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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/20/1992 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 20, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Whelan called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at the AQ*D, Room CCS, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. ROLL CALL: Commissioners:) Plunk, Stitt, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, and Chairman Whelan. Commissioner Meyer was absent (excused). Also present were Administrative Assistant Kellee Fritzal and Recreation Supervisor Bob Rose. OLD BUSINESS: General Plan Chairman Whelan' ,stated that the Commission's review of the Resource Management Element of the draft General Plan will begin with Objective 1.2. o Strategy 1.2.1 C/Plunk suggested adding, "where ecologically feasible", to the second paragraph. The Commission concurred. C/Plunk inquired if the intent to "raise the usability of the land" should be mentioned in this sub -section. Chair/Whelan stated that the issue is addressed in Strategy 1.3.1.1 C/Plunk, concerned that the phrase "unauthorized entry" could be 'too broadly interpreted, suggested such wording as "destroy or disturbed" to better delineate the intent of protecting the habitat and the plant life. Chair/Whelan suggested the wording "minimize or eliminate use inlenvironmentally sensitive areas". Following discussion, C/Stitt suggested the wording, "minimize or eliminate activities that would contribute to the destruction of sensitive areas." Chair/Whelan suggested the wording, "minimize or eliminate impact on environmentally sensitive areas", to moreiappropriatelykeep the statement open ended. ThelCommission concurred. �T CJPlunk suggeste the wording, "Provide wildlife p movement linkag s to water, food, and nesting sources.". The Commission concurred. 0 Strategy 1.�.2 February 20, 1992 Page 2 C/Plunk, noting that the first sentence is not a complete sentence, suggested that it be better written. C/Stitt suggested reversing the sentence so that it begins with "Preserve existing...". The Commission concurred. C/Plunk, questioning the meaning of "rural", suggested the term "undeveloped", to make the intent of the statement clearer. C/Stitt suggested the wording, "Natural vegetation will, be removed only as is necessary to locate homesites and construct access roads.". The Commission concurred. C/Plunk, noting that the statement only requires homeowners and developers to take part in the Tree Preservation Ordinance, questioned why businesses, the City, and public properties are not included. C/Stitt suggested wording, "...that specifically requires developers and residents...", so that developers and residents are specified, but all others are not precluded. Chair/Whelan suggested that perhaps there should be mention that a Tree Preservation Ordinance should be prepared during the first year of the development of the General Plan. VC/Ruzicka noted that there is already clear restrictions, in this sub -section, indicating that trees can be removed only under certain conditions. It reminds developers and residents to be mindful of the preservation of trees, and of the intent to prepare a Tree Preservation ordinance. Following discussion, the Commission concurred to leave the wording, as is. o Strategy 1.2.3 Chair/Whelan suggested changing the wording to indicate "...environmental awareness program withi the use of open space land.". The Commission' concurred. o Strategy 1..2.4 C/Plunk suggested changing the statement so that, "existing trees" and "planting vegetation" are broken down into two thoughts. February 20, 1992 Page 3 VC/Ruzicka noted that the main subject is referring to the action required of builders and developers. Chair/Whelan suggested that Strategy 1.2.4 be broken down into three sub -sections so that it reads, "Require builders and developers to: A. Prune trees and maintain existing trees; B. Plant necessary vegetation... ;and C. Develop projects in such a fashion...". The Commission concurred. o Strategy 1.2.5 The Commission concurred that Strategy 1.2.5 should become subsection D. of Strategy 1.2.4. Objective 1.3 o Strategy 1.3.1 Chair/Whelan indicated that he is not comfortable with the structure of the sentence. VC/Ruzicka stated that the four ideas indicated in the statement should remain, though perhaps reworded. The bullets could be worded to include other concerns. He would also like to see a bullet stating, "To pursue preservation of various hillside areas, and other scenic resources, which are important to the City's image.". Chair/Whelan suggested changing the wording to, "Maintain open space while developing recreation programs and facilities, emphasizing active and passive recreation.". Following discussion, C/Stitt suggested that the first sentence be deleted to read, "The development of active/passive recreation areas should protect natural open space. The development of a Community Center, in conjunction with the active acquisition of traditional neighborhood park lands, including community athletic fields, should be encouraged.". The Commission concurred. Chair/Whelan stated that the statement, "promote enlargement of existing recreation areas", is unclear. C/Stitt suggested that the statement be deleted because it's intention is vague. EI February 20, 1992 Page 4 vC/12uzicka stated that, as a matter of policy, he !A, would would want the City to be constantly aware of it's existing active recreation areas, as well as want to do something about them. The idea of the statement should remain. Chair/Whelan suggested that the wording be changed to include the following bullets: 1. Improve and enhance existing recreation areas; 2. Pursue joint public/private development of recreation facilities; 3. Develop and maintain a recreation facility inventory, updated periodically, to insure facility needs are being met in the community; 4. Actively pursuing land acquisition for parks; 5. To pursue preservation of various hillside areas, and other scenic resources, which are important to the City's image; 6. Initiate a program of identifying environmentally significant areas in the City, in the sphere of influence, and analyzing the possibility of protecting any unique or significantly environmental features of such areas; 7. Pursue protection of environmentally sensitive areas, not limited to Sandstone Canyon, portions of upper Sycamore Canyon, and the canyons along Brea Canyon cut-off. The Commission concurred. Chair/Whelan, noting that the next statement is too specific, suggested that it be reworded to read, "Pursue development of an integrated trail systems through the community.". The Commission concurred. Chair/Whelan suggested that the following bullet, regarding integrating the trail system with the golf course