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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 11/19/14MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Kiefer called the November 19, 2014, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:39 pm, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the Flag Salute, the Secretary Cavanagh called roll. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Louis Morales, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 Jim Rodriguez, 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 William E. Davis, City Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS: Commissioners Morales and Rodriguez commented on their attendance of the preview of the View Apartments, calling it phenomenal, impressive and well done. Commissioner Rodriguez requested a future agenda item to follow up on the review for the Palms Restaurant that was overdue and set up a protocol to ensure they are not missed in the future. Director Schindler advised the Commissioners that he will discuss the request with staff to calendar the review for a subsequent meeting. PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo E. Schindler reported that the Community Development had two art based presentations approved by the City Council: 1) A mural located on the east wall of the Porto's parking structure that faces Downey Avenue at Second St., which was funded by the art in public places fund; 2) The Power Box Art project. Councilman Guerra received positive feedback from the Community and wanted to expand the project; however, funds were limiting the number of boxes that could be painted. Therefore, he worked with staff to conceive an "Adopt A Box Program" so that staff can work with Council members to solicit donations from various businesses, local organizations and individuals to adopt a box, which will cost $1,500 per box. In addition, we were able to allocate $15,000 in funds with the goal to artistically enhance the City. Planning Commission Minutes November 19, 2014 PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN -14- 00110: (Lot Merger): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for PLN -14- 00110, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request to merge the parcel occupied by In -N -Out Burger at 8767 Firestone Blvd, with the adjoining property located at 11101 Lakewood Blvd. In October 2014s, the Planning Commission approved the requests for a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) to allow the restaurant's drive -thru lane to extend to the northerly property, and a Summary Vacation to allow access to the east of the northerly property. The conditions of approval for the CUP called for subsequent approval of the lot merger. The merger will improve the onsite circulation by expanding its parking area supply from 42 to 61 spaces and the stacking capacity of its drive -thru lane from nine (9) to 14 vehicles. Given the benefits, staff is recommending approval of the request. Applicant Katie Sanchez, 13502 Hamburger Lane, Baldwin Park, CA, stated that the request is due to the need to increase the circulation and get the cars off of the street. The estimate for the project to be completed is approximately 2 -3 months after the request is approved. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. The Commissioners stated that everything was in order and that this will provide closure on the project that was started for the safety of motorists, as well as smoothing the flow of traffic. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Lujan, and passed by a 4 -0- 1 vote, with Commissioner Flores absent, to adopt Resolution 14 -2898, thereby approving the request for a Lot Merger (PLN -14- 00110). 2. PLN -14- 00180: (Negative Declaration and Zone Text Amendment): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for the request to approve PLN -14- 00180, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Commissioner Flores entered the Council Chambers at 7:00 pm. City Planner William Davis gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request for a Zone Text Amendment which was due to a call for review of the ordinance by the Planning Commission at the August 6, 2014 meeting. Mr. Davis noted that the figure 9.8.2, the process of appeal of a Planning Commission decision on the resolution is incorrect and should be the same as that of the staff report. Mr. Davis continued by saying that staff has prepared an ordinance that adds a call for review regulation. This amendment will allow the City Council to review Planning Commission decisions on quasi - judicial actions such as variances, conditional use permits and development plans formally without having to file a formal appeal. This would give them a process to appeal without compromising their need to appeal, and allowing them to do so in a way that is unbiased, requiring two City Council members instead of one. Chairman Kiefer commented that the staff report is very thorough and he likes the way it is being written, it is long overdue and what we should have already had in place. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. -2- Planning Commission Minutes November 19, 2014 The Commissioners said that this is a good appeal process and a great checks and balance. It was moved by Commissioner Morales and seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to adopt Resolution 14 -2899, thereby approving the request for a Negative Declaration and Zone Text Amendment (PLN -14- 00180). 3. PLN -14- 00184: (Tentative Parcel Map): Chairman Kiefer opened the public hearing for the request to approve PLN -14- 00184, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a PowerPoint presentation of the request for a Tentative Parcel Map No. 73125 to subdivide one residential lot into two parcels on property located at 7926 Third St. Mr. Nguyen stated that the LA County Tax Assessors' parcel map shows that the three properties have been held together by a lot tie since 1929. The applicant is proposing to demolish the 3,364 single family dwelling that was constructed in 1950, in order to create the two legal lots. Mr. Nguyen continued by saying that over the past 30 years, the City has approved a number of subdivisions and lot splits which are similar to this request, but with smaller lots. Mr. Nguyen stated that it is staff's opinion that the subdivision map will allow the applicant the opportunity to clean up the property and build new homes that will complement the area. As such, staff is recommending approval of the request for a Tentative Parcel Map. Chairman Kiefer commented that the proposed lots appear to be smaller than the average lots in the area and asked what size the lots would be once they are divided into two. Mr. Nguyen responded by saying that they are between 50 and 130 feet, with this property being the largest lot in the area. The properties to the left and the right have a 50 foot frontage. Once the properties are divided they will each have a 65 foot frontage. Commissioner Morales commented that the most of the lots in the area have a 50 foot frontage. Applicant/Owner Javier Ordonez, 7926 Third St., appeared with a Spanish translator (Carlos) to answer the Commissioners questions. Chairman Kiefer asked Mr. Ordonez if he currently lives at the property, how long he has been the owner and what he proposes to do with the property. Mr. Ordonez/Carlos stated that he has been the owner since July 2014 and currently lives in Gardena and is renting the property out, to which Chairman Kiefer asked what Mr. Ordonez's plans are for the property if the subdivision is approved. Mr. Ordonez/Carlos stated that he intends to build a 3,500 sq. ft. two -story house on each lot and sell them. Chairman Kiefer called for correspondence in response of this application. Mr. Nguyen stated that staff received one phone message inquiring into the request; however, staff attempted to return the call, but was unable to reach the caller. Chairman Kiefer closed the public hearing. -3- Planning Commission Minutes November 19, 2014 The Commissioners, excluding Chairman Kiefer stated that the division would bring the lot to above the average lot size in the area, and if a two -story house would be built, it would have to follow todays' rules. They hope that the new houses would increase the value of the homes in the area. Commissioner Rodriguez added that the lots in the area are uniformly 50 feet wide and these lots would be 65 feet wide and will fit in with the neighborhood. Chairman Kiefer commented that the lot sizes in the area appear to be larger than 50 feet. It was moved by Commissioner Morales and seconded by Vice Chairman Lujan and passed by a 4 -1 vote, with Chairman Kiefer voting no, to adopt Resolution 14 -2900, thereby approving the request for a Tentative Parcel Map No. 73125 (PLN -14- 00184). NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 4. Approval of the Minutes from October 15, 2014 5. PLN -14 -00217 (Final Map) — Consider Final Map No. 71847, which subdivides 16,740 square feet of land into two residential parcels. 6. PLN -14 -00224 (General Plan Consistency) —A request to find that the sale of City owned property located at 11911 and 11921 Woodruff Ave is consistent with the General Plan. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to approve the items of the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: None, STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler reported the following: 1) The tour of the Downey View mentioned earlier was the sneak peak, and the Grand Opening of the View project is scheduled for December 1St at 2:00 pm and invited the Commissioners to attend; 2) Our business licensing is now available online. Chairman Kiefer asked staff to look into banana style banners that are located throughout the City. Commissioner Flores inquired as to a used car dealership that was approved on Paramount Blvd with conditions of approval that are not being adhered to such as displaying a larger number of cars that is more than what was approved. Director Schindler advised the Commissioners that he had already discussed the issues regarding the used car dealership with Commissioner Rodriguez earlier in the week and will have staff review the conditions of approval and follow up with the applicant to take appropriate action, should he be found in violation. -4- Planning Commission Minutes November 19, 2014 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Chairman Kiefer adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm, to Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 6:30 pm at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of January, 2015. 4k�A�A Robert Kiefer, Ch Erman 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 January, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS- Kiefer, Lujan, Flores and Rodriguez ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Morales ABSTAIN: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: None None Mary vanagh, Secr ry City Planning Commission -5-