HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. draft Minutes 10-21-2020
DRAFT MINUTES
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Vice Chair Frometa called the October 21, 2020, 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: Patrick Owens, District 2
Dimitrios Spathopoulos, District 4
Nolveris Frometa, District 5, Vice Chair
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: 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
Alfonso Hernandez, Senior Planner
Madalyn Welch, Assistant Planner
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported,
during the October 13, 2020 meeting, the City Council approved 1) a Code Amendment to bring electric
vehicle charging stations in line with State directive; 2) an upgrade to the Grading section of the Downey
Municipal Code; 3) the reopening of Downey Avenue to assist the businesses that were affected by the
street closures. The parklets for (3) three businesses that extended into the street for outdoor dining were
relocating onto the parking spaces in front of their businesses so the street would be clear for reopening.
Additionally, the City has implemented a Grant program that provides $10,000 to assist businesses with
the construction of parklets. The Commissioners asked if there were other parts of the City that were
considered to utilize parklets. Director Schindler stated, there is more of an expansion of outdoor dining in
private parking lots, not as much for parklets placed on city streets.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. PLN-20-00104 (Planned Sign Program): Vice Chair Frometa opened the public hearing for PLN-20-
00104 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication.
Senior Planner Alfonso Hernandez presented a request for a Planned Sign Program, to approve the size,
number, location and appearance of signs for a multi-tenant commercial building and drive-thru
restaurant, located at 8900 Imperial Highway and 12623 Lakewood Boulevard. The application for a
Planned Sign Program is proposed as part of a larger redevelopment project to construct a new 4,000
square foot drive-thru Chick-fil-a restaurant and renovate a 10,000 square foot retail building located at
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October 21, 2020 Minutes
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the Southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Lakewood Boulevard. The subject site is zoned C-2
(General Commercial) and is surrounded by residential properties zoned R-3-0 (Medium Density Multi-
family-Ownership) to the rear of the site, and C-2 (General Commercial) to the north, east and west. The
request proposes installation of a maximum of eleven (11) wall signs, a monument sign, and a
freestanding sign for the commercial center and Chick-fil-A restaurant. Senior Planner Hernandez
presented the proposed size, location and design of the signs. The exterior color scheme of both structures
will be designed with browns, beiges, and brick to compliment the architecture throughout the rest of the
center. The brick material will match the materials used on the Chick-fil-A building, while the remaining
colors, materials, and features also compliment the multi-tenant commercial building. This application was
presented to the Development Review Committee (DRC); there were no expressed concerns or
opposition over the project and standard conditions of approval were provided.
Applicant Scott Silberberg thanked the Commission and stated the commercial building is currently being
developed and construction of the Chick-fil-A Restaurant will begin in two weeks. He expressed the
importance of the signs to be aesthetically pleasing as it is critical for the tenants’ success.
Public Comments: None.
Vice Chair Frometa closed the public hearing.
The Commissioners spoke in favor of the design and thanked the applicant for investing in Downey and
beautifying the area.
It was moved by Commissioner Spathopoulos, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and passed by a 3-0-
2 vote, with Vice Chair Duarte and Commissioner Dominguez absent, to adopt Resolution No. 20-3129,
thereby approving the request for a Planned Sign Program (PLN-20-00104).
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
2. Approval of the Minutes from August 19, 2020
It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Spathopoulos, and passed by a 3-0-
2 vote, with Chair Duarte and Commissioner Dominguez absent, to approve the Consent Calendar.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 6:59 p.m., to Wednesday, November 4, 2020,
at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this this 3rd day of March, 2021.
Miguel Duarte, Chair
City Planning Commission
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October 21, 2020 Minutes
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on this 3rd day of March, 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission