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Home My WebLink About9/26/2006MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Torng led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Kwang Ho Lee, Tony Tomg, Osman Wei and Vice -Chairman Steve Nelson. Also present: Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Ann Lungu, Associate Planner; Gregg Kovacevich, Assistant City Attorney 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 Regular Meeting of September 12, 2006. C/Torng said he wanted the minutes to contain the discussion following close of the Public Hearing and vote (see Page 3) because in his opinion, the discussion was important. He asked if VC/Nelson agreed and VC/Nelson said there was discussion about the appropriateness of the amount of money given the pro rata square footage impact conditions and a little bit more discussion would have been good. However, proceedings are available to the public on tape and he felt the gist of the conversation was covered in the minutes. VC/Nelson asked what points C/Torng wanted in the minutes. C/Torng said that the vote spoke to the minds of the Commissioners so he felt this time it was satisfactory and suggested that in the future the minutes not eliminate too much of the discussion. SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Torng moved, C/Lee seconded to approve the Minutes of September 12, 2006, with C/Torng's comments. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5. OLD BUSINESS: 6. NEW BUSINESS: 7. COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: COMMISSIONERS: None None Torng, Lee, Wei, VC/Nelson None None CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS: 7.1 Development Review No. 2006- 20 and Conditional Use Permit 2006-07 - In accordance with Sections 22.42 and 22.48 of the City of Diamond Bar Development Code the applicant requested approval of plans to construct roof mounted wireless communications facilities and equipment cabinets, as well as various surface mounted antennas on the existing Holiday Inn. The site is fully developed with a multi -story hotel. The subject property consists of 3.5 -acres of land. (Continued from August 8, 2006) PROJECT ADDRESS: 21725 E. Gateway Center Drive (Holiday Inn Select) Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER/ Oak Creek, LTD. Partnership 21725 E. Gateway Center Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APPLICANT: Royal Street, LLC Maree Hoeger, Project Manager 350 Commerce, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92601 CDD/Fong reported that the applicant obtained approval from the Gateway Association Board, which is the reason for the prior continuances. CDD/Fong presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2006-20 and Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-07, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION VC/Nelson re -opened the public hearing. Maree Hoeger, Project Manager, stated that the applicant read staff's report and concurred with the conditions of approval for the project. VC/Nelson closed the public hearing. There were no Commissioner disclosures. VC/Nelson said this was exactly what he needed to make a sound decision on this matter and he congratulated staff for the analysis. C/Lee moved, C/Wei seconded to approve Development Review No. 2006-20 and Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-07, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Wei, Torng, VC/Nelson NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 8.1 Development Review No. 2004-12(1) — In accordance with Sections 22.48 and 22.66.050 of the Diamond Bar Development Code, the applicant requested a one-year extension -of -time approval to begin construction on the previously approved two-story, single family residence of approximately 3,864 gross square feet including balcony and two car garage and, a site retaining wall with a maximum six foot exposed height. PROJECT ADDRESS: 1196 Chisholm Trail Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER/ Narinder and Aasha Kumar APPLICANT: 13535 Flatbush Avenue Norwalk, CA 90650 CDD/Fong presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2004-12(1), a one-year extension -of - time to begin construction subject to compliance with all terms and conditions of Planning Commission Resolution No. 2004-30 as listed within the resolution. SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Torng asked that when we give our applicants the time schedule, is there a simple process that applicant can follow — process timing? CDD/Fong responded to C/Torng that when the project is approved the Resolution spells out the approval time and grants the applicant the opportunity to request an extension. It is up to the applicant/property owner to comply with the expiration of the approval in order to be granted a time extension. VC/Nelson opened the public hearing. Narinder Kumar, applicant, reiterated his request for an extension. VC/Nelson closed the public hearing. C/Wei moved, C/Torng seconded to approve Development Review No. 2004-12(1), a one year extension -of -time to begin construction subject to compliance with all terms and conditions of Planning Commission Resolution No. 2004-30 as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Wei, Torng, Lee, VC/Nelson None None g. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: C/Wei stated that the Environmental Impact Report (for the JCC Project) is really extensive and detailed. He spent four hours after he received the information. He had some questions and did not have the list with him today. He said he would work with the Planning Department to get his questions answered. C/Lee stated that in his last meeting he read the traffic contribution fee not correctly and he apologized for making his intention difficult for his colleagues and staff to understand. He said that the next time he would read more carefully not to make any more mistakes. C/Torng said the (JCC Project) EIR was very difficult to read. C/Torng also reported that he had received several phone calls from residents who expressed to him that the permit process was difficult to work through with staff. He SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION acknowledged that part of the difficulty may have been a language problem and mentioned the matter hoping that staff would make improvements in the process. 10. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. 10.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects CDD/Fong proposed placing on the agenda a training workshop for 6:00 p.m. on October 10, 2006, to discuss the CEQA process, the EIR and how it would tie-in to the JCC Project. The workshop is for informational purposes only. There will be no actions taken and no conclusions discussed during the informational workshop. The Commission is invited to arrive for the workshop at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. CDD/Fong reported that there were several public hearing items scheduled for the October 10 agenda. C/Torng mentioned that C/Wei would be absent on October 10, 2006, for the workshop but he recalled that the Commission did not have to have a quorum. CDD/Fong said there was not a quorum requirement for the workshop. Responding to C/Torng's concerns about the City's handling of the permit process, CDD/Fong offered to explain the very user-friendly process to C/Torng during a private meeting with staff. She acknowledged there might be a language problem. However, staff makes every attempt to assist the applicants in an appropriate and friendly manner. VC/Nelson asked if the City was able to provide translation. CDD/Fong responded that several staff members speak other languages and provide translation from time to time. VC/Nelson said that during his numerous years of serving on the Planning Commission he could not recall that one applicant had commented negatively about staff. However, C/Torng's comment is well taken. C/Lee said he heard a lot of things about the permit process in the City of Diamond Bar, which is really good compared to other cities. He has a personal problem with another City. It took nine months for one small grading plan. He thought the main problems for other cities was not the process or language but that other cities do not share the same concern for applicants that is enjoyed by Diamond Bar applicants. 11. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in tonight's agenda SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission, Vice Chairman Nelson adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m. Attest: Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Fong Community D S't'eve Nelson, Vice Chairman Director