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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. PC Draft Minutes - 07-02-14 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 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 July 2, 2014, at 6:37 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the Flag Salute, the secretary called roll. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Louis Morales, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 Jim Rodríguez, District 5 Hector Lujan, District 1, Vice Chairman Robert Kiefer, District 2, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich-Garcia, City Attorney Jessica Flores, Associate Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chairman Lujan invited everyone to “The Beautiful Game Event” on July 13, 2014, hosted by the City of Downey which will display the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final on Downey Ave, between Third St. and New St. The event will show the game on big screens and will include food, games, a beer garden and other entertainment. Commissioner Morales stated that he is the president of the Warren High School Boosters and invited everyone to attend their first annual Comedy night on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at the Rio Hondo Country Club. Commissioner Flores gave a brief summary of his recent vacation to Argentina. PRESENTATIONS: Val Flores, Downey Art Vibe Executive Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the City’s Branding concepts for the Community Development Departments’ “Discover Downey” campaign, which will advertise our City and its rich history through various forms of media, such as television, social media and on the upcoming electronic billboard at the north end of Downey. Mr. Flores explained that the design of our City’s new logo was based on a clean approach to combine the three foundational pillars of our City, which are: 1) Public Safety; 2) Community; and 3) Schools, with the idea that all roads lead to Downey. Mr. Flores stated that the branding design is a clean, modern approach to showcase our City and will also be displayed throughout our public streets and on signs. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo E. Schindler advised the Commissioners that the City Council approved a one (1) year extension of the contract with RMI International, who currently provides security for our downtown parking structure and light security patrolling in our downtown area. The second item was in programming funding to meet the June 30, 2014 deadline. In reviewing the eligible projects with staff, it was decided that the most appropriate project was one that staff had been on with Habitat for Humanity to build seven (7) units at 9303 Elm Vista Drive, which is zoned by the successor agency as housing authority. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-14-00107: (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN-14-00107, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Jessica Flores gave a PowerPoint presentation of the request for to operate a fitness studio (commercial recreation) within a commercial shopping center comprised of two buildings, located at 8847 Imperial Hwy., Suite L, and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Ms. Flores reviewed the surrounding properties which are Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2014 - 2 - comprised of commercial property at the frontage(s) of Imperial Hwy and Lakewood Blvd. The far northerly portion of the tenant space is surrounded by parking spaces which abut the residential properties that are 45 feet from the tenant space and the residential neighbors. The proposed fitness studio will include a fitness area, restrooms, office space, break room and a storage room. The fitness studio will offer group “boot camp” classes and personal training sessions during the following hours: Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will be closed on Sundays. The applicant estimates that there will be a maximum of 15 customers hourly in a boot camp classes, and a maximum of three (3) customers hourly per instructor, per training hour. The applicants plan on having amplified sound as part of the fitness sessions, but they do not foresee the volume levels to be a burden to the neighboring uses, because they will be instructing during said sessions, and will need to keep the volume levels of amplified sound to a minimum. Nevertheless, staff has included a condition of approval to address noise, should volume levels become a nuisance to adjacent uses or the neighboring residential properties. As such, staff is recommending approval of the request for a conditional use permit subject to the conditions of approval. The Commissioners asked Ms. Flores to clarify the distance between the tenant space and the residential neighbors, is it common for fitness studios to request amplified sound, and how is it not an issue? Ms. Flores explained that there are 45 feet between the proposed studio and the residential neighbors, which includes parking spaces and a driveway; the amplified sound is common, and the applicant proposes that it will be lowered during sessions to allow the guests to hear the instructions of the trainers. Chairman Kiefer directed staff’s attention the conditions of approval in that condition No(s) six and ten are the same. City Attorney Yvette Abich Garcia suggested that staff change condition ten to say “reserved”. Applicant Samuel Santos, 8847 Imperial Hwy., Suite L, stated that he read and agreed to all conditions of approval and reiterated that there will not be loud noise as he and his wife who are the instructors, explaining that their instructions must be heard by their students for good form. Mr. Santos added that their goal is to promote community and good health. The Commissioners asked Mr. Santos what is his experience in this field, are they okay with the doors being closed at all times, will there be heavy machinery and do they plan to sell food. Mr. Santos stated that he has 22 years of experience as a personal trainer; he has no problem with the doors remaining closed, and will not have heavy machinery, the equipment will consist of ropes, barbells and basic machinery for cardio. He stated that he will not be selling food; however, if he chooses to do so in the future, he will come to pull the proper permits to do so. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. The Commissioners unanimously agreed that this will be great for the community in promoting health and is a strong community builder, and with the conditions of approval and the agreement that the doors will remain closed, they do not anticipate any issues for the neighboring residential properties. It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 14-2883, thereby approving the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-14-00107). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. Approval of the Minutes from June 18, 2014 3. PLN-14-00144 (Final Tract Map): A request for approval of a Final Tract Map No. 72267 for a nine-unit townhome development. Planning Commission Minutes July 2, 2014 - 3 - 4. PLN-14-00145 (Final Parcel Map): A request for approval of a Final Parcel Map No 72340 to subdivide a 2.26 acre parcel into two lots. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote, with Commissioner Flores abstaining from item # 2, to approve Consent Calendar. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: We aggressively attempt to obtain grants to help supplement our financing services for our community. The first grant is the CalHome grant that would provide funding for first time home buyers of low income demographic and rehabilitation of existing homes of low income demographics, including seniors. The second grant is a regional grant through the LA Metro, which is a transportation-oriented development assessment grant that falls along the lines of a planning grant for us to look at our General Plan and any relevant specific plans to see how we can infuse a more transit oriented development which is more of a conceptual grant to see how we can lay things out over the next 10-20 years within our community. Commissioner Rodriguez asked to what degree of transportation Metro is involved. Director Schindler responded by saying that this would include all forms of transit such as cycling, busses, mass transit, and planning out for the next 20 to 30 years in terms of where all these activities could and should occur in our community and how are they complimented with linkages, with parks, residential developments, looking at our specific downtown in terms of how your attempting more people by foot or by bike or alternative means to cars. Chairman Kiefer asked if there had been any correspondence regarding the County owned property located on Los Amigos. Director Schindler informed the Commissioners that there are no firm plans at this time, only rumors that there is a plan. The existing CEO is retiring, which may cause them to delay their plans a bit longer. He continued by saying that we would like to work with the County and attempt to influence the outcome of those plans so that it benefits the city overall; this site is also being proposed for a new rail line (Orange Line). ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Kiefer adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m., to Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of July, 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 16th day of July, 2014, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission