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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 07/03/13 MINUTES L °�D�r- k''' REGULAR MEETING -' DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION , WEDNESDAY, July 03, 2013 " `'CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE �; DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA gcrFOV. 6:30 P.M. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order on July 03, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the Flag Salute, roll was called. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Jim Rodriguez, District 5 Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman Hector Lujan, District 1 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Matias Flores, District 4 OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich-Garcia, City Attorney William Davis, City Planner David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary LPLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Rodriguez requested a future agenda item for staff to analyze the parking situations regarding new developments as soon as possible. PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Brian Saeki reported three items: 1) The appeal of the Planning Commission's denial for a Variance was continued to their August 13, 2013 meeting, 2)the introduction of the ordinance to amend the CP zone to include live entertainment was approved by the City Council and, 3) the City Council introduced an Economic Development ordinance, which set the City's Economic Strategy for going forward. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-13-00069: (Site Plan Review, Tentative Tract Map, and Variance) Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN-13-00069. Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner David Blumenthal gave a PowerPoint presentation of his staff report: a request for approval of a Site Plan Review, Variance, and Tentative Tract Map No. 72667 to subdivide two parcels and construct a nine (9) unit townhome development at 7634 Stewart and Gray Rd. The townhomes are each three- story units with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a two car garage. The property will include five guest parking spaces and approximately 2,800 square feet of common open space. The proposal includes a request to deviate from the requirements of Downey Municipal Code Section 9534.24 (Variable Height). The property is zoned R-3-O (Multi-family Residential Ownership), which would require individual ownership of each unit. Apartment buildings would not be allowed. Staff has addressed previous concerns of the Planning Commission regarding parking by placing conditions that the CC&R require that the garages and guest parking spaces are used as such, and would be enforced by the Homeowners Association (HOA). Staff has also addressed the issue of privacy by placing conditions that would require the windows located at the rear of the property be an opaque glass, and that mature 48" box Planning Commission Minutes July 3, 2013 trees be placed along the rear property line to help screen the view of the buildings from neighbors. Based on the analysis provided in the staff report, staff feels that all required findings can be made in a positive manner, and is thereby recommending approval of the project. Applicant Ed Bonnani, Bonnani Development appeared to answer any questions regarding the project. Mr. Bonnani began by giving thanks to Mr. Blumenthal and staff for all the hard work in bringing this application forward, and he accepts all conditions of approval. Mr. Bonnani stated that he developed other townhome units in Downey; however, this is the first three-story development. He believes the townhomes being zoned as required ownership would have a great impact on the HOA enforcement of the parking requirements and maintenance of the landscaping that would minimize the view of the townhomes by neighbors. The Commissioners stated their concerns with the project as follows: 1. Three-story units would invade the privacy of the neighbors and the visual enjoyment of their backyards. 2. The number of units/and bedrooms proposed for an area that is heavily populated area. 3. Parking would continue to be an issue. A two-car garage would not be enough parking for a four- bedroom dwelling unit and would therefore increase an already parking congested and heavily traveled street such as Stewart and Gray Rd. Chairman Morales called for those in the audience to speak for or against the project. Dennis Spain [sic] residing at 7635 Nada Street expressed his opposition of the request; his home is located to the rear of the project site and he believes there will be issues with privacy, and is not happy with the idea of such a large complex facing his back yard. Mr. Bonnani stated that he would be happy to meet with Mr. Spain to discuss any issues and possible solutions to address his concerns, and reiterated the conditions that were agreed to in addressing the privacy of the neighbors by not only have a 46 foot set back, with mature box trees, but also providing opaque glass for windows located at the rear of the building. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. Commissioners Rodriguez, Lujan and Vice Chairman Kiefer, were all in agreement that the project was beautiful; however, they felt that the three-story structure would be too much for the neighborhood as far as privacy and parking issues. They are not comfortable about granting the request for the Variance. In addition, the area is already heavily populated, which leads them to question whether the structure could possibly be made smaller. Chairman Morales commented that this is a nice project and is in favor of the project. He stated that the applicant has provided accurate parking according to the Code, and the privacy issue for the neighbors was addressed by placing landscaping and opaque glass for the windows facing the rear. Chairman Morales reopened the public hearing called the applicant forward. The Commission asked Mr. Bonnani if he would be willing to revise his application and redesign the project to reduce the size and/or number of units to address the concerns brought up by both the Commission and neighbors. Mr. Bonnani agreed to a continuance of the project to a date uncertain in order to redesign the project and work with staff in addressing the concerns of the Commission and neighbors. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. - 2 - Planning Commission Minutes July 3, 2013 It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez and seconded by Vice Chairman Kiefer, to continue the item PLN - L13-00069 to a date uncertain, and allow the applicant to work with staff to address some of the concerns of the Commission and incorporate them into a redesign of the project. 2. PLN-13-00102: (Tentative Parcel Map) Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN-13-00102 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner David Blumenthal gave a PowerPoint presentation of his staff report: a request to subdivide a 30,051 square foot parcel into three approximately 10,000 square foot parcels. This request has been brought before the Planning Commission previously, and the Tentative Parcel Map No. 65067 was approved on October 31. 2005. However, due to the economic downturn the applicant was not able to complete the process and the tentative map expired. Mr. Blumenthal stated the City is requiring that the existing structure that would overlay the new property lines be demolished or moved to a location that complies with the current development standards of the future lots, as well as a small dedication at the corner (42 square feet), which will reduce the lot size to 30,009 square feet. Based on the analysis contained within the staff report, and provided that all conditions of approval are adhered to, staff is recommends approval of the Tentative Parcel Map (PLN-13-00102). Hugo Hernandez acted as translator for the Applicant, Aidee Lopez, 9306 Gallatin Rd, Downey. Mr. Hernandez stated that Ms. Lopez agreed to the conditions of approval, and that the map had already been approved, but expired because of the economy. The Commissioners asked what the intentions are for the house and the new lots, to which Mr. Hernandez responded by saying that they are not sure at this time whether they will be moving the house Lor demolishing it; they have to see which would be most cost effective. Due to the expense of maintaining a large house and lot, they will be developing new houses on each lot. Chairman Morales called for those in the audience to speak for or against the project. William Barnes, 9321 Gainford Street, Downey, appeared to speak in opposition of the project. Mr. Barnes stated his concerns with new developments are the reoccurrence of properties being abandoned during the developing, leaving partially built homes in the City. He wants assurance that this will not happen with these lots. Mr. Saeki advised Mr. Barnes that the City Code Enforcement staff is now under the Community Development Department. They have received new instructions to reduce the occurrence of abandoned properties. Mr. Saeki invited Mr. Barnes to see him during business hours to discuss his concerns. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Flores absent, to adopt resolution 13-2836, thereby approving the request for the Tentative Parcel Map PLN-13-00102. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: L4. Approval of the Minutes from June 19, 2013 It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Vice Chairman Kiefer, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Flores absent, to approve the Minutes of June 19, 2013. OTHER BUSINESS: None. - 3 - Planning Commission Minutes July 3, 2013 STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Morales adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m., to Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of July, 2013. ouis Morales, C airman City Planning ommission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 17th day of July, 2013, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Rodriguez, Morales and Kiefer ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Lujan ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Flores NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None I (.2tti Mary Ca nagh, Secretary City Planning Commission - 4 -