Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Madam Secretary, can we get a roll call, please? Commissioner Fowler, present. Commissioner Rice, here. Commissioner Tjo, here. Here. Here. Commissioner Williams here. Chairman Springs here.

Any communications from staff? Yes, Chair. Um, first, you know, I want to um thank you all for um honoring me and um assistant city manager Chris Jackson. Um with your attendance at our APA conference, California APA conference last uh month. Um hope that you found it rewarding. Um I know you'll probably talk a little bit about it in your remarks at the end of the evening, but u we definitely um were stars of the show. Um and uh I just want to want to thank you for um being open to attending um to hearing to learning and actually getting a taste of what it's like to be a planner. Um you know and so you got to see a little bit of what was underneath the iceberg so to speak. Um, you know, a lot of work goes into the presentation, the the presentations and the staff reports um that we present to you and so you kind of got a little bit of uh of of a taste of the work that we do and and that goes into preparing those for you. So, want to say thank you for for attending. Um, second, we have in in the audience this evening um our newest uh senior planner u Miss Renica Brooks. Um she is going to be she's joining us her she signed her paperwork today so she's official um and [snorts] she begins work Monday um and so wanted to invite her out to meet you um she's been watching us for quite some time so she knows you well um and so we just wanted to um introduce her and we also have in the back um a young man um that has been um he is believe it or not our planning intern and has been doing a phenomenal

job, Mr. James Peralt. Um, and so wanted to um also wanted both of them to come to meet you um and uh get a get a sense of what our planning commission meetings are like. And so um just want to welcome both of them. Thank you because I haven't officially introduced James and welcome. Um and uh lastly, there were just a couple of minor clarifications um to be made to a couple of staff reports. Um item 6A and 6B both have very minor um clarifications that the planners will um clarify during their presentations. And uh lastly um general plan related we um have finished our data collection phase of um our conceptual land use plan. Um all of the comments um from all of our public engagements and community engagements act activities are now up on our website www.nextlevelinglewood.org or www.nextlevelinglewood.org. Go check out the website. Um and so um we're going to be moving into the next phase where of of presenting that information to the GPAC and we'll be bringing a briefing to you um shortly as well as one to the city council as we move into the next phase of our um comprehensive general plan update. Last thing is, do you like your swag?

Very much so. Thank you. All right. I can't wait to see you in it. All right. Um, it's it's winter time, so you guys got some hoodies and and you got to rep the next level next level. So, thank you for helping us get to the next level. And that concludes staff's presentation. I mean, staff remarks. Okay. Very good. And thank you very much, Mr. Bernard. And welcome. It is customary that the people that are coming in for the first time take the entire commissioners out to lunch. So whenever you're ready, we're ready as well.

Okay. Public comments regarding agenda items. Any person wishing to address the planning commission on any items on the agenda other than the public hearing may do so at this time. Just go back to the microphone, give us your name. Seeing hearing none, we're going to close that segment and I'd like to get an approval on our minutes for September I'm sorry for August 6. Could I get an approval, please? So moved. Okay, we have u do I get a second? Second.

Okay, it's been properly moved and second. Call for any questions for the minutes of August 6, 2025. Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I, Commissioner Rice. I, Commissioner Tjo. I, Commissioner Sha Williams. I, Chairman Springs, I I'd like to get an approval for, sorry, I'd like to get a motion for the minutes for September 3rd, 2025. So moved. I second.

Okay, I got a second. Call for any questions hearing. None. We'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I. Commissioner Rice. Abstain. Commissioner Tjo. Hi. Commissioner Sha Williams. Hi. Chairman Springs. Hi.

Madam Secretary. Our first item, please. Item 6A, public hearing. A continued public hearing to consider an application by Gary Lee for special use permit number 24-000026 SUP 240026 to allow the expansion of a drive-thru and construction of a 30 square foot addition to an existing 3,615 square foot freestanding fast food restaurant that is part of a shopping center on an approximately 58,797 square ft HC historic core property at 401 East Manchester Boulevard. Chairman, the file is present and notice has been given in a time as required by law. Planner Shawn May is present to do a short staff presentation. Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. For the record, on page two of the staff report, there's a reference to an incorrect code section requiring special use permanent approval for the expansion of a drive-thru and single tenant fast food restaurant. The correct code section should read 12-31.46 um five letter B and then two and three.

Can you do that one more time, please? Yeah. Um, so there's a reference. The code section is supposed to read 12-31.46. That under discussion. Yes.

The subject site for this special use permit is located at 401 East Manchester Boulevard. This SUP request is for an expansion of existing single tenant fast food restaurant and a drive-thru. On February 5th, 2025, the applicant requested that the item be continued. On September 18th, 2025, the plane division approved a variance to reduce the required queuing capacity from the code required eight vehicles to five vehicles as measured from the order point. The applicant also conducted a queuing study as part of this variance process. The property is zoned HC Historic Core. Properties to the north are residential senior apartments. Neighboring uses to the east are a mix of multiple family residential and a service station. And the properties to the south and west are multiple tenant general commercial uses. The restaurant is part of a multiple tenant commercial shopping center. The existing fast food restaurant contains a single lane drive-thru and eight on-site parking spaces. The existing drive-thru offers space for only one car beyond the order point as seen at the top left. The proposed drive-through plan adds an additional lane allowing space for five vehicles to queue beyond the order point. The plan also removes three parking spaces at the east of the building and replaces two with order pickup stalls beyond the drive-through pickup point as shown on the right. So those are the spaces where you can wait for your order while without taking up uh drive-thru uh time. There is also a 30 square foot addition to the fast food restaurant to move the payment window to allow additional area for vehicles to queue within the drive-thru. This is at the far left side of the building and it allows an

additional lane uh car to queue within the drive-thru. This enlarged view shows the additional lane and second order point. The plan also shows the relocation of the trash enclosure from the northeast corner of the lot to the to adjacent to the building and adjacent to the order point as well. The proposed trash enclosure contains a 6-ft concrete masonry wall with a plaster finish and a 6ft galvanized steel door painted to match the building. This floor plan shows the 30-foot addition that relocates the payment window, allowing additional space for a vehicle to queue. The addition will match the restaurant's existing finish and be painted to match. The applicant is proposing a new landscaping around the order points utilizing a mixture of five gallon shrubs including pink dancers, New Zealand flax, compact xyosma var variegated flax lily, foxtail agave and blush pink nandina. As condition, the proposed project will serve as an enhancement to the n to its neighborhood setting and will be compatible with the surrounding area. The project is consistent with the land use elements of the general plan. The project is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation and I'm available to answer any questions the commission might have. The applicant is also here tonight to answer any questions.

Okay, very good. Thank you. We're going to open up questions for you. First of all, we're going to start with Commissioner Fowler. No questions for Sean. Thank you. Good job. I'll save mine for the applicant, sir. Commissioner Rice, just want to make sure I clearly understood. that you're only going to rem be removing two parking spaces because it looks like you're still going to have four, right? So, there's only one net loss if we're counting the two that are So, there's eight on site. There's three being removed from the second order point and two are being replaced after. So, it's a net loss of one.

Okay. Questions for the applicant, but I'm going to ask staff first. Um, there's an [clears throat] area, if you go to your site plan, there's an area where pedestrians actually cross where the traffic comes through on the drive-thru. Yes.

And that area had already been a challenge at that restaurant. Um, because you have folks coming out of this line here, buying their food, pulling forward because they're being pressured by people behind them, and then they have to they're checking their water. They're not checking it at the window because it's too much pressure. And they'll drive through and check the orders and their bags and heads are down. And I saw that happen today. Today when I went there, you have folks that are coming out of the McDonald's checking their orders, walking through the pedestrian crosswalk in front of the cars, heads down. The most important thing we have to have is in that intersection where the pedestrian walkway there, there has to be some type of a warning or notice to folks that um or maybe to the traffic to have the traffic slow down or or watch or a light or crossing or some warning that people are walking across because now you're going to intensify by putting even more traffic through that drive-thru. So like a signage

like a signage um probably you know when you cross the street sometimes they'll have those flashing yellow lights you know there's a pedestrian here maybe something like that because if you're looking in your bag you may not be cognizant of looking up and reading the sign pedestrian crossing right now there's nothing yeah and that can be conditioned uh during the process okay that's all treasure trail um I guess a question to staff. How many um parking spaces not just in McDonald's but that whole area there?

So that whole area it meets the code required uh to plan. Uh there is a reduction in parking because it's in to uh plan. The shopping center it meets the requirement the number of spaces within the whole one. Um I don't have that number on me right now but I can uh figure that one out for you because that is on a separate parcel as well. They're tied lots

and and the reason I'm asking that and this probably could be answered by the applicant also. You have 10 to 12 employees per shift. Where are the employees directed to park? Because if they park on site then they take they take the part the customer parking spaces. Yeah. as of right now, since it meets the code requirement, um it's allowed per our regulations.

Okay. So perhaps the uh the uh applicant can uh remind his employees uh maybe not to take away some of the customer parking spaces, but in some of the other parking areas there that need meet need code requirements.

Yeah. Just uh [clears throat] just also a quick note is that there is a public parking lot across the street directly across the street one at Locust um in Manchester that that would be available for um employee parking should that need arise. Um I would also um want want to add um part of the reason why this project was continued um was to allow the applicant to work with staff um a little bit closer um as it relates to um the design of the drive-thru um the number of cars being queued um and there there was there was a lot of back and forth. You talk about the the iceberg. Um it it it took a lot of work to get here and I I I actually commend the applicant for being open and flexible um enough to work with staff um to to get us to this point. Um there were a number of iterations that had gone back and forth um throughout the this this the development of of this site plan that you see before you. um including um the uh turnout areas for you to wait for your food sometimes um when when the drive-thru or when it takes a little bit longer for it to cook. Um so there was there was a lot of intention intentionality that went into um this design and um to to make it as functional as possible given the space limitations associated with the the lot size which is what prompted the variance. And so, um, I would just wanted to to, um, say thank you to this

to the applicant, um, for being open to, um, work with us, um, as it relates to the design of this this project. Thank you, Commissioner Shaw Williams. No questions at this time. Thank you. Okay, I have no questions. If the applicant is here, um, please give us your name and tell us about this particular project, please. Going. Yeah. My name is Robert Priest um with Design UA representing McDonald's and the property owner as well as the franchisee that runs that store. What did you say your name was again?

Uh Robert Priest. Um first again thank thank you to Sean for kind of getting working through this process with us. Um, like the director mccrumby said, it's been you see the tip of the iceberg, not everything below. So staff was amazing working through this with us. Again, concessions on our side, concessions on the city side. Um, that's why we went to the zoning variance process and everything else. Um, but really wanted to kind of present it to you um, kind of from the overall what you're seeing obviously today. And the reason we're doing this project is it's it's a site that is pretty small and given what the drive-through capacity is doing um at trying to get it up to speed for what the public expects of a drive-thru and of the McDonald's themselves um is is really why we're looking at this one. We remodeled the inside of this one um I believe last year. So bringing the new fresh public experience the inside and now getting the drive-thru up to speed also. So adding the second order point um not only from our customer standpoint but really from a public safety standpoint is a critical one for us um like Sean was saying we can only quue one car today behind the order board and then you're starting to impact parking the drive aisles everything else in the mornings once it gets to eight cars now you're stacking out on to the the main street out there. Um so with the second order point with the building addition to space the windows correctly. So, a car is not getting stuck trying to pay because another car is blocking the cash register. Um, and then also having the two stalls forward. So, when we do have larger orders, we can pull them up there. Staff can walk out, deliver food to them, but the drive-through can keep moving um for any orders while those larger ones are getting prepared. So, it really starts from basically the minute you get on site all the way to exiting. Um and then to touch

base real quick just regarding Commissioner Rice. Um whatever staff and the commission feels that on that pedestrian path we need to do, we're open to it. If we need to do sign painting, high visibility crosswalk, um whatever kind of you feel obviously public safety is our biggest thing. So we're not opposed to any of those conditions. So any questions that you have for me on it, feel free to ask. Yes, we do have some questions for you. We're going to start off with Commissioner Fowler.

Thank you, Mr. chair. Um, Mr. Priest, uh, can you start by telling me how I do agree with you? I do attend this McDonald's, so I do appreciate the increase because it is a public safety issue. I agree. Um, talk to me about how this new out uh model will impact uh the disability access. uh disability access on which point from the the ordering standpoint or from all points access to it all points.

Yeah. So when we do these um projects by the end of the construction the site and the interior of the building is 100% compliant to disabilities. Um we have cast on staff that we pull in to do the post kind of construction reports. So, we'll be looking at everything from the path of travel coming from the sidewalk onto the property across the drive-thru lanes, um the disability, um at the speaker orders, making sure those there correct signage. Um the interior, again, we did the interior last year, so that's already been brought up to standard. So, now this will be the kind of exterior component to bring the whole project and parcel up to compliance.

Did this increase did this change the parking for disability at all? Uh we're we're we're redoing the parking in order to make it accessible and meet current standards. Okay. Thank you. And then now would you share with me how this new model uh impacts the current security? What if anything has changed as far as security cameras whatever?

Yeah, that relative that remains the same. Um the facilities themselves are pretty um technology savvy on what security is. So, we tend to have cameras on the order points so we can see what's happening in the drive-through lanes um just to avoid any conflict between customers. Then, um staff can they're they're all burst and train the the managers um how to intervene on that and contact public safety, anything need to do there. Um but yeah, security is always one of our top priorities exterior and interior of the restaurants. This plan also does show the location of the cameras uh in red. You can see them here. And there's a total of 17 on site.

Thank you. Um, okay. I probably though would definitely agree with the uh condition for the signage crossing or signal or whatever uh for my approval. Thank you. No further questions. Great. Mr. Commissioner Rice. Mr. Price. the um your queueing is showing at the end of the last parking space on the east side. However, this particular McDonald's, it actually queues all the way out to Manchester from time to time, which makes it problematic for people that are trying to park on the east side of your building. Do you have any type of resolve or does this give you some relief from that?

Yeah, I'll give I'll give you the high-end level. Um, if you want to get the technical side, um, Robert Vu with Urban Crossroads, they're a traffic engineer for the project. Um, they've worked with us and staff kind of through it, um, to talk the overall queuing. And Robert, maybe you want to come up, you can talk actual numbers. I I believe when we did the queuing analysis, we were what was our peak? We were at eight or 11. Yeah. So 11 was our peak Q. Um, and with 11 PEQ the way it's set up today, now you're out onto Manchester. Um, with this, we peak Q, I believe 11, two, three, four, six. Yeah, we peak 11 without even impacting parking. Um, so as long as the numbers stay the same and that's our peak based on the study, then now we're queuing on site where we were not doing that per year or prior to this

um by adding that second order lane. It goes kind of 10fold. So it not only putting it in does that help, but optimizing the drive-through lane with the two ordering plus the window spacing now we'll push cars through probably twice as fast as we do today. So that the queue is actually going to be less because you're moving them through pretty much twice as fast. Okay. And moving them through twice as fast. I want to make sure everyone understands you don't have any vehicular indicators having cars on the far right side on the exit end, but you actually have two driveways over there on the far right side. That's that's a pickup area on the left side where you have the cars after they pass the pay window. Is that correct?

Yeah. What those are, we use them for uh larger orders or anything that's starting to slow down the drive-thru. And on the far right side of that, you're going to have traffic coming also parallel to those cars. Correct. Yes. That's nine what? 9 foot 9 in.

Yeah. And so we widen it. Um I don't I can't see what the actual dimension is. It's not on there. But typically our drive-through lanes are are at least 10 feet on each lane. So probably 20 feet. Um the two cars that's shown there, those are obviously stationary cars. Until they get their order and start moving. Um so as they're checking their order, they're stationary. Again, we're open to staff and working with staff or whatever the commission wants to condition it to do whatever we need to in order to make sure that there's public safety there for the cars um as they're going to alert them that there is public crossing that crosswalk. Alert. Alert both the drivers as well as the pedestrians crossing. Correct. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. No further questions. Chair M Tra.

Yes. I just want to expand a little bit on on employee parking and what if anything you uh direct your employees uh uh where to go or or what not to do on the site. Yeah. And my apologies. I didn't talk to the operator that runs the store on what they're experienced today. So, um, but I can speak in general what we normally do on sites that are are small and do have limited parking. Um, like you said, if we have a staff of typically around 10 employees at a store like this, um, probably about 50% are using either public transit or getting drop off.

Um, so they're not using their vehicle to get to the to the store because this one even today is very limited on parking. My assumption is they're probably already using that public lot that's across the street or they have an agreement with the shopping center on where to park. So they're not parking in the direct proximity to the McDonald's itself because again the spaces are limited in what they're doing. So we we also don't want all the staff parking there. So we try to free them up as much as we can for employees. If there's any concern on it, again, we can condition that the operator needs to make sure that employees are being accounted for for parking either offsite or away from the proximity of the restaurant.

Okay. Thank you, Commissioner [snorts] Shaw Williams. Hi, Mr. Priest. Um, my concern is I've experienced restaurants uh that have, you know, two driveways coming in to order food. Uh, when is your high traffic uh hours usually at this particular McDonald's? Robert, what was our what was our peak time on this one? Was around seven in the a.m. Oh, this one's a PM. Okay. Yeah. So, the peak on this one was 4 to 6 p.m.

was when we were seeing the highest volumes. 4 to 6:00 pm. So, my experience is that sometimes they have to use uh the employees to assist through that drive-thru with those two entries coming in. Do you find yourself maybe having to do that? Yeah. With the cars coming in? Yeah. So, we we have a few different options that we can normally do. um that four to six window, it's not like that is the 11 car peak during that time. Most of the time that's only like a 15 to 30 minute run.

Um so if it gets to that point and we worked with staff and there's some stuff in the traffic report or the queuing analysis, majority of the time the two order points is going to be fine. We won't have to deploy an employee out there to help push it through. If we get to a point where we start queuing past what you're seeing on screen, we can either deploy an employee outside to start using a handheld to speed it up also. Um and then if again if it starts to queue where it's blocking parking, we have some temporary stuff in there um that we work with the city on where we'll deploy cones to start to direct traffic so it doesn't become a traffic problem.

But we don't anticipate needing to do that. uh that we feel pretty much what you see here is what you're going to get 99% of the time. And so all orders are going to be done through um the speakers. No. Okay. Correct. And preview boards, is that just showing all the items available on the menu? Yeah. So the preview board is typically showing either specialy items or advertising items. um if there's special meal deals or anything else to advertise to the public, hey, here there's a two for one thing going on or use the app to get discounts or deals, that's what the preview board is typically for. Okay, thank you. No further questions.

Okay, thank you. I just have a a couple questions. I'm looking at Manchester. So, is that an entrance into the area on Manchester? How do how does the how does one car come in? Where do they enter? The parking lot or is it on Manchester? Yeah, the property line splitting it in half, but that's the driveway. You see kind of half of the driveway. Um it's a car in car out kind of at that at that location. So there's only one way in and one way out. Is that correct? Nearest the McDonald's. Yes. As you go further down the center, there's another driveway down there for Can you show it to me, Sean? So I can see it.

Entry in it. There's one. There's actually there two in that's going on Hillrest. So we're not talking about near the restaurant itself. We're talking about through the parking lot. There's two on Manchester. Three. There's three. Oh yeah, there's three one as well. So yeah, there's a third one in the center also. Those driveways were already there.

Correct. Well, I'm actually speaking of Can you bring back the photograph near the restaurant, the buildup? Yes. So, for the for a vehicle to come out, they have to come out and they have to exit either onto Manchester or go through the parking lot and exit on Hillrest. Is that correct? Yes. So your buildup is near as we go inside and circle around. That's where the buildup is going to be. Yes. The the addition. Yes. Right there.

Okay. Very good. No further questions. Okay. Is any further questions from the commissioners? Uh Commissioner Fowler, just a comment. Uh I do appreciate the landscaping consideration. Uh I think that will enhance the property and therefore uh enhance that whole parking area. That's that commercial uh so your residents uh the businesses rather will probably like that because it'll give them a little more visibility as well. So thank you. No further comments. Commissioner Rice, no questions. Chairman, Commissioner Tjo, no further questions. Thank you. Commissioner Shaw Williams. No further questions.

Uh my question would be is there going to be any construction any demos to the building itself? There's only an addition to it. So I mean the wall to come down and expand it, but that's that's okay. Very good. Thank you. Okay. If there's other Is there a motion on the floor? There's a motion. Move that. We have one second. Sorry. We missed a step. I did miss a step. We've been away too long, you know. Yeah, we out of practice, huh? [laughter] No more time off for you.

I'd like to open it up for anyone who uh was for or against this particular project, you can go to the mic, give us your name, and tell us your reasoning. Hearing seeing none, we're going to close that segment. Now, can I get a motion? I move that we affirm category exemption EAC 2025-00004 and adopt a resolution approving SUP 240026 with an additional condition that we put a lot of emphasis in the planning division on notifying pedestrians on any crossways between traffic and notifying the vehicular traffic also that there are pedestrians crossing.

I have another condition. Okay, this was the motion. So, we need to second. Okay, we got a second on the motion. And you have a condition? Yes. You want to I'd like to hear it. Okay. The condition I'd like to have on the motion is to direct employees to to direct employees on the shift to parking spaces that are not directly on site. You accept her condition. If if this body can Yeah. Okay. I accept the condition. Thank you.

You second. You accept this. Okay. Very good. It's been properly moved to second. Call for any questions. Hearing none. We'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I. Commissioner Rice. I. Commissioner Tjo. I. Commissioner Sha Williams. I. Chairman Springs. Hi, Mr. Combo. Chairman, the the [clears throat] applicant or anyone may appeal um tonight's decision um within 20 days by filing a written notice of appeal along with the appeal fee.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. Item number 6B. Thank you. Item 6B, [clears throat] a continued public hearing to consider an application by Erica Diaz for special use permit number two 25-000015 SUP 2500 15 to allow the sale of beer and wine for offsite consumption for an existing service station convenience market on an MU-C mixeduse corridor zone property at 633 West Manchester Boulevard.

Chairman and file is present and notice has been given in a time and form as required by law. Assistant planner Brian Espinosa is available to do a short staff presentation. And I believe this is Brian's first it is planning commission presentation. So, don't give him too hard of a time. [laughter] He can take it. No breaks here.

Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. Uh, for the record, on page four of the staff report, there is a duplicate address on table one for the Arco service station. The correct address should read 1110 West Manchester Boulevard. Okay. The subject site is located at 633 West Manchester Boulevard and is located within the Westchester Veterans TOD area with the zoning designation of mixeduse corridor. The uses surrounding the subject site to the west, south, and east are commercial. The uses to the north of the subject site are residential. On November 3rd, 1999, special use permit 847 was partially approved to convert an auto repair building into a convenience market. The special use permit also included a request to allow the offsite sale of beer and wine. The request was denied due to the crime rate in the census tract being more than twice the city's average as well as an overconentration of existing alcohol licenses in the area which exceeds the threshold set by the by ABC. On March 6, 2002, the planning commission approved special use permit 913 to allow a 115 square foot addition to the convenience market. On October 7th, 2009, the planning commission denied special use permit 1098 to allow the sale of beer and wine for offsite consumption. The denial was based on three key factors. the over

concentration of existing beer and wine licenses within the census tract, the subject site being within 600 feet of a playground and church, and the fact that the location falls within a high crime reporting district with rates exceeding the city average. In September of 2024, Beer's Legacy Partners filed for a business license for a change of ownership. The business continues to operate as a service station with a convenience market. On August 5th, the planning commission continued the public hearing at the request of the applicant. The subject's site is located on the northeast corner of Manchester Boulevard and Ash Avenue. A 20 foot wide alley is situated along the northern property line providing a buffer between the subject site and the adjacent residential properties. The exist the existing service station is developed with six pumping islands containing a total of 12 fuel pumps under an approximately 4,800 square ft canopy. The site also comprises of a 2600 ft convenience market. The subject site may be accessed by pedestrians from Manchester Boulevard and Ash Avenue. There are 24 on-site parking spaces with four vehicular entrances. The existing 2600 square foot market includes approximately 294 square ft of cooler space dedicated to non-alcoholic beverages, four shelving units for snacks and groceries, and an additional shelf containing prepared meals. The convenience market operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, providing customers with access to a wide range of products and services at all hours. The

market is staffed by six employees who cover operations across the 24-hour period. The applicant proposes to expand the beverage options within the service station convenience market through the sale of beer and wine for off-site consumption. The proposal includes the installation of a four-door cooler that will occupy approximately 79 square ft to display beer and wine. The total space used for alcohol occupies less than 3% of the total convenience store floor area. The coolers containing alcohol will be kept locked and open for customers by employees on an asneeded basis. There are a total of 24 security cameras located on site. 16 cameras are located on the interior. Eight are located on the exterior to ensure the safety of employees and patrons. Alcoholic beverages will be sold daily with sales permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. No modifications to the site are proposed for this request. ABC allows three offsale licenses for this census tract. There are currently eight active licenses. Three of the eight are service stations. A public convenience or necessity finding is required due to the overconentration of ABC licenses within the census tract. The applicant has submitted a public convenience or necessity letter for the commission's review and approval. Since the planning commission last denied the request in 2009, one offsite license has been issued within the census tract. The crime reporting data for this district can be found on attachment six

of the staff report, which shows crime rates have decreased since the last two special use permits requests, indicating a downward trend in criminal activity. The crime statistics in the 1998 special use permit requests reported a total of 198 crimes. In the 2009 request 149 as of this year 124. The site is developed in accordance with the existing zoning and development standards for the TOD mixeduse corridor zone. The project is consistent with the Westchester Veterans TOD and a categor categorical exemption has been filed and the project is exempt from further environmental review. Uh, this concludes my presentation and I'm available to answer any questions the planning commission might have. The property owner and the um applicant are here to answer any questions.

Okay. Very good. Good job. Open it up for questions for you. First of all, Commissioner Ber. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, my first question I want to make sure I understood you. Did uh I know we denied. Are you telling me that something was approved since the denial? That's correct. Let me check the table. Arya's Mini Mart at 400 West Manchester was approved in 2021. Okay. But nothing has been approved since then. No.

Okay. And then uh I did have a question about the uh recommendation that the alcohol was going to be consistently locked. Is that correct? That's right. Which would be unique compared to the other businesses in the area because I've been to several of them. I know nothing's locked. Okay. Uh my other questions will be for the applicant, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Commissioner Rice, do you recall if AR's mini mark was denied by this body?

The applica's mini mark, the only other one that came in in 2021. Yes. Was that appeal to council? Yes, it was denied by this body and was overturned at council. Thank you. Okay. The um has the crime rate in the census track improved from what you the crime rates have decreased since the 2009 request? Yeah. And the school is is the school still there and the church still there in the same location which was the reason it was denied before?

There are actually two churches. one across the street um on the northwest corner of Ash and Manchester. That one was demolished. It's currently under construction to be an electric vehicle charging station. And the other church on Queen Street is still still open. And as per ABC, three licenses are the recommendation for this census track. Correct. And we currently have eight. Yes. And are you aware of the public convenience and necessity for this or should perhaps I'll ask the applicant that question. No further questions. Chairman. Okay. Very good. Commissioner Trey.

Yes. I wanted to ask about as soon as I bring it up on sheet A2. Can you bring that up, please? Okay. Um, [snorts] up on the left hand corner where there's an ice freezer and right next to the freezer is an exit. [snorts] Is that an emergency exit or is it Yes, it's an emergency exit.

Okay. But can I guess what I'm looking at is if the alcoholic beverages are in the alcohol storage walk-in cooler, the the probability of anything being taken from there and then they go out the exit. Can you can you tell from what you've seen? Is that something that may happen or could happen?

Uh, yes, it could happen, but they could also walk out the front door, too. Well, [laughter] well, that's But it it seems to me that there would be an easier route to go out.

Yeah. from there because I was looking at where the cashier is. It does not appear, at least from the map, the the plan that floor plan that I'm looking at that that direct they have a direct line of sight to the uh to the alcohol storage cooler. And it seems that it would be a quicker exit to grab something and go out the uh emergency exit. [snorts] So, um [clears throat] the the applicant would be required to go through a tenant improvement site plan review. And so, um this this the location where the um alcohol is currently displayed could change um if if if at the planning commission's um direction you would like to see it located somewhere different. Um I'm just looking at the looking at the site plan or or the floor plan. There is a cashier uh window or station that looks down the main floor. So if you look across the floor has a direct line of sight to the coolers. But I do see the concern. Um not exactly sure what the um the uh lock um or security configuration is at that back door. Um but that's something that we can take into consideration and condition appropriately should that be something that you're inclined to do. Well, because I do recall, I know there's a new owner now, but I do recall the when it came before the commission and we denied it then really was because of the sensitive uh surroundings and the high crime rate and the overconentration

of liquor licenses. And so that's why I'm I'm uh thinking that this area even though it's gone down, crime rate has gone down a little bit, a tiny bit that uh you know there's the strong probability of [snorts] not good things happening with the way it's set up now. Yeah. Or even of them selling liquor there. Thank you. And definitely understand that. Um as the [clears throat] commission deliberates just would like to also um remind them or you that we we are um 2009 we didn't have into it sofi the form was not

that's true right anywhere in the in the atmosphere of where it is today and so um we're we're going to um have to continue to take those things into consideration understanding that people are coming more and more people are coming into our city um to um enjoy the destinations that we have. Um but but there are also more people who are um moving into the city, right? And and these create these this the convenience of the store creates um an opportunity for someone to get some gas and go home as they're leaving from work. So with a six-pack,

right, with their six-pack. And so I'm not and and I don't I'm not advocating for the project, but I do want to just remind you kind of of where we are as a city in comparison to where we were in 1998 and also in 2009. Um, and so with with I'm encouraged by the work that our police department is doing um, and seeing that we have a decrease in crime with an increase in the amount of people that are traversing our city on a day-to-day basis. Um, and so um, that that is a testament to our police department and um, and you know uh, the work that's being done here in the city. So,

okay. I don't want to go too long, but but I was referring to 2021 when the commission Yes. turned them down and at that point we did have SoFi and it was really and I understand it's really a part of of uh trying to see if we can level the playing field. Let me ask you this. What is where does the exit go? That back exit.

That exit leads to the parking lot, the customer parking lot. All the more reason to be concerned. [laughter] Yeah. Show me on there. [snorts] And where's the exit to the street at? Right above it. Are located to the east on Manchester and then the south on Ash. So the exit doesn't face any streets. Okay. So, they would have to

So, if they if they were to do something, then it they would maybe grab something, run to their car, and then drive out to the street and then get on the freeway. Very fast. Okay. All right. Thank you, Commissioner Shaw Williams. Uh, no questions. I'll reserve mine for the applicant. Thank you. Is my question is this this service station is that an Arco station or what is it? Yes, it's an ARCO station. Is that near the 405 freeway? Yeah.

So you have a Starbucks not Starbucks? Yeah, Starbucks over there is near Ash. Is that correct? It's closer to um Cedar. Cedar Street. Cedar, which means that's the last street before you get to the freeway. Ash Avenue is the last street before the 405 freeway. Okay. So, I'll ask the applicant then. Thank you very much. Good job. [laughter]

Okay. If the applicant is here, please give us your name and tell us about your particular project. I have a question for you. Was this this this uh station was it an auto repair shop as well? It was it was originally a service station with an auto shop. Uh one of the special use permits back in in ' 98 was to convert the auto shop to a convenience market. Okay.

Okay. Good evening, uh, commissioners, chair. Um, it's been a really long time since I've been in front of the planning commission, um, for the city of Inglewood. It's been a long time. Um, so happy to be here. Um, and appreciate all of you being here. Uh, my name is Erica Woods Diaz and I'm from Woods Diaz Group, 1142 South Diamond Bar Boulevard in the city of Diamond Bar. I am the representative of the new property owner and um, we're excited to be here. Um, thank you very much, Brian, for all your hard work. Um, he was a pleasure to work with and we have no issues with the staff report. We agree with it. It's very accurate. Um, we are asking for a special use permit to allow the sale of beer and wine for off-site uh consumption in conjunction with the uh convenience store. Um, as far as any of the operations, the co-owner of the property, Nathan, is here. Um, happy to answer any of your questions. [snorts]

Okay. My question to you is we want to know the commission wants to know why would we want to approve this beer and wine license? Why do why would we want to do it? How do would it benefit the community by having this? Okay. Well, the previous I know the concern because there was previous denials on the case and there's according to um ABC there's only three licenses that are allocated for that census track. However, customers are asking the applicant for it.

Um they are um very understanding about the privilege of having an alcohol license. They are um they have about 20 stations or 25 stations throughout Southern California, Arco stations, same owners um here. Um 20 of those stations have alcohol licenses and they are all held with privilege and they are very responsible uh owners. Um, and they also have um a stake in the community. This is not their only place that they have in the city of Englewood. They uh have a station with a convenience store with an approved special use permit from the city of Inglewood on um Imperial Highway. and they've been operating that for years with respect um and with no um negative impacts to the community. So, they're just asking for a chance. I do understand when there's alcohol, there's a negative thought that goes along with it, but there are things that can mitigate that. They're doing their best. They're going to have locked coolers where only the employees have access. Um the issue with the coolers um from Miss uh uh Commissioner Tjo had a concern. Maybe those can be moved to alleviate any of that concern. Um he's here to show to you that he's a responsible person. Um that he understands the privilege and he's just asking for a chance. There's sunset clauses that can be put on as a condition that could bring this applicant back in a couple years if that that is something that is um agreeable to the commission for

another review to make sure that they really are abiding by the rules. And um if you have any questions for Nathan, he's here to answer. Okay, we're going to open it up for questions for you. We're going to open up. We're going to start with Commissioner Fowler. You have any questions?

Uh, yes. be in your best interest if we pull up the graph that shows the actual store and maybe you or Nathan can share with us uh the process based on your recommendation of uh someone wanting to purchase let's just say a six-pack. Where would that be or could it be physically located? Uh and then how would the uh how many employees do you usually have? Approximately two to three on

three to four. So the employee would the customer would have to ask for what they wanted, show their proper credentials, and then the employee would go and get it and bring it to the cashier. So kind of show us what was your original intent of where you would place the locked uh items or where could they possibly be? cons if there's a concern about exit although if they've gone through all that process if it's locked I don't know how they get it other than an employee but go ahead correct so um this is not a new thing that we're doing this is the same thing that we do at your other store

at our gas station on Imperial in Yukon so it's just basically a buzzer system so it's a buzzer kind of like you know you're going into the vault at the bank you need to buzz the door to open So, our employees need to buzz any type of beer door to open. So, it's kind of like magnet locked. And exactly like what you said, the customer would come, they'd pay for their beer, they showed their identification, and then we would buzz them to open the door. So, no one can come in and open up a door of beer.

Okay. Well, I will say to [clears throat] your credit, I'm glad that uh Miss Woods was able to explain that you have other businesses. How long have you had the Imperial location? So, um we came actually in front of the council back in 2018. So, since 2018, you've had the Imperial location. Yeah. So, I don't know if you recall the corner. It was actually a burned down gas station that had been sitting down, you know, burned down. I've been to that station.

Yeah. And, uh, with your guys' blessing, and it's great to see Bernard again. Um, we got, uh, the city's blessing to purchase that property, and we developed it from scratch, uh, into what you guys see here today. Um, and, uh, about a year ago, we had the opportunity to purchase this station. And uh for lack of better words, we we love the city of Inglewood. Uh we're really committed to the growth there. And uh what's very unique about this location, we really serve a little bit of everything. Um as Mr. Espinosa said, we have housing to the back. We have a hotel across the street and we're really the first gas station um as people exit Manchester to come into whether it's Sofi, whether it's the Forum, whether it's into it. So, we really take pride in keeping this place kind of like a uh the green thumb of the community as their first uh kind of like their first site. Um, so we've been getting a lot of uh I don't want to use the word demand, but a lot of uh people asking,

you know, hey, you know, you got the hot dogs, we're heading to the game.

Yeah, I understand. And the competitive of being able to provide the same thing as everybody else. I I get that. Uh I think to your credit though, I am taking in consideration that you've invested in the community and apparently there has been no problems before. Um I would probably if I were to do this would add a stipulation of an annual review uh just to make sure that things stay as they are. I do like the fact that the other one is locked also so you know the process of how to do that. Okay, I have no further questions. Hey, pretty good. Thank you,

Commissioner Rice. Nathan, I think it is right. Correct. Yes. Okay. How long have you been using this electromagnetic locking system? Have you been? Uh, so we use it in a lot of our locations. So, um, as you guys can tell, I'm a really large RCO operator

and, uh, I used to have a site back in the day in the city of Compton. So, um, I've been using these for over 10 years. This is like, uh, you know, we we're not really selling beer in a sense that we want to create havoc for our employees. because we want to create havoc for the community, but there are responsible people that want to come and, you know, uh, buy a bite. So, uh, we don't, you know, at the same thing, I kind of like how Miss Tjo said, we don't want people to come in and take the beer and [clears throat] walk out the back door.

So, that's why we're suggesting this. It's not, you know, someone else saying, "Hey, come in here and, you know, do this." We're suggesting this ourselves. We're experienced business owners. We know what it takes to operate a successful gas station, whether it be in Englewood, whether it be in LA, whether it be in um you know, San Bernardino. So, uh we're we're very happy with this. We've been doing it for over 10 years. Yeah, maybe it creates a little bit of extra work for our employees, but truthfully, we think it's it's worth it. Is there um so you've been working with this system a long time. Um, if you had to improve upon it, is this a xener of systems or if you can improve improve upon it, what would you potentially do?

I want to say through our past 10 years, it's been pretty good. I mean, for lack of a better word, sometimes when there's a will, there's a way. So, if a guy is really crazy and he really wants to open up the door, you know, it probably could be opened, but we haven't really had any problems. Thank God. I was out. I'm back in. Thank you. Mr. Trail,

now you sound like a very responsible business owner, Nathan. And I bring up some of these concerns because I can tell you are a responsible business owner. Um, [snorts] and I know that even since n since 2021, Englewood has continued to progress. And yes, we have a different playing field now. And we're really trying to give an opportunity to all of our business owners because if we want our entertainment district to be successful, then some of the supporting businesses need to be successful, too. again because of the crime rates that they've had in the past. I want to make sure that that this unique site because it is very unique. It's different from I think Imperial is the Imperial site next to a freeway. So this is why there's a big concern for me here because of its unique site, its proximity to the freeway. Um now tell me how your exit door works. Uh, unfortunately it has to be left open at all times because of emergencies.

Um, but I will say we're a fully operating business right now. We don't really have any problems with the emergency door. We have Okay. So, right, excuse me for interrupting. So, the exit door is not locked. I mean, you just push it open if there's an emergency or something and you have to go out. For fire department regulation, it has to stay open. Okay, that I understand. Now explain to me how again how your cashier you can have two to three employees. We do have two.

Okay. Somebody comes in and says I want a six-pack. So they put the order in in essence to the cashier. The one of the other employees go goes to the the cooler gets the six-pack and then comes back. Either that or they can buzz the door open from behind the register for the for the customer. Oh, so they'll buzz it open for the customer to get it. Uh if let's say for example one of the employees is on lunch break and there isn't anyone else, they have the capability to buzz it open.

Oh well. Okay. Well, um, [snorts] so they can buzz it open and the person can grab the the six-pack and go out the exit door. I know it maybe has not happened in the past and hopefully it won't happen in the future, but I'm just trying to get a good feel of the setup because now it made it [snorts] um a little less safe, if that's how I want to put it, knowing that somebody can buzz it open. I would prefer that that somebody asks for a six-pack, one of the employees goes to get the six-pack and then bring it to the cash register and not have somebody basically open it and then they can just grab whatever. Can it be set up that way?

Uh, we don't have that set up in any of our our other stores that way. But you have to understand this is a unique site. At least in my opinion, it's a unique site. [snorts] I agree. It's an amazing site. It's very It's a unique It's an amazing unique site that has the ability for somebody to that wants to do bad things, can do bad things, and do a quick getaway.

I mean, [snorts] I will say we do take everything into consideration. I'm sure you guys have been to some, you know, for example, like a Ralph's during the holiday time. They have, you know, great floor displays, you know, advertising whether it's, you know, Cinco de Mayo or um, you know, whatever holiday it may be at the time. Uh, we we're not allocating anything for floor space. All we're putting the beer in are those four doors. They're going to be locked at all times. And regardless of I want to say the person opening it or the employee opening, it can only be authorized to open by the employee.

Um, no further questions right now. Thank you. Okay, very good. Commissioner Shaw Williams, are are these locked wine and beer refrigerators are they throughout your Arco stations? All your ARO stations have them or do you just have them at certain locations? Certain locations. And why is that? Uh just due to problems that the area brings.

So you feel this area brings a problem that you're having the need to have this uh locked up your beer and wine? I wouldn't say that, but I think kind of going back on on Miss Tjo, it is a freeway location. We have it in our other store in this city. So, uh, and it's worked for us there. So, we're just continuing, you know, successful business methods.

Excuse me if I may. Um so one of the the planning staff has been historically um we learn from previous approvals. And one thing that we've learned um throughout some of these alcohol-related um projects that have come before the commission is that this has been a standard that the commission has asked for over the years as a part of their approvals. And so it's not um something that is required um you know I mean it's it's not a not a brand standard so to speak right this was this has been um something that we've asked for through the approval process for all of these SUPs that have come before us over the years. And so that's that's how we got to the locked the locked cabinets. Um, so, um, it's not not not that the business owner thinks that Inglewood is more dangerous than Culver City. Um it's it's just that um you know we've that's just been one safety has always been a key concern for our um business owners and just um and so you know to Commissioner Tjo's um point you know we want to make sure that access to those to the alcohol is controlled and that's that's what we're providing controlled access.

Okay. I also wanted to um bring up that um I've done previous alcohol cases for the applicant um with city of Los Angeles where we did do the locks to the coolers and we did that because LAPD vice units um they appreciated that. So for my company, we suggest that for all cases that involve alcohol because it gives you back some control and um the applicant has been doing that for for a while now.

Okay. And I I understand uh Commissioner Tjo's concern regarding an employee uh actually physically going over to open uh the case for uh a person making a purchase. But I'm thinking the reason why you don't want that person or that employee to physically go and open it, especially if they're the only employee, you want them to be in the front of the store or wherever this your register is so that other g uh guests that are coming in, they see this person and don't take advantage of anything else in the front while that employee is away. I mean, am I hitting it right? Is Definitely. Yeah.

Okay. All right. I have no further comments or questions. Okay. I have a couple questions for you. Um, your particular facility is right next to the freeway. Correct.

Okay. So, if you look at it on a visual standpoint, people that are coming into Englewood, they're getting off the 405 and they're going east. There's an island in the middle of the street, so they can't go to your side because they're going east. Am I correct in saying that? Okay. So, now you indicated that there's a hotel across the street. I don't know the name of. I think it's Best something. Best Western.

Best Western. So, how would Best Western know that you have beer and wine unless you advertise it? Is it a you you have a convenience store? It's a service station. So your main operations is gas, air, water for a vehicle. You also indicated that people were asking for it. Now, if someone was asking for it, our thinking, the commissioners, we want to see who's in support of you doing your beer and wine, and we don't see any support for your beer and wine. You're right next to a restaurant, which is um

Rosco.

Rosco's Chicken and Waffles. And then there's um a Starbucks and then there's a little strip area where they're also serving food uh in that little area right there. So you're on the north side of the street and when people are coming into the city, they're coming east and they can't get to your side. My thinking is that your your um service station or your convenience store is only servicing for people that are exiting because they're getting ready to get onto the freeway to either exit the city or eventually. I'm sure they're going to go to the new complex that's going to be north just west of the 405.

Chair, I'm listening to you. I'm sorry. So, I just just want to make sure that that from a a kind of geographic standpoint that we're we're clear. So, here's the 405 freeway exit going north. And so, so generally the car stack here. And so a theoretically theoretically someone that's going to the game that's getting off on Manchester could go could drive across the street, get some gas, get some beer and a hot dog and have

I'm going interrupt you right there. U Mr. Mr. McDungle, how would they know that there's beer and wine in that service station? Well, I mean there when I go to a service station and the average person that goes to a service station, they're going to get gas, the average [clears throat] person. Well, there there is the there this interrupt you sir. Yes, sir. What's happening here in the city is that you're coming to get an SUP because we have a con an over concentration of beer and white in the area. So now you're asking us to give you grant you a beer and wine. So is the community wanting this?

So to your point that that's what speaks to the public convenience and necessity, right? But I'm just I just want to make sure that we're clear for the record that it's not just an exit. Cars aren't exiting only and getting on a freeway. That's when people are coming into the city, too, and they're able to access the store. right now. Um I would imagine that there would be some sort of um advertisement that would be permitted through the code um that would let people know the services the goods and services that they sell on site. And and so there's so there so people would know, right? um the same way that they would know that if if it was a little small mom and pop shop that didn't serve gas that served other goods and services that that would be something that was available for them to purchase. So the the and I I think the applicant spoke to the the fact that people are asking if they offer it. Um, now I don't know how many and maybe they need to to speak more to that for you to make you feel comfortable, but I just wanted to um just address the fact that there is access off the freeway and in in for traffic traversing in both directions. I can make a left turn from that Manchester exit to Ash to access the store.

So, I just wanted to be clear from that perspective so it didn't cloud the decision making. made a good point because I get off that freeway as well. Yeah. And I cross Manchester to avoid Manchester. To avoid the traffic. See, so then you going to pass by and make a right turn and stop and get you Absolutely, sir. A Liptin's iced tea instead of a beer. I understand. I got you.

Understood. Understood. So that convenience that convenience service station would be able to service those uh town houses that are just north of you. there's an alley there and then they would you'll be able to service those people that live just north of you. So I I'm I'm looking for support for your particular because you indicated that they want it. So I'm looking to find out well who wants it besides you. Would this if you didn't get it, would that disturb your your business? Would you still be able to operate your business because you don't have beer and wine? because you had you hadn't had it for a long time for several years and you were still there. So by having it would that by not having it with that would you close shop?

So I wouldn't close shop. Okay. Um but we've only owned the location now for I think it's 14 months. We bought it in September of last year. Um, and we I want to say almost immediately after we purchased, we put in this application. Um, and we were very hopeful that the council, you know, the commission would uh grant us the the privilege of trying to sell beer and wine at that location.

Our our job is to make sure that um what what you're doing is is going to provide services or service for the community. And this is what the community wants as well. Is it we have to make that decision. Does the community want this or and normally what happens when what we see is that we see the community come out and support what you want. That's what we see here on the commission. And I don't see that here, sir. I see you here. I would say the com the the community as you know a lot of them are for example someone who's staying at the hotel across the street they're in their own city now I can't get them to come here

okay a lot of time are I got you understood very good thank you all right I is there any final questions from the commissioners you I'm you going to say something to me Mr. Bernard.

Yeah. No, no. I I love this discussion. I I think um one one um I was just talking with our our city attorney. Um one way to address address potential security concerns as it relates to the purchasing of alcohol would be to um as the applicant or the customer comes to the counter, they leave their ID and when they come back, they buzz them in. when they come back to come back to the counter to purchase the alcohol, they're given their ID back as a kind of a collateral type of exchange. So, I don't think anyone likelihood of Mr. [laughter] that happening will probably be slim to none. Well, it

would you give up your ID invocation? Would you give someone your ID?

I mean, if I want some beer bad enough, I would, right? I'm I'm not going to I'm not going to drive off without it. I mean, what what's happening what's happening here? the just the the exchange would be that it's almost like a collateral, right? And so I I need to verify the ID anyway, right? And so I give the ID to the cashier, they buzz me, I go and grab whatever I want to purchase. When I come back to pay, they give me my ID back and I can leave the store. And so that that could potentially be a compromise from a security standpoint to ensure that no one is running outside of the emergency exit. Now maybe they leave their ID, but now the cashier has an ID to give to IPD to go and track them down. U but but so that was just you know if if the concern um was [snorts] um related to um access to the alcohol. This is another way to control um how it's how it's handled.

Understood. Um we're going to open up for some last questions from last questions. We're going to start off with Commissioner F. You have any final questions?

I have some comments. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I would like my colleagues to take in consideration a to your point, Mr. Chair, uh this was given notice, uh there's no one here complaining or saying that this business owner should not have a permit. A B their cameras, so people are always seeing who's going in and out, which the police are always concerned about. I'm going to go down the alphabet. Uh the person that's trying to purchase has to show their ID. So, you know already who's going to get the item, whether they go to get it or not. It's still locked, which I think we should take into consideration because many places it's not locked. 7-Eleven, I'll give an example. You just go and get it and they could go out the door as well. Uh I want you to consider that this is an established business owner in our community asking and understanding that beer and wine only the convenience to the customer but that does that is additional revenue for the business. Uh he mentioned this is an entertainment. We're trying to get more people come here. We're getting ready to have more people coming with hotels and stuff. And so the convenience of me being at Best Western across the street, being able to go across the street and get beer and wine rather than having to get in my car and do something else is a convenience. So I think there's several things that we should be also considering uh in making this recommendation. As I did say also, I think an annual review.

Okay. Thank you. You're welcome, sir. Thank you,

Commissioner Rice. I had to reconsider this project myself because I was out initially and um in listening to the applicant speak on the project on Yukon and Imperial. I recall that project. It was in really bad shape and um you brought it back around and now it's a great market for the community. Uh, so I think that makes you a proven product and u you're wanting to enhance your perform on the p on the purchase of the new station at Sentry and um sorry Manchester and Ash. Um, I mean it's to be expected. That's why you made the investment. But considering the fact that you've proven that your ability to improve the station on Yukon, um, I'm in.

Thank you,

Mr. Trio. Um, I appreciate comments from my two colleagues that have just spoken and I don't want any of them to think that particularly what Commissioner Fowler said about what we have to consider [snorts] as far as what a good business owner he is and and that there are security cameras and light and and contact with Englewood PD if necessary. I mean, that's a given in my mind. I don't think it's something that when I'm talking that I don't consider that. I think that um I think probably the the the biggest thing for me is the safety. I may maybe it's watching too many news where people come in and do the the smash and grabs and into into liquor stores into uh 71s that I worry for the employees. I hope there's more than one employees employee particularly at night and and like I said earlier I mean and Nathan appears to be a very good business owner and uh and and and I applaud him for that. I applaud him for having the foresight to acquire this problem property which I'm sure was you took it into consideration had because it had so many denials before. Um, and I applaud you for that. And that means that you're a good business owner who take takes risks. And those that take risks sometimes are the ones that come out ahead the most. I [snorts] just want you to keep in mind the safety of your employees of the customers that come in maybe before they go to a concert or when they're leaving the concert that uh that the location of your beer and wine could potentially be a problem, but it's

something that you must must consider and must have extra I don't know how you're going to get extra security there. more employees. I don't know. But I hope that you do something with that. Again, I understand that it's city of Englewood is now a different city and like I said earlier, um in order for our entertainment district, in order for the city to be successful, we need to make sure that the businesses that support those uh entities uh are successful as well. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Shaw Williams.

Yes. I I'm I'm too concerned about, you know, security and also people who are purchasing beer and wine and also going into the parking lot and indulging in that. And I'm concerned about that and how you would your employees are going to handle that. Correct. I mean, you can't buy it and then go outside and drink it, right? Correct. This is an offsale license. No drinking on premises. Okay. But what if they see someone drinking on prem on the premises? How is that going to be handled?

It's the same as if we see somebody asking for money for someone who's pumping gas. We're very proactive. Our employees are trained to go out there uh let their presence be known. of course not, you know, um get in an altercation with them, but at least let the person who's outside doing something that they're not supposed to do, let them know that, hey, um we we see you and that's not okay. And if you continue doing that, we're going to have to call the police.

Okay? And I'm familiar as well with the location um on um Imperial because that's District 4. So I frequent that area quite often. And it is a beautiful Arco station. It's wellmaintained. I've had to get air there for my tires. So thank you for bringing that to Englewood. And I know this location you'll maintain and it'll be as nice. No further questions or concerns. Okay. Very good comments.

I my my statements have are the same. I I think um that we have an overconentration of um alcohol and and wine, beer in a particular area. I'm looking to see the convenience or the the importance of having that at your particular location. Um that that's my main concern. I'm looking at the safety portions of it as well. So by saying that I'm going to thank you very much. I'm going to open it up for anyone who are for or against this particular project. Please go to the mic, give us your name, and give us your concern hearing. Seeing none, we're going to close that segment. Is there a motion on the floor? I

I'm make I'll make a motion. I move that we affirm that we I move that we affirm the categor that we affirm categorical exemption EAC2025-087 that um that we adopt the resolution approving SU25-000015 that we add conditions. Uh let me get to my other that the sales of beer and wine shall be from uh 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. I'm changing the time there. And that all items mentioned in the public convenience letter be included in the conditions. I think they all are, but I just want to make sure in this although the as you're calling it the sunset clause is not included. I didn't see it in the conditions, but I want to make sure that that one-year review is included in the conditions that they they come back, let us know how things are going. Hopefully at that time also have a police report to let us know how things are going and if necessary to look at the conditions again. Second.

Okay, it's been properly moved and second. We call for any questions. Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. [cough and clears throat] Commissioner Fowler, I. Commissioner Rice, I. Commissioner Tjo, I. Commissioner Shell Williams, I. Chairman Springs, no. Mr. McCo, is there appeal process? Yes, Chairman. Um, according to the IMC, anyone [clears throat] may appeal the decision of the planning commission within 20 days of your decision um with a written appeal and an appeal fee.

All right. Six C. Item [clears throat] 6 C, a continued public hearing to consider an application by Mitsy Edwards representing Panini Kebab Grill for special use permit number 25-000017 SUP25 00017 to allow the onsite sale of beer and wine and an approximately 4,988 square ft proposed restaurant. that is part of the Hollywood Park tomorrow retail center on a mixeduse designated HPS Hollywood Park specific plan zone property at 1261 South District Drive. Chairman, the foul is present and notice has been given in a time and place that's required by law. Planner Angel Leon Martell is present to do a short staff presentation. Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. Subject site for this special use permit is located within the major mixeduse general plan area and is zoned HPS for the Hollywood Park specific plan. On November 1st, 2018, staff approved plot plan review number 2018-00004 for the construction of the Hollywood Park Tomorrow retail center. March 4th, 2020, the building safety division issued the building permit for the approximately 350,000 square foot retail center, which is part of phase one of the overall retail plan development for the site.

