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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/11/2008MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 11, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Torng led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED PLANNING COMMISSIONERS — Administered by Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Kwang Ho Lee, Kathleen Nolan, Jack Shah, Vice Chairman Tony Torng and Chairman Steve Nelson. Also present: Nancy Fong, Community Development Director; Greg Gubman, Planning Manager; and Stella Marquez, Senior Administrative Assistant. 3. REORGANIZATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: Commissioner Nolan nominated Commissioner Nelson to serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Shah seconded the nomination. Roll Call vote: Nolan Yes Shah Yes Lee No Torng No Nelson Yes By a vote of 3-2, Commissioner Nelson was elected to serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/Lee nominated Commissioner Torng to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. C/Nolan seconded the nomination. MARCH 11, 2008 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION Roll Call vote: Lee Yes Nolan Yes Shah Yes Torng Yes Chair/Nelson Yes By a vote of 5-0, Commissioner Torng was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. 4. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR: 6.1 Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 26, 2008. C/Lee moved, C/Shah seconded to approve the February 26, 2008, Minutes as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Lee, Nolan, Shah, VC/Tomg, Chair/Nelson NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 7. OLD BUSINESS: None. 8. NEW BUSINESS: None 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 9.1 Development Review No. 2007-37 — Under the authority of Development Code Section 22.48, the applicant requested approval for a one-story addition of approximately 1,540 square feet to an existing one-story residence of approximately 1,640 square feet plus a two -car garage. PROJECT ADDRESS: 23827 Palomino Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 MARCH 11, 2008 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION PROPERTY OWNER Jesus G. Garay 23828 Palomino Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APPLICANT: Phil Munguia Concept Design 2000 Group 39924 Willow Bend Drive Murrieta, CA 92563 PM/Gubman presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission of Development Review No. 2007-37, Findings of Fact, subject to conditions of approval listed within the resolution. C/Nolan asked who was responsible for posting the public notice sign in front of the project because it was poorly constructed. PM/Gubman responded that it was the applicant's responsibility for installing or having the sign installed. Staff provides a list of sign companies and the applicant decides whether to employ a service or construct a sign. CDD/Fong said that staff could do a better job monitoring the signs to the City's standards. C/Nolan said she drove by the project site. Chair/Nelson opened the public hearing. Phil Munguia, applicant, said the owners paid to have the sign done. He had not personally seen the sign, apologized for its condition and said he would see to its repair. Mary Wilson, 23817 Palomino Drive, asked why a letter was sent to her asking for her opinion about a house that would be larger than the homes in the area when it was already a done deal because the project had been approved. Chair/Nelson responded that it was not a "done deal." The staff makes its recommendation on an objective basis in accordance with the City's Development Code. Residents' input to the Planning Commission is very important because it is ultimately the responsibility of the Planning Commission to approve or reject the project. Mrs. Wilson said she was concerned about the addition encroaching on her privacy and wondered how many feet the project could project into the front MARCH 11, 2008 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION yard area. Chair/Nelson responded to the speaker that the zoning requirements call for a 20 foot setback, and the proposal is in compliance with this standard. C/Nolan asked Mrs. Wilson on which side of the project she resided and who was responsible for the damaged fence between the two properties. Mrs. Wilson said that previous residents installed the fence. Mr. Munguia stated that the project proposes to be compatible with other homes in the area. The house has suffered significant termite damage and the owner is trying to improve the home. During the design phase Mr. Munguia proposed a simple design for the front of the house and the Planning Department requested that the project enhance the front roofline. He said he would be glad to explain the proposed project to the neighbor. VC/Torng asked if the project included windows on the neighbor's side of the property as she asked. After some discussion, Mr. Munguia agreed to remove a bedroom window and provide only a 3x5 bathroom window on the adjoining property side. C/Shah said he was pleased to see neighbors working together. VC/Torng moved, C/Shah seconded, to approve Development Review No. 2007-37, Findings of Fact and conditions of approval listed within the resolution, with additional revisions to window locations subject to review and approval by the Planning Director. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT COMMISSIONERS: VC/Torng, Shah, Lee, Nolan Chair/Nelson None None 10. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: C/Shah said he hoped the Commission would discuss more about the issue of reorganization of the Planning Commission. He said he was pleased with the current situation and feels that Chair/Nelson has an excellent style of running the meeting and that VC/Torng has done an excellent job running the meetings in the Chair's absence. He congratulated Chair/Nelson and VC/Torng and fellow Commissioners on their reappointments. MARCH 11, 2008 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSION C/Lee congratulated Chair/Nelson and VC/Torng. He said that the reason behind his nomination of Tony Torng as Chair was that he believes that all humans make mistakes and can learn from those mistakes and that all humans should be encouraged. He believes that all human beings are different while sharing many common things. He strongly believes that Tony Torng has different characteristics and is an independent thinker and would be able to assume the chairmanship. C/Nolan congratulated Chair/Nelson and VC/Torng and said that no disrespect was intended with her nomination of Chair/Nelson. She felt that because the Planning Commission had a big year coming up and with her experience on the Planning Commission she felt sure that any of the Commissioners could fall into the role of leadership but that continuity would best serve the Commission. VC/Torng congratulated Chair/Nelson and said it was an honor to again serve as Vice Chairman. He said he would continue to learn, said he was proud to work with his colleagues and staff and thanked everyone for their support. Chair/Nelson said that in events of his absence or recusals, he has the highest level of comfort in having VC/Torng at the helm. 11. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 9.1 Public Hearing dates for future proiects. 9.2 Status of Diamond Bar Boulevard/Brea Canyon Road (Site D) Specific Plan. CDD/Fong reminded Commissioners that Commission training night would be held on Wednesday, March 19 led by City Attorney Mike Jenkins. Refreshments will be provided at 5:30 following by training commencing at 6:30 p.m. She encouraged all Commissioners to attend. CDD/Fong referred the Commissioners to the status update reportfor Site D contained within their packets. VC/Torng asked if the plan included 202 units and had this plan been completed. CDD/Fong responded that there is no detailed analysis. Sometimes in order to commence the environmental review process certain estimates must be completed to indicate the maximum number of potential units. For example, 200 units were proposed under the specific plan for the MARCH 11, 2008 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION Target/Brookfield Homes project. However, Brookfield proposed only 180 units as justification for ratio of land to homes. She felt there would be a similar number of units proposed for Site D that were proposed for the Brookfield site. VC/Torng asked which pad was designated for housing and which pad was designated for commercial. CDD/Fong used the overhead map to explain the proposed layout and responded to VC/Torng that the lower commercial pad would combine the City and County properties with the School District property. CDD/Fong responded to C/Lee that the commercial pad would be about 10 feet above street level grade in some areas. The other two pads would increase to about 20 or 30 feet above street grade. Chair/Nelson felt that landscaping for the slopes would be extremely important. Case in point regarding earlier comments about VC/Torng is that Chair/Nelson would have to recuse himself from this project because his company is involved in the Site D project. CDD/Fong presented a min design workshop, and showed the Commissioners renderings of a typical shopping center and explained the development in the eyes of the developer, tenants and city staff. 12. 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 8:04 p.m. Attest: Respectfully Submitted, mmurk Development Director Steve Nelson, Chairman