HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/1993 Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
JUNE 2, 1993
1. CALL TO ORDER: M/Miller called the meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m. in the AQMD Auditorium, 21865 E. Copley Dr.,
Diamond Bar, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of
Allegiance by Mayor Miller.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Miller, Mayor Pro Tem Papen, Councilmen
Forbing and MacBride. Councilmen Werner arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Also present were Terrence L. Belanger, City Manager; James
DeStefano, Community Development Director and Lynda Burgess,
City Clerk. -
2. PUBLIC HEARING: CDD/DeStefano reported that the Public
Hearing process began on May 19, 1993 for adoption of the
draft General Plan. The Council received testimony on
proposed revisions related to land use and open space policy,
and then continued the Public Hearing to May 26, 1993 to
further discuss the Land Use Element, open space related
policy, and to begin discussion of the Circulation Element.
That Public Hearing was continued in order to accommodate
further public testimony on the Circulation Element. The
issues related to Diamond Bar's traffic circulation are
significantly impacted by regional traffic. One of the major
issues within the Circulation Element is the need to deal with
traffic from outside the community using our roadway systems.
He then introduced the following members of the consultant
team, retained by the City in March of 1993 to further develop
the draft General Plan: Michael Jenkins, special legal
counsel from the law firm of Richards, Watson, and Gershon;
Daniel Iacofano, of the firm Moore, Iacofano, and Goltsman, to
facilitate the public workshop process; Terry Austin, Austin
Faust, to assist in the Circulation Element; and Dale Beland,
of the firm Cotton/Beland Associates, for development of the
General Plan policy issues.
Terry Austin stated that one of the key issues from the
workshops was that the City has a significant problem with
respect to through traffic. There was a lot of discussion at
the workshops on a Tonner Canyon Road and how the issue of the
Road should be handled in the Circulation Element of the
General Plan. The Tonner Canyon Road is not a facility that
is on any arterial highway plan of the three counties, and
there is concern as to what extent that roadway can be
featured in our General Plan. The City of Brea has a policy
adamantly opposing that roadway. Ideally, we should have a
General Plan that does not rely on the roadway, nor does it
preclude it. Staff has attempted to focus on the issue of
-- through traffic, looking at specific policy that will aid in
dealing with that through traffic problem, without necessarily
having a lot of testimony for or against a Tonner Canyon Road.
In the suggested revisions, items #10 and #11 deal with
formatting changes, and item #13 addresses the issue of
through traffic. Staff has laid out some policy directions in
an attempt to be more specific with this issue, taking the
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 2
information received from the discussion in the workshops,
from staff's evaluations of the testimony, and staff's
evaluation of the current General Plan. He reviewed the
following three policy options in item #13:
1. A Local Regional Program - Encourage the County and the
State to make regional improvements to solve the
additional through traffic problem. Implement strategies
to minimize neighborhood traffic intrusions.
2. The Peripheral Corridor - A proactive stance indicating
a desire to have a conceptual corridor included as part
of the General Plan, recognizing that the conceptual
corridor shown is not totally within the City or the
Sphere. The corridor would be a conceptual alignment
that could be a very scenic roadway, probably no more
than 4 lanes, with limited access that could carry a lot
of traffic for its size. There may need to be a
memorandum of understanding with Chino Hills and the
County so that it is included in their plan. There would
be some joint fee program to study such an alignment,
finding, and to include some strict environmental
guidelines with respect to how those particular studies
viewed this alignment.
3. A programmatic approach indicating a land use circulation -
phasing to try to establish a joint powers authority with
the neighboring City of Chino Hills that will monitor
land use and circulation such that we do not overload our
system with external traffic. Develop a milestone
program to obtain agreement as to how much development
occurs in each City in conjunction with certain actions
regarding transportation capacity. There are State
legislative guidelines that dictate how development is to
occur in relation to overloading Grand Ave., since Grand
is part of the Congestion Management Program Street
System; therefore, there are some reasons for Chino Hills
to work with Diamond Bar to look at some such program
suggested.
Terry Austin stated that staff felt that these three options
were the type of policy directions that could lead to a more
specific wording of this important part of the Circulation
Element. At the risk of being inconsistent, staff further
recommends that item #13, with respect to the high school
site, be general. More information is needed before a line is
drawn on a map, because once drawn, it is often very difficult
to remove it. In response to MPT/Papen's inquiry regarding
the inconsistent recommendations with respect to Tonner Canyon
and the high school, he explained that if option #2 were
desired, the City could evaluate the possibility of putting a
line on a map that assures a greater say on how things proceed
with respect to some kind of roadway. However, with respect
to the High School, it is felt that it would be more appro-
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 3
priate to include the objective in the Circulation Element, to
be implemented when a specific project comes to the City for
evaluation.
MPT/Papen, in regard to the statement that Brea adamantly
opposes a roadway through Tonner Canyon, stated that as a
member of the Council Subcommittee on Transportation, she had
the opportunity to meet with Brea's City officials and staff,
and though they are very concerned about the construction of
another 4 or 6 lane highway dumping traffic on the 57 freeway
at Brea's city limits, they have indicated that they are not
opposed to an alternative transportation method. There has
been discussion about seeking Orange County to bring up a
light rail line from the John Wayne Airport Irvine Center into
the Anaheim transportation corridor up the 57 freeway and out
Tonner Canyon as an alternative.
Terry Austin, concurring with MPT/Papen, stated that Brea is
also looking at Soquel transit corridor and other possi-
bilities, which could be included in either option #1, or
option #4 indicating that there are some transit corridor
studies made that would benefit the City of Diamond Bar.
M/Miller opened the Public Hearing.
Don Schad presented nine slides pertaining to the Tonner
Canyon Corridor illustrating the type of terrain that will be
disturbed in its natural ecological area. It may be possible
for an arrangement to be made with the Boy Scouts to manage
this canyon as a natural park rather than to destroy it for a
scenic roadway.
Wilbur Smith, 21630 Fair Wind Lane, expressed support for
option #1 and opposition to option #2. There will not be a
solution to the traffic problem until the City, the County and
the State address the problems associated with having two
freeways merging into one at our City limits. He made the
following comments regarding the Circulation Element: the
criteria used, based upon the capacity ratio indicated on page
V-10 item C, should be uniformly met throughout the Southern
California area; the most important criteria for the
evaluation of roads is not the volume but how long it takes to
get from point A to B; the General Plan does not address
specific ways to improve the local conditions; the only
suggested solution, projected to the year 2000, was to put a
roadway through Tonner Canyon, and other possible alternatives
were not even considered such as Carbon Canyon, expansion of
the 60/57 freeway interchange; strategy 1.1.4, which calls for
the identification of this transportation corridor through
Tonner Canyon implies that it is something that the City can
unilaterally implement, which the City cannot do; it is
impossible to minimize the environmental impacts because the
mere construction process in Tonner Canyon will destroy it; a
roadway through Tonner Canyon is not consistent with SEA #15;
JUNE 2, 1993
PAGE 4
there is no projection of future traffic conditions based upon
things that could be easily accomplished such as the
Pathfinder Bridge; and the current and projected traffic
conditions in Diamond Bar do not justify destruction of Tonner
Canyon.
In response to MPT/Papen's statement that the Pathfinder
Bridge project is indicated in Chapter 5, page 20, item 7, Mr.
Smith explained that the projections made, which tend to sub-
stantiate the need for an alternate roadway, did not take into
account changes which are currently in existence, which may
result in the projections to be totally different where the
need for a road through Tonner Canyon may be diminished.
Norman Beach Courchesne, 2021 Peaceful Hills, suggested that
CalTrans be requested to eliminate the on/off ramps at Grand
Ave. which will change the traffic patterns coming on Grand.
Gary Neely, 344 Canoe Cove, disagreed with the statement
related to Brea's opposition to the Tonner Canyon Rd. being
built. After talking with some of Brea's Council members, it
appeared that they were in more opposition to a particular
alignment which would basically take all the traffic off the
surface streets from Diamond Bar and Chino Hills and dump it
into Brea. The Parsons/Brinkerhoff Report indicated 8
different alignments for the potential construction of this
road, and concluded that the best alignment would utilize the
southern terminus where the existing Tonner Canyon connector
is to the 57 freeway in Orange County. This connection at the
57 freeway, where Brea Canyon Road goes under the 57 freeway,
would not take all the traffic off of the surface streets of
Diamond Bar and Chino Hills and dump it on Lambert and their
surface streets. He expressed support of option #2 and the
need to place a line on the map. The City has 5 roadways that
currently have a traffic volume that exceed the capacity of
the road segment. The Parsons/Brinkerhoff Report took into
account proposed projects and concluded that if a Tonner
Canyon Road is not built, the number of volume to capacity
jumps from 5 to 28 road segments. If the road is built, it
drops from 5 to 3 road segments, and if Grand Avenue is
striped to 6 lanes, it drops to zero. If Tonner Canyon Rd. is
built, it would take 35,000 cars a day off of the surface
streets in Diamond Bar. The question is not if the road
should be built, but rather how to build it so the Canyon is
built in an environmentally -sensitive manner, defining the
term "environmentally sensitive". In regard to the high
school road, he suggested that a dotted blue line be drawn to
represent the road, realigning the road in such a manner that
it would correspond and not preclude the development of the
proposed lake.
Todd Chavers, 600 Box Cove P1., pointed out that all the
options presented eventually lead to the same place in that at
some point, the pressures to develop will force us into
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 5
building a road to support traffic demands. options #1 & #3
postpones the inevitable discussion of a road; however, when
the pressure of the traffic becomes intolerable, the County or
State will look at the situation without accepting input from
Diamond Bar. It is better to attempt to control our destiny,
rather than to ignore the situation along with the environ-
mental and ecological system issues. He offered to have a
traffic engineering workshop to explain the fundamentals and
terms indicated in the Circulation Element.
Don Gravdahl, 23988 Minnequa, expressed support for both
options #2 and #3 to work with the regional communities to
provide fees for expansion of their growth, and to look at the
possibility of a light fixed rail or mono rail as a peripheral
corridor.
Barbara Beach Courchesne expressed support for option #1
because it addresses specific problems in the City and looks
beyond Diamond Bar for solutions. The City needs to become
assertive, or perhaps aggressive, in making surrounding
communities assume some of the responsibility for the problems
being created. If they won't build a road, then the City
should demand money to allow us to build it.
C/Forbing stated that he feels strategy 1.1.4 covers all three
of the options, and allows for the community, in the future,:;
to make changes and evaluations as changes occur. As changes
are made to the freeway by CalTrans, there is no way of
knowing what is actually going to be needed through Tonner
Canyon.
MPT/Papen, knowing how long it takes to implement the trans-
portation plan, and that the squeaky wheel gets the grease,
stated that it is important that we participate actively in
local, regional, and state-wide discussions. How money is
spent and what area of the five County region it gets spent
on, depends on need and political preference, which is one of
the reasons for Incorporation. She expressed concern that
options #2 & #3 mention specifically doing things with other
jurisdictions who are not present in participating in these
discussions. If a decision is made on how a program is to be
implemented, it will be hard to get agencies to buy into them.
She stated that she would support option #2 only as a
conceptual alignment corridor, without the specific line on
the map, because there is no accountability for the slope,
terrain, cost, etc. There is a need to look into alternative
means of transportation.
C/Werner stated that it is important that the City recognize
the existing problem, as well as the need to plan for
solutions tomorrow, recognizing that this is not a single
jurisdictional issue or a single jurisdictional solution. The
long range options should be as flexible as possible, so that
the feasibility of building the road is not diminished. There
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 6
could perhaps be technologies available to us in the future
that we cannot foresee at this time. It is important to
address this issue by identifying the issue, and committing to
a set of policies that direct our City in the future to take
some specific actions leading toward a solution, without being
committed to a particular line of the map.
M/Miller, understanding the necessity of the road and the
necessity of being environmentally sensitive to Tonner Canyon,
stated that it is important to have further information
analyzing the location of the road before indicating a line on
the map.
C/MacBride, referring to the comments made by Mr. Neely
regarding his reference to the Parsons/Brinkerhoff study and
the comments made by Mr. Chavers that we should attempt to
control the City's destiny as indicated by option #2, stated
that he believes that strategy 1.1.4, at this juncture of
discussion, meets adequately all the concerns expressed.
Wilbur Smith suggested that the City approach the State about
improving the 57/60 freeway interchange which will improve the
traffic flow throughout the whole San Gabriel basin. The --
State is more apt to spend money to solve traffic problems
over a wide area rather than to build a road in which Diamond
Bar is the primary beneficiary. When deciding which option is
the most appropriate, one must consider if the option can be
implemented.
