Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

I would like to call the meeting of the Planning Commission to order please at 06:01PM. Planning Commission Secretary, may I have a roll call, please?

Certainly. Commissioner Flores? Commissioner Cervantes? Here. Commissioner Ayala? Vice Chair Jimenez?

Here.

Chair Sarno?

Here.

You have a quorum.

All right. Next, I would like to call upon Gabriel Jimenez to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise.

Put your right hand over your heart. Ready to begin.

Thank you. Next, ex parte communications. This section is intended to allow all officials the opportunity to reveal any disclosures regarding site visits, ex parte communications, and public hearings. Are there any ex parte communications?

None here. None.

None? I just met them right now out there outside right now. I got introduced to them. So welcome, guys. There's on the Greenstone, the

This is the applicant for item number seven.

Item number seven. Next, public comments, non agenda and non public hearing agenda items. At this time, the general public may address the Planning Commission on both non agenda and non public hearing agenda items. Comments relating to public hearing items will be heard during the public hearing. Please be aware that the maximum time allowed for members and the public to speak shall not exceed three minutes. State law prohibits the Planning Commission from taking action or entering extended discussion on a topic not listed on the agenda. Please show courtesy to others and direct all your comments to the Chairperson. Planning Commission Secretary, do we have any members of the public wishing to speak today?

We have none. None?

Planning Commission Secretary, I will now close public comment. Move on to the next item. Consent calendar. All matters listed under the consent calendar are considered to be routine. Any consent item a planning commissioner wishes to discuss shall be designated at this time. All other items may be approved in a single motion. For consent items numbers one and two, is there a motion and a second for the approval of these consent items?

I'll move items number two.

I'll second.

We have a first and a second. Planning Commission Secretary, roll call please.

Commissioner Flores, Commissioner Cervantes, Aye. Commissioner Ayala, Vice Chair Jimenez,

Aye.

Chair Sarno? Aye. Passes through.

So ordered. There is a fourteen day appeal period for anyone wishing to appeal these matters. Public hearing. We will now begin item number three on the agenda at this time. I will open public hearing at 06:05. Staff is recommending a continuance to the August 11 meeting. Associated planner Claudia Jimenez, can you please give us an update as to the reason for this continuance?

Good evening, commissioners. I know the script says Claudia, but I'll go ahead and take this one.

Oh, wow. You to speak don't to us, That's alright.

Although the script also says that we're opening the public hearing, this item was opened at the last, meeting in June. This is, the revocations for multiple entitlements, use permit entitlements. And so SAF is requesting another continuance to August so that we can fine tune the legal details of that report. So

I don't have to have the public hearing. Do I still go through the whole? If there's anybody in the public that would like to speak, they're given this opportunity. Other than that, they're welcome to come back to the August meeting. Okay. So, do I open the public hearing? It's already open. You can Do I close If there's any members in the public who would like to speak. If there's any members of the public wishing to speak on this item, please step up. No? So I'll close it. So I'll close the public hearing now. Move on to item number four. You can't come in here and just tell us what item it is.

Sorry. So I would need

a motion to have this item Yes. Can I get a first and a second to have this item continued?

I'll move.

I'll second.

We have a first and a second. Planning Commission Secretary, can I get a roll call, please?

And just for the record, David Ayala is here. Commissioner Flores? Commissioner Cervantes? Aye. Commissioner Ayala?

Aye.

Vice Chair Jimenez? Aye. Chair Sarno?

Aye. This item has been continued to the 08/11/2025 Planning Commission meeting. Next, item number four. I now call upon associate planner Claudia Jimenez to introduce this item. Now she wants to speak to us.

Good evening Planning Commissioners, members of the audience. Today I'm presenting to you Item Number four, Conditional Use Permit Case Number A51 to allow the establishment, operation and maintenance of an existing drive thru facility at 11242 Washington Boulevard and adopt the notice of exemption under CEQA Section 15,301, Class one for existing facilities. The project site located at 11242 Washington Boulevard spans about 13,248 square feet about 0.304 acre and encompass one parcel. It is located within the MUTOD mixed use transit oriented development zone and South Of Washington Boulevard between Norwalk and Broadway Avenue. A little history on this site.

