The meeting was called to order by Chair Dever at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Lomita City Hall, Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA.

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1 April 14, 2008 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE LOMITA PLANNING COMMISSION OPENING CEREMONIES Next Resolution No Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Dever at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Lomita City Hall, Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA. 2. Flag Salute At the request of Chair Dever, Commissioner Nieto led the salute to the flag. 3. Roll Call Commissioners responding to roll call by Planning Secretary Schroder were Hermenegildo, Kaneen, Nieto, Popelka, Savidan, Servino and Chair Dever. Also present were Associate City Planner Alicia Heideman, Neighborhood Preservation Officer Asiri Perera and Assistant City Attorney Lauren Feldman. 4. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Savidan moved to approve the minutes of March, 10, Commissioner Popelka seconded the motion which carried by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Savidan, Popelka, Servino and Chair Dever. NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Hermenegildo, Kaneen and Nieto Commissioners Hermenegildo, Kaneen and Nieto abstained as they were not present at the March 10, 2008 meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS On behalf of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce, George Kivett, 1955 W. 241 st Street, invited those present to a ribbon cutting, grand opening on April 23, 2008 of Carpeteria Flooring Center, Narbonne Avenue, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Other events are Golden Spike Day at 1: p.m., on May 3, 2008, at the Lomita Library; the Lomita Chamber Annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner on May 9, 2008, from 5:30 to 9

2 p.m. at Simon s at Port O Call in San Pedro; the Chamber Mixer on May 28, 2008 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lomita Mail Car and the Chamber s Hometown Fair and Business Expo at the Lomita Founder s Day on June 28, PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. MODIFICATION TO SITE PLAN NO. 1085, a request to allow a 42,518 square foot self storage facility at 1837 Lomita Boulevard in the C-G, Commercial General Zone. A previous approval was granted for a 36,265-squarefoot self-storage facility distributed among three buildings. Filed by Ken Renze and Richard Paetz, 2645 S. Dolphin Street, San Pedro, CA Associate City Planner Heideman reviewed the staff report. The lot area of the subject property is approximately 26,166 square feet. Currently the lot is vacant as the legal nonconforming single-family residence that was built in 1928 has been demolished. On May 8, 2006, the Planning Commission approved Zone Text Amendment No , amending Section of the Lomita Zoning Code to permit self-storage facilities as a permitted use in the C-G (Commercial, General) Zone, and Site Plan No. 1085, a site plan review for a proposed 36,265 square-foot self-storage facility distributed among three warehouse structures at the subject site. The applicant is requesting to modify the plans to have a larger facility. He has done this by consolidating all the storage units into one building; which will accommodate an additional 6,253 square feet. The previous proposal had a rear yard setback of only 10 feet. Due to the adjacent residential community to the north, the Planning Commission required the applicant to reduce the height of the building in the rear to 16 feet. The modified plans have the building setback 20 feet with a height of 22 6 and a basement. The applicant is proposing to plant five 25-foot tall evergreen trees between the building and the rear property line; which will also have an eight foot block wall. With these improvements, staff feels that the impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood is limited and the proposed building height of 22 feet should be allowed. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving modification of Site Plan No Discussion followed regarding an on-site manager, security and lighting which Ms. Heideman answered. The public hearing was opened. Mr. George Kivett, 1955 W. 241 st Street, spoke in favor of the project. The applicant, Richard Paetz, 2645 Dolphin Street, San Pedro, was present and answered questions about lighting, a drainage plan, the direction the water on the property drains, 2

3 the 8 foot rear wall, the height of the gates on the property, security doors, an alarm system and motion detectors. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Nieto moved to approve the modification to Site Plan No Commissioner Savidan seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 6. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 261, a request for a conditional use permit to allow four temporary outdoor sales events on six parking spaces in front of Harbor Freight Tools at 2040 Pacific Coast Highway, Unit B, Lomita, CA 90717, in the C-R Zone. Filed by Central Purchasing, LLC, Attn: Richard E. Heath, 3491 Mission Oaks Boulevard, Camarillo CA Neighborhood Preservation Officer Perera reviewed the staff report. The shopping center is approximately 95,545 square feet in size (2.19 acres), contains 35,615 square feet of building area and has a total of 124 parking spaces. The applicant is requesting permission to hold four outdoor sales events annually, to be conducted on the sidewalk and six parking spaces, in front of Harbor Freight Tools. The outdoor sales event will take place within the existing shopping center, which complies with the current parking requirements. A conditional use permit is required to display merchandise outside of an enclosed building. The events would be held four times per year in conjunction with over 300 stores for the same dates. The outdoor sales would be conducted annually on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, of March, June, and October, and a one day sale after Thanksgiving Day. A store manager will be on-site to ensure that the event runs properly and that the premise is kept clear of debris and litter. If the store manager requires additional assistance, the corporate office will have extra staff available. The applicant held the March outdoor sales event without approval. Staff did observe that the event was well organized and maintained. The outdoor sales area was screened off with an orange plastic fence, they had additional staff, the property was clear of debris and litter during and after, and the parking lot was restored to its original condition upon completion of the event. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 261 subject to findings and conditions. Questions were raised about the March event that was held without City approval as well as erecting a banner, the parking situation and designated parking spaces. The public hearing was opened. 3

4 Randy Goodman, Harbor Freight, no address given, was told by Commissioner Kaneen to get a permit for a banner for the next event. He said he would. Mr. Goodman referred to one of the conditions proposed by staff regarding the hours of operation. He would like the opening hour changed to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday just for the events. Mr. George Kivett, 1955 W. 241 st Street, liked the quarterly events, the early opening hours and parking seemed adequate to him. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Savidan moved to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 261 amending the hours as follows: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Commissioner Hermenegildo seconded the motion which carried unanimously. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 7. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS At their April 7, 2008 meeting, Council approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map No for 16 detached senior citizen condominium units at Ebony Lane. Council also upheld the Planning Commission s approval of Height Variation Permit No. 87 which was appealed by a neighbor. OTHER MATTERS 8. PLANNING COMMISSIONER ITEMS Commissioner Servino spoke on the Planners Institute Conference he attended in Sacramento. Commissioner Nieto asked if there was follow-up on Commissioner s Popelka questions on certain properties that he had mentioned at the March meeting. Commissioner Popelka said his questions were answered and said staff is doing a great job. Commissioner Servino asked if there are funds available for sidewalk repair as he was asked by a resident about repairing his sidewalk. Ms. Heideman replied yes and explained the procedure. Commissioner Kaneen asked if the face change had been approved for the bar across the street. She thinks it is tacky. Ms. Heideman replied yes, as long as they don t change the body of the sign. 9. COMMISSIONERS TO ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 4

5 Commissioner Hermenegildo will attend on Monday, May 5, 2008 and Commissioner Kaneen will attend on May 19, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ITEMS Ms. Heideman reported on the good news the birth of Gary Sugano s baby. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Hermenegildo moved to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Commissioner Savidan seconded the motion which carried unanimously. ATTEST: Julia G. Schroder Planning Secretary 5