: No future agenda items were addressed.
XI. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Commission, the
Commission adjourned at 7:15 p.m., to December 15, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111
Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca.,
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of January, 2011.
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 5th day of January, 2011, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Murray, Kiefer, Lambros, Morales
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: None
H: \PLANNING \PC Minutes - 2010 \Dec 1, 2010 - Minutes.doc
Theresa Donahue
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, DECEMBER 1, 2010 — PAGE 5