So in 1967, the site was originally developed as a Taco Bell with a drive through. And in 02/2001, Mr. Pete's restaurant took over the site and increased the building height from 16 to 20 feet under modification permit. And prior to 02/2001, Hot Off the Grill also occupied the space. And in 2018, Double's Burgers began operation at the location and continues to operate with a valid business license.

In November 2024, while reviewing a proposed building addition, staff discovered that a conditional use permit CUP had never been issued for the existing drive thru. Per section code 155.395D3 of the city zoning code, expansions exceeding 15% require a CUP. The proposed expansion is approximately 26% of the current building area and to comply with the applicant, the applicant submitted a CUP application to comply. The project site is not conforming to the current zoning code due to the drive thru operations not obtaining a valid CUP and the setback dimensions in relation to the building height. And pursuant to Section Code 155.393D3, the current request for conditional use permit will bring the site in conformance.

The proposed tenant improvements is satisfied under Section Code 155.392B3 of the City Municipal Code expansions of a nonconforming development. The applicant is seeking approval for CUP eight fifty one to continue the operation of an existing fast food restaurant with the drive thru and to construct a five fifty five square foot rear addition within the MU TUD mixed use transit oriented development zones. So some information regarding the site plan. The existing restaurant is a 1,600 square foot fast food establishment with indoor dining and a drive thru. A fifty five five fifty five square foot addition is proposed at the rear of the building, which will include a food preparation area, a walk in cooler freezer, a restroom and an electrical room, bringing the total building size to 2,155 square feet.

As part of the site improvements, a new accessible path of travel will be added from the ADA parking stall to the restaurant entrance, along with a small landscape area to safely separate the pedestrian walkway from the drive thru lane. The floor plan for you today, we have some information pertaining to the location of the proposed five fifty five square foot addition. It will be constructed at the rear of the existing building and will include a food preparation area, a walk in cooler, a walk in freezer and a restroom. This expansion is intended to support the restaurant's operational needs and improves overall efficiency. Before you, our elevations for both the West and the East.

I did not include the South and the North, they are very similar, and this is the proposed information. The proposed addition has been carefully designed to match the existing building in every way, including height, color, materials and overall appearance. Both the East and West elevations will remain consistent with the current structure at 20 feet tall and 36 inches parapet and will be added to both sides to fully screen any rooftop equipment from public view. And again, this is also for the South and the North. On the West side, we're adding three exterior doors to serve as a new preparation area, a bathroom and an electrical room.

Each of these doors will be covered with a canopy and have lighting installed above for safety and visibility. And the east side of the building will remain unchanged in terms of doors and windows, but will still match the look and height of the rest of the building, including the parapet. These designs ensure a seamless extension that maintains the integrity and appearance of the original structure. Little parking summary for you. So according to Section code 155.2481 B3D, the restaurants requires one parking space for every 35 square feet of public dining area and one space for every two employees on the busiest shift.

And based on this, the restaurant needs 11 parking stalls, eight for dining area eight for dining area, which is two fifty six square feet and three for the five employees on the busiest shift. The proposed plan provides 12 parking spaces, including one accessible space, which meets city requirements and complies with ADA standards for accessible parking. The hours of operation are as follows, a restaurant will operate between the hours of eight to 10PM, Sunday through Thursday and from eight to 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Staff has determined that the project qualifies for CEQA Class Categorically Exemption Section 15,301 Existing Facilities as it involves only minor modifications and no changes in the use. Therefore, the environmental review is not required.

If approved by the Planning Commission, the notice of the exemption will be filed with the City the Los Angeles County Clerk. The public hearing notice for the proposed project was mailed to nearby property owners posted at city at key city locations and published in the Los Cerritos newspaper in late May twenty twenty five and, of course, the state and city zoning requirements. And the project supports key community goals by retaining a small business, creating local jobs and enhancing commercial activity. It also promotes transit oriented development with accessible ADA compliant dining near transit, and it provides convenient services that support local employees and residents improving daily lives and overall quality of life. So the Planning Commission is asked to find that the project is categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15,301, Class one, existing facilities, approve conditional use permit case number A51, subject to conditions of approval outlined in the attached resolution, and adopt resolution number 2872025, which reflects the Commission's findings and actions on this matter.

And this concludes my presentation for you tonight. I do have the applicants here present should you have any additional questions. Thank you.

Thank you. We will now move to Commissioners' questions or comments. Does any member of the Commission have a question or comments for staff? I just have a quick question. So this is the CUP is for the driveway.

Right.

But when they were adding on the five fifty five square feet, we realized that they didn't have a CUP for the drive thru.

Right.

Did anybody prior to doubles, Taco Bell or Mr. Pete's, have a CUP for a drive thru?

The previous tenants? Yes. No, sir. They're exceeding the 25%. So they're it's a nonconforming structure, they were exceeding the 25%, and therefore, it requires that with CUP.

Okay. That was it. Thank you. Does any member of the Commission have any questions or comments for the applicant? No. No? Alright. We'll now open public comments for this item. Planning Commission Secretary, do we receive any speaking cards within written comments for this item?

None.

Okay. Please do you have to read if there's nothing? Okay. There's no further commission questions or comments, I will now close the public hearing at 06:15. May I have a motion for an approval of CUP case number 851 and adopt the resolution number 287Dash2025, which incorporates the Planning Commission findings and actions regarding this matter.

I'll motion.

I have a first.

I'll second.

I have a second. Planning Commission Secretary, can we please have a roll call?

Commissioner Flores, Commissioner Cervantes, Aye. Commissioner Ayala, Aye. Vice Chair Jimenez, Aye. Chair Sarno,

Aye. Justice. So ordered. There are fourteen day appeal process for anyone wishing to appeal this matter. Item number five on the agenda. I will now call upon administration intern Cynthia Alvarez to introduce this item.

Hi. Good evening, commissioners. I'm Cynthia Alvarez. I'm the administrative intern for community development, and I will be presenting conditional use permit case number 854 for approval to construct, operate, maintain an unmanned 58 foot high monopine wireless to the communication facility and related equipment at twelve five four five Florence Avenue and adopting notice of exemption under CEQA section fifteen three zero three, class three for small structures. So the proposal is for 12545 Florence Avenue also known as the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

The specific highlighted area is where the proposal is being proposed. The applicant is SmartLink on behalf of Verizon, and the zoning is m two, heavy manufacturing zone. The current general plan land use is industrial, but the use right now for the Greater Los Angeles vector control is office use. So some background on this. The applicants have identified that there was an issue with disrupting signals impacting residences and businesses like Fashion Nova and same day transportation around the area.

So they proposed the new wireless telecommunication facility at 12545 Florence Avenue to improve the network coverage and capacity. Alternate sites were evaluated but were ruled out due to logistical challenges or lack of property owner interest. And so the request of SmartLink on behalf of Tarpon Towers as well as Verizon proposes to construct the 58 foot unmanned monopine wireless facility with an equipment shelter in the nine eleven square foot leased area in the northwest corner of the site. And the scope of work includes an enclosed area with an eight and a half foot tall CMU wall, the installation of wireless and utility equipment, electrical and fiber service to site, conduits from equipment to tower, standby generator for backup power, and a live tree added for visual screening. And so as we can see here in the coverage map, without this proposed tower the way that it currently is now, with green being good, yellow being fair and the purple gray area being poor, we can see that this area is heavily poor coverage.

And so with the proposed tower, the coverage would increase to good and fair around this area, which is mainly manufacturing and different warehouses that need telecommunications. And so the site the specific site of the Monopine will sit two forty three feet from Bloomfield Avenue as well as three forty seven feet away from Florence Avenue, adding to the screening from the public view. And so these are the south and north elevations just to kind of highlight the scope of work that is being proposed. And so as mentioned, the monopay will be 58 feet tall, and they are proposing 12 antennas for Verizon panel, nine Verizon radios and a Verizon microwave dish as well as the 8.5 foot tall CMU wall with the length of 28 feet, which would cover and screen the new generator and equipment cabinets that are proposed. And so this is currently how the site looks without the monopine.

And as we can see with the monopine there, it blends in with the other trees that are existing and as well as the distance adds to that screening. And this is the view from Bloomfield and this would be how it would look with the proposed monopine. So the project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15,303, Class three, which applies to the construction or conversion of small structures. This includes small new equipment or facilities or minor exterior modifications to existing small structures, which includes the wireless towers. The public hearing notice was sent out July 3 and July 4 to city hall, town center kiosk and the library as well as the 500 feet radius property owners and published at the Los Cerritos Community Newspaper.

To date, staff did receive one comment regarding the subject's CUP and its location, and it was resolved between the applicant and the commenter. And so some things to consider are the site suitability, which the wireless facility would be complying with the existing zoning and land use designation. It would not cause any harm to nearby persons or property, so it's safe and functional. It would improve our infrastructure resilience since it would enhance service quality and increase network capacity and as well as the visual compatibility. Because of the monopine design, it would maintain the aesthetic and welfare of the community.

And so staff recommends to find and determine that the project is categorically exempt under Section 15,303, Class III, small structures of the CEQA guidelines approve the CUP Case No. Eight fifty four, subject to the conditions of approval as stated with the attached resolution and adopt Resolution No. 208.2025, which incorporates the Planning Commission's findings and actions regarding this matter. And that concludes my presentation, and the applicant is also here as well for any questions.

Thank you. We'll now move to Commissioner questions and comments. Does any member of the Commission have any questions or comments for staff?

I do. You said that there was a microwave dish installed. Where approximately is it installed on that tree?

Yeah, I can go back to the elevations. So it would be somewhere between the upper middle section of the tree facing, I believe, the west side of the tree.

It's off the ground way away from people. Yes. Okay. Just want to make sure about that one.

I got

a question too. These type of trees are does it have an effect on like what, commissioner Savantas is saying people around? Like harming them in any type of way? Radiation. Radiation. Yeah. Radiation.

So in terms of that, the applicant did, submit a radio frequency emission compliance report conducted by Waterford, specifically Tim Alexander. And in the report, they certified that the proposed operation will not expose members to the general public to hazardous levels of RF energy at ground level or in adjacent buildings.

So you have one we have one there, but they are adding new frequencies to it?

No, this will be a new tower that is

being Completely new. Yes. Okay. Anything? No? No? That's it. Does any member of the Commission have any questions or comments for the applicant? No? No? Thank you. We will now open public comments for this item. Planning Commissioner Secretary, do we receive any speaking cards or written comments for this item?

None.

If there's no objection by the members of the commission, I will close public comments for public hearing item number five. If there's no further commission commissioners questions or comments, I will now close public hearing at 06:25. May I have a motion approved for CUP case number 854 and adopt resolution number 288Dash2025, which incorporates the planning commission findings and actions regarding this matter. May I have a first? I'll move. A second? Second. Second. I have a first and a second. Planning Commission Secretary, could I have conduct a roll call, please?

Certainly. Commissioner Flores? Commissioner Cervantes? Aye. Commissioner Ayala? Aye. Vice Chair Jimenez? Aye. Chair Sarno?

Aye.

Passes.

So ordered. There's a fourteen day appeal period for anyone wishing to appeal this matter. Next, new business. We will now begin the item on number six on the agenda, new business. I now call upon associate planner Jimmy Wong to introduce this item.

Commissioner, Item number six is modification permit case number 1367 to temporary reserve and not provide 21 of the required on-site parking stall to allow outdoor storage and to adopt a notice of exemption under Section 15,301 existing facility of the CEQUA guideline. The location for the proposed project is at 13211 East Florence Avenue. The land new destination is industrial. Lost size is 1.19 acre. The existing building size is about 22,538 square feet.

The current zoning is M2 heavy manufacturing. And the applicant for this project is Penda USA Inc. They also DBA as Square Cabinetry. So a little background on the business itself, Panda USA, also known as Square Cabinetry, have been operating at the subject property since 2024 as a wholesale distributor of bathroom and kitchen cabinet. So the business also carry a limited selection of countertop, which are difficult to be store indoor due to the size, weight and agility.

