HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. Draft PC Minutes - 11-07-18DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2018
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Commissioner Duarte called the November 7, 2018, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at
6:30 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
Matias Flores, District 4
Nolveris Frometa, District 5
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Patrick Owens, District 2, Chair
Steven Dominguez, District 3, Vice Chair
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney
David Blumenthal, City Planner
Guillermo Arreola, Principal Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Continue the Wireless Communications Facilities Regulations presentation
to a date uncertain.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Wireless Communications Facilities Regulations
Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler informed the Commission that the Wireless
Communications presentation has been continued to a date uncertain. There were no objections from the
Planning Commission to continue said presentation.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. PLN-18-00153 (Special Event Permit) continued from October 17, 2018: Commissioner Duarte
opened the public hearing for PLN-18-00153 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request by Bastard’s American Canteen, located at 11045
Downey Avenue and zoned DDSP (Downtown Downey Specific Plan), to conduct a Veteran’s Day Event on
Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. As in previous years, the event includes live
entertainment from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; a beer garden and trailer selling food and drinks, with Alcohol
consumption restricted to the beer garden only. Crowd control barriers will be installed around the perimeter
of the event, with security stationed at the main entrance checking for identification and issuing wrist bands
for all attendees of the 21 and over event. Vendors selling goods and services will be located along the east
and west sides of the parking lot, along with a Veteran’s Association Mobile R.V. providing medical
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consultations for veterans. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee Meeting,
with Police and Fire Departments expressing concerns regarding emergency exiting, and the number of
people attending. Conditions of approval have been placed to mitigate these concerns, and standard
conditions were applied by all departments.
The Commissioners asked about the maximum number of attendees permitted in the area; and if there have
been any issues in the past at this annual event. Principal Planner Arreola said there have been no issues
with this event.
Disclosures: None.
Applicant and co-sponsor of the event Jose Torres, together with Bastard’s American Canteen stated the
booths are veteran owned and a Veteran’s Administration Truck will be there to help the veteran’s with their
needs.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: Armando Herman spoke in favor of the event.
Staff recommended approval of the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN-18-00153).
Commissioner Duarte closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the event.
It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote,
with Chair Owens and Vice Chair Dominguez absent, to adopt Resolution No. 18-3075, thereby approving
Special Event Permit (PLN-18-00153).
3. PLN-18-00143 (Conditional Use Permit): Commissioner Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-18-
00143 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request to allow an existing restaurant (R&J Southern
Cooking Restaurant) to operate with a Type 41 (On-Site Beer & Wine – Eating Place) Alcoholic Beverage
Control license, and an outdoor dining area, on property zoned C-2 (General Commercial). He reviewed the
surrounding uses and hours of operations from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. Staff found the
restaurant had been operating with an unpermitted outdoor dining area and is therefore included with this
request. The fencing around the outdoor dinning area will not exceed three feet. This request was presented
to the Development Review Committee, at which time the Police Department required a sign on the fencing
stating, “No alcohol permitted beyond this point”. There were no other concerns expressed, therefore,
standard conditions of approval were incorporated.
The Commissioners discussed probability of off-site alcohol sales via the drive-thru window. Principal
Planner Arreola stated the applicant stated they are not interested in off-site sales and confirmed that no
alcohol sales will transpire at the drive-thru window.
Disclosures: Commissioner Flores went to the site and looked at it from the parking lot.
Applicant Danny Yun stated they are concerned with safety and will educate their employees to make sure
anyone ordering alcohol is at least 21 years old. He explained fencing around the outdoor dining area was to
keep the homeless from sleeping in the area and will comply with the City’s fence requirement.
Correspondence: None.
Public Comments: Armando Herman spoke in favor of allowing the business to sell alcohol.
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Staff recommended approval of the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00143).
Commissioner Duarte closed the public hearing
The Commissioners thanked the applicant for his willingness to comply with the City Code.
It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, passed by a 3-0-2 vote, with
Chair Owens and Vice Chair Dominguez absent, to adopt Resolution No. 18-3076, thereby approving
Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00143).
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Armando Herman spoke against politics outside of the City of
Downey and the current commercial vacancies at the Promenade of Downey.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
4. PLN-18-00044 (Final Parcel Map No. 74429) 7741 Third Street
It was moved by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 3-0-2 vote,
with Chair Owens and Vice Chair Dominguez absent, to approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Commissioner Duarte congratulated Commissioner Frometa’s wife Claudia
Frometa on her election to the Downey City Council.
Director Schindler informed the Commissioners, the Mansionization study is complete; the next step is to
create an analysis of the information received and schedule a study session with the Planning Commission.
He also added the Community Benefit Assessment District is working to establish their board and improve
the Downtown District.
ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m., to Wednesday, November 21,
2018, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of September, 2019.
Miguel Duarte, Commissioner
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on this 4th day of September, 2019, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission