HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/8/1997MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
- REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
JULY 8, 1997
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Ruzicka called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 Commissioner McManus.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Ruzicka, Vice Chairman Schad,
Commissioners Goldenberg and McManus.
Absent: Commissioner Fong.
Also Present: Deputy City Manager James DeStefano and
Associate Planner Ann Lunqu.
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
F
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Minutes of June 24, 1997.
C/Goldenberg made a motion, seconded by VC/Schad to approve
the minutes of June 24, 1997 as submitted. The motion was
approved 3-0-1 with C/McManus abstaining.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Conditional Use Permit No. 92-9(1) and Development Review
No. 97-3 is a request (Pursuant to Code Section
22.28.110.A.) to alter the existing telecommunications
facility by adding a wall mounted microwave dish and
enlarging the wall mounted cellular antennas.
Property Location: 23555 Golden Springs Drive, Diamond
Bar, CA 91765
Property Owners: Carole Anderson, Torito Plaza
Partnership, 23555 Golden Springs
Drive, Suite A, Diamond Bar, CA
91765
Applicant: AirTouch Cellular, 3 Park Plaza,
Irvine, CA 92714
AP/Lunqu stated the referenced project was presented to
a- the Commission on May 13, 1997. At that time, the
Commission opened the public hearing, closed the public
hearing and tabled the project pending City Council
JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
action on a proposed moratorium for telecommunication 7111 1
facilities.
As the Commission knows, the City Council has been
entertaining this moratorium, since May 6, 1997. Duei,to
the Permit Streamlining Act, the Commission must Hake
action on the referenced project at this meeting.
The proposed project has not changed. Attached is the
May 13, 1997 staff report, draft resolution and exhibits.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve
Conditional Use Permit No. 92-9(1) and Development Review
No. 97-3, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval as
listed within the resolution.
Eric Meurs, AirTouch Cellular, responded to VC/Schad that
it is possible for other cellular providers to utilize
their facility site if the property owner provides a
lease and the City approves the installation. The
proposed upgrade will not necessitate a power increase.
C/McManus asked if the applicant is aware of the
controversy surrounding the Darrin Drive installation
site.
Mr. Meurs responded he is aware that the proposed
installation has stirred controversy due to its proximity{
to residential.
C/McManus stated the residents are concerned about
possible radiation effects. However, AirTouch's current
installation is within immediate proximity to employees
within the site's building.
Mr. Meurs stated the current installation has been
operating for approximately five years with no negative.
impacts. The installation operates within the thresholds
permitted by the FCC. AirTouch adheres to all safety
guidelines. There are no potential adverse health
effects from this installation.
C/McManus stated he is aware of the circumstances.
However, it is an almost identical installation proposed
at the Darrin Drive site with respect to EMF's.
Mr. Meurs concurred.
VC/Schad again asked if Cox could co -locate with AirTouch
at its current location.
Mr. Meurs_ reiterated that AirTouch permits co -location.
However, he is not aware of Cox's Darrin Drive site
system design and operating requirements, and whether the
AirTouch site is suitable.
JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION
AP/Lungu responded to Chair/kuzicka that 218 notices were
mailed to property owners within a 500 foot radius of the
site. The Planning Department has not received one
v.l inquiry regarding Conditional Use Permit No. 92-9(1) and
Development Review No. 97-3.
Chair/Ruzicka referred the Commission and staff to a
Thursday, July 3, 1997 Los Angeles Times article which
states "The magnetic fields generated by electric power
lines and household appliances do not appear to cause
leukemia in children according to the largest, most
thorough study yet of a question that has worried and
even panicked many Americans for nearly two decades. The
eight year, $4.5 million National Cancer Institute study
of more than 1200 children should help ease one of the
most insidious health scares in recent memory. The new
evidence is a "turning point" in the controversy, said
Doctor Demetrius Trichopoulos, chief of epidemiology at
the Harvard School of Public Health." Chair/Ruzicka said
the article continued quoting other experts who agree
with the findings. He indicated that so far as he is
concerned, there is no danger to the public from cellular
site installations so long as Federal guidelines and
regulations are adhered to and followed.
C/Goldenberg stated he is confused about why residents
seem to be very concerned about radiation factors effects
at the Darrin Drive site while paying no attention to
=li this site which is located on a building which houses
workers. In addition, he is confused about why VC/Schad
is concerned about the Darrin Drive site which is located
below grade and does not have the same type of concerns
about this location. The Planning Commission went to
great lengths to make certain that the Darrin Drive site
was obscured from view. The site under consideration
tonight will be visible. He said he is surprised that
the residents who voiced concerns about the Darrin Drive
project are not present for tonight's public hearing. He
stated he does not believe either site will present "a
problem.
Chair/Ruzicka opened the public hearing.
There was no one present who wished to speak on this
item.
The Commissioners requested clarification from staff
regarding City Council's continuing deliberation of
telecommunications facilities installations. Following
discussion, C/McManus moved, C/Goldenberg seconded, to
approve Conditional Use Permit No. 92-9(1) and
Development Review No. 97-3, Findings of Fact and
conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
The motion was approved 3-0-1 with the following Roll
Call vote:
JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: McManus, Goldenberg,
Chair/Ruzicka
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Schad
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Fong
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Draft Parks Master Plan.
Community Services Director Bob Rose presented an
overview of the Draft Parks Master Plan which will be
presented to the City Council on August 19, 1997. The
study concluded that there is currently insufficient park
space to meet the community's park needs. However, there
is sufficient land available in Diamond Bar to meet the
General Plan stated goal of five parkland acres per 1000
residents. In order to meet the community's needs, the
City will need to enter into Joint Use Agreements with
Pomona Unified School District and Walnut Unified School
District.
Jim Pickel, Purkiss Rose, RSI, spoke about the elements
of the Draft Parks Master Plan and the means by which the
plan was formulated and may be implemented. He pointed
out the primary concerns of the plan as follows: Promote
and encourage good joint use agreements, land use
acquisition, implementation of park standards and
lighting of sports fields.
CSD/Rose responded to Chair/Ruzicka that staff sent
copies of the Draft Parks Master Plan to each of the
school district's assistant superintendents. The
response has been positive with respect to the plan's
concept.
VC/Schad commended staff and the consultant on their
presentation of the Draft Parks Master Plan. He asked if
the City could negotiate with Arciero for acquisition of
Sandstone Canyon land to be set aside for open space., He
asked if the study determined hiking trails through
Tonner Canyon into the northeast portion of "The Country
Estates". He asked if the plan contemplates a community
swimming pool. He inquired as to whether or not the City
has solicited conservancies for help with the City's
Parks Master Plan.
CSD/Rose stated the City i
Unified School District
replacement. In order to
Diamond Bar, the City neer
Plan document which is se
Plan. The Parks Master l
agreement with one of the
swimming pool facility.
s negotiating with the Walnut
for a Larkstone Park site
implement a trails program in
s to complete a Trails Master
parate from the Parks Master
,lan contemplates a joint use
high schools for a community
CSD/Rose suggested VC/Schad
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JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION
contact the City's recreation department to assist with
a nature hikes and programs.
Responding to Chair/Ruzicka, CSD/Rose stated that due to
increased utility costs, he expects the City's parks
maintenance budget to increase. The Draft Parks Master
Plan recommends three park classifications to be used to
determine current and future park land acquisition needs.
Chair/Ruzicka suggested that all interested parties be
included in the process toward adoption and
implementation.
Debby O'Connor, Parks and Recreation Commission Vice
Chairman, said she feels the consultants have done an
excellent job in formulating the Draft Parks Master Plan.
The Commission and staff have made every effort to
involve the public, school officials and sports
organizations in the process.
DCM/DeStefano referred the Commission to several
developer projects that have resulted in monetary
contributions toward parkland upgrades as well as,
parkland and open space acquisition.,
Chair/Ruzicka congratulated CSD/Rase, Purkiss Rose, RSI
and the Parks and Recreation Commission for their
contributions to the Draft Parks Master Plan,
CSD/Rose invited the Commissioners to attend the
Thursday, July 10, 1997 Parks Master Plan workshop at the
Heritage Park Community Center.
PUBLIC HEARING - None
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS:
C/Goldenberg stated the Diamond Bar Improvement Association is
seeking volunteers to paint two Diamond Bar houses on July 26 and
27, 1997 as part of its beautification and rehabilitation program.
The houses are located on Sunbright Drive and Castle Rock Road.
Volunteers are asked to telephone (909) 595-6705.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
DCM/DeStefano outlined his duties as newly appointed Deputy City
Manager. He updated the Commission on budget matters, the
Development Code process, future projects to come before the
Planning Commission and his participation in COGS.
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As presented in the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT:
JULY 8, 1997 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION
There being no further business to come before the Planning
Commission, VC/Schad moved, C/M'cManus seconded, to adjourn the
meeting. Chair/Ruzicka adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. to July
22, 1997.
Attest:
1�Jo Ruzl.ck
CWairman
Res�oectfu ply S itted,
es DeStefan
Deputy City Manager
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