HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.04.06 - Minutes - Regular MeetingCALL TO ORDER:
to order at 6:30 p.m.
CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 6, 2021i
Mayor Lyons called the Regular City Council meeting
Mayor Lyons announced that consistent with COVID-19 regulations, all Council
Members and staff participated via tel
for public attendance. The Public was
the numbers printed on the agenda.
conference and there was no physical location
in to join the meeting online or by phone at
pf��i�GE OF ALLEGIANCE: M/Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLE BALL: Council Members Andrew Chou, Stan Liu, Steve Tye,
Mayor Pro Tern Ruth Low, Mayor Nancy Lyons
Staff participating telephonically: Dan Fox, City Manager; Dave DeBerry, City
Attorney; Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Santos, Assistant to the
City Manager; Amy Haug, Human Resources and Risk Manager; Ryan Wright,
Parks and Recreation Director; David Liu, Public Works Directors Hal Ghafari, Public
Works Manager/Assistant City Engineer; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance
Superintendent; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Brent Mason,
Interim Director of Finance; Marsha Roa, Public Information Managers Cecilia
Arellano, Public Information Coordinator; Kristina Santana, City Clerk
Also Present:
Deputy
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
1.
Lieutenant Steven
As submitted.
Tousey, LA County Sheriff's
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATES, PROCLAMATIONS:
1.1 Council Members
Discrimination, Hate and
reaA their Proclamation
Bigotry in All Forms.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Condemning
None
CC/Santana read the following public comments submitted via email:
Pui-Ching Ho announced that the Diamond Bar Library will reopen for select in -
person services on Monday, April 19t", 2021 for a maximum of one -hour per
customer. All customers are asked to maintain six feet of physical distance from
other customers and library staff when in line and inside the library, wear a face
covering over the mouth and nose at all times and adhere to the posted library
capacity limits. No food or drink is allowed inside the library. Beginning April
19t", sidewalk pickup service will be available. For more information, please visit
APRIL 612021 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
os://lacountvlibrarv.orq/reopenin
Public comments offered telephonically:
Katherine MadaI zo asked what was being done to mitigate wildlife disruption
and restoration of the 29 impacted trees during construction of the road widening
project at Grand Avenue and Golden Springs Drive.
Michael Ramirez, announced the Diamond Bar Community Foundation's Golfing
"Fore" the Kids on May 10t" at the Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills, with
proceeds providing financial support for sports, recreation, art, music and cultural
programs through the Foundation. The Foundation is seeking sponsors and
raffle and silent auction prizes. For further information and participation, contact
him at info Dthedbcf.org or 951-212-5644.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR: MPT/Low moved, C/Liu seconded, to approve the
Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Liu, Tye, MPT/Low, M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
4.1 APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
4.1 a MARCH 16, 2021 STUDY SESSION
4.1 b MARCH 16, 2021 REGULAR MEETING
4.2 CITY COUNCIL RECEIPT OF COMMISSION MINUTES:
4.2a PARKS AND RECREATION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2020.
4.2b PARKS AND RECREATION MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2021.
4.2c PLANNING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 9, 2021.
4.3 RATIFIED CHECK REGISTER DATED MARCH 11, 2021 THROUGH
MARCH 24, 2021 TOTALING $3121703.29.
4.4 APPROVED TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR THE MONTH OF
NOVEMBER 2020.
4.5 RECEIVED AND FILED THE GENERAL PLAN STATUS REPORT FOR
2020.
4.6 APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO SIGN, THE SECOND
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
LANCE, SOLL & LUNGHARD LLP CPA'S FOR AUDITING SERVICES.
4.7 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO, 2021-11 ESTABLISHING THE DIAMOND
BAR DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY AS REQUIRED BY AND IN
APRIL 67 2021 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
COMPLIANCE WITH, GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 8855(i).