and so forth, is site specific and should be deleted. The Commission concurred. Chair/Whelan called a recess. The meeting was called back to order. o Strategy 1.3.2 Chair/Whelan, questioning the purpose of thel statement, inquired why it could not just be part) of a Meeds Assessment District. AA/Fritzal stated that the Community Director will] address that issue at the next meeting, if they Commission desires. o Strategy 1.3.3 February 20, 1992 Page 5 �VC/Ruzicka suggested that preparing and maintaining an inventory of open lands should have a high priority, and the information should be readily available. C/Plunk suggested changing the word "designate" open space to "consider", to keep options open. AA/Fritzal stated that, if so desired, the Community Director will address the Commission regarding this issue, as well, at the next meeting. o Strategy 1.3.4 Chair/Whelan suggested that there be mention of the agreed ratio of park land. AA/Fritzal indicated that the Community Director will also respond on this issue, if desired. o Strategy 1.3.5 C/Plunk suggested that the statement be reworded to indicate that the visual ambience, of the Golf Course area, be maintained, and protected as an asset to the community. Chair/Whelan indicated that he would prefer that the area be developed as a Regional Park. VC/Ruzicka stated that, though he would hate to see it occur, the area is ideal for commercial. C/Plunk, not content with the use of "acquire" in the last sentence of the paragraph, inquired if there is a more appropriate word that is stronger than "acquire" but softer than redeveloped". Chair/Whelan suggested the wording, "Plan for the eventual siting of a Regional park, with a Community Center/Civic Center on the Diamond Bar Golf Course, in conjunction with a mix use planned development that coincides with the City's identity. This convergence should not occur before another location is developed for continued Golf Course use.". The Commission concurred. AA/Fritzal inquired if there were any other items that the Commission would like to include in the Recreation Area. Chair/Whelan stated that he would like to see the planned development of a green belt throughout the community. February 20, 1992 Page 6 C/Plunk indicated that she would like to see the parks connected, somehow, by trails. VC/Ruzicka stated that the Commission should set it's goals for the future. One of those goals should be the formulation of the Parks Master Plan. He suggested that this goal be written into the document. He also questioned why there is no mention in the document that allows the Commission to give input to development plans. AA/Fritzal indicated that the Commission's desire to review development plans would not be appropriately placed within this document. The development of a Parks Master Plan could be place under Strategy 1.3.1, "Prepare a Parks Master Plan that; identifies and inventories all public and private...". - Chair/Whelan suggested that a statement be included in Goal One which would read, "Develop a Parks Master Plan to create and maintain an open space system which will preserve scenic beauty, protect important biological resources, provide open space for outdoor recreation...". C/Stitt noted that, by the time the General Plan is completed, the Commission would probably have developed a Parks Master Plan. He suggested that perhaps such a statement is not needed. Chair/Whelan then suggested including the statement as a separate Goal, similar to Brea's format. The objective would be stated, "Developing, maintaining, and updating a Park Master Plan", with -the basic wording indicated in Goal One. The Strategies include determination of the existing and future recreation parks needs. Objective 2.1: o Strategy 2.1.1 - The Commission concurred to accept this, as is. o Strategy 2.1.2 C/Plunk stated that it should indicate the same thing as was stated in 2.1.1.c. The Commission concurred. o Strategy 2.1.3 February 20, 1992 Page 7 VC/Ruzicka suggested that a statement be included to state, "replace the grass that has been planted in the medians with drought tolerant plants, as feasible.". Chair/Whelan suggested wording, "replace and maintain" to VC/Ruzicka's statement. The Commission concurred. C/Plunk noted that the wording, in subsection A, is awkward, and suggested changing it to, "...that require the use of grass...". The Commission concurred. Chair/Whelan suggested that the wording be changed in subsection B to indicate "drought tolerant". a Strategy 2.1.4 VC/Ruzicka suggested that there be a statement that requires retro fitting, as soon as feasible, with a drip system irrigation. Chair/Whelan suggested the wording, "Required irrigation efficiency, within the City, upgrade the system to the newest most efficient, economical technology available.", and then delete the subsections following. We can then indicate, in the Parks Master Plan, as part of a CIP project, a desire to upgrade the irrigation system within the medians. The Commission concurred. o Strategy 2.1.5 - The Commission concurred to accept this, as is. Objective 2.2 - The Commission concurred to leave this section, as is. Objective 2.3 C/Plunk suggested that subsection 2.3.2 include wording "...bike ways, and pedestrian trails to connect parks...". Chair/Whelan suggested the wording, "...pedestrian trails, integrated in the City's park system...". The Commission concurred. objective 2.4 VC/Ruzicka stated, that though he is uncomfortable with the possibility of exposing Diamond Bar to any unknown dangerous, he would not want to discourage the City getting involved in the types of programs February 20, 1992 Page 8 ADJOURNMENT: Attest: Pat Whelan Chairman that will be necessary in the future to test new energy technology. The idea of testing new energy technology should be retained somewhere in the document. C/Plunk suggested that the word "developing" replace "testing", and the words "safe and efficient" replace "new". Chair/Whelan inquire how safe and efficient would be defined. C/Stitt questioned why it is necessary to include the idea of "testing new energy technology". Following discussion, Chair/Whelan suggested the wording, "...in the development of new energy technology that are environmentally safe and sound.". The Commission concurred. Objective 2.5 Chair/Whelan, noting that there should be mention of addressing the greenwaste, suggested such wording as, "take a proactive leadership position in the utilization of greenwaste as a composting programming". AA/Fritzal stated that staff is aware of the Commission's intent, and if so desired, will develop the appropriate wording to be placed in section 2.5.8. The Commission concurred. Motion was made by C/Plunk,seconded by C/Stitt and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Respectively, elle Fritzalal Secretary I it