HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/26/2005MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 26, 2005
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman McManus called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality
Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar,
California 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Tanaka led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL:
Present: Chairman Joe McManus, Vice Chairperson Ruth Low, and
Commissioners Dan Nolan, Jack Tanaka and Steve Tye.
Also present: James DeStefano, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Fong,
Planning Manager, Ann Lungu, Associate Planner, Linda Smith, Development
Services Assistant, Kimberly Molina, Assistant Engineer and Stella Marquez, Senior
Administrative Assistant.
2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCEIPUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 12, 2005.
VC/Low asked that paragraph 2 on page 5 reflect Mr. Volbeda's agreement
to relocate the tree and if that did not work that he would replace the tree at a
3:1 ratio.
C/Nolan moved, C[Tanaka seconded to approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of April 12, 2005, as amended. Motion carried by the following Roll
Call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
5. OLD BUSINESS: None
Nolan, Tanaka, Tye, VC/Low,
Chair/McManus
None
None
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
6. NEW BUSINESS: None
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S):
7.1 Development Review No. 2005-10 and Minor Conditional Use Permit
No. 2005-08 — In accordance with Diamond Bar Municipal Code
Sections 22.48, 22.56 and 22.68, this was a request to remodel and
construct an approximate 1460 square foot two-story addition and 208
square foot balcony/patio cover at the rear of the existing 1,338 livable
square foot, two story, legal nonconforming single family residence with a
two car garage. A Minor Conditional Use Permit approval was requested to
allow the continuation of legal nonconforming front yard setback distances.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1712 Fern Hollow Drive (Lot 206, Tract 28579)
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PROPERTY OWNER:
Linda Chuan
1712 Fern Hollow Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
APPLICANT: Thomas Chuan
2233 Alexdale Lane
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
DSA/Smith presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission
approval of Development Review No. 2005-10 and Minor Conditional Use
Permit No. 2005-08, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed
within the resolution.
Thomas Chuan, applicant, said he read staff's report and concurred with the
conditions of approval.
Chair/McManus opened the public hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this item, Chair/McManus
closed the public hearing.
C/Tye moved, VC/Low seconded, to approve Development Review
No. 2005-10 and Minor Conditional Use Permit No, 2005-08, Findings of
Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried
by the following Roll Call vote:
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Tye, VC/Low, Nolan, Tanaka,
Chair/McManus
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
7.2 Development Review No. 2005-11 and Minor Conditional Use Permit
No. 2005-04 — In accordance with Diamond Bar Development Code
Sections 22.48.020(x), 22.30.080(5) and 22.58.010, this was a request to
construct a two story, single family residence of approximately 10,629 gross
square feet including balconies, covered patio, porch, and attached four car
garage. The Minor Conditional Use Permit was for a driveway wider than the
maximum 14 feet allowed at the street property line.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 3139 Windmill Drive (Lot 9, Tract 50314)
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PROPERTY OWNER/ Windmill Estates, LLC
APPLICANT: 3480 Torrance Boulevard, Suite 300
Torrance, CA 90503
AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report and recommended Planning
Commission approval of Development Review No. 2005-11 and Minor
Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-04, Findings of Fact, and conditions of
approval as listed within the resolution.
Kurt Nelson, applicant, thanked staff for the thorough and complimentary
report.
Chair/McManus opened the public hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this item, Chair/McManus
closed the public hearing.
C/Tanaka moved, C/Nolan seconded, to approve Development Review
No. 2005-11 and Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-04, Findings of
Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried
by the following Roll Call vote:
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Tanaka, Nolan, Tye, VC/Low,
Chair/McManus
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
7.3 Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-03 and Development Review
No. 2005-16 was a request to construct a Target Store approximately
130,000 square feet on 10.63 acres of land in the Diamond Bar Village
Specific Plan area located at the southeast corner of Grand Avenue and
Golden Springs Road.
PROJECT ADDRESS. Southeast corner of Grand Avenue and Golden
Springs Road (APN 8293-045-006 through 009)
PROPERTY OWNER: Hidden Manna Corporation
22324 Golden Springs Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
APPLICANT: Kareem Ali
Target Corporation
1000 Nicolett Mall, TPN -12F
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
and
Greenberg Farrow
15101 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 200
Tustin, CA 92780
ACM/DeStefano and PM/Fong presented staff's report and recommended
Planning Commission approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-03 and
Development Review No. 2005-16, Findings of Fact, and conditions of
approval as listed within the resolution as amended.
At the request of C/Nolan, PM/Fong pointed out on the overhead the portions
of the Target front facade that replicated the architectural features of the
Diamond Bar Center.
PM/Fong responded to VC/Low, for example, rich hardscape refers to
interlocking concrete pavers and integral color concrete with texture
pavement that could be scored in a diamond pattern. The public sidewalk
turns into a pedestrian walkway that travels through the mall area. Along the
pedestrian walkway there will be light fixtures, plantings, trash receptacles
and other site furniture.
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 5 PLANNING COMMISSION
VC/Low was concerned about sufficient parking for the church and adjacent
businesses during Sunday morning church services. PM/Fong explained that
parking requirements for each site were independent of one another. There
are 865 parking spaces for Calvary Chapel only and 615 parking spaces for
Target and the two pads, both within the required number.
ACM/DeStefano responded to VC/Low that the contract for street
improvements was about $2.2 million. The developer's contribution was
about $1.3 million some of which was for direct improvements such as the
Grand Avenue and Golden Springs widening and signals. Some of the $1.3
million was for downstream improvements such as improvements that might
be needed at Brea Canyon Road at Golden Springs, for example. The retail
developer's portion of the $1.3 million was about $400-500,000.
C/Tanaka asked if the height of the retaining wall near the store tower would
be 40 feet. PM/Fong pointed out on the overhead the location of the retaining
wall at its highest anticipated point and indicated that it graduated to about
4 feet at Grand Avenue. In addition, there should be sufficient landscaping to
obscure the high retaining wall.
C/Tye asked PM/Fong about parking options such as multi-level parking and
cutting into the hillside to create additional space and whether this was
applicable only to the Calvary Chapel project. PM/Fong said that the Master
Plan showed both the Target and Calvary Chapel future project and included
an indication of additional parking. During a recent meeting with Calvary
Chapel the pastor hinted that they would not be cutting into the slope.
However, the Church could increase the capacity with the parking deck.
In response to Chair/McManus, PM/Fong detailed the pedestrian circulation
pattern within the center using the overhead project drawings. She confirmed
that there was no pedestrian walkway between the two stores facing Golden
Springs Drive. The main entrance that serves Target also serves the
condominiums.
VC/Low asked if it was possible to move the kiosk allowing for a separate
entrance from the pedestrian walkway. PM/Fong suggested that VC/Low
direct her question to the Target representatives.
C/Nolan asked if staff had a projection of sales tax revenue. ACM/DeStefano
responded that retail sales revenues from Target were projected to be in the
range of $300,000 to $800,000 to the local city. Due to demographics, staff
believes this would be an above average producing store. Staff's original
target projection for this location was $500,000 per year. The only ongoing
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 6 PLANNING COMMISSION
expense perceived as related to this project and borne by the City would be
for emergency services. In theory the employees of the facility would utilize
local educational facilities and also in theory larger employers participate in
local pay as you go recreation programs.
Kareem Ali, Target Corporation, thanked staff for the excellent presentation
and stated that Target was extremely enthusiastic about locating in Diamond
Bar and was very proud of the project that Target and staff put before the
Commission this evening. Target is well known for branding its products and
now attempts to brand the exterior and site to provide extra landscape and
architectural enhancements to create a special shopping experience for the
store's guests. In response to VC/Low, Mr. Ali stated that Target typically
provides Starbuck's inside the store and in this case the store plans are
designed from the inside out. Target created an area for Starbuck's next to
the entryway glazing so that guests of Starbuck's could view the interior and
exterior activity. It would not be possible to move Starbuck's to the other side
because that is the location of the stockroom. The raceway inside the store
allows guests to circulate in a pattern typical to Target.
C/Tye asked how successful Target was in a standalone unit. Mr. Ali
responded that in his opinion, Target was a destination use. Tenants and
other uses want to be adjacent to Target because Target is the major draw
and the adjacent businesses benefit. Target would not be so excited about
Diamond Bar if it believed the store would not do well and Target expects to
do a good sales volume.
C/Nolan asked if there had been consideration of a "Super" Target at the
Diamond Bar site. Mr. Ali said that currently there are no super stores in
California. Typically, a "Super" Target is about 165,000 square feet and this
site presents geographic restraints that allowed Target to barely squeeze in
the 128,000 square foot store.
VC/Low said that the Planning Commission was moving forward to bring art
to the City and that many commercial developments in other cities were
decorated with nice pieces of sculpture or structural art pieces. She
wondered if Target would consider participating in this program in Diamond
Bar. Mr. All said he would look into the possibility and stated that the Target
CEO was very much into the arts. Mr. Ali said he was concerned about
available space near the store but reiterated that he would look into the
possibility. Mr. Ali also stated that Target is very philanthropic and donates
about $2 million a week to non-profit organizations across the country.
Chair/McManus opened the public hearing.
