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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. PC Draft Minutes - 09-02-15 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Lujan called the September 2, 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. 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: 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: None. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported that City Ventures, the developers of the “Downey Collection” project located at the northwest corner of Lakewood Blvd. and Gallatin Rd., presented the “Golden Nugget Award,” to the City Council. The Golden Nugget is a national award given for architectural excellence. Director Schindler also discussed a few public hearing items: 1) The certificate of completion for the Congestion Management Program to Metro, which is an annual report that states that our development is in compliance with our transportation planning within the community; 2) A certificate of completion was issued for the Downey View housing project; and 3) the second phase of amending the Code as it pertains to off-site parking in the Downtown Downey Specific Plan (DDSP) zone, the first phase was presented to the Planning Commission. The Council received and filed the 2014 Annual Progress Report that was also presented to the Planning Commission. With staff’s recommendation, Council approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Kamla Hotels for the development and disposition of vacant property at 9066 Firestone Blvd. Planning Commission Minutes September 2, 2015 - 2 - PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-15-0141 (Site Plan Review & Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Lujan opened the public hearing for PLN-15-0141, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Commissioner Rodriguez stated that he owns property within 500 feet of the subject site and recused himself from this item, and exited the Council Chambers. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request for a site plan review to replace an existing garage bay/minimart building with a new convenience store, and a conditional use permit to operate the store with an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 20 license. The subject site is an existing gasoline service station, located at 9093 Imperial Hwy., and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Assistant Planner Nguyen reviewed the surrounding uses which included single-family homes to the north of the site, and various commercial and manufacturing businesses to the east, and commercial businesses to the south and west. Mr. Nguyen stated that the existing service station (Arco), including the gas pump islands and their canopy structures, will remain unchanged. The proposal includes architectural aspects, which include a “craftsman-style” gable roof for the entryway, with decorative finished columns, a living wall planter on the north wall, additional landscaping throughout, and repositioning of the parking spaces to provide accessibility. During the meeting of the Development Review Committee, staff discussed the request for a conditional use permit to allow the applicant to operate with an ABC Type 20 (Off-Sale, Beer & Wine, Package Store) license, to which the Downey Police Department did not have concerns and requested that standard conditions of approval be applied. Mr. Nguyen stated that the request will complement the surrounding area and is recommending approval, subject to the conditions of approval. Joseph Karaki, Architect, 4887 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA, thanked staff and the Planning Commissioners. Mr. Karaki stated that he read and agrees to the conditions of approval. Chairman Lujan called for disclosures, to which there were none. Chairman Lujan called for those who were present to speak in favor or against to come forward. There being none, Chairman Lujan called for correspondence, to which staff replied there was none. Chairman Lujan closed the public hearing. The Commissioners stated that the proposal was straightforward, a good use, they had no concerns and believe it is a great improvement to the intersection. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Flores, and passed by a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Rodriguez abstaining, to adopt Resolution 15-2934, thereby approving the request for a Site Plan Review and Resolution 15-2936, approving the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-15-00141). Planning Commission Minutes September 2, 2015 - 3 - 2. PLN-15-00156 (Zoning Text Amendment): Chairman Lujan opened the public hearing for PLN-15-00156, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis reviewed the request to amend Article IX of the Downey Municipal Code to establish minimum standards for the design and installation of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants and native plants that require minimal use of water, and standards for the installation of synthetic turf. Mr. Davis stated that this amendment will achieve the Governor's goals for water conservation while addressing the community's desire for synthetic turf standards. City Planner Davis gave a brief PowerPoint presentation with examples of drought tolerant garden designs using live plant material taken from both the Los Angeles County Drought Tolerant Garden Guide and the City of Downey Drought Tolerant Garden Guide. The gardens were rich in color and texture, require less water, and by using various irrigation measures can reduce water usage. Mr. Davis stated that he has been working with Dan Mueller, of Public Works and took part in the water symposium put on