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Home My WebLink About12/9/1996MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR -'MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 9, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Goldenberg called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management Auditorium, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by C/McManus. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Goldenberg, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, and Commissioners, McManus and Schad Commission Fong arrived at 7:11 p.m. Also Present: Community Development Director James DeStefano, Senior Planner Catherine Johnson, and Assistant Planner Ann Lungu. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None i v CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of November 25, 1996. VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/Schad, to approve the minutes of October 28, 1996 as presented. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Conditional Use Permit No. 96-12 and Development Review No. 96-11 is a request (pursuant to Code Section 22.20.100) for an unmanned, wireless telecommunications transmission facility to be mounted on the roof of the existing theater_ building at Diamond Bar High School. Project Address: 21400 E. Pathfinder Road (south side, east of the SR 57) Owner: Walnut Valley Unified School District, 880 South Lemon Avenue, Walnut, CA 91789 Applicant: Cox California PCS, Inc. 2381 Morse Avenue, Irvine, CA 92714 _ --_ -_.._-, -__, 1-7 1,11�,u_- -, — ._ __._-. DECEMBER 9, 1996 Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION SP/Johnson read the staff report into the record. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Conditional Use Permit No. 96-12 and Development Review No. 96-11, Findings of Fact and conditions of,approval as listed within the resolution. SP/Johnson responded to C/Schad that because the No. 12 proposed horizontal cable tray will be painted to match the main structure, the site impact will be minimal. In response to Chair/Goldenberg, SP/Johnson stated the proposed transmitter installation is for PC telecommunications. Chair/Goldenberg opened the public hearing. Adan Madrid, JM Consulting Group, Inc., 3760 Kilroy Airport Way #440, Long Beach, CA, 90806, representing Cox California PCS, Inc., stated he read the staff report and concurs with the conditions of approval. He further stated Cox California PCS, Inc. is a new carrier in the area seeking a local site. Mr. Madrid responded to Chair/Goldenberg that Cox is developing PCS wireless communications which uses digital transmission to improve the array and quality of services currently available to consumers. PCS telephone calls are sharper and clearer. PCS users will not experience dropped calls or cross talk that is common with today's analog cellular systems. Digital technology offers FAX machine and laptop computer usage to the consumer. He indicated Cox currently plans sites at Diamond Bar High School, National Self Storage, Walnut Pools and Darin Drive at Armitos Place. Responding to C/Schad, Mr. Madrid stated that according to his company's data, the four proposed Diamond Bar sites will afford full coverage for the area. In response to Chair/Goldenberg, Mr. Madrid indicated that in a perfect environment, the transmission facility reaches about 2.1 kilometers. It is highly unlikely that Cox will request additional sites because the proposed system is a mature system. Mr. Madrid indicated to C/Schad that the antennas are placed high enough to avoid current construction. If new construction is at a sufficient distance from the site, the signal will go around the structure. If the structure is too close to the site, the signal will not go around the j structure. Mr. Madrid reiterated the four Diamond Bar sites proposed by Cox. ,, I i 1° Ir` , i _....hit s,, ,i4 ... X— DECEMBER 9, 1996 Page 3 - PLANNING COMMISSION CDD/DeStefano responded to VC/Ruzicka that it is not possible to determine the number of companies that may enter into this type of installation. Currently, four companies are operating transmission sites in Diamond Bar. It appears that proposed locations will approximate current site locations. However, current locations may change due to the rapidily changing technology. Mr. Madrid responded to C/Schad that his company's radio frequency engineers determine separation frequencies to mitigate potential interference. Seeing no one else who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Goldenberg closed the public hearing. VC/Ruzicka moved, C/Schad seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 96-12 and Development Review No. 96-11, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval as listed within the attached resolution. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Fong that approval of this project does not preclude other companies use of the site. The motion was carried 5-0. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: 1. Discussion regarding December 23, 1996 regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting. CDD/DeStefano stated there are no critical agenda items scheduled for December 23, 1996. The Commission concurred to cancel the regularly scheduled December 23, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 1. Development Code Update. CDD/DeStefano presented the Planning Commission with a status report update indicating staff has received the consultant's proposed deliverable items. Approximately 19000 surveys were distributed to Diamond Bar homes via The Windmill publication. Staff has reviewed about one-half of the 250 responses. No survey responses have been received from the Chamber of Commerce. The Windmill is scheduled to print the survey results in February, 1997. The primary issues of concern with respect to the Development Code are a Tree Ordinance and an Adult Business Ordinance. CDD/DeStefano indicated a second public workshop may be scheduled for February, 1997. DECEMBER 9„1996 Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Schad referred to a newspaper article discussing the dangers of constructing buildings on earthquake faults. �q C/Fong asked for an update regarding the LA Cellular Diamond Bar Chair/ Goldenberg reiterated his concerns for completing the Planning Commission's portion of the Development Code no later than December, 1997. Chair/ Goldenberg asked that staff pursue a January, 1997 joint Planning Commission/City Council Development Code. public workshop. C/Schad indicated he would like to meet with the. consultant to discuss the Tree Ordinance. "Z2 C/Fong stated he would also like to meet with the consultant to discuss the Tree Ordinance and other aspects of the Development Code. i CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Fong that the consultants are implementing the City's General Pian through the Development Code. The consultant's received the Commissioner's input during the August 26, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. 2. Memo to Public works Department relaying Planning Commissioners' concern regarding traffic/median break at Grand and Diamond Bar Boulevard related to Boston Market. CDD/DeStefano reported that David Liu, Deputy Director of Public Works, stated this item will be discussed at the January 9, 1997 Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting. CDD/DeStefano reminded the Planning Commissioners that the City's Holiday,Party will be held December 11, 1996 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Country Club. 9. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: C/Schad referred to a newspaper article discussing the dangers of constructing buildings on earthquake faults. C/Fong asked for an update regarding the LA Cellular Diamond Bar High School site. Responding to C/Fong, AstP/Lungu presented an update regarding the LA Cellular project at Diamond,Bar High School. She indicated that the project should be completed within the next few days. The temporary installation will be removed from the Denny's Restaurant location. Final approval is based upon removal of the temporary installation and completion of the landscaping. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/McManus that staff's primary focus "Z2 with respect to cellular site installations is the aesthetic impact. 1 P 7HVr_�''r, DECEMBER 9, 1996 Page 5""=� PLANNING COMMISSION CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Fong that the Walnut Pools monopole project is agendized for a future Planning Commission public hearing. Chair/Goldenberg thanked staff and wished everyone a happy holiday season. He reminded the Commissioner's that the 1997 Commission schedule has been changed to the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:12 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, C/Schad moved, VC/Ruzicka seconded, to adjourn the meeting to January 14, 1997. There being no objections, Chair/Goldenberg adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Jaes DeStefano Community Devel ment Director ttest: Michael Goldenberg Chairman