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Home My WebLink About4/13/1999MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMNIISSION r- APRIL 13,1999 L` CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tye called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the .Louth 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: Chairman Steve Tye, Vice Chairman Steve Nelson and Commissioners George Kuo, Joe McManus and Joe Ruzicka. Also Present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager; Ann Lungu, Associate Planner; Linda Smith, Development Services AS. 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 March 23, 1999. C/Ruzicka moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve the minutes of March 23, 1999 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Development Review No. 98-15(1) and Variance No. 99-1 (pursuant to Code Section Chapters 22.48 and 22.54) is a request torevise a project approved by the Planning Commission on January 26, 1999. The approved proj� permits the construction of a two- story office building of approximately 56,600 square feet on a vacant lot within Gateway Corporate Center. The Variance request (a revision to the Planning Commission approval) is to construct crib type retaining walls varying in height with a maximum height of approximately 13 feet which exceeds the allowable six-foot height. The retaining walls will be utilized to expand the buildable pad in order to provide more parking spaces. APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE 2 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 21810 E. Copley Drive M"I (Lot 22, Tract No. 39679) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER: Diamond bar Business Associates c/o AEW Capital Management, LP 601 S. Figueroa #2150 Los Angeles, CA 90017 APPLICANT: Opus West Corporation 2030 Main Street #520 Irvine, CA 92614 AssocP/Lungu presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Development Review 98-15(1), Variance No. 99-1 and Addendum to Neg ve Declaration No. 98-5, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the Resolution. She pointed out that Condition 5. (f) on Page 7 of the resolution is changed to read as follows: "To maintain the structural integrity of the proposed crib retaining wall, the soils engineer of record shall certify all necessary inspection work for such walls. The proposed crib retaining wall shall be constructed in accordance with the approved specifications of the soils engineer of record and the soils engineer of record shall be responsible during each and all phases of construction." Randy Ten Hove, Opus West Corporation, responded to VC/Nelson that the applicant is requesting to provide for 65 additional parking spaces. The rule of thumb for parking is about .300 square foot per stall which equates to slightly less than 19,000 square feet (less than 1/2 acre) of grading for the footprint of the pad. Jeff Hill, Opus West Corporation, explained the reason for requesting the variance was predicated on a request from Allstate Insurance to be able to provide them the additional 65 parking spaces. Since the lease agreement was reached after the initial approval by the Planning Commission for construction of the building, the applicant found it necessary to request the variance to fiilfill the terms of the agreement. In response to C/Ruzicka, Mr. Hill explained the type of crib wall the applicant proposes to install. He explained that it is a more ,expensive wall system that is anticipated to better preserve the integrity of the landscaping of the slopes. Chair/Tye opened the public hearing. There being no one who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Tye closed the Public Hearing. VC/Nelson stated he is not a fan of eucalyptus trees which he believes to be invasive. Hes suggested that if the plantings of replacement trees are to occur on the back perimeter of the parking lot adjacent to the open space area, that they be of a native species. If not, and the I __ __ _ .__— __ - __________ _ is-__s__Irl•��.:�uwanumuuxw«x.x««.e««,..__. .,_.....n.-1. __- _ ___-__�.��„�,.,�..��..�.��.,,,...M—.,..»..�__._____ APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE 3 . site is not over -landscaped now, install something less invasive in the parking lots and around the` buildings. AssocP/Lungu responded to Chair/Tye that staff recommends the following for Condition 5. (d): "The applicant shall replace the 10 existing eucalyptus trees at a 2:1 ratio with native tree species, size and location to be determined by the Planning Division. VC/Nelson stated that if the replacement trees are located on the perimeter it may be appropriate to require that the trees be native trees such as horticulturally grown sycamores or California Walnut trees. Following discussion, C/Ruzicka moved, C/McManus seconded, to approve Development Review 98-15(1), Variance No. 99-1 and Addendum to Negative Declaration No. 98-5, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the Resolution including the changes recommended by staff and VC/Nelson for Conditions 5. (d) and 5. (f). Motion approved by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, McManus, Ruzicka, VC/Nelson, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 2. Development Review No. 99-03 and Variance No. 99-03 (pursuant to Code Sections 22.48,22.54 and 22.68) is a request to construct a 3,917 square foot two-story addition and exterior remodel with carport and decks to an existing 3,108 square foot, one story, single family residence with three car garage. Variance is requested due to the encroachment into the front setback. PROPERTY ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER/ APPLICANT: 2194 Indian Creek Road (Tract No. 23483, Lot 61) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Robert Granato 2194 Indian Creek Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 DSA/Smith presented staffs report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve Development Review No. 99-03 and Variance No. 99-03, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval, as listed within the Resolution. The applicant's architect, spoke on behalf of the applicant. He stated that many people in "The Country Estates" are expanding, remodeling, etc. and he expects that there will be many variance requests. APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE 4 Chair/Tye opened the Public Hearing. There being no one who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Tye closed the Public Hearing. C/Ruzicka moved, VC/Nelson seconded, to approve Development Review No. 99-03 and Variance No. 99-03, Findings .of Fact and conditions of approval, as listed within the Resolution. Motion approved 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/McManus thanked DCM/DeStefano for chauffeuring the Commissioners in Monterey during the Planners Institute. C/Ruzicka stated that he enjoyed the Planners Institute and thought it was an excellently planned out and executed meeting. a C/Kuo said he enjoyed the trip to Monterey and his attendance at the seminar. The Institute helped him a great deal in his review of projects in order to render appropriate decisions. He thanked staff and his colleagues on the Commission for providing him with a history of Diamond Bar. VC/Nelson reminded the Commissioners that April is Child Abuse Prevention month. Chair/Tye echoed the accolades for DCM/DeStefano on his ability to get the Commissioners to the airport on time in spite of Avis' effort to deter him. He hopes to see all of the Commissioners and staff members at Sunday's City Birthday Party celebration. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: DCM/DeStefano stated that the following items are scheduled for the April 27, 1999, Planning Commission meeting: 1) Car wash and service facility and new car display -facility expansion for the Honda dealership north of the SR60 and a Chevron/McDonalds project at the intersection of Golden Springs Road and Brea Canyon Road at the existing Chevron Burger facility. DCM/DeStefano stated that at its April 6, 1999, meeting, the City Council continued to April 20, 1999, the Sasak/Patel extension of time application request at the request of the applicant. DCM/DeStefano stated he enjoyed attending the Monterey Conference with the Planning r '. Commissioners. Staff will provide Commissioners with copies of conference meeting tapes at'their " request. APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE 5' C/McManus requested a tape of the downtown revitalization session. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As agendized with the following addition: Lanterman Task Force Meeting: Monday, April 19, 1999 - 6:30 p.m. Dean Holmes Swim Club ADJOURNMENT: C/Ruzicka 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 8:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, JamleStefano Secretary to the Planning Commission Attest: 7�76� Steve Tye Chairman