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Home My WebLink About1/27/1992CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 27, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Grothe called the meeting to order at 7:05 j p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board Meeting Room, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Al Rumpilla. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Harmony, Commissioner Flamenbaum, Commissioner Schey, Vice Chairman MacBride, and Chairman Grothe. Also present were Community Director James DeStefano, Associate Planner Robert Searcy, Planning - Technician Ann Lungu, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. MATTERS FROM Mr. Tom Ortiz, residing at 3308 Hawkwood, a member THE AUDIENCE: of the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC), thanked the Commission for their efforts in providing the TTC with information regarding Planning meetings. MINUTES: Motion was made by C/Flamenbaum, seconded by C/Schey and CARRIED to approve the Minutes of Jan. 13, 1992 January 13, 1992. VC/MacBride abstained. I ' y PUBLIC HEARINGS: CD/DeStefano reported that this item was an advertized public hearing in anticipation of a TT Map No. 50519/ revised project, to be received from Dr. Crowley, DR No. 91-2/ regarding the 80 unit Senior Citizen project DA No. 91-2/ located along Torrito Lane. However, at the last Zone Change 91-1 Planning meeting, the Commission decided to postpone any action on this project until such time that a Cost/Benefit analysis was completed. Therefore, it is staff -s recommendation that the Commission take no action at this time. CD/DeStefano, in response to,C/Flamenbaum, stated that the applicant has resubmitted a new project with the following changes: contains less dwelling units; replaces the three story building, that was adjacent to the single family homes to the north, with a two story building; changes the entire project to be Senior Citizen oriented; is requesting a zone change to eliminate the commercial zoning, and rezone to a more appropriate residential zone; and reduces parking in accordance to the senior citizen parking standards. - C/Schey inquired if the zone change would eliminate the need for a Development Agreement. CD/DeStefano explained that the Development Agreement remains a necessary tool because of the heighth issue involved, in that particular zone, as m_i-II'I'IIIIII',PIIIV,;��.,- January 27, 1992 Page 2 well as the contractual relationships and: obligations that the City is interested in to secure the senior citizen amenities, and the j project amenities. VC/MacBride, in response to C/Harmony's inquiry as to why a Cost/Benefit analysis was requested, explained that he wanted further information that considered the difference in the benefits, to the City in terms of revenue, in retaining a commercial aspect as opposed to residential aspects. C/Harmony indicated that he is not opposed to the request of a Cost/Benefit analysis, but rather surprised by the developer's audaciousness to change the project - that rather than responding to the Commission's concerns for high density on the project, the developer changed it to a Senior Citizens complex - cut a few units and reduced parking, and still had not addressed the Commission's stated concerns. The Public Hearing was declared opened. Don Gravdahl, residing at 23968 Minnequa, inquired if the -project is going to be a condominium, or a low income rental senior citizen project. Noting a density that a senior citizen complex can receive bonus, he expressed his concern with the availability of parking. CD/DeStefano explained that the Commission has not yet seen any of the proposed changes. To staff's understanding, the project still remains a market rate condominium project, with the only difference being that the applicant is proposing that it be marketed and available exclusively for senior citizens. Staff, has not had the opportunity to analyze the issues involved. At this point, the applicant is requesting zoning and density consistent with the zone he is now applying for, and not a density bonus. Red Calkins, residing at 240 Eagle Nest Dr., stated his concern that the project will generate an increase in trash and water consumption, at the time when we should be conserving. He noted that the Senior Citizen complex on north Diamond Bar Blvd. continuously has vacant units. Chair/Grothe requested staff to be prepared to have information regarding the State law density bonus. The Public Hearing was declared closed. January 27, 1992 Page 3 ' r C/Flamenbaum requested that staff provide the Commission with the project's blue print plans well in advance of the next public hearing. Motion was made by C/Schey, seconded by C/Flamenbaum and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to table the matter. INFORMATIONAL CD/DeStefano reported that, pursuant to the ITEMS: Commission's direction at the last meeting, staff is distributing Planning Commission agendas to the TTC and the Parks and Recreation Commission. It is anticipated that there will be reciprocal responses from those Commission's staff. The agendas will either be included in the Planning Commission's packet, or be mailed, depending upon the timing of each Commission's meetings. CD/DeStefano suggested that the Commission choose to develop a consensus "White Paper" for the City Council's consideration, as oppose to the Commission's earlier ,decision to prepare one independently. C/Schey stated that he had suggested to staff that it may be more appropriate to respond in an organized fashion. Since the deadline to submit the "White Paper" is in March, and, by then, we may be a Commission with a different make-up whose members are not familiar with the issues and concerns to be presented, he suggested that the "White Paper" be completed before that date. CD/DeStefano explained that the purpose of the "White Paper" is an opportunity for the Commission to address any issues, concerning the Planning Commission and/or the City, and to present those issues for thought to the City Council at the study session. Chair/Grothe and C/Schey discussed examples of some of the issues that could be outlined in the "White Paper". The "White Paper" could also include a philosophical approach on what type of community we envision ourselves to be, or to become. C/Schey suggested, and the Commission concurred, that a sub -committee should be appointed to formulate the "White Paper". C/Schey and C/Flamenbaum volunteered to be on the sub- committee. Each Commissioner should outline their individual ideas and submit them, through staff, by Friday of this week. The matter is to be placed on next meeting's agenda. January 27, 1992 Page 4 Chair/Grothe, in regards to the proposed Goodyear N��I project, presented a photo of a similar project for the purpose of demonstrating it could be made more aesthetically acceptable to the community. CD/DeStefano informed the Commission that the Planners Institute will be held in the second week of April of 1992, in San Diego. Chair/Grothe suggested that the reservations be obtained early, and that staff insures that they are in close proximity to the meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Schey noted that the "gorilla" at the Honda car dealership is back. Chair/Grothe stated that the Sign Ordinance should either be enforced, or further revised to exempt, or to adjust, to car dealerships. C/Flamenbaum inquired if there is a way to mandate against businesses, that go bankrupt, from boarding up their windows. CD/DeStefano indicated that staff will explore the options available and get back to the Commission. C/Harmony stated that he has received various complaints regarding the events held by the Maple i Hills Club. He explained that the Hills Club is located in an R-1 zone, has approximately 3,000 members, and has many social events that have become a disturbance to the surrounding residential neighborhood. He requested staff to investigate the matter, and see if it can be dealt with on a code enforcement basis. C/Harmony addressed the Commission regarding his concern that the Planning Commission has not set up definitive guidelines for Architectural Review. He specifically referred to the recent criticism, from the general public, and the City Council, over _ Diamond Brother's Apartment complex on Grand Avenue, and recommended that the Commission authorize staff to put together guidelines and standard for architectural review. He suggested that the Commission appoint a sub -committee of architects, a landscape architects, and other professional trades to review, on a volunteer='. basis, all development plans and to report back to 9T the Commission. He requested the subject of architectural review be placed on the next agenda. ... .. , i, � i' o. � i,= ,, n..}°a_.��s'W,.13re January 27, 1992 Page 5 CD/DeStefano suggested that staff first provide the Commission with a review of the last draft of the design guidelines. If there is further desire, staff will then forward the recommendation to the City Council. The matter will be placed on the next agenda as an informational item. The Commission concurred. Chair/Grothe requested staff to provide the Commission with a calendar of upcoming projects. C/Schey suggested that staff modify the "Matters From the Audience" portion of the agenda to indicate that the general public may also address any items on the agenda, but not a public hearing. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Schey, seconded by C/Flamenbaum and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. RespeciDeStefanc ivel , Ja Secretary/Planning Commission est: ack Grothe Chairman