Planning Commission Synopsis, August 26, 2026 Page 3 of 3
SYNOPSIS
PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 26, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
6:00 P.M.
NORWALK CITY HALL/COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Kim Apodaca, Chair
Rosa Barragan, Vice Chair
Linda Lopez, 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, August 26, 2026 Page 2 of 3 CALL TO ORDER6:00 P.M.
FLAG SALUTEChair Apodaca
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERSCommissioner Macias, Commissioner Vernola-Salas, and Chair Apodaca. Commissioner Lopez and Vice Chair Barragan absent.
1. MEETING MINUTES – Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the minutes of the Special Planning Commission Meeting of August 12, 2026.
Planning Commission Action: Approved.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. DIRECTOR APPROVAL REQUEST (DAR) NO. 2026-09
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) NO. 2026-04
Steve Rawlings on behalf of Northgate González Market (“Northgate”) (“Applicant”); a request to allow the ancillary sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits (Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 47 License) for on-site consumption and live entertainment as part of Northgate bona fide restaurant operations. Northgate operates within an existing 57,081 square foot building located within a 4.97-acre shopping center (“Norwalk Plaza”) located at 11660 Firestone Boulevard (also known as Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 8048-007-023) within the General Commercial (C- 3) Zone.
Environmental: Consider and find that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), as the project consists of the continued operation and minor alteration of an existing commercial facility involving negligible expansion of the existing use.
The project includes requests for:
(1) DAR No. 2026-09 – requesting approval to allow the ancillary sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits (Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 47 License) for on-site consumption and live entertainment as part of Northgate bona fide restaurant operations; and (2) CUP No. 2026-04 – requesting approval to modify conditions of approval for an existing Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 21 Off-Sale General) license (Conditional Use Permit No. 861), to allow the sale of single containers of beer products, as part of Northgate operations.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 26-11 to approve Director Approval Request No. 2026-09 subject to Conditions of Approval contained in Exhibit “A”; and
(2) Adopt Resolution No. 26-12 to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2026-04 subject to Conditions of Approval contained in Exhibit “A”; and
(3) Consider and find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
Planning Commission Action: Approved staff’s recommendations by a vote of 3-0.
3. ZONE CHANGE NO. 2026-01
A City-initiated request to amend the zoning map to correct the zoning as R-1, not C-1, due to a typographical error for Assessor Parcel Nos. 8070-019-036, 8070-020-031, 8070-020- 032, 8070-023-006, 8070-024-007, 8070-024-008, 8070-024-009.
Planning Commission Synopsis, August 26, 2026 Page 3 of 3 Staff Recommendation:
That the Planning Commission:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 26-13 to recommend approval to City Council for Zone Change No. 2026-01; and
(2) Recommend City Council adopt a Categorical Exemption for the zone change pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
Planning Commission Action: Approved staff’s recommendations by a vote of 3-0.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
ADJOURNMENT 7:02 P.M.