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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. Draft Minutes 12-15-21 DRAFT MINUTES DOWNEY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 11111 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 6:30 P.M. Chair Duarte called the December 15, 2021, 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: Miguel Duarte, District 1, Chair Patrick Owens, District 2, Vice Chair Arturo Montoya, District 3 Horacio Ortiz, Jr., District 5 Carmela Uva, District 4 COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None o OTHERS PRESENT: Aldo E. Schindler, Deputy City Manager Crystal Landavazo, City Planner Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney Guillermo Arreola, Principal Planner Alfonso Hernandez, Senior Planner Irving Anaya, Associate Planner Gissel Enriquez, Assistant Planner Mary Cavanagh, Secretary PLANNING COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: None PRESENTATIONS: 1. Housing Element Update Deputy City Manager Aldo Schindler introduced Diana Gonzalez, with MIG Consulting to present an update on the Housing Element. Diana Gonzalez presented an overview of the current Housing Element (2021-2029,) and upcoming changes to the City’s General Plan as required by the State of California. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) determined the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the City of Downey is to allow for 6,525 residential units over the current cycle. The challenge is to modify the current Zoning regulations to allow for the increased residential units. The Community Development Department held two community workshops to inform the residents of the upcoming changes and present their concerns; the key issues presented were the need for more affordable and multifamily housing. Deputy City Manager Aldo Schindler discussed strategies to address the Housing need, while protecting the Single-Family Residential Zone. Staff is proposing overlay zones and commercial corridors that include shopping centers and Rancho Los Amigos South Campus. The City of Downey has filed two written protests to reduce the State’s required number of units. The Planning Commission discussed the potential impacts the new laws will have on the city streets, parking and the overall City. Draft Planning Commission December 15, 2021 Minutes - 2 - REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Commissioner Uva recused herself from public hearing item PLN-21-00111 due to the proximity of her property to the subject site. 2. PLN-21-00111 (Site Plan Review) continued from December 1, 2021: Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-21-00111. Assistant Planner Gissel Enriquez presented a request to approve a Site Plan Review (SPR) to construct a two-story, three-unit multifamily residential development, on property located at 10225 La Reina Avenue. The front building shall be comprised of two residential units, and the rear building consisting of one residential unit; each unit includes a 2-car garage and private open space. The units vary in size with the smallest dwelling at 1,180 square feet and the largest at 1,457 square feet. The proposed development will mirror the same Spanish architectural style and composition as the property to the east at 10224 La Reina Avenue, which was approved by the Planning Commission on March 3, 2021. The Commissioners discussed adding a new condition of approval that would require conduits for future EV charging stations within the garages and photo-voltaic panels throughout the development. Correspondence: None Public Comment: None Chair Duarte closed the public hearing. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Site Plan Review (PLN-21-00111). The applicant was not present to agree to the added condition; therefore, the Planning Commission considered continuing the public hearing to the next meeting, January 5, 2022. It was moved by Vice Chair Owens, second by Commissioner Montoya, and passed by a 4-0-1 vote, with Commissioner Uva abstaining, to continue the request for a Site Plan Review (PLN-21-00121), to the January 5, 2022 meeting. Commissioner Uva re-entered the Council Chambers. Commissioner Ortiz recused himself from public hearing item PLN-19-00172 due to his association with the El Pescador restaurant chain. 3. PLN-19-00172 (Conditional Use Permit): Chair Duarte opened the public hearing for PLN-19-00172 and Secretary Cavanagh affirmed proof of publication. Principal Planner Guillermo Arreola presented a request to allow an existing full-service restaurant (El Pescador), to operate with live entertainment (disc jockey), on property located at 12002 Lakewood Boulevard, zoned DLSP (Downey Landing Specific Plan). The restaurant currently operates under an Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 47 license (On Sale General – Eating Place), Monday – Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. The subject site is located within the Downey Landing Shopping Center, surrounded by multifamily residential uses to the north and east, with a mix of commercial and residential properties across Lakewood Boulevard. The proposed hours of live entertainment are Monday – Sunday from 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. with no dancing, or changes to the existing square footage of the restaurant. Although dancing is not included in the request, staff has added a condition of approval to prohibit dancing. Draft Planning Commission December 15, 2021 Minutes - 3 - This application was presented to the Development Review Committee, at which time the Police Department reviewed the security plan and requested that increased security be provided on weekends from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The security plan was revised and resubmitted to the Police Department and there were no further concerns expressed. The Commissioners discussed the hours of operation and the close proximity of the outdoor patio speakers and how it could affect the residents and Care Facility along Lakewood Boulevard. Principal Planner Arreola stated, one of the conditions of approval prohibits the doors leading to the outdoor dining areas from being propped open between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., and also requires that the applicant turn off all outdoor speakers by 10:00 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Additional conditions have been incorporated in an effort to mitigate any potential nuisance. Disclosures: None Applicant Luis Niebla, Regional Manager for El Pescador Restaurants, 211 N. Citrus Ave. Covina, CA, was present to address questions or concerns of the Planning Commission. Mr. Niebla explained, the restaurant is a family restaurant and the DJ is to provide music for the enjoyment of their patrons. The DJ will be connected to the house speakers only, therefore the noise level will not increase, and the patio speakers do get turned off. The DJ music is for the enjoyment of patrons. The security provides a presence to maintain order and prevent already intoxicated and/or unruly persons from entering the establishment, in addition to checking ID’s. The members of the security staff are dressed in suits and considered to be an extension of the management. The Commissioners discussed the operations of their other locations and if they include ambient music. Mr. Niebla confirmed, the other locations operate with ambient music. There will be no equipment other than the house speakers; the only exception would be Mariachi’s on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Correspondence: None Public Comment: None. Staff recommended approval of the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-19-00172). Chair Duarte closed the public hearing. The Commissioners spoke in favor of the request to add music to the restaurant operations. It was moved by Commissioner Montoya, seconded by Commissioner Uva and passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Ortiz abstaining, to approved the request for a Conditional Use Permit (PLN-19-00172). Commissioner Ortiz re-entered the Chambers. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: 4. September 15, 2021 Minutes 5. December 1, 2021 Minutes Draft Planning Commission December 15, 2021 Minutes - 4 - Deputy City Manager Schindler informed the Commission that Commissioner Ortiz watched the September 15, 2021 Meeting and will be voting on item No. 4 of the Consent Calendar. It was moved by Commissioner Uva, seconded by Vice Chair Owens, to approve the Consent Calendar, with Vice Chair Owens abstaining from the September 15, 2021 Minutes, and Commissioner Montoya abstaining from the December 1, 2021 Meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: Commissioner Ortiz requested Staff provide him with a copy of the PowerPoint presentation(s) before the Planning Commission Meetings to help him prepare for the meetings. The Commissioners wished everyone a happy holiday. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: Deputy City Manager Schindler stated a Community Meeting was held on Monday, December 13, 2021, regarding the draft Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to provide the information and obtain feedback from the Community. A second meeting will be held during the second week of January, 2022, to solicit additional information. Staff will present the information to the Planning Commission, and to the City Council Affordable Housing Committee at a later date as we move towards the City Council approval of an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. Our City Housing staff, together with the State of California Housing staff held a workshop this evening for the COVID Residential Rent Relief program. The meeting was well attended and the State Housing staff will return tomorrow to assist our community. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Duarte adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m., to Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of February, 2022. Miguel Duarte, Chairman City Planning Commission I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Minutes were duly approved at a Regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on this 2nd day of February, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Mary Cavanagh, Secretary City Planning Commission