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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. PC Draft Minutes - 03-01-17 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Rodriguez called the March 1, 2017, 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: Jim Rodríguez, District 5, Chairman Miguel Duarte, District 1 Patrick Owens, District 2, Vice Chairman Steven Dominguez, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 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 Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: The Planning Commissioners commented on their attendance at the Planning Commissioners Academy sponsored by the League of California Cities and thanked Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler for the opportunity to attend the conference. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Chairman Rodriguez requested that Public Hearing Item No. 2 be moved to the last item on the Agenda. Director of Community Development Schindler suggested that the Commission hear the report on City Council and Agenda Item No. 1 first, to which Chairman Rodriguez agreed. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Schindler reported, at last night’s Council meeting, the City Council approved the following two items: 1) an upgrade to the automated permit system that will allow staff to communicate electronically between various departments in the office, in the field and the public; 2) the presentation of the downtown parking study, which was the same presentation the Planning Commission received, with a focus on the cost associated with the recommendations. The City Council directed staff to return with hard numbers on how to proceed with the recommendations and how to improve parking in the downtown. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-16-00304 (Conditional Use Permit) Continue to March 15, 2017: Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-16-00304. Chairman Rodriguez asked if staff is still waiting on data from the applicant in order to proceed with this application. Director of Community Development Schindler confirmed that staff is willing to wait for data. Planning Commission Minutes March 1, 2017 - 2 - Commissioner Flores recused himself from voting on this item because his business is located within 500 feet of the subject site. It was moved by Vice Chairman Owens, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Flores abstaining, to continue the public hearing on PLN-16-00304 to the March 15, 2017 meeting. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. Approval of the Minutes from October 19, 2016 It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens, and passed by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Dominguez and Duarte abstaining, to approve the Minutes from October 19, 2016. 3. Approval of the Minutes from February 1, 2017 It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the February 1, 2017 Minutes. OTHER BUSINESS: Director of Community Development Schindler announced that Ruby’s Diner will be opening soon at the Promenade with a special “airplane theme”, based on the history of the Promenade in lieu of their traditional “hotrod” theme. Chairman Rodriguez called for a brief recess at 6:47 and called the meeting to order at 6:53. 4. PLN-17-00002 (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-17- 00002 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner William Davis presented the request to subdivide a parcel and construct a four-unit condominium project on property located at 11613 Adenmoor Avenue, zoned R-3 (Multi-Family Residential). He reviewed the subject site and the surrounding residential developments, the site plan, landscape plans and the architectural design of the project. The Commissioners discussed the following concerns with staff: Street lights; proper storage of trash cans; the mass scale of the building height being in harmony with the neighborhood; architectural design; privacy of surrounding properties. They expressed their struggle with making findings to approve the project (noting extreme dissimilarity). Disclosures: Commissioner Duarte stated he visited the sited yesterday at approximately 6:00 p.m. Richer Laporte, Project designer, 9830 Belmont Avenue, Unit 352, Bellflower, CA addressed the Commissioners questions and discussed the following: • Massing issues were addressed through architectural design and the building height by facing the most prominent features to the north side of the building toward the driveway (the new building will be at 32' to highest point, not 36'. Roof eave at 26.5'); • Ample parking is provided, as well as private open space and common area, in the rear and they will be provided for the tenants. • Security lighting (motion sensor) 24 hours a day throughout the property; • Usedeck on third floor compliance for unit 104 due to ADA and privacy concerns for neighbors; • Use of additional landscaping to screen and provide privacy; Planning Commission Minutes March 1, 2017 - 3 - • Proposed garages have lots of room to store trash bins; • Owner of each unit will be responsible to pull trash bins in and out each week; Correspondence: Staff received verbal correspondence on February 3, 2017, from Mr. Zach Morales, 11603 Adenmoor Avenue, as referenced on page eight of the staff report, and met with City staff to discuss his concerns regarding traffic, parking, safety and maximum density allowed on the site. Public Comments: Mrs. Zach Morales - 11603 Adenmoor Avenue, expressed concerns regarding the proposed building height and privacy; the street is currently overcrowded causing difficulties with trash collection and adding multiple units will increase the problem by adding 12 trash cans with nowhere to put them; emergency vehicles and handicap school buses have also had trouble getting through the street due to overcrowded street parking; the block wall between the property is not a seven foot wall; and the proposed building is not compatible to the neighboring properties. Pedro Oliva - 9105 Hall Road expressed concerns regarding overcrowded street parking that currently hinders his use of his own driveway; the trash is not picked up due to people moving the bins to use the street parking space; and the street is too narrow, not enough spaces to accommodate everyone. Mr. Allan Tanguy [sic] - 11646 Adenmoor Avenue, stated there are currently too many cars on street; others have parked in his driveway; adding multiple units will add three cars per household; there is lack of lighting on the street; high crime; the three-story building does not fit in with the single family residential surroundings; and construction activities will cause added problems. Cindy Galindo - 9853 Birchdale Avenue, her business office Cindy Escrow is located in Downey on Firestone Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue. Ms. Galindo is a 30 year Downey resident and spoke in favor of the project and the character and work ethic of the applicant/owner of the subject site. Applicant/Owner, Mohammad Azzam, 15228 Cerise Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249, stated he has worked in the City of Downey for over 16 years and has developed many properties. He referenced a recent public hearing for a development on Harper Street whereas the neighbors surrounding the property came to support him on another project due to his high work ethic. He assured those in the audience that he/his workers will work with the neighbors to avoid issues. His construction sites always follow the Code and he works well with the neighbors. Mia Lomas has been a Downey resident for 42 years, residing on Firestone Boulevard. She will be moving to the subject site soon and will live there for a few months until the existing house is demolished. Ms. Lamas spoke in favor of the owner/applicant. Applicants Rebuttal: Richer Laporte thanked the members of the audience in presenting their concerns. The privacy concern is caused by the use deck on third floor due for Unit 104. The problem can be fixed with additional landscaping along the north side of the site. The trash area of the floor plan can be increased for the trash bins. Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. Staff gave recommendation to adopt a resolution to approval of the project. The Commissioners discussed the issues presented and agreed that they are unable to make findings Five and Six for the Site Plan Review. Planning Commission Minutes March 1, 2017 - 4 - The Commissioners unanimously agreed to direct staff to work with the applicant to address the concerns presented and to continue the public hearing to a date uncertain. It was moved by Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to continue the public hearing for PLN-17-0002 (Tentative Parcel Map No. 74786 and Site Plan Review) to a date uncertain. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Commissioner Flores acknowledged his friend, Ziad Hussami, in the audience. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m., to Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of May, 2017. Jim Rodriguez, 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 May, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission