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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 05-17-17PC MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Rodriguez called the May 17, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:36 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary Cavanagh called roll. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Jim Rodriguez, District 5, Chairman Miguel Duarte, District 1 Patrick Owens, District 2, Vice Chairman Steven Dominguez, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney 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: Chairman Rodriguez requested a future agenda item regarding early review of proposed project submittals. City Attorney Abich Garcia proposed staff schedule the request as a discussion item two meetings from today's date. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City Council has received and filed the presentation of the Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategic Plan; no action was taken. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategic Plan: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the presentation has been tabled to allow the Planning Commission more time to review for discussion at a future meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. PLN -17-00040 (General Plan Amendment and Zone Change): Chairman Rodriguez opened the vote to continue public hearing for PLN -17-00040 to June 21, 2017. It was moved by Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a vote of 4-1 with Commissioner Flores absent, to continue the public hearing to June 21, 2017. 3. PLN -17-00066 (Special Event Permit): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN -17- 00066 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Kevin Nguyen presented the request by Downey High School Band Boosters to conduct a four day carnival on May 26, through May 29, 2017, in the parking lot of Downey high school, located at 11040 Brookshire Ave. The event includes carnival rides, game booths and food sales. This event is a fundraiser to benefit the band, color guard and football programs. The event does not propose live music; however, music will be generated by the carnival rides. Additionally, there is a generator, which is located facing Firestone Blvd. to avoid potential noise impacts. Assistant Planner Nguyen reviewed the zoning, surrounding land uses and the parking locations for the event. The hours of operation are as follows: • Friday, May 26, 2017: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. • Saturday, May 27, 2017 and Sunday May 28, 2017: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. • Monday, May 29, 2017 (Memorial Day): 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Assistant Planner Nguyen noted the concerns previously presented by the residential neighbors on Marbel Avenue in 2015 regarding parking and traffic. The conditions of approval address these potential impacts. Disclosures: None. The applicant was not present to give testimony. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: None. Staff gave recommendation to adopt a resolution of approval. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the event. It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens, and passed by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Flores absent, to adopt Resolution 17-3022, thereby approving the request for a Special Event (PLN -17-00066). 4. PLN -17-00062 (Special Event Permit): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN -17- 00062 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Commissioner Duarte recused himself due to his place of business being located within 500' of the subject site and exited the Council Chambers. Associate Planner Monica Esparza presented the request by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church to conduct their 33rd annual three-day Greek Festival on Friday June 2, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday June 3, and Sunday June 4, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will include food, drinks, vendor sales, alcoholic beverage sales, inflatable rides, and live entertainment, on property zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan). Ms. Esparza reviewed the surroundings, parking and hours of operation for the event. During the meeting of the Development Review Committee, the Downey Police Department expressed concerns regarding noise after 10:00 p.m. Therefore, staff has added a condition of approval that live entertainment and the event shall cease at 10:00 p.m. all three days of the event. The Commissioners discussed the noise concerns after 10:00 p.m. with staff. -2- Disclosures: None. Applicant Gavril Gabriel, representing the Greek Orthodox Church, thanked staff for their efforts and stated last year was the first time the event was held on a Friday. To his knowledge there were no complaints from the neighbors. Mr. Gabriel presented his concerns and request for modifications to the following conditions of approval: • Extend the hours of operation on Friday to allow food sales to continue until 11:00 p.m.; • Reduce the number of Downey Police Officers from (3) three to (2) two officers as in previous years; • Request for changes to the permit submittal dates for the event. The Commissioners discussed the following with the applicant and staff: • Hours of operation: Food sales, live entertainment and noise generated by large crowds; • Permitting process: Timelines for submittals and setup; • Downey Police Department's concerns regarding the large number of people attending the event and the number of police officers needed; • The potential noise impact to the residential neighbors. Staff noted a correction to Condition No. 5 as shown below. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: None. Staff gave recommendation to adopt resolution of approval with modifications to the following conditions of approval: 1) This approval of PLN -17-00062 (Special Event Permit) allows Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, to host a three-day Greek festival on Friday June 2, 2017 from "0 to 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 3, 2017 and Sunday, June 4, 2017, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. 5) Set up for the event shall occur no earlier than Tuesday Thursday May 30, 2017. Clean-up activities, which include the removal of all tables and chairs, booths, trash receptacles, stage, electrical equipment, and garbage, shall be removed by Tuesday, June 6, 2017, by 6:00 p.m. 38) The owner/applicant must have two (2) uniformed officers du4ng for the duration of the entire festival, one hour before prior to the commencement of live entertainment begins and one hour after the conclusion of live entertainment ensu. Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Chairman Rodriguez, and passed by a 3-1-1 vote, with Commissioner Flores absent, and Commissioner Duarte abstaining, to adopt Resolution 17-3023, thereby approving the request for a Special Event (PLN -17-00062), with modified conditions of approval as stated. Commissioner Duarte re-entered the Council Chambers. 5. PLN -16.00015 Modification to a Planned Sign Program): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN -16-00015 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. -3- Senior Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request to modify the previously approved Planned Sign Program for a multi -tenant commercial center regarding the number, location, and design of new signs located at 7405-7435 Florence Avenue and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). He reviewed the subject site surroundings, design, number of signs and tenant spaces for the proposed signs. The Commissioners reviewed the sign, designs, number of signs, and locations of the signs with staff. Disclosures: None. Applicant Robert May, representing North Saratoga Investments, owners of the Saratoga Plaza was present to answer questions. The Commissioners asked why the Freestanding signs do not include signs for all of the 18 tenant spaces. Mr. May stated the original request was for 16 tenant signs on the Freestanding sign, which the Code did not allow. It was staff's recommendation to reduce to the number to 12 Pylon signs for better visibility. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: None. Staff gave recommendation to adopt a resolution of approval. Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. The Commissioners discussed the owners' options for adding more signs if he were to rent/lease the remaining vacant spaces with staff. It was moved by Vice Chairman Owens, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez, and passed by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Flores absent, to adopt Resolution 17-3024 thereby approving the request for a modification to a Planned Sign Program (PLN -16-00015). NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 6. Approval of the Minutes from April 19, 2017 It was moved by Commissioner Duarte, seconded by Vice Chairman Owens, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Flores absent, to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler discussed the challenges in meeting the current 30 day submittal requirements for Special Event Permits. Staff is considering a 60 to 80 day submittal process to allow both the applicant time to submit and file their request, and give staff and the Planning Commission time to review and process the request. The Commissioners asked for consideration for smaller groups who may not have the ability to plan their events so far in advance. Director Schindler advised the Commission that staff has created Special Event handouts to assist them in planning their successful events, and he too will be reaching out to meet with schools and booster clubs to help educate them. -4- ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m., to Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at 6:30p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of August, 2017 - Jim Rodriguez, Chairm n A `City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 2nd day of August, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Rodriguez, Flores, Dominguez and Duarte NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Owens ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None Mary Ca anagh, SecretarV City Planning Commission 5- n