HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2006MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality
Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar,
California 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Lee led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Kwang Ho Lee, Kathleen Nolan, Osman
Wei, Vice Chairman Tony Torng and Chairman Steve Nelson.
Also present: Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Ann
Lungu, Associate Planner; David Alvarez, Planning Technician; Gregg Kovacevich,
Assistant City Attorney, Sandra Campbell, Contract Senior Planner; Peter
Lewandowski, City Environmental Consultant and Stella Marquez, Senior
Administrative Assistant.
2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered.
3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Presented.
4 CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes of the Workshop of October 24, 2006.
VC/Torng moved, C/Nolan seconded to approve the Minutes of October 24,
2006, Workshop as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
VC/Torng, Nolan, Wei
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
Lee, Chair/Nelson
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
4.2 Minutes of
the Regular Meeting of
October 24, 2006.
C/Lee moved, C/Wei seconded to approve the Minutes of the October 24,
2006, regular Meeting as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call
vote.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5. OLD BUSINESS:
6
7
NEW BUSINESS:
PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Lee, Wei, Nolan, VC/Torng,
Chair/Nelson
None
None
7.1 Development Review No. 2006-35 — In accordance with Development Code
Sections 22.48, 22.56 and 22.68, this was a request to add 1,920 square
feet to an existing 1,305 square foot Single Family Residence on an existing
7,118 square foot lot designated R-1 10,000 zoned parcel with a consistent
underlying General Plan Land Use designation of Low Density Residential
(RL).
PROJECT ADDRESS
PROPERTY OWNER:
693 Armitos Place
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Michael and Christine Kupke
693 Armitos Place
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
APPLICANT: Andresen Architecture, Inc.
17087 Orange Way
Fontana, CA 92335
PT/Alvarez presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission
approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-18, Findings of Fact, and
conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Nelson closed
the public hearing.
C/Lee moved, C/Nolan seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit
No. 2006-18, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the
resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Nolan, Wei, VC/Torng,
Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
7.2 Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-18 — In accordance with Development
Code Sections 22.58 and 22.42, this was a request to operate a Music
Studio within a leased space of 1,040 square feet in an existing Country Hills
Towne Center zoned C-2 (Community Commercial).
PROJECT ADDRESS
PROPERTY OWNER:
APPLICANT:
2775-A Diamond Bar Boulevard
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Country Hills DB, LLC
9595 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 214
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Ara Cho
22556 Birds Eye Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PT/Alvarez presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission
approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-18, Findings of Fact, and
conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
VC/Torng cautioned the applicant about protecting the safety of the children
during construction at the center.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
Michael Kim, applicant's representative, said he and the applicant reviewed
staff's report and concurred with the conditions of approval.
Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
CDD/Fong responded to VC/Torng that staff would closely monitor parking
issues as the shopping center developed
C/Nolan moved, C/Lee seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit
No. 2006-18, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the
resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES
NOES:
ABSENT
COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONERS
Nolan, Lee, Wei, VC/Torng,
Chair/Nelson
None
None
7.3 Conditional Use Permit No 2005-08, Development Review No. 2005-40
and Variance No. 2006-03 - In accordance with Development Code
Sections 22.58, 22.48, 22.54 and 22.42, the applications were a request to
install a telecommunications facility for one carrier. The antenna will be
attached to a faux elm tree commonly referred to as a "monoelm." A building
was proposed to house equipment needed to operate the cell site. A
Conditional Use Permit approval was required to operate the cell site; the
Development Review was a design/architectural review, and a Variance
approval was required because the monoelm was 45 feet tall exceeding the
maximum 35 foot allowed height for a structure.
PROJECT ADDRESS
PROPERTY OWNER:
Diamond Bar Center/Summitridge Park
1600 Grand Avenue
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
City of Diamond bar
21825 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
APPLICANT: Verizon
15505 Sand Canyon Road
Irvine, CA 92618
and
Cindy Leinart for Infra Next, Inc.
2200 W. Orangewood Avenue, Suite 225
Orange, CA 92868
7.4 Conditional Use Permit No 2006-03, Development Review No. 2006-16
and Variance No. 2006-05 — In accordance with Development Code
Sections 22.48, 22.48, 22.54 and 22.42, these applications were a request to
install a telecommunications facility co -locating two carriers. The antennae
will be attached to a fax elm tree commonly referred to as a "monoelm." A
building was proposed to house equipment needed to operate the cell site.
A conditional Use Permit approval was required to operate a cell site; the
Development Review was a design/architectural review, and a Variance
approval was required because the monoelm was 45 feet tall exceeding the
35 foot allowed height for a structure.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
PROJECT ADDRESS:
PROPERTY OWNER
PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION
Diamond Bar Center/Summitridge Park
1600 Grand Avenue
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
City of Diamond Bar
21825 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
APPLICANT: Lior Avraham for Nextel
310 Commerce Drive, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 90033
and
Omnipoint Communications, Inc. for
T-Mobile/Nextel
3 Imperial Promenade, Suite 1100
Santa Ana, CA 92707
AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report for Items 7.3 and 7.4 and
recommended Planning Commission approval of Conditional Use Permit
No. 2005-08, Development Review No. 2005-40 and Variance No. 2006-03,
Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution; as
well as, Planning Commission approval of Conditional Use Permit
No. 2006-03, Development Review No. 2006-16 and Variance No. 2006-05,
Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
Chair/Nelson asked if staff or the applicant had considered placing the
towers on the Diamond Bar Center building. CDD/Fong responded that even
though the Diamond Bar Center may have provided better coverage
according to the applicants, the Summitridge Park location was the preferred
location because the City did not want to adversely affect the design and
exterior of the Diamond Bar Center building.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing for Items 7.3 and 7.4.
Adan Madrid, representing Sprint/Nextel, said the application before the
Commission this evening represented over a year's worth of negotiations
between staff and the applicants to arrive at a design acceptable to the City.
It is difficult to provide service in this area because of the significant amount
of topographic relief, the mature trees and lack of uses that are not
residential. The selected location is the only alternative available to the
applicants because it is a non-residential land use and is strategically located
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION
with respect to the topography. He responded to C/Wei's question about
coverage area by displaying a map and pointing out the coverage areas
indicating the blue and red areas offered the best coverage. The black areas
offered no service. The most significant map showed current service and
coverage that would be accomplished through installation of the subject site.
He stated that his firm read staffs report and was in full agreement with the
conditions outlined in the resolution.
C/Nolan asked if the new tree growth in the park would potentially present a
future problem for service. Mr. Madrid responded that when the site was
considered that potential problem was taken into consideration. The
monoelms are located in such a way that the antennae are pointed between
trees or away from trees and would not hinder the functionality of the site.
David Takeda, 1302 Summitridge Drive, said he lives directly across from the
park and asked if the two buildings were proposed to be at Summitridge
Drive level. He and his neighbors are in favor of having cell phone service at
their homes but were somewhat concerned about the look and location of
the buildings. AssocP/Lungu pointed out that the buildings would be located
on the City's grassy area about 25 feet back from the sidewalk. Mr. Madrid
showed a photo simulation illustrating the location and design of the shelters.
Due to the proximity of the buildings to the residential neighborhood, staff
required that the applicant use building materials to match the Diamond Bar
Center for the shelters. AssocP/Lungu stated the height of the shelters was
proposed to be 13 feet. Mr. Madrid further stated that staff required the
structures to be landscaped to soften their impact.
Gurpreet Naipaul, 24249 Springwood Drive, asked if there were any health
implications with respect to the amount of energy being emitted from the site.
ACA/Kovacevich responded that the federal government pre-empts
regulation and the health effects may not be considered when rendering a
decision. Mr. Madrid referred the Commission to Section 704 of the
Telecommunications Act precluding the decision from being made based on
perceived health risks. Nevertheless, his firm takes residents' concerns
seriously and understands that unknowns generate fear. Sprint/Nextel and
other carriers have an obligation to comply with the strict standards
established by the FCC, standards established by a conglomerate of public
and private agencies. In addition, the proposed sites are well below the
safety standards. Individuals interested in obtaining non-partisan information
can log on to the FCC website www.FCC.gov.com.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 7 PLANNING COMMISSION
Chair/Nelson thanked the applicants for providing the photo simulations, an
invaluable tool in the decision-making process. He also thanked the
applicants for bringing in the sample. He said he was optimistically skeptical
about the proposal because there are hideous examples of attempts to hide
cell sites. He acknowledged that the St. Denis site was an example of how
well a cell site should disappear into its surroundings with the use of the
Italian Cyprus that tied into the Italian Cypress already existing at the
location. He asked the applicant if monooaks were available. Mr. Madrid
responded that there were many good and bad examples of trees. He said
he had never seen a monooak. However, one of his colleagues was aware
of a manufacturer that produced monooaks. There are objectives for getting
a good product for this and future tree sites and one jurisdiction that do a
very thorough review of its products is Yorba Linda. Yorba Linda requires
that applicants provide the city with a cross-section of the trees at two and
one-half foot levels at the time of application. If the Planning Commission
were inclined to proceed with this type of design his firm would be willing to
take the extra step to have the pole manufacturers provide very detailed
drawings. Chair/Nelson said he would appreciate the applicant's best effort
and trusted staff to make the final decision for the type of monopole and
landscaping to mitigate the site. Mr. Madrid said the applicant would also
offer trees with the highest branch density — 2.6 branches per linear whirl.
Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
Chair/Nelson moved, C/Wei seconded to reopen the public hearing. Without
objection, the motion was so ordered.
Chair/Nelson reopened the public hearing.
Chaing Chen, 24223 Softwind Drive, felt the project might adversely affect
the value of the homes in the immediate area due to perceived health
problems. Mr. Madrid responded that cell site owners have commissioned
property valuation studies to address concerns regarding cell sites. Because
there are so many more dominant market determining factors that eclipse
this type of issue it was found that cell sites had virtually no bearing on
property values.
Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
VC/Torng moved, C/Nolan seconded to approve Conditional Use Permit
No. 2005-08, Development Review No. 2005-40 and Variance No. 2006-03;
and, Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-03, Development Review No. 2006-16
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
PAGE 8 PLANNING COMMISSION
and Variance No. 2006-05, including amended conditions regarding the
monopoles. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS
NOES: COMMISSIONERS
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS
VC/Torng, Nolan, Lee, Wei,
Chair/Nelson
None
None
7.5 Development Review No. 2006-34— In accordance with Development Code
Section 22.48, the applicant requested approval of plans to construct a new
three-story 7,420 square foot single-family residence. The site is a prepared
vacant lot and the subject property is zoned R-1 (20,000) and contains
41,800 square feet of land area.
PROJECT ADDRESS:
PROPERTY OWNER/
APPLICANT:
3028 Windmill Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Young Pil Kim
1010 Marc Court
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report and recommended Planning
Commission approval of Development Review No. 2006-34, Findings of Fact
and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
Daniel Descanio, architect, responded to C/Lee that the landscape plans
were conceptual and the civil grading plans were more precise with respect
to the height of the walls on the property. The Section AA wall is proposed to
be five feet high and the Section CC wall is proposed to be three feet high.
C/Wei asked that the record in its entirety indicate that the proposed home is
located in "The Windmill Homeowners Association rather than "The Country
Estates Homeowners Association."
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
With no one present who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Nelson closed
the public hearing.
C/Lee moved, C/Wei seconded, to approve Development Review
No. 2006-34, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval as listed within the
resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
PAGE 9 PLANNING COMMISSION
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Wei, Nolan, VC/Torng,
Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
RECESS: Chair/Nelson recused himself from deliberating on Item 7.6, declared a
recess at 8:16 p.m. and left the dais.
RECONVENE: VC/Torng reconvened the Planning Commission meeting at 8:26 p.m.
7.6 South Pointe West Residential Development and Public Park
PROJECT ADDRESS
PROPERTY OWNER/
APPLICANT:
South of Larkstone Drive,
East of Morning Sun Avenue,
West of Brea Canyon Road and,
Northwest of Peaceful Hills Road
South Pointe West, LLC
2632 W. 237th Street, Suite 201
Torrance, CA 90505
A. Environmental Impact Report No. 2005-03 — In accordance with
CEQA guidelines, the applicant requested the Planning Commission
to consider a recommendation to the City Council for certification of
the EIR for the South Pointe West project consisting of 99 single
family units, open space areas and a neighborhood park.
The EIR covers the project site of approximately 31.28 acres, off-site
neighborhood park site of approximately 3.24 acres, and a stockpile
site of approximately 7.45 acres to be used as a potential depository
for excess earth material from the tract map area.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission hold a Public
Hearing to consider the draft EIR.
B. General Plan Amendment No. 2005-01,Specific Plan No. 2005-01
Vesting Tentative Tract No. 063623 Conditional Use Permit No
2005-01, Development Review No. 2005-27 Development
Agreement No. 2005-01, Zone Change No. 2006-03 and Tree
Permit No. 2005-06 In accordance with provisions of the Diamond
Bar Municipal Code, the applicant requested the Planning
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 10 PLANNING COMMISSION
Commission to consider a recommendation for City Council approval
of the South Pointe West project consisting of 99 single family units,
open space areas and a neighborhood park.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission hold a Public
Hearing to consider the proposed project.
CDD/Fong presented a review of the EIR and power point
presentation of the proposed project. Staff's recommendation is to
open the Public Hearing, receive public testimony and continue the
Public Hearing.
ACA/Kovacevich explained that there was additional documentation
required on the EIR and that the Planning Commission should open
the Public Hearing to allow interested residents to speak and continue
the Public Hearing with no Planning Commission deliberation.
Residents were informed that more information would be added to the
public record and concerned individuals would be invited to attend the
next Planning Commission meeting to provide testimony or submit
their concerns and questions in written form. In the meantime,
residents may contact CDD/Fong or CSP/Campbell to review
documents.
C[Wei disclosed that on October 27 he visited similar project sites
with the applicant and staff. He learned nothing more than has been
included in the packet.
C/Nolan said that on Monday she visited similar projects at two sites
with JCC and staff. At that time she learned nothing new that was not
previously disclosed in the public information.
VC/Torng stated that he visited the same two sites on November 10
with JCC and learned nothing new that was not disclosed in the public
information.
VC/Torng opened the public hearing.
Kurt Nelson, applicant, stated that because this process would not
conclude this evening he would show a few visual aids to better help
residents understand the proposed project and respond to
Commissioner's and speaker's concerns.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 11 PLANNING COMMISSION
John Coursen, 1719 Chapel Hill Drive, thanked staff for their very
courteous and responsive assistance. He said he understood that
this was a verycomplex project and also understood that the EIR was
incomplete with respect to items that could adversely affect the
surrounding areas such as the influx of many more residents and the
dense cluster of residences near Morning Sun as well as, the concern
about the safety of pedestrian traffic at and near the access point. In
addition, traffic leaving Morning Sun will cross two golf -crossing areas
on Lake Canyon Drive. Residents are very concerned about what
appears to be an incomplete study of the increased traffic. He
emphasized that the proposed project was quite different than what
had previously been studied for the area with a cluster of homes
weighted toward the Morning Sun access area to Colima Road.
James Osowski, 20551 Summertown Street, agreed with statements
made by Mr. Coursen. It is typical of the area that there are no
sidewalks and he was concerned about the safety of the children.
The concentration of children, golf cart traffic, etc., as mentioned by
Mr. Coursen are his concerns as well. He said he was also
concerned about the wildlife in the area.
Barbara Beach-Courchesne, 2021 Peaceful Hills Road, said she was
even more concerned after hearing the applicant's presentation. The
members of the Pathfinder Homeowners Association paid a premium
for their land as a result of the designated open space and they were
assured the designation was permanent. For the past 18 of the 23
years she has lived in Diamond Bar the City has led a consistent
relentless effort to remove that designation which she strongly
opposes. Four lots of the proposed project are in the Pathfinder
Community Association and her understanding was that the project
would not conform to the association's CC&R's. Does the applicant
know that the Walnut Unified School District is required to mitigate
any slippage on the Pathfinder community property, a requirement
that would fall to the applicant with property ownership? The area is
affected by several faults and she felt that building would tend to
adversely affect the land stability to an even greater extent. Far more
significant is the threat of fire to the area and potential for loss of
wildlife and pets. She expressed concerns about noise and
aesthetics and the issue of the entire project and its potential related
problems.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 12 PLANNING COMMISSION
Gail Esfahaniha, 1720 Morning Sun, said that her neighbors who
spoke before her expressed her concerns as well. She added that
she was very concerned about the potential for landslide because she
almost lost her home during the last landslide. She believed that had
there been homes on the hillside as those that are being proposed for
this project they would have fallen down on her home. The applicant
is correct that the City of Diamond Bar is very desirable and it is very
desirable because of the way the homes are currently situated and
such a dense project would, in her opinion, be better suited for San
Francisco or other beach front properties, not the City of Diamond
Bar. She also shared the concern about the increased vehicle traffic
coming down Morning Sun and the safety concerns about the
pedestrian traffic. She pleaded with the Commission to consider not
approving this project because she was very afraid to have homes on
the hillside above her house. She wanted to know who would be
responsible and liable for future landslides were this project to be
approved by the City with these concerns on the record. She said she
was also concerned about the structures not matching the style of the
homes in the area.
Luis Ortiz, 1469 Fairlance Drive said he was drawn to the area for its
good schools. After moving to the area he learned about the
landslide and was very concerned about his property that lies in the
open space of the proposed project. He said he was very concerned
about the density of the project, the heavy rain downfall and potential
future landslides. He knew that something had to be done because
even if the property were not developed the problem would not go
away. He did not agree with extra vehicles coming into the area
because of the potential safety hazard for children. He stated that
after the big earthquake in San Francisco builders decided to build
houses closer together to reinforce the soil. He thanked the applicant
for having the vision to do something about the area and whether or
not the City was willing to approve the project, someone was willing to
step up to the plate and take action for which they should be
commended. However, he was not in favor of people in a gated
community traveling into the neighboring streets. If this plan moves
forward the park should be built for everyone and not segregated for
us by people in the gated community. VC/Torng said the park would
be for public use. Mr. Ortiz said he applauded the applicant for
moving forward because he believed that once the homes and park
were built the soil would be much more stable.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 13 PLANNING COMMISSION
Ron Beacham, 1565 Black Hawk Drive, said he was concerned about
the Larkstone outlet. Black Hawk is currently a cul-de-sac and with
this project there will be a lot more traffic in his area.
Norman Beach-Courchesne said he was retired from the City of
Anaheim for 31 years. In Anaheim Hills places were extensively
landscaped and that in places the city replaced gutter, sidewalk and
major portions of the streets about every three months. He said that
when heavy buildings are built on unstable land the land would slip
even faster. The plans for Morning Star will add a lot of extra weight
to an already unstable land and there would be a lot more slippage
and damage. The streets in unincorporated Los Angeles County
leading to Morning Star are crooked and narrow, and it takes the fire
station on Pathfinder almost twice as long to get from Colima to
Morning Star as it takes them to get to Colima. When the school was
built it was supposed to include a turnaround that would go back out
to Brea Canyon Road. Traffic at Brea Canyon Road and Pathfinder
at the entrance to the school creates a traffic jam in the morning and
afternoon on school days. This project will extend that traffic into
Morning Star and other parts of Diamond Bar and create a major
catastrophe. And if there is anotherfire with new homes in the area it
will create another catastrophe in his opinion.
Michael Thomas, 20521 Shepherd Hills Road, commented that
although the park is proposed to be a public park it is on the east side
of the development. Since it is a gated community it appears that
residents on Morning Sun would not have access without going out to
Colima Road and around to the park entrance. CDD/Fong said that
Mr. Thomas was correct in his assumption.
Kurt Nelson said he appreciated the concerns and would address the
issues in more detail at the next meeting. He said that no one was
more aware of the geotechnical condition of the property than the
applicant and he believed they had not had a project more thoroughly
studied. The Morning Sun slide was never properly remedied. Over a
year ago he attended a meeting of concerned residents along
Morning Sun at a private home. He said he believed that the buckling
of the street probably would not have occurred had there not been 38
inches of rainfall. The point is, however, that any competent
developer would consider that potential and remove and re -compact
the 18 to 20 feet of unstable material. The applicant will not build
homes until the ground has a substantial factor of safety that would
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 14 PLANNING COMMISSION
allow the developers to sleep at night. Who is liable? The builder is
liable. It is completely understandable that the residents who live in
the area are concerned about the potential for earth movement and
landslides. He said that if residences were built on land above or
below other residences current code dictates that the affected
residents would be a lot safer. Frankly, the applicant intends to make
the area safer than it has ever been so that it will never slide again.
Residential development is the only area that offers potential for
money to properly mitigate such areas. He urged individuals to read
the traffic report because there were other avenues of egress. Every
residential neighborhood has children present. This project impacts
on traffic nominally at best and the fair share contributions the project
will make toward badly needed traffic improvements will improve the
situation most notably. Traffic created through residential
developments is minimal when compared to regional traffic concerns.
However, it is the residential development that puts forth the money
for traffic improvements needed to solve problems not of their making.
There are animals on the site and the biological study indicates that
they move around the area. If there are Mountain Lions present,
which he doubts, residents should be very glad that the area is going
to be cleared and the Mountain Lions will go away. There is no
regional corridor movement through the site. The homes will not
increase the fire hazard. If anything, the area will be rendered safer
from fire danger. The economic reality of the site is that if a developer
were going to develop the area in the conventional single-family 5,000
— 6,000 square foot minimum manner there would be more grading
and no contour grading and no sense of affordability. He believed
that Diamond Bar was not just for people who could afford $2-$3
million homes. He said he did not agree that the project looked like it
belonged in San Francisco nor does it look like an old single -story
ranch style home. Unless the days of cheap land return those days
are gone. However, the project offers a very attractive neighborhood
that will create 18 -acres of residual open space that would be
beautifully landscaped. He thanked all of the speakers for their
opinions and hoped that in two weeks he could satisfactorily answer
the remaining questions and concerns.
CDD/Fong said that staff would prepare to address speaker's
comments in the next staff report.
C/Nolan asked staff to address the Morning Sun traffic concerns and
provide more clarification on the Open Space restriction issue.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006 PAGE 15 PLANNING COMMISSION
VC/Torng reiterated his previous concerns: Support the data
contained in the Traffic Study; address the number of parking spaces;
CC&R's; number of bedrooms in relationship to the number of
vehicles and whether it would result in too many vehicles parked on
the street; safety of pedestrians because of only one sidewalk; view
from Morning Sun including the 18 foot retaining wall; whether or not
the 20 foot retaining wall could be reduced; provide artist's rendering
(done); tree mitigation; re -design of front entrance. VC/Torng said he
felt that after viewing other similar properties it was a good design and
that the architect was doing his best to create the best design. He felt
that if the project were to be built the developer would have to
understand the traffic impact fees, park fees and developer impact
fees. He did not hear from developer whether he was in agreement
with these items. CDD/Fong said that this project was still in the
negotiation stage. VC/Torng said that if the City really has to have
this project the development fees would be important to the
community.
C/Nolan moved, C/Lee seconded, to continue the Open Public
Hearing to November 28, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan, Lee, Wei, VC/Torng
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Nelson
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
ACA/Kovacevich stated there would be no further written public notification regarding this
matter and that speakers were invited to return for the November 28 Continued Public
Hearing and/or submit their questions/concerns in writing.
8. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
VC/Torng said he appreciated the opportunity to serve as acting Chair during
tonight's meeting and indicated he would not be present for the November 28
meeting. He thanked staff for providing prompt responses to his questions and
concerns.
NOVEMBER 14, 2006
PAGE 16 PLANNING COMMISSION
9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
9.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects.
CDD/Fong stated that Commissioners were encouraged to attend the
Economic Outlook Breakfast on Friday, November 17. Commissioners who
wish to attend should call SAA/Marquez for reservations.
Two important projects are slated for consideration on November 28 — the
South Pointe West project and the Daniel Singh project along with other
public hearing items.
10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in tonight's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission, Vice
Chairman Torng adjourned the regular meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Attest:
Respectfull Submitted,
7 �VT
Nancy Fong
Community De elopesnt Director
Steve Nelson, Chairman
Toriy Torng, Acting Chairman