SYNOPSIS
PLANNING COMMISSION
JULY 23, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
6:00 P.M.
NORWALK CITY HALL/COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Linda Lopez, Chair
Kim Apodaca, Vice Chair
Rosa Barragan, Planning Commissioner
Chris Macias, Planning Commissioner
Lisa Vernola-Salas, Planning Commissioner
Public Comment: The public is encouraged to address the Planning Commission on any matter listed on the agenda or on any other matter within its jurisdiction subject to the rules and proceedings described in Section 2.16.060 of the Norwalk Municipal Code. If you wish to address the Planning Commission, please complete the card that is provided at the rear entrance to Council Chambers and hand the card to the Secretary. The Planning Commission will hear public comment on items listed on the agenda during discussion of the matter and prior to a vote. The Planning Commission will hear public comment on matters not listed on the agenda during the Oral Communications period.
Pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act, no action may be taken on a matter unless it is listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. The Planning Commission may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future Planning Commission meeting.
Please adhere to the following procedures when addressing the Planning Commission:
Comments should be limited to 3 minutes or less.
Comments should be directed to the Planning Commission as a whole and not directed to individual Planning Commission members.
Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to participate in a City meeting or other services offered by this City, please contact the Community Development Department, (562) 929-5744. Assisted listening devices are available at this meeting. Ask the Secretary if you desire to use this device. Upon request, the agenda and documents in the agenda packet can be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist the City staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.
Note: Any writings and/or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda after it has been posted will also be made available for public inspection.
Writings and/or documents are available for inspection in the Community Development Department, City Hall, 12700 Norwalk Boulevard during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every other Friday; telephone (562) 929-5744. You may also contact the City Clerk via e-mail at [email protected] Planning Commission Synopsis, July 23, 2025 Page 2 of 2 CALL TO ORDER6:00 P.M.
FLAG SALUTEChair Lopez
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERSCommissioner Barragan, Commissioner Vernola-Salas, Vice Chair Apodaca and Chair Lopez. Commissioner Macias was absent.
1. MEETING MINUTES – Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the minutes of the Special Planning Commission Meetings of May 14, 2025, and June 25, 2025.
Planning Commission Action: Approved.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDP) NO. 2025-01
DIRECTOR APPROVAL REQUEST (DAR) NO. 2025-06
DIRECTOR APPROVAL REQUEST (DAR) NO. 2025-07
Scott Wilkeson, McDonald’s USA, LLC (“Applicant”); a request to demolish an existing 2,721 square feet (SF) drive-through restaurant to construct a new 2,123± SF dual order point drive- through lane restaurant (McDonald’s) improved with an off-street parking lot, ornamental landscaping, and associated infrastructure on a 0.51-acres lot. The subject property is generally known as 12959 Rosecrans Avenue, located west of Shoemaker Avenue and north of Rosecrans Avenue (also known as Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 8046-002-032), in the Restricted Commercial (C-1) zone.
Environmental: Consider and find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
The project includes a request for:
(1) PDP 2025-01: To construct a new 2,123± SF dual order point drive-through lane restaurant (McDonald’s) improved with an off-street parking lot, ornamental landscaping, and associated infrastructure on a 0.51-acres lot;
(2) DAR 2025-06: To permit the operation of a drive-through establishment; and (3) DAR 2025-07: To deviate from required landscaping standards.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission:
(a) Adopt Resolution No. 25-08 to approve Precise Development Plan (PDP) No. 2025-01 subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in Exhibit “A”; (b) Adopt Resolution No. 25-09 to approve Director Approval Request (DAR) No. 2025-06 subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in Exhibit “A”; (c) Adopt Resolution No. 25-10 to approve Director Approval Request (DAR) No. 2025-07 subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in Exhibit “A”; and (d) Consider and find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
Planning Commission Action: Approved staff’s recommendations by a vote of 4-0.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Alex Hamilton, Interim Director of Community Development, thanked the Commission for their support on this new concept from McDonald’s, which the City embraces. Further, he provided an update on the California Youth Authority (CYA) site stating that escrow will close tomorrow; that this is a significant milestone for the City; and he thanked the Commission and City Council for their support.
ADJOURNMENT 6:21 P.M.