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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6. PC Draft Minutes - 03-15-17 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Rodriguez called the March 15, 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: 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 Monica Esparza, Associate Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: The Commissioners discussed 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. They said it was an asset to be there with the City Planner and the benefit of his 30 years’ experience. The Commissioners commented on the recommendations made at the conference during the parking discussions in comparison to those of Downey’s recent downtown parking study. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Biomedical Overlay Zone: Director of Community Development Schindler briefly reviewed the 2016 initiative of Mayor Saab, partnered with the City Council, to facilitate the growth of our medical industry in Downey. Director Schindler introduced Mary Wright and her team with Civic Solutions, Inc. to present the status of the study. Mary Wright, Vice President and Jeff Hook, Principal Project Manager, Civic Solutions, Inc., thanked staff and gave an overview of the process for researching the key issues related to the biomedical industry. The process includes interviews of other jurisdictions that have a cluster of biomedical businesses, Downey’s hospitals, regional hospitals, local universities, biomedical stakeholders and experts, thereby identifying Downey’s strengths and weaknesses. The next steps evaluate the zoning ordinance, H-M (Hospital- Medical Arts) zone and General Plan for consistency with biomedical goals; identify potential zoning/land use changes to promote biomedical uses; prioritize key economic development strategies and intended results for Downey; and complete Biomedical Feasibility Planning Assessment. Mr. Hook briefly reviewed the main findings, which consisted of interviews with key management staff at key hospitals, universities, the academic interest in expanding biomedical programs in Downey and the result of the Zoning and Industry surveys conducted. The estimated completion date of the study is June, 2017, at which time staff will receive a written report and coordinate public hearings with the results. Planning Commission Minutes March 15, 2017 - 2 - The Commissioners discussed current zoning, medical uses, and the possibility of expanding the scope of the analysis to focus on the future and attracting uses that would improve the quality of life for families. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City Council met last night and acted on two items that the Planning Commission had previously acted on. The City Council reached the same conclusion and recommendations as the Planning Commission on the following: 1) Marriott Springhill Hotel at 9062-9066 Firestone Blvd., 2) zone change to allow a medical building at 9041 Imperial Highway and 3) the Biomedical Overlay Zone. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. PLN-16-00304 (Conditional Use Permit): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-16- 00304 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Monica Esparza presented the request for a conditional use permit (PLN-16-00304), thereby allowing an off-site parking agreement between two properties. She explained the Applicant, John G. McAllister DDS, Inc. was unable to meet the City Code requirement pertaining to parking (Downey Municipal Code Section 9712) for his dental office. Ms. Esparza reviewed the parking requirements for the proposed use and advised the Commission staff had received new calculations today, which increased the number of required parking spaces to ten. The staff report mentions nine (9) parking spaced based on the original calculations. It will also be modified in the conditions of approval. As such, the Applicant has reached an agreement with Downey Brewing Company to use ten excess parking spaces on their property located at 10924 Paramount Boulevard in order to provide the required amount of parking necessary to establish the proposed use. Applicant Samantha, Assistant to Dr. McAllister agreed to the conditions of approval and reviewed the hours of operation, number of employees and said the doctor’s office maintains a good relationship with the owner of the Downey Brewing Company. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: Armando Herman spoke in favor of the parking agreement. James Trousil, Downey business owner and resident since 1972, spoke in opposition to the parking agreement because employees of neighboring restaurants park on the street in front of his business. He also stated the City lacks parking enforcement to support the parking agreement. Sergio Vasquez, Downey Brewing Company owner responded to Mr. Trousil’s complaints stating that Mr. Trousil speak to the owners to inform them that their employees are blocking his parking and offered to discuss the matter further with him. He said when he was advised they had an excess of parking, he welcomed the opportunity to assist the neighboring business. Applicant’s Rebuttal: Samantha, Dr. McAllister’s office advised the Commissioners of a legal battle between Mr. Trousil and Dr. McAllister and asked that the Commissioners make their decision based on the facts presented. Staff gave recommendation to adopt resolution of approval with corrections to Condition No. (s) 6 and 8 as follows: Planning Commission Minutes March 15, 2017 - 3 - 6) The property owner of 10924 Paramount Blvd shall at all times provide nine (9) ten (10) parking spaces for the dental office at 10901 Paramount Blvd. These spaces shall not be leased out to another party. 8) Employees of the dental office shall park in the off-site parking spaces and shall not park on the business site (10901 Paramount Blvd) or the surrounding streets. Should there be more than nine (9) ten (10) employee vehicles, then vehicles in excess of nine (9) ten (10) are permitted to park at 10901 Paramount Blvd. Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. The Commissioners discussed concerns regarding the hours of operation and clarified that the parking spaces would be for the use of the office and not limited to the hours of operation. It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Flores abstaining, to adopt Resolution 17-3018, thereby approving the request for Conditional Use Permit (PLN-16-00304), with modified conditions of approval as stated. Commissioner Flores re-entered the Council Chambers at 8:12 p.m. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Armando Herman discussed the recently approved Marriott Springhill Hotel project and ADA concerns throughout Downey and the Los Angeles area. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. Approval of the Minutes from November 2, 2016 It was moved by Vice Chairman Owens, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Dominguez and Duarte abstaining, to approve the Minutes from November 2, 2016. 4. Approval of the Rev. Adopted Minutes from February 1, 2017 It was moved by Vice Chairman Owens, seconded by Commissioner Flores and passed by a 5-0 vote, to approve the Revised Adopted Minutes from February 1, 2017. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler reported Independence Park and Apollo Park will be receiving new fitness equipment. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m., to Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Planning Commission Minutes March 15, 2017 - 4 - APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th 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 17th day of May, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission