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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. PC DRAFT Minutes - 05-03-17 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Flores called the May 3, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:33 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 Alisha Patterson, Special Counsel for the City William E. Davis, City Planner David Blumenthal, Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner Monica Esparza, Associate Planner Kevin Nguyen, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Resolution of Appreciation for William E. Davis Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler began the presentation with praise for retiring City Planner William Davis. Chairman Rodriguez presented City Planner William Davis with a Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation for over 16 years of service to the City of Downey. The Commissioners each expressed their appreciation for Mr. Davis’ service to the Community and to the Planning Commission, describing him as a man of integrity, honesty and vision. The Commissioners thanked him for his professionalism, mentorship and wished him well on his retirement. City Planner Davis thanked the Commissioners for their kind words and the opportunity to provide them with the technical assistance needed, giving all credit to the direction received for Director of Community Development Schindler, who strives for excellence and providing the Planning Commission with the best information to enable them to make decisions. He thanked each staff member for their contributions, the public he served and his family. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. - 2 - REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the following: 1) The Community Development Department provided the City Council with a presentation of the Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategic Plan in its draft form and is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Planning Commission on May 17, 2017. 2) The City Council approved an interim Urgency Ordinance regarding accessory and junior accessory dwelling units to address the State’s unilateral decision to allow accessory and junior accessory dwelling units in an effort to increase affordable housing opportunities. The interim is a 45-day stop on any applications, which will likely be extended another 10 months and 15 days to give us a whole year to take some thoughtful consideration as to how to proceed; thereby allowing staff time to carefully consider the challenges with density and parking within our neighborhoods. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. PLN-17-00021 (Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Revised Planned Sign Program): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-17-00021 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Principal Planner David Blumenthal presented the request to establish a new restaurant (Rock & Brews) in the Stonewood Center located at 467 Stonewood Street, zoned SP 89-1 (Stonewood Specific Plan). The request includes interior and exterior façade modifications, a new outdoor patio, operating with a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 47 (On-Sale General, Eating Place) license, live entertainment, and updating the Stonewood Center Sign Program. Mr. Blumenthal reviewed the subject site, and its surroundings and proposed hours of operation from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., (7) seven days a week. He discussed the interior and exterior improvements, design and changes to the Planned Sign Program that includes roofline signs, music logos and menu boards. The project was presented to the Development Review Committee; the Fire Department notes that the location of the outdoor patio will require relocation of two post indicator valves, the Police Department noted that the applicant will need to submit a security plan and requested that pay-per-view sporting events not be shown in the outdoor patio (on the TVs in that area), and the Public Works Department requested that an existing fire hydrant be retrofitted to bring it up to current standards and to be able to accommodate the expansion of the fire sprinkler system. Conditions of approval are included in the draft approval resolution to implement these requirements. Commissioner inquiries: • Why do they require such a large number of signs (15); are there other businesses with roofline signs and how are the music logo signs defined in the Downey Municipal Code (DMC)? • What is the procedure for surveillance and enforcement of the Noise Code both inside and outside the mall? • Will there be there be screening on the patio to prevent it from being seen from the outside to comply with the Police Department’s recommendation of no pay-per-view on the on the patio TVs? Principal Planner Blumenthal explained that the original sign is 100 sf., there are roofline signs at the Downey Gateway and Gallatin Crossroads at Lakewood & Gallatin. He confirmed there are 15 signs in total (menu boards and music logos/artwork included) and are consistent with the use and designed to attract people to the business from the street. Not all businesses will require this number of signs; based on the architecture and design, staff believes it is consistent with the use. The Specific Plan defines the music logo signs as wall signs. Beyond the fact that they have to comply with the noise ordinance, there are no proposed conditions that include any type of surveillance or monitoring. The noise is addressed in the conditions of approval, as they must comply with the Code and the mall management will monitor interior - 3 - noise levels. Staff is not concerned with noise due to the site being set back so far from the property line and the mall parking lot act as a buffer. The restaurant does not operate as a sports bar and will be showing music videos; there will be no need to screen the outdoor patio. Disclosures: Commissioner Dominguez disclosed he discussed the signage for the proposed project with Chairman Rodriguez last night, to which Chairman Rodriguez confirmed. Applicant Jon Mesko, Mesko Restaurant Group, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Rock & Brews restaurant with a brief history of the restaurant and their 16 locations, describing it as a culinary-driven and family friendly restaurant. He presented photos of their menu items and rock & roll ambiance of the family restaurant, along with examples of kids’ play areas. He explained the kid’s area is critical to their restaurant as the intent is to attract families to the restaurant, and they work hard on the kid’s area. Their plan is to also create a movie theater and gaming area to help entertain their short attention span. Mr. Mesko explained that the number one reason a restaurant fails is when it can’t be seen, and this location is hidden between two large 2-story buildings. Therefore, it is critical to get above tree level to get pedestrian traffic and people driving by. The rooftop sign is visible from the street and he does not consider the menu boards to be signs they distinguish the building as a restaurant not a music store and the others are music/artwork (operational). He believes there will be no problems with noise due to the 200-300 sq. ft. buffer facing the commercial property and they have no residential neighbors. They have other restaurants that border residential within 50 feet without issues (such as Torrance and Buena Park). They will show music videos on the monitors and have no immediate intention of using pay-per-view. The restaurant provides job growth for the community and believes in giving back to the community to programs such as The Wounded Warrior. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: Greg Earhart, 10718 Haledon Avenue, spoke against the project due to a high volume of restaurants currently operating with alcohol sales which he believes to be the cause of trash left on streets. Staff gave recommendation to adopt a resolution of approval. Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. The Commissioners discussed the number of signs, Art in Public Places, and the possibility of improving the proposed signs. It was unanimously agreed to add language to Condition No. # 13 to address possible noise issue: Modification to Condition No. 13 as follows: 13) The business shall comply with the City of Downey’s noise ordinance. In any case, noise generated from the business shall not exceed 5 dB(a) above the ambient noise level, as measured from the immediate exterior of the building. This shall not include noise that is exempt from the City’s noise ordinance. Upon receiving noise complaints, the Director of Community Development may order a noise study to determine the business’s compliance with this condition. The cost of the noise study shall be paid by the applicant. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens, and passed by a 5-0 vote to adopt Resolution 17-3021, with the modified condition as stated. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. - 4 - CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. Approval of the Minutes from March 1, 2017 It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler distributed samples of FAQ handouts prepared by staff for the public to assist Special Events. He explained that we have an active community with a lot of churches, community groups and our school district that like to put on a lot of community events such as the upcoming Greek Festival. As such, we get a lot of last minute frantic calls for special events, so he asked staff to create the FAQ brochure handout to help them and educate them as to the advance notice we need to properly notify the public for the event and help guide them to organize their successful event. The brochure is also available on social media. Director Schindler reminded the Planning Commission that the Ride & Stride event is this weekend and hopes to see everyone there. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting in memory of friend and long-time Downey resident, Mr. Brian Andrews. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m., to Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st 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 21st day of June, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission