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Home My WebLink About4/22/1996MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 22, 1996 { CALL TO ORDER: 4 y Chairman Goldenberg called the meeting to order at 7:08'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 C/McManus. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Goldenberg, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, - Commissioners Fong, McManus and Schad. 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: 1. Minutes of April 8, 1996. VC/Ruzicka requested that the word "thought" be inserted in the first sentence of Paragraph 3 on Page 4 so that the sentence reads: "VC/Ruzicka stated he thought that by moving the meeting day from Monday to Tuesday, ... etc". C/McManus requested Line 13, Paragraph 2 on Page 2 be changed to read as follows: "The proposal -calls for a joint effort with the City staff". C/McManus requested the word "he" be corrected to "the" in Line 3 of Paragraph 6 on Page 4 so that the sentence reads: "Chair/Goldenberg suggested that because some Commissioners have prior commitments, that the Planning Commission revisit the meeting day and time issue prior to the fourth quartet of the year". VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/Schad to approve the minutes of April 8, 1996 as amended. There being no objections, the motion was so ordered. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Planning Commission Policies & Procedures Manual CDD/DeStefano stated that on March 11, 1996 staff presented the Planning Commission Policies & Procedures Manual dated December, 1993 which was adopted by a previous Planning Commission. In addition, staff April 22, 1996 Page 2 Planning Commission presented the Planning Commission with a handbook that was crafted by the City Attorney and dated March, 1996. In accordance with the wishes of the,Planning Commission, The Planning Commission Policies & Procedures Manual presented to you tonight is a combination of these two manuals. The manual is dated April 22, 1996 and incorporates information and recommendations provided by the City Attorney and additional comments provided by staff. The document incorporates sections regarding collection of evidence outside the public hearing, the Environmental Quality Act procedures, the importance of Findings and consequential actions, the preparation of the Findings specifically dealing with bridging the gap between the issue and the mitigation, and a discussion regarding travel expenses. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review the documents, direct staff 'as appropriate to make the changes deemed necessary, and approve the Resolution. If the Commission wishes to make significant changes, staff will revise the document and agendize the item for the May 13 Planning Commission. The Commissioners presented their requested changes to the document in writing, requested staff to make the appropriate changes and modifications, -review the document for clarification, and return the clean document to the Commission on May 13 for approval and adoption of the Resolution. NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC HEARING - None PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: CDD/Destefano responded to Chair/ Goldenberg that the second meeting in May is scheduled for the Memorial Day holiday. If there is important business that cannot be held over until the June 10 meeting, a special -meeting will be scheduled. This matter will be discussed at the May 13 Planning Commission meeting. Chair/ Goldenberg requested that Commissioners refer to fellow Commissioners and staff members in the proper manner and avoid using first names during Commission meetings. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: A. Development Code status Report CDD/DeStefano stated that the City is currently in the process of selecting a consultant to assist in the April 22, 1995 ,Page 3,.... Planning Commission formulation of the Development Code. Approximately 24 Request for Proposals were sent to qualified consulting firms. The City received four (4) proposals representing a joint effort by eight (8) of the consulting firms. The four (4) consulting firms which responded are: Cotton/ Beland/Associates, Inc.; Hogle Ireland; Urban Design Studio, and Sharon Hightower. Staff is currently reviewing the proposals and contacting references. Two of the consulting firms appear to meet all of the selection criteria including the cost criteria. Staff intends to present a recommendation to the City Council on May 20. Immediately following acceptance by the City Council, the project will commence. Chair/Goldenberg asked the Commissioners to suggest which cities they would like to -see Diamond Bar emulate and requested that staff obtain copies of those cities' development codes for the Planning Commission to study. CDD/DeStefano stated the Development Code will set the standards for the look and feel of the City's future products which will be implemented by the actions of the staff and Planning Commission. He suggested the Planning Commission find examples of positive and negative { developments. He indicated that some developers go beyond what the Code states and add amenities that create a more pleasing and acceptable structure. In addition, he suggested that the Commission study the existing Code to determine the basis for Diamond Bar's current products. CDD/DeStefano suggested that the new Development Code process should revisit the development, review process in order to streamline the process and insure that the proper amount of public input is elicited for future products. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/ Schad that the first step in the process will be an advertised public hearing for a seminar presentation to the Planning Commission by the consultant. C/Schad suggested a series of meetings similar to the Mayor's Town Hall Meetings could be held to involve the public in the review process. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Schad that it is the City's f.,. intent to insure the maximum amount of community input I and the forum for the public hearings is under consideration. C/McManus requested that staff obtain a copy of Mission Viejo's Development Code. April 22, 1996 Page 4 Planning Commission +v: VC/Ruzicka requested that staff obtain a copy of the Development Code for Columbia, Maryland. CDD/DeStefano suggested that the Commissioners ignore the color of a structure and view the products in black and white. He indicated that'a certain color may cause the viewer to have a negative reaction while the actual structure may give the viewer a positive feeling. If the Commissioners find product they like,staff will direct the Development Code toward those types of products. If Commissioners do not like a certain product, the Development Code will be crafted to eliminate those kinds of structures. Chair/Goldenberg,emphasized the need to become educated by reviewing various city's Development Codes in order to better direct the consultants. CDD/DeStefano stated that Diamond Bar may have specific plans for specific areas of the City. He reiterated his concern that the Commissioners should decide what products are available that they like and dislike and consider what effects such products might have on the future look and feel of Diamond Bar. VC/Ruzicka asked that the Commission be taken on a tour of Diamond Bar and some of the surrounding cities. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/McManus that Redevelopment is a tool for economic development, housing development, infrastructure, community development, etc. C/Fong stated he would like to review development codes for other cities that have topography similar to that of Diamond Bar. He suggested that the Contra Costa'County cities along the SR 680 corridor have similar topography and community concerns for the preservation of hillsides: CDD/DeStefano suggested one tour for Diamond Bar which would include the products developed under the current Los Angeles County Development Code. The first tour should focus on what land is available for development in the City -to help deter -mine 'what kinds of codes and standards need to be included for the development of those specific areas. For example, undeveloped portions of "The Country Estates" are radically different in topography and environmental value than other portions of Diamond Bar. Tres Hermanos is rolling hills with oaks, etc. and very different from the topography of "The Country Estates". In addition, flat areas have been ; graded and sit waiting for development opportunities. The second tour should include the surrounding communities that have products this community would lake to emulate. r "I ., ' la i 0% I` F, n , y. el.(tt'Nw n P.k. dak'xilUUU; April 22, 1996 Page 5 Planning Commission I , I, CDD/DeStefano responded to 'C/Schad that one of the considerations of commercial development is floor area ratio. He suggested that the Commissioners compare the developed and undeveloped portions of the City with neighboring city developments such as the high rises in Brea. He further suggested that the Commissioners consider residential density standards that have been implemented and how they may apply to future products. CDD/DeStefano presented a letter from Bruce Flamenbaum which outlines his concerns about a possible secondary access road to the new high school. ANNOUNCEMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT: C/Schad 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 8:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, 4 5P JPes o Community Development Director fittest: Y� Michael Go denberg Chairman