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PC MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Vice Chairman Rodriguez called the July 20, 2016, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order
at 6:35 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
Jim Rodríguez, District 5, Vice Chairman
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Matias Flores, District 4, Chairman
Hector Lujan, District 1
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney
David Blumenthal, Principal Planner
Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Commissioner Morales announced his candidacy for City Council,
District 3.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the
City Council approved the second reading for the amendment to the Lakewood Firestone Specific Plan.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PLN-16-00148 (Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for
PLN-16-00148, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Principal Planner David Blumenthal gave a brief PowerPoint presentation of the request to operate a yoga
studio within an existing multi-tenant building located at 8036 Third Street., Suite 104 and zoned DDSP
(Downtown Downey Specific Plan). The site is currently occupied by a personal training business, which
the applicant proposes to divide the space into the yoga studio and reception area. The proposed hours of
operation are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven (7) days a week, with a maximum of 30 students per class.
The application was reviewed by the City’s Development Review Committee, no impacts or issues were
identified with this project other than ensuring that all tenant improvements comply with the building and fire
codes.
Disclosures: Vice Chairman Rodriguez stated he recently attended a class at the subject site.
Applicant, Jovon Bernal, thanked the Planning Commissioners and spoke about the positive experiences
she’s had with yoga over the last 12 years, and how it can benefit others. Ms. Bernal reviewed the various
Planning Commission Minutes July 20, 2016
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classes her studio will offer and claims it is the only exclusive yoga studio within 12 miles of downtown
Downey.
Vice Chairman Rodriguez asked Ms. Bernal to explain the various types of classes in further detail.
Jovon Bernal explained the prenatal classes use Braxton movements, the chair classes are for seniors
and people in wheel chairs and restorative classes are slower paced classes.
Vice Chairman Rodriguez invited those in the audience who wished to speak in favor of the application.
Armando Herman spoke in favor of the application and requested that the Commissioners to waive the
application fees for Ms. Bernal.
There being no further comments; Vice Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the application. Commissioner Morales addressed the fee waiver
during public comments and stated that it is not within the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission to waive
any fees.
It was moved by Commissioner Morales, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 3-2 vote
with Chairman Flores and Commissioner Lujan absent, to adopt Resolution 16-2988, thereby approving the
request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-16-000148).
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Armando Herman spoke against the City of Los Angeles.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: None.
OTHER BUSINESS: Vice Chairman Rodriguez thanked Director Schindler for providing the updates
requested at the last meeting.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Vice Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting
at 7:01 p.m., to Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of August, 2016.
Originally signed by Jim Rodriguez
Jim Rodriguez, Vice 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 3rd day of August, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Rodriguez, Morales and Owens
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Flores and Lujan
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
Originally signed by Mary Cavanagh
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission