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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. Draft PC Minutes 06-16-21 DRAFT MINUTES DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chair Duarte called the June 16, 2021, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:36 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: None OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Director of Community Development Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney Crystal Landavazo, City Planner Alfonso Hernandez, Senior Planner Irving Anaya, Associate Planner Desi Gutierrez, Principal Civil Engineer 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 the City Council approved a contract to start a study on inclusionary housing ordinances to promote and mandate the inclusion of affordable housing for present and future housing units. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. PLN-21-00032 (Specific Plan Amendment): Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-21-00032 and Ms. Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. City Planner Crystal Landavazo presented the request by the Applicant Bob Barouti, for a Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) to revise the sign standards specifically related to freestanding signs and to incorporate new sign standards for electronic message signs. Currently, the SP 90-1 allows for one freeway oriented sign; if approved, the revision would allow for a total of (2) freeway oriented freestanding electronic message signs. The applicant proposes to install a freeway oriented electronic message sign adjacent to the I-5 freeway, located at 11111 Florence Avenue (Giant RV). This application was presented to the Development Review Committee (DRC), at which time the Public Works Department provided a comment to ensure that all applicants for freestanding electronic message signs shall coordinate and comply with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) sign regulations. Department comments were incorporated into the sign standards such as brightness of signs and sign animation. Draft Planning Commission June 16, 2021 Minutes - 2 - Based on the analysis contained in this report, Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the resolution recommending approval of the Specific Plan Amendment (PLN-21-00032) to the City Council. The Commission discussed the brightness, illumination after dusk, display time limits, Caltrans regulations and the geographic location. Applicants Bob Barouti and Mike Murphy with Giant RV expressed the need for the additional sign, finding it to be keystone to have a display sign for their business. Public Comment: Staff received one email correspondence which was read into the record, opposing PLN- 21-00032. The Planning Commission took the email comments into consideration. The Planning Commission spoke in favor of the modifications to the Specific Plan Amendment. It was moved by Commissioner Ortiz, second by Vice Chair Owens and passed by a vote of 4-0, thereby approving the request for a Specific Plan Amendment (PLN-21-00032). NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 2. General Plan Consistency Finding – 2021-22 CIP Program 3. Approval of the Minutes from August 5, 2020 4. Approval of the Minutes from February 3, 2021 The Commissioners discussed continuing the approval of the Minutes from the August 5, 2020 Planning Commission meeting due to a lack of quorum. Commissioner Montoya agreed to watch the video and will inform Staff when it can be calendared. It was moved by Vice Chair Owens, second by Commissioner Ortiz, and passed by a vote of 4-0, to approve items 2 and 4 of the Consent Calendar and continue item 3 to a date uncertain. OTHER BUSINESS: Vice Chair Owens asked if the Temporary Outdoor Dining will go away or continue. Director Schindler advised the Commission that the Governor had extended the State Mandate to support local businesses by allowing outdoor dining to continue until the end of the year. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Director Schindler provided the Commission with the following updates: 1) The City received a Metro Grant to develop a specific plan focused on creating a transit village around a new Metro Station at Gardendale Street. This station will be part of a new rail line that will extend from Artesia into the Los Angeles Union Station. A study session will be provided to introduce this project to the Planning Commission at the next Planning Commission Meeting, followed by a 2nd meeting in July to make a recommendation to the City Council. 2) The Housing Element is underway for our next 8-year cycle. The current cycle required the City to plan for 1400 residential units. The new challenge the City is facing is where to find appropriate land area to zone and plan for the 6500 residential units that must be planned for in the next 8-year cycle. A Study Session for the Housing Element will be brought to the Planning Commission soon. The State’s deadline is in October of 2021. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m., to Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 6:30p.m., at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Draft Planning Commission June 16, 2021 Minutes - 3 - APPROVED AND ADOPTED this this 18th day of August, 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 18th day of August, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Montoya, Ortiz, Owens and Duarte NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission