HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/13/2000- MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
JUNE 13, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District
Auditorium, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Kuo.
1. ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Steve Nelson, Vice Chairman Bob Zirbes, and Commissioners
�2.
3.
4.
George Kuo, Joe Ruzicka, and Steve Tye.
Also Present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager, Ann Lungu, Associate Planner,
Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant, and Stella Marquez, Administrative
Secretary.
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None offered.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Commission concurred to move Agenda Item No. 6 to follow
Agenda Item No. 8.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes of the May 23, 2000, meeting.
C/Ruzicka moved, C/Kuo seconded, to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 23, 2000, as
presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Kuo, Ruzicka, Tye, VC/Zirbes, Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: None
June 13, 2000t
PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
8. PUBLIC HEARING:
8.1 Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-01, Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-05,
Development Review No. 2000-04, Comprehensive Sign Program No. 2000-01 (pursuant to
Code Sections 22.58, 22.10.030, 22.42.050 and 08.C., 22.56, 22.48.020.A. and 22.36.060) is a
request to construct a one-story restaurant of approximately 2,776 square feet with a patio dining
area of approximately 782 square feet and drive-through aisle. The Conditional Use Permit
process provides for the review of the drive-through aisle. The Minor Conditional use Permit
provides for the review of the patio dining area. The Development Review process provides for
-the site design and architectural review. The Comprehensive Sign Program is a request to install
a monument sign, two wall signs, menu board and directional signs.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 21008 Lycoming Street
(Lot 7, Parcel A of Tract No. 2166)
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PROPERTY OWNER: Cathleen Miller
721 Brea Canyon Road, Suite #7
Diamond Bar, CA 91789
APPLICANT: Farmer Boys Food, Inc.
3435 14th Street, Suite #102
Riverside, CA 92501
AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission
approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-01, Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-05,
Development Review No. 2000-04, Comprehensive Sign Program No. 2000-01, Findings of
Fact, and conditions of approval, as listed within the resolution.
C/Tye questioned the peak hour traffic counts.
DCM/DeStefano explained that traffic engineers look at the proposed land use and utilize a
standard procedure for determining the number of trips generated by that use which takes into
account employees, customers, delivery vehicles, etc. The next step is to determine where the
peak or peaks will occur, based upon the land use, and what impacts those peaks will have to the
adjacent intersection. With respect to reciprocal parking, he explained that since incorporation,
Diamond Bar has attempted to better plan for present and future land uses. Where it can, the
City encourages through conditions or requires, through standards, that projects align parking fir°
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June 13, 2000
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PLANNING COMMISSION
lots, create dual utilization driveways, and have encouraged projects to form shared parking
agreements and shared access agreements.
Enrique Alvarez, Alvarez Design, said he read staff's report and concurs with the conditions of
approval. He asked for reconsideration to provide a 6 -inch curb with a berm and landscaped turf
in the driveway area in place of the 42 -inch block wail to provide a larger turning radius for
larger vehicles. He said he is concerned that vehicles will hit and damage the block wall. He
further requested that within the agreement, the word "parking" be stricken from "access
parking" and indicate that this would be negotiated at the time of the adjacent development.
VC/Zirbes asked if Mr. Alvarez would have any objection to conditioning employee parking to
occur in spaces 20 through 36 to which Mr., Alvarez responded "not at all." VC/Zirbes asked if
the applicant would consider adding one or two handicap parking spaces.
Mr. Alvarez explained that it may be possible to allow one or two additional handicap parking
T. spaces. He said he needs to consider the impacts of the driveway widening. He explained that
one handicap space is required for every 40 parking spaces. He will attempt to provide
additional spaces.
DCM/DeStefano responded to VC/Zirbes that deletion of the word "parking" in Condition (o).
would not change the intent of the General Plan philosophy because this specific applicant is
proposing well above the minimum number, of spaces. Staff would encourage and recommend
that such a condition be applied to this type of project.
In response to questions regarding the site plan and building location, Mr. Alvarez explained to
VC/Zirbes that the main building entrance faces east, the dining area faces north and the kitchen
area faces south.
At the request of C/Ruzicka, Mr. Alvarez again explained his request for reconsideration of the
block wall area.
AssocP/Lungu stated that the Code requires screening of cars from the street - by berm or by
landscaping, or combination thereof. The berm would have to be at least 36 inches with
landscaping on top of the berm.
Mr. Alvarez responded to C/Ruzicka that this requirement is met in his example. The landscape
plan would provide a section through- the drive-through so that the actual heightof the berm and
hedges can be seen in comparison to a vehicle.