To address these storage challenge, applicant is proposing to utilize a portion of the on-site parking area for outdoor storage for the countertop. Here's the parking requirement. According to the city code and the size of the building, 44 on-site parking is required for the subject property. And here's a parking map that show how all 44 parking stall can be provided on-site. As for the request, the applicant has submitted a request for a modification permit to reduce the number of required parking from 44 stall to 23 in order to accommodate the outdoor storage.

The proposed outdoor storage will be enclosed with a six foot high chain link fence with privacy slat to provide screening from public view. And the outdoor area is intended to be stored for the large countertop, as mentioned previously. So here's the proposed new parking plan. As you can see, a total of 23 parking will be provided, 15 parking stall on the west side of the building with one of them being an ADA park stall. And then there will be an additional eight more parking provided on the west side on the east side of the building.

So here's a site photo. The first photo is the large countertop that will be stored at the outdoor storage area. And then the second photo is taken from Florence Avenue. As you can see, all the outdoor storage area will be screened from Florence. Here's two additional photo from Painter Avenue.

As you can see, there's more than enough parking for any type of customer. However, as mentioned previously, if there is a need to restore additional parking, the applicant will do so. So for justification, for staffing, a total of five employee for the largest shift, they only have one shift, they work from seven to seven. The 23 parking stall is provide 18 surplus stall, we mean during the peak staffing hour. The outdoor storage need is requested by the applicant due to the size of the countertop being large and too fragile to be stored indoor.

And per their recommendation, the outdoor storage will improve safety and operational efficiency. Lastly, there's no there won't be any off-site impact since there's no need for any off-site parking need and the storage area will be screened from public view. Sorry, it's just vibrating for some reason. As for CEQA, the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15,301 Class one Existing Facility. The project involved the continued operation of a warehouse use.

As for public hearing notice, the notice has been sent on 07/03/2025 to adjacent property and was also posted in Santa Fe Springs City Hall, library and town center kiosk. Today, staff not receive any comment. So for key consideration, the zoning code required parking based on the building size and not the actual operation need, which created hardship for the applicant. Secondly, the applicant has been operating on-site since 2024 with no more than five employees. So the proposed 23 parking stall will be sufficient to meet the demand.

An alternative site plan showing all 44 required parking can be restored if needed in the future. And the outdoor storage area will be screened with a six foot high chaining fence and privacy slat for to minimize visual impact. As for recommendation, staff is recommending that the project is category exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15,301 class one existing facility and also recommend approval of modification permit case number thirteen sixty seven subject to the conditional approval as stay within Resolution two eighty nine-twenty 25 Exhibit A and also adopt Resolution two eighty nine-twenty 25, which incorporate the Planning Commission finding and action regarding this matter. And that's conclude my presentation. Fortunately, the applicant is not here.

So I will try my best to answer any question regarding this modification permit.

And commissioner have any questions for this item for staff?

I do. So there's five employees, so then there will be 18 parking stalls free?

Yes, that's correct.

And do you know what kind of on their busy hours, how many parkings are taken up?

So they don't really have any customer because they are wholesaler. So they don't usually have they said they may have one or two people come to look at a sample. But in most case, don't have any customer coming into this location.

Anybody else? I have a future question for us because I think this is coming up more and more that people are needing more outdoor storage. And I know we base the parking stalls based on employees, based on the size of the warehouse and how many employees. But I think we need to start realizing that there's less people in these warehouses, and they're trying to work from home and stuff like that. And to be able to do things like this, I think, is something that's good for us, and we shouldn't have limitations of 45 parking stalls for they don't have them and nobody has 45 employees on a small warehouse like this.

But I think we need to relook at our policy and to help the businesses to be able to because they're growing, and we don't want them to leave. So we we need to be as flexible as possible for something like this. But and I wish I would've known they were here because I just bought a kitchen cabinet. Could've gave back taxes. But next, I would like to call upon the applicant.

Applicant isn't here. If anyone from the audience wishing to speak, please approach the podium. Nobody? If there's no further commissioner questions or comments, do we have a motion and approve for request mod case number 1367 and adopt resolution number 289Dash2025, which incorporates the Planning Commission findings and actions regarding this matter.

I'll motion.

I have a first.

I'll second.

I have a second. Planning Commission Secretary, roll call please.

Commissioner Flores, Commissioner Cervantes, Aye. Commissioner Ayala, Vice Chair Jimenez, Aye. Chair Sarno, Aye. Passes for it.

Item number seven on the agenda. I now call upon senior planner Vince Velasco to introduce this item.

Good evening commissioners. You're not seeing double?

Double seats. I moved.

So this item is pretty similar to the last item you just had, which is a reduction of required parking due to operational demands for a new tenant. So this project site is located at 11401 Greenstone Avenue. Site is approximately 6.6 acres with industrial land use. It is m two heavy manufacturing zoned and the applicant is brand Safeway. Again, the request is to reserve and not immediately provide 16 required parking stalls for temporary outdoor storage.

This is a brief timeline of the property site starting at '20 in 2020. As you can see, it was a trailer storage operation. And then in 2021, the property owner obtained entitlement approvals for a 144,434 square foot industrial building. Twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three, the project was under construction and it was finally completed and they were issued their certificate of occupancy in March 2024. 2025, you can see the building and it has sat vacant since the certificate of occupancy was issued in March 2024.

So the applicant today would be the brand new and first tenant of this building. This is the approved site plan with the development that we approved in 2021. As you can see, the site required a total of two zero five parking spaces. This was factoring in a multi tenant scenario. So with a single tenant, the parking demand is only 191 parking spaces.

With this approval, we also included a 14 foot high concrete steel wall or screen wall on both sides of the property on the north and the south end. This is a visual of what the site looks like today. That's an aerial of the property as well as what the two screening screen walls look like from both ends. That's the north end on the top right and that's the southerly screen wall on the bottom right. A little bit of the company background.

It was founded in 2017 as a merger of the company's Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services and Safeway Group. They're a global leader specializing in services to industrial, commercial and infrastructure end markets, and their headquarters is currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. They offer core services such as access services, including scaffolding, mass climbing, suspended access, forming and shoring, which includes concrete forming, shoring solutions and special services, including insulation, coatings, fireproofing and abrasive blasting. Their operational reach is presence of over 25 countries. They have an extensive network of more than three eighty strategic locations.

They serve a diverse industry including petrochemical, powder generation, transportation and more. The interior of the building will have a plethora of warehousing of materials such as modular scaffolding, frame and bracing, industrial elevator equipment, scaffolding systems, installation materials, and logistical equipment. And then their request for outdoor storage would include shoring materials, wood materials, coating materials, a self contained wash station, a self contained paint booth, state of the state state bed trucks, delivering trucks and logistical equipment, and also a 1,000 gallon above ground diesel tank that would all be on the exterior. They will also have offices for hiring purposes, material and equipment resource center. They will also have staffing related to sales, payroll, billing, accounting and HR.

Their hours of operation will be limited to Monday through Friday from 07:30AM to 5PM. At a maximum peak time, they will have 69 employees, including 19 managers, 15 warehouse staff, 15 truck drivers, 10 sales employees and 10 clerks. This is a layout of the proposed site plan. The applicant will be consolidating different branches of their business to this one location and that's how you see Safeway Atlantic and Spider. So these would be the yard separations of those branches and where the materials of the storage would be separated out to.

As you can see, the front of the property facing Greenstone will provide 70 parking stalls is which the applicant needs for this operation. Everything else, the storage that they're requesting will be behind the 14 foot screen wall. Again, here's another layout of where the materials will be stored and how high they will be stored. As you can see, the materials will be set back approximately 65 ish feet from that screen wall providing more of a reduction for visibility from the public view. For your consideration, there is a surplus of six parking stalls, the 69 maximum employees versus the 75 parking stalls they will provide in the front area.

There is an alternative parking plan as you saw, which was approved by the Planning Commission, which holds two zero five parking stalls as well as a condition of approval, specifically number 14, which will address mitigation of parking issues if the need arises. Again, there is an existing 14 foot high screen wall for the materials that are set back approximately 65 feet from that wall. They will maintain the fire lane and circulation of the site. All of the storage and activities on the exterior and interior will be reviewed, and they will go through the plan check process to obtain permits for the storage and improvements. And lastly, this is a new business that Santa Fe Springs.

