HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/22/1994MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 22, 1994
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Chairman Meyer called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. at the
South Coast Air Quality Management District Office, Diamond Bar,
California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman
Meyer.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Meyer; Vice Chairwoman Plunk;
Commissioners: Flamenbaum, Schad, and
Fong
Also Present: Community Development Director James
DeStefano; Associate Planner Rob Searcy;
Assistant Planner Ann Lungu; Interim
City Attorney Michael Montgomery;
Engineer Consultant Mike Myers; and
Administrative Secretary Marilyn Ortiz
Absent: None
VC/Plunk arrived at 6:17 p.m.
C/Flamenbaum arrived at 8:00 p.m.
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING:
1. ADOPTION OF THE 1994 DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
A. LAND USE ELEMENT
CDD/DeStefano stated the Land Use Element and the densities,
which are part of the classifications, have created concerns
with respect to the number of dwelling units which may be
built over the next twenty years. GPAC spent the majority
effort on the Land Use Element and made a number of changes
within the document. With respect to the text, GPAC added
that both ma and deed restricted
p properties should
ultimately be designated open space. A clause was added
that no deed or map restrictions be lifted unless by a
majority vote of the people. With respect to the hillside
September 22, 1994 Page 2 Planning commission
areas, GPAC added a slope density formula which impacts the',
Housing Element. This formula ranges from one (1) unit per:
acre with slopes of ten (10) percent or less to one (1) unit
per 2.75 acres on slopes of thirty (30) percent or more.
The most significant changes are to the ma and deed
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restricted properties. In the previous plan, several were
classified as residential or planned development; all are
now proposed to be open space. Several changes are
recommended for the text; however, no changes are
recommended for the uses within those classifications.
Tres Hermanos Specific Plan property and the sphere of
influence are designated agricultural. As a result of the
density classifications indicated in the Land Use Element,
approximately 700 new dwelling units are proposed over the
next twenty years.
GPAC determined that density transfers were not a part of
City policy and needed to be approved by a vote of the
people in a general election.
The Land Use Element carries no more weight than any other
element. It is, however, the focus of most public opinion
and comment, with the greatest attention paid to the map.
In a court of law, however, each element is equal and the
General Plan must be internally consist.
The Land Use Element prescribes the land uses for the
community over the life of the General Plan. It discuss
density and intensity from which comes population figures,
review of traffic and transportation issues, as well as
level of service issues which are generated from the
theoretical land use classifications.
Chair/Meyer declared the public hearing open.
Wilbur Smith, 21630 Fairwind Lane suggested adding strategy
2.3.3, Page I-20 to read: "Require new housing developments
to provide one-half (1/2) acre of land for every_ 25 single
family residence and every 50 condominium units with
landscaping for a playground. Thereafter, the area will be
maintained by the City."
Barbara Beach Courchesne, 2021 Peaceful Hills Road indicated
that the citizens are very concerned with the Land Use
Element.
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September 22, 1994 Page 3 Planning Commission
Chair Meyer declared the public hearing closed.
VC/Plunk stated that she has reviewed the tapes from the
previous meetings and is aware of the public comments. She
suggested that "town and country" atmosphere be used in
place of "country living".
CDD/DeStefano stated there are three ways to pay for
services: Through taxes for services; reduce the services;
and, incur new taxes through development. He stated that
with current State laws, many cities are focusing on sales
tax generation which is a significant contribution to annual
city revenue. In Diamond Bar it is very significant because
of the structure agreed upon with Los Angeles County through
incorporation. Diamond Bar receives considerably less
property tax dollars than other cities.
CDD/DeStefano emphasized that increasing the level of
services to Diamond Bar and paying for them is a very
critical issue over the next few years.
I
' Chair/Meyer stated the Planning Commission is charged with
the responsibility of making a recommendation to the City
Council regarding a General Plan for Diamond Bar. The GPAC
document as presented to the Planning Commission, will be
presented in its entirety to the City Council. In addition,
the document prepared by the Planning Commission will be
presented to the City Council.
Motion was made by VC/Plunk to change Page I-1, A.
Introduction statement to read: "It is the goal of the City
to retain its town and country atmosphere through land use
policies." Motion died for lack of second.
Motion was made by C/Schad and seconded by C/Fong to leave
the Introduction statement as is., Voting was deadlocked 2-2
with the roll call as follows:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Schad/Fong
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Plunk, Chair/Meyer
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Flamenbaum
Chair/Meyer pointed out several extra spaces to be deleted
under Existing Conditions, last sentence, Page I-1.
