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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes - 08/01/2012 CITY OF DOWNEY __________ _______________________ MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 1 , 2012 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6 :30 P.M. I. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held August 1, 2012. After the Pledge of Al legiance to the Flag, roll was called at 6:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT : II. Ernie Garcia, District 4 Louis Morales, District 3 , Vice - Chairman Robert Kiefer, District 2 Michael Murray, District 1 , Chairman COMMISSIONER ABSENT: H ector Lujan, District 5 ALSO PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Director of Community Development Yvette M. Abich - Garcia, City Attorney William Davis, City Planner Jessica Flores, Associate Planner Theresa Donahue, Secretary MINUTES: I II. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Kiefer and passed by a 4 - 0 vote , with Commissioner Lujan absent, to approve the Minutes of July 18 , 2012 . AGENDA CHANGES: I V. Community Development Director Saeki stated there were no cha nges to the agenda. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION : V. Mr. Saeki stated there were no Planning - related items to report from the City Council meeting held July 24, 2012. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: VI. Chairman Murray noted t here were no Consent Calendar items on the agenda. PUBLIC HEARING ITEM S : VII. PLN - 12 - 00140 (SITE PLAN REVIEW ) 1 . Location: 11500 Brookshire Avenue Owner: City of Downey Applicant: SWA Architects c/o M arcus Yee Staff: Jessica Flores CEQA: As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this request has been found to be Categorically Exempt from CEQA, p e r CEQA Guidelines, Section 15302 (Class 2 , Replacement or Reconstruction ). Request: A request for Site Plan Review to allow a new 3,731 sq. ft. conference building adjacent to an existing hospital (Downey Regional Medical Center ) , zoned H - M (Hospital - Medical Arts). Chairman Murray opened the public hearing for PLN - 12 - 00140. Ms. Donah ue affirmed proof of publication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 1, 2012 – PAGE 1 Page 2 Jessica Flores, Associate Planner, presented staff report and accompanying PowerPoint. Ms. Flores’ presentation included an explanation of the proposed site improve ments: a one - story building featuring a 3,371 square foot basement level conference center and a ground - level roof; new stairs leading to the basement level conference room; a retaining wall; landscaping; a shear wall; and a signage tower to conceal the sh ear wall . She stated that the project is proposed to be completed in three phases. Phase 1 is the demolition of the conference room as a voluntary seismic improvement (VSI) per the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). Phase II in volves constructing the stairs, retaining wall and exterior shear wall; while Phase III will be the construction of the conference room. Ms. Flores also noted that another part of this project is the applicant’s request to install a temporary trailer on t he main campus and use it for the conference facility during construction. She noted that this portion of the request allows for administrative approval, and as such the City Planner has approved the T emporary Land U se P ermit via a letter dated June 27, 2 012. She noted that the letter provides the conditions of the approval for the applicant. Ms. Flores stated staff’s recommendation is for approval . In addition, she noted that the findings stated in the attached Resolution were misprinted and therefore a revised Resolution is being distributed. She noted that the conditions of approval had been correctly printed and had been reviewed by the applicant; and the findings were correctly stated in staff’s report. Commissioner Kiefer inquired about the sign tower. Ms. Flores explained that the structure , which was identified on the elevation as the sign tower , will not be allowed to be used as such due to a st ructural design, creating an eight - inch gap between the building and the new structure . Cha irman Murray suggested the Commissioners take a few minutes to review the revised Resolution. The Commissioners took a few minutes to read the revised Resolution. Chairman Murray invited the applicant forward to address the Commission on this matter. St even Wen / Marcus Yee, Principal of SWA Architects, 48 E. Holly Street, Pasadena, Ca. addressed the Commissioners. He stated his appreciation of Ms. Flores during the processing of their application over the past couple of years and described the various i ssues involved i n bringing their plans forward. He stated that while OSHPD (Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) has required all hospitals to bring t he ir facilities into compliance with seismic standards (per SB1953), Senate Bill 499 allo wed for hospitals to voluntarily upgrade portions (VSI) of their structures while allowing an extension of time . He stated that the Downey Regional Medical Center facilities affected by the seismic upgrade requirements include the nursing tower and confer ence room. Mr. Wen stated that full compliance is required by 2030 and in order to meet that deadline, they need to be working on all phases of this project at this time. Chairman Murray asked if the applicant would consider this a band - aid to the prob lem? Mr. Wen stated that basically, yes, and they were on track to meet the state requirements. He also provided more detailed description of the planned improvements, noting that the conference room should be complete within 12 months. He affirmed that the temporary trailer will be only for the period of time that the conference room is under construction, again about 12 months. Commissioner Kiefer asked about the location of the trailer and available parking in the lot. Mr. Wen responded that there w ere 1053 parking spaces provided, and 958 required. Chairman Murray asked if there was any correspondence received by staff. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 1, 2012 – PAGE 2 Page 3 Ms. Flores responded there was no correspondence. Chairman Murray asked staff’s recommendation. Ms. Flores stated staff reco mmended approval, and the revised Resolution distributed to the Commissione rs provided staff’s rec ommended conditions of approval, as well as the re - stated findings. Chairman Murray asked if there were any questions regarding staff’s recommendation. No o ne indicated they wished to address the Commission or staff further. There being no questions regarding staff’s recommendation, Chairman Murray closed the public hearing. Commission discussion: The Commissioners addressed the proposed project in terms of its impact on the facility. They noted the benefit to the community and that these improvements were a necessary part of the overall upgrade. The Commissioners were in agreement that the issues had been addressed and the parking standards were being met . T hey indicated staff’s report had provided a thorough explanation, and they supported the applicant’s proposal. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commission er Kiefer and passed by a 4 - 0 vote, with Commissioner Lujan absent, to adopt Res olution No. 12 - 2779, approving PLN - 12 - 00140 (Site Plan Review). Chairman Murray 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. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS VIII. : Community Development Director Saeki stated staff had nothing further to add. Chairman Murray inquired about the upkeep of the former Licorice Pizza parcel, south of Citibank on Lakewood Boulevard. Mr. Saeki stated that the City is hopeful that the site is emerging from bankruptcy and will be developed soon, and noted that he would make Code Enforcement aware that the site is again in need of cleaning up. Chairman Murray stated that the plan that had come to the Commissioners a few years back was a good plan for the property. OTHER BUSINES S : IX. Chairman Murray asked if there was any Other Business to address. There were no further comments ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA: X. There were no further questions or comments. ADJOURNMENT: X I . There being no further business coming before the Planning Commission, the Commission adjourned at 7:05 p.m., t o Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, Ca. 90241. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 1, 2012 – PAGE 3 Page 4 APPROVED AND A DOPTED this 1 5th day of August , 2012 . Michael Murray Michael Murray, Chairman CITY PLANNING COMMISSION I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular me eting of the Planning Commission held on th e 1 5th day of August , 2012 , by the following vote: AYES: COMMIS SIONERS: Kiefer, Morales, Murray ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Garcia ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Lujan NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None Theresa Donahue Theresa Donahue , Secretary CITY PLANNING COMMISSION H: \ Community Development \ Planning Commission \ Minutes \ 2012 \ August 1, 2012 - Minutes.doc PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 1, 2012 – PAGE 4