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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-07-18PC MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Vice Chairman Dominguez called the March 7, 2018, 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: Matias Flores, District 4 Miguel Duarte, District 1 Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Patrick Owens, District 2, Chairman Jim Rodriguez, District 5 OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney David Blumenthal, City Planner Monica Esparza, Senior Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chairman Dominguez invited everyone to attend a Neighborhood Watch Meeting on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Furman Park. The discussion topic is personal and home safety with Downey Police and Sheriff's Officers in attendance. PRESENTATIONS: None. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-17-00202(Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chairman Dominguez opened the public hearing to continue PLN -17-00202 to the meeting of March 21, 2018 It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Duarte, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote, with Chairman Owens and Commissioner Rodriguez absent, to continue PLN -17-00202 to March 21, 2018. 2. PLN -17-00162 (Zone Text Amendment): Vice Chairman Dominguez opened the public hearing for PLN -17-00162 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner Monica Esparza gave a PowerPoint presentation of the request to amend Article IX, Chapter 6 (Signs) of the Downey Municipal Code to adopt language addressing signage for private primary education (K-12) schools. Currently, schools in the R-1 and R-2 zones are only allowed to construct Exempt Signs. The only signs allowed in the R-3 and R-3-0 zones are wall signs, temporary signs, and exempt signs. Ms. Esparza explained what exempt signs, temporary signs, and wall signs are. She presented the proposed language, which includes standards for wall signs and monument signs for schools located within any residential zone. Ms. Esparza explained the difference between monument signs and freestanding signs. This zone text amendment would impact five (5) private schools within the City. Vice -Chairman Dominguez asked if the non -illuminated, wall signage was consistent with the public schools' signage. Ms. Esparza explained that the public schools do not have specific sign standards at that the school board is responsible for approving signage. Director of Community Development Schindler further explained that the illumination of the monument signs will be the same as the illumination that public schools have. City Planner Blumenthal stated that the language for the non -illuminated wall signs is derived from the sign regulations for commercial properties facing residential uses. Vice -Chairman Dominguez asked if there were any public schools within the City of Downey that had illuminated wall signs. City Planner Blumenthal stated that he was not aware of any within the City and that a full survey has not been done. Vice Chairman Dominguez inquired about the plan for the existing monument sign at St. Pius X — Matthias Academy. Ms. Esparza stated that the school's intention is to demolish the existing monument sign and construct a new monument sign, if the text amendment is adopted. Vice Chairman complimented staff on the amendment and the presentation. Disclosures: None. Claude Ellen, Encore Imaging, Ontario, CA, sign contractor for St. Pius X — Matthias Academy, discussed the changes in signs and reviewed the proposed monument sign for the school including the location and illumination. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Duarte complemented staff on the details of the amendment. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Duarte, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote, with Chairman Owens and Commissioner Rodriguez absent, to adopt Resolution 17-3047, thereby approving a Zone Text Amendment (PLN -17-00162). NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None, CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Commissioner Flores motioned the Commission approve the Consent Calendar as is. Director of Community Development Schindler stated that staff received and forwarded to the Commission, a seven (7) page email with revisions to the October 4, 2017 Minutes by Commissioner Rodriguez, along with an email from Chairman Owens regarding the proposed revisions which Chairman Owens requested that his email be read into the record as follows: "Good Morning Planning Commissioner Colleagues, Community Development Schindler, Madam Attorney Garcia and City Planning Staff, After review of the Submitted Changes to the minutes of October 4, 2017, 1 agree with Commissioner Rodriguez in regards to corrections. -2- I wanted to state my support in regards to Commissioner Rodriguez' changes as I will not be in attendance for tonight's meeting, due to a Professional commitment. Please read and record this email into the record. Furthermore, I would support the actions referred to in the proposed amended minutes and look forward to those action items being implemented. Cordially, Patrick Owens" The Commissioners discussed the proposed changes. Commissioner Flores stated that the Minutes are a summary of what occurred; the record of the meeting consists of the Minutes and a video recording. He commented that the proposed changes to be substantive and detailed when the record is clear as is. They reviewed the process of Minute taking and the significance of the Minutes as a record of the meeting with Director Schindler who concurred with Commissioner Flores and explained that the Minutes are a portion of the administrative record; they along with staff reports, studies, the video of the meeting and transcription of the meeting, form the record. City Attorney Yvette Garcia confirmed Director Schindler's explanation. 3. Approval of the Minutes from October 4 2017 4. Approval of the Minutes from FebruarV 7 2018 5. Approval of the Minutes from February 21, 2018 It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Duarte, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote, with Chairman Owens and Commissioner Rodriguez absent, to approve the Consent Calendar as is. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler informed the Commissioners they will be receiving an email invitation to attend the March 19, 2018 Metro meeting regarding the Rancho South Campus light rail station. Staff is working on a Specific Plan to see what the radius of uses would be in regards to the light rail station with the funds received from the Metro to perform the study. City Attorney Garcia acknowledge Southwestern Law School first year students in the audience who are present to view our meeting and learn about Planning, Land Use and her role as Planning Commission Counsel. She invited the Commissioners to stay after the meeting to meet with them to discuss their roles. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairman Owens adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m., to Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at 6:30p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. -3 APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of April, 2018. Patrick Owens, Chairman City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on this 4th day of April, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Flores, Duarte, None Frometa None -__ _. Mary Car`i, nagh, Secreta y City Planning Commission Dominguez and Owens -4-