4.8 APPROVED AGREEMENTS FOR FINANCIAL ADV
COUNSEL AND
THE DIAMOND
AS FOLLOWS:
ISORY, AND BOND
DISCLOSURE SERVICES, RELATED TO REFUNDING
BAR CENTER FIXED RATE LEASE REVENUE BONDS
A. APPROVED, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN
THE PROFESSIONAL AGREEMENT WITH FIELDMAN ROLAPP &
ASSOCIATES; AND,
B. APPROVED, AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN
THE ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH STRADLING YOCCA CARLSON
& RAUTH.
RECESS: M/Lyons recessed the Regular City Council Meeting to the Special
Public Financing Authority Meeting at 6:48.
RECONVENE: M/Lyons reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting at
6:52 p.m.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
6.1 FORMATION OF LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 41-2021
TO REPLACE EXISTING DISTRICT NO. 41.
C/Liu recused himself from consideration of Item 5.1 because he lives in
District 41, and did not participate in the discussion.
PWM/Ghafari presented the staff report.
CC/Santana read the following emails into the record:
John Catanzaro, President, Ridgeline HOA, stated that the four HOA's in
District No. 41 have met a number of times, have contacted homeowners„
put up signage to let them know about Council's intent, and have met with
City staff, arborists and landscapers seeking bids while awaiting the
engineer's report. He asked the City to continue to extend all possible
mutual support to the residents so that they can be fully and responsibly
informed and so that the HOA's canimpress upon the members the
importance of voting YES on the change for the Prop 218 Property Tax
Fee Increase for District 41.
David Takeda hoped the Dissolution could
be delayed until residents were
APRIL 61 2021 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL
Garret Rukes felt that dissolving LAD No. 39 hoping that property owners
would maintain the landscape was not a workable solution and asked if
anything was being done to come up with a better solution.
Comments offered telephonically during the meeting:
Pamela Delgado asked when ballots would be sent out and when they
would need to be returned and PWM/Ghafari responded that ballots would
be mailed on May 27t" and would need to be returned by July 6tn
C/Chou asked staff to explain how residents can hook into the current
irrigation system and PWM/Ghafari responded that the current systems
will remain in place and residents have the option to take over
maintenance of the system or cut the lines that run through their property
to use their household water system.
M/Lyons said she understood that the City was willing to have staff meet
with residents to determine the location of the irrigation system and how it
can be modified. PWM/Ghafari said that M/Lyons was correct and in fact,
PM/Jordan has been visiting properties to explain the areas for which the
owners will be responsible to maintain as well as, inform them of the
location of the irrigation system. For residents who wish to have staff visit
their properties, they can go on the City's website and complete the form
requesting a site visit appointment.
C/Tye said it feels to him that this process is being done quickly to
accommodate the calendar in order to get something in front of the County
in a timely fashion. He asked what options are available for taking a step
back to get it right even if it means not getting it done by the July date.
MPT/Low appreciated comments from Mr. Catanzaro that he wants to
work cooperatively to move forward and appreciates staff for their
recommendations and their work with the HOA's to put together another
vote. She asked CM/Fox if he felt the HOA Board Members were
comfortable with understanding what is required as a result of their vote
and how to explain to their property owners what their choices are and
what the consequences of their vote will mean, whether staff feels
comfortable they can get this done and whether the City of Diamond Bar
will pick up the cost of the second election rather than having the HOA
front the cost.
M/Lyons said the City would pay the cost of the election from its General
Fund ($13,600). While she understands the concerns, she feels this
situation has gone on too long and is a burden to all residents.
CM/Fox said that HOA's are encouraged by their efforts to get the word
out to the residents and property owners He cannot guarantee the vote
will pass, but the consequences and options are very clear. The district is
APRIL 61 2021 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL
being proposed to be dissolved, which means that all of the areas of
responsibilities would be returned to the underlying property owner to
maintain, all of which is scheduled for consideration by the Council at the
final Public Hearing on May 4t". The City is going through this process to
consider a new Prop 218 ballot measure that comes to a final vote on July
6t". If that fails, there is no time to go through a new assessment process
to restore the existing assessments and if the district is not dissolved, the
City would be 100 percent responsible for the entire maintenance of
private property and the City is out of time for considering a third parallel
option to meet the existing assessments if these efforts fail.
