HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 06-17-20MINUTES
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chair Duarte called the June 17, 2020, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:31 p.m., at
Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. After the flag salute, Secretary Cavanagh called
roll.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Patrick Owens, District 2
Dimitrios Spathopoulos, District 4
Nolveris Frometa, District 5, Vice Chair
Miguel Duarte, District 1, Chair
Steven Dominguez, District 3
OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development
Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Crystal Landavazo, City Planner
Guillermo Arreola, Principal Planner
Alfonso Hernandez, Senior Planner
Irving Anaya, Associate Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None.
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Downtown Parking Study
Julie Dixon with Dixon Resources Unlimited presented a summary of the 2019 Parking Data Collection &
Analysis for Downtown Downey. She reviewed the methodology of data collection; monitoring the effects of
changes within the Downtown area; on -street and off -parking, the Narrow Lot and Civic Center lot's
occupancy and turnover rates.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported that
the City has unveiled two COVID 19 support programs for our community. The first is a temporary outdoor
dining program that allows our restaurants to utilize the space outside of their buildings to establish outdoor
dining; and, in our downtown only, we are allowing for parklets to occur within the on -street parking. The
second is a rent payment program to assist our residents that are suffering through any sort of economic
distress that is COVID 19 related. The program is income eligible and based on the income guidelines as
set by the State of California, and Federal income guidelines.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2. PLN -20-00026 LCLonditional Use Permit): Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN -20-00026
and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Associate Planner Irving Anaya presented the request for a for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), to allow the
operation of a full-body massage establishment on property located at 8847 Imperial Highway, Suite H,
within the General Commercial (C-2) zone. The proposed hours of operation are daily from 10:00 a.m. to
Planning Commission
June 17, 2020 Minutes
10:00 p.m. Associate Planner Anaya reviewed the surrounding commercial and residential uses; Site Plan
and Floor Plan. The applicant currently operates a foot massage establishment (Panda Foot) within the
same commercial center in Suite "I" and seeks to relocate his existing business into the neighboring 2,000
sq. ft. Suite "H", maintaining the same business name "Panda Foot". The proposed tenant improvements
include a reception/waiting area, four (4) foot massage chairs, seven (7) massage rooms equipped with
appropriate lighting, massage table and clean linen cabinet, an employee breakroom, laundry room, and two
(2) existing restrooms at the rear of the tenant space. The proposed tenant improvements will bring this
proposed use into compliance with current regulations for massage establishments within the City of
Downey.
This application was presented to the Development Review Committee (DRC), at which time the Police
Department made mention of concerns with visibility into the establishment, as well as ensuring that all
employees follow the State guidelines. As such, Staff is recommending Conditions of Approval that tinting or
covering of windows is prohibited and any signage must comply with the current Planned Sign Program for
this site. Staff has included Conditions of Approval to reiterate and emphasize the California Massage
Therapy Council (CAMTC) and operational requirements for owners and employees of massage
establishments. The Conditions require owners to maintain a current roster of massage practitioners and
their valid CAMTC certification on file with the Planning Division at all times. Furthermore, Staff will conduct
an inspection prior to permit final approval to verify that the lighting and all other required operational
standards are compliant.
The Commissioners discussed: 1) sign requirements; 2) calls for service and/or complaints; 3) the hours of
operation for the business as it currently exists and for the future full body massage; and 4) the number of
patrons allowed at the subject site at one time.
Applicant Youchang Dai together with his translator were present to address any concerns or questions of
the Planning Commission. Mr. Dai explained that there have been no issues or complaints pertaining to his
existing business.
Correspondence: Staff received one email correspondence. Secretary Cavanagh read the email into the
record as follows:
From: James and Ron Kriss 12565 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey Ca.
RE: Panda Foot Massage Application Type: Conditional Use Permit (PLN -20-00026)
Applicant: Youchang Dai
Owner of Plaza: Abbas Satrap (Imperial Plaza LLC)
Planning Commission:
To the Planning Commission of Downey. We are not against such a business coming into the area but
please hear us out. We have some experience with such things in another City from the past.
It is my understanding that most regular Salons in addition to cutting nails, hair, etc., also do foot massages.
Their regular hours do not exceed regular business hours which in our opinion would be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00
p.m. at the latest. If the hours run later than 9:00 p.m. it is not a foot massage business but more like a
massage parlor, which should require cameras showing people going in and out for security issues and the
cameras should also point towards our property for the same since such businesses do overflow into the
neighboring businesses which could result in variable behavior issues. We do not know if such businesses
are allowed into the City of Downey, however, we are not against a foot massage business and with them all
the best.
Best Regards, Jim and Ron Kriss
Public Comments: None.
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June 17, 2020 Minutes
Chair Duarte closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the project and extending the hours of operation one hour, to close at
10:00 p.m. as there have been no complaints.
It was moved by Vice Chair Frometa, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with
Commissioner Dominguez absent, to adopt Resolution No. 20-3121, thereby approving the request for
Conditional Use Permit (PLN -20-00026).
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
3. PC Bylaws Resolution Updating Planning Commission Meeting Rules and Regulations: Amend
the By -Laws in accordance with the recent changes made by the Downey City Council with respect to
public participation at Council meetings.
4. General Plan Consistency Finding: A request to find the 2020-2021 Capital Improvement
Program is consistent with the General Plan
5. Approval of the Minutes from March 4. 2020
It was moved by Commission Owens, seconded by Commissioner Spathopoulos, and passed by a 4-0-1
vote, with Commissioner Dominguez absent, to approve items 3 and 4 of the Consent Calendar, and
continue item 5 to the next public hearing due to a lack of quorum.
OTHER BUSINESS:
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Commissioner Spathopoulos advised Staff of two items of concern 1) there
is a "Pop -Up Shop" that is operating after 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Downey Ave and Firestone Blvd selling
edible item(s) out of his vehicle; and 2) there are businesses that boarded up their windows during the
protests and continue doing business with the boards in place.
Director of Community Development Schindler advised the Commission that Code Enforcement is aware of
the "Pop -Up" businesses and have visited them. Code Enforcement can flex their hours beyond 5:00 p.m.
and on the weekends; we will take notice of the site and go out to address them as we receive complaints.
In regard to the businesses maintaining boarded windows is a difficult situation as there is the possibility of
future protest(s) in the near future, causing the businesses to hesitate in removing the window boards. It is
monitored on a daily basis, as well as how the community is doing. We want to get to a point that we are
back to normal, and we don't have all of the alternative means of getting people back into businesses. It is
a topic that is discussed on a daily basis from the executive staff level, all the way down to the entry staff
level. We will continue to monitor and hope to facilitate any support that the businesses need so that we
can get them back to normal.
Commissioner Frometa stated he had received one communication from a resident in regard to the current
process time to pull permits being a little slow. He said that it is understandable under the current situation.
Director Schindler advised the Commissioners to send any future questions or comments to him and we will
find out what the issue is and will do our best to address it as soon as possible.
Chair Duarte asked for an update on a previous discussion(s) to add "Streateries" to the downtown area.
Director Schindler explained that our downtown has a property owner association (District of Downey) and
the entity that would organize the parklets and have discussed that option; however, there is much to
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June 17, 2020 Minutes
consider, such as the number and volume of restaurants, the area, potential street closure and options for
organized activities such as craft or art fairs, wine tastings etc. In terms of the area for the parklets, the
most natural area to close that has often been discussed is Downey Avenue, between 2nd and 3`d Street(s).
We've conveyed to them numerous times that we are open to that if they want to proceed in that direction,
it's just a matter of discussing the logistics.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m., to Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at
6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2020.
MiguOLluarte, 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 19th day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Owens, Frometa, Spathopoulos and Duarte
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
Dominguez
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
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Mary Ca agh, Secretary
City Pla n ng Commission
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