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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/11/1996MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 11, 1996 r - CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Schad 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 Vice Chairman Schad. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice Chairman Schad, Commissioners Fong, Goldenberg, McManus, and Ruzicka. Also Present: Community Development Director James DeStefano; Senior Planner Catherine Johnson; Assistant Planner Ann Lungu, and Recording Secretary Carol Dennis. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT CALENDAR: j 1. Minutes of February 26, 1996. I C/McManus requested the first word in line three of Page 2 be corrected to "one" instead of once. C/Fong made a motion, seconded by VC/Schad to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was approved with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Fong, VC/Schad NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Goldenberg, McManus, Ruzicka ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None ANNUAL REORGANIZATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: CDD/DeStefano stated that according to the City's Ordinance, .the Planning Commission is required to reorganize and select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the membership the first week of March of each year. CDD/DeStefano declared the nominations open for Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/McManus nominated C/Goldenberg for Chairman. The nomination was seconded by C/Ruzicka. VC/Schad nominated C/Fong for Chairman. The nomination died for lack of a second. March 11, 1996 Page 2 Planning Commission CDD/DeStefano closed the nomination for Chairman to serve from j March, 1996 through February, 1997. C/Goldenberg was elected Chairman of the Planning Commission with the following roll call: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: McManus, Ruzicka, Fong, VC/Schad, Goldenberg NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None Chair/ Goldenberg thanked the Commissioners and stated he will do everything possible to conduct the meetings in an orderly and expeditious manner. He,thanked the two new members of the Planning Commission for their vote and especially thanked VC/Schad and C/Fong for their support. Chair/Goldenberg declared the nominations open for Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. VC/Schad nominated,C/Fong for Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/Fong seconded the nomination. C/McManus nominated C/Ruzicka for Vice Chairman. The nomination was seconded by C/Ruzicka. chair/ Goldenberg declared the nominations closed and asked for a roll call vote: The roll call vote for C/Fong to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission is as follows: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Schad, Fong Chair/Goldenberg, McManus, Ruzicka None None Chair/Goldenberg requested a roll call vote for C/Ruzicka to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. The roll call is as follows: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: McManus, Ruzicka, Chair/Goldenberg NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Fong, VC/Schad ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None OLD BUSINESS - None IN c! Lk i°. of _�3y'm Qu, isl_"N"1:w; March 11, 1996 NEN BUSINESS: Page 3:e_ Planning Commission CDD/DeStefano stated this is the first meeting of the newly appointed Planning Commission. He welcomed the new members and indicated he looks forward to working with the Commissioners over the next couple of years on a number of projects that are before the City and will be before the Commission. He introduced the City's Community Development Department staff members, both present and not present. He presented a City organizational chart to the commissioners and explained the responsibilities and reporting order for each of the departments. - CDD/DeStefano stated that whether the Adopted General Plan or the Initiative is approved, both call for the adoption of a Development Code which will incorporate zoning, subdivision and other related regulations. The Planning Commission will be involved in the creation of this Development Code. CDD/DeStefano further stated that th.e,Planning Commission has an enormous responsibility in determining and shaping the future physical environment.of the City. Projects that are currently under construction are probably the result of decisions the Planning Commission made two or -three years ago. It takes approximately one year for major projects to complete_ the development process. From that time, it is usually an additional year before the project breaks ground. He cited several projects and explained their review process. He reiterated that the Planning Commission helps to shape the City for many years to come and it is imperative that the Commissioners be provided with sufficient information to make the best possible decision for the City of Diamond Bar for today and for the future. CDD/DeStefano reviewed the current City Attorney contract and explained the fee for services policy for developers. CDD/DeStefano presented the Planning Commission Handbook to the Commissioners which was recently updated by City Attorney Mike Jenkins. He stated the City Attorney has indicated his concurrence with staff's desire to immediately schedule a discussion of conflict of interest issues and Brown Act issues. VC/Ruzicka referred the Commission to "Limitations on Collecting Evidence outside the Hearing" and requested to know the extent to which Commissioners must document conversations with the public outside the hearing process. CDD/DeStefano responded to VC/Ruzicka that the purpose behind this section �., of the handbook is to insure that the decisions of the Planning Commissioners are made in an open public forum and not been reached prior to arrival at and conclusion of a public hearing. In addition, it is vitally important to the March 11® 1998 commission to members of the this concern Attorney. Page -4 Planning commission insure that any contact with'the applicant and public are acknowledged publicly. He suggested couldbe a topic of discussion with the City VC/Ruzicka stated he would be more comfortable with'the staff and the City Attorney sitting in the front row facing the Commissioners rather than on the dais. He indicated he would like to consider'a different meeting night for the Planning Commission and requested that the item be put on the' agenda for the next meeting. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/McManus that Diamond Bar is not a Charter City. As projects warrant, the Planning Commission packets will be reviewed by the City Engineer and/or the City Attorney prior to delivery to the Commissioners. CDD/DeStefano stated an updated Planning Commission Handbook is being prepared for adoption by the Planning Commission. He requested the Commissioners provide him with a 'list of any items they wished to agendize for future meetings. CDD/DeStefano explained the matrix of pending projects. CDD/DeStefano stated a new League Handbook will be distributed to the Commissioners upon receipt by the City. He stated the City will provide copies of the following publications to the new Commissioners: "A Guide to California Planning by Bill Fulton and "The Job of the Planning Commissioner" by Albert Solnit. i C/ Shad- responded to Chair/ Goldenberg that, in his opinion, it is imperative that each Commissioner review each project in detail and include a visit to the site. C/Fong responded to Chair/Goldenberg that it is best to be prepared to discuss projects at the Planning Commission level by studying the project in depth and visiting the project site. , He stated he has formed an opinion in advance of the public hearing only to arrive at the Planning Commission meeting and be presented with issues he had not previously considered. He indicated he hopes that all of the current Commissioners can work together and learn from one another in order to make a good decision for the City. He stated he would like to see the Commissioners be sensitive to the needs and desires of the citizens. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/McManus that the proposed ,car wash is a small automated car wash to be located between'the existing Shell gas station and the SR 57 at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Brea Canyon Road. PUBLIC HEARING - None s■ ,..._ �. �,. March 11, 1996 Page 5 Planning Commission I PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: CDD/DeStefano responded to Chair/Goldenberg that any Commissioner who wishes to attend the LCCA Workshop should notify Administrative Secretary Marilyn Ortiz. INFORMATION ITEMS: CDD/DeStefano stated he held three public hearings and approved the construction of two new homes within the JCC project, and an addition to an existing home within "The Country Estates" under his authority as a hearing officer for the Development Review Ordinance adopted by the City. CDD/DeStefano reminded the Commissioners that a debate of the Initiative will be conducted by the League of Women Voters. He stated the event will be televised and repeated twice prior to the election on March 26, 1996. CDD/DeStefano stated he looks forward to all of the Commissioners attending the Planning Commissioners Institute next week. SP/Johnson responded to C/Fong that Code Enforcement Officer Flores contacted the property owners of the apartment complex across from the Country Hills Towne Center on the corner of Cold Springs Lane and Diamond Bar Boulevard to advise them what signage is permitted by the City. The current signs will be removed and the City will work with the property owner to insure compliance for proper signage. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Fong that the City continues to work with Walnut Valley Unified School District with respect to the landslide on Morning Sun Avenue. The property owners have been working with Los Angeles County to insure that both the City and the County receive the proper response regarding their responsibility to see that no public or private property is damaged as a result of the landslide and earth movement, and to see that the issue is concluded. In order to conclude the matter, additionalsignificant earth movement is required. The City continues to monitor the progress on a daily basis. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Fong that in response to Craig Clute's concern, Code Enforcement Officer Flores visited the property owner on Sunbright Drive and advised him that the gate that swings outward into the public area must be reversed so that it swings inward. The work should be completed prior m to the next Planning Commission meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS - None March 11, 1996 Page 6 Planning commission ADJOURNMENT: C/McManus made a motion, seconded by VC/Ruzicka to adjourn the meeting. There being no objections, the motion was so ordered. Chairman Goldenberg declared the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, :� �� Vu- J"es DeStefano Community Development Director i test: Lam.. Michael Gol nberg Chairman III