MPT/Low asked if the City could advocate with respect to this measure
and CM/Fox explained that like most elections, the City staff cannot
conduct any advocacy. However, the City has educational and
information materials available on its website from when this matter was
previously considered. This material makes clear the responsibilities of
the property owners and Council Members and HOA's can advocate for a
position one way or another. In addition, the HOA's are putting together
yard signs to help get the message out.
CM/Fox responded that there are no printed materials available.
M/Lyons asked if staff had spoken to HOA Presidents and CM/Fox said
he, PWD/Liu and PWM/Ghafari have spoken with HOA Presidents who
have been having weekly meetings and they are doing all they can to
educate property owners to get to a positive vote on Proposition 218.
C/Chou moved, MPT/Low seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2021-12
initiating proceedings for the formation of a new Landscape Assessment
District No. 41-2021 and designating SCI Consulting Group as the
Engineer of Record. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Chou, Tye, MPT/Low,
M/Lyons
None
Liu
MPT/Low moved, C/Chou seconded, to approve the First Amendment to
the Consulting Services Agreement with SCI Consulting Group to provide
the Special Assessment Engineering and Balloting Services in the amount
of $1376005
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
C/Liu returned to the meeting.
Chou, Tye, MPT/Low,
M/Lyons
None
Liu
APRIL 6, 2021 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL
6.2 REVIEW OF DRAFT 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (PLANNING CASE
NO. PL 2021-004).
CDD/Gubman introduced Item 6.2 and stated the Council is not being
asked to take a formal action on this draft because there are likely to be
further revisions after HCD reviews the document. Staff plans to bring a
final draft back to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council in
the next three to four months for the adoption hearing.
John Douglas, Housing Element Consultant, JHD Planning, LLC provided
background information and discussed the Draft 2021-2029 Housing
Element (Chapter 9 of the General Plan) and timeline for adoption and
implementation. The staff recommendation is to receive public comments,
discuss the document and direct questions to staff, and authorize and
direct staff to submit the draft to state HCD for review.
Public Comments Offered Telephonically:
Grace Lim -Hayes referred Council to a Responsible Land Use report to
the Planning Commission about innovations and public involvement for
the Mixed -Use and infill developments that need to be addressed during
the difficult task of meeting the City Is housing needs and said she hoped
residents would be encouraged to collaborate and communicate with the
City about future developments effects on existing neighborhoods.
Paul Deibel urged the City Council to provide direction that an inclusionary
housing program be included in the Housing Element to provide inclusion
of or in -lieu fees for affordable housing production beyond the state
required density bonus in the focus areas.
Council discussion:
C/Chou thanked staff and the consultant for the very detailed report. He
felt infill housing and public input was essential to this planning document.
Mr. Douglas confirmed that the Housing Element is a planning document
and is comparable to the General Plan wherein it sets the broad strokes of
policy and other documents including the Development Code or Specific
Plans would paint in the details.
C/Chou asked for a timeline of when this process would get to the point of
updating codes and zoning regulations. Mr. Douglas responded that
under state law, the City is allowed up to three years to make adjustments
and refinements to the Development Code and Zoning Regulations.
CDD/Gubman further explained that staff is currently updating codes for
compliance with state code. Specific Plans for the Town Center, the
Neighborhood Mixed -Use area and the TOD area which require significant
APRIL 6, 2021 PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL
public input, extensive environmental review, and participation of planning
consultants to assist staff in the technical aspects, would likely start with
the Town Center and proceed with the others subsequently, with the goal
to complete all three within the three-year obligation period.
C/Liu asked how this document affects planning compared to SCAG which
appears to indicate different trends and statistics. He asked how can the
public participate? Mr. Douglas explained that in general, it is common to
have apparent inconsistencies between different sources of data because
they may be collected at different times using different methods of
collection. Staff is happy to receive any and all public input throughout the
process, and comments can be submitted through the website, via email,
and during future Planning Commission and City Council public hearings.
C/Tye said he appreciates Diamond Bar's input of data over that of SCAG
and agrees with Mr. Douglas that it is a moving target. He trusts staff and
the consultant and expressed his feeling that Mr. Douglas has done a
masterful job in putting the document together and presenting it to the
Council and public.
MPT/Low thanked staff and the consultant for the very comprehensive
report. On Page 195 of the packet, the report talks about Program H-10,
the Accessory Dwelling Units, Program H-11, the Emergency Shelters,
etc. and H-12, Affordable Housing Incentives and she wanted to know if
percentages have to be assigned to each of the programs as part of the
goal or plan. Mr. Douglas explained that for some there are specific
percentages specified in state law. For example, on the topic of Density
Bonus, there is an actual chart in state law that says if a project includes X
percentage of affordable units, the City must give Y percentage of density
increase. Others are not so specific and are more policy oriented.
MPT/Low said that the RHNA numbers do not consider Diamond Bar's
slow growth mode. Mr. Douglas agreed and explained that SCAG's
numbers are for the more urbanized areas of Southern California (LA and
Orange County) and are based on existing conditions rather than
projected growth. MPT/Low stated that under those circumstances, this
planning document with number imposed by the state have a long term
vision of turning this slow -growth City into a more urbanized City and Mr.
Douglas said that in his opinion, MPT/Low's conjecture was a fair
statement. MPT/Low further stated that the TOD's and other multi -use
areas will be the urbanized areas within the City, and Mr. Douglas agreed
that he believed this too, was a reasonable conjecture. Mr. Douglas said
that he and staff believe the City's new General Plan is compatible with
the RHNA numbers in the sense that the vision described in those focus
areas, depending on market conditions over the next 20 or 30 years, can,
hypothetically, accommodate the amount of housing that has been
assigned to this RHNA process in a more compressed timeframe
whereas, the General Plan looks out 20-30 years and the Housing
APRIL 612021 PAGE 8 CITY COUNCIL
Element looks out only eight years and reflects a faster rate of growth in
the RHNA than is reflected in the General Plan.
MPT/Low said that in 20 years the City's growth rate is .1 percent and
wanted to know what the growth rate was estimated to be in the next few
years. Mr. Douglas explained that the RHNA is not a mandate to issue
building permits for the City or to achieve this amount of growth, it is
creating "opportunity" through the General Plan and Zoning where growth
could occur and it will depend on the housing market, the economy, and
desires and objectives of individual property owners whether they wish to
hold or invest in their properties. Most economists believe there is little
chance that the amount of development reflected in the RHNA will actually
come to fruition over the next eight years.
MPT/Low asked if the suggestion that density bonuses and various
development conditions can be or must be waived and development
standards that can be relaxed or eliminated is applicable only to high
density areas which means that the City is looking at a Development Code
that will include different requirements for houses than those compared to
lesser requirements in the higher density areas. Mr. Douglas said that the
General Plan identifies focus areas as those areas in the City where
"change" is expected. The General Plan does not expect much change
within established communities of single family residences and condo's.
One theme of the General Plan is to establish where growth is most likely
to happen and most desired in Diamond Bar. The theme in state law over
the past couple of years has been to try to relax the regulations and
standards to make housing development more feasible with more property
owners and developers able to move forward with housing development
projects.
MPT/Low asked for explanation of "Inclusionary Housing Program" and
Mr. Douglas explained it is when a city adopts a requirement that a certain
percentage of new housing units be offered at specific income or price
levels typically applied to multi -family project including projects of at least
10 units or more, it could be that if the city has a 50-unit apartment project,
10 percent of those apartments must be offered at certain rent levels for a
certain number of years.
MPT/Low asked what is meant by "low barrier navigation" and Mr.
Douglas explained that "low barrier navigation center" is a new creation in
state law and is similar to an emergency/homeless shelter, but it may be
paired with some services and facilities that go beyond the bare bones
emergency shelter.
MPT/Low asked if Table B-4, Page 267 "Underutilized Site Inventory" was
required to be part of the Housing Element plan submitted to the state and
Mr. Douglas responded that yes, and that it is absolutely an essential part
that is mandated in state law. These tables describe, at a parcel -specific
APRIL 612021 PAGE 9 CITY COUNCIL
level, where additional housing can be built in the City based on the
General Plan and current Development Code regulations. MPT/Low
asked who makes the judgement call that the two church properties are
underutilized and Mr. Douglas responded that this is an objective view of
what is on the property today compared to what could be built on the
property under the current Zoning regulations. In other words, if the
property is not fully built-out/developed to the maximum allowed under the
Development Code, it is considered to be an "underutilized" property.
MPT/Low said she was offended by the inclusion of churches within this
category.
CDD/Gubman responded to MPT/Low that half of the two church
properties are completely undeveloped vacant land/bare dirt. In terms of
being underutilized, the church campuses are built and paved on half of
the acreage and the remaining completely vacant portions are located
within multi -family residentially zoned areas without encroaching into the
church campuses and there is enough land on which to build housing that
is consistent with the underlying multi -family zone.
M/Lyons felt it was completely unacceptable for the City to tell churches
that some land they have that is currently vacant needs to be developed
into housing. CDD/Gubman reiterated that this does not mandate that
those sites be developed for residential, it is part of an inventory of sites
that currently have capacity for additional development should the
property owner wish to produce such a development.
C/Tye said that saying it is "underutilized" does not mean to him that it has
to be utilized. By the same token, the eastern most portion of the CVS
parking lot could have been identified as underutilized as well as, the
Caltrans parking locations on the east and west side of Diamond Bar
Boulevard. It does not mean they are going to be developed, it means
they are underutilized.
MPT/Low asked why Site D and the portion next to Willow Heights on
Diamond Bar Boulevard which are entirely dirt were not included.
CM/Fox stated that the City has had inquiries from the United Church of
Christ to come in with some kind of housing project that would be in line
with some of the goals of the Housing Element. He is not sure whether
the LDS Church has made similar inquiries and it is likely that HCD will be
most critical of these sites moving forward.
M/Lyons felt the church locations should be deleted. C/Tye disagreed.
CM/Fox further stated that both church properties are currently zoned for
multiple family residential development and there is nothing in the Housing
Element that says the churches have to do anything different from what
APRIL 6, 2021 PAGE 10 CITY COUNCIL
they are currently doing.
C/Tye observed that the churches could use development to replenish
their resources just like the Walnut Valley Unified School District did with
Site D. From an institutional point of knowledge, EVFree was land that
was donated by a builder for future use as a church.
C/Chou said that these are zoning decisions and no one will be telling
churches they have to build housing. The zoning is in the General Plan
which gives the churches the option to build multi -family housing should
they choose to do so, it does not force them to do so and actually provides
the church with more options for use of their land.
CA/DeBerry said that the zoning does not preclude the churches from
expanding the church use, it actually results in the church property
becoming more valuable. CDD/Gubman agreed that it is merely an
objective in inventory as currently zoned, and the churches currently have
the opportunity to develop them for residential purposes should they elect
to do so.
MPT/Low asked staff to identify additional areas that are underutilized
rather than focus on the church properties because she does not trust the
legislative process and fears it could lead to a taking of the properties.
M/Lyons agreed. CM/Fox offered that staff could look at other areas to
help expand the list before sending the document to HCD if the Council so
desired.
Mr. Douglas directed the City Council to packet page 265, Table B-1, is
the summary of all of the sites that have been included in the inventory
and the two church sites are on the third row of the table headed
"underutilized sites" and the City has identified a potential of 60 additional
housing units that could be built on those properties based on the current
zoning regulations. The three focus areas — Town Center, Neighborhood
Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Mixed Use add up to almost 4,000
potential housing units based on the General Plan. To keep it in context,
the key points is that this is not a prediction of what is going to happen and
it is not a mandate of what must happen, it is simply recording what the
existing zoning conditions and physical conditions are for all of these
properties.
C/Tye said that as Regional Counsel Representative 37 on SCAG, he
pushed hard for SCAG to push back on HCD and on Sacramento and was
told that if they pushed back the number would likely be higher which
happened. He believes it is appropriate to have a healthy disregard for
Sacramento and how decisions are made in northern California in
communities unlike Diamond Bar. He understands the angst and asked
staff to share with the Council and public what the action would be if
Diamond Bar does not meet the RHNA requirements.
