SuppGreenlawcups831sps7amd28CCmtg 11-9-20(klk)
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY MEMORANDUM
November 9, 2020
TO: City Council
FROM: Department of Environmental Services
SUBJECT: A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM GREENLAW
PARTNERS FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP-S-831), TO OPERATE A WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER AT 400 NATIONAL WAY; A SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT (SP-S-7-AMD #28) TO ALLOW WAREHOUSE & DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN THE MIXED-USE (MU) (SP) ZONE WITHIN THE WEST END SPECIFIC PLAN; ADOPTION OF THE PROJECT’S MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION; ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION; AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
Subsequent to preparation of this staff report, the attached minutes for the October 21, 2020 Planning Commission meeting were approved by consensus of the Commission at the November 5, 2020 Planning Commission meeting.
____________________________________ Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
Prepared by: Naren Gunasekera, Associate Planner
Attachment –Approved Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2020
SUPPLEMENTAL
AGENDA ITEM NO.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MOBILE HOME RENT MEDIATION BOARD TREE ADVISORY BOARD
City Council Chamber October 21, 2020
2929 Tapo Canyon Road Simi Valley, CA 93063
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Simi Valley was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Hodge, Rice and Tolson; Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr.; and Chairperson Mann
Absent: None
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the agenda as submitted.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 7, 2020
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the minutes as submitted.
6. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT – None
7. PUBLIC STATEMENTS – None
8. CORRESPONDENCE
Deputy Environmental Services Director/City Planner Sean Gibson referred to a supplemental staff report dated October 21, 2020 regarding the Tree Report. The supplemental staff report was emailed to the Commission and placed on the dais for review.
Planning Commission Meeting Mobile Home Rent Mediation Board
Tree Advisory Board Minutes - Page 2 October 21, 2020
10. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None
11. NEW BUSINESS – None
A. PUBLIC HEARING
1. CUP-S-831; SP-S-7 AMD #28; Greenlaw Partners: To consider Conditional Use Permit (CUP-S-831) to operate a warehouse and distribution center and Specific Plan Amendment (SP-S-7 Amd#28) to allow warehouse and distribution centers in the MU (SP) zone within the West End Specific Plan; and intent to adopt the project’s Mitigated Negative Declaration
Location: 400 National Way Staff Contact: Naren Gunasekera
(805) 583-6863
The following ex-parte communications were reported:
Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr. disclosed that he received an email from the applicant, but did not respond.
Commissioner Rice disclosed that he received an email from the applicant asking if he had any questions regarding the project. He responded to the email stating that he did not have any questions.
Commissioner Hodge disclosed that he received an email from the applicant, but did not respond.
Deputy Environmental Services Director/City Planner Sean Gibson gave a brief overview of the project.
Associate Planner Naren Gunasekera gave a presentation of the staff report. Chairperson Mann opened the public testimony portion of the hearing.
The Applicants Rob Mitchell and Matthew Goelzer gave a brief presentation of the project. Humberto Quintana and Stephen Maduli-Williams from Amazon discussed Amazon’s business operations and the economic benefits of the project.
Commissioner Hodge asked what the anticipated number of van trips would be per day, i.e., he wanted to know the specific number of van trips per day, excluding other Amazon employees.
Deputy Environmental Services Director/City Planner responded stating that the Trip Generation Memo did not specify the exact number of daily van trips.
Principal Engineer Justin Link responded indicating that number of van trips is directly tied to the number of employees. He added that the vans are considered a single trip. They leave the site, make their deliveries and return to the site. This would be considered a single trip.
Applicant Stephen Maduli-Williams responded estimating that there would be approximately 130 van drivers, and 30 flex drivers.
Commissioner Hodge referred to the Trip General Memo, asking for clarification as to the estimated 110 trips per day stated in the Memo versus the 2,407 trips per day, also stated in the Memo.
Principal Engineer Justin Link responded indicating that the proposed project would generate less trips than the previous use, a fully occupied office. Therefore, the project would generate a net of less than 110 trips per day which is under the threshold for requiring a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis. Commissioner Rice referred to the Tree Report, noting that approximately two dozen trees were graded “F”, for health, structure, and in some cases aesthetics. The applicant responded that said trees could be replaced should the City require same.
There were no members of the public who wished to speak via Zoom. There were no emails received after 5:00 p.m. regarding the project. Chairperson Mann closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Commissioner Tolson noted his concern regarding the “F” rated trees. He stated that he trusted the City’s chosen arborist and staff to rectify this issue.
Assistant City Attorney David Caceres commented it could be conditioned that if there are any trees of poor quality, they must be double-checked by a certified arborist to confirm the health of said trees.
Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr. echoed Commissioner Rice’s concerns regarding “F” rated trees remaining on the project. He commented that it would be in the City’s best interest to replace or remove the “F” rated trees.
Commissioner Rice commented that a lot of the “F” rated trees are Redwood trees, which he feels is the wrong species of tree for the location. Other than the tree issue, Commissioner Rice stated he was in support of the project.
Commissioner Hodge agreed with Commissioner’s Rice’s comments regarding the trees, and asked if the Resolution could be amended to specifically address the removal and replacement of trees throughout the project.
Planning Commission Meeting Mobile Home Rent Mediation Board
Tree Advisory Board Minutes - Page 4 October 21, 2020
Chairperson Mann asked if there was a consensus among the Commission to add a condition which dealt with the issue of removal and replacement of trees. The Commission was in agreement to add Condition *C-10 which would require that the applicant work with staff and the City’s arborist to remove undervalued, i.e. “F” valued trees, and utilize any mitigation values with replacement trees throughout the property.
Commission comments:
Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr. stated that it was a phenomenal project, and a great use for the site.
Commissioner Rice echoed Vice Chairperson Casselberry’s comments. Commissioner Tolson stated he was in favor of the project.
Commissioner Hodge stated that this project is a good use for the proposed site, and he was in support of the project.
Chairperson Mann stated he that this was a good project, as it brings jobs and life into an old abandoned building.
COMMISSIONER RICE MOVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING
TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP-S-831),
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT (SP-S-7 AMD#28) AND ADOPTION OF THE PROJECT’S MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO ALLOW THE
CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF A
WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN AN EXISTING 290,000 S.F. BUILDING FOR THE 43.55 ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT 400 NATIONAL WAY
AND TO ALLOW WAREHOUSE AND
DISTRIBUTION USE IN THE WEST END SPECIFIC PLAN MIXED-USE ZONE, AS AMENDED
Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr. seconded the motion.
AYES: Commissioners Hodge, Rice and Tolson; Vice Chairperson Casselberry, Jr., and Chairperson Mann
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None
The appeal period for the Conditional Use Permit is 14 calendar days.
The appeal period of the Specific Plan Amendment is five calendar days.
B. OTHER – None
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
A. STAFF
Deputy Environmental Services Director/City Planner Sean Gibson advised the Commission of the upcoming agenda for the November 4, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting.
B. PLANNING COMMISSION – None
C. MOBILE HOME RENT MEDIATION BOARD – None
D. TREE ADVISORY BOARD – None
13. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Simi Valley was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is on November 4, 2020.
Minutes prepared by: Jennifer Dodson
