City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 5:00 PM
Special Meeting
5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mendoza called meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. via teleconferencing.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 5 -
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items within their jurisdiction.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
City Council/Successor Agency recessed to Closed Session at 5:11 p.m.
1. Pursuant to Government Code §54956.8, the City Council will confer with its real property negotiator, Edgar Cisneros, with respect to real estate negotiations with related to properties located at 6364 Zindell Street, Commerce, CA (APN: 6357-015-900 and 6357-019-304) and 7316 E. Gage Ave. (APN: 6357-018-005).
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council/Successor Agency reconvened to open session at 5:50 p.m.
ORAL CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Attorney Tapia reported on item #1 on Closed session agenda. Staff made a presentation, the City Council provided feedback and no reportable action was taken on this item.
ROLL CALL
City of Commerce Page 1 Printed on 3/1/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes February 15, 2022
Councilmember Soria
Councilmember Altamirano
Councilmember Argumedo
Mayor Mendoza
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
Present: 5 -
ORDINANCES
1. Adoption of General Plan Amendment No. 21-01; Adoption of Specific Plan No. 21-01; Zone Change 21-01; Introduction for First Reading by Title Only an Ordinance Amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Commerce Municipal Code to Revise Section 19.05.010 (Zones Established), Adding Section 19.16 (Specific Plans), and Revise Section 19.25.140 (Off-Site Signs Permitted with Restrictions), and an Associated Amendment to the Zoning Map; and a Development Agreement; and Approval of Site Plan No. 997, Master Sign Plan, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 83334, and Consider Certifying Environmental Impact Report
Mayor Mendoza opened Public Hearing.
Jasmine, and Maria, Commerce residents, opposed the Modelo project and asked that the City Council look into tenant protection policies, anti-harassment policies, and providing more affordable housing in the City of Commerce.
Andrea Luna opposed the Modelo Project due to the impacts on the community.
Alfonzo Sanchez, Jose Garcia, Alex Zamora, Richard Licerio, Jason Baiz, Efrain Lopez, Jose Radillo, David Singerman, Jesus Sosa, LiUNA members spoke in support of the Modelo Project.
Ernesto Pantoja and Ray Morales spoke in support of the Modelo Project and stated that it would bring good-paying jobs to the area.
Ted Jimenez spoke on behalf of the forty members of Southwest Carpenters Union present in the room, supporting the Modelo Project. This Project would allow local hires and would bring good jobs.
Juan Serrato, North America Union member, Xiomari, Member of Electrical Union, Brian Jamaine, Jesus Sosa, Union members, Doug Summers, Teamsters Local 70 member, and Albert Duarte, Iron Workers Union member, spoke in support of the Project. Pete, and Omar, Galindo, also union members, spoke in support of the Project.
City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 3/1/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes February 15, 2022
Shawn Silva, and Patrick, Creed LA representatives, spoke in support of the Modelo Project and added that this Project would be offering affordable housing elements.
Gofrey Ashiram, Creed LA representative, also supported the Modelo Project and stated that the smart development calls for density and green space, which this Project would bring to the area.
Desiree and Edgar Ortiz spoke in support of the Project.
Mayor Mendoza closed Public Hearing.
The Director of Economic Development and Planning Jimenez, provided a brief introduction and overview. According to Director Jimenez, Creed LA filed an appeal, but it has been withdrawn.
Adrian Comstock provided an overview of the Project, which would include a pedestrian-friendly environment, underground parking, a contemporary Community Center, sports fields, and a museum with rotating exhibitions.
Patrick Tighe, the Architect for the Modelo Project, stated that this proposed Project evolved over the years. The Modelo development would connect communities.
Fernando Villa and Marty Akerblom provided an overview of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Modelo Project. The developer would remediate this property, including Mr.Comstock' property and the City portion of the Modelo Project. In addition, Comstock is making a twelve-million contribution to the Community Center.
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Comstock and City staff for working hard on this Project of this size. It was a consensus among the City Council that using union labor would also benefit the City and bring good jobs.
Mr. Comstock partnered with labor and provided jobs locally. Further discussion took place that initially it was proposed as a warehouse, but since the City Council is looking into bringing more housing, this Project evolved into the Modelo project that also offers affordable housing.
Mayor Mendoza added that this would be a great neighborhood that everyone City of Commerce Page 3 Printed on 3/1/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes February 15, 2022
could enjoy since it would have a grocery store, community center, and sports fields. In addition, this property would be remediated. This Project would provide jobs to local union members, and people would be able to rent or purchase townhouses or condos. In addition, traffic in the area would improve from grade D to grade B by improving this area.
Councilmember Altamirano moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to adopt General Plan Amendment No. 21-01; adopt Specific Plan No. 21-01; Zone Change 21-01, and Introduce for First Reading by title only an Ordinance amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Commerce Municipal Code to revise Section 19.05.010 (Zones established), add Section 19.16 (Specific Plans), and revise Section 19.25.140 (Off-site signs permitted with restrictions), and an associated amendment to the Zoning Map; and a Development Agreement, and independently review and take final action on Site Plan No. 997, Master Sign Plan, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 83334, and consider certifying Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2019080312), approved and certified by the Planning Commission on January 19, 2022.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
2. First Reading of Uncodified Ordinance Approving Amended and Restated Development Agreement Related to Application #18-074 and Replacing Commercial Cannabis Development Agreements No. 724
Knarik Vizcarra, Contract Planner, provided and overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo moved, seconded by Councilmember Argumedo, to introduce for First Reading, by waiving the full reading and reading by title only, an Uncodified Ordinance approving an amended and restated Development Agreement the Green City LLC., Commercial Cannabis related to Permit Application No. 18-074, and to replace Development Agreement No. 724 for expanding of square footage within the existing building, and change of name of business, an approved commercial cannabis business at 2939 S. Vail Ave.; and making a determination regarding exemption from further CEQA review and direct staff to prepare and file corresponding Notices of Exemption. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Soria, Councilmember Altamirano, Councilmember Argumedo, Mayor Mendoza, and Mayor Pro Tem Rebollo
5 -
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
City of Commerce Page 4 Printed on 3/1/2022
City Council Meeting Minutes February 15, 2022
City of Commerce Page 5 Printed on 3/1/2022