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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8. Draft PC Minutes - 08-15-18DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Vice Chair Dominguez called the August 15, 2018, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:32 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 Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair Matias Flores, District 4 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair 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 Edwin Norris, Deputy Director of Public Works 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 the City Council discussed the allocation of three million dollars for a proposed sports field at the Rancho Los Amigos site; approved a sales tax and job creation covenant for the Giant RV dealership; conducted a second reading of the ordinance for a zone change to two properties on Downey Avenue; and received and filed the General Plan Progress Report. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-18-00098 (Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Variance): Vice Chair Dominguez opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00098 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner Monica Esparza gave a PowerPoint presentation of the request for a Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit to construct a new 1,500 square-foot drive-thru doughnut shop, and a Variance to allow a roof-mounted doughnut shaped sign, on property located at 8721 Firestone Boulevard and zoned C-3 (Central Business District). Ms. Esparza reviewed the surrounding commercial and residential uses, floor plans, building plans, site layout, and parking. The applicant proposes operating 24 hours a day and is requesting a variance for a 26-foot tall sign in the shape of a giant doughnut, which is an iconic sign for which the business known. The applicant is providing excess landscape all around the site and (4) four spaces over the required (6) six parking spaces to mitigate visual and noise impact to the residential neighbors. Staff is also recommending additional conditions of approval to minimize noise impact to the residents. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee, at which time the Police Department discussed the future Draft Planning Commission Minutes August 15, 2018 - 2 - need for security on the site. A condition has been included that will require the applicant to have security at the site if the Chief of Police deems it necessary at a future date. No other departments had concerns. The Commissioners inquired as to the maximum allowable building height of 105 feet / 7-story; queue/stacking for the drive-thru lane; potential parking issues for residential neighbors and police calls for the area. Staff explained the allowable building height has been in place since the 1960s; the layout allows for queuing/stacking up to 14 cars; and verified with the Downey Police Department that there were no calls for service. Director of Community Development Schindler advised the Commission, should parking become an issue the City would address it with a parking permit program for the neighborhood. Disclosures: None. Business Owner/Applicant Mark Kelegian, 20 Old Course Drive, Newport Beach, CA, gave a video presentation of the original store with its iconic 32’ doughnut sign that is a historic landmark located in Inglewood, CA. He said the proposed sign for the subject site has been reduced to 26’ and angled for consideration of the surrounding residential uses. The design of the site will allow for queuing/stacking up to 14 cars, whereas, the flagship store has a maximum of (7) seven cars queued at any time. He discussed the importance of the giant doughnut sign as it is well known, identifiable and believes it will be a staple in Downey as it is in Inglewood. Mr. Kelegian said they are very cognizant of the residential neighbors and have worked hard to put noise abatement in place. Vice Chair Dominguez asked about the busiest time for the exiting business at the Inglewood location. Mr. Kelegian stated sixty percent of the business is from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., thirty percent is from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and ten percent is from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Vice Chairman Dominguez asked him to consider closing the driveway during the slower late-night hours. Mr. Kelegian stated it would not be conducive for the business to make customers exit their cars and walk in to the business during those hours. Correspondence: An email in opposition of the proposed business was received and included in the staff report. Public Comments: Brian Hayman spoke in favor of the project and the Variance for the doughnut sign. Rick Murga, 11115 Marbel Avenue, stated his opposition due to the proximity of the business to his home; potential noise; increase in crime and traffic, and the giant doughnut will always be in eyesight from his house and yard. He suggested they use the drive-up window place orders and eliminate the speaker menu. Mike Patel stated his main concerns are with employee parking and entering onto Firestone Boulevard from the subject site that is already an issue. Lilia Bramont reiterated the traffic is terrible at the location and it is her main concern. Victoria, a minor, spoke about concerns with the traffic at the site. Natalie Berito (sp?) 11115 Marbel Avenue spoke in opposition due to potential increase with trash, traffic, parking, and crime. Shawnee Hinchman 11013 Marbel Avenue, informed the Commission of unnamed neighbors who were present for the hearing to make their presence known, but were unable to speak at the podium. She presented a list to the Commission of residents in opposition of the proposed doughnut shop and large doughnut sign, and the Marbel entrance into the business. She discussed current and potential increases with issues with trash, traffic, parking, crime and added noise from delivery trucks and buses parking on Marbel Avenue. Draft Planning Commission Minutes August 15, 2018 - 3 - Applicant Rebuttal: Mr. Kelegian stated he worked closely with Staff to address the issues that were presented and said the employees will not be allowed to park on Marbel Avenue and he is willing to make that a condition. He said that most deliveries occur in the morning; generally, customers will be exiting from the drive- thru lane which will not interfere with the intersection at Marbel Avenue and Firestone Boulevard. Vice Chair Dominguez asked if they considered putting an order window on the east side of the building. Mr. Kelegian stated that would cause an issue with the queueing of cars onto Firestone. City Planner Blumenthal clarified, adding an order window on the east side would interfere with the required path of travel. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Variance (PLN-18-00098). Vice Chair Dominguez closed the public hearing. Commissioner Flores stated a lot of the concerns brought up by the residents have already been addressed. He spoke in favor of the project and the applicant’s willingness to add a condition regarding employee parking. Commissioner Duarte thanked the residents for expressing their concerns in a most articulate manner. He was pleased that the applicant and staff addressed their concerns in the Conditions of Approval and presented options to resolve any potential parking issues. Vice Chair Dominguez asked the Deputy Director of Public Works to address the traffic concerns presented by the residents. Deputy Director of Public Works Edwin Norris stated there will be an influx of traffic when the business first opens; once the hype of the new business dies down so will the volume of traffic. Approximately fifty percent of the business will be a drive-by or a diverted trip on the way to the ultimate destination from people already traveling on Firestone Boulevard. If they have parking issues after the business dies down, a parking study can be conducted. Vice Chair Dominguez asked how the influx in traffic was addressed when the Dunkin Donuts first opened on Firestone Boulevard. Deputy Director Norris said he didn’t observe any special enforcement during that time. Vice Chair Dominguez then asked if it’s possible to have police officers at the location during the influx of traffic for the first couple of weeks the business is open. Mr. Norris said it’s always a plus to have extra enforcement. Senior Planner Esparza added the following condition of approval: 24) Employees are prohibited from parking on Marbel Avenue. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote with Chair Owens and Commissioner Frometa absent; to adopt Resolution No. 18-3065, thereby approving a Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit and Variance (PLN-18-00098), with the added condition as stated. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Murga requests the dead-end signs on Marbel Avenue be moved closer to Firestone Boulevard. Director Schindler advised Mr. Murga to speak directly to Public Works to have the signs moved. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: None. OTHER BUSINESS: Director Schindler informed the Commission of an upcoming presentation at the September 19, 2018, meeting regarding updates on the latest and upcoming legislation regarding Housing and their effects on local municipalities. Vice Chair Dominguez asked for a copy of the presentation prior to the meeting. Draft Planning Commission Minutes August 15, 2018 - 4 - STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairman Dominguez adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m., to Wednesday, September 5, 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