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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Draft PC Minutes 06-20-18DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chair Owens called the June 20, 2018, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:40 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 Chair Patrick Owens District 2, Chair COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Nolveris Frometa, District 5 OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney David Blumenthal, City Planner Monica Esparza, Senior Planner Alfonso Hernandez, Associate Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None. PRESENTATIONS: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Schindler reported the City Council approved a Zone Text Amendment to adopt language to establish Minor Commercial Recreational in the C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) Zone. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Chair Owens briefed the members in the audience of the following changes to the order of the agenda: 1) Non-Agenda Public Comments; 2) PLN-17-00173 (Site Plan Review); 3) PLN- 18-00001 (Planned Sign Program); 4) PLN-17-00183 (Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit); and 5) Consent Calendar. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-17-00173 (Site Plan Review ): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-17-00173 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner Monica Esparza presented the request for a Site Plan Review to allow the construction of an eight-unit, two-story apartment complex, located at 8139 Fourth Street and zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan). The current zoning allows a four-story complex; however, staff worked with the applicant to propose a development that will stay in character with the area. The development will have (4) one-story units, and (4) two-story units, with private areas for each in the form of an outdoor porch or deck, and will be located above the parking areas. The parking will be provided in the form of a carport with 80 cubic feet for storage. The applicant proposes carports in lieu of a garage, to move the residents to use the area for - 2 - parking and avoid the space being utilized for storage and parking their vehicles on the street. Senior Planner Esparza reviewed the Classic Spanish Architecture, floor plan and landscaping that is compatible to the surrounding area. This project complies with all the standards of development. The application was presented to the Development Review Committee, at which time standard conditions of approval were provided by the Planning, Building & Safety, Public Works and Police Departments. The Fire Department requires access through and around the subject site; staff added conditions of approval to meet this requirement. Vice Chair Dominquez discussed the maintenance of the alley located behind the building with staff. Disclosures: Vice Chair Dominguez and Commissioner Flores walked by the site, and Chair Owens and Commissioner Duarte drove around the site. Applicant George Sanabria stated although the zoning of the site allows for a larger building, they believe a two-story, eight unit building befitting of the neighborhood. He said went door to door to reach out to local residents to advise them of the project and took pictures of the area to study the parking. He understands the parking issues in the area; however, the proposed configuration provides more parking spaces per square foot than other developments in the area. Vice Chair Dominquez asked the applicant if he talked to the people in the area that signed the petition. Mr. Sanabria stated he spoke to some of the residents prior to the petition. Correspondence: In addition to the correspondence(s) and petition in opposition of the project (attached to the staff report); staff received a letter from the law offices of Mr. Richard J. Rosiak in opposition of the project due to potential issues with street parking. Public Comments: Jackie Ibarra said she spoke with Mr. Sanabria and is in favor of the project. Ms. Ibarra spoke highly of the changes Downey is making to the Downtown, and compared it to Downtown Fullerton and believes the changes will attract more restaurants to the city. Arthur Abekian took issue with the time of day the applicant studied the parking in the area, as they were not taken after 10:00 p.m. when there is no available parking. Maria Menjivar, 12-year Downey resident, spoke in favor or the project is relieved that the project will have their own parking spaces via the carport. Jackie Odelia [sic], resident of Norwalk, CA, stated she comes to Downey to shop and spoke highly of the city, and is in favor of the project. Jaime Valarmos [sic], spoke against the project due to concerns with parking in the area, and a lack of privacy as the proposed structure faces his daughter’s window(s). Vinya [sic], Downey Resident commented, the parking issues are caused by the residents not using their garages for parking, and believes it is a citywide issue. She spoke favor of the project and commented the project will make the city better. Jorge Abarca [sic], Downey resident residing on Stewart & Gray Road, spoke in favor of the project. Jose Pina, 8121 Fourth St., spoke against the project due to the current parking issues. Alex Veloz, 10507 Wiley Burke, spoke in favor of the project. - 3 - Tim Sullivan, 7947 Sixth Street; lifetime Downey resident is pleased with the way the applicant is handling the parking and is in favor of the project. Randy Van Ausdall discussed the parking issue in the area and his concerns the lack of guest parking. Patrick Szmagalski, 7324 Otto St., said he feels the project compliments the development of Downtown Downey; however, there are parking issues in the area. Rika Van Alstal [sic[, made note that those in favor of the project do not live on Fourth Street and do not have to contend with these parking issues. Mr. Meza, 8142 Fourths St., stated he is not happy with the project and obtained a list of neighbors that are against it. Laura Alvarez spoke highly of the previous owners of the subject site and stated she is opposed to the project due to the parking concerns. Designer Firas Jamal stated, the General Plan was designed for walkability and this project is below the allowed density. He noted the applicant had the opportunity to build higher with more units; however, Mr. Sanabria took the residents in the area into consideration for this project. Mr. Sanabria stated he did visit the area at different times and days of the week to observe the parking issue. He made a conscience decision due to the parking issue to keep the project at two-stories even though it is zoned for a larger building. Vice Chair Dominguez discussed the number of residents allowed per unit, questioned how this project will fit into the community. Mr. Sanabria reiterated they took the General and Specific Plans into consideration when designing the project to find a middle ground taking the residents into consideration. Staff gave recommendation to approve the request for a Site Plan Review (PLN-17-00173). Chair Owens closed the public hearing. The Commissioners Comments: Commissioner Flores discussed the Downtown Downey Specific Plan and spoke in favor of the project. Commissioner Duarte spoke in favor of the project and applauds the use of carport parking and keeping the project at two-stories. Chair Owens stated he was shocked by the carport concept and believes a person can use their garage however they would like. He is not in favor of the project and has concerns regarding the alley. Vice Chair Dominguez spoke in opposition of the development and stated he sees a neighborhood of single-family homes in the area and agrees there are parking issues. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 3-1-1- vote with Vice Chair Dominguez voting no, and Commissioner Frometa absent, to adopt Resolution 18-3058, thereby approving the request for a Site Plan Review (PLN-17-00173). Chair Owens called for a recess at 8:07 p.m. and the meeting was reconvened at 8:21 p.m. 2. PLN-18-00001 (Planned Sign Program): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00001 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. - 4 - City Planner David Blumenthal presented the request for a Planned Sign Program (PSP) for the Villa Shopping Center located at 7910-7966 Florence Avenue. Mr. Blumenthal reviewed the changes to the PSP that was triggered by the need for additional signage for the previously approved new Starbucks café with drive-thru, currently under construction. The purpose of the PSP is to establish new sign standards for the multi-tenant commercial center regarding the size, location and appearance of all the existing and new signs. The applicant is requesting to increase the proposed six-foot monument sign to eight feet which is the maximum allowed. Commissioner Flores asked how the additional two feet will impact the rest of the development and if the increase is in compliance with the current City Code. City Planner Blumenthal confirmed the two-foot increase would be compliant with the Code. Vice Chair Dominguez asked what is the allowed number of directional signs, and do other Starbucks locations within the city have the same signage as proposed? City Planner Blumenthal stated the directional signs are included in the sign program and do not require any special approval as long as they meet City Code. The Starbucks that operate with a drive-thru do have both a monument sign and directional signs, and reviewed the number of signs. Disclosures: None. Applicant John Hopkins, 4340 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 290, Newport Beach, CA 92660 presented the Commissioners with a rendering of the proposed monument sign to show that the six-foot sign is not high enough in comparison to other locations. The sign will be located on the corner, increasing to (8) eight feet tall will allow for visibility over cars. Architect Indira Ibrahimbegovic explained the size of the sign is based on the copyright design. Vice Chair Dominguez asked about the number and locations of the drive-thru signs. Mr. Hopkins explained the number and location of the drive-thru signs are placed where they would create the best traffic flow through the shopping center. Correspondence: None. Staff recommends approval of the request for a Plan Signed Program (PLN-18-00001, subject to conditions of approval. Chair Owens closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the proposed signage and increasing the monument sign to (8) eight feet. City Planner Blumenthal added Condition No. 10: The monumental signs will have a maximum of (8) eight feet. It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Flores and passed by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Frometa absent, to adopt Resolution 18-3059 thereby approving the request for a Planned Sign Program (PLN-18-00001), with modified conditions as stated. 3. PLN-17-00183 (Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-17-00183 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Alfonso Hernandez presented the request for a Site Plan Review and Revision A to Conditional Use Permit No. 70-38, to allow an existing gasoline service station located at 9002 Imperial Highway, and zoned (C-2) General Commercial, to modify and expand the business. The applicant - 5 - proposes to eliminate the existing repair service; expand the convenience store; sell fast food; conduct site and facade modifications; and operate with an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 20 license, (Off-Sale Beer & Wine). The convenience store shall operate 24 hours a day, (7) days a week, with alcohol sales occurring (7) seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Associate Planner Hernandez reviewed the existing business and surrounding uses. The canopy and monument signs will remain the same except for added veneer to match the store front. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee on November 30, 2017, expressing no concerns, applying standard conditions of approval. Since the distribution of the staff report, staff received a revision of the conditions of approval from the Public Works Department for a 10 foot easement. The revised conditions were then distributed to the Commissioners. Disclosures: None. Applicant Representative Kenny Kang stated the owner has taken the extra step to make the project more appealing to the community, which will benefit the city and improve the owner’s business. The request for alcohol sales is to be competitive with surrounding business. Mr. Kang stated the adjacent neighbors expressed their approval of the upgrades to the business. Vice Chair Dominguez asked why there are no tables for the fast food section. Mr. Kang explained the size of the store together with the location of the parking prohibit it. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Staff gave recommendation to approve the request for a Site Plan Review and Revision A to Conditional Use Permit Number 70-38, subject to conditions of approval. Chair Owens closed the public hearing. Commissioners spoke in favor of the upgrade to the existing business. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Vice Chair Dominguez and passed by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Frometa absent, to adopt Resolution 18-3060 thereby approving the request for a Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit (PLN-17-00183). CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 4. Approval of the Minutes from June 6, 2018. It was moved by Commissioner Duarte, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and passed by a 3-1-1 vote with Chair Owens abstaining and Commissioner Frometa absent, to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m., to Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., with a moment of silence, in memory of Milton Blumenthal, WWII Veteran and father to City Planner David Blumenthal. - 6 - APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of March, 2019 Steven Dominguez, Chair City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on this 20th day of March, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission