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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/25/20031 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 25, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Tye called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Nolan led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Steve Tye, Vice Chairman Dan Nolan, and Commissioners Steve Nelson, Jack Tanaka and Osman Wei. Also present: James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager, Ann Lungu, Associate Planner, and Stella Marquez, Administrative Assistant. 2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented. 4. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR: 4.1 Approval of October 28, 2003, Regular Meeting minutes. VC/Nolan moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve the October 28, 2003, Regular Meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried by the following Rall Call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN ABSENT: OLD BUSINESS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: None Tanaka, Wei, VC/Nolan, Chair/Tye None Nelson None NOVEMBER 25, 2003 6. NEW BUSINESS: PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION 6.1 Comprehensive Sign Pro am No. 2003-01 is a request to install several wall signs, modify the existing monument sign and integrate signs with the design of the commercial structure. Project Address: 22640 Golden Springs Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Property Owner: Jae hoon Shin 1020B, South Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 Applicant: Seung Lee Speedy Signs & Neon 15713 E. Valley Blvd. City of Industry, CA 91744 AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report. Staff recommends Planning Commission approval of Comprehensive Sign Program No. 2003-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Seung Lee, Applicant, said he concurred with staff's recommendation. There was no one present who wished to speak on this matter. C/Nelson moved, VC/Nolan seconded, to approve Comprehensive Sign Program No. 2003-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: CONUMSSIONERS 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Nelson, VC/Nolan, Tanaka, Wei, Chair/Tye None None 7.1 Development Review No. 2002-13(l) (pursuant to Code Section 22.66.060) is a request to change an approved project by adding approximately 550 square feet and a revision to the rear exterior elevation. 1 NOVEMBER 25, 2003 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION Project Address: 2817 Wagon Train Lane (APN 87113-013-011) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Property Owner: Harshad & Raksha Shah 2817 Wagon Train Lane Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Applicant: Simon Shum S&W Development 20272 Carrey Road Walnut, CA 91789 AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report. Staff recommends Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2002-13(l), Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. AssocP/Lungu responded to C/Nelson that applicants wishing to make changes to projects that have commenced need to present those changes with drawings to the Planning, Building and Engineering staff at City Hall. In this case, the Planning staff would note that these were significant changes and refer the matter back to the Planning Commission for further deliberation. If the changes were not significant, Planning staff would approve the changes and refer the matter to the Building Department with structural drawings for plan check. If the plans were found to be in order the permit would be issued and construction would continue. She did not know why the applicant did not follow that procedure in this case. Simon Shum, Applicant, said that no construction had commenced. The owner was merely exploring options for reconfiguring a certain area behind the retaining wall. The area in question was a crawl space before so he is converting the crawl space into a living area. When Building Department visited the site no improvements had been done, only exploratory demolition and new slab. The stop order involved another ongoing Wagon Train project that involved protecting the site during the winter season and as a result, the Building Department issued the stop order on all of his projects. He spoke with the Engineering Department and the matter has been resolved. C/Wei asked if Mr. Shum had approval from "The Country Estates" Homeowners Association. Mr. Shum replied not yet because most of the addition is a conversion NOVEMBER 25, 2003 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION from a basement area that was previously a crawl space. The front tower is being changed for aesthetics only and not adding square footage. Mr. Shum explained the purpose of exploratory demolition to Chair/Tye. Chair/Tye opened the public hearing. There being no one present who wished to speak on this matter, Chair/Tye closed the public hearing. Chair/Tye, C/Nelson and VC/Nolan expressed concern about whether this matter would have seen the light of day if staff had not made a visit to the site. If there is a process that needs to be followed, applicants should comply. DCM/DeStefano thanked the Commissioners for bringing this issue forward. He explained that this applicant has done a lot of business in the City and has a very good reputation with staff. It is a difficult decision for staff to determine changes to a project that are often necessary as a result of different factors and when do those factors cross the line and result in a project that has to go back to the decision-making body. He believed that this project remains basically true to the original intent. VC/Nolan moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve Development Review No. 2003-17 and Minor Variance No. 2003-12, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Nolan, Tanaka, Nelson, Wei, Chair/Tye NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None S. PLANNING COMNIISSION COM117ENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: C/Wei said he appreciated staff's input and Mr. Shum's cooperation with the City. C/Tanaka wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. C/Nelson thanked staff for their excellent assistance. VC/Nolan said that previously he had pointed out a neglected sign at Timber Ridge on Golden Springs Drive. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. 1 1 NOVEMBER 25, 2003 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION 9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Last Tuesday night the City Council approved Slope Maintenance Standards for the City. In December, Council will discuss the matter of election signs and business license issues. On Monday, December 1, the Pour Corners Compass Vision Workshop was moved to the Ontario Convention Center. If anyone wishes to serve as a facilitator, please let him know as soon as possible. He advised the Commission about an out -of -compliance project that they would be considering at a future meeting, possibly in December or January. In the event the project is ready for a December 23 review, Commissioners are asked to advise AA/Marquez of their availability. All five Commissioners acknowledged their availability for a December 23 meeting, if necessary. 10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in the Agenda. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairman Tye adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Attest: Chairman Steve Tye Res ectfully S mitted, a James DeStefano� Deputy City Manager