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Home My WebLink About1/28/1997MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 28, 1997 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 Pledge of Allegiance was led by C/Schad. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Goldenberg, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, and Commissioners, McManus and Schad Absent: Commissioner Fong - Also Present: Community Development Director James --DeStefano, Senior Planner Catherine Johnson, and Assistant Planner Ann Lungu. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT -CALENDAR: - = 1. Minutes of January 14, 1997. VC/Ruzicka made a motion, seconded by C/Schad, to approve the minutes of January 14, 1997 as presented. Without objections, the motion was so ordered. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS: 1. Wireless Telecommunications Facilities. Responding to the Planning Commission's request, CDD/De5tefano presented a report regarding wireless telecommunications facilities. with the cooperative effort of neighboring cities staffs and telecommunications carriers LA Cellular, Cox California and the Keith Companies, staff compiled the report. CDD/DeStefano explained the three currently utilized wireless telecommunications facilities known as the Cellular Systems, the Personal .Communications Services (PCS) digital systems, and Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) analog digital systems. Transmission signals replicate and amplify voice messages carried from transmitting antennas to receiving antennas. He pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of the systems. Presently, five providers serve the Southern California area: AirTouch, LA Cellular, NexTel, PacBel Mobile Services, and Cox Communications. There are seventeen JANUARY 28, 1997 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION cellular sites in the City of Diamond Bar. Two additional applications are pending approval with the City. He presented a graphic indicating the, cellular site locations. Staff j believes that a cellular site master plan exists based upon 1 provider's needs. - Some sites accommodate several cellular providers. CDD/DeStefano responded to VC/Ruzicka that the Cityfs ridgeline elevation is not appropriate to accommodate the reception and quality of desired service. At this time, it is not anticipated that single family residences will be asked to accommodate these kinds of services., CDD/DeStefano presented background and historical information regarding communications systems monitored by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He spoke about neighboring cities ordinances which provide for wireless facilities incorporated within free standing art such as a clock tower. CBD/DeSte-fano_ ...-stated::_-. Diamond Bar regulates wireless telecommunications sites through the existing Planning and Zoning Code which allows for use by right in some zones and for use via Conditional Use Permit in other zones. Every zone requires a discretionary review by the Hearing Officer for - Administrative -Development Review or -by -the -- Planning Commission. He talked about the review and approval process with respect to Diamond Bar cellular site installations. Staff determined through general information provided by the telecommunications carriers that property owners who provide cellular site accommodations can expect to receive from $1500, t to $1200 per month. In addition, many cellular carriers j provide additional amenities to the property owner such' as property improvements and signage. C/Schad asked if a topographical map indicating line of site installations would prevent_ interference by proposed construction_ He suggested light standards be used for cellular site installations in order to provide income for the City. He also suggested bouncing signals over and around structures. CDD/DeStefano responded that with respect to potential conflicts between property owners and cellular communications carriers, carriers need to locate sites they believe will not be blocked in the future. He stated the City probably would not allow a cellular site facility to dictate potential land r use decisions. Chair/Goldenberg recommended tonight's presentation be given to the City Council with emphasis on the •permit approval process and developer created master plan. - m- JANUARY 28, 1997 PAGE 3`I- PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Conditional Use Permit 96-10 and Development Review 96-9 (pursuant to Code Section 22.20.100) is a request for an unmanned, wireless telecommunications transmission facilities for two service providers consisting of antennas to be located on a proposed 1,152 square foot barn with equipment cabinets located within and adjacent to the barn. This proposal includes an amendment to Tract Map 42584, removing an easement from said Map restricting vehicle ingress and egress to Armitos Place. Project Address: 2-4401 Darrin Drive (northwest corner Darrin Drive and Armitos Place) Applicant: Cox California PCS, Inc., 18200 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612 --Owner, - Eric and Robin Stone, 24401 Darrin Dri-ve, - -- Diamond Bar, CA 91765' CDD/DeStefano presented the staff report. He indicated that in order to provide adequate advertising of this Public -Hearing item,_ a aff recommends -that the Pia. -n ng Commission-- take no action on this item tonight and dYfect staff to readvertise Conditional Use Permit No. 96-10 and Development Review No. 96-9 when appropriate. VC/Ruzicka moved, C/Schad seconded, to continue Conditional Use Permit No. 96-10 and Development Review No. 96-9. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS - None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 1. Development Code - Informational Update. CDD/DeStefano presented a status update on the Development Code project. He referred -the Commissioners to the Windmill Development Code survey results summary enclosure. The City's General Plan is the basis for the Development Code document which may account for the low percentage of public response. The first Town Hall Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 1997. VC/Ruzicka asked if college students could assist in soliciting community response. C/McManus requested copies of the survey and survey responses. C/Schad reiterated his concerns regarding implementation of the Development Code and more particularly, the Tree Ordinance JANUARY 28, 1997 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION with respect to proposed construction projects such as the SunCal project. CDD/DeStefano stated the Tree Ordinance is scheduled to come before the Planning Commission in February. Staff proposes to agendize the Development Code topics in sections similar to the method used for General Plan discussion. The adoption process will, incorporate all sections of the proposed Development Code. With respect to the SunCal project, upon acceptance of the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, it vests in the rules, regulations and fees that are in process at the time it is deemed to be complete. This Development Code will not become effective until about January 1, 1998. The SunCal Map has been submitted and deemed complete for purposes of processing and will not be captured by the proposed Development Code. However, the SunCal project will fall under the jurisdiction of the City's General Plan. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: In addition to the posted schedule of future events, Chair/ Goldenberg reminded the Commission about the Thursday, January 30, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission's Parks Master Plan Public Workshop. CDD/DeStefano referred the Commissioners to the City's quarterly Schedule of Events Calendar. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:16 p.m., there being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, VC/Ruzicka moved, _C/McManus seconded, to adjourn the meeting to Tuesday, February 11, 1997. There being no objections, Chair/Goldenberg adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted, i J dames DeStefanio Community Development Director At est: f Michael Go denberg Chairman