Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/23/1999MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 23,1999 i CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tye called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Hearing Board Room of the South Coast Air Quality Management Headquarters Building, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner McManus. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Steve Tye, Vice Chairman Steve Nelson, and Commissioners George Kuo, Joe McManus, and Joe Ruzicka. Also Present: Ann Lungu, Associate Planner, Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant, and Stella Marquez, Administrative Secretary. ? MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None offered. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR: 4.1 Minutes of the November 9, 1999, meeting. i C/Ruzicka moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 9, 1999, as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: McManus ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 5. OLD BUSINESS: None 6. NEW BUSINESS: None --7. 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: None NOVEMBER 23,1999 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION 8. PUBLIC HEARING: 8.1 Development Review No. 99-6/Conditional Use Permit No. 99-3 (pursuant to Code Section,. 22.48 and 22.58) is a request to construct an office building (approximately 13,325 square feet) with a research laboratory facility for automobile emissions testing. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1575 Valley Vista Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER: Linda Czarkowski Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) 1575 Valley Vista Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APPLICANT: Dale Malcolm The Withee Malcolm Partnership, Architects 1983 West 190'h Street, Suite 200 Torrance, CA 90504 DSA/Joe presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Development Review No. 99-6, and Conditional Use Permit No. 99-3, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval, as listed within the Resolution. C/Ruzicka asked for assurance that the proposed type of operations is compatible with the area. Dale Malcolm, project architect and agent, stated that SEMA owns the building. They'have completed negotiations for a long-term (10 year) lease to the Automobile Club of Southern California. He indicated that the flagpole is a design element and he will lower the height of the pole in accordance with staff s request. He explained the clean testing facility operation. The gases that are vented will be as clean or cleaner than the air that surrounds the building. He further stated that in his opinion, this is an appropriate location for this type of operation in that it is a research and development operation. There are ancillary functions the Automobile Club offers to people who have special problems with their cars. Individuals must have a pr�- scheduled appointment to enlist the services of the facility. No repairs are allowed on-site. VC/Nelson said he is concerned about specialized facilities that sit empty and what the market statistics reveal about the demand for this type of facility. Dale Malcolm responded that SEMA has been planning this facility for about a year. One of SEMA's concerns was that if economic conditions did not sustain this type of operation, could the building be converted to an office building. SEMA's plan is that if anything happens in the future to render the facility useless, they will convert the bottom floor to offices. The ceiling is NOVEMBER 23, 1999 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION taller than it needs to be for an -,office facility, but the columns are in the right place to accommodate the conversion. Steve Mazer, Operations Manager for AAA, clarified that the proposed operation is not a government facility, but a State of California and Federal Environmental Protection Agency approved facility. There are 22 test labs recognized by the State to perform the Federal Test Procedure which is a far more sophisticated emissions test than what is offered at local gas stations. This is a white lab coat and white glove type of testing environment. The tests take a minimum of 24 hours to perform that requires careful preparation. Some clients are charged as much as $1,000 for a single test. The reason for the relationship with SEMA is that a number of their members need to perform this kind of testing in order to legally sell their after -market products in the United States and in California. He explained the testing process. He stated that they also hope to do contract testing for SCAQMD. Linda Czarkowski, Vice President of SEMA, responded to VC/Nelson that SEMA has not conducted a market study. Steve Mazer responded to Chair/Tye that of the remaining 21 test labs in California, one facility is operated by AAA. Chair/Tye opened the public hearing. There being no one who wished to speak on this matter, Chair/Tye closed the public hearing. AssocP/Lungu stated that staff reviewed this project, considered the operation through the Negative Declaration process, through the filtration systems that have been developed for the emissions, and considered the use in relationship to Gateway Corporate Center. With its recommendation for approval, staff believes that this is an appropriate use for the location. This is a Conditional Use Permit. However, if the use was to stop for a particular period of time, SEMA may petition to turn the building into office space that is allowed in that zone. Following discussion, C/McManus moved, C/Ruzicka seconded, to approve Development Review No. 99-6 and Conditional Use Permit No. 99-3, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the Resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None NOVEMBER 23,1999 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION 9. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: VC/Nelson complimented the City on the median tree plantings. 10. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: _ 10.1 Public Hearing Dates for Future Projects - as listed within the packet. 11. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in the agenda. 12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair/Tye adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, James DeStefano Deputy City Manager Attest: Stev e t - Chairman