HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/2021MINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL WINDMILL COMMUNITY ROOM
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765
AUGUST 24, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair/Rawlings called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairperson-Garg led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Naila Barlas, Kenneth Mok,
Raymond Wolfe, Vice Chairperson Mahendra Garg, Chairperson William Rawlings
Staff Present: Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; James T. Eggart,
Assistant City Attorney (telephonically); Hal Ghafari, Public Works Manager/Assistant City
Engineer (telephonically); Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Mayuko (May) Nakajima, Associate
Planner; Joy Tsai, Assistant Planner; and Stella Marquez, Administrative Coordinator.
2. APPROViaL OF AGENDA: As presented
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
4.1 Minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of July 27,
2021.
C/Wolfe moved, C/Mok seconded, to approve Consent Calendar as
presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Mok, Wolfe, VC/Garg,
Chair/Rawlings
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
5. OLD BUSINESS: NONE
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 General Plan Conformity Finding —General Plan conformity analysis of a
proposed transfer of property from the County of Los Angeles Department of
Parks and Recreation and the City of Industry to the San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments for freeway improvement purposes related to the
57/60 Confluence Project. After completion of the improvements, the property
will then be transferred to the California Department of Transportation.
AUGUST 24, 2021 PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
AP/Nakajima presented staffs report.
Paul Deibel (telephonically) said he was concerned about the adequacy of
pedestrian and bicycle facilities (complete streets) in the design of the new
Grand Avenue over the freeway from Diamond Bar to the City of Industry and
Walnut and asked if adequate access would be maintained through the
construction period.
Dan Weddell, project consultant, responded to Mr. Deibel that along Grand
Avenue, pedestrian access (eight -foot sidewalks on both sides) are being
improved. On the bridge, there is space for a bike lane (six feet) that continues
both north and south. The only exception is the southbound Grand Avenue to
the westbound slip ramp is a dual through right with a right which will provide
a small gap in the project for through bikes which would require a large amount
of right-of-way from the former Burger King/Honda Dealership property.
During construction, pedestrian access (north and southbound) will be
available with no additional bike lanes during construction.
C/Wolfe moved, C/Barlas seconded, to Adopt Resolution No. 2021-13, finding
the proposed transfer of property from the County of Los Angeles Department
of Parks and Recreation and City of Industry for freeway improvement
purposes related to the 57/60 Confluence Project to be in conformance with
the Diamond Bar General Plan. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
7. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING(S):
Barlas, Mok, Wolfe, VC/Garg,
Chair/Rawlings
None
None
7.1 Amendment to Conditional Use Permit - Planning Case No. PL2021-39 —
Under the authority of Diamond Bar Municipal Code Section 22.58, the
applicant requested to amend a previously approved Conditional Use Permit
for a music and art school to include afterschool, tutoring, music and arts
programs, located at Diamond Hills Plaza. The subject property is zoned
Community Commercial (C-2) with an underlying General Plan land use
designation of General Commercial.
PROJECT ADDRESS: 2751 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
AUGUST 24, 2021 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY OWNER:
Lance Kim, EPLEX DB, INC.
6940 Beach Boulevard #D-212
Buena Park, CA 90621
ROIO Diamond Hills Plaza, LLC
11250 El Camino Real #200
San Diego, CA 92130
AP/Tsai presented staffs report and recommended Planning Commission
approval of Conditional Use Permit Amendment Planning Case
No. PL2021-39, based on the findings of fact, and subject to the conditions of
approval as listed with the resolution.
Chair/Rawlings-opened the public hearing.
With no one offering comments on this item, Chair/Rawlings closed the public
hearing.
C/Mok said he appreciated the applicant choosing to be a good neighbor by
moving music classrooms away from the wall shared with the adjacent
business, and stated that when he visited the site he observed surplus spaces
and did not imagine there would be a parking problem.
C/Mok moved, C/Barlas seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit
Amendment Planning Case No. PL2021-39, 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: Barlas, Mok, Wolfe, VC/Garg,
Chair/Rawlings
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
8. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
C/Barlas expressed her happiness for new businesses opening in the City, said she
appreciated staffs work on Item 7.1 and agreed with C/Mok that there is sufficient
parking on site.
AUGUST 24, 2021 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION
9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
CDD/Gubman reminded the Commission that the next Planning Commission meeting
will be held on September 14th at which time two items will be considered, one for a
fitness studio at the remodeled former Big Lots building, as well as a significant
remodel to an existing residence on Falcons View Drive in the Country Estates.
10. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS:
As listed in the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission,
Chair/Rawlings adjourned the regular meeting at 7:01 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 14th day of September, 2021.
Attest:
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Gubman, Community Development Director
William Rawlings, Chairperson