APRIL 61 2021 PAGE 11 CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Douglas explained that RHNA numbers are used for two separate
purposes, the first being for this inventory of site being discussed where
state law very clearly requires that cities plan and zone enough land such
that the RHNA numbers could potentially be achieved, all things being
equal and everyone wanted to develop which is the planning requirement.
The second requirement is a softer requirement which has to do with the
actual production of housing. We can be thankful that our legislature
understands that cities do not build housing and that it is the private and
non-profit sector and so cities have limited influence over what actually
happens. If the City's actual production of housing falls short of those
RHNA numbers, there are some fairly soft consequences that under some
circumstances, the City would have to fast track the current review of a
housing development, but those circumstances are fairly narrow. In other
words, it would have to be a project that included Affordable Housing, a
project that uses prevailing wage (union scale labor) which most market
rate projects in southern California do not.
MPT/Low asked if staff could discuss this with the church and include their
commentary in the report to the state. M/Lyons agreed.
C/Tye asked if MPT/Low would be comfortable if Table 10 B-4 read 1101
Diamond Bar Boulevard and 2335 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard and what is
in parenthesis was eliminated. MPT/low said absolutely not because she
can see Sacramento directing cities to meet their RHNA numbers by
redirecting them to do a condemnation and take those sites for the greater
good and now the City is subjecting these properties to Eminent Domain.
C/Tye asked if MPT/Low was comfortable with Table 10 B-3 with the site
address as being "end of Fern H011ow (21 plus acres) and not comfortable
with it simply saying "the church". MPT/Low said no because B-3 is
vacant site inventory and B-4 specifically says they are underutilized.
C/Tye said he feels the concern is the fact that it says it is a church site
because from the beginning, he has heard MPT/Low say it is insulting to
these churches.
M/Lyons asked if the City was mandated to provide Table B-4 and Mr.
Douglas explained that the City is only required to provide a list of parcels
that has a grand total/sufficient capacity that could accommodate its
RHNA numbers. If these two tables were to be eliminated from the
Housing Element, it would not prevent the City from being able to
accommodate the RHNA number. MPT/Low said she wanted to eliminate
the churches and C/Tye said he disagreed with that because the City will
not reach the RHNA numbers with or without B-3 and B-4. C/Tye said he
does not have the same angst about the churches as MPT/Low and
M/Lyons and absent the verbiage, this dialogue would not be taking place.
C/Chou understands the concern but the City is not forcing housing on
these two churches. The churches may want to build housing and they
APRIL 6, 2021 PAGE 12 CITY COUNCIL
are currently zoned for housing so nothing is being changed. If the term
"underutilized" is found to be offensive, the term could be eliminated, but
nothing changes the zoning and if the United Church of Christ wants to
explore building low-income housing on their lot they are entitled to do so.
He believes that if this option were taking off the table, it would be a
disservice to the church and he is skeptical about the slippery slope
argument. He does not see how the state could demand the city take
church land.
CM/Fox said that according to Mr. Douglas, Tables B-3 and B-4 could be
eliminated and the other tables that indicate the balance of the site
inventory would be sufficient to demonstrate to HCD that Diamond Bar
has the capacity to reach its RHNA and Mr. Douglas agreed. CM/Fox said
that absent comments from HCD and recognizing the few number of units
included in the two tables, he would suggest deleting them for now. The
zoning will not change and the City would get credit for any new housing
that eventually would be developed should the church wish to proceed in
that manner.
C/Chou asked if the tables are removed would it in any way prevent the
church from applying for a low income housing grant. CM/Fox said he did
not believe it would and rather, that it would be incumbent upon them to
include some affordable component in their development proposal that
would make them eligible to receive grant funds.
CA/Berry said that he is General Counsel for the San Gabriel Valley
Housing Trust and never within the grant application have applicants been
asked about whether the site is underutilized. The grant is based upon
the degree to which the development would provide affordable housing in
the cost of the project.
C/Liu asked if Table B-1 should also be removed and Mr. Douglas
responded that Table B-1 would be updated to remove the items from that
chart.
MPT/Low moved, M/Lyons to eliminate Tables B-3 and B-4 as they are
not necessary to include in order to reach RHNA numbers, and update
Table B-1 accordingly. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Liu, MPT/LowM/Lyons
M/Lyons felt the intent to regenerate the Town Center with housing and
other amenities will prove to be a plus for the community.
C/Tye moved, C/Liu seconded, to direct staff to submit the Draft Housing
Element with changes, to HCD for review. Motion carried by the following
APRIL 61 2021 PAGE 13 CITY COUNCIL
Roll Call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chou, Liu, Tye, MPT/Low,
M/Lyons
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
70 COUNG L SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND MEET�VAGG ATTENDANCE
REPORTS/COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
C/Chou thanked staff for a great meeting and excellent reports, the City Council
members for participating in the reading of the anti -hate proclamation and
community participation in the March 21 St Rally. Governor Newsome announced
full opening would take place on June 15t" and as exciting as that is, he
cautioned everyone to continue practicing safety guidelines while supporting
local businesses. He congratulated Diamond Bar on being named 37t" of the top
50 safest cities in California.
C/Liu thanked staff and the consultant for the detailed presentations and
discussions and staff for coming up with the best solutions to dissolve the
challenges the City is facing. He thanked his colleagues and staff for
condemning discrimination, hate and bigotry in all forms, and Dr. Ronda
Hampton, PhD and her daughter for organizing the solidarity rally against hate
and discrimination, thanked the community volunteers for hosting Easter events
for community and families, and thanked staff, businesses and the community for
working diligently to facilitate safe environments for in -person activities.
C/Tye thanked Supervisor Janice Hahn for helping schools deal with the
County's quarantine guidelines, talked about the Caltrans project for conversion
of HOV lanes to general purpose lanes in both directions on the SR57 at Grand
Avenue, commented on Pantera Park improvements commencing on
Wednesday and concluding on Friday, April 16t", and thanked M/Lyons for her
leadership in proclaiming that this community condemns discrimination in any
and all forms.
MPT/Low thanked staff and Mr. Douglas for their hard work on tonight's agenda
items, especially the work with homeowners in LAD No.41 and the thoroughness
of the housing report. She referred residents to Agenda Item 4.5, a recap of the
City's accomplishments toward meeting the General Plan update goals and
thanked M/Lyons for her leadership in putting together the anti -hate proclamation
and encouraging City Council members to participate. April 2021 is sexual
assault awareness month and she encouraged everyone to stand against this
devastating crime. On March 22n6, she and M/Lyons attended the Neighborhood
Improvement subcommittee meeting with staff and is grateful for all who work so
hard to make the community look better. She encouraged everyone to download
the City's app and report situations where a neighbor needs help with their
property or they see a residence is lacking proper maintenance.
APRIL 6, 2021 PAGE 14 CITY COUNCIL
M/Lyons said that at the end of last week she spoke with Bob Taylor,
Superintendent of WVUSD and Bob Pacheco, the Mayor of Walnut who indicated
they would be having a day of drive -through recognition for the graduating high
school seniors who reside in Walnut and she would like her colleagues
concurrence to place consideration of such an event for Diamond Bar seniors on
the next agenda.. C/Liu and MPT/Low were in favor, C/Tye felt such an event
should be sponsored by the school districts but would welcome a report from
staff, and C/Chou supported placing the item on the agenda to receive staff's
report as well.
M/Lyons said that last week she spent the afternoon volunteering at the Foothill
Transit Center vaccine clinic, congratulated C/Tye on being re-elected as the
SCAG Regional Counsel District 37 representative, and reported that her
campaign to improve the Diamond Bar Post Office is underway with thanks
Congresswoman Kim for her assistance. She thanked her colleagues for a
spirited discussion this evening and thanked staff for their hard work.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, M/Lyons adjourned the
Regular City Council Meeting at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 20t" day of April, 2021.