HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/22/1991CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 22e 1991
`-7,CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Schey called the meeting to order at 6:35
p.m. in the Walnut Malley School District Board
Meeting Room, 880 South Lemon Street, Diamond Bar,
California.
PLEDGE OF
The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by
ALLEGIANCE:
Vice Chairman Harmony.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioner Lin, Commissioner MacBride, vice
Chairman Harmony, and Chairman Schey. Commissioner
Grothe arrived at 6:50 p.m.
Also present were Planning Director James
DeStefano, Associate Planner Robert Searcy,
Planning Technician Ann Lungu, City Engineer Sid
Mousavi, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. City
Planner Emeritus Irwin Kaplan arrived at 8:15 p.m.
MINUTES:
Motion was made by C/MacBride, seconded by
VC/Harmony and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the
March 11, 1991
Minutes of March 11, 1991.
April 8, 1991
Motion was made by VC/Harmony, seconded by
C/MacBride and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the
Minutes of April 8, 1991.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Associate Planner Robert Searcy stated that the
request to develop, in two phases, the build -out of
CUP 90-0127
an existing mobile home park, is a continued public
Diamond Bar
hearing from the April 8, 1991 meeting. He
Estates
presented staffs' recommendations of the conditions
of approval for the parking and open space
requirements, as well as the specifications of the
sound wall. He stated that the City Engineer will
make a presentation regarding the hydrology report.
Staff recommended that the Commission consider the
following alternatives: Approve the project,
subject to present and future conditions of
approval; deny the project; or continue the project
until the applicant supplies staff with all
necessary data.
Planning Director James DeStefano specified that
the acreage amount and the dollar amount
recommended by staff for open space area are a
maximum requirement. The specifics will have to be
worked out with the developers. He also noted that
the stated conditions regarding the lighting plan
would be changed to indicate that the plan would be
i --I subject to the review and approval of the City.
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April 220 1991 Page 2
City Engineer Sid Mousavi stated that the
calculations in the hydrology report, submitted by
the applicant, are lower than what staff
anticipated. He indicated that the applicant did
not identify how the storm drain system will Ibe
taken care of. The system proposed is inadequate
and needs more accurate calculation and analysis to
identify appropriate mitigation measures., �He
informed the Commission that the officials from the
City of Industry have indicated that they would�be
willing to work with the developer to up -grade the
existing culvert in order to mitigate the drainage
matters.
The Public Hearing was declared opened.
Richard Simonian, applicant, reviewed the
conditions of approval. To mitigate the open space
area, he indicated that he would incorporate the
other 'oorJon of the property, into the CUP, to be
used for the additional recreation area for the
mobile home park. He requested some leeway, based
on grading, for the final location of the sound
wall. In regards to the drainage issue, i'he
maintained that the property is responsible for
retaining water used by the park only. The deeper
basin will adequately take care of percolation.,
i
VC/Harmony inquired why the applicant did not get a
percolation test, as was requested. I
Mr. Simonian responded that they had not thought
one would be needed. If the Commission requires
one, it will be provided. i
VC/Harmony indicated a recent discussion with
officials from the City of Industry who very
receptive to working with the developer to mitigate
the drainage problem.
Mr. Simonian maintained that the city of Industry
has not given a "down stream water letter" :to
permit the flow of water into their area. i He
stated that he would either request a continuance,
if the Commission thought the project possible, or
he would withdraw the application.
Terry Bono, residing at the Diamond Bar Estates,
expressed concern for the safety of the children
residing so close to the railroad tracks. a
April 22, 1991 Page 3
Diane Caldwell, residing at the Diamond Bar
Estates, complained about the weeds behind the
property, and it's potential fire hazard. She also
suggested that the levers on the garbage door be
lowered so children can dump trash without spilling
it.
The Public Hearing was declared closed.
Deputy Attorney Bill Curley cautioned the
Commission against trying to remedy all the
potential park deficiencies relating back to the
entirety of the project. He advised that a
conditional negative declaration should be based on
mitigation measures that are known and included
into the plans.
Chair/Schey stated that he is inclined to approve
the project and minimize the requirement for open
space or in -lieu fees that would be applicable to
the additional units. He would approve the second
phase at such time as the storm drain issue is
resolved. He inquired what is lacking in the
hydrology report.
CE/Mousavi explained that the proposed retention
basin will not adequately hold a reasonable storm
fall because the soil condition is clay, causing
slow percolation, and creating nuisance water.
Because of this, there is a need for a sump pump.
The applicant has not furnished information
concerning the design of this pump. He reiterated
that the City of Industry is willing to work with
the developer in putting in a storm drain system,
within the railroad right of way only. The off
size, in the existing drain, could be utilized to
take care of the drainage problem.
VC/Harmony noted that the sump area appears to have
been a temporary measure, approved by the County,
until a storm drain system was developed. This
concept will eventually have to be mitigated.
However, there is no economic incentive for the
applicant to ever get this done right of way. The
project can be accomplished, but the problem must
be appropriately solved, with consideration to any
concerns of the railroad company.
C/Lin concurred that there needs to be more open
space in the project. She.stated that she is also
concerned with percolation because it can be very
costly in the future to correct. The drainage
problem needs to be addressed and the system
designed properly.
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April 22, 1991 Page 4
VC/Harmony stated that he favors continuing the PR
project as indicated in the third alternative of
staffs' recommendations.
C/MacBride concurred with allowing a continuance
until information concerning the additional
recreational area and the percolation data is
submitted by the applicant.
C/Grothe agreed with allowing the continuance. He
requested staff to draft the appropriate
resolution.
Chair/Schey indicated that The Quimby Act,
regarding the recreation open space, should The
pegged at the 29 additional units rather than
trying to right the wrongs of the past. I i
Mr. Simonian concurred with continuing the public
hearing, and waiving all time lines. He requested
a 45 day continuance to allow time to address all
the issues.
Motion was made by C/MacBride, seconded by
VC/Harmony and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to continue the
matter to the meeting of June 10, 1991, with
direction to staff to obtain information on the
exact performance and specifications of the
retention bas4 -n; what the actual dedication of open
space and lieu fees should be; clarifications of
the set back from the sound wall and/or the tracks;
and clarification from the City of Industry as�lto
what their intent is, and what the possibility
would be for ultimate mitigation for this matter.
The city engineer is encouraged to attempt to
receive a definitive response from them.
Chair/Schey called a recess at 7:50 p.m. The
meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
CUP 90-0125 Staff recommended that the matter be removed -from
the calendar until such time as all information has
Office Project been received and analyzed.
The Public hearing was declared open.
The Public Hearing was declared closed.
VC/Harmony requested that the public hearing i be
renotiQed. A 500 foot radius should be utilized
for the notice, given the constraints of the
property's location.
April 22, 1991
PD/DeStefano stated that, to avoid appearing
selective in the notification standards, it is
advised that the Commission develop a policy
whereby all projects have a 500 foot radius for
notification, starting with this one.
VC/Harmony suggested leaving the radius to 400
feet, but requested a sign be posted on site.
PD/DeStefano indicated that a dilemma is created by
changing the standards of the notification process
for a project already a public hearing process.
C/MacBride commented that some of the surrounding
neighbors possibly did not receive notices. He
requested that attention be given to this matter.
VC/Harmony requested a special letter be sent to
the manager of the Racquet Club.
C/MacBr , ide stated that he must abstain from voting
on this matter due to a potential conflict of
interest.
Motion was made by C/Grothe, seconded by C/Lin'and
CARRIED to continue the public hearing to May 13,
1991, with direction to staff to examine the
mailing system to establish it's adequacy.
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Grothe, Lin, Harmony, 'and
Chair/Schey.
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None.
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: MacBride.
NEW BUSINESS: PD/DeStefano informed the Commission that
information was received from the Los Angeles
LACTC County Transportation Commission-(LACTC) regarding
a draft Congestion Corridor Action Plan. He stated
that he and CE/Mousavi will be responding back to
the LACTC. comments from the Commission are
requested to aid in that response.
CE/Mousavi presented a brief introduction to the
Congestion Management Plan (CMP). To address the
urban congestion threat, the CMP focuses on the
following purposes: To make the most effective use
of all transportation modes in managing congestion
through the CMP process; to require local
jurisdictions to examine the impact of land use
decisions on the regional transportation system and
to be responsible for mitigating these impacts; and
todevelopa transportation- solution that also
works toward improving air quality. The CMP must
also identify a system of highways and roadways;
transit standards for frequency and routing of
transit services; a trip production and travel
April 22, 1991 Page. 6
demand management elements; program to analyze the
impact of local land use decisions on the regional
transportation system; and a 7 year capital
improvement program.
CE/Mousavi addressed the Commission regarding the
Congestion Corridor Action Plan. He explained that
the reason it is important for the Commission *o
comment on this plan is because it directly impacts
land use issues within the cities impacted by the
corridors. He specified that once a street in the
City of Diamond Bar is designated a CMP route, then
it can never, be deleted from the system. The
requirement also states that we would have to
manage and monitor the system. The corridor that
impacts Diamond. Bar; in the plan, is the San
Bernardino/Pomona Freeway corridor.
CE/Mousavi discussed the immediate strategies to
the Congestion Corridor Action Plan which include:
the community rail system; the extension of the bus
area into the LA county route; and the improvements
to relieve congestion within the intersection of
the 60/57. The long term strategies of the plan
are: the extension of the Foothill Freeway, and
the Corona Expressway; the extension of the HOV
lanes through the'60 and the 57; the connection of
all the HOV lames within the whole system of the
State routes; and bring the metro rail system from
San Bernardino to the L.A. area.
Chair/Schey inquired which streets have been
indicated as possible alternative routes to the'60
and 57 freeway.
CE%Mousavi stated that Colima coming from Golden
Springs and connecting with Diamond Bar ,Blvd. and
the 60 freeway, Diamond Bar Blvd, and Grand Ave.
have been indicated.
PD/DeStefano suggested that, if the Commission
agrees, it would also be appropriate to have the
DKS consultants give a generalized presentation to
the Planning Commission on the circulation element
on issues _.mpactina Diamond Bar, as well as a
presentation from the economic developer.
City Planner Emeritus Irwin Kaplan stated that
economic development and circulation are two parts
of the puzzle that yield the land use element of
the General Plan. He explained that the focus of
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April 22, 1991 Patji 7i
the General Plan is to try and identify what the
best policies would be for the community, then deal
with regional needs afterwards. He suggested the
Commission take this attitude regarding comments to
the Congestion Corridor Action Plan.
VC/Harmony suggested that Diamond Bar needs to
expedite current traffic flows; redirect future
traffic away from Diamond Bar; endorse the
development of a local congestion management
program; lobby to make sure that the Foothill
Freeway be continued on out east; up -grade the
Corona Expressway to a freeway system; not develop
Tonner Canyon; encourage an Orange County link with
the eastern area to move towards the Riverside
Freeway; encourage engineering studies which will
facilitate the 57/60 interchange with consideration
to double decking to increase it's capacity and
reflect 2 freeway systems; and encourage transpor-
tation systems to be brought out to Diamond Bar and
beyond.
CE/Mousavi explained that CalTrans has begun a
study to come up with alternatives to mitigate
traffic problems within the 57/60 interchange.
Some of the items recommended have been double
decking, and increasing the number of the lanes
with the addition of HOV lanes coming from 57 and
connecting with the 60 freeway. He inquired what
the Commission thought about the alternative of
converting one of our major streets into a CMP, and
make the rest of them localized.
VC/Harmony responded that definitely Grand could be
converted. He has concerns with Golden springs but
is definitely opposed to converting Diamond Bar
Blvd.
Chair/Schey stated that it is the consensus of the
Commission that they would not like Diamond Bar
Blvd® to be converted to an official alternate
route®
C/MacBride noted that Diamond Bar Blvd, is an
alternative route at Sunset crossing. There is a
need for traffic management at the north/south
movement on the 57/60 where Diamond Bar Blvd. is
partially a freeway.
C/Grothe emphasized the need for a regional mass
transit program within the area.
Chair/Schey suggested that if there were no further
comments, the Commission should proceed on to the
next matter. The Commission concurred.
April 220 1991 page a
Review of the PD/DeStefano requested that tILAa Commission review ri
Draft Development the memorandum drafted by CYEI Kaplan, then discuss
Code design review.
Design Review C/MacBride indicated his approval of the - concept
s-ated in the memorandum.
CPE/Kaplan, in response to VC/Harmony's request,
explained item 8 of the memorandum. A plan would
come to the commission at the preliminary level,
followed by staff who would then determine if the
final plans are faithful to the originals. if
there is any doubt, staff would return any plans
for redesign, or back to the Commission for further
review.
Chair/Schey stated that he endorses that procedure.
