Area Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Angeles, CA · February 24, 2016
Minutes
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission Minutes
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Ramona Hall Community Center
4580 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90065
MINUTES OF THE EAST LOS ANGELES AREA PLANNING COMMISSION HEREIN ARE
REPORTED IN ACTION FORMAT. COMPLETE DETAILS, INCLUDING THE ENTIRE
DISCUSSION, RELATING TO EACH ITEM ARE CONTAINED IN THE AUDIO RECORDING FOR
THIS MEETING. COPIES OF AUDIO RECORDINGS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING
CENTRAL PUBLICATIONS, AT (213) 978-1255 AND ARE ALSO ACCESSIBLE ONLINE AT
planning.lacity.org.
The meeting was called to order by Commission Vice-President Donna Choi at 4:56 p.m. with
Commissioners Patricia Alarcon, Johann Diel, and Teri Stein present. Commissioner
Christopher Arellano was absent.
Also in attendance were, Jane Choi, Senior City Planner, Oscar Medellin, Deputy City Attorney,
and Felicidad Pingol, Commission Executive Assistant.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 1
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Choi updated the Commission on the following items of interest:
• Re:Code LA (New Zoning Code)
• Small Lot Code Amendment and Policy Update
• Draft of Ordinance for Small Lot
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 2
COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. Advance Calendar:
Commission Secretary announced that the case scheduled for March 9, 2016 will be moved
to a later date as requested by the Applicant. .
B. Commission Requests:
Commissioner Choi congratulated Commissioner Stein for completing the recently held Los
Angeles Marathon.
___________________________________
ITEM NO. 3
ZA-2014-3054-ZAD-1A Council District: 14 - Huizar
CEQA: ENV-2014-2809-MND Last Day to Act: 03-09-16
Plan Area: Boyle Heights
PROJECT SITE: 2650 East Olympic Boulevard
IN ATTENDANCE:
Charles J. Rausch, Associate Zoning Administrator, representing the Planning Department; Joel
Athey and Jennifer Hernandez, representing the applicant, and Jeff Modrzejewski, the
appellant.
MOTION:
Commissioners Choi and Alarcon put forth the actions below in conjunction with the approval
of the following project:
The retention, conversion, and adaptive reuse of an existing 1,844,000 square-foot warehouse
and retail building (Sears Building – Historical Cultural Monument No. 788) in the C2-1 and M2-
1 Zones.
1. Deny the appeal;
2. Sustain the action of the Zoning Administrator in approving, pursuant to Los Angeles
Municipal Code Sections 12.24-X, 1, 12.24-X, 1 (b )(2), 12.24-X, 1 (b )(3) and 12.24X, 13,
a Zoning Administrator's Determination to permit the retention, conversion and adaptive
reuse of an existing 1 ,840,000 square-foot warehouse and retail building (Sears Building,
Historic-Cultural Monument No. 788) in the C2-1 and M2-1 Zones;
3. Adopt the Conditions of Approval;
4. Adopt the Zoning Administrator's Findings;
5. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2014-2809-MND with additional findings
contained in letter by the Zoning Administrator dated February 24, 2016;
6. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for ENV-2014-2809-MND.
Commissioner Diel seconded the motion and the vote proceeded as follows:
Moved: Choi (Motion No. 1 and 2)
Alarcon (Motion Nos. 3 through 6)
Seconded: Diel
Ayes: Stein
Absent: Arellano
Vote: 4-0
MOTION PASSED
___________________________________
East Los Angeles Area 2 February 24, 2016
Planning Commission
ITEM NO. 5
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no speakers who requested to address the Commission.
There being no further business to come before the East Los Angeles Area Planning
Commission , the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
Donha Choi, Vice-President
East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission
Patricia Alarcon , Com issioner
East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission
ADOPTED
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
OCT 2 5 2017
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
COMMISSION OFFICE
East Los Angeles Area 3 February 24, 2016
Planning Commission
Agenda
Información en Español acerca de esta junta puede ser obtenida Ilamando al (213) 978-1300
EAST LOS ANGELES AREA PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016, 4:30 P.M.
RAMONA HALL COMMUNITY CENTER
4580 NORTH FIGUEROA STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90065
Christopher Arellano, President
Donna Choi, Vice President
Patricia Alarcon, Commissioner
Johann R. Diel, Commissioner
Teri Stein, Commissioner
Fely C. Pingol, Commission Executive Assistant
(213) 978-1300; FAX (213) 978-1029
EVERY PERSON WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION MUST COMPLETE A SPEAKER’S REQUEST
FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE COMMISSION EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.
POLICY FOR DESIGNATED PUBLIC HEARING ITEM No. 3.
