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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. PC Draft Minutes - 08-03-16 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Flores called the August 3, 2016, 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: Hector Lujan, District 1 Patrick Owens, District 2 Louis Morales, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4, Chairman Jim Rodríguez, District 5, Vice Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Alisha Patterson, Special Counsel for the City William E. Davis, City Planner Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Chairman Flores welcomed Alisha Patterson, Special Counsel for the City. Commissioner Morales announced the start of the season for the Downey Razorback Football Team. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City Council approved the following items: 1. The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program. 2. Jobs and business development program for Downey Nissan. 3. Contract with JWA Irving Consultants for an Economic Development strategy for development along Imperial Highway. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-16-00132 (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Flores opened the public hearing for PLN-16-00132, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2016 - 2 - Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request to remodel an existing gasoline service station that operates with a mini-mart building and a car wash, on property located at 10030 Lakewood Boulevard and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Mr. Nguyen reviewed the commercial, retail and professional office uses surrounding the subject site. He reviewed the architectural design and layout of the mini-mart building expansion, the expanded fuel dispenser canopy, and removal of a wood trellis and five parking along the east side of the site. The modifications will result in a self-sufficient drive through car wash, with two additional gasoline dispensers and two parking stalls maintaining self-service vacuums for customers. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee at which time no concerns were expressed; therefore, standard conditions were applied. The Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the loss of parking spaces, vacuums, maneuverability within the site, and the relocation of a sewer line interrupting the fuel dispensers. Staff clarified there will be no loss of parking because the five parking spaces are currently used by employees to dry vehicles as they exit the car wash, and the concerns regarding the sewer lines will be discussed with the Public Works Department. Chairman Flores called for disclosures. Vice Chairman Rodriguez stated he walked the subject site today and Commissioner Morales stated he visited the site as a customer on occasion. Chairman Flores called the applicant forward to give testimony. Applicant, Fred Cohen, CJC Design, 2485 La Palma Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92887, stated that they read and agreed to all of the conditions of approval and are available to answer questions. Vice Chairman Rodriguez asked if the car wash currently operates as a full service car wash, and if so, will it remain full service. Applicant/Owner, Halim Ibrahim, described the current car wash operation and explained that the new car wash will be reconfigured to be self-sufficient with two parking stalls for self -service vacuuming, eliminating labor and the need for additional employee parking. Vice Chairman Rodriguez asked why the trellis is being removed, to which Mr. Cohen explained the primary reason is to comply with the Fire Code for the fuel truck delivery, and secondarily to allow circulation for the cars around the canopy. Chairman Flores called for correspondence, to which Assistant Planner Nguyen replied, there were none. Chairman Flores invited members of the audience to come forward and speak on the item. No one replied; therefore, Chairman Flores closed the public hearing and called for staff’s recommendation. Assistant Planner Nguyen stated staff’s recommendation is to adopt Resolution 16-2989 to approve the request for a conditional use permit (PLN-16-00132) subject to the conditions of approval. Chairman Flores closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the application and expressed concern for the loss of jobs. Planning Commission Minutes August 3, 2016 - 3 - It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Chairman Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution 16-2989, thereby approving the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-16-000132). NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. Approval of the Minutes from July 20, 2016 It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Vice Chairman Rodriguez, and passed by a 3-2 vote, with Chairman Flores and Commissioner Lujan abstaining, to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Owens asked Director of Community Development Schindler to have the developer of the Promenade replace worn-out construction signage at the east side of the subject site. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Chairman Flores adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m., to Wednesday, August 17th, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of August, 2016. Matias Flores, 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 17th day of August, 2016, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission