Woodruff property could be consolidated for future development

A vacant 2.64-acre property at 12850 Woodruff Ave., just north of the 105 Freeway, is proposed to be consolidated from 24 separate parcels into a single lot. No development is currently proposed for the site. (Photo by Eric Pierce)

DOWNEY — A vacant 2.64-acre property along Woodruff Avenue could be consolidated from 24 separate parcels into a single lot under a proposal going before the Downey Planning Commission.

The commission is scheduled to consider a tentative parcel map for the property at 12850 Woodruff Ave., immediately north of the 105 Freeway. City planning staff is recommending approval.

The approximately 111,587-square-foot property consists of 24 remnant parcels created by Caltrans during construction and expansion of the Century Freeway. Most of the individual parcels are landlocked and do not have direct access to Woodruff Avenue or other access easements, according to a city staff report.

Applicant Mohamad Pournamdari is seeking to combine the parcels into one property on behalf of owner 4 Prairie Inc.

No development is proposed as part of the application.

The site has a split General Plan designation, with Neighborhood Commercial on the west side and Medium Density Residential on the east. The entire property is zoned R-1-5000, or single-family residential.

City planners said the parcel consolidation does not require a General Plan amendment or zone change because the application deals only with the configuration of the property. Any future development proposal would undergo a separate city review to determine whether land-use or zoning changes are necessary.

The resulting parcel would measure about 78.9 feet wide and more than 1,257 feet deep. Staff said the consolidated property would meet the city's minimum lot-size standards and could accommodate future development consistent with applicable zoning and General Plan requirements.

The narrow property stretches east from Woodruff Avenue between existing development to the north and the 105 Freeway to the south. A storm drain easement owned by the city and Caltrans crosses the northern portion of the site and would remain unchanged.

The property previously drew interest for a proposed residential development. A public comment submitted to the city objected to a 28-unit townhome project, citing concerns about parking, traffic and neighborhood impacts.

However, city staff said that housing application has since been formally withdrawn and is not part of the parcel map now before commissioners.

After staff clarified the scope of the current application, the resident who submitted the objection said she had no objection to the parcel consolidation, according to the report.

The city's Development Review Committee, which includes representatives from planning, police, fire, public works and building and safety, raised no objections to the proposal.

Planning staff also determined the parcel map is exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act because it would not change allowable density or land uses and includes no development.

If approved, a final parcel map would still need to be prepared and ultimately approved by the City Council before being recorded. The tentative approval would expire after 24 months unless extended. Approval of the parcel map would not authorize construction on the site.