VC/Plunk stated on Page I-2, Golden Spring should be Golden
Springs.
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September 22, 1994 Page 4 Planning Commission xIN'I!
C/Fong suggested adding "(approximately 800 acres,)" to the
last sentence, Page I-2 so that it reads: "The largest
parcel of vacant land is the Tres Hermanos property,
(approximately 800 acres,) at the northeast corner of the
City, between Grand Avenue and the Pomona (60) Freeway."
Chair/Meyer recommended on Page I-2, third paragraph, last
sentence, inserting "in size" so that the sentence now
reads: "Here, lots may be several acres or more in size,
depending on the severity of the slope. On Page I-2 under
2. Non -Residential Uses, paragraph I, second sentence, add:
"of the City's land area and are" so that the sentence
reads: "Commercial uses occupy approximately two percent of
the City's land area and are mainly located along Diamond
Bar Boulevard and portions of Golden Springs Drive." On
Page I-2, second paragraph, last sentence eliminate the word
"but" so that the sentence reads: "However, a selective
representative survey of local centers indicates the
following FARs'are most applicable to Diamond Bar uses, and
can be considered representative for planning purposes:
Commercial = 9.24, Office = 0.38, and Business Park = 0.32:"
Page I-2, last paragraph, second sentence, .delete "open" so
the sentence now reads: "At present, there are 2,751 acres;
of vacant land potentially available for development and/or
preservation."
C/Fong recommended adding the following to Page I-3, last
paragraph, first sentence: "potential development of vacant
land or hills adjacent to the 57 and 60 freeways and the
Union Pacific right-of-way in the City of Industry;
potential development of vacant land south of Brea Canyon
Cutoff and west of 57 freeway and Brea Canyon Road; and
Diamond Ranch High School in Tres Hermanos."
Regarding Page I-4, add "Existing" to the Table Heading so
that it now reads: "City -Wide Existing Land Uses (1993)."
C/Fong suggested adding "Within City Corporate Boundaries",
under TOTAL on Page I-4, and adding dashes (-) to the blank
boxes.
VC/Plunk suggested breaking out "Open Space" from the Table
and CDD/DeStefano indicated staff will assign more
appropriate wording.
Regarding Page I-5, VC/Plunk suggested Vacant Land be a77,
separate subtitle. x
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September 22, 1994 Page 5 Planning commission
With respect to I-7, C/Fong recommended under 1. Land Use
Mix a., using the word "and" in place of ampersand.
Motion was made by VC/Plunk and seconded by Chair/Meyer to
replace Open with Vacant on page I-7 so that a. now reads:
"Disposition of Remaining Vacant Lands Including, but Not
Limited to, a Determination of Deed and Map Restriction
Status." Motion was deadlocked 2-2 with the following roll
call:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Plunk, Chair/Meyer
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Schad, Fong
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Flamenbaum
Motion was made by Chair/Meyer and seconded by VC/Plunk to
eliminate the last sentence from issue analysis under 1.
Land Use Mix. Motion was deadlocked 2-2 with the following
roll call:
r
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Plunk, Chair/Meyer
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Schad, Fong
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Flamenbaum
Chair/Meyer recommended on Page I-7, under D. Community
Development, all parenthetical items be eliminated so the
sentence reads: "The four major land use issues identified
in the Master Environmental Assessment are: 1) land use
mix; 2) capacities of the natural and man-made environment
to accommodate growth; 3) City image; and 4) local versus
regional needs and short-term versus long-term solutions."
Chair/Meyer further recommended on Page I-7, 1. Land Use
Mix, third sentence, the elimination of "these open" so the
sentence reads: "The survey found that various types of
notations and restrictions had been placed by the County on
the subdivision maps creating certain identified vacant
lands."
Under b. Open Space Definition,and Preservation, last
sentence of the -first paragraph, eliminate "does" so it
reads: "This General Plan categorizes these different types
of open space areas into distinct and clearly understood
designations."
L -J In addition, Chair/Meyer recommended deletion of "are" from
the first sentence, second paragraph under b. Open Space
September 22, 1994 Page 6 Planning commission
Definition and Preservation so that it reads: "Presently,
undisturbed hillsides, ridgelines and canyon bottoms located
on privately owned property are susceptible to future
development." In the second sentence add "through the use
of techniques" so that it reads: "Therefore, this General
Plan sets forth strategies for land use development that
will preserve significant environmentally sensitive 'areas
through the use of techniques such as transfer of
development rights and clustering."
Regarding Page I-8, 5th paragraph, C/Fong suggested the
following be eliminated: "However, the post Proposition 13
pendulum may swing some other way in the future, and".
VC/Plunk suggested the sentence be changed to read:
"However, the pro rata share of dollars to municipalities
may shift outside of the City's control."
VC/Plunk suggested the fourth sentence, paragraph six be
changed as follows: Delete "Fortunately,"; "take advantage
of" and add "target; delete "diversity" and add "return" so
that the sentence now reads: "Diamond Bar can target all of
these marketing strategies to maximize its economic return.':
Chair/Meyer suggested on Page I-8, first paragraph, last
sentence, under c. Economics, delete "ultimate" and add in
its place "basic" so that the sentence reads: "City
governments have two basic sources of revenue: local
residents and businesses." Under paragraph 2, last
sentence, insert "dwellings" so that the sentence reads:
"Available data also indicates that lower priced single
family dwellings, condominiums, and other attached multi-
family housing cost proportionately more for services than
they generate revenues."
Also on Page I-8, third paragraph, first sentence, eliminate
"would be in" and insert "is" and eliminate "expanded" and
insert "existing" so that the sentence reads: "A second
source of additional revenue to the City is sales taxes
generated by existing or new local businesses." Second
sentence, eliminate "positive" and replace with "more" and
insert the word "as" so the sentence now reads: "In
general, market research shows that retail commercial uses
generate significantly more municipal revenues as compared,
to costs.
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September 22, 1994 Page 7 Planning Commission
In the fourth paragraph, first sentence, eliminate "The
third" and add "Potential" and plural "sources" so the
sentence reads: Potential sources of additional revenues
for the City would be new or higher user fees, taxes, or
service assessments."
Chair/Meyer further suggested that "There are four" be
eliminated from the last paragraph, first sentence on Page
I-8 so that it reads: "Fundamental marketing strategies
that cities typically employ, relative to commercial land,
to generate positive municipal revenues/costs are as
follows."
VC/Plunk recommended that under ISSUE ANALYSIS:, Page I-8,
"infrastructures and amenities" be added to the sentence to
read: "There is a need to encourage a variety of new or
expanded commercial uses and other non-residential
development, as well as investigate other funding
mechanisms, to help finance City services infrastructures
and amenities."
On Page I-9, 3b. Land Use Compatibility, second sentence,
eliminate "At the same time" so the sentence reads, "There
are outside pressures on the City to help solve regional
traffic problems." and add a sentence directly following
which reads: "At the same time, there are outside pressures
on the City adversely affecting the City due to outside
regional development and traffic."
RECESS: Chair/Meyer recessed the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
RECONVENED: Chair/Meyer reconvened the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
C/Flamenbaum suggested adding to the issue analysis under b.
Infrastructure Capabilities, "the anticipated increase in
traffic" and to eliminate "to continue" and add in its place
"to enhance" so the sentence reads: "There is a need to
plan now for the anticipated increase in traffic, the
maintenance of existing facilities, fund new facilities, and
support future services to enhance the quality of life in
Diamond Bar."
Chair/Meyer recommended deleting the last sentence from 3b.
Land Use compatibility on page I-9.
C/Flamenbaum recommended adding "from incompatible land
uses" to the Issue Analysis under 3b, page I-9 so the
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September 22, 1994 Page 8 Planning commission
sentence reads: "There is a need to protect the character
of existing neighborhoods from incompatible land uses."
With respect to Page I-10, issue analysis under 4a, delete
"strong desire" and add in its place "need" and add "and
local activities" so the sentence reads: "There is a need
to prevent regional commuter traffic from impacting local
-- traffic and local activities."
Page I-10, Strategy 1.1.1 is deferred to the Monday,
September 26, 1994 Planning Commission meeting for
discussion.
Motion was made by C/Flamenbaum to eliminate the verbiage on
Page I-12, beginning with "all building restrictions"
including all of a) and b). Chair/Meyer stated the
provision of water structures to sustain wildlife will be
considered during the development review. Motionn carried
unanimously 5-0.
Motion was made by C/Flamenbaum and seconded by VC/Plunk to
delete the last sentence under strategy 1.1.9. on page I-13,.
Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
Within strategy 1.1.10, strike the first sentence and change
the second sentence to read: "Within the Agricultural (AG)
designation, permit agricultural and compatible open space,
public facility, and recreation uses..."
Under strategy 1.2.1, correct WHERE APPROPRIATE to lower
case.
Motion was made by C/Fong and seconded by C/Schad to add
1.2.3 C. "Minimize grading to retain natural vegetation and
topography" Motion was carried 4-1 with the following roll
call:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
Fong, Schad, Flamenbaum,
Chair/Meyer
VC/Plunk
None
None
Regarding Page I-14, a motion was made by VC/Plunk to add
the following verbiage to strategy 1.2.6: "consistent with
the parks masterplan." Motion died for lack of second.
September 22. 1994 page 9 planning commission
VC/Plunk recommended "include uses" and "such as" to
strategy 1.3.3 a. on Page I-14 so that the sentence now
reads: "Typical uses in the Commercial Office category
include uses such as general retail, specialty retail,
markets, food and drug stores, commercial services,
restaurants, automotive repair and service, hardware and
home improvement centers, recreation, professional and
business offices, financial institutions, medical offices,
and real estate offices."
The Planning Commission members concurred that the Land Use
Map will be discussed Monday, September 26.
With respect to Page I-15, VC/Plunk suggested the following
revision of strategy 1.3.4, second sentence: Strike "which
generate sales tax revenues to the City" and add "should be
allowed subject to standards enacted to protect the privacy
and residential character of the neighborhood" so the
sentence reads as follows: "Residentially compatible home
occupations where consistent with other provisions of the
General Plan and Development Code should be allowed subject
to standards enacted to protect the privacy and residential
character of the neighborhood."
Motion was made by Chair/Meyer and seconded by C/Flamenbaum
to strike 1.3.5 c. and d. on Page I-15. The motion was
carried 4-1 with the following roll call:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Meyer, Flamenbaum,
Schad, VC/Plunk
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Fong
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
C/Schad indicated that an "s" should be added to program in
strategy 1.3.7.
On Page I-16, strategy 1.4.2 VC/Plunk suggested adding "and
public amenities" so that it reads: Promote joint
development and use of parks and open space facilities with
adjacent jurisdictions; promote development of joint
school/park sites and public amenities."
on strategy 1.4.1, capitalize "Map" in the second line and
add a period after "purposes."
September 22, 1994 Page 10 Planning Commission
Chair/Meyer su suggested adding to strategy 1 .6
gg g gy .4 and 1.4.7,
add "to include arterial highway access to the future
schools."
Motion was made by C/Flamenbaum and seconded by VC/Plunk to
remove the second sentence from strategy 1.5.1. The motion
was carried 3-2 with the following roll call:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Flamenbaum, VC/Plunk,
Chair/Meyer
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Fong, Schad
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
Motion was
made by C/Flamenbaum
and seconded by VC/Plunk to
eliminate
strategy 1.5.2. The motion was carried 3-2 with
the following roll call:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Flamenbaum, VC/Plunk,
Chair/Meyer
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Fong, Schad
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
Regarding Page I-17, a motion was made by C/Schad and
seconded by C/Flamenbaum to reinstate strategy 1.5.2 to
read: "Require a public hearing prior to any action which
would change existing covenants, restrictions or dedications
on open space lands." Motion was carried 5-0.
C/Flamenbaum suggested that Open Space be capitalized in
strategy 1.5.3.
At the recommendation of VC/Plunk,-staff was directed by the
Planning Commission to come up with a new 1:5.3 and add a
strategy to rank Open Space program and Open Space land
through acquisition by importance.
Chair/Meyer recommended under strategy 1.5.4, strike "or a
property owner" and add "transferring of " so the sentence
reads: "To preserve significant environmental resources
within proposed developments, allow clustering or
transferring of all or part of the development potential of
the entire site to a smaller portion of the site, thus
preserving -the resources as open space, and mandating the
dedication of those resources to the City or conservancy.
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September 22, 1994 Page 11 Planning Commission
Motion was made by C/Flamenbaum and seconded by Schad to
strike strategy 1.5.5, and add "or land entitlements" to
strategy 1.5.2. Motion was carried 5-0.
Motion was made by C/Schad and seconded by C/Fong to adjourn
to Monday, September 26, 1994 to wrap up Land Use Element
with any final changes carried over to Tuesday, September
27, 1994. Motion was carried 5-0.
Chair/Meyer declared the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully,
Ir
gimes DeStefano i
Secretary
Attest:
Davier
Chai an