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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/27/1992VC/MacBride requested that the minutes be amended on page 14 to read,."...that, in order to maximize efficiency in processing proposed projects, and to assure as broad a review continuum as possible the Council consider...". Motion was made by C/Grothe, seconded by C/Li and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the Consent Calendar, and the Minutes of April 13, 1992, as amended. VC/MacBride requested that item 3, CUP 91-13, be discussed prior to item 2, the Draft General Plan. The Commission concurred. PUBLIC HEARINGS: PT/Lungu reported that the K -Mart Corporation is proposing interior improvements, exterior CUP 91-13 improvements, and new signage. This proposed project was last reviewed by the Planning Commission on December 9, 1992. Since the shopping center is two separate parcels, owned by two separate corporations, K -mart needed to obtain the signatures of all property owners of the shopping center to continue the review of their project. The signatures were submitted to staff after the packets had already been delivered to the Commission. Therefore, it is recommended that the Commission continue this advertised public hearing until the May 11, 1992 Planning Commission meeting. Steve Naman, an architect for the firm Clemens and Clemens Architects, representing K -Mart CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 27, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman MacBride called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at 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: DCA/Curley. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Li, Grothe, and Vice Chairman MacBride. Commissioner Meyer arrived at 7:23 p.m. Chairman Flamenbaum arrived at 7:56 p.m. Also present were Community Development Director James DeStefano, Associate Planner Rob Searcy, Planning Technician Ann Lungu, City District Attorney Bill Curley, Lloyd Zola of the Planning Network, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. CONSENT CALENDAR: CD/DeStefano stated that C/Meyer requested that the Minutes of April 13, 1992 be amended to indicate Minutes of that the motion to nominate him for Vice Chairman Apr. 13, 1992 died for lack of a second. The Commission concurred. VC/MacBride requested that the minutes be amended on page 14 to read,."...that, in order to maximize efficiency in processing proposed projects, and to assure as broad a review continuum as possible the Council consider...". Motion was made by C/Grothe, seconded by C/Li and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the Consent Calendar, and the Minutes of April 13, 1992, as amended. VC/MacBride requested that item 3, CUP 91-13, be discussed prior to item 2, the Draft General Plan. The Commission concurred. PUBLIC HEARINGS: PT/Lungu reported that the K -Mart Corporation is proposing interior improvements, exterior CUP 91-13 improvements, and new signage. This proposed project was last reviewed by the Planning Commission on December 9, 1992. Since the shopping center is two separate parcels, owned by two separate corporations, K -mart needed to obtain the signatures of all property owners of the shopping center to continue the review of their project. The signatures were submitted to staff after the packets had already been delivered to the Commission. Therefore, it is recommended that the Commission continue this advertised public hearing until the May 11, 1992 Planning Commission meeting. Steve Naman, an architect for the firm Clemens and Clemens Architects, representing K -Mart April 27, 1992 Page 2 Corporation, conveyed his client's concern for the progress of the processing of this project. It is their intentions to comply with all the recommendations of the staff and the Commission. DCA/Curley, in response to VC/MacBride, explained that the project has been renoticed. Originally the application was a design review, but now it is brought back in the capacity of a CUP amendment. It would be appropriate for the Commission to open the public hearing if it is the Commission's desire to continue the meeting._ The Public Hearing was declared opened. Gary Neely, residing at 344 Canoe Cove, noting that Furr's Cafeteria, which has economically priced meals, is a division of the K -Mart Corporation, suggested that the City suggest to the K -Mart Corporation to investigate the possibility of bringing a Furr's Cafeteria to Diamond Bar's K -Mart center. . This will help our senior citizens, and the economical development of the City. Martha Brusque, residing at 600 S. Great Bend Dr., stated that she doesn't have any objections to the changes proposed by K -Mart. The Public Hearing was declared closed. C/Grothe, concerned with the progress, of the project, inquired why the project was advertised if it was not complete, and why the signatures could not be made a condition of the CUP. CD/DeStefano explained that subsequent to the December 9th meeting, staff learned that there was a CUP over the entire property, and that K -Mart's ownership could not be segregated from the remaining ownership within the shopping center. Therefore, additional signatures were needed by the other parties involved. Over the course of the last couple of months, K -Mart Corporation and their architects have been trying to secure those signatures. Staff chanced that the signatures would be at hand for this evening. The reason why the signature acquisition cannot be conditioned is because we want to be sure the applicant, Clemens and Clemens, is representing K -Mart and the other property owners. The staff is fully prepared to finalize the documents, the staff report, and the conditions for the May 11th meeting. m A ,., .. r .,�, „, .� � � .� a � a 1AA l�,u ..f. ane a � �� ,.� w �{w ■ April 27, 1992 CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: Draft General Plan Page 3 C/Li, in regards to the Furr's Cafeteria suggestion, stated that since the project is basically complete, all the City can do is perhaps write to the K -Mart Corporation and suggest that they consider putting a Furr's in Diamond Bar. CD/DeStefano explained that one of K -Mart's proposed revisions incorporates a Little Caesars pizza facility, which would have access within the store. With respect to Furr's, staff can -contact K -Mart and try to get a response for the May 11th meeting. VC/MacBride stated that, it is the consensus of the Commission to request staff to contact K -Mart to explore the possibility of a cafeteria site in Diamond Bar. Motion was made by C/Meyer, seconded by C/Li and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to continue the matter to the May 11, 1992 meeting. CD/DeStefano reported that the Commission has previously reviewed the Plan for Public Services and Facilities and the Plan for Resource Management. Tonight's review is focused on the Noise and Safety Elements, which are contained within the overall Plan for Public Health and Safety. This document contains provisions that relate to the protection of life, health, and property from natural and manmade hazards. It is specifically designed to identify areas where public and private decisions on land uses need to be sensitive to these possible hazardous conditions caused by such things as slope instability, seismic hazards, flood, fire, and wind. The specific Plan for Public Health and Safety addresses a variety of issues incorporating geology and seismicity, fire protection services, flooding, crime protection services, emergency services and facilities, hazardous materials, noise, and air quality. The Public Hearing was declared opened on any aspect of the General Plan. Fred danz, residing at 2683 Shady Ridge, one of the owners of the property located at the southeast corner of Brea Canyon and Diamond Bar Blvd., noted that the zone has been changed to residential. He inquired if the change was an oversight. It should be zoned general commercial. April 27, 1992 Page 4 1, w C/Grothe explained that the Commission has not yet ' reviewed the Land Use Element. However, the comments will be noted. CD/DeStefano stated that Mr. Janz's land use classification request, in addition to others, will be presented to the Commission on the May lith or 18th meeting, with a recommendation from the City staff on the issue. Bob' Buchanan, one of the owners of the property located on Grand Ave. and Diamond Bar Blvd., stated that he has been unable to obtain a copy of the report that states that the lot has been changed from the existing CPD to a minimum residential. CD/DeStefano stated that the overall Land Use Element is, and has been, available to the public. There won't be a specific reference to this property contained within the General Plan, because the document is a broadly based set of goals and policies. It would be more appropriate for staff to discuss the issue with the property owners. The Public Hearing was declared closed. IL The Commission concurred to review the revisions made for the Plan for Public Services and Facilities. CD/DeStefano reported that the document contains the revisions requested by the Planning Commission on the April 13, 1992 meeting. The Public Hearing was declared opened. Gary Neely stated his opposition to Strategy 1.3.2 on page IV -6, "Promote the establishment of such proven techniques as benefit assessment districts, Mello -Roos districts,...". VC/MacBride explained that he had proposed that, in every segment of all these plans, that there be a provision to remind the citizens of this community that this document is not only one of philosophy, policy, and goals, of all the things hoped for this community, but in addition, there are costs involved to achieve these goals. Gary Neely, in concurrence with the statement made by VC/MacBride, stated that he is specifically concerned that the word, "Promote", sends a message r.,�«i„� r.• m p,,� 'IN� April 27, 1992 Page 5 to Council that the citizens want an increase in taxes. C/Li inquired of Mr. Neely's approach to obtain funds for the proposed services and facilities. Gary Neely stated that he is willing to provide the Commission with a copy of his plan for the economic development for Diamond Bar. There are other ways to raise money without raising taxes. Bob Buchanan inquired if the Commission ever considered presenting, to the general public, various plans of generating additional revenues to support the City. CD/DeStefano stated that there were four workshops held with various members of the community, during the months of May through June of 1991, regarding the issues of fiscal responsibility and financial stability. The following were the conclusions: to raise taxes to pay for the services; to provide for various economic development types of programs; or to reduce the services. The results of the f workshop were formulated in a document that is available at City Hall. The General Plan does have three separate alternatives