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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/12/1996a,_ MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 12, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Goldenberg called the meeting to order at 7:04 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 McManus. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Goldenberg, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, McManus and Schad. C/Fong arrived at 7:17 p.m. Also Present: Community Development Director James DeStefano; Senior Planner Catherine Johnson, and Recording Secretary Carol Dennis MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of July 22, 1996. VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/McManus to approve the minutes of July 22, 1996 as presented. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Conditional Use Permit 96-8 and Development Review 96-7, a request for a 106 room, 3 story hotel (Countryside Suites) on a 4.7 acre site located at 22000 Golden Springs Drive (north side of Golden Springs between Copley Drive and Gateway Center Drive). Applicant: Doug Ayres, Ayres Group, 355 Bristol Street JA, Costa Mesa, CA Property Owner: FDIC, P.O. Box 7549, Newport Beach, CA 92658-7549 August 12, 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. 96-8 and Development Review No. 96--71 Findings of Fact, and conditions as listed within the attached resolution. SP/Johnson responded to VC/Ruzicka that the dining room will be for the exclusive use of the hotel residents and not for public use. Chair/Goldenberg opened the public hearing. Doug Ayres, applicant, stated he has read ,the staff report and agrees with the recommended conditions. Mr. Ayres responded to C/McManus that his firm will finalize purchase of the property site from FDIC upon approval of the project. Mr. Ayres confirmed to VC/Ruzicka that the dining room will be for the exclusive use of the hotel's guests. Mr. Ayres presented corporate brochures to the Commission. C/Schad stated he is pleased that 20 percent of the subject property will be landscaped. He asked what type of general use area lighting will be utilized. Mr. Ayres responded that the applicant will conform to the City's ordinance for parking lot lighting of one foot candle throughout the parking area. The light fixtures will focus toward the ground. Mr. Ayres responded to C/Schad that the facility has two small conference rooms available to the general public. He indicated his group has a unique bed and breakfast product. The group currently owns and operates nine properties which enjoy an eighty percent occupancy factor. Two additional properties are presently under construction. He stated he feels the hotel will be well received in the community and enjoy a very good occupancy rate. C/Fong arrived at 7;17 p.m. Responding to C/McManus, Mr. Ayres stated the facility will run a shuttle bus service to Ontario airport. He further stated that the hotel services the airlines industry. i Mr. Ayres stated the applicant is a family owned and run business (father, two brothers and sister). 'The facilities are well maintained and the management caters August 12, 1996 Page 3 Planning commission to its clientele. The group requires that all owners [managers visit a certain number of facilities each month. He indicated his great grandfather started the company in 1905. Mr. Ayres responded to C/McManus that his firm completed a demographics study of the area prior to proposing the project. Although the Radisson Hotel has experienced problems in the past, the occupancy rate is higher this year and he feels the competition will benefit both facilities which will in turn benefit the community.' C/McManus made a motion, seconded by C/Schad to approve Conditional Use Permit 96-8 and Development Review 96-7, -Findings of Fact, and conditions as listed within the resolution. The motion was carried 5-0. i PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: C/Fong stated he will be absent for the August 26, 1996 Planning Commission meeting. C/Schad reported he attended an environmental issues meeting in Hemet today. He stressed the need for agreement between - developers r� and conservationists. CDD/DeStefano responded to Chair/ Goldenberg that staff's conclusion was that the antenna project previously presented to the Commission was the best solution for the community. Each project must be evaluated on a case by case basis. Projects can be reconsidered upon request by the applicant for a modification, or through code enforcement hearing. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: CDD/DeStefano reported the University of Phoenix has appealed the Sign Variance denial. The item is scheduled for the September 3, 1996 City Council meeting. CDD/DeStefano referred the Commissioner's Redevelopment information pertaining to introductory and legal issues and to Assembly Bill 1290 Redevelopment Reform Act. CDD/DeStefano pointed out the City Council's list of Goals and Objectives. CDD/DeStefano referred the Commissioner's to a meeting matrix which indicates increased Planning Commission activity. CDB/DeStefano indicated the Parks and Recreation Commission is preparing a Parks Master Plan. City Council will award the consultants contract about September 17. The Planning Commission will ultimately hold Public Hearings on the Parks Master Plan's i August 12, 1996 Page 4 Planning Commission conformity to the City°s General Plan and send its recommendation for adoption to the City Council. - CDD/DeStefano reminded the Commission that August 26 is the Development Code introductory workshop. He indicated the meeting will be; video taped. Surveys have been mailed.t'o approximately 400 individuals and organizations. CDD/DeStefano responded'to C/Schad that the Parks Master Plan will refer,to Larkstone Park as a general discussion item. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Schad that the matter of the red curbing on Fountain Springs Road at Diamond Bar Boulevard is rescheduled for City Council. Responding,to C/Fong, CDD/DeStefano stated Arciero & sons received approval for a 90 unit project off of Brea Canyon Road north of Pathfinder Road. Mr. Arciero is interested in pursuing a subdivision of six acres (Lots 92 and 93) into 16 lots. The matter will come before the Planning Commission in September. ADJOURNMENT: At 7:50 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, VC/Ruzicka moved, C/McManus seconded, to adjourn the meeting to August 26, 1996. There being no objections, Chair/Goldenberg adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Ca=therine Johnson � Acting Community Development Director tt: r el Go denberarman 9 W