by the Central Basin Water District. He also attempted to meet with the Green Task Force; unfortunately, the Task Force did not meet during this time period. Mr. Davis reviewed the options for synthetic turf and discussed the concerns in the proposed residential use, such as: heat transference; possible carcinogens; children playing and rolling on the turf for a length of time, spillage on the product such as food, drinks and animal waste. Mr. Davis presented the Commissioners with examples of synthetic turf and examples of staff’s recommendation for minimum requirements to meet Building and Safety requirements as water will seep through the product into the ground, and a minimum of ¾ inch requirement for durability. The Commissioners reviewed the Landscaping requirements and synthetic turf standards with staff and requested that staff delete “turf” from Section 7 (i) from item (2). The Commissioners discussed the minimum standards and options for synthetic turf should include additional requirements and minimum standards from a recognized rating Board; the legal issues that such requirements would bring, and concern with health issues with the use of synthetic turf. Chairman Lujan called for correspondence, to which there were none. Chairman Lujan closed the public hearing. Commissioner Owens stated that he would like to add a requirement that the synthetic turf must be made in America to include minimum safety standards to address possible health concerns and would like staff to direct staff to do some additional research regarding safety. Vice Chairman Flores stated that he sees legal issues with Commissioner Owens’ request to require the synthetic turf is made in America; however, he agrees with conditions providing minimum standards and is concerned with children rolling around and playing in the synthetic turf and agrees that there is a need for further study of quality standards. Planning Commission Minutes September 2, 2015 - 4 - Commissioner Rodriguez thanked staff for the great work and said that he likes the use of synthetic turf and understands issues with quality standards. He said that it will be nice to give the residents more options, and asked that staff delete “turf” from Section 7 (i) from item (2). Commissioner Morales thanked staff and stated that he recognizes the need for options due to the drought. In reference to Commissioner Owens’ comments to quality control, he recognizes the need for quality control issues; however, there is a question about how to enforce it. Chairman Lujan concurred with his fellow Commissioners and said that we are moving in the right directions in our water conservation efforts. He favors natural turf over synthetic; however, he appreciates having the option. It was moved by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Morales, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution 15-2935, thereby approving the request for a Zoning Text Amendment (PLN-15-00156) with the amendment to delete “turf” from Section 7 (i) from item (2).and direct staff to research safety standards for synthetic turf. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Recommended Action To Approve: 3. SCE Easement General Plan Consistency Finding: (PLN-15-00179) 4. Industrial Realty Group Easement General Plan Consistency Finding: (PLN-15-00037) Recommended Action To Deny 5. PLN-14-00260 (Variance) 13423 Laureldale Avenue: A request to deviate from the City of Downey residential property development standards to facilitate construction of a single-family residence on a substandard lot, on property zoned R-1 (Single-Family Residential). Commissioner Rodriguez recused himself from voting on item numbers 3 and 4 of the Consent Calendar due to his owning property within 500 feet of the subject site, and from item number 5 due to a previous conflict of interest concern emanating speaking to a neighbor prior to the original hearing. Commissioner Morales recused himself from voting on item number 5 as he was not present for the original public hearing. It was moved by Vice Chairman Flores, seconded by Commissioner Morales, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Rodriguez abstaining, to approve items number one and two, and passed by a vote of 3-2 with Commissioner Rodriguez and Commissioner Morales abstaining from item number five, thereby approving the Consent Calendar. Planning Commission Minutes September 2, 2015 - 5 - OTHER BUSINESS: 6. Rancho Los Amigos Consolidation Project General Plan Consistency Finding: (PLN-15-00177) Director Schindler introduced Vincent Yu, with Los Angeles County, who gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on the Rancho Los Amigos Consolidation Project of the north campus site that is scheduled to be completed by 2020. Mr. Yu reviewed the current footprint and the phases in which the renovations, demolition and construction will occur. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on August 19, 2015, with construction taking place over a six year period. The primary objective of the renovation project is to conform to current seismic requirements by 2020. It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Flores, and passed by a vote of 5-0 to adopt a Minute Action making the determination that the County of Los Angeles' proposed Rancho Los Amigos North Campus Consolidation Project conforms to the Downey General Plan. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Chairman Lujan adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m., to Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of September, 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 16th day of September, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission