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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/9/1999k —1 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMNIISSION MARCH 9, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman McManus called the meeting to order at 7:06 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 VC/Tye. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Joe McManus, Vice Chairman Steve Tye and Commissioners George Kuo, Steve Nelson and Joe Ruzicka. Also Present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager, Ann Lungu, Associate Planner; Linda Smith, Development Services Assistant; Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant, and Stella Marquez, Administrative Secretary. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of February 23, 1999. C/Ruzicka moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve the minutes of February 23, 1999 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: 1. Reorganization of the Planning Commission. DCM/DeStefano opened the nominations for position of Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/Ruzicka nominated Commissioner Tye to serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/Nelson seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations offered. DCM/DeStefano closed the nominations. Commissioner Tye was elected to serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission by the following Roll Call vote: MARCH 9, 1999 2. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN. COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: PAGE 2 Kuo, Nelson, Ruzicka, Chair/McManus None VC/Tye None Chair/Tye opened the nominations for Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/McManus nominated Commissioner Nelson. C/Ruzicka seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations offered. i Chair/Tye closed the nominations. Commissioner Nelson was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, C/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Nelson ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None Chair/Tye presented a plaque to C/McManus for his service to the Planning Commission as Chairman from March 10, 1998 to March 9, 1999. C/McManus thanked staff for the presentation. DCM/DeStefano stated that from staffs prospective, it has been a remarkable year for the Planning Commission. Major events during the past year under the leadership of Chairman McManus include the approval of the SunCal project which generated over 360 acres of public open space; the arrival and significant contributions of Commissioners Nelson and lKuo; consideration of a number of projects that are now under construction and/or completed and approval of major building construction in the Gateway Corporate Center. He congratulated Chairman McManus and the Planning Commission for their efforts. C/McManus pointed out that he and Commissioner Ruzicka were members of a previous Planning Commission and many of these projects may not have gone forward except for the participation of Commissioners Kuo, Nelson and Tye. Comprehensive Sign Program No. 99-2, a request to install four wall signs and one monument sign. MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 3 PROPERTY ADDRESS: PROPERTY OWNER: APPLICANT: Diamond Bar Hand Car Wash 2845 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard Diamond Bar, CA 91765 David Zerner 954 Shumacher Los Angeles, CA 90048 Lance Templeton 2899 Monte Verde Drive Covina, CA 91724 DSA/Smith presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Comprehensive Sign Program No. 99-2, Findings of Fact and conditions as listed within the resolution. Applicant, Lance Templeton, stated he feels the proposed non -illuminated signage compliments the building as well as the surrounding community. The monument sign will be on a clock timer for illumination. C/Ruzicka moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve Comprehensive Sign Program No. 99-2. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye None None 1. Development Review 98-13(1) pursuant to Code Section 22.48.020) is a request to revise a project approved by the Planning Commission on November 24, 1998. The approved project allows the construction of a three-story office building of approximately 73,000 square feet and a two-level parking structure on a vacant lot within Gateway Corporate Center. The revision request is to add two levels to the parking structure, thereby allowing a four -level parking structure. PROPERTY ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER: 21950 E. Copley Drive (Lot 23, Tract No. 39679) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Diamond Bar Associates c/o AEW Capital Management, LP 601 S. Figueroa, Suite 2150 Los Angeles, CA 90017 MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 4 APPLICANT: Opus West Corporation 2030 Main Street, Suite 520 Irvine, CA 92614 DCM/DeStefano presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Development Review No. 98-13(1) and Addendum to Negative Declaration No. 98-4, Findings of Fact and conditions listed within the resolution with the following amendment: that Condition (1) on Page 6 related to a secondary access to the parking structure be deleted. JeffIER, Opus West Corporation, thanked the Planning Commission for their consideration. He explained that his firm has worked extensively with the City's staff and Redevelopment Agency to bring this division of Allstate Insurance to Diamond Bar. It was a competitive situation for this new division of Allstate is creating between Stockton, Modesto, Phoenix and Diamond Bar. He stated that this facility and the Lot 22 facility are expected to generate in excess of 31 million dollars of annual payroll which would make Allstate the largest private employer in the City of Diamond Bar: Allstate's goal is to attempt to hire people from the immediate area. He explained the proposed project. C/Ruzicka thanked AssocP/Lungu for conducting a tour of the project. He asked if the project proposes roof parking and spoke about the concerns of the homeowners living above the project. Mr. Hill responded to C/Ruzicka that approximately half of the roof space will pr vide parking. The roof will provide downward diffused lighting. The distance from the ridge to the project is substantial. It would be difficult to see the structure from the home sites on the ridge. The structure was designed to be tucked up under the hill in an effort to be good neighbors to the homeowners on the ridge. C/Ruzicka said he concurs with the applicant that homeowners would probably have to come out to the edge of their lots in order to see the building. He said he is now assured that the applicant has taken into account the feelings of the people who reside on the ridge above the project and taken every precaution to make certain the building is as unobtrusive as possible. Mr. Hill explained that the after hour usage is anticipated to be about half the amount anticipated during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mr. Hill confirmed to C/McManus that ingress/egress of the parking structure will be at ground level. Chair/Tye asked how the issue of safety has been addressed. Mr. Dill stated that Allstate will place surveillance cameras on the interior and exterior of the structure. In addition, there is on-site 24-hour seven per days r week security. One of the requirements for a facility was to be able to provide a protected site. L --.., ... , m... ,.-'_-,,., , , ... 0 1,1 111 41AI f _ I V ,. I , oro r "„7_ 7 .,.e^w ro ..:ro,.,," —.. Chair/Tye closed the public hearing. C/McManus moved, VC/Nelson seconded, to approve Development Review 98-13(1) and Addendum to Negative Declaration No. 98-4, Findings of Fact and conditions as listed within the resolution with Condition (f) on Page 6 deleted. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: C/Ruzicka thanked Commissioner McManus for his patience, forbearance and open mindedness during his leadership as Chairman of the Planning Commission. VC/Nelson said he is very excited about the economic growth of the City and in particular, the Gateway Corporate Center. He would like to have the City display huge banners that say "SHOP AND EAT IN DIAMOND BAR" which might help to turn the First Interstate Bank building into a restaurant and reopen Casa OBrian's. C/McManus stated he conducts business with a number of people who reside outside of Diamond Bar and that they are now saying that this is a much more business -friendly City. This is a result of the staff being freed up to do their jobs instead of fighting ancillary battles. Chair/Tye thanked Chair/McManus for his efforts last year. He said it has been a pleasure to serve as his Vice Chairman. He thanked the Commissioners for their confidence in making him the Chairman for the next year. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: DCM/DeStefano presented an updated version of the project meeting Projection Matrix and spoke about upcoming projects. He stated that at its February 16 meeting, the City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance to approve the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance. Applications were submitted by various carriers the next day to begin providing coverage in areas where there are dark spots in the community. The City Council also approved the Planning Commission's recommended General Plan Amendment for open space. Any modification to the open space General Plan classification map or deed restrictions will require a vote of the people prior to conclusion of any project proposal. DCM/DeStefano stated he looks forward to working with Chairman Tye and the newly reorganized _ Planning Commission. He again thanked Chair/McManus for his service the past year. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As agendized. MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 5��, Chair/Tye closed the public hearing. C/McManus moved, VC/Nelson seconded, to approve Development Review 98-13(1) and Addendum to Negative Declaration No. 98-4, Findings of Fact and conditions as listed within the resolution with Condition (f) on Page 6 deleted. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: C/Ruzicka thanked Commissioner McManus for his patience, forbearance and open mindedness during his leadership as Chairman of the Planning Commission. VC/Nelson said he is very excited about the economic growth of the City and in particular, the Gateway Corporate Center. He would like to have the City display huge banners that say "SHOP AND EAT IN DIAMOND BAR" which might help to turn the First Interstate Bank building into a restaurant and reopen Casa OBrian's. C/McManus stated he conducts business with a number of people who reside outside of Diamond Bar and that they are now saying that this is a much more business -friendly City. This is a result of the staff being freed up to do their jobs instead of fighting ancillary battles. Chair/Tye thanked Chair/McManus for his efforts last year. He said it has been a pleasure to serve as his Vice Chairman. He thanked the Commissioners for their confidence in making him the Chairman for the next year. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: DCM/DeStefano presented an updated version of the project meeting Projection Matrix and spoke about upcoming projects. He stated that at its February 16 meeting, the City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance to approve the Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance. Applications were submitted by various carriers the next day to begin providing coverage in areas where there are dark spots in the community. The City Council also approved the Planning Commission's recommended General Plan Amendment for open space. Any modification to the open space General Plan classification map or deed restrictions will require a vote of the people prior to conclusion of any project proposal. DCM/DeStefano stated he looks forward to working with Chairman Tye and the newly reorganized _ Planning Commission. He again thanked Chair/McManus for his service the past year. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As agendized. MARCH 9, 1999 PAGE 6 ADJOURNMENT: C/Rumcka moved, C/McManus seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chair/Tye adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, James DeStefano Secretary to the Planning Commission Attest: x Steven Tye VJ Chairman