The subject tenant space is located within the Hollywood Park tomorrow retail center which is along Century Boulevard retaining between Prairie Avenue and District Drive. Surrounding land uses include large entertainment venues, commercial and residential uses to the north and east of the property with commercial and large entertainment venues to the south and retail to the west. [cough] Excuse me. [clears throat]

The request is to allow the on-site sale of beer and wine for a proposed restaurant located within an existing tenant suite at the retail center. The tenant space is currently developed with two pedestrian entrances. The main entry is along the southwest side of the building and the second service entrance is located at the rear along the northeast side of the building. There are no proposed changes to ingress or egress of the tenant space. Parking for the proposed restaurant is located on site within a parking structure along Prairie Avenue as well as surface parking along Century Boulevard. The applicant is seeking approval for the on-site sale of beer and wine only for a proposed restaurant named Panini Kebab Grill. [snorts] The floor area consists of an approximately 1100 square f foot open patio dining area, a 1,400 square ft indoor dining area, 270 ft counter space, 1,700 ft kitchen and 300 ft restroom areas. The highlighted areas on the screen depict the patio seating area in blue. Indoor seating area teal, restrooms in green, counter in orange, the takeout area in red, and the kitchen and prep service areas in yellow. Alcohol service will be provided within the indoor and outdoor seating areas by weight staff. The chain restaurant, Ponitini Kebab Grill, is known as a family restaurant,

which also includes family style food options. The proposed hours of operation are between 7:00 a.m. and midnight daily, during which the full food menu will be available. The menu consists of items like French toast, steak and eggs, soups, salads, pastas, panini sandwiches, coffee, tea, beers, and wines. There will be 11 employees working at all times during the regular business hours. 16 security cameras will be added in addition to those that already exist for the retail center. There will be no additional security guards for the restaurant and the ABC Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows four on-site sell licenses for this census tract. There are currently seven on-site sell licenses. One recently approved by the commission if you recall July of 2021 for the rhythm bar. The applicant has submitted a public convenience and necessity letter for the commission's review and approval. The Hollywood Park tomorrow retail site is newly constructed and not fully occupied yet. So a police sub so with that there is a police substation that was developed within the retail area and the Englewood IP or police department will monitor all activity closely within the center and due to the low tenency rate there are no reliable crime statistics available for tonight's review. As conditioned, the proposed project will serve as an enhancement to its neighborhood setting and will continue to be compatible with the surrounding area. The site is developed in accordance with existing zoning and development standards for the HPS zone

properties. Project is consistent with the major mixeduse land use designation. A categorical exemption has been filed. The project is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation. I'm available to answer any questions the commission might have and the applicant is also here tonight to answer your questions. Thank you. The report angel. Thank you. Okay, we're going to open up questions for you. Start off with Commissioner Fer. No questions, sir. Okay, Commissioner Rice. I believe this project came before our body before. Do you know what happened? Why it's back? Two months ago, the applicant was actually not in um attendance, right?

So, the item was continued. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Trill. No questions. Thank you. At this time, anyway, Commissioner Shaw Williams, no questions at this time. Thank you, Chair. Yeah, he they I remember he wasn't eating at 10. He So, I I do remember, but we're going to get on him tonight, though. Okay. If there are other questions, if the applicant's here, please go to the mic. Oh, there he is. We're gonna Please let us know about your project and what was the name of that restaurant again, Angelini. Panini Kebab Grill.

Good evening. My name is Scott Sanderson. I'm representing Panini Kebab Grill tonight. I apologize for uh not making the last meeting. I was unaware that uh that it was needed at the time. So, I apologize. Um, it's a family uh portion style restaurant, Mediterranean food. The beer and wine is uh is only consumed on property and it's managed by all the employees. So, we have a good handle on we've had no problems at any other locations. It's part of the normal menu that we serve.

Okay, we're gonna open up questions for you, sir. How's that? We're going to start off with Commissioner Fer. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Sanders, you mentioned other locations. How many locations do you have?

We currently have 30 and we have about 20 more in process of being added. And, uh, they're a beautiful location. And I think u you probably saw a little bit of the elevations on the presentation, but uh the owner's uh very diligent on making sure that we represent I think what your community is looking for. It's going to be a nice good family restaurant and in the middle of the new center that you guys are developing. What's the nearest one to Inglewood? Uh there's one in Culver City, one in Marina del Rey. I think I've seen that one.

Culver City Mall. Um, no further questions at this time. Commissioner Rice, yes. Tell me about the security features. Um, how you got to protect the patriots? How are they how do you secure your restaurant?

Uh, we have cameras and security uh coverage throughout the restaurant, including [clears throat] inside the patio area. Um I believe he mentioned that there's approximately 17 cameras uh surveillance system we have you know obviously um the standard alarm and stuff but that's for after hours but uh the normal is I think between 12 employees there constantly um so it's a more of a family restaurant it's not place where people are consuming beer and alcohol in large quantities it's just a you know another access item that we have on our current manual at all locations.

And how many points of ingress and egress do you have? Um there's two main entrances on the front and then there will be uh one um side entrance which is for to go. Are they all staffed? Yes, correct. No further questions. Commissioner Trey, what's your seating arrangement like? You you have indoor and outdoor seating.

Correct. Uh the design of these restaurants, it happened prior to COVID. Um but uh the primary design is approximately 1,200 square feet of it is outdoor dining. Um which is uh it's behind the gym. It has a covered seating area that's will be outdoor uh with heaters and air fans and whatnot. And then we have an additional about 2,000 square feet of interior seating. And um typically uh majority of the people sit on the indoor um fixed seating booths or what what kind of

um yeah so the interior um will have booths and uh freestanding tables and the exterior patios all tables and chairs. Okay. But you don't other than the square footage of the area, you don't have the number of seats. Oh, the actual seating count. Um I don't know if it's in his presentation, but uh I believe it should be somewhere around just under 100 total including both indoor and out. Yeah, there'll probably be um 60% indoor and 40% outdoor. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Shaw Williams. Now, is this This is more of a comment. Is this right next to Iconic gym? Correct. It's right behind.

How could you do that to the members? We go in there and we work out and burn a thousand calories and you're open at 700 a.m. and we come out and this is what we have right here. I think I think they would appreciate it. It's [laughter] it's all healthy choice uh menu. It's all from scratch. Um it's a a beautiful design. And that's why it's being successful and growing at the rate it is because they have a very good uh business model that is current with uh you know I think everybody's health consscious food choices. Well my morning crew we're we're uh talking about it and we're waiting.

Yeah, we're excited to open there. It um we're hopefully about four to five months we'll be open over there for you guys. I'll let them know. No further comments. Thank you. What what time do you open? Um, they get in at 7:00. They don't necessarily open at 7:00. Uh, there's a lot of demand for uh, delivery since we do family portions and stuff. A lot of the delivery starts going out early, 8 9:00 a.m. in the morning, but the actual restaurant for seating usually at 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. So, you're really not a breakfast. You don't You said French toast. I think I heard you say French toast. Isn't that a breakfast food? Steak and eggs as well.

Yeah. So [laughter] the the breakfast menu is limited to which locations uh get that kind of demand. So we have it's more uh lunch and dinner. [laughter]

Okay. I have no other questions. Okay. We have any final questions for you? We're going to start off with Commissioner Baller. 30 seconds, please. No, sir. [laughter] You had no questions. I said no further questions. So, okay. Commissioner Rice, no questions. Commissioner Shel, no questions. Thank you. Commissioner Sha Williams, no questions. Okay. Thank you. Is there a motion on the floor? Um I'm sorry. Is there anyone for or against this particular project? Please go to the mic, give us your reasoning, and hearing none. Seeing none, we'll close that segment. And is there a motion on the four? motion.

I recommend that the planning commission affirm the categorical exemption EACE 2025-101 and adopt the resolution approving SUP25-000017. [clears throat]

Second. Okay. Is properly moved and second we call for any questions? Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I Commissioner Rice. Hi. Commissioner Tjo. Hi. Commissioner Shaw Williams. Hi. Chairman Springs. Hi, Mr. Nomo. Is there an appeal process? Chairman, what' you say? My name is Mr. Bernard.

Okay, there you go. All right. [laughter] I think it changed every every uh every item. [laughter] Um, yes, chairman. According to the IMC, anyone may appeal the decision of the planning commission um by filing a written appeal within 20 days of your decision and paying the appeal fee. Okay, very good. We'll buy we'll be buy and get some French toast for sure. Yes. [laughter]

Okay, Madam Secretary, items 7 non public hearing. Non-public hearing item 7A. Non-public hearing to consider an application by Sandy Sagal representing Newark Merrill Company's Inc. to allow the installation of a mural on an existing approximately 20,000 square ft one-story commercial building that is part of an existing shopping center on a C2 general commercial MU-1A mixeduse 1A overlay zone property at 2730 West Imperial Highway. Chairman of File is present. Notice is not required for design review and planner Angel Leon Martell is present to do a short staff presentation.

Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. This project is located within the Crenshaw Imperial Shopping Center. Uh it's located at the souths southeast corner of Krenshaw Boulevard and Imperial Highway and has a Crenshaw Imperial Transit oriented district land use designation with C2 commercial zoning. In November of 2020, the planning commission approved a request for design review 2020-00006 to approve a 936q ft mural on the west elevation of this building um at 2876 West Imperial Highway. On June 7th, 2021, the applicant applied for design review 2021- Z005 to redesign the 936q ft mural. The applicant installed a different design which was for consideration under this review. But on August 4th, 2021, the planning commission denied the request and the applicant removed the design and installed the originally approved design uh imagery from design review 2020-006, which remains in place today. So, the subject site is currently developed as a multi-tenant shopping center. The property is located near the southeast corner of the shopping center with neighboring commercial and residential uses. Property to the east and south is not within the city and the applicant uh proposes to install the approximately 500 square foot mural along the northacing facade of the

planet fitness tenant space. So the picture above depicts the existing condition of the building wall and the approximate placement. And this is the 500 foot mural which will be located on that north facing facade. Uh the mural is comprised of colorful text that spells out the word community. Each letter includes words, places, and phrases invoking a sense of belonging for for patrons and the community nearby. Uh the mural also contains symbols such as hearts and motifs that represent the community. Uh findings have been made that this project is in accordance with design review standards. They're there. As conditioned, the proposed project will serve as an enhancement to its neighborhood setting and it will be compatible with the surrounding area. The proposed project is consistent with the Crenshaw Imperial TOD land use designation and is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation. I'm available to answer your questions. Um, and the applicant is also present tonight is available to answer questions as well.

Okay. Thank you, Angel. Okay. Commissioner Fer, you have any questions for Angel? No questions for staff. Thank you for the report. Okay. Commissioner Rice, no questions. Sure. Commissioner Tel, no questions. Thank you. Commissioner Shaw Williams, no questions. Thank you. I have no questions. Is the applicant here? Tell us about this.

Hi there. Uh my name is Edie Trot. I'm the senior marketing director for Newark Merrell Companies and I also head up our community art program. Uh the community art program was established actually in 2020 at the beginning of COVID. Um and since then we've installed over 35 murals at our properties uh within our portfolio. The community art project came from the idea that a lot of our shopping centers are in areas where there isn't immediate access to museums. whether that's because of geography, economic uh hardships. And so coming from an area where I grew up and there wasn't access to museums and art and I I'll keep it short, but when I was 11 years old, my parents took me to the Boston Museum of Art and I saw a full display of Monae and it I it's in it was incredible and it was life-changing. And so I'm lucky enough to be able to put this project together for our company and bring art to the communities in which we serve.

Very good. Thank you. We have some couple of questions for you. Commissioner Fuller. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh yes, Mr. Sha. Thank you. I I think this will be a great addition. Uh I was curious what how did you get the information for the design? I'm Did the community participate in any way or

they did not. Um actually I will say this is probably version five or six for this wall. Um, initially we had actually worked with councilwoman or council person, excuse me, Faulk in in coming up with a design for this wall and uh we were initially going to use figures, celebrity figures who had come from Englewood and and beyond. Um, and you can imagine how difficult it is to util to get permission to utilize the likeness of celebrities. Uh, so we took a different route and um worked with a artist to come up with with something that was colorful and and representive representative of the community.

Well, thank you. I think it does just that. No further questions, Mr. Rice. Very nice. Is this your second or third mural in the shopping center? So well well excluding

right excluding and and I want to apologize for that. Um I was on vacation when you guys had the uh meeting and my colleague Tim unfortunately uh was put into a situation that we didn't quite realize it was going to go in that direction. But I do apologize for for going outside of um the the parameters that have been set up in this city. Um, we actually, so this will be our third mural technically. Um, we have one along the ground, um, that you can actually see from when you're flying into LAX, you can see it from the airplane. Um, we've every time we we actually change that design out, it says community and we change out the design on an annual basis. This will be permanent. Um, but the one that's on the street also says community and uh currently is this design, but next year will be something different.

Do you know if that one on the street was required to be approved by this this body? I have asked per I have asked uh when we initially put it in, I asked if it needed to be approved and I was told it did not. And every year when we redo it, we check in to make sure. Okay. So, we have three murals. We have three. Well, this will be the third. If this one's approved, two two that are elevated and then one that's on the ground. Yes, sir. Yes. Okay. Thank you. No further questions. Commissioner Trey Hill.

I really like it. There's a simplicity to it, but it's colorful and and it it really I really like it. It kind of like really stands out. I think we've got starting to get some nice murals in Englewood now. There's that one on by Rogers Park with the young man in the airplane goggles and then that uh Mexican cafe along Sentry that has started now with the flowers and this and they're all different but they really are really bringing out colors and art and feeling into Englewood. So that's another nice thing that's going on. Thank you. Absolutely.

Commissioner Shaw Williams. I like the location because it's going to be right next to Planet Fitness, which is purple. So, with that being purple and all this color, and then you have the green Starbucks right there, it's just going to elevate it to the next level.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And that's and that's what we're about is, you know, um I'm not sure if you guys remember, but we acquired this property in 2014 and we invested about $18 million in the redevelopment. Um and uh actually Mayor Buts came out to our recent opening of Harbor Freight. And we really do in any community that we go into, we really do try to elevate the shopping centers. We pride ourselves on having the best merchants, the cleanest, the most secure. Um and I think the sort of icing on the cake is these murals as well as outdoor seating, which I'm not proposing this evening, but um it is something that we're we're working on throughout our portfolio as well. Yes, I was privileged to be at that grand opening for um Harbor Freights and it was really nice. I My husband has already frequented that store more than I like to say.

I [laughter] actually went in today Well, I went in today and bought some things as well and it's it's very clean and very organized and also has great customer service. Yeah, my my husband has gone there also. Good. So, [laughter] no further comments. Thank you. Uh I like it. I like the mural. I like I like the community. I like the colors. My question is, you indicated that you have um a community on the on the ground as well. Now, is it and you said you could see it when you're coming into LAX. Are there cars in the way that prevent you from actually seeing it?

So, it is a highly trafficked um drive aisle for us. It's one of the main entrances. Um, I haven't seen it myself from the air, but I also haven't flown. Um, I think the last time I flew out of LAX was in 2021. Um, but I've been told that you can see it from the air. And actually, if you do Google Maps, the aerial view, you can see it. You can see an older version on Google Maps. So,

okay, very good. I I'm going to throw this at um the staff. Since we're since we're next level, is there a possibility that you can get in contact with air traffic controllers and as you come into LAX, have them make an announcement that the city of Inglewood is a community and take a look? [laughter] I'm serious. I'm not It's not a joke. It might be a brand deal with one of the airlines from just from a marketing perspective. You could do a brand deal with one of the airlines um that flies in and make an announcement. Yeah, that's good to know.

Well, we are next level so [laughter] nothing is uh out of the question. Okay, very good. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. So, we we need to do an approval on that one. Correct. A motion, please. Did you have another question? They don't get to comment. No, not on to this one. Is there a motion, please? Motion. Okay. I recommend that the planning commission affirm the categorical exemption EAC2025-119 and adopt the resolution approving DR25-000036. Second.

Properly move in second. We call for any questions hearing. None. We call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I. Commissioner Rice. Hi, Commissioner Trey. Hi, Commissioner Sha Williams. Hi, Chairman Springs. I There is no appeal process on this series, Mr. Yes, there actually is. The applicant can appeal the planning commission's decision within 10 um days of um your decision by filing a written appeal and the appeal fee. Okay, we're going to go to uh 7B.

Item 7B, a non-public hearing to consider an application by Kendrick Sanderland representing the city of Inglewood for North Park Improvement Project. chairman of file is present. Um, and notice is not required for planning commission review. Planner Shame is present to do a short staff presentation.

Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. This is a request for the North Park improvement project in the OS open space zone. Properties to the north, south, east, and west are residential, and there is a church located at the southeast of the park. North Park is an approximately 2.3 acre park located at the intersection of Wexom Way and Harrave Street. The park offers community amenities including a grassy open area, tennis courts, a children's play area, several walkways, and a restroom facility. The park also contains a water pump station, and an underground reservoir. The proposed on-site improvements include removing and replacing all fencing within the park, providing a new rubberized walkway. Four new exercise stations will be in installed along the west side of the park with an additional station located along the south side of the tennis courts. Eight new benches proposed near the tennis courts and two new cameras are proposed at the west and east corners of the park. Four new picnic tables tables along with trash bins and two barbecue grills will be installed next to the proposed 600 ft gazebo. The design of the octagon-shaped gazebo is a 16 foot tall structure with eight support posts and a metal roof. If the planning commission approves of the request, the applicant will be required to complete the site plan review process. A notice of exemption has been prepared stating the project is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation and I'm available to answer any questions the commission might have. The applicant is also here tonight to answer your questions.

Okay. Was this Faith? Was this her project? Faith Smith. Was that hers? Yes. She's not here. Sean is subbing. [laughter] Okay. Open up questions. Commissioner Fer. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to see that uh picture again. So I saw I I heard removing all the fencing. What is that along each side of the park? Because it said removing the fencing. So what is is that anyone can access from all those spaces?

It's removing and replacing. So and that's the part I didn't hear. Thank you so much. No further questions. Mr. Christian Rice waiting a long time for that canopy like two years now. Thank you. Appreciate it. Good job. No further. No questions. M trail. Um the chain link fence it's being removed. Is it just being replaced with new chain link fencing or what type? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Shaw. Williams. No questions. Thank you.

I have no questions. It looks good. I've uh drove by. It's going to be nice. If the applicant, please tell us about it.

Hello everyone. My name is Kendrick Sander. I'm with the uh public works department. Um the project uh is pretty much to revamp uh uh the already amazing park. Um currently we have a decomposed granite walkway. Um when it rains uh that that walkway is is not usable um due to granite becoming a muddy walkway. Um so the idea is to remove that and replace that with the rubberized walkway. Um that'll allow for usage uh right after rain. um are currently installing uh five extra uh exercise workout stations. Um that would also provide you know the community there in the area to to utilize you know extra uh workout stations while the other ones are being used. Um the current fencing around there has has been replaced and cut and replaced and cut by our our our public works uh uh staff. So So we're going to re revise or re excuse me replace all of the uh fencing that's also around the tennis courts as well as the exterior uh and also provide new gates uh for the park. Um currently there's existing wood chips in the playground area. So, um, being that we replaced the, uh, or added a a shel a shaded structure over the the playground system, now we're removing all of the wood chips and going to put rubber tiles down. Um, like you would see over at, uh, Ash Park. Um, we are actually putting in two gazeos. Uh, one in the, uh, existing, uh, circular, I think used to be a waiting pool. of there'll be one there and then there'll be one near the restroom. Um both are

are surrounding the play area so parties can be had uh and you can still watch the kids uh at the at the playground system there. Um and then uh last but not least uh we are uh replacing some broken tiles that that are on existing restroom as well as uh replacing the the uh bathroom doors. The gist of the project there. Okay. Okay, very good. We're going to open up for questions for you really quickly. Um, Commissioner Fer. Uh, yes. Are there any additional security required as a result of this?

Oh, yes. I'm sorry I missed that. Uh, so there's two cameras that'll be installed. Uh, there there's one one here's also one seeing the whole park. Um, and that that'll obviously tie in to IPD uh for for their for their surveillance as well. Thank you. Um, what is the timeline that you see for this project? Uh, we have 130 working days, so about 60 or six months, excuse me. Six months. Yeah. Thank you. No further questions, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Rice, you have one rectangular pavilion here and you have 140 U diameter pavilion. Correct.

What's the uh composition? What is it made of? Sorry. What is it made of? Uh it it's it's exactly the same one over at at uh Ash Park. It's uh steel steel frame. Oh, steel frame. Yes. Um it'll have the same uh rock facade. I don't know if you've been to the Ash recently, but there has a rock facade on the bottom of all the pillars and then it leads up to the the steel framing and the playground shade structure. It just it allows sun to penetrate. It just um Yeah. So that that's currently existing right now. So, but but yeah, it's a breathable uh fabric. All right. Very nice. Thank you, Commissioner Sha Trio. No questions. Thank you,

Commissioner Shaw Williams. Very nice. No questions. Thank you. Very nice. I have no questions. Okay. Is there a motion, please? I move that we affirm categorical exemption um EAC2025-125 and adopt resolution approving PCR25-000010 second. It's been properly moved and second. Call for any questions hearing none. We'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler,

I. Commissioner Rice, I. Commissioner Trail, I. Commissioner Shawn Williams, I. Chairman Springs, I. Is there a appeal process? According to the IMC, the applicant may appeal this decision within 10 days of the planning commission's decision by filing um a written appeal fee, a written appeal letter, and a and paying the appeal fee. Okay. Very good. We look forward to seeing that. That's at North Park, right?

That's um Councilman Padilla's area. [laughter] [sighs]

Okay. 7 [clears throat] 7 C. Item 7 C, a non-public hearing to consider an application by Kenri Sanderland representing the city of Inglewood for Queen Park Improvement Project. Chairman of F is present and notice is not required for planning commission review. Planner Shawn May is up for the trifecta tonight and is ready to give a short staff presentation. Good evening, Chairman Springs and members of the commission. This is a request for the Queen Park Improvement Project in the O OS open space zone. Properties to the north, south, and west are residential uses, and the property to the east is a parking lot. Queen Park is an approximately 1.2 acre park located between Queen Street and Manchester Terrace. The park offers community amenities including a grassy open area, picnic benches, a playground, a learning garden, a central walkway, and a restroom facility. The proposed on-site improvements include a new rubberized walkway around the park's perimeter and central walkway, five new trees, five new planters, four new benches, three new picnic tables, and a proposed gazebo. The restroom facility will include new fixtures, tiling, a re- roof, and repainting of the building and its attached trellis structure. There will be two new security cameras installed on the site near Queen Street and adjacent to the proposed gazebo. The Craftsman gable design includes a stone veneer base on six iron support columns and a woodgabled roof with

asphalt shingles. The proposed 60 ft x 25 ft gazebo will be located at the west end of the park. If the planning commission approves the request, the applicant will be required to complete the site plan review process. A notice of exemption has been prepared stating that the project is exempt from further environmental review. This concludes my presentation and I'm available to answer any questions the commission might have. Okay. The applicant is also here to answer any questions. All right. Thanks, Sean. Very good report. Commissioners follow, you have any questions? No questions for Sean. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay. Commissioner Rice. No questions. Chair Commissioner Trio.

No questions. Thank you. It's very nice. Great improvements. Yeah. Commissioner Shaw Williams. No questions. Thank you, Chair. I have no questions either. Is the applicant to you tell us briefly about this one?

