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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 05 (1990)ORDINANCE NO. 5 (1990) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 22.72 TO TITLE 22 OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE, AS HERETOFORE ADOPTED, PERTAINING TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND REPEALING ORDINANCES NOS. 11(1989), 11A(1989), 15(1989) AND 15A(1989) AS HERETOFORE ADOPTED. A. Recitals. (i) On March 12, 1990, the Planning Commission of the City of Diamond Bar conducted a duly noticed public hearing, as required by law, pertaining to the establishment of a Development Review Procedure for specified projects within the City, as set forth in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. (ii) Upon conclusion of the hearing described in paragraph A.(i), above, the Planning Commission adopted its Resolution No. PC 90 - 3 , recommending to this Council the adoption of the amendment to the Los Angeles County Code, as heretofore adopted, set forth in Exhibit "A". (iii) On March 20, 1990, this City Council conducted and concluded a duly noticed public hearing, as required by law, concerning the amendment to the Los Angeles County Code, as heretofore adopted, set forth in Exhibit "A". (iv) All legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred. B. Ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar does hereby find, determine and ordain as follows: 1 Section 1: In all respects as set forth in the Recitals, Part A., of this Ordinance. Section 2: The City Council hereby finds and determines that it can be seen with certainty that adoption of this Ordinance cannot have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, adoption hereof is not subject to the requirements of the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of Division 6 of Title 4 of the California Code of Regulations. Section 3: Immediately upon this Ordinance becoming effective, Ordinances No. 11(1989) and 15(1989), as amended and the effect thereof extended by Ordinances No. 11A(1989) and 15A(1989), respectively, shall be repealed and and of no further force and effect. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this Section 3, any application filed on or after January 1, 1990 pursuant to the requirements of Ordinance 11(1989), 11A(1989), 15(1989) and 15A(1989), or any of them, shall be deemed to be an application for development review hereunder and the proponent thereof shall be required to comply with the requirements of this Ordinance. t o 1: A new Chapter 22.72 hereby is added to Title 22 of the Los Angeles'County Code, as heretofore adopted, to read, in words and figures, as set forth in Exhibit "A" hereto which, by this reference, is incorporated as though fully set forth herein. 2 Section P: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be posted in three (3) public places within the City of Diamond bar pursuant to the provisions of Resolution 89-6. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of April , 1990. Mayor I, LYNDA BURGESS, City Clerk of the City of Diamond Bar, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City W of Diamond Bar held on the 20th day of March , 1990, and was finally passed at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Diamond bar held on the 3rd day of April , 1990, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Horcher, Forbing, Miller, Mayor Pro Tem Werner, Mayor Papen NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ABSTAINED: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None ATTEST: C' y CbDrk of :the ` ity of: tamod-Bar L11011%o2ITLE22 03 1.33 3 Chapter 22.72 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 22.72.010 Purnose and Intent. A. This Chapter establishes the review procedures for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development proposals to facilitate project development review in a timely and efficient manner; to ensure that development projects comply with all applicable local design guidelines, standards, and ordinances; to minimize adverse effects on surrounding properties and the environment; and are consistent with the general plan which promotes high aesthetic and functional standards to complement and add to the physical, economic, and social character of Diamond Bar. B. The City finds that a development review process will support the implementation of the general plan, as it stresses quality community design standards. The City further finds that the quality of residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial uses has a substantial impact upon the visual appeal, environmental soundness, economic stability, and property values of the City. This Chapter is not intended to restrict imagination, innovation or variety, but rather to focus on community design principles which can result in creative, imaginative solutions for the project and a quality design for _the City. It is, therefore, the purpose of this Chapter to: (1) Recognize the interdependence of land values and aesthetics and provide a method by which the City may implement this interdependence to its benefit; (2) Encourage the orderly and harmonious appearance of structures and property within the City along with associated facilities, such as signs, landscaping, parking areas, and streets; (3) Maintain the public health, safety and general welfare, and property throughout the City; (4) Assist developments to be more cognizant of public concerns for the aesthetics of development; (5) Reasonably ensure that new developments, including residential, institutional, commercial and industrial developments, do not have an adverse aesthetic, health, safety or _ architecturally related impact upon existing adjoining properties, or the City in general; 1 (6) Implement those sections of the City's general plan for the preservation and enhancement of the character and unique assets of the City and its harmonious development; (7) Minimizing the effects of grading by discouraging mass grading and excessive slopes to ensure that the natural character of terrain is retained; (8) Preserving significant topographic features, including rock outcroppings, native plant materials and natural hydrology while also encouraging improved drainage from lots directly to a street, storm drain, or through public or privately maintained easement; (9) Limiting the impact of slopes on adjacent developed properties and limit construction on identified seismic or geologic hazard areas; (10) Encouraging the use of a variety of housing styles, split-level grading techniques, varied lot sizes, site design densities, maintenance of views and arrangement and spacing to accomplish grading policies; (11) To encourage orderly development of residences within areas more readily served by public services; (12) To encourage the development of master planned projects which provide the service needs of the residents of those projects; (13) To encourage use of energy conservation techniques in new developments 22.72.020 Projects Requiring Development Review. A. An application for Development Review is required for any and all commercial, industrial, institutional development, and any residential project which proposes five dwelling units or more (detached or attached) and which involve the issuance of a building permit for construction or reconstruction of a structure(s) which meets the following criteria: (1) New construction on vacant property; (2) Structural additions or new buildings which are equal to fifty percent of the floor area of existing on-site building(s), or have a minimum ten thousand square feet in gross floor area; 2 (3) Reconstruction projects which are equal to fifty percent of the floor area of existing on-site building(s), or have a minimum ten thousand square feet in gross floor area; (4) Projects involving a substantial.change or intensification of land use, such as the conversion of an existing building to a restaurant, or the conversion of a residential structure to an office or commercial use. B. Projects of a limited size and scope which do not meet the above criteria shall require an application for Administrative Development Review pursuant to Section 22.72.060. C. Residential construction involving four or less dwelling units are subject to Administrative Development Review pursuant to Section 22.72.060. 22.72.030 Development Review Application. All Development Review applications shall contain the following information: A. A detailed plot plan showing: (to scale); (1) Dimensions and orientation of the parcel (2) Location of buildings, structures, and signs, both existing and proposed; (3) Location of eave overhang and architectural features; (4) Location of landscaping and irrigation, both existing and proposed. thereon; B. All building elevations, including signs C. Indication of the types and colors of all exterior construction materials; D. Location of all walls and fences, their height and materials of construction; E. Copies of any and all CC&R's applicable to the development or use of the land; and F. Any other architectural and engineering data as may be required to permit a complete investigation of the proposal. 3 22.72.040 Development Review Authority. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve or deny Development Review applications and to impose reasonable conditions upon such approval, subject to the right of appeal to the City Council. Conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, requirements for open spaces, screening and buffering of adjacent properties, fences, and walls; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications, regulation of vehicular ingress and egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulation of hours or other characteristics of operation; requirements for maintenance of landscaping and other improvements; establishment o� development schedules or time limits for performance or completion; and such other conditions as the commission may deem necessary to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare, and to enable the Planning Commission to making the findings required by Section 22.72.140. 22.72.050 Administrative Development Review Authority. Development Review applications which do not meet the requirements of Section 22.72.020.A shall be subject to review and approval by the Planning Director. If, in the opinion of the Planning Director, the application involves unusual site development requirements or unique operating characteristics, or raises questions of development policy substantially more significant than generally pertain to applications for Administrative Development Review and which require Planning Commission consideration, the Planning Director shall refer the application to the planning commission for review. The Planning Director is authorized to approve or deny Administrative Development Review applications and to impose reasonable conditions upon such approval, subject to the right of appeal to the Planning Commission. Conditions may include, but shall not be limited to; requirements for open spaces, screening and buffering of adjacent properties, fences and walls; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications, regulation of vehicular ingress, egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulation of hours or other characteristics of operation; requirements for maintenance of landscaping and other improvements; establishment of development schedules or time limits for performance of completion; and such other conditions as the Planning Director may deem necessary to insure compatibility with surrounding uses, to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare, and to enable the Planning Director to make the findings required by Section 22.72.140. 4 22.72.060 Administrative Development Review Procedure. A. Applications for Administrative Development Review shall be filed by the owner or owners of the property for which approval is sought, or by the authorized agent thereof. Application shall be made to the Director on forms furnished by the City. The application shall be accompanied by the materials and information required in Section 22.72.030 at the time of application and a filing fee shall be paid for the purpose of defraying the costs incidental to the proceedings. Appropriate fees shall be determined by City Council Resolution. B. The Planning Director shall make an investigation of the facts bearing on the case to provide the information necessary for the action consistent with the intent of this Chapter and the General Plan. C. Notice of hearings - Notice of public hearing shall contain the time and place of the hearing and the location and proposed use or uses of the subject property. Notice shall be mailed or delivered not less than ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearing to the applicant and to all owners of property within three hundred (300) feet of the exterior boundaries of the real property under consideration, utilizing the names and addresses of such owners as shown upon the latest equalized assessment roll of the County Assessor of Los Angeles County. 22.72.070 Administrative Development Review. Review and analysis by the Director will consider design elements, such as, but not limited to, compatibility of the project to surrounding properties; relationship of the design and layout of the project to the site; architectural design and use of materials; grading; landscaping; screening and buffering techniques of adjacent properties; signs; and open space. The Director will determine if the project adequately meets applicable design guidelines and standards. 22.72.080 Director'scA tioU and Appeal Procedures. Upon completion of the public hearing, the Director may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application and shall announce and record his decision within 21 calendar days following the conclusion of the public hearing. The decision shall set forth the findings required in Section 22.72.140, hereof, by formal resolution of the Director and shall be filed with the Planning Commission. A copy of the resolution shall be mailed to the applicant. 5 The decision of the Director shall be final and shall become effective 10 calendar days after the adoption of the resolution by the Director; provided, however, that if within such 10 day period,'an appeal of the decision is filed by an aggrieved person within the three hundred foot noticing radius, the applicant or City Council Member, the filing of such appeal within such time limit shall suspend the decision of the Director until the determination of the appeal by the Planning Commission or its dismissal by the appellant. Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the Secretary to the Planning Commission on forms furnished by the Secretary to the Planning Commission. 22.72.090 Appeal to the Planning Commission. A. Upon receipt of an appeal from the Director's decision under Section 22.72.080, a hearing date shall be set by the Secretary to the Planning Commission. Notice of hearing shall be given as provided in Section 22.72.060.0 and the appeal shall be conducted in the same manner as prescribed for Development Review in Section 22.72.110, hereof. B. The Director shall transmit to the Planning Commission the original application, records, written reports, and Director Resolution disclosing in what respect the application and facts offered in support thereof met or failed to meet the requirements of this Chapter. _ C. The Planning Commission may, by resolution, affirm, reverse, or modify in whole or in part any appealed decision, determination or requirement of the Director, but before granting any appealed petition which was denied by the Director or before changing any of the conditions imposed by the Director, the Planning Commission shall make a written finding of facts setting forth wherein the Director's findings were in error and wherein the property or particular use involved meets or does not meet the requirements of this Chapter. D. The decision of the Planning Commission shall be final and shall become effective 10 calendar days after the adoption of the resolution,by the Commission; provided, however, that if within such 10 day period, an appeal of the decision is filed by an aggrieved person within three hundred foot noticing radius, the applicant or the City Council Member, the filing of such appeal within such time limit shall suspend the decision of the Planning Commission until the determination of the appeal by the City Council or its dismissal by the appellant. Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the City Clerk on forms furnished by said Clerk. 22.72.100 Appeal to City Council. A. Upon receipt of an appeal from the Planning Commission's decision under Section 22.72.090, a hearing date shall be set by the City Clerk. Notice of hearing shall be given as provided in Section 22.72.060.0 and the appeal shall be conducted in the same manner as prescribed for Development Review in Section 22.72.110, hereof. B. The Planning Commission shall transmit to the city Council the original application, records, written reports, Director Resolution, Planning Commission minutes and Resolution disclosing in what respect the application and facts offered in support thereof met or failed to meet the requirements of this Chapter. C. The City Council may, by resolution, affirm, reverse, or modify in whole or in part any appealed decision, determination or requirement of the Planning Commission, but before granting any appealed petition which was denied by the Planning Commission or before changing any of the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission, the City Council shall make a written finding of facts setting forth wherein the Commission's findings were in error and wherein the property or particular use involved meets or does not meet the requirements of this Chapter. D. The decision of the City Council shall be final and shall become effective upon adoption of the resolution by the City Council. 22.72.110 Development Review Procedure. A. Applications for Development Review shall be filed by the owner or owners of the property for which approval is sought or by the authorized agent thereof. Application shall be made to the Director on forms furnished by the City. The application shall be accompanied by the materials and information required in Section 22.72.030 at the time of application and a filing fee shall be paid for the purpose of defraying the costs incidental to the proceedings. Appropriate fees shall be determined by City Council Resolution. B. The Planning Director shall make an investigation of the facts bearing on the case to provide the information necessary for action consistent with the intent of this Chapter and the General Plan. 7 C. Notice of hearings - Notice of public hearing shall contain the time and place of the hearing and the location and proposed use or uses of the subject property. Notice shall be given in accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 65090. 22.72.120 Development Review. Review and analysis by the Planning Commission will consider design elements, such as, but not limited to, compatibility of the project to surrounding properties; relationship of the design and layout of the project to the site; architectural design and use of materials; grading; landscaping; screening and buffering techniques of adjacent properties; signs; and open space. The Commission will determine if the project adequately meets applicable design guidelines and standards. 22.72.130 Commission Action and Appeal Procedures. Upon completion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission may approve, conditionally approve or deny the application and shall announce and record its decision within thirty (30) calendar days following the conclusion of the public hearing. The decision of the Planning Commission shall set forth the findings required by Section 22.72.140, hereof, by formal resolution. A copy of the resolution shall be mailed to the applicant. The decision of the Planning Commission shall be final and shall become effective 10 days after the adoption of the resolution by the Planning Commission, provided, however, that if within such 10 -day period, an appeal of the decision is filed by an aggrieved person within the three hundred foot noticing radius, the applicant or City Council Member, the filing of such appeal within such time limit shall suspend the decision of the Planning Commission until the determination of the appeal by the City Council or its dismissal by the appellant. Such appeal shall be filed in writing with the City Clerk on forms furnished by the City Clerk. The appeal shall be conducted pursuant to Section 22.72.100 and notice of hearings shall be given as required by Section 22.72.110.C. 22.72.140 Findings Required. In approving or conditionally approving a Development Review Application or Administrative Development Review Application, the City.Council, the Planning Commission or Planning Director, as the case may be, shall make the following findings: A. The design and layout of the proposed development is consistent with the applicable elements of the City's general plan, design guidelines of the appropriate district, and any 8 adopted architectural criteria for specialized area, such as designated historic districts, theme areas, specific plans, community plans, boulevards, or planned developments; B. The design and layout of the proposed development will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring existing or future developments, and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards; C. The architectural design of the proposed development is compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and will maintain the harmonious, orderly and attractive development contemplated by this Chapter and the general plan of the City; D. The design of the proposed development would provide a desirable environment for its occupants and visiting public as well as its neighbors through good aesthetic use of materials, texture and color that will remain aesthetically appealing and will retain a reasonably adequate level of maintenance. E. The proposed development will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare or materially injurious to the properties or improvements in the vicinity. 22.72.150 New Applications Following Denial. Following denial of a Development Review Application or Administrative Development Review Application, no application for the same or substantially the same project for substantially the same site shall be accepted for filing within one (1) year from the effective date of such denial. 22.72.160 Time Limits. A. Each application hereafter approved or conditionally approved shall automatically expire and be of no further force or effect if not exercised within one (1) year of its effective date, unless, the approval therefor specifies a longer period; provided that the Planning Commission, subject to appeal to the Council in the same manner and time as with the permit itself, may extend any such approval for two (2) successive periods not to exceed six (6) months each, upon showing of good cause therefore, if written application for such extension is filed fourteen (14) working days prior to the expiration thereof. 9 B. "Exercise" shall mean substantial construction work pursuant to a building permit, and shall not include preparation of plans, engineering work or grading. In case of any dispute thereon, the applicant or successor in interest may request in writing that the Planning Commission conduct a hearing of which the requesting party shall be given ten (10) calendar days written notice by first class mail directed to the address of the requesting party given in such written request for hearing. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council by the requesting party or any Councilmember, which shall upon the same written notice, conduct a hearing. The decision of the Planning Commission, or of the Council, as the case may be, shall be final and conclusive. 22.72.170 Revisions to Approved Application A. Minor revisions to a project approved pursuant to this Chapter may be made after review and approval by the Director. Minor revisions are hereby defined as revisions which in no way change the requirements or conditions imposed on the original approval nor violate the intent of any of the standards or conditions of the approval or of the zone. All approved minor revisions shall be reported, in writing, to the Planning Commission at its next regular meeting. B. Revisions other than minor revisions, as defined above, shall be made pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Chapter. C. All copies of the approved revised project shall be dated and signed by the Director and made a part of the record of the project. One copy of said approved revisions shall be mailed to the applicant. 22.72.180 Revocation. Any approval granted pursuant to this Chapter shall be revoked upon a finding that one or more of the following conditions exist: A. That the approval was obtained by fraud; B. That the structure or project for which the permit was granted has ceased to exist, or construction thereof has been suspended for six (6) months or more; C. That the applicant has not complied with one or more of the conditions or approval. 10 Any such finding shall be made by the Planning Commission after a public hearing of which notice shall be given pursuant to Section,22.72.060.0 in the case of an Administrative Development Review approved or by Section 22.72.110.0 for all other approvals. Said finding of the Commission and its determination pursuant thereto shall be subject to appeal by any interested person, including any Council Member, in the same manner and within the same time as provided in Section 22.72.130, to the Council, which shall upon the same written notice, conduct a hearing, notice of which shall be provided as set forth in this Section. The decision of the Planning Commission, or of the Council, as the case may be, shall be final and conclusive. Action of the Planning Commission, or of the Council, shall be by resolution, shall contain specific findings, and specific action relative to revocation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section contained, the Commission, or the Council, as the case may be, with respect to any ground of revocation coming within H or C above, may grant a period of time within which the approval may be reactivated, or within which non-compliance with conditions may be remedied. In such event, the resolution shall be considered interlocutory, and the hearing shall be continued automatically, without further notice, to the first regular meeting of the body adopting the resolution following such extended date or dates set for full compliance. Thereupon by further resolution, the body theretofore otherwise finally acting shall take final action with _respect thereto. 22.72.190 Penalties for Violation of Chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter. Any person, firm, partnership or corporation violating any provision of this Chapter or failing to comply with any of its requirements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person, firm, partnership or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or any portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter is committed, continued, or permitted to continue by such person, firm, partnership or corporation and shall be deemed punishable therefor as provided herein. 11 22.72.200. Civil Remedies Available. The violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the City through civil process by means of a restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction, or in any other manner provided by law for the abatement of such nuisance. 22.72.210. Severability. The City Council declares that, should any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Chapter rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this Chapter shall remain in full force and effect. LN10WCODE\DB 6.6 12