HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. PC Draft Minutes - 02-01-17
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chairman Flores called the February 1, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at
6:32 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary
Cavanagh called roll.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Miguel Duarte, District 1
Patrick Owens, District 2
Steven Dominguez, 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 Davis, City Planner
David Blumenthal, Principal Planner
Monica Esparza, Associate Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chairman Rodriguez reported he had received complaints
regarding debris from the Dodge construction site left at San Gabriel Park. Director of Community
Development Aldo Schindler stated he will contact the Public Works Department to look into the situation.
Chairman Flores welcomed the newly appointed Commissioners, Dominguez and Duarte.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City
Council approved the 2017 update to the Building & Safety Code.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PLN-16-00295 (Zone Change & Site Plan Review): Chairman Flores opened the public hearing for
PLN-16-00295 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Vice Chairman Rodriguez recused himself due to the proximity of his property and exited the Council
Chambers.
Associate Planner Monica Esparza presented the request to rezone property located at 9041 Imperial
Highway, zoned C-2 (General Commercial) and P-B (Parking Buffer) to C-2 (General Commercial), and to
construct a two-story, 11,797 square-foot medical office building. Ms. Esparza explained in 2008, the P-B
zone was eliminated; therefore, properties with the P-B zoning designation are rezoned when the Planning
Commission considers a discretionary action on said property. She reviewed the subject site and its
surroundings, the site plan, floor plan and landscape plans.
Planning Commission Minutes February 1, 2017
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The Commissioners discussed the following with staff: Landscaping, fencing, privacy for residential
neighbors, hours of operation, medical use, ADA parking, the functionality of the layout for the disabled
patrons, options for radial curbs and angulated curbs for egress and ingress, installing mirrors to direct
patients through the parking lot and the lack of lighting in the parking lot.
Disclosures: Chairman Flores stated he walked the site today and had a brief conversation with
Commissioner Duarte where he related to him that he visited the site. Commissioner Dominguez stated he
visited the site from 1300 to 1315 hours, and met the manager Raul at the site. Raul said the company has
been there for over 30 years and is now being relocated, which is causing him concern. Commissioner
Duarte confirmed his brief conversation with Chairman Flores as stated.
Applicant Charles Smyth, Market Street Development, 3005 Douglas Boulevard, Roseville, CA 95661. Mr.
Smyth reviewed the hours of operation, and respond to the Commissioners’ concerns that the vast majority
of patients are dropped off by medical transport. He also mentioned the site exceeds ADA parking
requirements, reviewed outdoor lighting and accepts the conditions of approval.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: None.
The Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the lack of lighting and asked if the applicant would
agree to add foot candles, to which Mr. Smyth agreed to work with staff in adding what was needed.
Principal Planner, David Blumenthal, offered an example of a condition regarding illumination of the
site wherein a minimum of 1 foot-candle is required during operating hours and 0.5 foot-candles is
required during non-operating hours. Commissioner Dominguez questioned whether or not this
was sufficient lighting for the use. Principal Planner, Davie Blumenthal, responded that, without
considering the use, this is sufficient lighting for the site.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the project with suggested modified conditions of approval.
Staff recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recommending the City Council approve
the zone change (PLN-16-00295).
Staff recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution to approve the site plan (PLN-16-00295)
with the following modified conditions of approval:
Condition No. 17 shall be modified as follows:
Prior to the occupancy of the building, the applicant shall provide a seven (7) foot tall wrought
iron fence on the east north, and west property lines on all portions of property to the north
(rear) of the building. The final design of the fence shall incorporate requirements set forth in
Condition No. 20 below. Prior to issuing building permits for the fence, the applicant shall obtain
approval from the City Planner on the design of said fence.
The following Conditions will be added and the remaining conditions will be renumbered accordingly.
18) Applicant shall install radial curbs for both ingress and egress.
19) Lighting in the parking area shall remain at 1.0 foot-candle during hours of operation and
0.5 foot-candles during non-hours of operation.
20) Applicant shall install reflective mirrors along the entrance and exit of the covered
parking area.
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It was moved by Chairman Flores, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with
Vice Chairman Rodriguez abstaining due to the proximity to his property, to adopt Resolution 17-3012,
thereby recommending the City Council approve the zone change.
It was moved by Chairman Flores, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with
Vice Chairman Rodriguez abstaining, to adopt Resolution 17-3013, thereby approving the Site Plan
Review, with modified conditions of approval.
Vice Chairman Rodriguez re-entered the Council Chambers at 7:24 p.m.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
2. Approval of the Minutes from October 5, 2016
3. Approval of the Minutes from January 4, 2014
It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Vice Chairman Rodriguez, and passed by a 3-2 vote
with Commissioners Dominguez and Duarte abstaining, to approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: Election of Officers
Chairman Flores nominated Vice Chairman Rodriguez as Chairman.
It was moved by Chairman Flores, seconded by Commissioner Owens and passed by a 5-0 vote, to elect
Vice Chairman Rodriguez as Chairman.
Chairman Flores nominated Commissioner Owens as Vice Chairman.
It was moved by Chairman Flores, seconded by Vice Chairman Rodriguez and passed by a 5-0 vote, to
elect Commissioner Owens as Vice Chairman.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Chairman Flores thanked staff and fellow Commissioners for their
assistance during his time as Chairman.
The Commissioners discussed attending the upcoming 2017 Planning Commissioners Academy in March.
Director of Community Development Schindler welcomed the new Planning Commissioners, Dominguez
and Duarte to the group. He advised the Commissioners of the Habitat for Humanity site on Elm Vista Rd.
that will have an opportunity for the community to participate in the build-out. The date has not yet been
confirmed. The Vazza Café coffee cart opened today at the Downey City Library in the promenade.
Chairman Flores commented on his recent visit to the Vazza Café and said it was amazing and beautiful.
New Planning Commission Handbooks were distributed today. The new format will allow updates to be
inserted. City Attorney Garcia reminded the Commissioners to contact the City Clerk as soon as possible
to complete their 700 forms before the deadlines; the City Clerk will provide the deadlines for current and
new Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Flores adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m., to Wednesday, February 15,
2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
Planning Commission Minutes February 1, 2017
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APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of February, 2017.
Chairman Rodriguez
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on the 15th day of February, 2017, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission