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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. PC Draft Minutes - 03-05-14 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Kiefer called a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order on March 5, 2014, at 6:38 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 Rodríguez, District 5 Robert Kiefer, District 2, Vice Chairman Louis Morales, District 3, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Yvette Abich-Garcia, City Attorney William Davis, City Planner Jessica Flores, Associate Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Morales invited everyone in the Council Chambers to attend the luncheon at the Rio Hondo Golf Course for G.OO.D. (Gangs Out Of Downey) on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-13-00257: (Tentative Tract Map and Negative Declaration): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-13-00257, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request to revise Tentative Tract Map No. 68042, which approved the division of the property located at 12106 Old River School Road for condominium purposes, by increasing the number of condominiums from (8) eight to (9) nine. Mr. Davis stated that currently, (5) five units exist on the westerly half of the subject site; however, the number of units proposed meets the City’s development standards for properties located in R-2 (Two-Family Residential) zone. The map was originally approved in 2007; however, due to the effects of a down economy, construction was stalled. In recent years, legislation passed, that allowed the applicant extensions that kept the map active. At this point, it expires December 6, 2014. Because of the lapse in time since the initial approval, staff prepared another Negative Declaration of Environmental Impacts for the proposed project. The analysis shows that the subdivision and addition of one more unit will not have a significant adverse impact to the area as long as the applicant adheres to the conditions of approval. Based on the analysis contained within this report and the staff report, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact and approval of the revision to the Tentative Tract Map No. 68042 (PLN-13-00257), subject to the conditions of approval. Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2014 - 2 - The Commissioners discussed the locations of the units, the driveway aisle, and unit density as they pertain to the subject site. Mr. Davis advised the Commission that the applicant is at the maximum or below the density allowed for this zone. Paul De Tilla with Olson & De Tilla Associates, 12733 Bellflower Blvd., Downey, spoke on behalf of the applicant. Mr. De Tilla is the Civil Engineer who prepared the map and began by giving thanks to staff for a fine presentation. He continued by saying that adding the additional unit would make the property more attractive to lenders and investors. Furthermore, the owner Richard Strayer explored the possibility of ten units and found nine to be a more attractive number. Mr. De Tilla stated that he read, understood, and agreed to all conditions of approval and is hoping that the Commission would approve the map. Chairman Kiefer asked Mr. De Tilla about the size of each unit, to which he responded that they are approximately 2,100 sq. ft. with a habitable area of 1,600 sq. ft. They are two-bedroom, two and a half bath, and two-car garage with a patio and private area. Mr. Davis added that the density in the R-2 zone is one unit per every 2,500 sq. ft. Chairman Kiefer asked if staff had received any correspondence in favor or against the application, to which Mr. Davis stated there were none. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Lujan stated that the request is good if it will help the developer and lender as long as they meet the required conditions. He added that the parking looks to be sufficient. Commissioner Flores agreed with Vice Chairman Lujan and expressed that he is happy with the project as long as they meet their conditions of approval. Commissioner Rodriguez commented that with the allowed density of 2,500 sq. ft. per unit, the applicant could have built up to ten units. He added that the project looks good. Commissioner Morales agreed with the Commissioners and sees no impacts to the area. Chairman Kiefer was also in agreement and sees no major issues. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Lujan, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 14-2867, to approve the request for a Tentative Tract Map and adopt a Negative Declaration (PLN-13-00257). 2. PLN-13-00219: (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-14- 00012, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request by AT&T Mobility to expand their existing wireless communications facility on the rooftop of the commercial building at 8630 Florence Ave, by replacing six (6) panel antennas with twelve (12) panel antennas. Mr. Nguyen stated that (6) six of the antennas located on the roof top of the two-story building will be removed, and replaced with (12) twelve new antennas with screen boxes that will not be visible to the public and added that the modification is needed in order to improve the service for the AT&T customers. There will be one screen wall added to the north side of the smaller screen box as proposed, the antennas will be visible to the public, especially from Florence Ave; therefore, Condition No 2 requires the applicant to screen the antenna from public view. Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2014 - 3 - The Commissioners asked Mr. Nguyen how many enclosures are there, will covers be at the top of the enclosure, and is the cabinet lower than the wall? Mr. Nguyen stated that the enclosures are located behind the trash and storage area and a condition can be added for covers. The applicant is present to answer questions. The Commissioners discussed their concerns with staff regarding noise emission from the antennas, and a lack of covering for the enclosures, to which Mr. Nguyen responded that there should be no potential noise impact since the enclosure is 30 feet away from the street, and a condition can be added to require covering for the enclosure. Stephen Bernot agent for AT&T, 330 Commerce, Irvine, and the applicant’s representative, stated that changing the antennas is a necessity in order to improve the quality of service to their customers. They have no objection to adding covers to the enclosures. The Commissioners asked Mr. Bernot if there would be a generator, and or noise emitted from any of the equipment, to which he responded that the noise would be similar to that of a refrigerator, and they do not have a backup generator or plans to install one. Chairman Kiefer asked if staff had received any correspondence in favor or against the application, to which Mr. Nguyen responded, there were none. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Morales stated that he is happy with the conditions and has no issues with the request. Commissioner Rodriguez agreed with Commissioner Morales and added that he sees the need for more cell towers. Vice Chairman Lujan agreed with his fellow Commissioners. Commissioner Flores also agreed and said that he likes the conditions regarding the aesthetics and does not see the need to burden them with any additional conditions. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 14-2866, to approve the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-14-00012). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. PLN-14-00053 (Final Parcel Map) – A request to consider the Final Parcel Map No. 69907 for property located at 8123 Fourth Street. 4. Approval of the Minutes from February 5, 2014 Chairman Kiefer requested that Item No. 4 Approval of the Minutes of the February 5, 2014, be pulled from the Consent Calendar. It was moved by Commissioner Morales and seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 5- 0 vote, to approve item No. 3 (PLN-14-00053) of the Consent Calendar. Chairman Kiefer made a correction to the Minutes of the February 5, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2014 - 4 - Planning Commission to read as follows: Vice Chairman Kiefer advised staff of the unlicensed business activities taking place at 12848 Firestone 12148 Paramount Blvd., and the stalled street repairs of Melba and Rives. Mr. Saeki and Mr. Blumenthal stated they will notify Code Enforcement and Public Works of the situations. It was moved by Chairman Morales, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the Minutes of the February 5, 2014 meeting of the Planning Commission, with noted changes. OTHER BUSINESS: The Commissioners discussed the process of the relocation of the Space shuttle . STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Morales adjourned the meeting at 7:19 pm, to Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at 6:30 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of March, 2014. Robert Kiefer, 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 19th day of March, 2014, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission