Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. PC Draft Minutes - 04-16-14 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 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 April 16, 2014, at 6:31 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, Interim Director of Community Development Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Rodriguez made a request for a future agenda item for staff to create a report of potential impacts of townhouse/condominium complexes that have 15 or more units, with closed garages on surrounding areas. PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Interim Director of Community Development William Davis reported that at the April 8, 2014 meeting, the City Council introduced an ordinance to amend the storm water regulations to impose low-impact development strategies on projects that require building, grading and construction permits. In addition, the City Council adopted the 2013 Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Green Building, Energy Standards and Residential Code update. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-14-00055: (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-14- 00055, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of a request by Sprint Corporation to install three (3) additional panel antennas to their existing wireless communications facility on the rooftop of the office building (Financial Partners) located at 7800 Imperial Highway. Mr. Nguyen stated that Sprint also proposes to relocate an existing transformer and install a new equipment cabinet, all within the existing equipment enclosure on the rooftop of the building with all new and existing panel antennas mounted behind the existing penthouse-type screen enclosure. Staff believes the installation of additional antennas is consistent with the previously approved projects on the same facility. Furthermore, with the recommended conditions of approval, staff feels the approval of this conditional use permit will give the City better control of the wireless communications operation at the subject site. Based on the analysis contained within the staff report, staff is recommending approval of the request for a conditional use permit, subject to the conditions of approval. Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 - 2 - Commissioner Rodriguez asked if the roof of the building is able to support the weight of the cabinet enclosure, to which Mr. Nguyen responded that Sprint will be adding antennas to an already existing rooftop cabinet. Chairman Kiefer asked why the antennas are spread out, to which Mr. Nguyen responded that they allow coverage for different directions. Applicant Barbara Saito 418 N. Cloverdale, Walnut, CA, representing Sprint Wireless stated that the triangular placement of the antennas provides a 360 degree coverage area, Commissioner Rodriguez asked if there would be a generator at the site, to which Ms. Saito responded that there are none existing or proposed and the new cabinet will have radio equipment. Chairman Kiefer asked if the equipment would emit noise, to which Ms. Saito stated that there shouldn’t be any at this particular facility. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Rodriguez stated that he sees no problem or impacts with the request and commented that it’s good to have more cell phone coverage. Commissioner Morales stated that he has no concerns as there are conditions are in place to address any potential issues. Vice Chairman Lujan had no concerns and said the request is good to go. Commissioner Flores agreed with his fellow Commissioners and said it’s a good thing for the City. Chairman Kiefer agreed with the Commissioners’ comments and said everything looks to be in order. It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Vice Chairman Lujan, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 14-2871, to approve the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-14-00055). 2. PLN-14-00059: (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-14- 00059, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request for a conditional use permit by property owner and applicant, Oscar Ramos of the Cross-Fit fitness studio located at 8232 Firestone. Mr. Davis explained that Mr. Ramos has operated Cross-Fit at this location for almost four years without a conditional use permit due to a misunderstanding by staff in thinking that commercial recreation was an allowable use in the Downtown area; however, the proposed expansion is an opportunity to bring Cross-Fit into compliance with the City's standards. Mr. Ramos owns the property identified as 8230-8232 Firestone Boulevard. Due to the success of Cross-Fit, he proposes to expand the business to the vacant space at 8230 Firestone by removing the demising wall that separates the two spaces, thereby creating a 4700 square foot tenant space. The combined space will include two ADA compliant restrooms bringing the total number to three. The central area of the space will be for workouts, with the exercise equipment along the perimeter walls. The tenant space also includes an office, and a storage room, with entrances on the north and south sides of the building providing access to Firestone Boulevard and the parking lot at the rear of the building. The proposal meets the parking requirements (same as retail) of 9 to 10 spaces, by providing 16-18 spaces. The hours of operation will continue as 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with hourly classes occurring Monday through Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and will not be open for mid-day sessions. Class times are limited on Friday and Saturday as the final class Thursday begins at 6:00 p.m., and only two morning classes are offered Saturday and they are closed on Sunday; the average class maintains 12-15 clients and two trainers on site. Based on the analysis contained within Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 - 3 - this and the staff report, staff is recommending approval of the request for a conditional use permit, subject to the conditions of approval. Commissioner Flores asked how the 18 parking spaces were allocated, to which Mr. Davis responded by saying that he was concerned when he realized that the Architect had not drawn the parking lot to scale; therefore, he verified the number of spaces to be four per row with a minimum of 16 to a maximum of 18. Mr. Davis added that he does not see an issue since the fitness studio will be closed during the busy lunch hours. In addition, the applicant is considering removing the (9:00 pm) last session from the schedule. Commissioner Rodriguez asked if the dividing wall is a supporting wall for the building, to which Mr. Davis stated that it is a demising wall that divided the spaces, not a supporting wall. Applicant and owner Oscar Ramos, 8232 Firestone Boulevard, stated that he wants to provide the best possible service at this location; removing the demising wall would allow more space for the classes with high skill movements. Chairman Kiefer asked Mr. Ramos how long has he been at this location, to which Mr. Ramos responded that he has been there four years next month. Commissioner Flores asked if he had any other locations, to which Mr. Ramos stated that he previously trained at a location in Monrovia. Vice Chairman Lujan asked if he would be bringing in more or new equipment that would make more noise, to which Mr. Ramos responded that they would not; they specialize in non-equipment parametric exercise, rubber barbells, dumbbells and flooring. Chairman Kiefer asked if the front is all windows and do most of the participants enter from the rear parking area? Mr. Ramos confirmed the front is all windows, and since there is no longer parking on Firestone Blvd, the participants enter from the parking lot. Vice Chairman Lujan asked if he will be keeping both the front and rear doors open, to which he responded by saying, yes, because he does have people who walk by and those who show an interest would come in through the front door. Vice Chairman Lujan then asked if Mr. Ramos has memberships for his clients, to which he responded that he does have memberships; they see on average 160 a day not including walk -ins who are interested in the service. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Flores said that he likes the project in that it is in line with our theme to keep Downey Healthy, and the energy with people who are walking by and stopping by, and showing interest in the community is a sign of a good city. Vice Chairman Lujan agreed with Commissioner Flores and being that we want to keep the businesses here in Downey, and want to make sure we have the space allowed for him so that his business comes out on top. Chairman Kiefer said that this is a nice type of business for that location, and with the conditions in place, he doesn’t see that there would be any problems. Commissioner Rodriguez said that he too likes the energy that it brings to Firestone and drawing in younger people creating a vibrant downtown. He is concerned with the parking during dinner time and is pleased with the conditions in place and reiterated the condition that they pick up the trash outside of the Planning Commission Minutes April 16, 2014 - 4 - business, especially on Firestone Boulevard. He ended by saying that the business is awesome and wished Mr. Ramos well. Commissioner Morales commented that he understands how tough it has been to occupy space in this building and wishes the applicant success with his expansion. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 14-2872, to approve the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-14-00059). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. Approval of the Minutes from March 19, 2014 Commissioner Morales made a correction to the Minutes of the March 19, 2014, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission. Page 5, Adjournment should read as follows: ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Morales Kiefer adjourned the meeting at 7:37 pm, to Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at 6:30 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Lujan, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the Minutes of the March 19, 2014 meeting of the Planning Commission, with noted changes. OTHER BUSINESS: None STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Interim Director of Community Development William Davis announced ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Kiefer adjourned the meeting at 7:11 pm, to Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at 6:30 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 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 7th day of May, 2014, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission