HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/22/1996MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
i
JULY 22, 1996
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Goldenberg 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 Commissioner
Schad.
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
r Secretary Carol Dennis
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Minutes of July S, 1996.
VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/Schad to approve
the -minutes of June 24, 1996 as presented. Without
objections, the motion was so ordered.
OLD BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS - None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Variance No. 96-1 (pursuant to Code Section 22.56, Part
2), is a request to install a second wall sign,
approximately 32.5 square feet in area, on the north side
of a building which the applicant occupies.
Project Address: 1370 Valley Vista Drive, Diamond Bar
July 22, 1996
Property Owner:
Applicant:
Page 2
PLANNING COMMISSION
Trammell Crow, 18529 E. Gale Avenue,
Industry, CA 91748
University of Phoenix, 4615 E.
Elwood, Phoenix, AZ: 85072
AstP/Lungu read the staff report into the record. Staff
recommends that the Planning Commission deny Variance No.
96-1 and approve attached resolution of denial.
Chair/Goldenberg opened the public hearing.
Applicant Robert McNichols, University of Phoenix, 4615
E. Elwood, Phoenix, AZ 85072, explained that the
University is a for-profit business operating in
commercial lease space throughout the United States. He
stressed that signage is important to the business. He
requested the Commission grant a variance to the 1989
Master Sign Plan allowing installation of a second wall
sign approved by the building owner. He pointed out that
because the University occupies two-thirds of the
building, it is entitled to two-thirds of the signage.
Mr. McNichols responded to VC/Ruzicka that the University
of Phoenix is a State accredited university.
VC/Ruzicka asked how additional signage will benefit long
term students. Mr. McNichols responded that the
University is a commercial business providing convenience
to adult students.
VC/Ruzicka asked Mr. McNichols what he believes is the
University's property right under the approved signage
plan. Mr. McNichols responded that in his opinion, it is
the University's right to have its pro -rata share of
signage on the building. The property right states that
the business must obtain the landlord's approval'to place
a second sign on the building in place of the existing
Re -Max sign. The approved sign plan does not designate
pro -rata rights. Mr. McNichols referred the Commission
to the Trammel Crow Realty Advisors December 27, 1995
approval and the Gateway Corporate Center Association
Architectural Committee February 15, 1996 approval.
Mr. McNichols responded to C/McManus that the purpose of
the second sign is to assist people in locating the
business.
AstP/Lungu responded to C/McManus that the Gateway
Corporate Center Architectural Committee would consider
a modest monument sign behind the property line.
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July 22, 1996 Page 3 Planning Commission
Mr. McNichols responded to C/Schad that Diamond Bar
permitted the original sign.
Craig Clute, 21217 Fountain Springs Road stated his
concern that granting the variance may negate a new
tenant's ability to obtain signage. He suggested a
monument sign and directory would more appropriately
assist the public in locating the business.
Chair/Goldenberg closed the public hearing.
C/Schad stated that if this site enhances future
students' ability to locate the university, he would
favor consideration of a second sign.
VC/Ruzicka indicated to C/Schad Mr. McNichols
confirmation that students are long term and would not
experience difficulty in locating the campus over an 18
month period. In this instance, the Planning Commission
is being asked to set a precedent for changing the Sign
Ordinance. He stated he favors staffs' recommendations
for assisting students rather than granting a signage
variance.
I... VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/McManus to deny
Variance No. 96-1 and approve the resolution of denial.
The motion. was approved 4-1 with the following Roll Call
vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
VC/Ruzicka, McManus,
Fong, Chair/Goldenberg
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
Schad
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS.
VC/Ruzicka requested that discussion of City Council's Goals and
Objectives be agendized for the August 12, 1996 Planning Commission
meeting.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
CDD/DeStefano indicated staff asked the Development Code Consultant
to move the Tree Ordinance to the top of the priority. The City
J Attorney has advised that as a result of a new Los Angeles County
Adult Ordinance, the City will need to consider amendments to its
., current Adult Use Ordinance.
CDD/DeStefano stated notices of the Monday, August 26 Planning
Commission hosted Development Code Public Workshop will be
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July 22, 1996 Page 4 Planning Commission
published in the August issue of the Windmill and mailed to several
hundred people previously involved in the General Plan process.
The City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Traffic and
Transportation Commission have been invited to attend the workshop.
CDD/DeStefano stated that as Hearing Officer for the Administrative
Development Review process tonight he approved two new houses.
Chair/ Goldenberg requested that District Congressmen, and State
Assembly and Senate members be invited to the August 26 workshop.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:05 p.m.', there being no further business to come before the
Planning Commission,,C/Schad moved, C/McManus seconded to adjourn
the meeting. There being no objections, Chair/ Goldenberg adjourned
the meeting to August 12, 1996.
Respectfully Su fitted,
J4Aies DeStefano
Community Devel�Cpment Director
Att st: l
A�
Michael Gb�denberg
Chairman