HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/28/1994MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MARCH 28, 1994
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the AQMD
Auditorium,, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Meyer.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Meyer; vice Chairman Plunk;
Commissioners: Flamenbaum, Schad, and Fong ,
Also Present: Associate Planner Searcy; Planning Technician
Ann Lungu; Interim City Attorney Michael
Montgomery; and Recording Secretary Liz Myers
Absent: None
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gary Neely, residing at 344 Canoe Cove, inquired if any
investigation has been done regarding his suggestion to install an
off-site electronic sign off the 60 freeway at Brea Canyon
Road/Golden Springs to advertise the center in that location.
Chair/Meyer stated that the matter will be brought before the City
Council for their consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of March 14, 1994
Moved by C/Schad, seconded by C/Flamenbaum and carried
unanimously to approve the minutes of March 14, 1994, as
presented.
OLD BIISINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS - None
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
2. Zone Change No. 92-2: vesting tentative Map No. 51169;
Conditional Use Permit No. 92-3; Oak Tree Permit No. 92-3; and
Environmental Impact Report No. 92-2
AP/Searcy reported that, on December 13, 1994, the Commission
decided, with the applicant's concurrence, to continue the
March 28, 1994 Page 2
public hearing for this application to the March 28, 1994
meeting due to the absence of a General Plan. He noted that
the City received an Extension of Time from the State Office',
of Planning and Research (OPR), but that the General Plan
Advisory Committee (GPAC) is still in the process of reviewing'
the General Plan, and the Significant Ecological Advisory
Technical Committee (SEATAC), whose recommendation is made a
part of the environmental report, has not yet completed their
review of this project. It is recommended that the public'
hearing be continued to 60 days from this date to allow time,
to schedule another SEATAC public hearing on this item.
C/Flamenbaum suggested that the EIR be presented to the
Planning Commission for review while SEATAC is completing'I
their review of the project.
Chair/Meyer stated that he would prefer to receive the staff'
report and the environmental report at the same time.
Chair/Meyer declared the public hearing opened and invited'
those wishing to speak to come forward.
'Brian Bier, the legal representative for Union Wide, stated
that the applicant, with reservation of all of its rights,
continues to request processing for approval of its map by the
City and reserves all of its rights as an applicant for
approval under vesting tentative map, including those rights
under General Plan as already approved. Without waiver or
prejudice to any of its rights and reserving all of its rights
as a vesting tentative map, Union Wide agrees to the
recommendation of the Planning Commission staff to a
continuance for 30 to 60 days of this Planning Commission
hearing in order to provide the Planning Commission with
information from the SEATAC review.
Gary Neely questioned why a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is
required with a zone change. He inquired who is' on the
SEATAC.
AP/Searcy explained that the CUP is required for a hillside
development project. He stated that the SEATAC consists of
three individuals: Dr. David Berry, a geologist; Craig Nelson,
a professor; and Dr. Hewitt, a professor of biology. The
SEATAC is a City of Diamond Bar committee.
Gary Neely pointed out that the location of the proposed
project is in the same general area of the northern terminus
of the proposed City of Industry dam, if it is moved south to
include part of Tonner Canyon, which could flood the park in
the Country.
March 28, 1994 Page 3
I
In response to C/Fong, AP/Searcy stated that staff will
provide a complete packet to all Commissioners prior to the
scheduled public hearing.
There being no one else wishing to speak, Chair/Meyer returned
the matter back to the Commission for consideration.
Moved by C/Schad and seconded by VC/Plunk to continue the
public hearing to May 23, 1994.
Moved by C/Flamenbaum to amend C/Schad's motion to continue
the public hearing to May 9, 1994.
The amended motion Died for lack of a second.
The Planning Commission voted on the motion made by C/Schad
and seconded by VC/Plunk to continue the public hearing to May
23, 1994.
The Motion Carried 4-1 with the following vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Schad, Fong, VC/Plunk, and
Chair/Meyer
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Flamenbaum
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
C/Flamenbaum suggested that a letter be drafted, representing the
Planning Commission, respectfully requesting that the City Council
learn to get along, and that comments be confined to City business
items only.
C/Schad requested that the Tree Ordinance be brought before the
Planning Commission for reconsideration.
Chair/Meyer stated that the item should be placed on the agenda as
an action item, to include a staff report determining its priority
based upon the Planning Commission's authority to generate this
kind of activity and the staff workload. -
VC/Plunk suggested that City Consultant Dale Beland chair the
General Plan discussion when it comes before the Planning
Commission for review. She then suggested that a risk analysis be
conducted to determine the feasibility of the City remaining
a incorporated if the City is unable to settle its problems and
develop a General Plan.
Chair/Meyer requested that the Development Code also be placed on
the agenda for consideration by the Planning Commission, with input
from staff on ways to update it.
March 28, 1994 Page 4
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Chair/Meyer reported that the GPAC, though composed of dynamic
individuals, appears to be losing focus. He stated that there is,
much debate occurring,, but without appropriate direction and
leadership from the committee.
C/Schad concurred with Chair/Meyer that the General Plan revision'
process seems to be without vision. He stated that one abstract
consideration after another is being discussed, but nothing really
seems to be coming together.
VC/Plunk expressed her concern that the City Council changed the
voting procedure policy of the GPAC midway into the process.
AP/Searcy reported that the interim Sign Ordinance for temporary!,
signs will be coming before the Planning Commission at the next
public hearing. The Planning Commission will also be reviewing the
fence wall policy, particularly for newer development in the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by C/Flamenbaum, seconded by C/Schad and carried unanimously,
to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully,
51imes DeSteta io
Secretary
Attest•
id eyer
Chai man