HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09-19-18MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chair Owens called the September 19, 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
Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair
Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair
Matias Flores, District 4
Nolveris Frometa, District 5
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Bill Ihrke, Special Counsel for the City
David Blumenthal, City Planner
Monica Esparza, Senior Planner
Alfonso Hernandez, Associate Planner
Guillermo Arreola, Principal Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Vice Chair Dominguez stated the Starbucks signage they discussed
recently was not as he pictured it and it looks great. He thanked Senior Planner Monica Esparza for a
fantastic job.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Update on State Housing Law: Bill Ihrke with Rutan & Tucker, LLP gave a PowerPoint presentation of
the updates on 2018 Housing Laws and the effects on local municipalities.
Public Comments: None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported the City Council
1) approved an annual parking assessment for the Downtown area provided by an outside consultant that
began this year. Staff will share the data received with the Planning Commission and City Council at a later
date; 2) the consultant for the Imperial Highway Economic Development Strategy recommended staff seek
opportunity sites within the overlay zones. Staff will later bring the information back before its final stages to
seek Planning Commission recommendations prior to formal approval; 3) the Council heard an appeal of
Planning Commissions' denial of an offsite parking agreement for a proposed medical use on Lakewood
Boulevard. The Council asked the applicant to consider valet parking for the site. The applicant is working
with staff to look at that suggestion and other ways to layout the use in that building to satisfy the parking
requirements onsite.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. PLN -18-00039 (Conditional Use Permit): Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN -18-00039 and _
Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Senior Planner Monica Esparza presented the request to allow the construction of a new Verizon Wireless
telecommunications facility and equipment enclosure, on property located at 12324 Bellflower Boulevard and
zoned M-2 (General Manufacturing). The subject site is located on one parcel shared by the City of Downey
Public Works Department Maintenance Yard and Independence Park. The applicant proposes to construct a
50 -foot Monopine Pole with an equipment enclosure south of the Yard and north of the park. Ms. Esparza
reviewed the surrounding uses, various zones, and the distances between the park facilities and Maintenance
Yard. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee with no expressed concerns
and standard conditions were applied. However, conditions were added by the Public Works Department and
submitted after the distribution and posting of the staff report and are presented to the Commission today.
The added Conditions of Approval are as follows:
28) Prior to submitting plans to Building Plan Check, the Applicant shall coordinate with the
Superintendent of Maintenance and Facilities of the Public Works Maintenance Division
to finalize a location for the electrical pedestal.
29) Prior to submitting plans to Building Plan Check, the Applicant shall install one (1) 24 -inch
box tree on the site. The location and species of the tree will be determined by the
Superintendent of Maintenance and Facilities of Public Works and the City Planner. The
tree shall be planted to the satisfaction of both parties.
Disclosures: None.
Applicant: Representative Stella Shih with Reliant Land Services c/o Verizon Wireless was present to answer
any questions the Commission may have.
The Commissioners inquired as to potential danger from the tower's micro and/or radio waves to people
visiting the park.
Ms. Shih stated Federal Regulations prohibits considering any type of health effects as a reason to deny the
request to install a tower. Commissioner Flores asked if it was because the Federal Government already
investigated the health risk. City Planner Blumenthal confirmed that was the reason it could not be
considered.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: None.
Staff recommended approval of the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN -18-00039).
Chair Owens closed the public hearing.
Commissioners spoke in favor of the project.
It was moved by Vice Chair Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Duarte, and passed by a 5-0 vote to
adopt Resolution No. 18-3066, thereby approving Conditional Use Permit (PLN -18-00039) with added
conditions as stated.
3. PLN -18-90099 (Conditional Use Permit): Director Schindler stated this item has been rescheduled to a
date uncertain.
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4. PLN -18-00136 (Special Event Permit}: Chair Owens opened the public hearing for PLN -18-00136 and
Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request by Warren High School, to hold their annual
carnival on Friday, September 21, to Sunday, September 23, 2018, within the school parking lot. The subject
site is located at 8141 De Palma Street and zoned R-1 5,000 (Single -Family Residential). The event is held
at the same location and layout as in previous years. The carnival hours of operation are Friday, 5:00 p.m. to
11:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This application was
presented to the Development Review Committee recommending standard conditions of approval as in
previous years.
Disclosures: None,
Applicant: Samantha Miyahara, Athletic Director at Warren High School, thanked Principal Planner Arreola for
the presentation.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: None.
Staff recommended approval of the request for a Special Event Permit PLN -18-00136.
Chair Owens closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the event.
It was moved by Commissioner Frometa, seconded by Vice Chair Dominguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote to
adopt Resolution No. 18-3067, thereby approving Special Event Permit (PLN -18-000136).
5. PLN -18-00125 (Variance): Director Schindler stated this item has been rescheduled to October 17, 2018.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Gloria Raintree asked to be heard regarding PLN -18-00125 since she
might not be able to make the October 17, 2018, meeting. She spoke against the variance for the large sign.
Director Schindler asked her to'speak with Planner Arreola directly after the meeting about her concerns. He
also told her she can send her concerns in writing to be included in the records.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
6. Approval of the Minutes from July 18, 2018
It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Vice Chair Dominguez, and passed by a 5-0 vote to
approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler informed the Commission that remote control voting will
be introduced at the next meeting. He invited all to attend the third Mansionization Study Community Meeting
on October 25, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Memorial Space Center (pizza will be provided).
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m., to Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at
6:30 p.m. at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
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APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June, 2019.
Steven Dom rfau , C ilr
City Plan nin6 C m6ission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on this 5th day of June, 2019 by the following vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Owens, Frometa, Spathopoulos, Duarte and Dominguez
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
Mary Cavafiagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission
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