HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. Draft Minutes 03-17-21
DRAFT MINUTES
DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
6:30 P.M.
Chair Duarte called the March 17, 2021, 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, Chair
Patrick Owens, District 2, Vice Chair
Arturo Montoya, District 3
Horacio Ortiz, Jr., District 5
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Dimitrios Spathopoulos, District 4
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:
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Study session for single family residential development and subdivision standards in the Single Family
Residential (R-1) Zone, and design guidelines for development in Single Family Residential (R-1) Zones
Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler introduced Housing Development Consultant John
Kaliski of John Kaliski Architects (JKA), providing a PowerPoint presentation of proposed Residential
Development Standards and Design Guidelines recommended for the City of Downey R-1 Neighborhoods.
Mr. Kaliski presented a summary of concerns conveyed by residents during several community meetings
related to new developments that were considered to be contrasting from the surrounding neighborhoods
within the Single Family Residential Zones. The comments consisted primarily of the scale, mass and
design of the new developments, causing disparity among new and existing residential construction. Mr.
Kaliski reviewed the City’s R-1 neighborhoods, together with the comments provided by the residents during
said meetings, and their impressions of the quality of architecture and design of new developments. Based
on the information gathered from the residents and City Staff, JKA presented recommendations that include
the use of 360° architecture, maintaining design consistency throughout the project design, and limiting
double height exterior features. The proposed development guidelines and standards, together with zoning
laws, will assist in achieving the City’s goal for future Single-Family construction, thereby improving the single
family residential neighborhoods.
Public Comments: None
REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Director of Community Development Aldo Schindler reported that
during the March 9, 2021 meeting, the City Council approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Parking
Buffer Zone Change for the former Kirkhill Manufacturing site located at 12021 Woodruff Avenue.
Draft Planning Commission
March 17, 2021 Minutes
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PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS:
2. Approval of the Minutes from March 3, 2021
It was moved by Vice Chair Owens, second by Commissioner Ortiz, and passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with
Commissioner Spathopoulos absent, thereby approving the Minutes of the March 3, 2021 Planning
Commission Meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director of Community Development Schindler reported a COVID friendly
ground breaking was held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 for the Rancho South Campus Sports complex. The
estimated completion of this project is December 2021, he added, next year will bring a lot of great things
including more soccer, football and lacrosse fields.
Director Schindler advised the Commission that the City has increased the amount of subsidy for Emergency
Rental Assistance from one month to three months of help to pay their rent. For those who have already
received one month’s rent assistance, they can contact Community Development to apply for an additional
two months’ rent assistance.
Vice Chair Owens asked if a historian had been assigned to the Ranch South Campus. Director Schindler
informed the Commission that the LA Conservancy is the Historic Preservation Group that has been working
closely with the County of Los Angeles for the last three years, looking at all of the buildings to determine
historic relevance.
Vice Chair Owens commented that the complex is not very large and asked what will be constructed first at
the site. Director Schindler informed the Commission that the site is five acres and will be improved with
three soccer fields and 74 parking spaces.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m., to Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at
6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this this 7th day of April, 2021.
Miguel Duarte, 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 7th day of April, 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission