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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 01-21-15MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Vice Chairman Lujan called the January 21, 2015, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:36 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the Flag Salute, Secretary Cavanagh called roll. Commissioner Patrick Owens was sworn in by Secretary Cavanagh. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Patrick Owens, District 2 Louis Morales, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 Jim Rodriguez, District 5 Hector Lujan, District 1, Vice Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich- Garcia, City Attorney William E. Davis, City Planner David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Rodriguez welcomed the newly appointed Commissioner Patrick Owens, and asked him to give a brief introduction of his background. Commissioner Owens introduced himself and said that he lives in Downey with his family and is a 60 year resident of Downey; he is an electrician by trade, and currently serves on the Public Works and Green Task Force Committees and is also looking forward to serving on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Flores congratulated Commissioner Owens on his new appointment to the Planning Commission and invited everyone to attend the workshop on the Parks Master Plan currently being held at the Barbara J. Riley Senior Center after tonight's meeting. Commissioner Morales welcomed Commissioner Owens to the Planning Commission, PRESENTATIONS: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler distributed Planning Commission handbooks, which were newly created by City Attorney Yvette Abich- Garcia, and were also new to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission Minutes January 21, 2015 City Attorney Abich- Garcia said that the handbook was created to bring the Planning Commission back to basics, and it contains a lot of useful information that gives them an update of the rules, etc. She gave thanks to staff for working quickly to put it together. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN -14- 00231: (Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chairman Lujan opened the public hearing for PLN -14- 00231, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request by Verizon Wireless, to allow the installation of a wireless communication facility, that includes twelve (12) panel antennas, a 4 -foot diameter microwave antenna, and two (2) equipment cabinets on the roof top of a Verizon -owned switching building, located at 8336 Second St., and zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan). Mr. Nguyen stated that Verizon proposes is to install the antennas in three sectors on the corners of the building's rooftop, with four antennas per sector. The fourth corner will remain empty. The proposal also includes the installation of 9 -foot screen walls on each corner of the building that will match the existing building, which is consistent with past approvals. All related electrical equipment cabinets will be located within a lease area on the roof of the subject building. The building has an emergency generator; therefore, the applicant is not proposing to add a generator to the site. Mr. Nguyen concluded that all findings can be made in a positive manner and he recommended approval of the request for a conditional use permit. The Commissioner inquiries; 1) Did the applicant offer a full parapet (suggesting a 3 -foot wall on the rooftop of the building)? 2) Are there options for additional screening of the existing rooftop equipment? 3) Is there an option for a redesign? Mr. Nguyen stated that staff felt that the existing design was fine; however the Planning Commission can require that the applicant add more screening. Senior Planner David Blumenthal stated that if the Commission finds that this design is inadequate to blend with the architectural design of the building, they can require additional screening. The existing equipment is owned by Verizon California a separate corporation from Verizon Wireless; they share the same parent company. The current Code requires that the equipment should be screened, however; it was installed before the City Code was amended and is considered legal non - conforming. Applicant Marilyn Warren, representing Verizon Wireless, stated that she is in support of staff's report and conditions on the project, and is present to answer any questions they might have. Commissioner Rodriguez asked if they can add additional screening for the existing equipment to improve the aesthetics. Ms. Warren responded by saying that screening the existing equipment would be a construction issue with Verizon California; therefore, she is unable to state what can and cannot be done. -2- Planning Commission Minutes January 21, 2015 However, she is willing to work with staff, and go back to Verizon California to see what can be done. Commissioner Flores stated that he understands the equipment was already there; however, the four corners give the building a castle look. He wants to maintain a structural integrity with the other buildings around Downtown Downey. Ms. Warren stated that she understood their concerns, but she cannot commit to anything as this is a construction issue. There were no public comments. Vice Chairman Lujan closed the public hearing. Commissioners Flores, Rodriguez, and Owens stated that they would like the applicant to return with another design that would blend aesthetically with Downtown Downey, and would include screening the existing equipment. Commissioner Morales stated that the design is not the aesthetically pleasing design; however, he is not sure that the parapet is the best method for screening. Senior Planner Blumenthal asked that it be entered into the record that applicant agreed to return to Verizon to redesign the project with the direction given by Planning Commission. As such, the applicant also agreed to provide a written statement requesting a 90 -day extension of the application in order to allow ample time to meet with Verizon and redesign the equipment screens. Senior Planner Blumenthal stated that this will also meet the requirements of the Permit Streamlining Act. It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez and seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to continue the public hearing on the item to a date uncertain. NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. Approval of the Minutes from January 7, 2015 3. PLN- 15- 00007 (General Plan Consistency) It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 4 -1 vote, the with Commissioner Morales abstaining from the approval of Item No. 2 , and a 5 -0 vote to approve Item No. 3 of the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: 4a. Election of Officers -3- Planning Commission Minutes January 21, 2015 It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to elect Vice - Chairman Lujan as Chairman. It was then moved by Chairman Lujan, and seconded by Commissioner Morales and passed by a 5 -0 vote, to elect Commissioner Flores as Vice - Chairman. 4b. New Planning Commissioner: Commissioner Owens gave his introduction at the start of the meeting. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Chairman Lujan adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m., to Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of February, 2015. Hector L fjan, Ch�lrman City Planning C;mmission HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 4th day of February, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Morales, Rodriguez, Owens, Flores and Lujan ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ' Mary C vanagh, Secreta City Planning Commission -4-