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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/1993 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION STUDY SESSION JANUARY 7, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Plunk called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. at the AQMD, Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Whelan. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Medina, Whelan, and Vice Chairman Plunk. Commissioner Schey arrived at 7:20, and Chairman Ruzicka arrived at 8:05 p.m. Also present were Community Services Director Bob Rose, Administrative Assistant Kollee Fritzal, and Associate Planner Robert Searcy. STUDY SESSION: South Pointe Hardy Strozier stated that the purpose of the study Master Plan session is to respond to any comments or questions that the Commission may have after reviewing the draft EIR, as presented at the last regularly scheduled meeting. The comments made by the Commission, as well as staff's prepared formal responses, will be forwarded to the Planning Commission. Referring to the composite Master Plan map, displayed on the wall and included in the draft EIR, he then reviewed those areas pertaining to Parks and Recreation concerns. There are 21.75 acres being dedicated to the City for park and open space use, of which 8 acres will be graded in a level fashion. The City staff has discussed a variety of concept plans derived from the developers proposal. One alternative suggests utilizing a 2 acre parcel, owned by the School District, as a logical extension to the proposed 8 acre park. C/Whelan expressed his concern that, even though 10 to 15 acres of park land is to be developed for the City, the park area will actually be used mostly by the newly proposed community, and may not benefit the entire community. Hardy Strozier pointed out that the development team is required to dedicate only 1.5 acres of park land, under the City's current ordinance, and only 2.5 acres of park dedication, under the proposed ordinance standard. They have proposed to dedicate 22 acres for park land, of which 8 acres would be flat usable land, which is a benefit to the entire City. When considering alternative concept plans, staff felt that some of the commercial area parking could be utilized for some of the park and open space uses that could occur here. Some of these uses, such as an amphitheater, or three adult January 7, 1993 Page 2 i �a softball fields, are addressed in alternative concepts in the draft EIR. There is a great opportunity for some interface of uses. VC/Plunk inquired how the commercial area and the park area will be linked to provide safe pedestrian crossing. Hardy Strozier stated that there are proposed grade crossings, with possible signalization, which provides linkages to the park and open space area, the residential area, direct linkages to South Pointe School, and pedestrian 'linkages from the Arciero development. In response to C/Whelan, he stated that there are two access points from the proposed tracts, in which one enters Morning Sun Drive off of Brea Canyon Road; and the other one a secondary emergency access to the commercial centers. He noted that staff has also recommended an alternative plan so that there is no through P access to Larkstone. C/Whelan suggested that the commercial area be limited to a 5 acre site, and that the park land area be expanded. C/Schey inquired if there were any engineering constraints, on the collector road, that dictate entering Brea Canyon at the proposed location. Hardy Strozier explained that, because there is a steep grade in this area, it was determined that Brea Canyon would provide unobstructive access to the project. Jan Dabney explained that RnP Development proposed this street system configuration with the intent that the 30 acre commercial site will have a highway inlet/outlet. Brea Canyon would become a secondary highway, with a median, and deceleration/acceleration lanes to provide unobstructive access to the school, and to the park setting. The intent was to prohibit that access to the commercial office collector to keep the commercial traffic and the cut through traffic from coming through the residential development and the park. C/Schey suggested that the collector road be .'C. fronted by commercial on both sides. r i �a January 7, 1993 Page 3 Jan Dabney explained that there is a severe tree mitigation on the main entrance into the commercial area, and there is limited space for the maximum litigation for the transplant. C/Medina noted that the South Pointe residents are concerned with possible cut through traffic, and with the density of population that is being proposed in the new tracts. Jan Dabney stated that the School District has been adamant, and committed, to keeping through traffic from that residential area. The secondary access road will be through a parking lot, on the school campus, that will be controlled so that the average person will not be able to get through. Both RnP and Arciero would prefer to expand the residential area, however, the City has negotiated the 30 acre commercial site. VC/Plunk suggested that there be discussion with the Homeowners Association to consider maintaining their property as open space now in perpetuity. Hardy Strozier then suggested that the Commission now focus their comments directly on the draft EIR. C/Medina noted that, even with the increase in the population from these residential developments, the general impact on the population is insignificant. Also, the additional 22 acres of proposed park land will improve the ratio of park land per person, which is a benefit to the City. There is a more percentage increase in park per capita. C/Whelan indicated that, though he is concerned with Sandstone Canyon, he realizes that it is privately owned land in which,the City has limited control over. However, the City needs to look at the commercial area, and how it is going to tie in with the City dedicated property and the park area. He requested that the consultant research the feasibility of maintaining much of the natural setting, such as the canyon, oak trees, and the type layout, as much as possible, and to tie it in with the commercial property. The 22 acres should include both active and passive park land and, using a natural type setting, tie together the park area with the commercial area across the proposed roadway, such as was done !in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Rio Salado project. January 7, 1993 Page 4 Hardy Strozier stated that the Master Plan, ' described in the draft-'EIR, will contain standards for the development of that commercial area. If so desired, staff will bring, to the Planning Commission and the Council, standards in the Master Plan that can contemplate and inter tie between both active and passive park area into the commercial area. C/Whelan concurred. C/Schey expressed his concern that the service area of existing proposed parks, as noted in section 4- 184, designates Summit Ridge Park as a Community Park even though the topography and improvements of that park are such that the active usable area of that park is closer to '14 or 12 acres, not 26 acres. The location of the proposed park, from the dedicated site,.is',in an area that would probably best serve the southern' area, of the City as a Community Park, emphasizinga more active park rather than passive. Hardy Strozier stated that there has been discussion with the School District to utilize their 2-3 acre area to tie the school facilities in'. with the park program, thereby increasing the: amount of active park land. C/Schey requested clarification how the calculations were done to determine the densities, under the concept alternative for development of the site, in which the calculations were based upon the General Plan and zoning designations, with deduction of density for the impact of the Hillside Management Ordinance. He inquired how it relates to any savings of portions of the Canyon area, if any. Hardy Strozier explained that the interim Hillside Management Ordinance indicated a certain overall density that would be approved on site, based on the permitted density in the General Plan and zoning. However, this particular property did not lend itself to direct application, of the interim Hillside Ordinance, for this kind of mass grading project. Therefore, a hybrid ordinance, in the Master Plan, was developed that ensured more land form and contour grading concepts on the edges so that the concept alternative would show the maximum density permitted' under that General Plan and Hillside overlay. The result is that less units are permitted, and are located on top of the ridges, therefore, out of the canyon. January 7, 1993 Page 5 VC/Plunk made the following comments: the circulation system should provide safe access around the park area, as well as around the school area; the City should work with the Homeowners Association to see that the natural areas are maximized and maintained in perpetuity; the developers should be requested to help assist in developing the park; and, if possible, in the tree mitigation, the larger oaks should be kept clustered, be visible from the roadways as an ambience into the community. VC/Plunk made the following requests: a risk analysis of what happens to the dirt, on the school site, if it is not properly compacted, and was just left alone; what is the impact of the existing view upon development; and, because Mr. Schad has suggested an alternative for preserving the Canyon, she requested some information on what the Tonner Canyon Wilderness Conservancy is, how it is legally formed, it's memberships, and it's present capitalization. Hardy Strozier suggested that, since Diamond Bar sits on the cusp of three Counties, the City may desire further information on other open space uses currently` under conservancyship, either private conservancy, State, or Federal ownership. VC/Plunk requested staff to develop some suggested criteria to determine when an area is significant, in context of other areas within the City, for the benefit of future decisions, in general, on whether an area should be maintained as open space, or be developed. Chair/Ruzicka suggested that, when developing the Parks Master Plan, staff consider developing an itemized listing of all open space areas within in the City limits, prioritizing those areas as to it's future development potential, it's ecological significance, or it's importance to the citizenry of maintaining it's open space. He then inquired if this parcel is subject to review by the Architectural Review Committee of the Diamond Bar Improvement Association (DBIA). AP/Searcy explained that the development on this site would not be subject to DBIA because there are no CC&R's developed. All new construction in the City is subject to review by the City's development review by the Planning Commission, or at an administrative level by staff, via public hearings. January 7, 1993 Page 6 Chair/Ruzicka suggested that a copy of the draft EIR be sent to the DBIA. He then inquired who is currently responsible for the 400,000 cubic yards of dirt. Hardy Strozier explained that a final EIR, on the Schools Master Plan, was approved by the Walnut valley Unified School District approximately two 'yearsi ago. That EIR reviewed the deposit of 400,000 cubic yards of dirt into the canyon. They ,have the responsibility to remove the dirt to complete construction of the Middle School. The 'School District, by law, is required to conform to local grading ordinances. 'Chair/Ruzicka inquired if the usable park area could be made larger than the proposed 8 to 10 acres to accommodate more of the community. Hardy Strozier stated that 10 acres of park land is designed to service more than the proposed 200 homes. Furthermore, when the area is evaluated in the Parks Master Plan, the Quimby Act requirement takes into context all open space areas, including the School District property. The Master Plan contemplates about half of 'the park area being active, half being passive, and all being publicly accessible. The alternative concepts took the following into consideration: the use of the commercial area for additional parking; street configuration to'provide safe pedestrian access to the park; and the removal of the 2 to 3 acre mound for additional parking,'and recreational buildings. Chair/Ruzicka, noting that a conveyor belt has been utilized to remove dirt from a project site, requested staff to explore other means. to remove the 400,000 cubic yards of dirt, other than by truckloads, or filling in the Canyon. He then expressed his concern that, even though there are currently many vacant commercial spaces within the City, as well as a lack of park area, the proposal includes a 30 acre commercial site, yet only an 8 to 10 acre park site. Hardy Strozier stated that the Master Plan, if approved, would be part of a long term plan for the City in terms of commercial inventory, and projects beyond a 1 to 5 build out period. C/Schey requested information regarding the relative benefit of the commercial versus park space. t ­ 1-11 1,11-11 1- 11- 1-- �­­­ -, -:1 11 --i- 1 -11-111-1 R ; � , , : 1 1" 1 �, - "I � - '! ':� , , , � �, 1, 1 , I � I , "111" 10, Hardy Strozier suggested that, if the Commission so desires, the Council would probably be receptive to suggested alternatives on this park. Chair/Ruzicka suggested that the developers be required to develop the park as part of the Master Plan. CSD/Rose inquired when negotiations take place to determine how the park will be developed, and at what point will the Commission have an opportunity to provide input. Hardy Strozier explained that the development agreement is within the purview of the City Council. It is anticipated that the project will come before the Council in May of 1993. The Commission may formulate recommendations to the City Council on this matter up until that date. C/Schey requested that full scale copies of these exhibits be made available. January 7, x: a 1993 Page 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS:, Commission C/Schey asked if the alternatives analysis has Comments begun for the 404 and 1603 process. Hardy Strozier stated that it is anticipated that the process will begin within 30 to 60 days. Jan Dabney explained that one of the delays is the completion of the development agreement requirement which reassigns ownership to the various parties. C/Schey asked, with the elimination of the canyon, what type of mitigation measures might be implemented to meet NPDES requirements on the site. Hardy Strozier stated that the Fish and Game Department and the Water Resources Control Board will probably defer to the Army Corp 404 process. VC/Plunk suggested that there be discussion with the WVUSD for a Joint Use on a pool at Diamond Bar High School. She then announced that she was appointed to the Planning Commission, and thanked everyone for the time and help given to her, Hardy Strozier suggested that, if the Commission so desires, the Council would probably be receptive to suggested alternatives on this park. Chair/Ruzicka suggested that the developers be required to develop the park as part of the Master Plan. CSD/Rose inquired when negotiations take place to determine how the park will be developed, and at what point will the Commission have an opportunity to provide input. Hardy Strozier explained that the development agreement is within the purview of the City Council. It is anticipated that the project will come before the Council in May of 1993. The Commission may formulate recommendations to the City Council on this matter up until that date. C/Schey requested that full scale copies of these exhibits be made available. January 7, 1993 Page S ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Schey, seconded by C/Medina and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 P.M. Res c vely, Bob Rose Secretary Atte o R c, Chairma