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June 13, 2000 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION �aj�ial'l,'
DCM/DeStefano indicated the code requires that this type of drive-through lane be blocked from
view up to about 36-42 inches in height. The most permanent way of providing this blockage is
through the block wall barrier between the drive-through lane and the street. The code does
permit, in the alternative, a berm with landscaping. Staff is not completely satisfied with the
most recent examples of landscaping being utilized for that purpose and therefore, has
recommended the block wall. The block wall does not have to be 10 feet away from the property
line. It could be 8 feet away providing a couple of extra feet of maneuvering room for the larger
vehicles. If the Commission wishes to consider the landscaping alternative, then at the
appropriate time, staff would ask the Commission to direct staff to work with the applicant
toward that end and incorporate a doubling of either the species size or quantity currently
proposed.
DCM/DeStefano stated that with respect to orientation of the building on the lot, staff is
recommending that the project be approved as it has been proposed. Staff has worked with the
applicant to create modifications to the overall site plan. The building and noisiest aspects of this
use are furthest away from residential properties. Therefore, staff believes that the proposed
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building orientation is most appropriate.
Mr. Alvarez requested that he be allowed to work with staff to provide more detailed landscape
plans to show how it will conform to the City's codes.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
Ignacio Covarrubias, 805 Windwood Drive, asked the Planning Commission to deny this permit
request because the project will create further traffic congestion. Mr. Covarrubias presented
photographs illustrating Metrolink related parking problems on Washington Street.
Linda Jansen, 21151 Lycoming Street, said she would like to have something nice at that corner
but not a fast food restaurant. Of the 20 neighbors she spoke with, all were opposed to this
project. She complained about the potential 24-hour odor of cooked hamburger and the potential
for increase in crime. If this business does not succeed, Diamond Bar will be left with an
abandoned drive-through at the end of her street. She asked the Planning Commission to deny
the project.
Makis A. Havadjias, owner of Farmer Boys, Inc., said that his restaurant is not strictly a fast food
business and its clientele are mainly professional. He explained that his firm intends to be a good
neighbor and he invited the residents to patronize his establishment.
DCM/DeStefano reiterated the explanation for the number of proposed trips to the site.
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June 13, 2000 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION
There being no further testimpny offered, Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
In response to Chair/Nelson, Mr. Havadjias explained how the restaurant's exhaust system and
how it will prevent odors from entering the atmosphere. He stated that he wants the neighbors to
be pleased with the restaurant and to enjoy the facility.
Mr. Alvarez indicated to Chair/Nelson that the restaurant will contain more filters than are
required by code and only the -highest quality micro filers will be used. No filter will eliminate
an odor, but it will minimize the odor.
Following discussion, C/Ruzicka moved to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-01, Minor
Conditional Use Permit No. 2000-05, Development Review No. 2000-04, Comprehensive Sign
Program No. 2000-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution
with the amendment that the -block wall height be relocated two feet or to allow a berm with
landscaping as directed by staff.
VC/Zirbes asked C/Ruzicka fo amend his motion to add a condition requinng employee parking
to occur in spaces 20 through 36 and to encourage the applicant to increase the number of
handicap parking spaces from two to three, if possible. C/Ruzicka amended his motion
accordingly. Chair/Nelson seconded the amended motion. Motion carried 4-1 by the following
Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ruzicka, Chair/Nelson, Kuo, VC/Zirbes
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Tye
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 General Plan Conformity Report for FY 2000-2001 Capital Improvement Program.
DCM/DeStefano presented staff's report. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission
approve a resolution finding #hat the FY 2000-2001 'Capital Improvement -Program is in
conformance with the General Plan.
Following discussion, C/Ruzicka moved, VC/Zirbes seconded, to approve a resolution finding
—,n that the FY 2000-2001 Capital Improvement Program is in conformance with the Gi!neral Plan.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION
June 13, 2000 u'ic'w;i
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Ruzicka, VC/Zirbes, Kuo, Tye, Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
9. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS:
VC/Zirbes stated that the wash area west of the Country Hills Town Center Fountain Street exit emits a
fowl odor and asked if the sanitation district is attempting remediation.
DCM/DeStefano responded that staff will forward VC/Zirbes' comment to the City staff and the County
of Los Angeles.
10. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
10.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects - as listed.
10.2 Industry East Development Project - Response to Draft Environmental Impact Report.
DCM/DeStefano reported that on June 5 Diamond Bar presented the City of Industry with a
comprehensive 172 page response to the Draft EIR.
DCM/DeStefano commented on mitigation measures proposed to the City of Industry to deal
with the Metrolink overflow parking on Washington Street. Staff has been directed to take the
Washington Street overflow parking matter to the Traffic and Transportation Commission, for
consideration and recommendation to the City Council.
11. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in the agenda.
DCM/DeStefano stated that staff and the City's consultants are working on amendments to the General Plan's
Housing Element. The June 27 Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled for a study session on this item in
preparation for a formal public hearing process in the Fall.
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lune 13, 2000
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ADJOURNMENT:
C/Ruzicka moved, C/Tye seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business to come before the
Planning Commission, Chair/Nelson adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
(Ace�—p
James DeStefanc
Deputy City Manager
Attest:
Steve Nelson
Chairman