dealing with increasing the intensity of development. The City is also looking at the Tres Hermanos specific plan property, and the land use alternatives for that property. The Public Hearing was declared closed. C/Grothe stated that Objective 1.3 was to delete the words "and legally defensible". Also, the words "city bulletin" was to be deleted from Strategy 2.3.3, and be replaced by the word "informational system". C/Meyer, in response to Mr. Neely's comments regarding Strategy 1.3.2, suggested that it be amended to read, "Investigate the establishment of proven financing techniques and mechanisms in combination with program capital improvements to facilitate the provision of desired community facilities.". The Commission concurred. z VC/MacBride, referring to page IV -2, stated that he would like the last statement to read, 11 ... include branch office postal services administered in Pomona...". The Commission concurred. April 27, 1992 Page 6 Motion was made by C/Grothe, seconded by'. VC/MacBride and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the Plan for Public Services and Facilities, as amended. The Commission concurred to review the Plan for Public Health and Safety. Lloyd Zola stated that the Plan for Public Health and Safety incorporates two different General Plan element requirements: Safety and" Noise. The Commission has received also received a separate document which summarizes the noise background presented in detail in the Master Environmental Assessment and the ETR. The basic subjects addressed in the Plan for Public Health and Safety are geology, seismicity, flooding, fire and crime protection, emergency service, hazardous materials, air quality, and then noise. He then reviewed the issues, pertaining to Diamond Bar, that are addressed within these subjects. Chair/Flamenbaum recessed the meeting at 8:24 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:33 p.m. The Public Hearing was declared opened for any aspect of the Plan for Public Health and Safety. Martha Brusque, referring to Objective 1.9, page III -131 informed the Commission that carpoolers are parking all day at the City"s shopping centers, taking up a lot of the parking spaces. Don Gravdahl, a member of the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC), stated that there is a problem in the City because there is not enough public parking to take care of the park -n - ride circumstances. The TTC are finding carpoolers going into residential neighborhoods. There should be a statement indicating that there is a need to look at some sort of parking facility. He suggested that Strategy 1.9.4 and the following bullet be retained. w The Public Hearing was,,d�clared closed. t. The Commission concurred to review the Plan for Public Health and Safety by sections. Introduction: F C/Meyer suggested that page 1, third lane, properly spell "caused". He stated that he did not recall finding the statement, "The safety element shall t April 27, 1992 Page 7 include mapping... minimum road widths and clearances around structures..." in the element. Lloyd Zola stated that "clearances around structures" will be handled as part of the Development Code. Some of the other mapping is included as part of the Master Environmental Assessment. CD/DeStefano explained that within the Master Environmental Assessment there is a noise matrix of noise sources ancr proposed- noise characteristics for the future. Lloyd Zola suggested that the introduction include not only state law regarding the safety element but include state law regarding the noise element in the Introduction. The Commission concurred. Existing Conditions: C/Meyer, referring to the sentence, "The City presently lacks a master plan of drainage...", under Flooding, pointed out that the City has certain responsibility for installing, improving, and maintaining local drainage facilities. Lloyd Zola suggested that "at a master plan of drainage" be added to the end of the sentence. The Commission concurred. C/Meyer suggested the following: under Fire Protection Services, second paragraph, and throughout the document, properly indicate that it is the LA County Consolidated Fire District that is providing fire protection services; and that the sentence, "The City is presently investigating the potential of forming a fire protection service... be deleted. The Commission concurred. C/Meyer, under Crime and Protection Services, suggested that the paragraph indicate that the service is being provided by the City through a contract. CD/DeStefano, stated that staff will reword that paragraph to appropriately indicate that it is a City provided service via a contract. F-7 Lloyd Zola, in response to VC/MacBride's concern regarding the continued statement references where additional information can be found, stated that staff can, throughout the General Plan, footnote existing conditions that the following is April 27, 1992 Page 8 summarized from the Master Environmental Assessment. The Commission concurred. VC/MacBride suggested the following: under Flooding, the seventh line should be amended to read "...few links and improvements not yet constructed."; and, under Emergency Service and Facilities, the third line should indicate the distance, rather than the time. The Commission concurred. Chair/Flamenbaum, under Crime and Protection Services, noted the contradiction in the present service, level and the need for additional protective service in the future. Lloyd Zola suggested that the fifth line be amended to read, "The County maintains an average emergency response time of 4.5 minutes." The following sentence, "The County currently considers 1.4 officers ... for suburban protective service.", be deleted. The Commission concurred. Don Gravdahl, noting that Strategy 1.7.4, referring to establishing a working relationship with local amateur radio clubs, was deleted, suggested that reference to the radio clubs should be in the Plan because the radios' capabilities would be very useful in a times of emergencies. C/Meyer suggested the following: under Hazardous Materials, delete the statement, "...and environmental regulations become more strict...": and, under Noise, the word "local" should be replaced by the word "arterial" in the first line, and that the second to last line, "(dogs barking, airplane overflights, etc.), be deleted. VC/MacBride suggested the following: under Hazardous Materials, the third line should omit the word "many"; under Air Quality, the sixth line should omit the statement, "...both for the Pomona area as well as the entire basin"; the ninth line should omit the words "and especially"; and, under Noise, first paragraph, next to the last line, the word "may" should be deleted. Chair/Flamenbaum, under Noise, suggested that the specific measurements associated with each of these roads be deleted, or referenced back to the environmental report. '' C/Meyer stated that the information is pertinent, and should be left in. The Commission concurred. April 27, 1992 Page 9 Public Health and Safety Issues: C/Meyer suggested the following: under Flooding, the statement should be elaborated to define the storm year, and to indicate that there are storm drain deficiencies; under Fire Protection services, delete the last sentence, "Development of the sphere of influence..."; and, under Crime and Protection Services, the words "defensible space" should be deleted to make it consistent with the rest of the document; and the word "County", in the last line, should -•be'deleted. VC/MacBride suggested the following: under Flooding, replace the words "should develop", in the Issue Analysis, with "needs", to be consistent with the format of the other issue analysis; under Crime Protection Services, the word "relocate" should be replaced by "may continue to spread". Chair/Flamenbaum suggested the following; under Crime and Protection Services, replace the word "can", in the third line, with "should". C/Meyer suggested the following: under Hazardous Materials, delete the statement, "especially as regulations become more strict and illegal practices increase"; under Air Quality, the statement "testing laboratory" should be changed to be made consistent with the previously approved portion in the Plan for Public Services and Facilities; and the specific requirements for development, of the Air Quality Management District, be reiterated in this particular document. VC/MacBride suggested the following: under Hazardous Materials, change the words "should develop" to "needs" in the Issue Analysis; and under Fire Protection Services, on page 111-3, the Insurance Rating Organization should be changed to be consistent with the acronym (ISO). Lloyd Zola indicated that the correct name is Insurance Service Organization. Chair/Flamenbaum, under Hazardous Materials, suggested that the last sentence be amended to read, "Minor accidents involving hazardous materials are of concern to residents.". Lloyd Zola suggested that perhaps it should be further amended to read, "The potential for April 27, 1992 Page 10 accidents is of concern." The Commission concurred. Goals, Objectives, And Implementation Strateciies: GOAL 1: C/Meyer suggested the following: Strategy 1.1.2 should be deleted since it is part of the UBC; under Objective 1.2, delete the word "nuisances"; and- under---- Strategy-- 1.-2.4, change-- the word "schedule" to "a CIP to include". C/Li, under Strategy 1.2.3, suggested that the statement, "including inventory of existing facilities", be added. C/Meyer suggested the following: further elaborate Objective 1.3 to better express what is meant; under Strategy 1.3.1; replace the words "are incorporated" with "are addressed"; ' and, under Strategy 1.3.2, add "to the extent feasible" to the end of bullet two. Chair/Flamenbaum, disagreeing with the suggested change to bullet two, Strategy 1.3.2, noted that the strategy ends with, "Prioritize this balance as follows:", therefore, all three bullets are prioritized "to the extent feasible". C/Meyer concurred to retain it as is. C/Meyer, in regards to Objective 1.4, inquired if the six minute response time is the standard for the Fire District. Lloyd Zola explained that the basic standard is 5 minutes. However, there is not really a good response time standard in wildland areas. The six minute standard came from discussion with the Fire District. This is a reason why it is an objective and not a policy statement. Chair/Flamenbaum, in response to C/Meyer's concern on Strategy 1.4.2, suggested that it be reworded to indicate that the City of Diamond Bar will not have the existing residents pay the brunt for new services borne by new development areas. C/Grothe noted that the statement in Strategy 1.3.2, "...in a manner which balances ... for preserving biological resources.", seems to be more of a goal. 111 I t r,�l1, �lLllJ.';WyP�:��1f�kAe, II�N� �,! „A�A,,�ll,;�a��PIA ,�1,,, 11� I1��,;, �, a ��;iP 1, 1 ...,, A. 7� ..ri .q e��' April 27, 1992 Page 11 CD/DeStefano explained that the intent of the statement is trying to say that instead of stripping an entire hill for the purposes of fire protection, strip only the portion that the Fire District recommends. C/Grothe stated that, in that intent, then the third bullet should be eliminated. Lloyd Zola suggested that, instead of eliminating bullet three, the strategy,_ should be rewritten to indicate the intent explained by CD/DeStefano. The Commission concurred. VC/MacBride suggested the following: replace the word "Eliminate" with "Minimize" in objective 1.1 and Objective 1.2; correct "opportunities" with "opportunity" in Strategy 1.3.1; under Objective 1.4, the statement should be rewritten to read, " ..response time to all areas is maintained. Wildland areas..."; and reword the statement "...encouraging the enhancement of the minimum fire standards...", in Strategy 1.4.3. r--7 Chair/Flamenbaum suggested that the document address the areas of rain run-off, as well as heat reflection characteristics, when talking about large surface areas. It is a part of environmental disruption. CD/DeStefano stated that staff will place the issue somewhere in the Goals and Objectives in the Plan for Public Health and Safety. VC/MacBride suggested the following: replace the word "suspicious" with "criminal"; and omit the words "all other" from Strategy 1.6.1. C/Meyer suggested the following: eliminate the word "all" from Strategy 1.7.2 and 1.7.3; it may be appropriate to mention plans for a Hazardous Waste Plan in the strategies of Objective 1.8; replace the statement, "...and by reducing energy use...", in Objective 1.9, with "promoting energy conservation"; retain Strategy 1.9.3 and Strategy 1.9.4; and delete the last statement, "(e.g. locate buildings adjacent...", in Strategy 1.9.5 and replace it with "(for example, provide clear pedestrian paths and connections.)" VC/MacBride made the following suggestions: delete the word "develop", from the third line in Strategy 1.7.1, and add, "participate in the development April 27, 1992 Page 12 u , . of... and to reinsert the idea of supporting radio clubs. Chair/Flamenbaum suggested retaining Strategy 1.7.4 to read, "Encourage the establishment of auxiliary emergency communication services." Lloyd Zola explained that the idea of deleting Strategy 1.7.4 was because it was largely covered under Strategy 1.7.3. He suggested that Strategy 1.7.2 be amended to read, "...such as personnel, equipment, material, auxiliary communication services, specialized medical and other training.". The Commission concurred. C/Meyer made the following suggestions: keep the first sentence of Strategy 1.9.6; delete or rewrite Strategy 1.9.7; and retain Strategy 1.9.8. The Commission concurred. VC/MacBride suggested that Strategy 1.9.7 could be amended to read, "The City will cooperate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District in the analysis of and possible testing of new air pollution control programs." C/Meyer made the following suggestions: there should be a section for definitions in the Noise section; the statement" ... noise generated by one use of facility does not adversely affect adjacent uses.", in Objective 1. 10, should be better worded; Strategy 1.10.2 should be reworded; delete the section "Retrofits not required for:", and it's two bullets; eliminate Strategy 1.10.6; the first bullet, in Strategy 1.10.7, should be completed; and, bullet four of Strategy 1.10.7 should be reworded. C/Grothe, concerned that there are areas of the City that exceed acceptable noise levels, suggested that the fixed distance for the Sound Corridor come out of the other section. C/Meyer stated that he would support the fixed distances, in the document, as a bases, which is based on the roadway capacity, or the volumes measured to date, but then add a section that focuses on areas that exceed the norm. VC/MacBride suggested the following: stay with the threshold of 65 CNEL, in Strategy 1.10., so there is consistency within the document; and rework Strategy 1.10.3. r., i . . ...._. ti n e a".��g,,Ia�n�n.tim�ila ,�J�I , April 27, 1992 Page 13 Following discussion, the Commission concurred that _. Strategy 1.10.3 should be reworked to include the philosophy that if something is built, that adversely affects your neighbor, something will be done to mitigate the problem. Also, it should indicate that some sort of environmental analysis will be done on uses that could adversely affect the ambient noise level. VC/MacBride suggested that the word "Require" be placed in front of bullet three, in Strategy 1.10.7. Chair/Flamenbaum noted that there is not a definition for Noise Impact Corridor. The Commission concurred that staff needs to rewrite section 1.10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: CD/DeStefano stated that the Commission will be reviewing the Circulation Element on May 4, 1992. The Commission will be reviewing the Land Use and the Housing Element in the middle of May. The Commission needs to review not only the Master Environmental Assessment Analysis, for each of these different components, but also the Environmental Impact Report. At the end of these meeting, the Commission will be asked to approve not only the General Plan, but to recommend certification of the EIR. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Meyer, seconded by Chair/Flamenbaum and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m. Respectively, JYmes DeStefano Secretary 1 Attest :._---�� . - y'�® Bruce Flamenbaum Chairman