So we will be getting new employees, new tax generation and a brand new tenant of this brand new building. Project is categoric exempt pursuant to Section 15,301 Class one existing facilities and the property or the hearing was noticed to adjacent properties as well. SAF recommends that the Planning Commission to determine that the project is category exempt pursuant to Class one, approve mod of thirteen sixty nine subject to the, conditions of approval and adopt resolution two ninety dash twenty twenty five. That concludes my presentation. I do have the applicant and the property owner in the audience to answer any questions.

Does any commissioners have any questions for staff?

I do. Go ahead. You have six spaces available for the public. Do you have intend to have a lot of generating of the public coming in that would exceed the six? Okay.

So it's not open.

Do we want to gather all the questions for the applicant and then have them come up?

Yeah. This is true. Do you have anything for Vince? Or do you want to talk to the No.

Don't have nothing for Vince.

No. Okay.

I would like to call upon the applicants. If they would wish to speak, please approach the podium. You don't have to.

Name is Gil Koran. I'm the branch manager of Southern California for BrandSafeway. So whatever questions you have for me, let me know.

Questions not really, just a comment regarding I think it's great that you're putting you want to be everything's going to be behind the gates, right? Yes. I see that there's a 65 feet setback, so I think that's really good. And also I just want to welcome you and thank you for bringing your business to Santa Fe Springs.

I was just concerned about if they had any do you have any people that actually come or is this more of a just a warehouse?

This is a staging areawarehouse for all of our off-site jobs. Our material would be loaded up as needed and brought to a refinery or commercial site. There's no actual erection or dismantle or any kind of fabrication done at this office. This will be just storage.

Thank you for coming to Santa Fe Springs.

Yeah. I don't have any questions. I just want to welcome you to the city, and thank you for choosing Santa Fe Springs.

Thank you, guys. Thank you for choosing us, and good luck in your endeavors.

And the property owner would like to say a few words as well.

Good evening, commissioners. My name is Bobby Nasir, a family business, and we developed this property over the past four years. Number one, I'd like to thank the commission for being welcoming. We do projects all over Southern California, and we don't always see that across the board. So I want to commend you guys for welcoming BrandSafeway.

They're the type of tenant I think the city would appreciate to have employees with benefits, some union employees and you know, they didn't mention this, but their existing have been in the city of Long Beach and Gardena for over thirty years. So that gives us a little bit of a history of what type of potential tenant and business we're bringing into the city, which would be great for all of us all the way around. I think Vince has done a great job. He was our planner on developing the building. I wanna thank him all the way through.

He's been very helpful. And I think he's covered pretty much everything. But yes, it is there are there's a concrete wall and a wrought iron fence. Everything is behind that. And again, the six extra spots because not open to the public anyway. So there should at any time, even if every employee shows up to work on every single day, we'll still have excess spots here. Thank you for your time.

I'm sorry, I do have a question. In regards to the jobs that are coming to the city, where are you posting these job postings when it comes to the city of Santa Fe Springs to assure that our residents are seeing these job postings?

I will let the tenant answer that, but I would imagine there are some coming from Long Beach and Gardena, and then once they move in, there'll be a shift of some employees maybe not wanting to make that trip and otherwise. We spoke for to the mayor pro tem outside and talked about how being a part of the city includes giving back into the city and posting and jobs and all that. So I would imagine that would happen a little bit afterwards, but I cannot allow Dale to answer that question because I don't know.

Before you I just want to commend you on a beautiful building. I know that street is that's right next to the FedEx, where down right next to when Dan Kop was, where the crushing site and stuff like that. So with FedEx going, your building, it's really beautifying that street. And with our headquarters from Fire there, I think it's very appropriate. And hopefully, that street gets really redesigned and become the beautiful street it could be. So thank you for all the money and stuff that you've put into this course.

And it's on its way there.

Yes. Thank you. Dale?

Our company is a union company, and all of our labor comes out of the respective unions that we use, carpenters, insulators, painters. And they advertise to all the local people and they specifically target certain areas. So for you, I mean, they would target Santa Fe Springs people who are interested in our work.

So go to the local and then when they need somebody and whoever's that local for this area would get they would get the jobs, not so much or they would have to join the union for it. We

actually post to on our website for guys looking for work that they can come to our office and get with our dispatch department and they can vet them, send them to the union, get them signed up with the union and then come back and get hired on with us.

Got it. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Thank you. If anyone from the audience wishes to speak, please approach the podium. Nobody wishing to speak. If no further commissioners, questions or comments, do we have a motion and approval for request in mod case thirteen sixty nine and adopt resolution two ninety-twenty 25, which incorporates the Planning Commission findings and actions regarding this matter?

I have a first and a second. Planning Commissioner Secretary, roll call please.

Commissioner Flores, Commissioner Cervantes, Aye. Commissioner Ayala,

Aye.

Vice Chair Jimenez? Aye. Chair Sardin?

Aye.

Thank

you, guys. Congratulations. Staff communications on items of community interest. The staff have any announcements?

Evening, commissioners. I'm happy to be before you today to provide you with a couple of staff updates. We'll start with the first update. I'm happy to to announce that Vince Velasco has recently been promoted to assistant director of community development.

Congratulations. All the hard work.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

His leadership commitment has certainly shined in his current role as a senior planner, and we're looking forward to his continued leadership serving the city in his new role. So second update, I'd like to announce that Claudia Jimenez has also been recently promoted to economic development specialist. She'll still do planning, but she'll slowly move into a different role, taking on more economic development related projects. There's certainly a drive and a need to expand our current department into more efforts geared towards economic development. Claudia, with her background expertise, is a perfect fit for this role.

Look forward to working with her in that new role. And lastly, I do want to share that Jimmy Wong has recently accepted a position with the County of Riverside as a senior planner. We definitely thank him for his years of service here, and wish him nothing but the best in his new chapter and role, in County Riverside. It's definitely an promotion. It's an opportunity for him, and it's something that we encourage all staff to do.

So with that, I just ask that we just recognize and welcome the new promoted employees and also wish Jimmy the best of luck in his new endeavor. Thank you.

Thank you.

I guess lastly, I wanna wish Jay Sarno a happy birthday.

Oh, god. It's not my birthday. So no.

You will not see him.

You had the whole thing. Now it's stop. That's it. It's not my birthday.

Is it

his birthday or not?

Wow, guys got big mouths. Wow, isn't that like a HIPAA Excuse me, attorney isn't that a HIPAA violation? How do I know I want people to know when my birthday is?

Deal with it, it's just a number.

Wow. Told you I watched.

Happy birthday. They're gonna be sick. Thank you, thank you. I just want to say congratulations to you guys. You guys more than definitely earned over the years working with you guys from a council standpoint. I'm really glad to see how you've evolved, and and I'm glad to see us continue to promote from within because I think it's important. We need to keep the history alive. We can't have new people and turnovers, and having you guys here, I think we have a very bright future. So congratulations to everybody. And Jimmy, very sad to see you leave, sir, but you have to do what's best for you and your family and yourself to grow.

And maybe in a couple more years, you'll come back and realize, hey, you know what? Santa Fe Springs was better. I'm going go be happy over there. So congratulations, and I hope nothing but the best for you,

Same here. I'd like to piggyback off Charcino. Since I've been here, I've seen you guys grow, all of you. And Jimmy, I won't see you at the gym no more. I used to always run into Jimmy at the gym all the time, but good luck out there.

Yeah, want to concur. There's no better growth than internal growth. You guys know the city inside and out, and to promote from within is always what's best for not just the roles, but for the comedian itself. So congratulations. Jimmy, best of luck to you in your new endeavor. I'm sure you can always pick up the phone and someone here will answer. So best of luck to you. And I just want to say a great job to our intern. Thank you for everything.

Yes, welcome.

I concur what they say. Jimmy, good luck with the county. Hopefully, it's closer to home. I've been a resident since 1964. So I've seen the city grow, and I'm really happy that I'm working with the city employees and getting to know everyone. Very nice, family here. So congratulations on your promotions. And hopefully, we have a permanent employee in the future.

Alright. Next, commissioner of council conference reporting. Does any commissioner have any something to report on? No, sir. No? Alright. This meeting is now adjourned at 06:54PM. The next meeting Planning Commission is set for 08/11/2025 at 6PM. Thank you, guys.