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 7 PLANNING COMMISSION
John O'Brien, Brookfield Homes, said that Brookfield was excited about
Target coming to Diamond Bar as well as other improvements that would
take place below the development.
Darrin McCleve, Vice President, New Community and Retail Development for
Lewis Operating Corp. thanked staff and the Planning Commissioners for
their efforts on this project and he thanked the City of Diamond Bar and
those who have supported the development. He said he hoped to come
before the Planning Commission within a month to formalize the residential
project.
Chair/McManus closed the public hearing.
C/Tye said it was exciting to have representatives from Target, Lewis and
Brookfield Homes appear before the Commission and say they were excited
about doing business in Diamond Bar. This opportunity presented a
significant change for Diamond Bar and it was exciting to have a national
retailer find an opportunity in Diamond Bar's demographics in spite of being
in close proximity to other Target stores.
Chair/McManus echoed C/Tye's sentiments.
C/Tye moved, C/Tanaka seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit
No. 2005-03 and Development Review No. 2005-16, Findings of Fact, and
conditions of approval as listed within the draft resolution as modified. Motion
carried by the following Rall Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Tye, Tanaka, Nolan, VC/Low,
Chair/McManus
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
S. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS:
C/Tanaka congratulated the City on its excellent Sweet 16th Birthday celebration.
C/Tye asked why the total Building and Safety valuation for the month was
significantly below the 2004 figure and why the fiscal year valuation was down from
$23 million to $21.5 million. ACM/DeStefano responded "the rain."
C/Nolan thanked staff for the well-prepared Target presentation. It was easy to get
through and made very good sense to him. He also appreciated the opportunity to
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 8 PLANNING COMMISSION
attend the Planners Institute Seminar and especially the sign ordinance
presentation that validated everything that CA/Jenkins had told the City for a
number of years.
VC/Low thanked staff for making it possible to attend the Planners Institute
Conference. She liked the format with the longer sessions and felt that the topics
were very timely. She sensed in speaking with the other Commissioners that there
was an excitement on the Commission about moving forward with a fresh look at
the City and she felt certain that a part of the energy was coming from the Target
development. She suggested a forum with the Council and other Commissions to
talk about a direction and vision for Diamond Bar.
Chair/McManus said that he had been in the community for several years and itwas
a good feeling to see the City begin to click and attract a Target and other projects
that would benefit the community. He congratulated and thanked staff for their
efforts. Chair/McManus echoed VC/Low's sentiments that having learned a number
of things at the Planners Institute Conference the Commission had certain matters
that they would like to discuss and as a result PM/Fong was making a presentation
on Form Based Development Codes.
8.1 Form Based Development Code.
PM/Fong reported that staff had not yet had an opportunity to research this
topic. However, based on information received from the Commissioners staff
would commence to look into a form based code and report back to the
Commission.
Chair/McManus said he had several questions about the form based code.
One question was about the form of ownership because if there was mixed-
use there would be common area maintenance, therefore, who would be
responsible. He felt that form based code was an excellent way to control the
development of a city and make it a more pedestrian -friendly community. In
the event of adoption it would most likely necessitate some rewrite of the
General Pian. He pointed out his understanding that Azusa was a full-blown
form based code City. PM/Fong said staff would contact Azusa and get a
copy of its draft development code. CITye said that the development code
was available online at www.formbasecodes.org
Chair/McManus reminded the Commissioners that the Friends of the Library
would hold its Wine Soiree on Sunday, May 1.
APRIL 26, 2005 Page 9 PLANNING COMMISSION
9. STAFF COMMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
ACMIDeStefano thanked the Commissioners for their work in implementing the
Economic Development goals of the City. City Council established the goals about
two years ago and the primary focus was on the few remaining large vacant sites in
the City. The Target project was now on its way toward construction by the end of
this summer with a targeted opening date of July 2006 and when opened it would
be the major new project in this portion of the San Gabriel Valley and would serve
as a magnet for residents who drive five and 10 miles in other directions to visit
Target. Target will also present a new gateway into the City. Target took great steps
to work with staff to create a unique setting for the City and staff appreciates their
consideration. Target will be a catalyst for other developments in the City because
as Mr. Ali indicated, everyone wants to be near a target. In addition, this project
should assist staff with other projects in Diamond Bar. The next focus is getting a
good quality restaurant at the corner of Grand and Golden Springs. This project will
also pressure Kmart to move forward with redevelopment of its store. Kmart is a
lessee and the property owner has been anxious to do something with the site. The
Target project is a major step toward achieving the City's major economic
development goals and providing a sustainable income to the City as well as
providing the impetus toward completing other goals in the community.
11. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in tonight's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission,
Chair/Nolan adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
pe
Jahze,§ DeStefano
Assistant City M nager