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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 10-16-19MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Vice Chair Duarte called the October 16, 2019, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:34 p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary Cavanagh called roll. < COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Miguel Duarte, District 1, Vice Chair Patrick Owens, District 2 Dimitrios Spathopoulos, District 4 Nolveris Frometa, District 5 Steven Dominguez, District 3, Chair OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney Crystal Landavazo, City Planner Alfonso Hernandez, Associate Planner Madalyn Welch, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None. PRESENTATIONS: Residential Development Standards Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler advised the Commission that the presentation for Residential Development Standards has been continued to a date certain. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: None. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director Schindler reported that, at their last meeting the City Council approved the extension of an existing moratorium for lot splits of lots that are 20,000 square feet or greater. The extension is for a period of 12 months. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN -19-00143 (Special Event Permit): Vice Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN -19- 00143 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Senior Planner Alfonso Hernandez presented the request by Desert Reign Church to hold a one -day 10th Annual Harvest Festival on Thursday, October 31St from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on property located at 11610 Lakewood Boulevard and zoned C -P (Professional Office). This application is the same as in previous years. Festivities include carnival games, jumpers, kid rides, and disc jockey, security and an estimated attendance of 500 people. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee on September 19th and issued standard conditions of approval. Commissioner Spathopoulos asked if the site will have a beer garden. Senior Planner Hernandez stated they will not have a beer garden. Planning Commission Minutes October 16, 2019 Disclosures: None. Applicant: Joyce Yasumura, Office Administrator for Desert Reign Church, stated the event provides a safe environment and an alternative to having children knocking on doors asking for candy. They will give out lots of candy and will have prize giveaways and costume contests. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Commissioner Spathopoulos stated he did not know this event took place every year. He asked if they do trunk or treat or have booths that give out candy, and if there is an entrance fee. Ms. Yasumura stated it is a free event for the community. They have 10 carnival booths with games, as the participants play the games they will get candy. The inflatables will also give out candy. The Commissioners thanked the applicant for having the event for the community. Vice Chair Duarte closed the public hearing. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN -19-00143). It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Chair Dominguez absent; to adopt Resolution 19-3108, thereby approving the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN -19-00143). 2. PLN -19-00153 (Special Event. Permit): Vice Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN -19- 00153 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Assistant Planner Madalyn Welch presented the request to hold a one -day "Fiesta De las Calaveras" event on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. within the parking lot of the Stonewood Center, located at 251 Stonewood Street and zoned SP 89-1 (Stonewood Specific Plan). The event will include live entertainment from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on two stages, with food sales, beer sales, and vendors. She reviewed the surrounding uses, site plan, and the hours for set up and clean up for the event. This application was presented to the Development Review Committee and issued standard conditions of approval. The Police Department requires six (6) Downey Police Officers at the event site during all event hours as well as four (4) licensed security guards, two (2) will monitor the beer the beer garden and the remaining two (2) will monitor the general areas of the event. Commissioner Spathopoulos stated he understands that a different organization held the event in the past or it was held at a different location. Assistant Planner Welch stated the event was previously held by the Parks and Recreation Department near the Downey Theater; however, the current construction projects prevented them from holding the event this year. Commissioner Spathopoulos asked if they're expecting more attendees due to the new location. Assistant Planner Welch stated the applicant is expecting approximately 1,000 attendees, which is less than last year. Vice Chair Duarte asked why the particular location of the property was chosen. Assistant Planner Welch stated the applicant proposed the west parking lot and Staff required it be moved further south so it would be further away from the residents. Disclosures: None. Applicant(s) Jesus Torres with Courage Forward stated they decided to team up with the Rotary Club and the Stonewood Center to create the event on a smaller scale. Deena Henry, Stonewood Center Management, stated they are the host site. She said Courage Forward and the Rotary Club asked them to -2- Planning Commission Minutes October 16, 2019 host the event since the former location was not available. Nathan Mahoney, President of Downey Rotary Club, introduced himself. Commissioner Spathopoulos asked if they obtained the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) license and health department permit(s) for the event. Mr. Torres confirmed, both were done prior to the public hearing. Commissioner Spathopoulos asked about the live entertainment on the two stages. Mr. Torres stated the live entertainment will be at opposite ends of the event. Commissioner Owens reminded the applicants to keep control of the traffic movement on site so that people can enter both the event and the mall. Mr. Torres stated one of the reasons for the event is to get people to the mall. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: None. Vice Chair Duarte closed the public hearing. Staff gave recommended approval of the request for Special Event Permit (PLN -19-00153) Commissioner Spathopoulos stated he thinks it will be a well -attended event and he is concerned about safety, especially if there are more attendees than anticipated. Commissioner Frometa stated he is comfortable with the six (6) police officers onsite. Commissioner Owens agreed. Vice Chair Duarte agreed and added it is a well -made point since it is the first year; security and safety are always a concern of theirs It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Frometa, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Chair Dominguez absent; to adopt Resolution 19-3109, thereby approving the request for a Special Event Permit (PLN -19-00153). NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jeff McCaughan expressed concern regarding the Measure S improvements at Furman Park located behind his house. He is concerned about how close the cutouts are to his property line. The picnic area behind his house will be 15 feet from his house and will affect their privacy. He provided the Commission with pictures to show how close the structures are to his property line. He said 15 feet is just too close and would like to have the picnic area moved further away. Commissioner Owens asked how bright the light is in the picnic structure. Mr. McCaughan said very bright, he understands that he bought a house adjacent to the park and people will be using the park. He thinks the improvements are great; he reiterated his concern with the proximity of the picnic structure to his property. Patricia Barraza said she lives right next door to Mr. McCaughan. She stated she contacted someone through the website who informed her that the structure would be 25 feet from the property line, but it is only 15 feet from the property line. The location of the structure is far from the parking area making it difficult for people with disabilities to get to it, and for the police to keep an eye on the site. Vice Chair Duarte asked them to stick around so Staff can speak with them. Director Schindler thanked the residents for coming to the meeting because their input is appreciated, however, he clarified that the Planning Commission does not have purview over the project. He asked that they provide Staff with their contact information and they will have the parties involved with the Measure S project contact them. Brian Heyman is concerned about what is going on at Furman Park. He stated the park is surrounded by single family houses. He stated the picnic shelters are used almost every day of the week. On weekends -3- Planning Commission Minutes October 16, 2019 there are a lot of activities at the picnic shelters. He agreed the current plan has the shelter too close to his neighbor's house. He believes the structures do fall under the committee's purview as all projects should go through the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process regardless of ownership. There should be a change order issued to relocate the structure. If every developer has to come before the Planning Commission then the City should have to as well. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 3. Approval of the Minutes from ,tune 19, 2019 4. Approval of the Minutes from September 18, 2019 It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Vice Chair Duarte, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Chair Dominguez absent; to approve the Consent Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Owens said weeds have grown to about 6 feet tall behind the screen of the undeveloped property at Bellflower Boulevard and Hall Road, and he would like the developer to take care of them. Director Schindler responded they will look into it. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler stated the new restaurant, EI Pescador, is now open at the Downey Landing Shopping Center. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m., to Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of November, 2019. ;�� 0- MiguEJ,Yuarte, 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 6th day of November, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Owens, Frometa, Spathopoulos and Duarte NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Dominguez ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None Mary C anagh, Secretary City Pla ping Commission -4-