HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.PLN-12-00242 -12808 Woodruff AveSTAFF REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2012
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
JESSICA J. FLORES, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-12-00242 ( SPECIAL EVENT) - A REQUEST TO CONDUCT A ONE-DAY
OUTDOOR “ALTERNATIVE NIGHT” EVENT WITHIN THE PARKING LOT
OF AN EXISTING CHURCH (CAL VARY CHAPEL) ON WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 31, 2012, FROM 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM, ON THE PARKING LOT
OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 128 08 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 Calif ornia 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-12-00242 ( SPECIAL EVENT) - A REQUEST TO CONDUCT A ONE-DAY
OUTDOOR “ALTERNATIVE NIGHT” EVENT WITHIN THE PARKING LOT OF AN
EXISTING CHURCH (CALVARY CHAPEL) ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2012, FROM
5:00 PM TO 9:00 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 9420.20 which lists this type of event as a “Special Outdoor Event – Residential
Zones or Land Uses”. 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 Comm ission if the use may result in extensive
potential and/or temporary impacts to the community.
PLANNING DIVISION
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
SITE LOCATION
12808 Woodruff Avenue
SITE DESCRIPTION
A. Subject Property:
1. Property Information:
Site Location: 12808 Woodruff Avenue
APN: 6283-024-007 & 008
Applicant Information:
2.
Calvary Chapel of Downey
Property Owner:
12808 Woodruff Avenue
Downey, CA 90242
Representative: Hector Gonzales
Calvary Chapel Downey
12808 Woodruff Avenue
Downey, CA 90242
3. CEQA Determination:
Categorically Exempt, Class 4 – Minor Alterations
to Land
B. Surrounding Properties:
Zone Use
North R-1, 5000 (Single Family Residential) Single Family Residences
East R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) Apartment Buildings
R-1, 5000 (Single Family Residential) Downey Adult School
South
and C-2 (General Commercial)
West R-1, 5000 (Single Family Residential) Single Family Residences
PLN-12-00242 – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 2
C. Partial Photograph of Subject Property:
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION
The subject site is an approximately 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 ch urch, parochial school, gymnasium, offices,
child care facilities, and kitchen room. Additionally, an 890 space parking lot surrounds the
building, with the majority of the field of parking being located on the north and west sides of
the building.
The applicant’s request is for Planning Commission approval to conduct an outdoor special
event on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The applicant will
close down the north parking lot to setup the event. The event will include two obstacle
courses, two jumpers, a mechanical train, bungee run, food area and various other
activity/fun booths. Set-up is conditioned to begin at 12:00 p.m. the day of the event, and
clean-up is conditioned to be completed by 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012. The
applicant estimates that there will be approximately 300-400 guests in attendance.
The applicant is proposing to use amplified sound 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. Staff is also 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 in staff’s opinion is more
than sufficient to accommodate the anticipated crowd and volunteers/employees at the
event.
PLN-12-00242 – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 3
FINDINGS
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.
PLN-12-00242 (Special Event) is consistent wi th Program 1.1.5.3 of the City’s Vision 2025
General Plan, Chapter 1. Land Use , which states that the City shall “Promote recreation
and entertainment uses that serve needs of the public.” In addition, to address Program
2.5.1.4 (Vision 2025, General Plan, Chapter 2, Circulation
) that states that the City shall
“Maximize off-street parking to minimize demands on on-street parking,” the church
proposes to park all visitors on-site on the west and south parking lots of the property.
Finally, Program 6.3.1.6 of the City’s Vision 2025, General Plan, Chapter 6, Noise, states
that the City shall “Discourage the placement of air conditioning, electric generators, or
other noise-generating equipment in close proximity to adjacent properties”. Accordingly,
staff has proposed conditions of approval which require any generator used for this event,
shall be located 10 feet from any building and a minimum of 25 feet from any property lines
and that any speakers or amplified sound must be directed towards the north and south of
the property, away from any residential uses.
2.
That the proposed activity or use will be consistent with other provisions of this
article.
PLN-12-00242(Special Event), is consistent with Section 9420.04(c) of the Downey
Municipal Code, Article IX – Land Use, which states that “If an event is of a scale … or use
that may result in extensive potential, even temporary, impacts to the community, the City
Planner may use his/her discretion and forward the Special Event Permit application to the
Commission for their decision.”; Consequently, the City Planner forwarded this to the
Planning Commission for approval on October 17, 2012.
3.
That 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 PLN-12-00242 (Special Event) will not result in
conditions contrary to the public health, safety and general welfare given that it is a
temporary one day event. As such, conditions of approval have been imposed to prevent
such conditions and circumstances that may be contrary to the public health, safety and
welfare (see Exhibit A – Conditions, of this Resolution).
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-12-
00242 (Special Event), a request to conduct a one-day outdoor event entitled “Alternative
Night”, event on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, on the parking lot
of Calvary Chapel property located at 12808 Woodruff Avenue, zoned C-2 (General
Commercial).
PLN-12-00242 – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 4
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING PLN-12-00242 ( SPECIAL EVENT) - A REQUEST TO CONDUCT A ONE-
DAY OUTDOOR “ALTERNATIVE NIGHT” EVENT WITHIN THE PARKING LOT OF
AN EXISTING CHURCH (CALVARY CHAPEL) ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31,
2012, FROM 5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM, ON THE PARKING LOT OF PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 12808 WOODRUFF AVENUE, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL).
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby find,
determine and declare that:
A. An application was filed by Hector Gonzales (hereinafter "Applicant") requesting
approval of a PLN-12-00242 (Special Event), a request to conduct a one-day
outdoor “Alternative Night” event within the parking lot of an existing church
(Calvary Chapel) on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm,
on the parking lot of property located at 12808 Woodruff Avenue (hereinafter
"Subject Site"), , zoned C-2 (General Commercial); and,
B. On October 4, 2012 notice of the pending public hearing was published in the
Downey Patriot was sent to all Downey property owners within 500 feet of the
subject site; and,
C. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on October 17,
2012, and fully considered all oral and written testimony and facts and opinions
offered at the aforesaid public hearing, hereby adopted this resolution, approving
PLN-12-00242 (Special Event), subject to the conditions of approval (hereto
attached as Exhibit A).
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares the
environmental impact of the proposed devel opment has been reviewed and has been found to
be in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is categorically
exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section No. 15304 (Class 4), Temporary Land Uses.
SECTION 3. Having considered all of the oral and written evidence presented to it at
said public hearings, the Planning Commission further finds, determines and declares that:
That the proposed activity or use will be consistent with the
1.
objectives, policies, and general land uses and programs specified
in the City’s General Plan.
PLN-12-00242 (Special Event) is consistent with Program 1.1.5.3 of the City’s
Vision 2025 General Plan, Chapter 1. Land Use , which states that the City shall
“Promote recreation and entertainment uses that serve needs of the public.” In
addition, to address Program 2.5.1.4 (Vision 2025, General Plan, Chapter 2,
Circulation ) that states that the City shall “Maximize off-street parking to
minimize demands on on-street parking,” the church proposes to park all visitors
on-site on the west and south parking lots of the property. Finally, Program
6.3.1.6 of the City’s Vision 2025, General Plan, Chapter 6, Noise, states that the
City shall “Discourage the placement of air conditioning, electric generators, or
other noise-generating equipment in close proximity to adjacent properties”.
Accordingly, staff has proposed conditions of approval which require any
Resolution No.
Downey Planning Commission
generator used for this event, shall be located 10 feet from any building and a
minimum of 25 feet from any property lines and that any speakers or amplified
sound must be directed towards the north and south of the property, away from
any residential uses
2. That the proposed activity or use will be consistent with other provisions of
this article.
PLN-12-00242(Special Event), is consistent with Section 9420.04(c) of the
Downey Municipal Code, Article IX – Land Use, which states that “If an event is
of a scale … or use that may result in extensive potential, even temporary,
impacts to the community, the City Planner may use his/her discretion and
forward the Special Event Permit application to the Commission for their
decision.”; Consequently, the City Planner forwarded this to the Planning
Commission for approval on October 17, 2012.
3. That 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 PLN-12-00242 (Special Event) will not
result in conditions contrary to the public health, safety and general welfare
given that it is a temporary one day ev ent. As such, conditions of approval have
been imposed to prevent such conditions and circumstances that may be
contrary to the public health, safety and welfare (see Exhibit A – Conditions, of
this Resolution).
SECTION 4. Based upon the findings set forth in Sections 1 through 3 of this
Resolution, the Planning Commission of the City of Downey hereby approves PLN-12-00242
(Special Event), subject to conditions of approval attached hereto as Exhibit A – Conditions,
which are necessary to preserve the health, safety and general welfare of the community and
enable the Planning Commission to make the findings set forth in the previous sections. The
conditions are fair and reasonable for the accomplishment of these purposes.
SECTION 5. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
th
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17 day of October, 2012.
Michael Murray, Chairman
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
th
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 17 day of October
2012, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONER:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER:
NOES: COMMISSIONER:
Theresa Donahue, Secretary
PLN-12-00242 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 2
Resolution No.
Downey Planning Commission
City Planning Commission
PLN-12-00242 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 3
Resolution No.
Downey Planning Commission
EXHIBIT A – CONDITIONS
PLN-12-00242 (SPECIAL EVENT)
PLANNING
1. This approval of PLN-12-00242 (Special Event) allows for a special event to be held on
Wednesday October 31, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Approved activities include:
Activity/fun booths, food booths, a live entertainment stage and open area seating, all taking
place within the northern portion of the church’s property, in a parking lot (see attached,
approved site plan).
2. Activities of the Special Event shall be limited to the north parking lot of the Cavalry Chapel,
with the remained of the site being reserved for parking of patron vehicles.
3. The City Planner is authorized to make minor modifications to the approved preliminary
plans or any of the conditions if such modifications shall achieve substantially the same
results as would strict compliance with said plans and conditions.
4. Setup for the event shall occur no earlier than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
and the event shall be cleaned up no later than Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
5. Light generators may be brought to the property the day before the event. The remainder of
the set-up for the event shall commence no sooner than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October
31, 2012.
6. All temporary signs shall comply with the requirements set forth in the Downey Municipal
Code.
7. The applicant shall have volunteers patrol the parking areas and site perimeter to pick-up
trash and litter during all hours of the event. In addition, the applicant shall be responsible to
clean up and remove all trash on the public streets surrounding the property, no later than
11:30 p.m. the day of the event.
8. The Applicant shall provide sufficient trash receptacles on-site for the disposal of food and
other goods.
9. There sale of alcohol on the subject property is prohibited.
10. Live entertainment (dj, dancing, amplified music, etc) shall be permitted during the hours of
the event.
11. All speakers for amplified noise shall be directed away from adjacent residential areas.
12. All required Building Department, Police Department, Public Works Department and Fire
Department permits shall be obtained prior to the start of the event.
13. All Health Department approvals required for the sale or serving of food shall be obtained
prior to the start of the event.
14. Pursuant to Downey Municipal Code Section 9534.16, the subject property shall maintain,
PLN-12-00242 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 4
Resolution No.
Downey Planning Commission
for safety vision purposes, a triangular area formed by the lot lines adjoining the intersecting
streets for a distance of twenty-five (25) feet from such intersection and a line connecting
the ends of such lot lines, and within the area comprising such triangle nothing shall be
erected, or placed in such a manner as materially to impede vision (see diagram).
15. No noise shall exceed 5 dba above the ambient noise level, as measured at the property line. If
the Police Department receives complaints related to the volume of an activity, the on-duty
watch commander will make a determination as to whether the activity will be silenced.
16. Obstacle courses shall not be constructed of combustible materials such as hay bales or
wooden pallets.
17. No event activity shall be designed or used to represent an entrapment hazard to attendees.
18. There shall be no open flame cooking using wood or c harcoal fuels at the special event, without
approval of the City of Downey Fire Department.
19. The facility must provide trash receptacles (refuse/recycles) for the proper disposal of food
items and trash generated from the event.
20. The owner/applicant shall comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act; and Ordinance 1142 of the Downey
Municipal Code (DMC). Watering/hosing down the parking lot for maintenance purposes
shall be prohibited at all times.
21. On-street parking along Woodruff Avenue and Imperial Highway frontage shall be prohibited
at all times.
PLN-12-00242 (SE) – 12808 Woodruff Avenue
October 17, 2012 - Page 5
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