Pursuant to the Commission=s general operating procedures, the Commission at times must necessarily limit the
speaking times of those presenting testimony on either side of an issue that is designated as a public hearing
item. In all instances, however, equal time is allowed for presentation of pros and cons of matters to be acted
upon. All requests to address the Commission on public hearing items must be submitted prior to the
Commission=s consideration of the item. TIME SEGMENTS noted herein are approximate. Some items may be
delayed due to length of discussion of previous items.
To ensure that the Commission has ample opportunity to review written materials, members of the public
who wish to submit written materials on agendized items should submit them to the Commission Office,
200 North Spring Street, Room 532, Los Angeles, CA 90012, at least 10 days prior to the meeting at which
the item is to be heard in order to meet the mailing deadline. Note: Materials received after the mailing
deadline will be placed in the official case file.
Day of hearing submissions (10 copies must be provided) are limited to 2 pages plus accompanying
photographs, posters, and PowerPoint presentations of 5 minutes or less.
The Commission may RECONSIDER and alter its action taken on items listed herein at any time during this
meeting or during the next regular meeting, in accordance with the Commission Policies and Procedures and
provided that the Commission retains jurisdiction over the case.
AGENDAS are posted for public review in the Main Street lobby of City Hall East, 200 No. Main Street, Los
Angeles, California, and are accessible through the Internet World Wide Web at www.planning.lacity.org.
In the case of a Commission meeting cancellation, all items shall be continued to the next regular
meeting date or beyond, as long as the continuance is within the legal time limits of the case or cases.
If you challenge these agenda items in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else
raised at the public hearing agendized here, or in written correspondence on these matters delivered to this
agency at or prior to the public hearing.
If you seek judicial review of any decision of the City pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section
1094.5, the petition for writ of mandate pursuant to that section must be filed no later than the 90th day following
the date on which the City's decision became final pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.
There may be other time limits which also affect your ability to seek judicial review.
GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS:
CEQA - Calif. Environmental Quality Act ND - Negative Declaration
EIR - Environmental Impact Report MND - Mitigated Negative Declaration
CE - Categorical Exemption
1. DEPARTMENT REPORT
A. Items of interest
2. COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. Advance Calendar
B. Commission Requests
3, ZA-2014-3054-ZAD-1A
CEQA: ENV-2014-2809-MND Council District: 14
Location: 2650 East Olympic Boulevard
Plan Area: Boyle Heights Expiration Date: 3/9/16
Appeal Status: Not further appealable to City
Council
PUBLIC HEARING
Requested Action:
AN APPEAL of the Zoning Administrator’s decision to approve, pursuant to Los Angeles
Municipal Code Sections 12.24-X,1, 12.24-X,1(b)(2), 12.24-X,1(b)(3) and 12.24X,13, a
Zoning Administrator’s Determination to permit the retention, conversion and adaptive reuse
of an existing 1,840,000 square-foot warehouse and retail building (Sears Building, Historic-
Cultural Monument No. 788) in the C2-1 and M2-1 Zones.
Applicant: East River Group, LLC
Representative: Hamid Behdad. PE – Central City Development Group
Appellant: Jeff Modrzejewski
Representative: Thomas Enslow – Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo
Recommended Action:
1. Deny the appeal;
2. Sustain the action of the Zoning Administrator in approving, pursuant to Los Angeles
Municipal Code Sections 12.24-X,1, 12.24-X,1(b)(2), 12.24-X,1(b)(3) and 12.24X,13, a
Zoning Administrator’s Determination to permit the retention, conversion and adaptive
reuse of an existing 1,840,000 square-foot warehouse and retail building (Sears
Building, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 788) in the C2-1 and M2-1 Zones;
3. Adopt the Conditions of Approval;
4. Adopt the Zoning Administrator’s Findings;
5. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration ENV-2014-2809-MND;
6. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for ENV-2014-2809-MND.
Staff: Charles J. Rausch, (213) 978-1306
East Los Angeles 2 FEBRUARY 24, 2016
Area Planning Commission
4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The Area Planning Commission shall provide an opportunity in open meetings for the public
to address them on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter
jurisdiction of the Area Planning Commission. (This requirement is in addition to any other
hearing required or imposed by law.) Persons making requests are encouraged to do so in
writing and should submit 10 copies to the Area Planning Commission for its consideration.
Persons wishing to speak must submit a speaker’s request form prior to the commencement
of the public comment period. Individual testimony within the public comment period shall
be limited to five (5) minutes per person and up to ten (10) minutes per subject.
The next regular meeting of the East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission
will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at
Ramona Hall Community Center
4580 North Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles, California 90065
An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los
Angeles does not discriminate. The meeting facility and its parking are wheelchair
accessible. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids
and/or other services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services,
please make your request no later than three working days (72 hours) prior to the meeting
by calling the Commission Executive Assistant at (213) 978-1300 or by email at
APCEastla@lacity.org.
East Los Angeles Area 3 DECEMBER 9, 2015
Planning Commission
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