HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-11-16 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF-TAE
COUNCIL CITY OF OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER •' 1
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on October 11,
2016, at 6:33 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Saab presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Alex Saab Mayor
Fernando Vasquez Mayor Pro Tern
Sean Ashton = Council Member
Roger C. Brossmer Council Member
Luis Marquez Council Member (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, MMC, City Clerk
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager
Carl Charles, Chief of Police
Mark Gillaspie, Fire Chief
Mohammad Mostahkami, Public Works Director
Monica Ortiz, Interim Recreation Manager
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Cary Fisher, Downey Seventh Adventist Church. The
Flag Salute was led by American Legion Downey Post 270.
COUNCIL • FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Ashton announced upcoming events: Free Mulch event; Keep Downey
Beautiful Clean -Up; and, free used oil filter event. He reported attending the L.A. Lower River Working
Group meeting and thanked Parks and Recreation staff for coordinating the meeting.
Council Member Brossmer acknowledged his family in the audience.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez announced the upcoming dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of
the Don Knabe Wellness Center. He reported representing Downey before the Gateway Cities Council
of Governments regarding the 1-5 freeway in opposition of Measure M.
Mayor Saab acknowledged members of the audience, Chamber of Commerce Representatives
and Downey Youth Commissioners. He reported attending the Rooftop Concert Greek Night Out and
the _Southern _California Resource Services Disability Pride Parade. He announced upcoming events:
Dedication and ribbon cutting event of the Don Knabe Wellness Center; Tenant's Rights Workshop;
Booked for Lunch; Space- themed movie at the Space Center; Everything Downey with Mayor Saab;
601' Anniversary Time Capsule Dedication Ceremony; Family Planetary Science Activities; 60 "'
Anniversary Art Exhibition "The Stars Align" & Downey Symphony Orchestra Concert; Bar Louie ribbon
cutting;_ Chamber Multi- mixer; Stay Gallery Four Year Anniversary; and, Dia de Los Muertos. He
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting— October 11, 2016 1
requested staff address a concern regarding the CalTrans Yard at Angell /Columbia Way regarding dust
and noise caused by large trucks entering the Yard at early morning hours.
City Clerk Jimenez provided reminders regarding voter registration; sample ballot booklets;
early voting; and, vote by mail ballots.
1. American Legion Downey Post 270 presented Council Member Brossmer with a plaque in honor of
his commitment and support to American men and women of the U.S. Military.
2. Mayor Saab with the assistance of Monica Ortiz, presented Certificates of Appointment to the
Downey Youth Commission.
• •nii ►
Mayor Saab took this item out of order.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding homelessness; Veterans; individuals with
disabilities; Measure M; and Propositions on the November ballot.
Donna Simon, resident, commented against the proposed condominium project on Foster Road
and the Environmental Impact Report.
Lars Clutterham, Downey Composer, invited the City Council and the audience to the Art
Exhibition "The Stars Align" and Downey Symphony Orchestra Concert. He commented regarding his
most recent composition.
Donald Marshall, Downey Symphony, thanked Council for the Proclamation.
John Lacey, "resident, acknowledged and thanked the Downey Police Department for all they do
to protect everyone. He congratulated Council Member Brossmer for the award he received and
thanked him for his service.
Mayor Saab acknowledged Council Candidate Art Montoya; Congressional Candidate Ramon
Gonzalez; and, Robert Kieffer, Vector Control Representative for Downey, whom were in the audience.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Saab took this item out of order.
Mayor Saab asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented on Item No. 5 regarding community members with
disabilities and the ADA complaint process in Downey.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Saab closed public comment.
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Regular Meeting — October 11, 2016 2
City Attorney Abich Garcia announced Item No. 6 would be pulled from the Consent Calendar
and brought back at the next Council Meeting.
!. ADOPT RESOLUTION • 16- A RESOLUTION OF • OF
OF DOWNEY APPROVING • 72992 AT 9515 LAKEWOOD r r
AGREEMENT WITH GRAND TOP, LLC FOR • • OF : r •
111PIPOVEMENTS: Public Works.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and carried
unanimously, with Council Member Marquez excused, to approve the Consent Calendar.
3.- APPROVED MINUTES: Special and Regular Meetings of September 27, 2016: City Clerk.
4. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 307401- 307758; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003517, 30003521-
30003522 and 30003524- 30003525; Manual Wire Nos. 1479-1480; and, Cashier Check Nos. 87 -
89; in the total amount of $3,102,682.01: Finance.
5. APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH DISABILITY ACCESS CONSULTANTS FOR PREPARATION
OF A SELF EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN PURSUANT TO THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT: City Attorney.
7. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 16- 7674, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY TO CORRECT THE UNIT REPRESENTATION DESIGNATION FOR THE
POSITION OF POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR: Human Resources.
Mayor Saab took the Public Hearing Items out of order.
2. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF • OF
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING • rrr REZONING
SOUTHERLY THE OF •• ERTY LOCATED AT 8104
GRAY RD FROM P-B (PARKING BUFFER) TO r
Community Development.
Mayor Saab opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of the
Proof of Publication. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Ashton
and so ordered by the Mayor to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was no
correspondence received.
The staff report was provided by William` Davis, City Planner. On April 6 2016 the Planning
Commission held a public hearing to consider a seven -unit townhome project at 8104 Stewart and
Gray. This item included a request to rezone the rear 66 feet of the subject site. At the conclusion of
this public hearing, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution to approve a tentative map and site
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Regular Meeting — October 11, 2016 3
plan review of the proposed townhomes, and adopted a resolution recommending approval of the
proposed zone change to the City Council.
The subject property is located on the south side of Stewart and Gray Road, east of Paramount
Blvd. and is zoned P -B and R -3 (Parking Buffer and Multiple- Family Residential) with a General Plan
Land Use Designation of "Medium Density Residential." The rear 66 feet of the 15,934 square foot
parcel is zoned P -B) Parking Buffer and the remaining area is zoned R -3 (Multiple- Family Residential).
Mayor Saab and Council Member Brossmer asked if the other properties adjacent to this
property will also have the same 66 feet setback in the rear. Mr. Davis said they will if they are rebuilt or
redeveloped. The setback for the adjacent properties would be 20 feet for -a one story home, 30 feet for
a two story home and 46 feet for a three story home.
Mayor Saab opened this item for public comment of 7:34 p.m.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding housing developments and parking.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Saab closed public comment at 7 :36 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez and carried
unanimously, with Council Member Marquez excused, to Introduce Ordinance No. 16- , an
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey Approving a Zone Change (PLN -16- 00018),
thereby rezoning the southerly sixty -six (66') feet of the property located at 8104 Stewart & Gray Rd
from P -B (Parking Buffer) to R -3 (Multiple - Family Residential).
Mayor Saab- recussed himself from Public Hearing Item No. 1 due to a conflict of interest and
left the dais at 7:37 p.m.
1. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 16- , AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY REZONING THE PROPERTY AT 7940 TELEGRAPH RD FROM GENERAL
COMMERCIAL (C -2) AND PARKING BUFFER (P -B) TO R -3 (MULTIPLE- FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL): Community Development.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed
receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council
Member Ashton and so ordered by the Mayor to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was
no correspondence received.
The staff report was provided by William Davis, City Planner. On September 21, 2016, the
Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider a proposal to develop the property located at
7940 Telegraph Rd. with 39 residential condominium units. The project side currently maintains two
zoning classifications: General Plan Commercial (C -2) and Parking Buffer (P -B). The project site also
maintains a General Plan Land Use Designation of Medium Density Residential. Each unit will allow
parking for two cars and there will be an additional 20 parking spaces. There is also an alley at the
southerly portion of the site and the proposal includes the City vacating the portions of that alley which
would provide some of the land area associated with the proposed project which would allow additional
parking and units.
Council Member Brossmer asked what the setback is from the last unit to the property line. Mr.
Davis stated the setback is 55 feet.
Mr. Davis stated the southwest area of the site is where the common open area will be
swimming pool, covered patio and barbecue. The center of the site will provide access.for open areas.
The primary entrance for residents and visitors will be along Tweedy Lane. The entrance on the north
aisle is for fire truck access only.
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Regular Meeting — October 11 2016 4
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked what is located to the east and west of the proposed site. Mr.
Davis explained there are apartments to the east and west.
Mr. Davis explained some of the issues brought up at the Planning Commission meeting were
concerns about parking prohibited on Tweedy Lane. He said the Planning Commission has directed
Planning staff to research this concern and the possibility of allowing parking on Tweedy Lane.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked why parking originally was prohibited on Tweedy Lane. Mr.
Davis said it could have been a reaction to the "type of vehicles parked at this site, possibly due to a
commercial development on the Pico Rivera side and commercial trucks at that site.
Mr. Davis said the apartments at the east of the proposed site were built in the early 1960'x;
therefore, the parking available at that site is less than current parking requirement standards which
means they could be impacting parking._ Parking is only allowed on the east side of the street; west side
parking is prohibited.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked if the developer has shown any interest in the City dedicating
the alley vacation. Mr. Davis said the developer has expressed interest however he is not aware to what
degree.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked if anyone is maintaining the alley at this time. Mr. Davis said no
one is maintaining the alley.
Mr. Davis presented a short video of what the project will look like.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez opened this item for public comment at 7:53 p.m.
John, property owner, commented in favor of the proposed development and asked if there are
elevators to access the top floors.
Chuck Hanna, resident, commented in opposition of the proposed development.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the parking concerns and ADA standards
within the development.
Faris Kamal, Project Engineer, stated there will be elevators to access upstairs units and the
site complies with all ADA requirements. The design of the project is modern and is original to this site.
Additional trees will be planted at the site.
Council Member Brossmer asked what is the square footage of the units. Mr. Kamal stated that
the units are between 1600 and 2400 square feet with three to four bedroom units.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Saab closed public comment at 8:02 p.m.
Council Member Brossmer asked how many units exist at the apartment complex to the left of
the proposed project. Mr. Davis stated he was not aware.
Council Member Ashton asked if each unit has a two car garage and there are 20 additional
parking spaces, how many parking spaces will be available on the street. Mr. Davis stated currently
staff is working on allowing an additional six parking spaces on the street.
Council Member Brossmer asked if this property meets all parking standards. Mr. Davis said it
does meet all parking standards.
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Regular Meeting — October 91, 2016 5
Council Member Brossmer stated if Council wants to require more parking spaces Council
would need to amend the City's Municipal Code. Council Member Ashton stated in the future he would
like to address parking requirements for projects of this nature.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez and carried
3 -0 -2, with Council Member Marquez excused and Mayor Saab abstaining to introduce an Ordinance of
the City Council of the City of Downey Rezoning the Property at 7940 Telegraph Rd from General
Commercial (C -2) and Parking Buffer (P -B) to R -3 (Multiple - Family Residential).
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: City Manager Livas did not have any comments.
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Regular Meeting — October 11, 2016 6
Council Meeting at 8:08 p.m. in memory of Arnold
I Golfer; Sgt. Steve Owen, 53, Los Angeles County
duty; Pat Hansen, Longtime Downey resident; and,
ALEX SAAB
Mayor