HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2025-19PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO.2025-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF DEVELOPMENT CODE
AMENDMENT NO. PL 2024-40 TO AMEND SECTIONS 22.10.030, 22.36.080, 22.36.120,
AND 22.80.020 OF TITLE 22 ("DEVELOPMENT CODE") OF THE DIAMOND BAR CITY
CODE PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION OF BILLBOARDS.
A. RECITALS
1. The applicant, Evergreen Media LLC, and property owner, Walnut Valley
Unified School District (WVUSD), filed an application for Planning Case No.
PL2024-40 for a Development Code Amendment to amend the Diamond Bar
City Code to allow billboards and to establish standards for billboards, in the
Light Industry (1) zone, subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit,
Development Review, and a Development Agreement.
2. On November 5, 2025, public hearing notices were mailed to property owners
within a 700-foot radius of the project site, and a notice was published in the
San Gabriel Valley Tribune newspaper on November 5, 2025. The project site
was also posted with a notice display board, and a copy of the public notice
was posted at the City's three designated community posting sites.
3. On November 25, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing on the proposed Development Code Amendment. All persons wishing
to testify at the public hearing in connection with said amendment were heard,
said amendment was studied, and the Planning Commission closed said
hearing.
B. RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, it is found, determined and resolved by the Planning
Commission of the City of Diamond Bar as follows:
This Planning Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth
in the Recitals, Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. The proposed amendments has been reviewed for compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Based on that assessment, the
City prepared an Initial Study and filed a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated
Negative Declaration (MND) for the Project with the Office of Land Use and
Climate Innovation and the Los Angeles County Clerk on September 19, 2025.
Pursuant to CEQA Section 15105, a 30-day public review period for the MND
began on September 22, 2025 and ended October 21, 2025.
3. Based on the findings and conclusions set forth above, the Planning
Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve Development
Code Amendment Planning Case No. PL 2024-40 by adopting the
amendments to Title 22 of the Diamond Bar Development Code described in
the draft ordinance attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by
reference.
The Planning Commission Secretary shall:
(a) Certify to the adoption of this Resolution; and
(b) Forthwith transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the City Council
of the City of Diamond Bar.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR.
By:
Natl arias; Chairperson
I, Greg Gubman, Planning Commission Secretary, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly introduced, passed, and adopted, at a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on the 25th day of November, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
5
Commissioners: Torres, Worthington, Rawlings, Mehta, Barlas
NOES:
0
Commissioners: None
ABSENT:
0
Commissioners: None
ABSTAIN:
0
Commissioners: None
ATTEST:
Greg Gubman, Secretary
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A: Draft Ordinance No. XX (2026)
2 PC Resolution No. 2025-19
ORDINANCE NO. 01 (2026)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR AMENDING
SECTIONS 22.10.030, 22.36.080, 22.36.120, AND 22.80.020 OF THE
DIAMOND BAR CITY CODE PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION
OF BILLBOARDS.
WHEREAS, WVUSD and Evergreen have submitted an application with the City
for approval of: the Development Agreement governing the operation and community
benefits for the electronic billboard; a Development Code Amendment to allow billboards
in the I (Light Industry) zone by Conditional Use Permit, and to establish development
standards for billboards; a Conditional Use Permit to authorize the billboard on the
property; and Development Review for -sign architecture, materials, and placement of the
billboard on the property; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing regarding proposed amendments to Title 22 ("Development Code") of the
Diamond Bar City Code pertaining to billboards, Planning Case No. PL 2024-40, and
adopted Resolution No. 2025-19 . recommending City Council approval of said
Development Code Amendment; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2025, notification of the City Council public hearing
T for this project was published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Public hearing notices
were mailed to property owners within a 1000-foot radius of the project site and notices
were posted at the City's designated community posting sites; and
WHEREAS, on December 16, 2025, the City Council held a duly noticed public
hearing regarding the proposed Development Code Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance is subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because it can be seen with certainty that the
proposed Development Code Amendment will result in a project that has the potential for
causing a significant, effect on the environment (Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines). Environmental review for the proposed project has been conducted pursuant
to CEQA, and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been prepared, circulated,
and reviewed in accordance with CEQA Section 15070 and the CEQA Guidelines Section
15105. The MND determined that, with implementation of the identified mitigation
measures, the project will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the
City Council finds that adoption of this Ordinance is consistent with the conclusions of the
MND; and
WHEREAS, the documents and materials constituting the administrative record of
the proceedings upon which the City's decision is based are located at the City of
Diamond Bar, Community Development Department, Planning Division, 21810 Copley
Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765; and
i
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby adopts the facts and reasons stated in
Ordinance No. 01 (2026)
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2025-19 recommending City Council approval of
said Development Code Amendments, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk and
which is incorporated herein by reference with the same force and effect as if set forth in
full.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar does hereby find,
determine and ordains as follows:
SECTION.1: Table 2-6 of Section 22.10.030 (Commercial/Industrial district
land uses and permit requirements) of Title 22, Chapter 22.10 of the Diamond Bar City
Code is amended as follows (deletions in str+lethrougl; text and additions shown in double
u derline
TABLE 2-6
ALLOWED -USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
SECTION 2: Subsection (11) of Section 22.36.080 (Prohibited Signs) of
Title 22, Chapter 22.36 of the Diamond Bar City Code is amended as follows (deletions
in strikethreug4 text and additions shown in double underline):
(11) Off -site signs not specifically allowed by the provisions of this chapter,
SECTION 3: Subsection (b) of Section 22.36.120 (Standards for Specific
Types of Signs) of Title 22, Chapter 22.36 of the Diamond Bar City Code is amended as
follows to add a new subsection that provides development standards for billboards
(deletions in strikethrewg4 text and additions shown in double underline).
b� Billboards. Billboards may be permitted by conditional use permit and a
development agreement on properties located within the I zone, subject to
the following limitations:
2
Ordinance No. 01 (2026)
(� No billboard shall be located more than 400 feet from the edge of a
freeway right-of-way, measured from the nearest point of the sign
t'= structure to the nearest point of the right-of-way boundary.
2 No billboard shall be located within 800 feet of any existing static
billboard, regardless of whether the proposed billboard is static or
digital. In addition, no digital billboard shall be located within 2.000 feet
of any existing digital billboard. Distance shall be measured in a straight
line between the bases of the respective billboard structures.
3 No billboard shall be located within 400 feet of any parcel that is zoned
or used for residential purposes. Distance shall be measured in a
straight line from the closest point of the residentially -zoned or
residentiallv-used parcel boundary to the base of the proposed
billboard.
41 The maximum height of a billboard shall not exceed 75 feet, measured
as the vertical distance from the highest point of the sign structure to
the finished surface elevation at the edge of the nearest freeway travel
lane. This measurement shall be taken along a line drawn
perpendicularly from the base of the sign structure to the tangent of the
nearest freeway lane. A decorative or architectural element may extend
up to 10 feet above the maximum height, provided it does not contain
any additional display area or advertising content.
5M The maximum area of any individual sign face shall not exceed 672
square feet. Each sign face shall be limited to a maximum length of 48
feet and a maximum height of 14 feet. No billboard shall contain more
than one sign face per direction of travel, and vertical stacking of sign
faces on the same side of a structure is prohibited,
6Q Architectural features such as framing, decorative borders. or structural
shrouds that do not contain any advertising content shall be permitted
above, below, or around the sign face and shall not count toward the
maximum allowable sign area, provided they are designed as integral,
com-Donents of the sian structure and do not function as additional'slan
faces.
f7� No billboard shall contain more than two sign faces. Where two sign
faces are configured in a V-shaped or angled arrangement, the angle
between the faces shall not exceed 45 degrees as measured between
the planes of the two sign faces.
8M All illuminated billboards shall be equipped with automatic light -sensing
technology to adjust brightness in response to ambient lighting
conditions. Maximum luminance shall not exceed 0.3 foot-candles
= above ambient levels, measured at a distance of 250 feet perpendicular
Ordinance No. 01 (2026)
to the center of the sign face.
All luminance measurements shall be verified at a horizontal distance
of 250 feet perpendicular to the sign face. A photometric analysis shall
be submitted with the permit application and shall include certification
by a qualified lighting professional or electrical engineer confirming
compliance with these standards.
All illumination shall be directed to avoid light spillover onto adjacent
properties, roadways, or into the night sky. Sign lighting shall not cause
glare or impair visibility for motorists, and shall remain staticwithout
flashing, strobing, or rapidly changing brightness.
90 Digital billboards shall display static images only. Each image shall
remain on the screen for a minimum duration of eight (8) seconds.
Transitions between images shall be instantaneous, without any
motion, animation, flashing, or other visual effects
The Section 22.36.120 standards for specific signs beginning with freestanding
monument signs and ending with window signs are consecutively renumbered beginning
at subsection (c) and ending at subsection (i).
SECTION 4: Subsection (b) and Subsection (s) of Section 22.80.020
(Definitions of specialized terms and phrases) of Title 22, Chapter 22.80 of the Diamond
Bar City Code is amended as follows to add a new definition for "billboard" as well as a
definition for the subcategories "digital billboard" and "static billboard" (deletions in
6tFikethFGU@4 text and additions shown in double underline):
(a) Definitions, "B." The following definitions are in alphabetical order:
Billboard. See Sian/Billboard
(e) Definitions, "S." The following definitions are in alphabetical order:
f8) Billboard. A freestanding sign structure designed and used to display off -
site advertising copy, including commercial or non-commercial messages
that direct attention to a business. product, service, activity, event, or
location not located on the same premises as the sign. A billboard may be
either a static billboard or a digital billboard as defined below. Billboards do
not include on -site business identification signs, civic information signs, or
temporary political signs;
a. Digital Billboard. A billboard that displays off -site advertising copy using
electronic changeable copy technology, such as light -emitting diodes
4
—rdinfinc.p No. 01 (2026)
gubsetidh sign and
The subsection (8) definition's beglftning:with Business. 06-hfifica-
I mbOred.begiiin' t. subsection AW ,ehd'hg - With, Window consecutivelytenu id a
n
ending at.,subsectloh j(47.):.
SECTION 6-8 If any $ectlOn.,..;$U bdlVi$lon, ;paragraph, f sent6ncd,,,clause .:or
Phrase.. 0'fh'is, Ordinance ;is for any reason 'held tobe. ;invalid or uncon stituti On4, such
-decision ' shall rida'116tt the vali
dity ofthe fe,rhaining,lyottiorfs�;of'thrs,.Otd7i"nonce. The City)
Council hereby declares that: it would have:. passed this Ordinance,, and .each section-
s; para raph,.sentence, clause and phrase t or that
-9thereof, irrespqptivaofthefactt t
any one (or More) section,, subdivision, paraora ph,,sent6oce, clause or phrase had, been
deblarod. invalid or unconstitutional::
,SECTION S., Tile City ,C-le.ek,;.s,hall,certify :to4 the passage and adoption of
this Ordinance, and shall- a i cause: certified copy of this Ordinance to ?be poted'Wil within
fifteen (15.) days .after this. Ordinance ispassed and. adopted, [n theOflice. ofthe
City
iClerk andtwo ad places,, togpther with the vote for -and; agonstthe-
same,
t J- and 611.hWith trahStrift - a certified copy Qf this .Ordinance; by certified, Mail.. to: Walnut
Valley` Unified 84hool 0i 9 District, 8§0 South Avenue.. VV Ina, 0A 1,789:.
APPROVED AND: ADOPTtD; this 20th day OfJ hdary -,2026.:!,b IN City -Council
a byIN y
of the�.City of Diamond Bar'.
CITY DIAMOND BAR
vh�
stdV--4 Yye, IWF&
5
Ordinance No. 01 (2026)
ATTEST:
1', Kristina Santana, cy-ofDia-Mppd 'Bp q,heTby-certifythatthe
foregoing 'Ord ihanc'e,:
was duI - introduced at 9 regujar"npO(IngOthe Gity'-CounCl'i
-of-the
City of Diamond Rarfbeld -on tho46thday of Dedenber,,1026, atd.Wap-finaIlypassod at
.a Yrregularmeet!. bf,the'City:6"O.Undilof the City of 019mori,6Bat h, O',on, t-h.,e20h
january,2026.,, bythe bilowingVote:
CqUnc'ijMenjOOO::,Qh(ju, Llu;,Teng,,:M/Tye
N',Q'ES!
Cou 'M bi z Norle
pq mem em,
ABSENT;: Q.i,oulncjlmerTIbOrs#, MPT/LoW
ABSTAIN: Coup c, Jlmem'6erS:.i N.000
Kridna Santana, City Clerk
m