Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLong Beach, NY · September 2, 2021
Minutes
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
Mark Christoffels, Chair Josh LaFarga, Commissioner
Joni Ricks-Oddie, Vice Chair Jane Templin, Commissioner
Erick Verduzco-Vega, Commissioner Richard Lewis, Commissioner
FINISHED AGENDA AND DRAFT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Also present: Oscar Orci, Director of Development Services; Christopher Koontz, Deputy
Director of Development Services; Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager; Alexis
Oropeza, Current Planning Officer; Alison Spindler-Ruiz, Advance Planning Officer; Sergio
Gutierrez, Project Planner; Elise Roberts, Administrative Analyst, Heather Flores, Secretary;
Dionne Bearden, Bureau Secretary.
Commissioners Jane Templin, Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni
Present: Ricks-Oddie and Mark Christoffels
Commissioners Josh LaFarga
Absent:
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Templin lead the flag salute.
MINUTES
21-061PL Recommendation to receive and file the Planning Commission meeting
minutes of August 19, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Verduzco-Vega,
seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to approve
recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
Yes: 4 - Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni Ricks-Oddie and
Mark Christoffels
Abstain: 1 - Jane Templin
Absent: 1 - Josh LaFarga
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, presented the Director's Report.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Christopher Koontz, Deputy Director of Development Services, spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
SWEARING OF WITNESSES
REGULAR AGENDA
1. 21-062PL Recommendation to find the proposed vacation of a portion of public
right-of-way abutting 3770 East Willow Street in conformance with the adopted
goals and policies of the City’s General Plan (GPC21-001). (District 5)
Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer, introduced Jonathan Iniesta, Project
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
Planner, who presented the staff report.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Jonathan Iniesta, Project Planner, spoke.
Lori Gangemi, Applicant, spoke.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
A motion was made by Commissioner Templin, seconded by
Commissioner Lewis, to approve the recommendation. The
motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5 - Jane Templin, Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni
Ricks-Oddie and Mark Christoffels
Absent: 1 - Josh LaFarga
2. 21-063PL Recommendation to accept Categorical Exemption 21-055; approve a
Site Plan Review for the construction of 84, three-story, townhomes, a
567 square foot community room, and a 2,294 square foot commercial
space on a vacant 3.20 acre site; and approve Tentative Tract Map No.
83407 to create two lots, with 84 airspace residential condominiums on
Lot 1, and a 3,600-square-foot site for the commercial use on Lot 2,
located at 5801-5893 Atlantic Avenue, 5882-5892 Linden Avenue and
501 E South Street in the Mixed Use 3-A Zoning District (MU3-A).
(District 9)
Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer, introduced Sergio Gutierrez, Project
Planner, who presented the staff report.
Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie spoke.
Sergio Gutierrez, Project Planner, spoke.
Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie spoke.
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie spoke.
Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer, spoke.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Sergio Gutierrez, Project Planner, spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Shaheen Sadeghi, Applicant, spoke.
Alex Hernandez, Applicant, spoke.
Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie spoke.
Alex Hernandez, Applicant, spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie and Alex Hernandez,
Applicant.
Shaheen Sadeghi, Applicant, spoke.
Diane Ripley provided public comment.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Ricks-Oddie, seconded by
Commissioner Templin, to approve recommendation. The
motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5 - Jane Templin, Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni
Ricks-Oddie and Mark Christoffels
Absent: 1 - Josh LaFarga
3. 21-064PL Recommendation to accept Categorical Exemption CE21-056 and
approve Conditional Use Permit 21-009 (CUP 21-009) to allow off-site
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
alcohol sales (Type 20 - Beer and Wine) and Instructional Tasting
(Type 86) in a butcher shop within an existing 754 square-foot
commercial space located at 901 E. Wardlow Road within the
Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) Zoning District.
(District 7)
Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer, introduced Sergio Gutierrez, Project
Planner, who presented the staff report.
Ted Marino, Representative of Applicant, provided public comment.
Commissioner Lewis spoke.
Ted Marino, Representative of Applicant, spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Commissioner Lewis and Patricia Diefenderfer,
Planning Bureau Manager.
Commissioner Lewis spoke.
Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer, spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Commissioner Lewis and Alexis Oropeza, Current
Planning Officer.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Commissioner Lewis spoke.
Ted Marino, Representative of Applicant, spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Michael Mais, Assistant City Attorney, spoke.
Commissioner Templin spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
Chair Christoffels spoke.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Verduzco-Vega,
seconded by Commissioner Templin, to approve
recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5 - Jane Templin, Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni
Ricks-Oddie and Mark Christoffels
Absent: 1 - Josh LaFarga
4. 21-065PL Recommendation to continue the project at 636 Locust Avenue to the
next Planning Commission meeting on September 16, 2021.
Patricia Diefenderfer, Planning Bureau Manager, spoke.
A motion was made by Commissioner Templin, seconded by
Commissioner Verduzco-Vega, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5 - Jane Templin, Erick Verduzco-Vega, Richard Lewis, Joni
Ricks-Oddie and Mark Christoffels
Absent: 1 - Josh LaFarga
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the public are invited to address the Planning
Commission on items of interest to the public within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Each
speaker will be limited to three minutes unless that time is extended by the Chair.
COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD: Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 5:00 p.m.
DB
Chair Christoffels adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
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CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
MINUTES
NOTE:
If written language translation of the Commission agenda and minutes for non-English
speaking persons is desired, please make your request by phone to the Office of the City
Clerk at (562) 570-6101, 72 business hours prior to the Commission meeting.
Kung nais ang pagsasalin ng nakasulat na wika ng agenda ng Komisyon at ang minutes
para sa mga taong hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles, mangyaring isagawa ang iyong hiling sa
pamamagitan ng telepono sa Opisina ng Clerk ng Lungsod sa (562) 570-6101, 72 oras ng
negosyo bago ang pagpupulong ng Commission.
Si desea obtener la traducción escrita en otro idioma de la agenda y actas de la comisión
para personas que no hablan inglés, haga su solicitud por teléfono a la Oficina de la
Secretaría Municipal al (562) 570-6101, 72 horas hábiles antes de la reunión de la
comisión.
Page 7 of 7
Agenda
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
AGENDA
Mark Christoffels, Chair Josh LaFarga, Commissioner
Joni Ricks-Oddie, Vice Chair Jane Templin, Commissioner
Erick Verduzco-Vega, Commissioner Richard Lewis, Commissioner
REVISED
REVISED SPECIAL MEETING
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE
PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER N-08-21 ISSUED
BY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
THE CIVIC CHAMBERS WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO
PLANNINGCOMMISSIONERS@LONGBEACH.GOV
TO CALL IN FOR TELEPHONIC PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE VISIT
http://www.longbeach.gov/lbds/planning/commission/
PLEASE VIEW THE MEETING FROM YOUR COMPUTER, TABLET, OR SMARTPHONE VIA:
https://longbeach.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=84
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
FLAG SALUTE
MINUTES
21-061PL Recommendation to receive and file the Planning Commission meeting
minutes of August 19, 2021.
Suggested Action: Approve recommendation.
Attachments: 8.19.21 PC Minutes
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Page 1 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
SWEARING OF WITNESSES
Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the evidence you shall give in this Planning
Commission meeting shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
REGULAR AGENDA
1. 21-062PL Recommendation to find the proposed vacation of a portion of public right-of-way
abutting 3770 East Willow Street in conformance with the adopted goals and
policies of the City’s General Plan (GPC21-001). (District 5)
Suggested Action: Approve recommendation.
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Vacation Exhibits
Attachment C - Site Photos
Attachment D - Conditions of Approval
Page 2 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
2. 21-063PL Recommendation to accept Categorical Exemption 21-055; approve a Site
Plan Review for the construction of 84, three-story, townhomes, a 567
square foot community room, and a 2,294 square foot commercial space
on a vacant 3.20 acre site; and approve Tentative Tract Map No. 83407 to
create two lots, with 84 airspace residential condominiums on Lot 1, and a
3,600-square-foot site for the commercial use on Lot 2, located at
5801-5893 Atlantic Avenue, 5882-5892 Linden Avenue and 501 E South
Street in the Mixed Use 3-A Zoning District (MU3-A). (District 9)
Suggested Action: Approve recommendation.
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Project Plans
Attachment C - Tentative Tract Map
Attachment D - Findings
Attachment E - Conditions of Approval
Attachment F - CEQA Findings
Public Comments
Page 3 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
3. 21-064PL Recommendation to accept Categorical Exemption CE21-056 and approve
Conditional Use Permit 21-009 (CUP 21-009) to allow off-site alcohol sales
(Type 20 - Beer and Wine) and Instructional Tasting (Type 86) in a
butcher shop within an existing 754 square-foot commercial space located
at 901 E. Wardlow Road within the Community Commercial
Automobile-Oriented (CCA) Zoning District. (District 7)
Suggested Action: Approve recommendation.
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Site Photos
Attachment C - Plans
Attachment D - Operation Plan
Attachment E - ABC Stats
Attachment F - Conditions of Approval
Attachment G - Findings
Attachment H - Public Comments
4. 21-065PL Recommendation to continue the project at 636 Locust Avenue to the next
Planning Commission meeting on September 16, 2021.
Suggested Action: Approve recommendation.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the public are invited to address the Planning
Commission on items of interest to the public within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Each
speaker will be limited to three minutes unless that time is extended by the Chair.
COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD: Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 5:00 p.m.
DB
Page 4 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
GUIDE FOR PERSONS INTENDING TO SPEAK
This guide has been prepared as an aid so that you will be able to express your opinions
briefly and clearly before the Commission and thus increase the effectiveness of your
presentation. Remarks are generally limited to 3 minutes. 1. State your name and address. 2.
Organization you represent, if any. 3. State whether for or against the proposal. 4. Your
statement should include all pertinent facts within your knowledge; avoid gossip, emotion and
repetition. It is important to discuss only those matters relating to the hearing and to tie your
discussion of the facts directly to the decision you wish the Commission to reach. A clear,
concise and non-repetitive argument is impressive. In order to have written material included in
the Planning Commissioner’s mailed Agenda Packet, twelve (12) copies of the material must be
delivered to the Department of Development Services, Planning Bureau, no later than ten (10)
calendar days before the date of the Planning Commission Hearing. Written material that is
presented to the Planning Commission after this date and up to 1:00 p.m. the day of the
Planning Commission Hearing, will be included in the Commissioners’ Agenda folder, but may
not be reviewed by the individual Commissioners due to the amount of material that the
Commissioners have to review for the Agenda. Material presented to the Commission at the
Hearing will be part of the record but also may not be reviewed by individual Commissioners.
Page 5 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
NOTE:
If oral language interpretation for non-English speaking persons is desired or if a special
accommodation is desired pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please make your
request by phone to the Office of the City Clerk at (562) 570-6101, 24 business hours prior
to the Charter Commission meeting.
Kung nais ang interpretasyon ng sinasalitang wika para sa mga taong hindi nagsasalita ng
Ingles o kung nais ang isang natatanging tulong ayon sa Americans with Disabilities Act,
mangyaring isagawa ang iyong hiling sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa Opisina ng Clerk ng
Lungsod sa (562) 570-6101, 24 oras ng negosyo bago ang pagpupulong ng Charter
Commission.
Si desea interpretación oral en otro idioma para personas que no hablan inglés o si desea
una adaptación especial en conformidad con la Ley de Estadounidenses con
Discapacidades, haga su solicitud por teléfono a la Oficina de la Secretaría Municipal al
(562) 570-6101, 24 horas hábiles antes de la reunión de la comisión de estatutos.
Page 6 of 7
CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA HELD VIA TELECONFERENCE, 5:00 PM
If written language translation of the Commission agenda and minutes for non-English
speaking persons is desired, please make your request by phone to the Office of the City
Clerk at (562) 570-6101, 72 business hours prior to the Commission meeting.
Kung nais ang pagsasalin ng nakasulat na wika ng agenda ng Komisyon at ang minutes
para sa mga taong hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles, mangyaring isagawa ang iyong hiling sa
pamamagitan ng telepono sa Opisina ng Clerk ng Lungsod sa (562) 570-6101, 72 oras ng
negosyo bago ang pagpupulong ng Commission.
Si desea obtener la traducción escrita en otro idioma de la agenda y actas de la comisión
para personas que no hablan inglés, haga su solicitud por teléfono a la Oficina de la
Secretaría Municipal al (562) 570-6101, 72 horas hábiles antes de la reunión de la comisión.
Page 7 of 7
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