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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. PC Draft Minutes - 06-01-16 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Flores called the June 1, 2016, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:33 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 Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney William E. Davis, City Planner Vincent Rosario, Sergeant Downey Police Department Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner Monica Esparza, Associate Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Chairman Morales commented on his attendance of the annual fishing trip with the Downey High Fisherman’s Club. Commissioner Lujan spoke briefly of his attendance at the Memorial Day celebration at the Downey Cemetery, calling it a moving event. Commissioner Morales also attended the Memorial Day celebration and said it is great way to remember those who gave their lives for us. Commissioner Morales advised everyone that June 4th is the Razorback football and cheerleading fitting day for those who wish to sign up at Fuhrman Park. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development, Aldo Schindler reported that the City Council approved the second reading for rezoning of the property located 11434 Downey Avenue and 8307 Iowa Street, from General Manufacturing to Hospital – Medical Arts. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-16-00115 (Special Event Permit): Chairman Flores opened the public hearing for PLN-16-0115, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Monica Esparza, presented the request by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church to conduct their annual three-day Greek Festival on Friday June 3, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday June 4, 2016 and Sunday June 5, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will include food, drink, vendor sales, Planning Commission Minutes June 1, 2016 - 2 - alcoholic beverage sales, mechanical rides, and live entertainment in the form of dancing, on property zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan). Ms. Esparza explained that during the meeting of the Development Review Committee, the Downey Police Department expressed concerns regarding noise after 10:00 p.m. Therefore, staff has added a condition of approval that live entertainment shall cease at 10:00 p.m. The Commissioners reviewed the conditions of approval with staff and discussed concerns presented at the previous meeting of the Planning Commission regarding street closures, street traffic and pedestrian safety during the multiple events (Greek Festival, S.T.E.A.M., and Farmer’s Market) that will be held on Saturday June 4, 2016. Disclosures: None. Applicant, Gavril Gabriel, thanked staff and agreed to the conditions of approval as proposed. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: Unidentified speaker spoke in favor of the event. Staff recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the application, PLN-16-00115, subject to the conditions of approval. Chairman Flores closed the public hearing. The Commissioners expressed no concerns with the event; the proposed conditions cover the intent of the application and two of the events will be held earlier in the day. Overall, it will be a great day for community gathering in the downtown area. It was moved by Commissioner Lujan, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 5-0 vote to adopt Resolution 16-2985; thereby approving the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN-16- 00115). 2. PLN-16-00093 (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Flores opened the public hearing for PLN-16- 00093, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis, presented the request to allow a youth dance center and a fitness club (On Stage Dance Center) on property located at 11711 Woodruff Avenue, and zoned M-2 (General Manufacturing) and P-B (Parking Buffer). The proposed hours of operation are: Fitness club from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Youth Dance from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday; the business will be closed on Sundays. Disclosures: Commissioner Morales met with the applicant approximately one year ago to discuss options about the project, but did not discuss the application presented. Commissioner Lujan met with the applicant six to eight months ago to discuss the project and did not discuss the application presented. Chairman Flores also met with the applicant six to seven months ago to discuss the project and did not discuss the application. Applicant, Elizabeth Gomez, explained that the dance studio had outgrown the current location. She gave a Planning Commission Minutes June 1, 2016 - 3 - brief history of the growing business and is hoping to remain in Downey. The current location is large enough to meet the needs of the expanding dance studio and fitness center. The Commissioners reviewed the site plan and floor plan with Ms. Gomez. Ms. Gomez explained that the center is in need of additional space for storage and to provide areas for the children to have snacks and do their homework when they arrive at the center before beginning dance lessons. Correspondence: None. Speaking in favor: Unidentified public speaker spoke in favor of the project. Kathleen Jenkins stated she is a ballet instructor at the On Stage Dance Center and spoke in favor of the project and discussed how the new location would benefit the children. Dr. Yanith Gomez-Gonzalez [sic], spoke in favor of the project. She explained how her daughters’ attendance at the dance center has helped her with health problems and other challenges. She expressed her appreciation for the care that the staff provides for all of the children and the positive effects they have on their lives and their families. Cynthia Rodriguez [sic], spoke in favor of the project and the care they received from staff and the positive effects of being a part of the dance center. Staff recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the application, PLN-16-00093, subject to the conditions of approval. Chairman Flores closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the use of the location, applauded the applicant for the positive affect she is having on the children, and thanked her for keeping her business in Downey. It was moved by Vice Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 5-0 vote; to adopt Resolution 16-2986, thereby approving the request for a conditional use permit (PLN-16- 00093). 