HomeMy WebLinkAbout7. Draft PC Minutes - 08-01-18DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chair Owens called the August 1, 2018, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:35 p.m., at
Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary Cavanagh called
roll.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Miguel Duarte, District 1
Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair
Steven Dominguez, District 3 Vice Chair
Nolveris Frometa, District 5
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Matias Flores, District 4
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney
David Blumenthal, City Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported that the City
Council approved the following items: 1) funding for tenant improvements for low-income apartment housing
located at 13032 Columbia Way (Clark Manor Apartments); 2) the formation of a Community Benefit District
for Downtown Downey; 3) a professional service agreement for a bike share program that includes docking
stations through a grant from Caltrans/Metro; and 4) a zone change General Plan Amendment at 10221 and
10303 Downey Avenue .
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PLN-18-00084 (Conditional Use Permit): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00084 and
Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Associate Planner Alfonso Hernandez gave a PowerPoint presentation the request for a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP), to allow a Commercial Recreation facility (We Rock the Spectrum), to operate on property
located at 12212 Paramount Boulevard and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). The applicant proposes to
operate an indoor kids’ play gym for children of various ages, primarily catering to individuals with Autism.
The typical age ranges are from infant to 13 years old and a maximum of 25 children at any given time. The
gym will occasionally service children with autism over the age of 13 years old. The proposed hours of
operation are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week, based on membership and/or daily tickets. He
reviewed the surrounding uses, site plan, floor plan and parking at the subject site. This application was
presented to the Development Review Committee, at which time the Planning Department recommended
conditions to mitigate potential noise. There were no major concerns expressed by other departments and
recommended standard conditions of approval.
The Commissioners discussed parking at the site with Staff.
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Minutes August 1, 2018
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Disclosures: Commissioner Frometa and Chair Owens disclosed they drove by the site.
Applicant and business owner Evelyn Villarreal informed the Commission that “We Rock the Spectrum” is a
national gym primarily for autistic children. Her decision to operate this gym was largely due to her own
experience with autistic children within her family and the desire to give her family and others a place for the
kids to play.
The Commissioners reviewed parking at the subject site, and asked the applicant if there would be outside
fencing to protect the toddlers.
Ms. Villarreal explained the toddler area is gated inside the gym and the front counter gate locks to keep the
kids inside; there will be no outdoor fence.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: None.
Staff recommended approval of the request for Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-3062).
Chair Owens closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners discussed the parking requirements with Staff, and spoke in favor of the project.
It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 4-0-1
vote with Commissioner Flores absent; to adopt Resolution No. 18-3062, thereby approving Conditional Use
Permit (PLN-18-00084).
2. PLN-18-00086 (Planned Sign Program): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00086 and
Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Senior Planner Monica Esparza gave a PowerPoint presentation of the request to approve the size, location
and appearance of the signs for an existing multi-tenant commercial building, on property located at 8329-
8337 Firestone Boulevard in the Downtown Downey Specific Plan. She reviewed the surrounding zoning,
uses and renditions of the current signs, and the proposed size, dimensions and backgrounds of the new
illuminated signs for the six commercial tenants.
The Commissioners discussed the variety of illuminated and non-illuminated signs along Firestone Boulevard
with Staff.
Disclosures: None.
Applicant representative Ante Trinidad, 11 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 200, Glendale CA, requested an
amendment to include illuminated signs.
City Planner David Blumenthal advised the Commission that Condition No. 3 can be modified to include
illuminated signs as follows:
3) All wall signs shall be non-illuminated.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comment: None.
Staff recommended approval of the request for a Planned Sign Program (PLN-18-00086) with the modified
condition as stated.
Chair Owens closed the public hearing.
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The Commissioners discussed with Staff, the need for uniformity of signage along Firestone Boulevard and
street lights illuminating signs.
Chairman Owens reopened the public hearing.
Mr. Trinidad advised the Commission that he is aware and will follow guidelines to ensure illumination of the
signs for each unit is uniform.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the project.
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote
with Commissioner Flores absent; to adopt Resolution No. 18-3063, thereby approving the Planned Sign
Program (PLN-18-00086).
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
3. PLN-18-00036 (2017 General Plan Annual Progress Report)
4. Adoption of a Resolution of denial for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00058) for property located
at 10441 and 10469 Lakewood Boulevard
It was moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote
with Commissioner Flores absent; to approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler informed the Commission that Staff has started the
process for the Mansionization Study.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m., to Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at 6:30
p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of May, 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 15th day of May, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission