HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/25/2008MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
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,
CA 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Nolan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Kwang Ho Lee, Kathy Nolan, Vice
Chairman Tony Torng, Chairman Steve Nelson.
Absent: Commissioner Jack Shah was excused.
Also present: Greg Gubman, Acting Community Development Director;
Katherine Laufenburger, Senior Planner; David Alvarez, Assistant Planner; and
Stella Marquez, Senior Administrative Assistant.
2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes of Reaular Meeting of October 14, 2008.
VC/Torng moved, C/Lee seconded to approve Consent Calendar Item 4.1 as
presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN
ABSENT:
5. OLD BUSINESS:
6. NEW BUSINESS:
7. PUBLIC HEARING:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
None
VC/Torng, Lee, Chair/Nelson
None
Nolan
Shah
7.1 Comprehensive Siqn Program No. 2008-02 — Under the authority of
Development Code Section 22.36, the applicant requested approval of a
NOVEMBER 25, 2008 PAGE 2
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Sign Program to replace the existing signs with updated awning signs, and of
establishing sign criteria for Sunset Plaza.
Project Address: 560-588 Diamond Bar Boulevard
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Property Owner: Dennis Hudson
Hudson Properties
3030 Inland Empire Boulevard
Ontario, CA 91764
AP/Alvarez presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission
approval of Comprehensive Sign Program No. 2008-02, based on the
Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed within the
resolution.
There were no ex parte disclosures.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
Dennis Hudson said it was his desire to upgrade the property with
landscaping, painting and other fix -up work, and to update the signage was
part of the improvements.
Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
C/Lee moved, C/Nolan seconded to approve Comprehensive Sign Program
No. 2008-02, based on the Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of
approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll
Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Nolan, VC/Torng, Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Shah
7.2 Development Review No. 200-17 and Minor Conditional Use Permit
No. 2008-14 — Underthe authority of Development Code Sections 22.48 and
22.56, the applicant requested approval to construct a 232.5 square foot first
floor addition and 788 square foot second floor addition to an existing single
family residence. The Minor Conditional Use Permit was requested to allow
the new second story addition to maintain the existing 6 foot 6 inch side yard
setback from the northeast side property line, providing a building separation
NOVEMBER 25, 2008 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION
of 11 foot 6 inch rather than the required 15 feet between the subject
residence and the neighboring property to the northeast.
Project Address: 3611 Crooked Creek Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Property Owner: Don and Norma Encalade
3611 Crooked Creek Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Applicant: E.J.B. Designs
3730 Tovar Way
Chino Hills, CA 91709
SP/Laufenburger presented staff's report and recommended Planning
Commission approval of Development Review No. 2008-17 and Minor
Conditional Use Permit No. 2008-14, based on the Findings of Fact, and
subject to the conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
There were no ex parte disclosures.
Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing.
Ernie Benavides, E.J.B. Designs, said the design does its best to match the
modern craftsman style character of the older portion of a two part
neighborhood. The project encroaches into the side yard requirement but
the project stays with the original line of the garage and does not encroach
into the neighbor's line -of -sight. He added that there are few windows on the
side of the structure facing the neighboring property to prevent view into the
neighbor's yard.
Chair/Nelson asked the applicant to explain the closeness of the garages
with respect to the variance on the setback. Mr. Benavides explained using
site plan visuals. Mr. Benavides responded to C/Nolan that the footprint
would remain the same.
Norma Leon-Encalade, owner, explained that this project would help her
family remain in the home and the increase in square footage would
accommodate future family growth.
Chris Jenson, 3603 Crooked Creek Road, the northeast property neighbor,
said he had lived in Diamond Bar for 25 -years and have had Don and Norma
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as neighbors for 12 -years and would like to keep them as neighbors. He and
his wife are very much in support of the proposed addition.
Chair/Nelson closed the public hearing.
C/Nolan said it was commendable that the property owner's neighbors came
to tonight's meeting to speak in favor of their neighbors and their project.
C/Nolan moved, C/Lee seconded, to approve Development Review
No. 2008-17 and Minor Conditional Use Permit 2008-14, based on the
Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed within the
resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Nolan, Lee, VC/Torng,
Chair/Nelson
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Shah
PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
C/Nolan said she missed the ethics meeting but took the online course and passed
the test.
VC/Torng wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and commended staff for their
excellent presentations. He liked the PowerPoint presentation and believed the
audience members also liked the presentation.
C/Lee thanked staff for the excellent presentations.
Chair/Nelson said he too missed the ethics meeting and will have to take the online
course as well.
STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
9.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects.
ACDD/Gubman wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and happy holiday
weekend. He reminded Commissioners they were invited to the staff holiday
dinner on December 5 at the Diamond Bar Center. In reference to the staff
members and firefighters who protected Diamond Bar during the recent
firestorm, he informed the Commission that there is a banner just outside of
the City Hall entrance for community members to sign and include thank you
messages.
NOVEMBER 25, 2008 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION
10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in tonight's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission,
Chairman Nelson adjourned the regular meeting at 7:25 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 13th day of January, 2009.
Attest:
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Gubman
Acting Community Development Director
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'Sieve Nelson, Chairman