He stated that the Planning commission's review
should be more conceptual rather than plan check.
CPE/Kaplan explained that there are two levels'of
the Design Review Process:
a. Set guidelines that would set standards for
design, such as parking lots, etc.
b. Contextual designs that will not have strict
design guidelines as to what the building
should look Tike,. 'This is the point that the
Commission may want to bring in a design
professional to give an independent
evaluation. I
VC/Harmony stated that he would support any system
whole heartedly as long has he has a sense that
there is some architectural review process going
on. He indicated that the Commission has a
tendency to be ien--'ent with the developer. if the
Commission is going to be committed to using the
process, and -not as a way to avoid costing a few
dollars to the developer, then he would support the
program. The: guidelines should be focused to the
criteria and expectations of the Commission.
CPE/Kaplan confirmed that there will be a real
application process for design purposes. The
intent is to provide a distinct function apart from
the project review, that will deal with the urban
design aspect of it.
Chair/Sohey stated that there is a consensus from
the commission that the basic outline of the design
review put forth in CPE/Kaplan's memorandum is a
fair representation of the direction the Commission
ion
wants to take.
April 22, 1991 page 9
Section 1.4 CPE/Kaplan suggested that density should be looked
L -Residential at in the context of hillside development, which is
Districts the potential development in the community. The
ordinance will still have a basic density confi-
guration, however, it would be viewed starting with
hillside, then working backwards to flat land.
The Commission agreed to put the matter aside until
such time that staff develops a proposal that
relates to the hillside potential of the community.
CPE/Kaplan referred to the Residential District
section. He suggested that the Commission review
the uses allowing a CUP, and determine if it should
remain as such, and if it should indicate use
allowed only in certain locations.
Boarding Rooming Houses:
CPE/Kaplan pointed out that the definition of this
use is not much different than that of a hotel.
Chair/Schey stated that transient occupancy of five
or more is not appropriate in a residential zone.
It should be dealt with in a commercial zone. The
Commission concurred.
Senior Independent Living Uses:
C/Grothe stated that the definition needs to
specifically state that it is referring to senior
citizens.
DA/Curley suggested using the existing state law
definition of senior citizen housing.
Chair/Schey specified that this use should be for
permanent living quarters for senior citizens, not
used as a boarding house or a hotel for the general
public.
CPE/Kaplan stated the it will be defined as
specifically as possible®
Conqreqate Care Assistant Living:
CPE/Kaplan noted that the definition will have to
be better defined, to include the size and the
location that would make the use appropriate.
The Commission concurred that it should require a
CUP within the multi -family zone.
April 22, 1991 page 10
Convalescence Care Living:
The Commission concurred that it should require a
CUP within the multi -family zone.
Bed and Breakfast:
The Commission concurred to eliminate this use from
residential zones.
Post Office:
The Commission concurred to eliminate this use from
residential zones.
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Public and Quasi -Publico
CPE/Kaplan stated that day nurseries and nursery
schools with six or less children will be permitted
in all zones; 7 - 12 children will require a CUP
and permitted in all zones; and 12 plus children
will be permitted in a commercial zone.
Churches:
CPE/Kaplan stated that staff will develop, a
proposal differentiating churches which fit into a
residential zone with a. minor development review,
and churches that would require a CUP because it
might be out of character with the residential
area.
C/Grothe stated that churches should not be
permitted in a single family and a rural
residential zone. The churches existing in those
zones now can be left non -conforming. The
Commission concurred.
Educational Uses:
The Commission concurred that it should !be
permitted with a CUP in a residential zone.
4
Clubs, Lodges, Fraternity and sorority:
The Commission concurred to eliminate this use from
y
residential zones.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
C/MacBride expressed his concern regarding the
a
permissive attitude towards allowing further
housing developments amidst the water shortage.
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April 22, 1991 1 Page -14
VC/Harmony directed staff to request a report from
the Traffic and Transportation Commission regarding
the intersection of Carpio and Golden Springs. He
stated that there appears to be a good number of
accidents. He suggested that the Traffic
Commission review the area, recommend a solution,
and indicate what measures can be taken for future
developments to connect accesses in and out of that
area®
ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/MacBride, seconded by
VC/Harmony and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the
meeting at 10:15 p.m.
Attest:
David Schey
Chairman
Respectively,
1"
Jas DeStef no
"tJ
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secretary/Pl nning Commission
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