Commission Adopts Resolution to “Modernize” Penske Chevrolet Dealership

may have made the request to ditch the Auto Square‘s uniformed New Orleans look, which was , but may be the first to undergo aesthetic changes under the amended municipal code.

In a unanimous vote, the commission adopted a resolution to allow PC Cerritos Realty LLC, which presented the proposal on behalf of Penske Chevrolet, to construct an addition to the dealership’s existing office and showroom building, including enclosing the covered outdoor display area.

Senior Planner Sandra Cisneros said during the April 4 meeting held at the City Hall Council Chambers, the additions are “designed to modernize the existing dealership.”

Cisneros said the New Orleans look, which has existed for Auto Square dealerships for more than 40 years, will be ditched.

She added, “Existing signage and logos will also be removed.”

During a PowerPoint presentation by Cisneros, she said some of the changes would include repainted showrooms, the construction of external metal panels, etc.

Planning Commission: One meeting or two per month?

The Planning Commission’s meetings scheduled for the first and third Wednesdays of every month may soon be a thing of the past, if the body agrees to a city staff recommendation.

City staff, citing the lack of agenda items, conducted a study exploring the possibility of the commission eliminating one meeting per month with a second meeting scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Contreras said, “… in light of the fact that the city’s about 99 percent developed, and with the elimination of redevelopment -- and the current recession we’ve experienced for the past five years -- there’s been a significant drop-off in the volume of entitlements being processed at the Planning Commission level.”

In the event that there’s an up tick in agenda items, Vice Chair Naresh Solanki asked how staff would convene a quorum on short notice.

Current Planning Manager Robert A. Lopez suggested commissioners could reserve the third Wednesday of the month as a “place holder.”

Lopez added, “If there is a schedule conflict, a meeting could be called any day of the week.”

Lopez said in addition to improving “efficiency,” cancelling 12 meetings each year would save the city about $7,200 annually. Lopez said each meeting cost $600, which includes direct contract staff and material costs.

Commissioners Frank Yokoyama and Chuong Vo voiced objections to amending the municipal code.

Commissioner Heung “Nick” Kim was in favor of the staff recommendation.

Kim said he served on the commission in 2007, and noticed more agenda items. He called staff’s recommendation “reasonable.”

After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to make a recommendation to staff to amend the code and bring it back to the body for further review.

The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, April, 18 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.