HomeMy WebLinkAboutRE_ 22819 Canyon View (108)Hello Ken,
I’m glad we had the opportunity to discuss the project history after I located my notes from August 14th.
After our phone call, I looked at the originally approved plans and the “Partial Site Plan,” date-stamped 10/28/15, to aid in my recollection of the discussion. As I now recall, we
discussed a grading and driveway configuration that did away with the need for the complex retaining wall system, and the solution appeared sound. My notes from August, however, do
not mention the deck that bridged over the driveway, and I don’t believe we discussed that feature; the focus seems to have been strictly on how to achieve the needed driveway grades
at the garage entrance without retaining walls. I don’t believe the deck was discussed at the time, and I don’t believe I was aware of it being a component of the project during our
meeting at the counter (please let me know if you recall this differently), and thus had no idea that the height of the house was an issue that was mitigated by the introduction of
the deck.
With a more complete understanding of the project, I can see that the deck spanning over the driveway was an innovative solution to reducing the overall height of the building on the
east side from 44 feet to 34 feet—which is below the 35’ height limit—without impinging into the east setback requirement for above-ground structures, because the deck appears to be
even with the grade at the east property line.
I cannot tell from the aforementioned Partial Site Plan if the deck can be reintroduced minus the retaining walls (as of this writing, the only plans I have seen are the approved conceptual
plans from 11/6/14, and the Partial Site Plan). The Partial Site Plan also appears to have the house plotted farther back from the Country View property line than it actually is, so
the serpentine driveway as drawn cannot be laid out as shown. Nonetheless, the height of the building is defined and limited by the Development Code, and the absence of the previously-approved
retaining walls may require a new design solution to enable the project to conform to code requirements.
I would be glad to continue working with you to address the issues described above.
Sincerely,
Greg Gubman, AICP | Community Development Director
City of Diamond Bar | Community Development Department
21810 Copley Drive | Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909.839.7031 | 909.861.3117 (f)
www.DiamondBarCa.Gov<http://www.diamondbarca.gov/>
From: Ken Kurose [mailto:kenkurose@kkarch.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2015 2:58 PM
To: Mayuko Nakajima <MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; verdugoassoc@yahoo.com; Verdugo Mike <verdugoassociates@gmail.com>
Cc: Greg Gubman <GGubman@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Raymond Tao <RTao@DiamondBarCA.Gov>; Sterling Mosley <SMosley@DiamondBarCA.Gov>
Subject: Re: 22819 Canyon View
Ms. Nakajima:
Thank you for your reply below. Unfortunately we are now in a position that essentially puts us back to square one with a design solution that is unwieldy, unsightly and cost prohibitive.
We reviewed the current solution where we eliminated the series of retaining walls back in August, 2015. As you can see on the attached Time Line, we proceeded on good faith with the
information we were given by the City of Diamond Bar. We submitted the revised plans on September 18, 2015 with Mr. Jeff Tol who said there would be a quick turnaround on the corrections
(ten working days). Unfortunately we later find out Mr. Tol was on medical leave and we did not get the corrections back until October 20, 2015, more than a month after we submitted
the plans. The only corrections we received were for the structural drawings.
We did not know there were going to be any additional corrections until November 17, 2015, over three months since our first conversation with Mr. Gubman in August. At our meeting on
December 8 with Mr. Tao, who brought you in together with Mr. Mosley, you were going to review the Planning comments as the original planner, Josue (last name?) was no longer with the
City. It was not until this week on December 15, over four months from our meeting with Mr. Gubman, that we were informed Planning will not accept the revised plan.
To bring you all up to date, yesterday we met with Mr. Elie Nsar at his office; he cleared all of the structural corrections and said he would return the approved drawings to the City
of Diamond Bar this weel. The one correction from Grading, as discussed with Mr. Mosley, was a minor one that we have taken care of. This leaves approval from Planning as the remaining
correction.
We are not writing this email to assess who is to blame or who dropped the ball, etc. We are only interested in a fair and equitable resolution that will allow the revised driveway
and new opening to the garage to be permitted. We look to the City of Diamond Bar to help us to move forward, not backwards.
Incidentally, Mike and I have discussed design solutions that will keep the revised driveway and could meet Planning requirements. We hope you can meet with us sometime tomorrow morning.
Please let me know if you have any questions; my cell is 626 824-6796.
Regards,
Ken
Ken Kurose Architect
595 Lincoln Avenue No. 205
Pasadena, California 91103
626 585-8185 tel
626 585-8172 fax
PS in my phone message this afternoon to Ms. Nakajima, I may have called you Mayumi, not Mayuko. My sincere apoligies.
________________________________
From: Mayuko Nakajima <MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.Gov<mailto:MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.Gov>>
To: "info@kkarch.net<mailto:info@kkarch.net>" <info@kkarch.net<mailto:info@kkarch.net>>; "verdugoassoc@yahoo.com<mailto:verdugoassoc@yahoo.com>" <verdugoassoc@yahoo.com<mailto:verdugoassoc@yahoo.com>
>
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 4:28 PM
Subject: 22819 Canyon View
Hello Mr. Verdugo and Mr. Kurose,
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to look into the matter. I spoke with both Grace Lee, Senior Planner, and Community Development Director, Greg Gubman, regarding this project Plot
Plan PL2014-211 on 22819 Canyon View.
Unfortunately, the deck needs to remain in order for the residence to meet the 35 foot height limit required by the Development Code.
Also, Greg does not recall an agreement to change the previously approved plans by removing the deck and retaining walls.
Therefore, Planning cannot approve the plan check as submitted. Please revise per the plan check correction sheet.
Please let me know how I can assist further. Thank you,
Mayuko Nakajima | Associate Planner
Community Development Department | Planning Division
City of Diamond Bar | 21810 Copley Drive | Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909.839.7033 | 909.861.3117 (fax)
MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.gov<mailto:MNakajima@DiamondBarCA.gov> | www.DiamondBarCA.gov<http://www.DiamondBarCA.gov>
________________________________
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