3. PLN-15-00182 (Specific Plan Amendment, Site Plan Review and Tentative Parcel Map No. 73819): Chairman Flores opened the public hearing for PLN-15-00182, and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Principal Planner David Blumenthal, presented the request to amend the Lakewood/Firestone Specific Plan, to construct a new grocery store (ALDI), and combine 12 lots into a single parcel, on property located at 11215 Lakewood Blvd. He explained the original intent of the Specific Plan was to allow retail stores, not convenience stores, which require the amendment. Mr. Blumenthal reviewed the site plan, architectural drawings, designs elevations, landscaping and mitigated negative declaration of environmental impacts. The Commissioners discussed aspects relating store operations; egress and ingress at the subject site; the location of the project being a heavily traveled intersection; possible traffic issues at the Firestone and Lakewood intersection; Nash St. access and turning radius; and possible options for retail use. Staff advised the Commissioners of existing challenges in developing the site that has been vacant for 15 years. Principal Planner Blumenthal advised the Commissioners that a condition can be added to address the Planning Commission Minutes June 1, 2016 - 4 - concerns regarding the turning radius. Chairman Flores called the traffic engineer forward to give testimony. Traffic Engineer, Keith Rutherford, with Stantec Engineering, reviewed the LOS (level of service) with and without the Aldi project, including the average number of trips per day and overall capacity of the intersection. The Commissioners asked if the study included the train crossing. Mr. Rutherford replied that it is not included; however, it should be a non-issue. Disclosures: Vice Chairman Rodriguez stated he visited the site and the South Gate location today. He said he also received a letter via text message and read it into the record: ”Hello Jim, this is michael chirco, the air conditioning small business owner here in Downey. I'm texting because I have concerns about the new supermarkets coming into town and that they will not be taking responsibility of their own shopping carts. These carts end up in our neighborhoods, as homeless carts or just street trash.. I know there are ways to implement force against these markets and begin to fine them for not keeping inventory of their own carts.. But maybe as an incentive to them not being fined for can we say supermarket littering, we implement the use of wheel locking systems, coin chargers ETC. ETC. Here are some links and some pictures” http://www.gatekeepersystems.com/sol_cc_cc_faq.php https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulSouthDowney/posts/548785638635154 The Commissioners discussed with staff, issues related to abandoned shopping carts with staff. City Attorney Yvette Garcia advised the Commission of the City’s Ordinance that addresses shopping carts. Applicant, Ben Vesper, Real Estate Director, Aldi, conveyed background and history of the market based in Chicago, Ill. since 1976. Mr. Vesper informed the Commissioners that Aldi Markets maintain and control shopping carts in a locked corral and should be a non-issue. Their parking lots are devoid of carts and parking spaces are always available. The store employs 20-25 employees and core business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The stores are environmentally friendly, using solar and recycled bags. Vice Chairman Rodriguez disclosed that he found two stray shopping carts at the South Gate site. The Commissioners discussed issues regarding the loading dock along Nash Ave.; truck deliveries and noise issues relating to evening deliveries; landscaping buffers; and architectural design with options to add benches, tables and cover blank exterior wall areas. Mr. Vesper explained that the benches may be an issue with the Fire Code, and he can have his Civil Engineer research further. Perkowitz & Ruth, Architect, Sean Unsell [sic], reviewed the architectural design and options for additional landscaping to cover the barren wall area. Correspondence: Principal Planner Blumenthal stated staff received one letter, listing several concerns with the project. Planning Commission Minutes June 1, 2016 - 5 - Speaking in favor: An unidentified speaker spoke in favor of the application. Chairman Flores called the applicant forward to address questions regarding Lakewood Blvd. egress. Arthur Orbison [sic[, Civil Engineer with Greenberg Farrow, stated that they can work with staff to create a wider radius. The Commissioners asked if the applicant would agree to a condition that they modify the radius, to which Mr. Orbison replied in agreement upon them being able to work with staff to determine the appropriate approach. Staff’s recommendation is to recommend the City Council amend the Specific Plan and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Additional recommendation is the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the Site Plan Review and Tentative Parcel Map No. 73819, subject to the conditions of approval. Speaking in opposition: Ivan, stated he resides across the street from the subject site (next to the Walgreens store). He is often disturbed by the noise generated by their delivery trucks and is concerned with the additional noise that Aldi’s delivery trucks would generate. The Commissioners discussed the noise complaints regarding the truck deliveries and train that passes along the subject site with the resident. Chairman Flores closed the public hearing. Commissioner Owens expressed concerns regarding the number of supermarkets in the City and would prefer to wait for a better suited use for the area. The remaining Commissioners spoke in favor of the project regarding the modification to the radius and thanked the applicant for choosing Downey. The Commissioners asked staff for language pertaining to the modification of conditions of approval. Principal Blumenthal gave the following modification to said conditions of approval. Condition No. 19 shall be added to the Planning Section; all subsequent conditions will be renumbered, accordingly. “The applicant shall rework the Lakewood Blvd drive-approach to increase the radius on the southern side of the approach to be a 15’ radius or the maximum feasible radius, whichever is less.” It was moved by Vice Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Chairman Flores, and passed by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Owens voting no to adopt Resolution 16-2987, thereby approving the request for a Site Plan Review, Tentative Parcel Map, and a recommend the City Council Amend the Specific Plan (PLN-15-00182). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: An unidentified speaker spoke about first amendment rights. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 4. Minutes from May 18, 2016 It was moved by Chairman Flores, seconded by Vice Chairman Rodriguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the Consent Calendar. Planning Commission Minutes June 1, 2016 - 6 - OTHER BUSINESS: Vice Chairman Rodriguez asked staff to look into a Wi-Fi booster for google map searches for research purposes. Director Schindler replied, he will see if the City Clerk faces the same challenges during Council meetings, and, if so, how it has been addressed. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler informed the Commissioners of the Mayor’s priority to conduct an analysis to increase the development of medical facilities and hospitals in our community. Staff distributed a Biomedical Overlay Zone RFP to our Planning community consultants. Once the interview process is completed, they will be presented to City Council and the reports will go to the Planning Commission. Director Schindler introduced new staff member, Senior Planner Guillermo Arreola, to the Community Development Department. Biomedical overlay zone ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, Chairman Flores adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m., to Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of October, 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 19th day of October, 2016, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission