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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. PC Draft Minutes - 04-19-17 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Rodriguez called the April 19, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:31 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 Matias Flores, District 4 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Steven Dominguez, District 3 OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney William Davis, City Planner David Blumenthal, Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chairman Owens commented on his tour as a guest of Central Water Basin of the Metropolitan Water District on a tour of the Colorado River Water and Aqueduct Systems. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategic Plan Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler stated the presentation for the Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategic Plan has been continued to a date uncertain. Vice Chairman Owens asked if there would be community outreach for public input. Director of Community Development Schindler informed the Commissioners that there had been community meetings with former Commissioner Morales in attendance; however, the attendance was very poor. We also met with various property owners in that area and we are willing to go out there again. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Chairman Rodriguez requested the Consent Calendar be moved to the first item on the agenda to accommodate Commissioner Flores as he is unable to vote on the public hearing item due to a conflict of interest regarding the proximity of his business to the subject site. It was moved by Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens and passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Dominguez absent, to change the order of the agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. PLN-17-00048 (Final Tract Map No. 73941 9303 Elm Vista Rd) Planning Commission Minutes April 19, 2017 - 2 - 4. Approval of the Minutes from February 15, 2017 It was moved by Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Flores and passed by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Dominguez absent, to approve the Consent Calendar. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. PLN-16-00236 (Site Plan Review): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-16-00236 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Commissioner Flores recused himself from voting on this item due to his place of business being located within 500 feet of the subject site. Senior Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request to construct a 3,750 square foot medical office building at 8028 Third Street, zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan – Downtown Residential District). Mr. Arreola reviewed the subject site and surroundings, site plan, floor plan, landscape plan, elevations, and building design. He explained a portion of the subject site is developed with a portion of the parking lot of the neighboring La Barca Restaurant and reviewed the parking agreements between Myrtle Plaza and the La Barca Restaurant. The Commissioners discussed the shared trash, easements, property ownerships, parking agreement, the lack of street lighting and options for additional lighting along the building. Applicant/Project Manager Matt Eshaiker thanked staff for their support and understanding. He said this is a small project; however, the conditions would match any project which is ten times its size, and thanked staff for the support. He agreed to add more lighting to the exterior of the building as long as it did not affect the cars driving by. The Commissioners asked for the proposed hours of operation. Mr. Eshaiker replied there is no tenant at this time; however, based on his experience, medical offices tend to operate during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Correspondence: None. Staff gave recommendation to adopt a resolution of approval of the project. Public Comments: None. Disclosures: Chairman Rodriguez stated he went by the subject site this afternoon. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the project and commended the applicant and property owners for working so well together on the shared parking agreement. The Commissioners discussed street lighting and lighting fixtures and requested additional lighting at the front of the building and agreed to the modified condition of approval as follows: 6. All exterior lights on the property shall be LED and shall be directed, positioned, and/or shielded such that they do not illuminate surrounding properties and the public right-of-way. The light poles shall be rectangular in shape and painted to match the existing light poles found on the Myrtle Plaza development located at 11019 Myrtle Street. Two decorative, LED lighting fixtures shall be installed on the front elevation to match the lighting fixtures on the other elevations of the building. Planning Commission Minutes April 19, 2017 - 3 - It was moved by Commissioner Duarte, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens, and passed by a 3-1-1 vote, with Commissioner Dominguez absent and Commissioner Flores abstaining, to adopt Resolution 17-3019 with modification to Condition No. 6 as stated. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler announced the following: 1) the finale of the S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) event will be held at the Columbia Memorial Space Center; and 2) “Kids & Cops day” at Furman Park on Saturday, April 22, 2017. And last but not least, City Planner William Davis will be retiring from the City after 16 years of exemplary service here in Downey and is definitely going to be missed. The Commissioners congratulated City Planner Davis and commented on him being a critical part of the Planning Commission. Vice Chairman Owens reported a culvert ditch failure on Stewart & Gray Road approaching Patton Road. Director Schindler advised he will convey the information to the Public Works Department. Chairman Rodriguez reported the screening is worn at the Bellflower side of the Promenade (“Back 20”) and asked if the property owner can be contacted to have them replaced. Director Schindler advised we will go out there, take a look at it and give them a call to make improvements. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m., to Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of June, 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 7th day of June, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission