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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. PC Draft Minutes - 08-05-15 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Lujan called the August 5, 2015, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:30 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary Cavanagh called roll. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Patrick Owens, District 2 Louis Morales, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4, Vice Chairman Jim Rodríguez, District 5 Hector Lujan, District 1, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT: Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney William E. Davis, City Planner David Blumenthal, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Morales invited everyone to attend the upcoming Gangs Out Of Downey (G.O.O.D.) Golf Tournament on September 11, 2015 at the Rio Hondo Golf Club; Commissioner Rodriguez commented on the Los Angeles Times article regarding Downey; and Vice Chairman Flores clarified that the comments quoted in the article were those of his brother Val Flores. Commissioner Owens commented on the City’s hosting the Special Olympics Irish Team and gave thanks to the City with added thanks to the Parks and Recreation Department, stating that the event surpassed that of the Concerts in the Park. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: City Planner William Davis reported that on July 28, 2015, the City Council adopted an ordinance to initiate a Code Amendment to the Downey Municipal Code as it pertains to drought tolerant landscape and synthetic turf in setting guidelines and standards for the City. The ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission at the next meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-15-00155 (Specific Plan Amendment): Chairman Lujan opened the public hearing for PLN- 15-00155, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner David Blumenthal reviewed the request to amend Section 5.4.2 of the Downtown Downey Specific Plan to allow off-site parking. The Downtown Specific Plan was adopted to create a pedestrian oriented mixed-use environment in the central portion of the City. He explained that the Planning Commission Minutes August 5, 2015 - 2 - concept is to encourage visitors to park their cars and walk to multiple businesses. Alternative ideas were created to meet parking requirements such as the parking waiver program . The parking waiver allows businesses to purchase and utilize a supply of public parking at $200 per space per year in order to meet their requirements. Another alternative is to obtain an off-site parking agreement, which allows the business to enter into an agreement with another business that has excess parking. Currently, the requirements to enter into said agreement, requires the following: 1. The Planning Commission approves a conditional use permit for the off-site parking; 2. The off-site parking is within 1/8th mile (660 feet) of the business; and 3. Either a reciprocal parking agreement or perpetual lease is recorded to the properties guaranteeing the parking will be maintained and available for the business. Senior Planner Blumenthal explained that as the development in downtown grows, an estimated 16,000 parking spaces will be needed for its build out. The Commissioners reviewed examples of businesses that currently maintain off-site parking agreements, market rate for shared parking, valet and parking waivers with Mr. Blumenthal. Senior Planner Blumenthal reviewed the proposed changes to Section 5.4.2 of the Downey Municipal Code, and explained that: 1. The requirement for the City to spend money received from waivers is being revised from being a finding, to becoming a code requirement; 2. Off-site parking within the downtown will now be allowed to be located within ¼ mile (1,320 feet) of the business and the parking agreement; and 3. The applicant will not be required to record the parking agreement. Senior Planner Blumenthal explained that the increase in distance is appropriate due to the pedestrian nature of the downtown, and it has been found that when development is built in a pedestrian scale, ¼ mile is the distance people are willing to walk to a store, restaurant, or entertainment opportunity. Therefore, recording the parking agreements can hinder the rapid changes in downtown. However, to address concerns that the lack of recording of the agreement would make them unenforceable, staff added language that requires the business owner to prove the agreement is still active on an annual basis. If an agreement expires, is canceled or voided, the applicant is required to obtain a parking waiver or cease operation. Senior Planner Blumenthal concluded his report by saying that the use of an off-site parking agreement will not allow a business to deviate from the parking requirements set forth in the specific plan. Instead, the parking demand will need to be met for all of the properties involved. It is important to note that the agreements will need to be reviewed and approved by the City Attorney prior to being presented to the Planning Commission for consideration during the Conditional Use Permit process. Chairman Lujan called for correspondence, to which there were none. Chairman Lujan closed the public hearing. The Commissioners commented that the proposal was well thought out, and all aspects were considered. They were in favor of the parking agreement as it gives business owners the opportunity to work together. Planning Commission Minutes August 5, 2015 - 3 - It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution 15-2932, thereby approving the request for a Specific Plan Amendment (PLN-15-00155). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. Approval of the Minutes from July 1, 2015 It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: 3. 2014 General Plan Annual Report (PLN-15-00121): City Planner William Davis gave a brief summary of the 2014 General Plan Annual Report, and recommended that the Planning Commission recommend its approval of the Annual Report to the City Council to receive and file. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the 2014 General Plan Annual Report and recommend its approval to the City Council STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Chairman Lujan adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m., to Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2015. Hector Lujan, 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 August, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission