HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/12/2007MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Torng called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Lee led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Kwang Ho Lee, Kathleen Nolan, Osman Wei and Vice Chairman Tony Torng. Chairman Steve Nelson was excused. Also present: Nancy Fong, Community Development; Ann Lungu, ,Associate Planner; Linda Smith, Development Services Associate; David Alvarez, Planning Technician; Brad Wohlenberg, Assistant City Attorney; and Stella Marquez, Senior Administration Assistant. 2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As Submitted 4. CONSENT CALENDAR: VC/Torng said his comments under No. 8 were too brief and did not reflect Chair/Nelson's concurrence; and, he wanted his comments about the "typo" in staffs report on Agenda Item 7.1 regarding the number of homes to be 151 instead of 150 to be reflected in the minutes. He said he hoped it would not happen again that his comments were left out of the minutes. C/Lee moved, C/Wei seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as corrected. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Wei, VC/Torng NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Nelson 5. OLD BUSINESS: None JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION 6. NEW BUSINESS: 6.1 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR CONFORMITY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007/08. DSA/Smith presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission adoption of a Resolution finding the proposed 2007-2008 fiscal improvement program in conformance with the City's General Plan. C/Lee wanted to make sure the closed circuit system was CCTV and not red light cameras. CDD/Fong responded that they were not red light cameras and that this allocation was to synchronize the signals. C/Lee said there would be six cameras and an individual to monitorthe system and he wanted to know if there was an allocation for the project. CDD/Fong said she believed there was a grant from Los Angeles County and the City had an office set aside to house the equipment with an individual monitoring the system. VC/Torng asked for public comment. There were no comments offered. VC/Torng asked for Planning Commission discussion. C/Nolan moved, C/Lee seconded to adopt a Resolution finding the proposed 2007-2008 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Program in conformance with the City's General Plan recommending approval to City Council. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan Lee, Wei, VC/Torng NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Nelson 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 7.1 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW NO. 2007-16 — In accordance with Code Section 22.48, the applicant requested to construct a one-story addition of approximately 1,430 square feet to an existing one-story single-family residence of approximately 2,086 square feet with a three -car garage. The request also included two retaining walls with an exposed height of six feet each to be located in the rear yard. JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION PROJECT ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER: APPLICANT: 24246 Delta Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Steve T. Kou 24246 Delta Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Larry Casarez 1433, Deerfoot Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 AssocP/Lungu presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2007-16, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. C/Wei said one of the documents was date stamped 2007 May 32nd VC/Torng opened the public hearing. Steve Kou, owner, explained he wanted a room addition to accommodate his growing family and provide them with a safe environment. C/Nolan disclosed she drove by the project, did not speak with anyone and did not learn any information that was not included in staffs report. VC/Torng closed the public hearing. C/Lee moved, C/Nolan seconded, to approve Development Review No. 2007-16, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Nolan Wei, VC/Torng NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Nelson 7.2 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW NO. 2007-14 — In accordance with Development Code Section 22.48, the applicant requested to construct a 1,923 square foot addition to an existing 1,728 square foot single family residence on an existing 5,998 lot zoned R -A-6000 with a consistent underlying General Plan Land Use designation of Low -Medium Density Residential (RM). JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION CDD/Fong recommended the Planning Commission continue Development Review No. 2007-14 to the June 26, 2007, meeting because the Planning Department needed to properly re -advertise the item. VC/Torng asked what he should do at this point because there were a lot of speakers. CDD/Fong asked if speakers could attend the June 26, 2007, Planning Commission meeting. A speaker said he was advised that this would be held over for the next meeting and because of that he sent home the majority of the people who were going to speak in opposition to the project and said he felt it would be a very busy June 26 meeting. VC/Torng asked CDD/Fong if the speaker's comments should be put on the record. ACA/Wohlberg said that generally, what the Commission has done in the past is if somebody is here and believes he will be unable to attend the next meeting the public hearing is opened in order to have speakers put their testimony on the record and continue the hearing to the designated date. VC/Torng said for the speaker to limit his comments to five minutes. The speaker said he was not prepared to speak at this time and would prefer to wait until the 26th when the rest of the speakers would be present to speak. VC/Torng said he appreciate it, apologized for the delay and asked the speaker to please come back and thanked all of the residents for their understanding and asked the Commission to move to the next item. CDD/Fong reminded VC/Torng that the Commission would have to motion continuance to the next meeting. C/Wei moved, C/Lee to continue Development Review No. 2007-14 to June 26, 2007. Motion approved by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: C/Wei, Lee, Nolan, VC/Torng NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Nelson JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION 7.3 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW NO. 2007-05 MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2007-01 AND VARIANCE 2007-09 — In accordance with Sections 22.48, 22.54, and 22.56 the applicant requested to construct a 5,382 livable square foot and a 528 square foot detached garage addition to an existing 2,823 square foot single family residence on an existing 89,472 square foot lot zone R1-40,000 with a consistent underlying General Plan Land Use designation of Rural Residential (RR); Minor Conditional Use Permit for the continuation of a legal non -conforming front yard setback, and a Variance for encroaching into the front yard setback. PROJECT ADDRES: PROPETY OWNERS 2026 Rusty Spur Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Vishal and Puja Kaushal 2026 Rusty Spur Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APPLICANT: Pete Volbeda Architecture 615 N. Benson Avenue, Suite C Upland, CA 91786 PT/Alvarez presented staff s report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. 2007-05, Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-01, and Variance 2007-09, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. VC/Torng asked for ex -parte disclosures. C/Nolan said she visited the site, did not speak with anyone and did not learn any new information. VC/Torng opened the public hearing and invited the owner or representative of the owner. Vishal Kaushal, property owner, said he was trying to get the house in par with the rest of the houses in "The Country Estates" which he felt would improve the property value and the neighborhood. He asked for Commission approval. VC/Torng closed the public hearing. JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Nolan moved, C/Lee seconded, to approve Development Review No. 2007-05, Minor Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-01 and Variance 2007-09, Findings of Fact, and conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: Nolan, Lee, Wei, VC/Torng None Chair/Nelson 8. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: VC/Torng said it was fun chairing the Commission this evening. He thanked staff for very good reports. He said a resident called to complain about the street cleaner not using water to clean the street. CDD/Fong asked VC/Torng to email him the information and she would forward it to the Public Works Division. He asked for an update on the AERA project. 9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. 9.1 Public Hearing dates for future proiects. CDD/Fong reported that the information given to the Commission regarding the AERA project was for informational purposes only. At this time the City has only contracted for preparation of an Environmental Report, which is not yet completed and may not be ready for public review for several months. The City held a scoping meeting on May 16 that was well attended by over 200 individuals from Diamond Bar and surrounding communities. All comments received during the scoping meeting will be forwarded to the consultant for inclusion in the EIR. This matter is in its very early stage of the review process. CDD/Fong stated that the Planning Commission is invited to attend Kaiser's groundbreaking on June 19 at 3:30 at the site on Copley and Bridgegate. Commissioners planning to attend are asked to send CDD/Fong an email so that she can advise Kaiser the number of attendees. 10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in tonight's agenda. JUNE 12, 2007 PAGE 7 PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission, VC/Tomg adjourned the regular meeting at 7:42 p.m. Attest: Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Fong, TorngMice C airman nity Development Director