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Home My WebLink About04/09/2002MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 9, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ruzicka called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Nolan led the pledge of allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Ruzicka, Vice Chairman Steve Tye, and Commissioners Steve Nelson, Dan Nolan, and Jack Tanaka. Also Present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager, Ann Lungu, Associate Planner, David Meyer, LDM Associates, and Stella Marquez, Administrative Secretary. 2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS:: None Offered. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR: 4.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 26, 2002. C/Tanaka moved, C/Nolan seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 26, 2002, as presented. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. 5. OLD BUSINESS: None. 6. NEW BUSINESS: None. 7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS: 7.1 Development Review No. 2001-28, Minor Variance No. 2002-01, Tree Permit No. 2002-02 and Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact (pursuant to Code Sections 22.48, 22.52 and 22.38). The applicant has requested approval of plans to construct a three (3) story single family residence of approximately 7,740 square feet with two attached two -car garages totaling 977 square feet on an APRIL 9, 2002 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION approximate 57,934.8 (1.33 acres) square foot R-1(40,000) zoned lot. Additionally, the application requests approval of a Minor Variance to deviate from the minimum required front yard setback distance, and a Tree Permit for the removal and replacement of a protected tree species. (Continued from March 12, 2002) PROJECT ADDRESS: PROPERTY OWNER: APPLICANT: 22509 Ridgeline Road (APN 8713-006-019) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Jay Arora 1149 Grubstake Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 S & W Development 20272 Carrey Road Walnut, CA 91789 PC/Meyer presented staff's report. Staff recommends Planning Commission approval of Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact, adoption of the Resolution approving Development Review No. 2001-18, Minor Variance No. 2002-01 and Tree Permit No. 2002-02 allowing for the construction of a three (3) story single family residence in the R-1(40,000) zone with less than the minimum required front yard setback distance, and approval of the removal of seven (7) mature native oak trees subject to the execution, and/or fulfillment of the conditions specified in the Resolution. Simon Shum, Architect, explained the project to the Commissioners and presented a model of the proposed project. He believed that tree replacement in-kind was a good idea and would give the young trees an opportunity to establish root stability. Chair/Ruzicka opened the public hearing. C/Nelson was concerned that slow -grown oak trees would not properly mask the wall. He suggested placing the native trees closer to the location of the existing oaks and walnut at the lower portion of the hillside, and planting faster growing ornamentals that have color and texture closely related to natural vegetation to shield the wall more quickly. Based on color and texture, the ornamentals would offer continuity in the natural look of the hillside. As a result of C/Nelson's recommendation, PC/Meyer offered the following modification to Condition (f), Page 5: "Include the use of ornamental trees to screen APRIL 9, 2002 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION the wall and that the oak grove be moved as far away from the development as possible to provide continuity in the landscape." PC/Meyer said that most of the professional landscape architects have a good history for hillside development. Staff understands and concurs with C/Nelson's recommendation. In accordance with VC/Tye's recommendation, PC/Meyer suggested that the landscape plan include twenty-one (21) 36" box oak trees. C/Nelson moved, C/Nolan seconded, to 1) approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact and 2) adopt the Resolution approving Development Review No. 2001-18, Minor Variance No. 2002-01 and Tree Permit No. 2002-02 allowing for construction of a three (3) story single family residence in the R-1 (40,000) zone with less than the minimum required front yard setback distance; and approve removal of seven (7) mature native oak trees subject to the execution and/or fulfillment of the conditions specified in the Resolution subject to the following amendments: Insert "the wall will be camouflaged with appropriate foliage, and replace "minimum with coast live oak in Condition 7 (f) on page 5. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nelson, Nolan, Tanaka, VC/Tye, Chair/Ruzicka NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 8. PUBLIC HEARING(S): 8.1 Conditional Use Permit No. 2002-02 (Development Review No. 2002-06 and Variance No. 2002-01 (pursuant to Code Sections 22.58, 22.48 and 22.54) is a Conditional Use Permit and Development Review request to construct an automated car wash with retail sales boutique, lube center, detail center with office, auto service center, gasoline station, platforms to display vehicles for sale. The Variance request is to construct a retaining wall with a maximum height of 18 feet. PROJECT ADDRESS: 515 S. Grand Avenue (Parcels 3 & 4 of Parcel Map No. 15625) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER/ Mathew Tachdjian APPLICANT: Col -Am Properties LLC P.O. Box 4655 APRIL 9, 2002 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION Diamond Bar, CA 91765 AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report. Staff recommends Planning Commission approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2002-02, Development Review No. 2002-06 and Variance No. 2002-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Chair/Ruzicka opened the public hearing. There being no testimony offered, Chair/Ruzicka closed the public hearing. C/Nolan moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2002-02, Development Review No. 2002-06 and Variance No. 2002-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. VC/Tye asked if staff has any indication when this project might begin to be developed. Mr. Tachdjian said he hopes to have the project underway in June or July. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan, Tanaka, Nelson, VC/Tye, Chair/Ruzicka NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 8.2 Development Review No. 2002-01 and Tree Permit No. 2002-01 (pursuant to Code Sections 22.48.020.A. and 22.38.010-160), is a request to demolish an existing -two- story single family residence of approximately 4,117 square feet with a three -car garage and construct a two-story single family residence of approximately 13,349 square feet with a basement, five -car garage, balconies and patios. Additionally, the request includes a swimming pool/spa, tennis court and retaining walls with a maximum exposed height of six feet within the rear, side and front yards. The Tree Permit is for the preservation, protection and removal of trees specified in the Development Code. PROJECT ADDRESS: 2294 Indian Creek Road (Lot 80 of Tract No. 23483) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 1 F�� APRIL 9, 2002 PAGE 5 PROPERTY OWNER APPLICANT: PLANNING COMMISSION Melchor and Bonafe Parayno 1221 W. Sierra Madre Avenue Glendora, CA 91741 Sanyao International, Inc. 255 Santa Clara Street #200 Arcadia, CA 91006 AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report. Staff recommends Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2002-01 and Tree Permit No. 2002-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Robert Tong, Sanyao International, Inc., said he read staff's report and accepts all of the conditionals of approval. Before final inspection, his firm will provide a landscaping plan that insures the trees will remain. Chair/Ruzicka opened the public hearing. There being no public testimony offered, Chair/Ruzicka closed the public hearing. VC/Tye moved, C/Nolan seconded, to approve Development Review No. 2002-01 and Tree Permit No. 2002-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: 8. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: VC/Tye, Nolan, Nelson, Tanaka, Chair/Ruzicka None None None Offered. 9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: DCM/DeStefano referred the Commissioners to informational pamphlets and Conflict of Interest Laws booklets provided in Commissioners' packets. In addition, staff provided two excellent books on the roll of individuals in Planning Commissioner positions. Responding to VC/Tye's concern regarding the cell site at the Country Suites Hotel, AssocP/.Lungu reported that Cingular will remove the temporary antenna tomorrow. P APRIL 9, 2002 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION DCM/DeStefano explained that the City Council has not yet decided to move forward with a redevelopment project area. Council merely asked staff to research what the cost would be to hire consultants to conduct a blight assessment study and financial feasibility report. VC/Tye said it is shameful that the project area has been reduced to such a small area and that the original redevelopment project area was lost as a result of misguided efforts of individuals who caused great and lasting damage to this community. 10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As scheduled. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairman Ruzicka adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m. Attest: Fha;rman J' Ruzicka