South Gate planning commission approves classroom project, strikes four conditions; applicant cites asbestos testing and fencing

The South Gate Planning Commission voted to approve a project to replace existing buildings with new classrooms and agreed to remove conditions numbered 9, 14–18 and 33 from the staff report.

The commission’s motion to strike those conditions was made by Commissioner Liz and carried unanimously after a recorded roll call. Commissioners Pietro, Luis, Vice Chairperson LaGrin and Chairperson Ozaieta voted yes; the motion passed.

Project representatives told the commission they will test removed asphalt and other materials for asbestos before any full demolition. “Before we can do any full demolition, we have to do testing so that in case there is asbestos, we do full abatement on everything,” a project representative said. The representative added the construction area would be fully fenced off and secured so “no one will be able to be inside the construction zone the entire time that the building’s under construction.”

On-site parking will be retained after construction, the project team said. In response to a commissioner’s question, the applicant said excavation will be minimal because the site is flat and construction-related digging will be limited to asphalt removal and foundations.

The commission heard one emailed comment about another project and opened the room for public comment; staff reported receiving one written submission related to the item. The email from Mario Dominguez asked when a separate Starbucks project on Atlantic Avenue would enter construction and be completed; staff answered that the Starbucks applicant has requested a time extension and that there is no firm construction schedule.

Associate planner Joshua Valdez read into the record that the conditions being stricken were either written for conditional lease permits not part of this project or duplicated elsewhere in the conditions. The motion’s mover said the change was to remove conditions that did not apply.

The commission did not adopt additional directions to staff during the vote. No fines, penalties or financial terms were specified at the hearing.

What happens next: staff will finalize the permit paperwork reflecting the deleted conditions and proceed with the project’s permitting steps. The project representative and staff emphasized that required dust-control measures and conformance with air-quality rules will be followed during work adjacent to occupied buildings.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to strike conditions 9, 14–18 and 33: Mover — Commissioner Liz; Second — Raul Co.; Outcome — approved (yes: Pietro, Luis, Vice Chairperson LaGrin, Chairperson Ozaieta).