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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. PC Draft Minutes - 07-19-17 DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chairman Rodriguez called the July 19, 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: Jim Rodríguez, District 5, Chairman Miguel Duarte, District 1 Patrick Owens, District 2, Vice Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Steven Dominguez, District 3 Matias Flores, District 4 OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Alisha Patterson, Special Counsel for the City David Blumenthal, City Planner Guillermo Arreola, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Chairman Rodriguez discussed an email the Commission received from Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler regarding the publication of land use applications/development projects that require the approval of the Planning Commission on the City of Downey website. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-17-00077 (Amendment to Tentative Tract Map No. 74254): Chairman Rodriguez opened the public hearing for PLN-17-00077 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request to amend the previously approved Tentative Map No. 74254 from a condominium development to a townhome development. The applicant is requesting to amend the map, as he has indicated that it is much easier to sell townhomes than condominiums. The project’s site layout, site features, and building architecture will not change as a result of this amendment. The 1.66 acre site will now be made up of 39 numbered lots (one per unit) and a common area lot, which is made up of the driveways, walkways, landscaping and recreation areas. He reviewed the original Tentative Tract Map No. 74254, Site Plan Review and Variance, and Zone Change that were previously approved by the Planning Commission. He explained that the differences between condominium developments and townhome developments: 1) Air ownership rights vs. land ownership; townhome owners would own the land underneath their property; and 2) the wall construction is visibly the same, the walls between condominiums are one-hour firewalls, whereas townhomes are separated by two one-hour firewalls. - 2 - Disclosures: none. Correspondence: None: Applicant Firas Jamal agreed to conditions of approval and thanked staff for their efforts. Correspondence: None Public Comments: Armando Herman discussed the problematic access of parking within the city and questioned whether the project meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking requirements. Betsy Sproule, Smallwood Avenue, Downey, expressed concerns regarding a possible loss of street parking for the neighboring apartment complex and an increase in traffic due to both driveways of the proposed development exiting onto Tweedy Lane. Senior Planner Arreola stated one of the driveways was for emergency access only, to which Mrs. Sproule expressed new concern regarding ingress and egress of using only one driveway. Director Schindler clarified the driveway for emergency access was reviewed by both the Fire and Police Departments and found to be adequate under their standards for ingress and egress. Applicant’s Rebuttal: Firas Jamal responded to the comments reiterating that the parking provided for the development is greater than what is required by the code. He believes that removal of the red curb along Tweedy Lane will alleviate street parking impacts. Providing driveway access on Tweedy Lane is much safer than providing a driveway on Telegraph Road. Director Schindler explained that the red curb street parking was for a trucking company that is no longer there. The Public Works Department will remove the red curb, which will increase parking in the area. Staff recommended the Planning Commission approve the amended Tentative Tract Map No. 74254 (PLN-17-00077). Chairman Rodriguez closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the application. It was moved by Vice Chairman Owens, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote with Commissioners Flores and Dominguez absent, to adopt Resolution 17-3025, thereby approving the request to amend Tentative Tract Map No. 74254 (PLN-17-00077). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Armando Herman discussed parking and his attendance of a previous City Council meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 1. Approval of the Minutes from June 21, 2017 Chairman Rodriguez requested several amendments and corrections of the Minutes to the June 21, 2017, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission. - 3 - Special Counsel Alisha Patterson advised the Commissioners to continue approval of the Consent Calendar due to a lack of quorum as Vice Chairman Owens was not present at the June 21, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission and therefore, unable to vote on the approval of the Minutes. It was moved by Chairman Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte and passed by a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Flores and Dominguez absent to continue the Approval of the Minutes from June 21, 2017 to the next Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler informed the Commission that the City Council will hear the presentation on the Proposition 64 (Adult Use Marijuana Act) at the July 25, 2017 meeting. The City Councils action will be to listen to the presentation, provide input, and to receive and file based on the provisions of Proposition 64. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m., to Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 6:30p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of October, 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 18th day of October, 2017, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission