HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-05-18MINUTES
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:
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Matias Flores, District 4
Miguel Duarte, District 1
Nolveris Frometa, District 5
Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair
Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair
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
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 Wilkerson, 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 -1 8-000111).
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 Sian Pro -gram): 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
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Minutes December 5, 2018
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.
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Minutes December 5, 2018
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.
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:
Frometa, Owens, Duarte and Dominguez
None
None
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Mary�anagh, Secri
City Ia ning Commis