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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/8/2005MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 8, 2005 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nolan calledernmenu t Center Auditorium, 2 865 Cop ey Drive, Diamond Bng to order at 7:15 P.M. in the South Coast Air a Management District/Government California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Tanaka led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Dan Nolan, Vice Chairman Jack Tanaka and Commissioners Ruth Low, Joe McManus and Steve Tye. Also present: James DeStefano, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Fong, Planning Manager Ann Lungu, Associate Planner and Stella Marquez, Senior Administrative Assistant. 2. REORGANIZATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION — selection of Chairman and Vice Chairman. ACM/DeStefano opened nominations for Chairperson. Commissioner Nolan nominated Commissioner McManus. Commissioner Low nominated Commissioner Tanaka. ACMIDeStefano closed nominations for Chairperson. Roll Call vote was taken as follows: Commissioner Nolan: McManus Commissioner Low: Tanaka Commissioner McManus: McManus Commissioner Tanaka: Tanaka Commissioner Tye: McManus ACMIDeStefano declared Joe McManus Chairperson of the Planning Commission. Chair/McManus opened nominations for Vice Chairperson. MARCH 8, 2005 3. 4. 5. Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Tye nominated Commissioner Low. Chair/McManus closed nominations. Roll Call vote was taken as follows: Commissioner Tye: Low Commissioner Low: Low Commissioner Nolan: Low Commissioner Tanaka: Low Chair/McManus: Low ACM/DeStefano declared Commissioner Low Vice Chairperson of the Planning Commission. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCEIPUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: PM/Fong asked that Public Hearing Item 8.2 be heard prior to Public Hearing Item 8.1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 5.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 22, 2005. C/Nolan moved, CITye seconded to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 22, 2005, as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 6. OLD BUSINESS: 7, NEW BUSINESS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: None None Nolan, Tye, Tanaka, VC/Low, Chair/McManus None None MARCH 8, 2005 A Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING(S): 8.2 Com rehensive Sin Program 2005-01 And Variance 2005-01 was a request to amend the Comprehensive Sign Program for the Ranch Center by updating the design of the existing monument and wall signs; and a Variance request to increase the number of monument signs from one to two, increase monument sign height from 6 feet to 8.5 feet and reduce the required setback from 10 feet to two (2) feet. PROJECT ADDRESS: 800-884 Diamond Bar Boulevard (APN 8706-002-56) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER/ The Simay Company APPLICANT: 21800 Burbank Boulevard #150 Woodland Hills, CA 91367 PM/Fong presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Comprehensive Sign Program 2005-01 and Variance 2005-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. VC/Low asked the width of the ranch center from the outermost corner to the opposite outermost corner. PM/Fong responded that the applicant did not intend to change the location of the monument sign, merely lift it up to place a monument rock base beneath it. The other two monument signs are approximately 70 feet away from the driveway. Therefore, the proposed location is not at the corner where it could pose a traffic hazard. VC/Low asked the measurement of the property frontage and ACM/DeStefano responded that it was about 400 feet. PM/Fong indicated to VC/Low that monument signs B1 and B2 were double -sided. VC/Low wanted to know why the applicant wanted two similarly designed monument signs. PM/Fong responded that the center had eight slots and two monument signs and visibility from both sides would allow all tenants to participate. VC/Low asked for explanation of Sign Code rationale that there should be only one monument sign rather than two. PM/Fong explained that the philosophy was that there should not be too many monument signs lined up along one stretch of street frontage. However, other properties were allowed to have an increased number of signs and the precedence had been set as a result of tenants being so far back on the property that they would not enjoy visibility from the street compared to other shopping centers where tenants were visible to street frontage. VC/Low asked if the precedent allowed a certain number of signs per frontage or was according to the number of signs. MARCH 8, 2005 Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION - PM/Fong responded that it was number of signs. She cited several examples that supported the precedent. VC/Low wanted to know if the frontage supporting the three monument signs was greater or lesser than the 400 feet of the proposed project. PM/Fong said the frontage was very similar in length and could be slightly longer than this project. Darren Murrin, The Simay Company, said that this request was made strictly to benefit the center's tenants because several tenants at the back of the center had no street visibility. In addition to the signage the water tower would be refurbished. Also, his company was looking at color schemes and was considering repainting the entire center. C/Tanaka said he was pleased that the applicant wanted to provide additional monument signs for the tenants and also said he was very happy with the design. Chair/McManus asked if each unit were divided down to the smallest possible square footage would 34 signs cover all spaces. Mr. Murrin responded that the goal was to provide a sign for all tenants even at the minimum square footage per unit. VC/Low said it was difficult to park in the center because the parking spaces were very narrow. Mr. Murrin said he would look into the parking to see if it conformed to code. CITye asked how The Simay Company would be able to accommodate 34 tenants with 32 spaces. Mr. Murrin responded that the water tower would be used to advertise a major tenant. In addition, Acapulco has its own sign and only the smaller tenants would reside on the monument signs. Signage is based on the square footage of the tenant whether they have one or two slots. Mr. Murrin explained to CITye that the holes in the water tower would be repaired prior to painting. In addition, the buildings within the centerwill be rehabilitated because the company wanted the center to be a Class "A" center. Chair/McManus opened the public hearing. Kevin Clayborne, Clayborne Hair Studio, eagerly anticipated Planning Commission approval of the project since his studio was located at the back of the center. He felt two signs were an excellent idea and would provide additional visibility for southbound traffic. MARCH 8, 2005 Page 5 PLANNING COMMISSION Chair/McManus closed the public hearing. C/Tyewould said he thought not relthe lan includedocated but i would relocating need to be renovated and would be okay if updated. Mr. Murrin acknowledged that his company would improve, redo -or eliminate the "enter" sign. CITye moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve Comprehensive Sign Program 2005-01 and Variance 2005-01, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Rall Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Tanaka, Nolan, VC/Low, Chair/McManus NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 8.1 Development Review No. 2005-01 and Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-01 (pursuant to Code Sections 22.48.020(x)(1) and 22.52) was a request to construct a first and second story addition of approximately 2,630 square feet that included livable area, two decks with patio area below to an existing two story single-family residence of approximately 2,647 square feet with a three -car garages. The Minor Variance is a request to allow a 13 -foot separation between the subject residential structure and the residential structure on a neighboring property instead of the required 15 feet. PROJECT ADDRESS: 24059 Highcrest Drive (Tract 31941, Lot 4). PROPERTY OWNER/ Ranadhira and Vyjayanthi Nayudu APPLICANT: 24059 Highcrest Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 AssocP/Lungu presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2005-01 and Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-01, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. MARCH 8, 2005 Page 6 PLANNING COMMISSION Chair/McManus said he thought it was necessary to always maintain a five- foot side yard clearance on both sides of the residence and it did not appear that the property conformed. AssocPlLungu responded that the side yard setbacks would be six feet on one side and 10 feet on the other side and that overhead shots sometimes distorted the true picture. C/Nolan said he would assume that the addition would have no impact in terms of geotechnical issues. PM/Fong said that the project was conditioned that prior to construction the applicant would provide a study to the City that the addition was safe for the property. C/Tye said that although the report indicated the City did not have records to indicate that the rear retaining walls were permitted it did not necessarily mean that permits were never issued and AssocPlLungu agreed. AssocPlLungu explained that Mr. Nayudu or the previous owner could have permits. However, the City does not have record of permits. C/Tye asked about the apparent contradiction regarding windows in the addition. AssocPlLungu explained that there were no windows in the six linear feet facing the property to the south. Randy Nayudu, applicant, said he had no presentation but would gladly answer questions. He said that the addition included approximately one thousand feet of deck making the actual addition closer to 1600 square feet. The project included addition of one downstairs bedroom and a family room as well as conversion of the formal dining room to part of the living area. CITye said he found it exciting when people chose to improve their -homes rather than move on to a larger home in a different area. C/Tanaka said he visited the property and was pleased with staffs report. Mr. Nayudu said he found it a wonderful experience dealing with the City's Planning Division and in particular, AssocP/Lungu who is very knowledgeable and helped move his project forward in a very smooth manner. Chair/McManus opened the public hearing. With no one present who wished to speak on this matter, Chair/McManus closed the public hearing. MARCH 8, 2005 Page 7 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Nolan moved, CITye seconded to approve Development Review No. 2005-01 and Minor Variance No. 2005-01, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan, Tye, Tanaka, VC/Low, . Chair/McManus NOES: COMMISSIONER& None ABS -ENT: COMMISSIONERS: None g. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS: None Offered. 10. STAFF COMMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: ACMIDeStefano reported that at its March 1 meeting the City Council approved First Reading of the bundle of Development Code changes as recommended by the Planning Commission. On March 15 the Council will approve Second Reading and the changes will become effective approximately April 15. The interim ordinance will automatically end and applications will be accepted for changes recommended by the Planning Commission and endorsed by the City council. Chair/McManus presented outgoing Chairman Nolan with a plaque commemorating his service to the Commission. F VC/Low said she understood that Council pulled the holiday decoration portion of the amendments. ACMIDeStefano explained that upon review of the City Prosecutor's proposed verbiage CA/Jenkins felt the matter of holiday lights -deserved further consideration. The City Council pulled that portion of the amendment for further consideration. C/Tye praised staff and their work on behalf of the City. Chair/McManus concurred 11. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in tonight's agenda. MARCH 8, 2005 Page 8 PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair/Nolan adjourned the meeting at 8:01 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, F1jl James DeStefano Assistant City'Manager Attest: