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Home My WebLink About5. Draft Minutes - 12-05-18DRAFT MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chair Owens called the December 5, 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: Matias Flores, District 4 Miguel Duarte, District 1 Nolveris Frometa, District 5 Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. 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. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City Council approved the requests to extend the ordinances for massage establishments and the lot split moratoriums to examine potential lot splits of parcels 20,000 sq. ft., and above. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-18-00111 (Minor Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00111 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request for a Minor Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit, to allow an existing McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant to add a second drive-thru lane and construct a 74 sq. ft. addition, on property located at 7740 Firestone Boulevard and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). He reviewed the site plan and floor plan and said the additional drive-thru lane will accommodate an additional (5) five cars, bringing the combined queueing total to 14 vehicles. The 74 sq. ft. addition is to increase the employee area for those working in the drive-thru. Making these improvements will improve the circulation on the site, as well as provide (2) two additional parking spaces, making the site more efficient and current with today’s standards for McDonald’s drive-thru Planning Commission Minutes December 5, 2018 - 2 - restaurants. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee with no expressed concerns, recommending standard conditions of approval. Commissioner Duarte asked if the drive-thru will be the same as the McDonalds located on the north side of the City. Principal Planner Arreola confirmed it is and said this is the new standard. Vice Chair Dominguez ask about the flow of traffic exiting the site going northbound (left turn). Principal Planner Arreola stated there were no concerns regarding the flow of traffic since the changes are occurring within the drive-thru lanes. Vice Chair Dominguez stated that although the changes are taking place on site, there is an issue with the existing flow of traffic going north. City Planner Blumenthal advised the Commission they have the option to make a request to the Traffic & Engineering Division to evaluate the exit onto Rives Avenue. Disclosures: Vice Chair Dominguez stated he frequents the establishment. Applicant Scott W ilkerson, area construction manager for McDonald’s stated he agreed to the Conditions of Approval. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Minor Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-000111). Chair Owens closed the public hearing. Vice Chair Dominguez discussed the process to request a traffic analysis of the site with staff. It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez to table this item (PLN-18-00111) until a traffic assessment study can be done. The motion failed due to a lack of a second. It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Vice Chair Dominguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote, to adopt Resolution No. 18-3077, thereby approving Minor Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00111). 2. PLN-18-00121 (Planned Sign 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 within the C-2 (General Commercial) zone. The subject site consists of three parcels that include one two-story mixed use building facing Imperial Highway, with retail on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. He reviewed the surrounding uses and recent improvements to the site that include the removal of the existing signs and replacement of new signs. The maximum height of each sign is 27 inches and shall not exceed 70% of the width of the tenant space frontage, with each sign internally illuminated and placed above the awning. The applicant is seeking approval of one newly installed sign and proposed signage. Disclosures: None. The applicant or representative was not present to give testimony. Planning Commission Minutes December 5, 2018 - 3 - Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Planned Sign Program (PLN-18-00121). The applicant was not present to give testimony. The Commissioners discussed the importance of the applicants’ attending the hearing. Director Schindler discussed the option/process of making it a City Code requirement to have the applicant present for the public hearings with the City Attorney. City Attorney Garcia stated it should not be made part of the process; if an applicant is not present and the Commission has questions for the applicant, they can continue the hearing to a later date. It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Chair Owens, and passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Flores against, to continue PLN-18-00121 to an undetermined date. 3. PLN-18-00161 (Conditional Use Permit): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN-18- 00161 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Alfonso Hernandez presented the request to allow an existing commercial recreation facility (fitness studio) to relocate from Suite 103 to a neighboring 1,830 square foot tenant space (Suite 133), within the same building on property located at 7340 Firestone Boulevard, and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). He reviewed the surrounding uses and site plan. The fitness studio operates similar to a personal training studio offering small group classes (approximately eight people) guided by a personal trainer. The hours of operation are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Potential noise will be addressed by keeping all activities within the space, doors closed and no amplified music. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee with no major concerns expressed, recommending standard Conditions of Approval. The Commissioners reviewed the occupancy with staff. Disclosures: None. Applicant: Caesar Salas, 10700 Downey Avenue, Downey, stated they are moving to the larger space (additional 400 sq. ft.) to operate more efficiently, while continuing operations with small groups to provide a quality workout. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00161). Chair Owens closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor. Planning Commission Minutes December 5, 2018 - 4 - It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 5-0 vote, thereby approving Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00161). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 4. Approval of the Minutes from December 06, 2017 Vice Chair Dominguez questioned why review and approval of the Planning Commission Minutes have been delayed. Director Schindler explained it is due to the workload; the Minutes are triaged, and the meeting that are legislative are done first, and then Staff attempts to catch up all the Minutes as it fits in to their workload. It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Chair Owens, and passed by a 3-2 vote, with Commissioner Flores and Commissioner Frometa abstaining. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler stated they are looking at hiring a consultant to do the Minutes. They have a test project in the works to get the Minutes out more quickly. He informed the Commission that the Futsal Courts Ribbon cutting ceremony has been moved to December 10, 2018, and the Planning Commission Meetings will go dark until January 16, 2019 to allow the IT department time to work on improving the audiovisual equipment in the Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m., to Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of June, 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 19th day of June, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission