HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 01-16-19MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chair Owens called the January 16, 2019, 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: Miguel Duarte, District 1
Nolveris Frometa, District 5
Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair
Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Dimitrios Spathopoulos, District 4
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney
David Blumenthal, City Planner
Madalyn Welch, Assistant 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 ACTION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PLN -18-00121 (Planned Sigin Program): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN -18-
00121 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
City Planner David Blumenthal presented the request to approve the size, location and appearance of
the signs of an existing multi -tenant commercial building, on property located at 7929-7933 Imperial
Highway and zoned C-2 (General Commercial).
The Commissioners discussed the option for each tenant to utilize their business logos with staff.
Applicant Ken Lee, 9648 Garvey Avenue, EI Monte, was present to answer the Commissioners
questions.
The Commission had no questions or concerns.
Correspondence: None.
Staff recommended the Planning Commission adopt a resolution to approve the request for a Planned
Sign Program (PLN -18-00121).
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the project.
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a
4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, to adopt Resolution 19-3079 thereby approving
the request for a Planned Sign Program (PLN -18-00121).
2. PLN -19-00033 Planned Sign Program Modification): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for
PLN -18-00126 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Director Schindler advised the Commission the applicant is not in attendance and asked if they would
prefer hearing this item, or continuing it to the next meeting.
The Commissioners discussed continuing the request for a Planned Sign Program Modification to the
next Planning Commission Meeting, based on the precedence set by this Planning Commission of not
hearing items that did not have representation.
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Chair Owens, and passed by a
4-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, to continue the request for a Planned Sign
Program Modification (PLN -19-00033), to the February 6, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
3. PLN -18-00183 (Final Parcel Map No. 73819) 11215 Lakewood Boulevard
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a
4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, to approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: Election of Officers
Chair Owens nominated Vice Chair Dominguez as Chair.
It was moved by Chair Owens, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with
Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, to elect Vice Chair Dominguez as Chair.
Vice Chair Dominguez nominated Commissioner Duarte as Vice Chair.
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Chair Owens, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote
Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, to elect Commissioner Duarte as Vice Chair.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Chair Owens commented that a satellite dish located on the rooftop
of the McDonald's Restaurant located at Florence Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard is taking away
from the historic value of the site. He also asked about the lack of an indicator to stop before exiting
the Starbucks on Paramount and Florence. Director of Community Development Schindler and City
Planner David Blumenthal advised the Commission that staff has been working with the owner to
relocate the equipment and briefed the Commission on the use of the equipment and estimated
timeline for the relocation. Staff will look into addressing his concern regarding the exit onto Florence
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Avenue. Commissioner Frometa questioned the use of Neon Signs for local businesses, to which
Director Schindler advised the Commission that they are not allowed and our Code Enforcement
Department is in the process of resolving the issue.
Director Schindler discussed: 1) the upcoming Planning Commission Academy held in Long Beach,
CA on March 6-8, 2019; 2) the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bike Share Program will be held at
the Discovery Park on January 24th, 2019; and 3) the dates for the upcoming Santa Ana Metro Branch
Update Meetings will be held on January 3, February 2, and February 7, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Dominguez adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m., to Wednesday, February 6,
2019, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of February, 2019.
Miguel arte, Vice 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 February, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Owens, Frometa, Spathopoulos and Duarte
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Dominguez
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
Mary Ca anagh, Secreta
City Planning Commission
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