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Home My WebLink About7/29/1997MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION JULY 29, 1997 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ruzicka called the meeting to order at 6:07 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 Associate Planner Lungu. ROLL CALL: Present: Also Present: Chairman Ruzicka, Vice Chairman Schad, Commissioners Fong, Goldenberg and McManus Deputy City Manager James DeStefano, Senior Planner Catherine Johnson, and Associate Planner Ann Lungu. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of July 22, 1997. C/Fong requested the following changes: Page 6, Paragraph 4, Line 4 to read: "of antennas, people within sight of the project should be". Page 8, Paragraph 2, last sentence to read: "Referring to Sheet 2 for the Landscape Mitigation Plan, he suggested -including a symbol or key on the legend to indicate Coast Live Oak and Black Walnut because it is difficult to determine on the drawings what species, are included. VC/Schad requested that the spelling of Hairy Fringepod be corrected on Page 7, Paragraph 5, line four. C/McManus made a motion, seconded by C/Goldenberg to approve the minutes of July 29, 1997 as amended. The motion was approved 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS - None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Draft Development Code (Zoning Code Amendment ZCA 97-1) continuation of Article VI - Development Code Administration, and Article VII - Definitions Bruce Jacobson, Jacobson & Wack, continued the Article VI discussion with Item B. 3, Page VI -21, to whom mail notice would be sent. JULY 29, 1997 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION C/McManus asked if renters%tenants can be distinguished from property owners in any given area of the City. He indicated it may be advisable to notify renters/tenants where a high volume' exists and where the project may effect this segment of the population. - Mr. Jacobson responded that the major concern is for consistency. He cautioned that in lieu of a written or verbal policy and by including more people in the notice process that an applicant may have grounds for reversal of the decision. Chair/Ruzicka stated he is concerned about future application of this paragraph. Mr. Jacobson stated the City may defer adoption of a policy, monitor application and establish a policy within a six month time frame. C/Goldenberg suggested language to include renters for projects that concern traffic or safety and health of the residents. Mr. Jacobson responded that the level of safety may be difficult to determine in the abstract. A trigger might be the project's inclusion of an environmental impact report (EIR). Chair/Ruzicka reiterated his concerns that any future Director or designee should, in the event that the Planning Commission is not pleased with the notification process, be aware that the Commission may suggest a change to the Development Code. Mr. Jacobson again suggested that the City's departments operate under the regulations as they are written for a prescribed period of time. If the Commission determines that inadequate notice is being given, it may then suggest a Development Code amendment. This document, once adopted, will continue to be subject to change. DCM/DeStefano suggested that the document remain as written and that staff provide a policy statement for the department to be considered by the Commission for inclusion in the notice process within the Development Code document. The City's Community Services Department and Public Works Department routinely notify residents and business owners in the immediate area of the project. DCM/DeStefano responded to C/McManus's question regarding the City's ability to determine renters/tenants as opposed to property owners that it would be difficult except for the pockets of rental units within the City. JULY 29, 1997 PAGE 3:,,„_ PLANNING COMMISSION r The City would be most likely to send out dual notices - one to the property owner and one to the renter/tenant. Ron Pflugrath, Urban Design Studio, presented a brief overview of Definitions Chapter VII. DCM/DeStefano responded to C/McManus that the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) section of the code implements provisions of the City's General Plan which calls out a ratio from .25 (commercial) to 1.0 (the Gateway Corporate Center). C/Goldenberg asked if Residential Care Facilities are included in the "Medical Services - Extended Care (land use)” category. Mr. Pflugrath responded that these facilities are considered in the Single Family Dwellings (land use) section of the code on Page VII -36. C/Goldenberg recommended the code refer directly to a Residential Care Facility use with cross reference to Single Family Dwellings (land use). DCM/DeStefano responded that staff will add a definition for Residential Care Facilities. Mr. Pflugrath responded to C/Goldenberg that the term "Granny Flats" is not contained within the code but that the type of .unit is referred to under "Secondary Residential Units (land use)" on Page VII -34. C/Goldenberg requested that the code refer directly to "Granny Flat" with cross reference to- "Secondary Residential Units (land use)". Mr. Pflugrath responded that certain categories of definitions such as signs and adult business are contained within specific chapters and not within the general "Definitions" Article. C/Goldenberg asked that the term "light manufacturing" be contained within Article VII. Mr. Pflugrath offered that he would consider the matter of "light manufacturing" when the "use tables" are presented for further discussion. C/Goldenberg said he did not find the term "computer" contained within Definition Article VII. Chair/Ruzicka opened the public hearing. - There was no one present who wished to speak on this item. JULY 29, 1997 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION The Commission concurred to accept Articles I, VI and' VII with recommended changes and additions. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: C/Goldenberg referred to a resident's request to reschedule the August 5, 1997 Development Code meeting to avoid conflict with the City Council meetings. Following discussion, the Commission concurred to maintain the Development Code Public Hearing Notice meeting schedule that was previously agreed upon by the Commission. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 1. Preview of Development Code Articles III and IV. Bruce Jacobson, Jacobson & Wack, previewed Article IV. He indicated Article III and IV will be presented at the August 5, 1997 meeting. C/Goldenberg asked the Commission to consider including a "garage sales" regulation within the Development Code. Mr. Jacobson responded to VC/Schad that Article III identifies the standards for dish antennae. There was no one present who wished to speak on this item. 2. DCM/DeStefano stated review of the Parks Master Plan is not scheduled for the August 5, 1997 City Council Meeting. A Town Hall Meeting will be scheduled for public review of the document. 3. DCM/DeStefano stated that on August 5, 1997, the City Council will consider the Darrin Drive wireless telecommunications facility resolution of approval for a one year term. On August 19, 1997, the City Council will consider extension of the 45 day telecommunications moratorium. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As presented in the agenda. JULY 29, 1997 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, VC/Schad moved, C/Fong seconded, to adjourn the meeting. Chair/Ruzicka adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. August 5, 1997 in the South Coast Air Quality Management Board Hearing Room. Attest: ,Toe Ruzicka Chairman � J L— Respectfully Submitted, es DeStefano Deputy City k,anager