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Home My WebLink About9/22/1998MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR -- REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 22,1998 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Tye called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. in 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 Ruzicka. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice Chairman Steve Tye, and Commissioners George Kuo, Steve Nelson and Joe Ruzicka. Chairman McManus was excused from the meeting. Also Present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager and Ann Lungu, Associate Planner. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As submitted. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of September 8, 1998. C/Nelson moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve the minutes of September 8, 1998 as presented. Motion carried with the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, Nelson, VC/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Ruzicka ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/McManus OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: i 1. Planning Commission Future Meeting Schedule. DCM/DeStefano explained that scheduled meetings fall near holidays in November and December. Several projects that require the Planning Commission's deliberation are » l.", .Ik,..._._1, -1+1-.1...- .win-. _H 1, f.-,.___�-- SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 PAGE 2 scheduled for November. He asked that the Commission consider the possibility of rescheduling the second November meeting. Following discussion the Commission concurred to schedule the second November meeting on its regular meeting date of Tuesday, November 24, 1998. DCM/DeStefano suggested that the Planning Commission may wish to go dark for the second meeting in December. Following discussion, the Commission concurred to proceed with its regularly scheduled meeting date of December 22, 1998 if calendar items are scheduled. PUBLIC HEARING: None PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: DCM/DeStefano stated that staff has provided conceptual drawings of possible designs for the Kmart/Vons Shopping area on Diamond Bar Boulevard as well as, the Country Hills Towne Center in south Diamond Bar. This information is provided as a follow up to the Commission's request at its joint meeting with the City Council. The information contained in the packet is information that a is being distributed to shopping centers, owners, developers and tenants in order to encourage their participation in a revitalization program. The focus for the Kmart/Vons area is to identify the area as a unique shopping district between Golden Springs Drive and the 60 freeway with streetscape improvements. Another component ofthe design is to incorporate access from Golden Springs Drive to the Kmart Shopping Center area which would relocate a portion of the building near The Jolly Bagel Restaurant. The signalized intersection which connects Kmart and Vons would be enhanced with free-standing signage. He pointed out that the drawings incorporate expansion opportunities: A 20,000-30,000 square foot addition on the north side of the Kmart store and two freestanding restaurant/retail pads that could occur on either side of the McDonald's Restaurant. Additionally, the concept incorporates a feature to close the gap between Vons and Savon with retail stores with a pedestrian friendly atmosphere. This design anticipates a rooftop parking area for the Vons employees. C/Ruzicka asked if there is a way of linking pedestrian traffic between the Vons Shopping Center and the Kmart Shopping Center. DCM/DeStefano responded that the major anchors have the ability to block stores from being located adjacent to Diamond Bar Boulevard. If retail stores could be located near Diamond Bar Boulevard, the opportunity for linking the pedestrian traffic would be enhanced. VC/Tye said he has observed very few people walking from Vons to Savon and even fewer people walking from the Vons Shopping Center to the Kmart Shopping Center. `i— -u-.d —M , ,wWdw�1,IIJddl.a„ ulwa---..- _ -.,- I �w14-s- —..— —,m._m...,_,. _.. SEPTEMBER 221 1998 PAGE 3 C[Ruzicka stated that there are four shopping centers in the area and he would like to see an -" opportunity for linkage of the centers. DCM/DeStefano concurred with C/Ruzicka that this area like the vast majority of Diamond Bar was not master planned. There is no pedestrian linkage between commercial sites and none were contemplated. In addition, there is no vehicular linkages between the majority of commercial sites in the City. C/Ruzicka stated he believes it is important for the Redevelopment Agency to remind the citizens that when they review plans for the area the City is working with an almost impossible situation. DCM/DeStefano stated that the area is a very tough retrofit absent complete redevelopment which is not likely to occur in the present marketplace. This area is a very difficult challenge for the designers. He spoke about the various elevations within the area of the four shopping centers. - C/Ruzicka said he received a suggestion to incorporate small pocket -park types of areas within the shopping area. DCM/DeStefano responded to C/Ruzicka that the schematic is a result of collaboration between staff and the design consultant. DCM/DeStefano stated that the Country Hills Towne Center schematic involves a replacement for the Ralphs space with an equivalent tenant and increase in the space. This design scheme employs a more dramatic entry, more landscaping, and more pedestrian delineation within the center. Two additional construction areas are included: The pad behind Dr. Cho's building and the pad immediately east of the theater building. The design also incorporates more outdoor seating and dining opportunities along the row of stores that currently exist. C/Ruzicka indicated he spoke with a tenant at the Country Hills Towne Center who expressed concern about the safety of Diamond Bar Boulevard ingress/egress. The tenant stated he has observed many motorists driving in the wrong set of lanes. DCM/DeStefano responded that this plan incorporates a reduction of the main driveway which will create an opportunity for additional parking and address some of the safety concerns. C/Ruzicka asked if the tenants will be notified about the proposed plans. DCM/DeStefano indicated that the City has been working with the property owner and their management company for some time to revitalize this center. The primary concern is to fill the Ralphs space. The tenants are concerns about the loss of the major tenant. The tenants have not been directly told about the City's effort to pursue the concept and marketing plan which is relatively r'- new. At this time, this is a concept to stimulate interest. VC/Tye asked if any thought has been given to relocating the theater to the opposite end of the shopping center and incorporating a stadium style facility. SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 PAGE 4 DCM/DeStefano responded that to his knowledge, no such discussion has taken place. He explained how the City is actively working to attract businesses to areas of the City that fit into the demographics of the community. DCWDeStefano responded to VC/Tye that Ralphs holds the lease on the property in the Country Hills Towne Center for several years hence. The property owner has the opportunity to buy back the lease. Ralphs general interest is to discourage grocery stores at that location. The City's goal is to put a grocery store of regional or national quality in that location. The property owner has contacted several major markets about locating to the area. Responding to VC/Tye, DCWDeStefano stated that a Redevelopment Agency hearing was held on Friday. The judge took the information under submission and indications are that a decision will not be rendered for at least two weeks and possibly as long as four weeks. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS as listed in the agenda. DCM/DeStefano commented that upon conclusion of the Telecommunications Task Force meetings, the Draft Ordinance will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for review in December or January. ADJOURNMENT: .- C/Ruzicka moved, C/I seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Vice Chairman Tye adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, J s DeStefano Secretary to the Pl. Commission Attest: C Steven Tye Vice Chairman CAWP51\inn tc9\pc\PCSEP22.MIN