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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 03-20-19MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Vice Chair Duarte called the March 20, 2019, 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: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Miguel Duarte, District 1, Vice Chair Jimmy Spathopoulos, District 4 Nolveris Frometa, District 5 Patrick Owens, District 2 Steven Dominguez, District 3, Chair Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney David Blumenthal, City Planner Guillermo Arreola, Principal 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: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1.PLN-19-00033 (Special Event Permit): Vice Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-19- 00033 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Associate Planner Alfonso Hernandez presented the request by the Calvary Chapel of Downey to conduct a one-day carnival in celebration of the schools 401h Anniversary on a portion of the church parking lot located at 12802 Woodruff Avenue, within the C-2 (General Commercial) zone. The carnival will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Activities include inflatable rides, train rides, game booths, food sales and live entertainment. There are 505 parking spaces, utilizing one of the four entrances on site. There are multiple locations for egress. The expected attendance is 3,000 participants. The Development Review Committee expressed concerns and recommended standard conditions of approval. Vice Chair Duarte asked if this is an annual event. Associate Planner Hernandez stated it is not a yearly event, however, it is similar to events they have done in the past. Applicant Suzette Ochoa said they are celebrating the 401h anniversary of their school and are inviting all of their church members, families, students and everyone in the community that has supported them. Planning Commission Minutes March 20, 2019 Commissioner Frometa asked if the event is free and if the anticipated number of attendees is a projection or confirmed number. Ms. Ochoa stated it is a projection based on their very large congregation and the 500 students at the school. Disclosures: None. Correspondence: None. Public Comments: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN-19-00033). Vice Chair Duarte closed the hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the event. It was moved by Commissioner Frometa, seconded by Commissioner Spathopoulos, and passed by a 3-0- 2 vote, with Chair Dominguez and Commissioner Owens absent, thereby approving Special Event Permit (PLN-19-00033). 2.PLN-18-000189 (Conditional Use Permit): Vice Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-18- 000189 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented the request for a Conditional Use Permit, to allow a private school "Around the World Preschool and Elementary, to relocate to an existing church property located at 8441 Florence Avenue and zoned C-2 (General Commercial). He reviewed the surrounding uses which include Single Family Residential to the North, Commercial and Single Family Residential uses to the East, and Commercial uses to the South and West. The school has been in operation for 22 years in Downey at a different location with (8) eight staff members, 65 students and relocating to the church property. The subject site is developed with three buildings; a sanctuary, a fellowship hall and an educational building. The Downey Memorial Christian Church Disciples of Christ currently and will continue to occupy the sanctuary, fellowship hall and a portion of the educational building for office use and Sunday school. The school will occupy 1,700 square feet of the 1,824 square foot, first floor. The school hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The floor plan includes an outdoor play area enclosed by a 48" high fence. To minimize noise, the paved parking area is not to be used for outdoor activities. Staff would also like to add a condition that prohibits student access to the North and West landscaped areas to maintain the adjacent properties privacy. The school requires (8) eight parking spaces and the lot has 75 spaces for the church; there are no anticipated issues with queueing because of the large parking area, and the staggered drop off and picked up times. The Development Review Committee expressed no concerns and issued standard conditions of approval. The Commissioners discussed with Staff, the concerns regarding the fencing around the play area; the distance from the building and neighboring fence; the number of students, and Staff's request additional condition to safeguard the privacy of the adjacent properties. Disclosures: Commissioner Frometa visited the site and Commissioner Spathopoulos stated his family lives in the area and he is familiar with the site. Applicants Suzette Cortez and Sandra Braham stated they were lucky to find the church that could accommodate the number of children they have at the school. Ms. Cortez confirmed they have and will maintain 65 students. The Commissioners discussed the proposed materials and height of the fencing, size and number of students that the play area can accommodate; the process of student releases at the end of the day; questioned how many kids can be accommodated in the play area; and signage for the school. - 2 - Planning Commission Minutes March 20, 2019 Ms. Cortez explained, the parents must walk-in and sign their child out. The play area is large enough for all of the students because they stagger their playtime. They do not have a security plan, but they do plan to fence the play area and are willing to gate any area that needs to be gated with whatever materials the City requires. Principal Planner Arreola advised the Commission that signage would be a separate application. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for Conditional Use Permit (PLN-18-00189) with added Condition: 15)Student access will be prohibited along the North and West landscaped areas. Vice Chair Duarte closed the hearing. It was moved by Commissioner Frometa, seconded by Commissioner Spathopoulos, and passed by a 3-0- 2 vote, with Chair Dominguez and Commissioner Owens absent, to adopt Resolution 19-3085 with modified conditions as stated, thereby approving Conditional Use Permit (PLN-19-00189). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: Director of Community Development Schindler advised the Commission, approval of the May 16, 2018 and June 20, 2018 Minutes have been moved to the next hearing date, April 3, 2019, due to a lack of quorum. OTHER BUSINESS: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler stated he was glad to see all the Commissioners attend the Planning Commissioners Academy. Going forward, there will be a retreat for the Planning Commission with an outside attorney, to provide and discuss legal matters and what is going on in Downey. He would like it to take place in a very informal setting in about 60 to 75 days. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m., to Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of September, 2019. Miguel rte, 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 4th day of September, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Frometa, Spathopoulos and Duarte None None Dominguez and Owens - 3 -