Oh, it's me again. Um [laughter] so similar to the the last park um we are providing uh a walk a walking path um similar to Ash Park that's kind of like our our um our our staple park in in in the area that we've uh revitalized. Um so we're providing a walkway around the uh perimeter of the the park there. Um, we are providing another gazebo area currently. That area there, um, it looks like it used to be a a a waiting pool of some sort for the kids. Um, in this area space is not used for anything. Um, there is an existing barbecue stand there. Uh, we'd like to make that that area useful. Um, so we putting a a gazebo there to provide some shade as well as um some benches there that that would allow for the community to use that area. Um, we're establishing five trees to the uh I believe that's the west of the property. Um, that provides some privacy for the the uh apartments that's next door. Um, falling two cameras Um, we are removing the existing uh benches there. There's current currently six benches there and we're going to actually replace them and installing an additional two. So, we'll be uh replacing or we're installing eight uh ben uh picnic tables, excuse me. Uh and then uh last but not least, we are renovating the bathrooms uh or which which entails new fixtures. Um we are doing new floor uh tiles as well as wall tiles. Redoing the roof structure. Um the the frame will stay, but we we're

going to re- roof the that that uh that whole uh restroom there. And then the existing trellis. the existing trellis has been been uh uh weathered by by termites. So, we're going to re redo that trellis there to provide some some extra shade. And then um that's that's pretty much the gist of of this project as well. Okay. Very good. We're going to open up questions for you. Commissioner Fowler, you have any questions? Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. So, I guess rubber sidewalks are in. Yes.

Uh the latest trend. Um talk to me about you said you were remodeling the restrooms. How many stalls are there now? How many will there be? And talk to me about uh accessibility.

Uh so it it the number of stalls I believe are two per per uh men's and women's. Um it will remain the same. What we're doing inside currently, they have the uh block wall uh stalls. We're taking those out and we're going to put in the the newer style uh stalls with with actual doors and and a framing system. Um those are are easier to clean and easier to maintain and they provide a little bit more uh uh security and privacy as they're taller. They they actually go all the way up to to the ceiling. Um currently now they they have the block walls and they only go I think six to seven feet tall. So are any of them I'm sorry

accessible? I've talked about disability committee. Yes, ma'am. ADA.

Okay.

Yeah, that was that was my question. Thank you. And then what's the approximate timeline on this project? It's also six months. Same thing. About six months. 130 words. So in in 6 months we're going to have a lot of parks for our families and the community of Inglewood. Thank you, Commissioner Rice. I've been in this city a long time and I've never seen this much work done in our parks. I'm extremely proud of Inglewood and thank you very much for assisting in making sure our parks become more beautiful. The distance on the track, do we have um Have you measured it out yet?

Good question. No, I have not measured that out. Um, we can get that on there that So, I'm glad you mentioned that with with this park, Derby and and Ash as well as North North. Uh, I I've been advocating to see if we can get some signs put up to to let people know how many laps around can, you know, consist of one mile, right? Um, that's kind of in the works. So, we'll be [clears throat] trying to get that, but no, I I don't have I don't have the exact uh distance on that right now. Okay. Thank you. No other questions. Sh. Okay, Commissioner Trilo.

Yeah, it's [clears throat] really good to see all of these upgrades and and additions to uh to these parks. It's like all my colleagues say, it's just great to see that families will be enjoying our parks more than than they have been in the past. Thank you. Show Commissioner Shaw Williams. I'm just curious, do do any of our parks have um stations for dogs? In other words, uh bags for their Vincent Park does. Um I think Vincent Park and Circle Park, I believe,

or Center Park has that. Um these parks here, I don't think they have that, but we can we can obviously always add that as a as a an addition to the project. That's that's not an issue. Um I I know North Park really doesn't get used dogwise um uh at at this park as well because they're smaller parks, but um we can always incorporate that. That's not an issue. Oh, okay. Yeah, I think that would be good. Just see how it goes and more people are starting to use uh bring their dogs, right?

You know, then that's something we should consider. Okay, no further comments or questions. Okay. My only question is so what time did I what time will it close? Is it secure at one point? So, no, currently right now it's it's uh there's a couple of signs on both entrances that says dust and dawn. Uh but that's that's kind of the only thing we have. This this park here in particular does not have any gates or anything to to secure the park at night. So, we can't secure the restrooms or anything like that? No, the restrooms. Yes, the restrooms lock at uh at at dusk. So automatically locks. No, cuz staff comes in and locks them as they do all the rest of the parks. They they they don't lock them. Yeah.

So this park right here, I'm familiar with this park because it adjacent on one side is Queen, the other side is Man Central Terrace. So it's really a community park for the residents that live in that particular area, which is really nice. Congratulations. Good job. Good job. Thank you. Um, [clears throat] hearing no other. Is there a motion on the floor, please? I move that we affirm categorical exemption EAC2025-124. Adopt the resolution uh approving PCR25-000011. Second.

It's been properly moved and second. Call for any questions. Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. Commissioner Fowler. I Commissioner Rice. I Commissioner Tjo. I Commissioner Shaw Williams. Hi, Chairman Springs. I appeal process, please.

Yes, Chairman. According to the IMC, the applicant may appeal the decision within 10 days of the planning commission's decision by filing a written appeal appeal and paying the fee. Okay, at this time we would like to open up for a non-public hearing. A non-public hearing to consider. Nope, that's not right. Wrong one.

Incorrect. [clears throat] Public comments. Anyone wishing to address the planning commission on any items within their jurisdiction and not elsewhere considered on the agenda may do so at this time. hearing. Seeing none, we're going to close this segment. And now we're going to open it up for commissioners initiatives. We'll start with and we're going going to give you two minutes. We're going to start with um Commissioner Fowler.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh first, I would like to uh welcome senior planner Miss Brooks. look forward to working with you and I hope it was an eyeopener for today [laughter] of what you can expect. Uh secondly uh I want to thank the for the opportunity of attending the APA conference. Uh I did learn a lot. Uh I do see the work uh and respect the work that goes into all of our planners. um particularly also uh the opportunity to talk and meet with other uh committ commissioners commissioners and planners from around the country. It's interesting. Uh I also say that I would like us as a result of that to spend a little more time in recruiting some giving opportunities as we have uh with Mr. for and interns uh and seeing what we can do more with our youth here in Englewood to understand the potential careers in planning. Uh the third thing is due to the holidays um uh council member Gray's office because the holidays will be closed. Ours will resume back in January and you can see the newsletter for that. Um, for finally I would say uh I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Okay, Commissioner Rice Brooks, welcome aboard. I spent a lot of time in the planning and building and safety department, so I look forward to working with you. I want to just applaud the city of Inglewood and and staff um for investing the way that you have in the planning commission. I mean, the results are are here that we're all in and the city's all in behind us. We I just want to let you know how much we really really appreciate it. And with that, wish everyone a very very happy Thanksgiving. Commissioner Trail,

I too want to welcome Miss Brooks. It's good to have you as part of the Englewood family. As you can tell, we're all very close. Uh we all respect each other, have some times don't agree with each other, but we all work toward really really having a great city. And we're glad that you're a part of it. [snorts] And I'm sorry Mr. Caraltus did he leave, I guess. So I can't say the same, but I do wish him the same that he's part of the uh Englewood family. And the APA conference was just really a fabulous time. I've attended several well I've attended I don't know three of them three or four. [snorts] Um and as you said earlier at the beginning we were we being the city of Los Angeles we really were the star of everyone we met. Um, as soon as we said, "Oh, we're from the city of Englewood." I mean, the first thing they would say is, "Wow, you're from Englewood." First time we've ever been that we've ever been greeted like that. And uh, even just in Philadelphia when we were there, we were there, but you know, some people sort of recognize the city, but nothing like this. And it was just such a great thing to see. and um I look forward to attending more, but I think a lot of the planners look forward to hearing more about the city of Englewood and how in such a short time uh the city has achieved so much and it's kudos to the staff and and staff out here um that really have put every effort into [snorts] uh into really making our city shine. And it's such a great thing. We can be tough sometimes and it's only because we

want the best for our city. But again, kudos to to staff um to everything that you're providing for us now. That makes our job as commissioners. Uh challenging right now till we get used to it some more, but I'm getting better with my pencil here. Okay. And I think, wow, this is like a coloring book sometimes. [laughter] Thank you, Bernard. We we appreciate your patience as we transition. Um this is but I'm I'm so proud of you. I mean like this is awesome watching you tonight work with them iPads and [laughter] you know I'm watching you scroll and write take notes and so um so we we really you know we appreciate the partnership cuz that's what this is. [laughter]

Yeah I know he cheated. Commissioner Sha Williams

first and foremost welcome. Welcome, Miss Brooks. Glad to have you aboard. Um, I had a great time at the APA conference. Like my colleague, uh, Commissioner Tjo said, you know, once we said we were from Englewood, um, they just lit up. They they knew exactly what we were about and was so gracious. Some of the booths we visited wanted to just give us everything. Oh, you're from Englewood. Come over here. We got this. We got that. It was a good time. And also my experience, I just got back um last week on almost three weeks. Uh we flew to Barcelona, Spain, stayed a few days and boarded our cruise ship for 14 days. Did a transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Orlando. But anytime someone asked,

really? Yes, chair. Anytime someone asks me where I was from, I would say Englewood. And they knew and these were pe this ship was only four years old. So there was about 5,500 passengers on board. It holds 6,500. And they knew Englewood and I was so proud of that. And then I had to get on my husband. He'd say, "Oh, I'm from Los Angeles." I said, "You need to stop saying that." And then he got on board with me and was like, "I'm from Englewood." He wore his Englewood t-shirt and everything. So, but thank you again for the iPads and and making our job easier here. That's it.

Okay. I thought you were going to be bragging about your trip. I didn't know you was, you know, going that direction. Okay. Very [laughter] good. Um, first of all, Miss Brooks, congratulations. Thank you. Welcome aboard. You still lunch though. I just want to [laughter]

not going to get away from that. No, just kidding. Uh, but the APA Oh, it was phenomenal. It was the city of Inglewood is the next level is the city of Inglewood and we're known throughout the state of California. Not only in California but other parts of the country as she mentioned, other parts we are known. So you guys staff, you guys have done a tremendous job. I am so proud of you and you guys make us look good as well. And sometimes I know I get on you guys. Uh it's nothing personal. is because I love you and I want to make sure that what we're what you're doing is good for the community as well. So, if I seem a little hard, I am. Okay. No, just kidding. I I have a question in regards to the structure that's being done on Labraa and Hyde Park where it used to be DMV. What is that going to be? Is it going to be another DMV?

Yes, it's my understanding that they're rebuilding that DMV. So they're not coming here for any not for the planning commission for anything. No, this is stateowned um facility and so they they have their own process.

Okay, great. I want to wish everybody a safe and good holiday. It's Thanksgiving. What we do for Thanksgiving, we're not only thanking for our families. We have to thank for our heavenly father who we should acknowledge all the time because sometimes we we say thankful. We say thanks but we're not saying who we saying thankful to. So it's not about that turkey that's on the table. It's about our heavenly father in Jesus Christ. I just want to close on that and have a good holiday. Good Thanksgiving. Don't eat too much bird and think about our heavenly father. That's our meeting is ajourned.