HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.01.24 - Minutes - Special Joint MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL WINDMILL COMMUNITY ROOM
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765
JANUARY 24, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Chou called the Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and Planning Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Windmill Community
Room, Diamond Bar City Hall, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
M/Chou asked for a moment of silence in memory of the Monterey Park victims.
Consistent with State Assembly Bill 361, members of the public were encouraged to
participate and address the City Council during the public comment portion of the
meeting via teleconference. City Council Members and staff participated in person and
telephonically.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Ruth Low, Chia Yu Teng, Steve
Tye (telephonically), Mayor Pro Tem Stan Liu and
Mayor Andrew Chou
Commissioners Naila Barlas, Mahendra Garg, William
Rawlings, Vice Chair Kenneth Mok and Chair
Raymond Wolfe
Staff Present: Dan Fox, City Manager; James Eggart, Assistant City
Attorney; Greg Gubman, Community Development Director; Grace Lee, Senior Planner;
May Nakajima; Associate Planner; Dat Tran; Associate Planner; Cecilia Arellano, Public
Information Coordinator; Ryan Wright, Parks & Recreation Director; Stella Marquez,
Administrative Coordinator; Kristina Santana, City Clerk
Staff Present Telephonically: David Liu, Public Works Director; Hal Ghafari, Public
Works Manager/Assistant City Engineer; Ken Desforges, Information Services Director;
Marsha Roa, Public Information Manager
Also Present:
Gallas +Partners.
Consultants Neal Payton and Nicolle Cotes, Torti
Appearing Telephonically: Derek Wyatt, RCLCO Real Estate Consulting;
Consultants Jonathan Chambers, Gibson Transportation Consulting, Inc.; Marie
Campbell, President, Sapphos Environmental, Inc.; Laura Male, CEQA Team
Supervisor, Sapphos Environmental, Inc.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
1. JOINT STUDY SESSION:
As presented by M/Chou.
1.1 TOWN CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN —DISCUSSION AND
CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE LAND USE STRATEGIES:
JANUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL
Presentation and response
comments and questions by
CDD/Gubman.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
to Council Member and Commission
Neal Payton, Jonathan Chambers, and
Paul Deibel (telephonically) believes the City and consultants have done
an excellent job reflecting the input and preferences of the community.
From an economic development and housing affordability standpoint, he
believes the Council should move forward with as much density and
commercial buildout as possible to make it economically feasible and
viable as a local and regional draw that provides a pedestrian oriented
downtown district with a sense of place, and congratulated the City for
adoption and certification of its Housing Element which speaks to a higher
density design that includes Affordable Housing.
Paul Sherwood said he was concerned that because Diamond Bar
Boulevard is a major arterial for freeway access during commute times
that narrowing the street would create traffic safety and congestion issues
and was not clear on how parking at the center would be accommodated.
Eric Chen likes the designs and felt that staff and the design consultants
did a great job, but is concerned about proposed access through his
property and his liability, and hoped to work closely with the City to move
the plan forward.
Saman Mahmood was somewhat perplexed about the slimming of
Diamond Bar Boulevard and costs and aesthetics of a parking structure.
Consultants Payton and Chambers responded to public comments and
concerns.
Council and Commission discussion ensued culminating in the following
direction to staff.
1) Diamond Bar Boulevard Design —Support in concept reduction in
lanes and lane widths subject to further detailed traffic analysis,
including appropriate length of turn -pockets.
2) Buildout Scenarios —Support the higher Buildout Scenario 3 subject to
appropriate environmental review including analysis of traffic and
circulation impacts.
3) Design Alternative Preferer
emphasis on common
ce Subject to further consideration with
JANUARY 24, 2023 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL
4) Inclusionary (Affordable) Housing — Support incorporating inclusionary
housing requirements into the TCSP regulations.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, Mayor Chou adjourned
the Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Greg Gubman
Community Development Director
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved by the Planning Commission this 14th day
of February, 2023.
Raym"! d Wolfe, Ch�person
The foregoing m
Andrew
Respectfully Submitted:
Kristina Santana, City Clerk
utes are hereby approved by the City Council this 7th day of March,
ayor