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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/22/1996MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 22, 1996 I- CALL TO ORDER: I i Chairman Flamenbaum called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at the South -Coast Air Quality Management Auditorium, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Flamenbaum. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Chairman Flamenbaum, Commissioners Schad and Meyer. Absent: Commissioner Fong. Also Present: Community Development Director James DeStefano; Assistant Planner Ann Lungu, Recording Secretary Carol Dennis. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of November 27, 1995. C/Meyer requested that the maker of the motion to accept the minutes of October 23, 1995 be corrected on Page 2, 1. under CONSENT CALENDAR. C/Schad requested the spelling of his name be corrected at the beginning of paragraph 3 under MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS. CDD/DeStefano requested the call to order time be corrected to 7:05 p.m. C/Schad made a motion, seconded by Chair/ Flamenbaum to approve the minutes as amended. CDD/DeStefano referred the Commission to a letter from Craig Clute, citizen of Diamond Bar, in which he stated he had been misquoted in the minutes of November 27, 1995 regarding Conditional Use Permit 94-7. CDD/DeStefano stated Mr. Clute's letter is attached to the minutes and becomes part of the public record. Chair/Flamenbaum called for the question. The motion was carried 2-0-1 with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Schad, Chair/Flamenbaum NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Meyer ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Fong ��r ii�ihill ii __. »-,,�-..u,.-_�-�-� _-_, �_ �_ � ru 11Wuii�, 'iI a r_ January 22, 1996 Page -2 Planning Commission Chair/Flamenbaum stated, in his opinion, all letters should be filed by the City and become part of the public record. C/Meyer stated that in his opinion, a letter addressed to the Community Development Director should be placed in a correspondence file. If a citizen offers a letter or states a position during the public hearing process, it then becomes part'of the Planning Commission public record. CDD/DeStefano stated that Mr. Clute specifically refers to his comments made regarding a particular project. Therefore, the letter will be placed in the project file. General correspondence is placed in a general correspondence file. Public correspondence which refers to a specific project before the Planning Commission is placed in the project file. C/Schad stated he feels all written and spoken comments regarding a project should be placed in the project file. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS: 2. Selection of a Vice Chairman to the Planning Commission. C/Meyer nominated C/Schad to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. The nomination was seconded by Chair/Flamenbaum. There being no further nominations and without objection, Chair/Flamenbaum declared C/Schad Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Variance No. 95-2. Chair/Flamenbaum stated that the applicant has requested a continuance to February 26, 1996. Chair/Flamenbaum declared the public hearing open. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Chair/Flamenbaum declared the public hearing closed. C/Meyer made a motion, seconded by VC/Schad to continue Variance No. 95-2 to February 26, 1996. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Conditional Use Permit No. 93-7(2). A request for an Extension of Time (pursuant to Code Section 22.56.10) for an existing temporary unmanned cellular January 22, 1996 Page 3' Planning commission communications facility. This existing facility consists of a 200 square foot prefabricated telephone equipment shelter and 70 foot high wooden monopole with three omni whip antennas with a total height not exceeding 89 feet. This project's original approval was on December 13, 1993 for the purpose of restoring communications service to the area. A permanent site was approved at Diamond Bar High School by the Planning Commission on October 9, 1995. The Extension of Time is needed until the school site is completed. The project's temporary site is located within an existing commercial development. Applicant: L.A. Cellular, 17785 Center court Drive North, Cerritos, CA 90701 Owner: Rhinehart Management Co., P.O. Box 4428, Covina, CA 91723 Project Address: 21308 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 CDD/DeStefano stated the Extension of Time request is for Fi the existing monopole at the Denny's Restaurant location on Pathfinder Road. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission receive public testimony and approve Conditional Use Permit 93-7(2), Findings of Fact, and conditions as listed within the resolution. AstP/Lungu responded to Chair/Flamenbaum that the Diamond Bar High School site plans are currently with the State's Architectural Department. Once the plans are approved, the high school will begin construction. CDD/DeStefano responded to Chair/Flamenbaum that the Planning Commission has the ability to put a specific termination date, on any Extension of Time approval. The Planning Commission has granted Extensions of Time and has discussed with the applicant a very specific mandate that the project be completed in a timely manner with the comment that the' Commission would not be prone to further extend the project. In this instance, the Planning Commission may extend this project one year. Staff recommends a,six-month Extension of Time. Chair/Flamenbaum declared the public hearing open. Dan Hare, L.A. Cellular stated he is available to answer any questions from the Planning Commission. He indicated he expects the project's permits to be pulled approximately mid-March with construction commencing during Easter week. He assured the Commission that the January 22, 1996 Page 4 Planning commission r project is moving along and a six month extension of time is needed. Mr. Hare responded to Chair/Flamenbaum that the six-month Extension of Time would absolutely be adequate. Mr. Hare responded'to C/Meyer that' Diamond Bar High School is now aware of the conditions of approval and the landscape' requirementfor the site. AstP/Lungu responded to C/Meyer that the landscaping plan has been reviewed by staff and has been submitted to the Walnut Valley'Schoo'1 District. Mr. Hare responded to C/Meyer that construction cannot begin until an Advice Letter has been filed with the Public Utilities Commission. The letter will be filed after the building permits have been issued. The project is top priority for L.A. Cellular. AstP/Lungu responded to C/Meyer that the applicant has met all Conditions of Approval. Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road stated that one of his letters was sent to the Planning Commission. He indicated he read the letter at the November 27, 1995 meeting and he wishes the letter to be 'part of the minutes, the file, or public comments. He further stated the letter represented his exact statements. A second letter was sent to CDD/De5tefano requesting that the first letter be added to the minutes and he wanted his statements following the reading of the letter to be clarified. He further indicated that he did not mean to indicate that Mr. Chaput was unaware of the project. Mr. ChaputBaas unaware of many of the details of the project. Now Mr.; Chaput has more information. Mr. Clute stated that he would like to see a time line for the project. Regarding the landscape plan, it is important; because the sprinkler lines are '',down., He indicated he did not know what 'kinds of trees and bushes are being planted but if sprinklers are in the, way there is a problem.' The school district has already put the lines down and the sprinkler heads will be up against the bushes. He requested to know the details of the agreement between L.A. Cellular and the school district. He asked if the plans would be made available to the public. Chair/Flamenbaum declared the public hearing closed. AstP/Lungu responded to C/Meyer that the landscape plans submitted to the City are a matter of public record. She r,. —^ I1.... I. „ , .- 11 ...,.,..­,,,'. 4 1__. ,.. l..r __.,". r'. A- 0,"_.._ ,. v I "i.-_ 9, 11_.. �,,...,...o_. ., .._,__. ,1::.; January 22, 1996 Page 5 Planning Commission confirmed that Mr. Clute can make an appointment with the City and review the plans. Chair/Flamenbaum stated that the school district landscaping has no bearing on L.A. Cellular's project. L.A. Cellular will be completing their landscaping following construction. AstP/Lungu responded that L.A. Cellular's planting materials will be compatible with the school district's planting materials. Mr. Chaput will review the L.A. Cellular's landscape plans and forward them to the proper person to insure coordination with the sprinkler system. CDD/DeStefano stated that staff met with Mr. Chaput in December to insure proper coordination between the applicant, Walnut Valley School District and L.A. Cellular. Copies of all material pertaining to the project have been, and continue to be, forwarded to the school district for their review and coordination. VC/Schad made a motion, seconded by Chair/Flamenbaum to approve Conditional Use Permit 93-7(2) Extension of Time for six months. Chair/Flamenbaum stated he will not vote for an additional time extension beyond this six month extension if the applicant has not moved forward with the project in good faith. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. NEW BUSINESS, Continued: 1. Discussion regarding the appointment of an Ex -officio Youth Member to the Planning Commission. Chair/Flamenbaum requested to know the purpose of an ex - officio Youth Member for the Planning Commission. VC/Schad stated the Walnut Valley School Board has students who participate in an advisory/ informational capacity. In his opinion, students would benefit from learning how city government works. In addition, the student may offervaluable input regarding proposed projects. Chair/Flamenbaum stated the school board deals in youth related activities. The Planning Commission deals with land use. January 22, 1996 Page 6 Planning Commission CDD/DeStefano stated City Council placed this item on its agenda Tuesday, January 16. The proponent of this issue is concerned with the multi -cultural, multi-ethnic, and varying age groups of the community. Specifically,the youth are often referred to as the future of the community. With respect to the Commissions, it is believed that the youth may provide a different perspective and the future shape of Diamond Bar. The City Council indicated their desire to have one youth from each school serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Traffic and Transportation Commission. Staff is not aware of any cities that have youth members on the Planning Commission or the Traffic and Transportation Commission. However, this does not mean that the youth cannot serve on these' Commissions in this City. The view of the Council was that the youth could participate ',on the Commissions with no voting power. VC/Schad requested to know !how the' youth would be selected to serve on the Commissions. Chair/Flamenbaum stated his concern about selecting from one segment of the city's population. In his opinion, the Planning Commission should solicit input from all citizens. Mayor Ansari stated the direction of the Council was to solicit input from all Commissions with the emphasis toward acquiring an ex -officio Youth Member for the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Traffic and Transportation Commission. The ex -officio member would not have the same voting rights as a regular, Commission member, they would provide input only. Mr. Clute stated he is opposed to youth members for all Commissions. He further stated he would like to encourage all citizens, including the youth, to attend Commission meetings and City Council meetings and become involved in their city government. C/Meyer stated he does not envision an ex -officio other than the Community Development Director sitting with the Planning Commission. However, he indicated he does not have a problem with the designation of an ex -officio Youth Member. Many land decisions are based,upon making a better community and environment for the children. Generally, youth do not participate in governmental activities. Therefore, it may be advisable to encourage a youth member to participate in the Planning Commission efforts may encourage or create a leader and result Iin the participation of more youths in city government.In his opinion, the role of the member should be clearly January 22, 1996 Page 7- Planning Commission defined, and participation of the member should be encouraged. Chair/Flamenbaum stated he would like to see a 100 percent increase in the Planning Commission to insure more diversity and greater participation. He further stated that he is concerned that only one segment of the city's diverse population is being considered. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: C/Meyer again requested a copy of the Zoning Ordinance under which Diamond Bar operates. CDD/DeStefano stated that staff has been directed to reproduce copies of the existing County Code and all of the City's amendments which have occurred since incorporation. He indicated the document may be available for the February 12 Planning Commission meeting. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Meyer that the City is in the process of finalizing a Request for Proposal for the new Development Code. The ballot initiative, if approved by the voters, asks for a conforming Zoning Code to be developed within six months of adoption. Therefore, the Development Code Request for Proposal is greatly complicated because the consultant will not know which document they are implementing until March 26. , The plan is to issue the RFP's based upon both options. VC/Schad stated he recently concluded a tour of the Three Valleys Water Company in the Sacramento Delta area. He reiterated that he would like to see all wiring in conduit in the City. In addition, he recommends convection hot water systems for all future residential construction. He further stated that only one-half of one percent of the water on earth is fit for human consumption. He related the basis of the ecological system in the area. He indicated that 75 percent of the Los Angeles Basin water supply comes from the Delta. Chair/Flamenbaum stated he would like to have the City conduct an alignment study for a possible alternate road to the new high school. CDD/DeStefano stated he will discuss the item with the City _ Engineer and prepare a memorandum for the February 12 Planning Commission meeting. i INFORMATION ITEMS: CDD/DeStefano stated the Planning Commissioners Institute is scheduled for March 20 through March 22,.1996 at Long Beach. January 22, 1996 Page S Planning Commission �I�AII� CDD/DeStefano stated the Planning Commissioner's terms of office expire on February '28, 1996. He requested- the Commissioners contact their respective.City council members regarding their positions. The annual reorganization of the Planning Commission will occur on March'll, 1996. CDD/DeStefano stated 'there are two new development plans slated for presentation to the Commission: 'The'Tom Tice'53 unit on 80 acres single family residential development project on the back side of "The Country Estates. The'EIR will be distributed in approximately one week. The Commission will review.:the project the middle of April. The second project is the 20 acres surrounding the Tice project to be developed with 15 single family units. This development is a partnership between JCC Development and the property owner, I'Liu: CDD/DeStefano stated that on Tuesday, January 2; the City Council adopted a first reading of an 'ordinance which would establish a Redevelopment Agency for the City. The ordinance becomes effective approximately March 1 and staff has been directed'to begin the process to select a consultant to study feasibility and a possible survey Area. CDD/DeStefano stated that the City has made a conditional offer to a candidate for the Senior Planner position. If the candidate passes the ''physical he/she will be on board approximately February 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Ansari stated that on February 10 a generic town meeting will be held at Heritage Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, Chairman Flamenbaum declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Attest:, Bruce Flamenbaum Chairman ir Director