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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes - 08/21/13 pF Dok, MINUTES 4.>_ REGULAR MEETING #, DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION - � N- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA c-4,4-000 6:30 P.M. A Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order on August 21, 2013, at 6:51 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the Flag Salute, roll was called. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hector Lujan, District 1 Matias Flores, District 4 Jim Rodriguez, District 5 Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Saeki, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich-Garcia, City Attorney David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-13-000069: (Site Plan Review, Tentative Tract Map and Variance) Chairman Morales opened the public hearing for PLN-13-00069, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner David Blumenthal gave a PowerPoint presentation of his staff report: a request for a Site Plan Review, Variance, and Tentative Tract Map No. 72667, in order to subdivide two parcels and construct a nine (9) unit townhome development, of which (8) eight are three-story units with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two garages, and the ninth unit is a 945 square foot, two bedroom, two bathroom unit with a two car garage. In addition, the proposal includes six guest parking spaces, and a common open space of approximately 2,655 square feet. This application was originally brought before the Planning Commission on July 3, 2013, as a nine unit complex with each unit being three-stories and of equal size, which included(5) guest parking spaces, and a 2,815 square foot common area. After hearing the concerns brought up during the public hearing by both the Planning Commission and a neighbor to the rear of the subject site, the applicant redesigned the project and addressed all of their concerns. The main issue was the variable height, which the applicant lessened by reducing the size and height of the unit to the rear of the property. In addition, the applicant is proposing large canopy trees along the property line, and opaque windows in the rear unit to allow privacy for the neighbors. Based on the analysis contained within this report and staffs July 3, 2013 report, staff is recommending Lapproval of the request for a Site Plan Review, Tentative Tract Map and Variance (PLN-13-00069). Vice Chairman Kiefer asked Mr. Blumenthal to clarify the total number of parking spaces as depicted in one of the photographs, and asked for his opinion as to why there are more projects going to three-stories now. Mr. Blumenthal explained that there are a total of six spaces, one of which is a handicapped space outlined in blue, and he believes the requests for the three-story developments are due to the increase in land values combined with the desire for larger units, and the only way to meet that desire is to go up to a third floor. Planning Commission Minutes August 21, 2013 Applicant Ed Bonanni, Bonanni Development, began by reviewing the concerns of the July 3, 2013 meeting, and how he had redesigned the project. Mr. Bonnani stated that during that meeting, the concerns were with the parking and privacy of the neighbors. Since then, he met with neighbor Dennis Spain and redesigned the project to increase the parking from (5) five to (6) spaces, as well as combine the north building to gain 72 feet (from 48 feet), and removed the third story from the south building, replacing it with a two-story, two bedroom unit, which gives overall exposure to the rear creating a 46 foot set back for the two-story and 72 foot setback for the three-story. All of this was done to mitigate the massing impact to the neighbors in the rear. In addition, mature trees will be placed all along the rear fence, as well as opaque glass on the rear elevations to ensure privacy to the neighbors. He continued by saying that they have tried to appease everyone's concerns and believes that this project will be an asset to the community and accept all the conditions of approval for this project. He closed by thanking the Planning Commission, David Blumenthal and the entire City staff for their efforts, time and consideration with this project. Dennis Spain 7635 Nada St, stated that he attended the July 3, 2013 meeting to address his concerns, as his property is located to the rear of the subject site. Since then he was able to meet with the applicant, who addressed all his concerns and he believes he did a good job in redesigning and is very appreciative of the hard work he put into it. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. The Commissioners' Discussion: Commissioner Flores stated that although he was not present at the July 3, 2013 meeting, he did listen to the entire meeting and was also concerned with the issues brought up by Mr. Spain. He believes the new design is a step up, comparing it to the three-story condominium complex on Downey Avenue and Cole St. He previously lived in a complex at Stewart and Gray and Rives, and he had a very hard time parking in that area; however, he feels very comfortable with the new design. Commissioner Rodriguez agreed with Commissioner Flores and believes that all of the concerns have addressed, the project looks good and is good for the Community. Commissioner Lujan also agreed with his fellow Commissioners, and appreciated that Mr. Bonanni came back with the redesign and is willing to work with the neighbors and Community. Vice Chairman Kiefer, agreed as well, stating that at this point the findings can be made to allow a very minor variance; the redesign addressed all of the issues and presents minimal impact to the neighbors, and is a definite improvement of the property. He is in favor of the project. Chairman Morales agreed as well; he commended Mr. Bonanni and stated that he is appreciative of how he worked with the neighbors in addressing their concerns. It was moved by Vice Chairman Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Lujan, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution 13-2840, approving the request for a Site Plan Review, Tentative Tract Map and Variance (PLN-13-00069). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Director of Community Development Brian Saeki, reported changes to the Minutes of August 7, 2013 as follows: 1) The first paragraph was corrected on page 1, from July 17, 2013 meeting date to August 7, 2013, as well as the dates shown in the headers of each subsequent page. - 2 - Planning Commission Minutes August 21, 2013 2) Also on page 1, Others Present was corrected by removing David Blumenthal, Senior Planner who was L not in attendance, and adding Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner. Commissioner Rodriguez stated that due to a conflict of interest (owns property within 500 feet of the Tierra Luna Project); he will therefore abstain from the vote on Consent Calendar Item No. 3 for the Final Tract Map recommendation for approval to City Council. It was moved by Commissioner Flores and seconded by Chairman Morales, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2013 meeting. Item No. 3 of the Consent Calendar was pulled by Vice Chairman Kiefer. Commissioner Rodriguez exited the Council Chambers. Mr. Saeki gave a brief report of Item No. 3 of the Consent Calendar for the Planning Commission to adopt a Minute Action recommending the approval of the Final Tract Map No. 71544, for the 57 acre developer owned site at 12214 Lakewood Blvd, better known as the Tierra Luna Marketplace, zoned Amended Downey Landing Specific Plan. The site totals 77 acres, 20 acres of which is City owned; also known as the Promenade Project. The developer is finalizing leasing, etc., of the 57 acre portion of the site; therefore, they would like to finalize the map in order to begin pulling permits to begin the grading for the roads and start on the infrastructure. It was moved by Vice Chairman Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Rodriguez abstaining, to approve the Final Tract Map No. 71544. LCommissioner Rodriguez returned to the Council Chambers. OTHER BUSINESS: None STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Morales adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm, to Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at 6:30 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of September, 2013. Robert Kiefer, Vice 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 4th day of September, 2013, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lujan, Rodriguez and Kiefer ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Morales and Flores ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None &a-;tit, L Mary Cav nagh, Secrets City Planning Commission - 3 -