MPT/Papen, at the request of M/Miller for an update on our
local current freeway system, explained that the Council has
been working to achieve the things he has talked about. The
discussion regarding Tonner Canyon and these traffic studies
focuses on the City's current condition as well as its
condition in the year 2010. Currently, in the Los Angeles
County, there is a Call for Projects that will be funded and
built in the next four years in which there are 8 or 9
projects, in that list, that would benefit this City directly.
Three of those projects relate to HOV lanes and if HOV lanes
are built, probably around 1996, with the design we think will
be approved, there will be no exit from the HOV lane at Grand
Ave. Furthermore, the City has requested $95 million to make
improvements in the interchange, but even if it is approved
this year, the soonest funds could be received would be the
year 2000. Aggressive action does need to be taken; however,
so far we have only received around 50 letters of support from
the citizens supporting $95 million of funding from the State.
The City is working hard toward resolving the issue, but there
is a need to go beyond these measures and look toward some
alternative corridor between Diamond Bar and Chino Hills to
handle the growth.
C/Forbing pointed out that Chino Hills is still expecting to
construct an additional 10,000 homes and even with the
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 7
expansion of Rte. 71, they will still need to go through
Diamond Bar to get to the 57 freeway. The only way to benefit
Diamond Bar is to keep those people off our streets and do
some long range planning with Chino Hills and Brea.
Gary Neely suggested that the developers of the Tres Hermanos
area be asked to help fund the construction of particular
segments of the road, as well as fund the reconstruction of
Grand Ave. 3/4 of a mile to bridge this lake as part of their
project. He then pointed out that strategy 1.1.4 indicates
that the road only goes through the Sphere of Influence, that
it does not have the northern terminus, and that it will go
through the easterly portion of the Sphere of Influence; thus,
verbally drawing the line on the map, at least through this
Sphere of Influence.
Dale Beland stated that the proposed revision in item #10 is
to delete the paragraph on page V-16 because of its high level
of detail. The proposed revision in item #11 suggests that
Exhibit V-4 be added on page V-19 of the Circulation Element,
to illustrate a Master Plan of Circulation to amplify and
clarify policy which is implicit now in Table V-6. Both items
#10 and #11 are basically housekeeping matters, based upon
consultant recommendation, which do not involve major policy':
decisions. Staff is prepared to move forward on item #12, the
discussion of the revision of strategy 1.1.4 and submit a
draft based upon the testimony received tonight. Item #13
suggests a revision of strategy 2.2.2 on page V-23, pertaining
to integrating the development of Tres Hermanos to Diamond Bar
through the roadway system, to read, "Ensure that the proposed
high school site within the Tres Hermanos Ranch property is
physically integrated into the community for Diamond Bar by
appropriate roadway alignment and design."
MPT/Papen, referring to the suggested revision in item #10,
suggested that there still should be some discussion
addressing future development in Diamond Bar under Physical
Mobility because there is an Issue Analysis and a Conclusion.
Dale Beland explained that it was suggested to delete those
statements because they implied a level of detail and
absoluteness which is inappropriate. Staff could modify the
language to achieve a more general statement, sending the
message but avoiding unreal detail. The Council concurred.
Todd Chavers suggested that the section be revised, not
deleted, because it is important to show the order of
magnitude of the problem being addressed in the General Plan.
In response to C/Werner, he explained that there are two set
of numbers and discussions occurring in the section, which
anticipates the traffic on our system without addressing what
is happening in a regional sense. It is important that we put
in a threshold that would impact our ability to develop
because someone else is putting trips on the system and
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 8
bumping this perceived ceiling. In response to C/MacBride, he
explained that the Circulation Element adequately addresses
the need for the land use plan we have for the City, and the
additional capacity is there but only because we are somewhat
willing to share with the region at large. The analysis done
for the General Plan in the Circulation Element and the
Traffic Model takes a 2010 SLAG population and employment
figures, converts it into travel demand and traffic numbers,
and places it on the street in a pattern similar to the travel
demands we have today. This is the method used to achieve the
growth projections in the environmental analysis indicating
that there is a need from a regional perspective. The
statement needs to be subjective because it has already been
thoroughly analyzed in the MEA, and we know it to be true for
us and the entire region.
Gary Neely, representing the Diamond Point Booster Club and
referring to item #13, encouraged the Council to not lose the
concept of putting a line on the map for access to the high
school. He illustrated a possible westerly access to the
school and emphasized the desire by many residents to have a
long term commitment in the General Plan that verbally
includes both a short road access from Deep Springs, as well _
as westerly access that comes directly off of Golden Springs,
south of the 60 freeway, paralleling the 60 freeway to the
high school, coming out of the development and back toward
the City.
Don Schad concurred that there is a need for two roads
accessing the high school to avoid a situation such as the one
occurring at South Pointe Middle School.
Todd Chavers concurred with the need to put a line on the map,
avoiding the residential streets, to set the tone for the
specific plan effort. There is most likely a way to create
the connection to the high school through the property along
the 60 freeway so that it provides local benefit to access not
just the high school but to serve as a commercial or collector
type function that could be paid for by development in Tres
Hermanos Ranch.
Eric Stone, 22401 Darrin Dr., though not opposed to the
suggested access that would cross his property to benefit all
of Diamond Bar, expressed concern that a widespread down -
zoning of the property in that area would be unfair and would
constitute a possible taking on the part of the City.
C/Werner, referring to item #10, concurred with the appropri-
ateness of putting in some subjective wording that would refer
to the issue of future development in Diamond Bar. He further
noted that his comment to item #11 relates to item #13 and
suggested that if there is more than one alternative route for
access to the high school, then it would be appropriate to
have a supplemental exhibit(s) in addition to Exhibit V-4
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 9
identifying alternative options for access to the high school.
MPT/Papen, concurring that two road accesses are needed,
stated that since there was no formal action taken on the
Specific Plan and the three alternatives presented, it may not
be appropriate to put lines on the map without having input
from the property owner and without development of the entire
parcel and the land use designation.
C/Werner pointed out that there is value for identifying, for
residents of the neighborhood, the potentiality of a collector
road or access road to the high school for planning purposes.
With nothing indicated on the map, it could be misconstrued,
from property owners in the area, that nothing was ever
planned. Perhaps the potential access can be identified with
a circle or an arrow.
MPT/Papen pointed out that there is also a possibility of a
road from Tin Dr. up to Pantera through the undeveloped land
to the Tres Hermanos property.
M/Miller stated that he concurred with the statements made by
C/Forbing and C/MacBride that the language in strategy 1.1.4 -
adequately meets all the concerns expressed.
CM/Belanger, in response to MPT/Papen's suggestion to delete
the wording "easterly portion," explained that the easterly
portion of the Sphere of Influence was suggested because it
was felt to be a more appropriate area for the location of a
possible regional transportation corridor in the =future,
taking into consideration the surrounding communities. It is
staff's recommendation that ambiguity as relates to the Sphere
of Influence not be left in the General Plan.
M/Miller suggested that strategy 1.1.4 be modified to read,
"...Sphere of Influence are which recognize and prioritized
environmental sensitivity."
C/Werner suggested that strategy 1.1.4 be amended to indicate,
"...proactively work with adjacent jurisdictions."
CM/Belanger, in response to C/Werner, stated that there will
not be a designation placed on the map because the purpose of
the language is to have each of the agencies proactively
involved in looking at this type of regional transportation
corridor alternative and at some future time make a
determination where it will be. He then reported that Mr.
Chavers has provided an outline for a definition determining
"environmentally sensitive" as it relates to a transportation
corridor, which will be provided to the consultant team to
look for a way to incorporate it into the document.
Dale Beland, in response to C/Werner's inquiry regarding the
meaning of the word "insure" indicated on page V-23, item #13,
JUNE 2, 1993
PAGE 10
explained that the intent of the term "insure" is a policy
commitment that, in any future consideration of development of
the high school or Tres Hermanos Ranch Property, etc. the
appropriate roadway alignment and design would be implemented.
RECESS: M/Miller recessed the meeting 9:15 p.m..
RECONVENE: M/Miller reconvened the meeting at 9:24 p.m..
MPT/Papen, referring to page V-14, suggested that, with the
impending start of the Metrolink in 12 days, the document
should indicate that it has already occurred, instead of
planned, and it should read, "The Riverside to Los Angeles
Metrolink Commuter Rail System operates along the Union
Pacific Line and the closest station serving the City of
Diamond Bar is at Brea Canyon Road just north of the City
boundary." The Council concurred.
Don Schad stated that it is important that the General Plan
address the wilderness areas that are still in its natural
state. Each one of these canyons have individual botanical or
wildlife characteristics that are unique to each area.
Wilbur Smith made the following comments: the General Plan
seems to be responding to special interests who could profit
by development of Tonner Canyon; the traffic problems are
being over -stated in order to find general support for a road;
the data does not substantiate a catastrophic traffic
situation; though criteria is established, there is no basis
for judging that criteria relative to other communities; the
General Plan does not address the fact that the reason it is
pleasant to reside in Diamond Bar is because of the low
density housing pattern and sense of open space caused by the
hills and canyons, which is what we should be trying to
retain; the General Plan does not specifically indicate that
Tonner Canyon is within SEA #15 and that there are legalities
associated with SEA #15 by both the County and the State; it
does not say that the City will act in accordance with the
letter and the spirit of those legalities; the failure to
recognize these legalities is the direct result of lawsuits
against the City; and this General Plan is nothing more than
a regurgitation of the EIR written for the JCC properties,
with the same wording, thought processes, insensitivities to
the environmental and the geological aspects.
MPT/Papen pointed out that the Council did address the issue
of the SEA at the last two meetings and added a map that
delineates the SEA, changing strategy 1.5.5 to specifically
reference the SEA as well as other areas.
Discussion ensued between M/Miller and Mr. Smith regarding the
fundamental due process of an application. M/Miller explained
that the Council had, from the onset, expressed concerns
regarding the JCC project; however, the applicant must be
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 11
allowed to present his project and an opportunity to prove
that the City's concerns have no basis in fact.
Discussion further ensued regarding the lawsuit filed by the
Citizens to Protect Country Living vs. the City Clerk.
Concerned with Mr. Smith's statement that he did not believe
that the City Clerk was not influenced by the Council,
C/Forbing, C/Werner, MPT/Papen and M/Miller each informed Mr.
Wilbur that, for the record, no communication took place with
the City Clerk during the submission of the Referendum
petition nor during her review or final decision.
MPT/Papen, referring to strategy l.l.l.d., medium density
residential housing land use, page I-9, stated that it has
been suggested that the Council consider a RM zone with a
maximum density of 16DU/AC for already developed land in those
categories indicated, and add strategy 1.1.1.e for undeveloped
lands in this same category with a maximum density of 12DU/AC.
She inquired into the legality of putting different housing
densities on the same land use designation.
Michael Jenkins stated that he sees no legal problem with
establishing different density designations, or two separate
categories of high density residential with two separate
density designations, recognizing current densities so as not:
to render those currently developed properties nonconforming,:
while at the same time declaring a lower and different density,
designation for properties to be developed in the future. It
is a policy matter that a lower density is more appropriate
for that type of development.
MPT/Papen requested further information regarding the require-
ment to allow density bonuses, through low and moderate type
housing and such, that can bring the 12DU/AC up to 16DU/AC.
Michael Jenkins stated that he will need to evaluate it
further and will bring back a response to the Council later.
CDD/DeStefano, in response to C/WernerIs concern, stated that,
in staff's opinion, Mr. Smith's comments regarding the City's
failure to recognize certain issues does not represent a
liability in terms of the General Plan presently being
contemplated for adoption. He requested further time to
review the statements made in further detail. The City
Council concurred.
C/MacBride inquired if it would be more appropriate if the
-- General Plan included a vision statement.
CDD/DeStefano pointed out that the General Plan itself is a
vision statement. Some General Plans may have a summary of
that vision and it may be appropriate to begin this policy
document with such a statement.
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 12
Dale Beland, concurring with CDD/DeStefano, stated that, based
upon what has been discussed at this hearing and at the
workshops, there seems to be a need to consider that type of
addition to the document. Staff will draft such a statement,
to be included in the draft Plan, if so desired. The Council
concurred.
C/MacBride, noting that the final General Plan document must
produce four major changes, suggested that a map also be
included that would show the regional impacts of deep concern
to this community that will impact the City in the future. We
have a responsibility to show major impacts beyond our
specific borders.
Gary Neely inquired when it would be appropriate to discuss
his specific written requested revisions to the General Plan
that he previously submitted.
MPT/Papen stated that one of the issues, regarding multifamily
housing and the change of zoning, was just discussed. The
other issues raised seem to fall into three categories: a
University of California; the MWD lake; and the development of
Tres Hermanos Ranch. However, since the land use is desig-
nated as Specific Plan, the request to add verbiage to the
General Plan on decisions that have not been formally made
would not be appropriate at this time.
Gary Neely state that since this is to be a 20 -year plan, the
growing needs of the community and the region must be
addressed, regardless of current funding situations. He then
stated that not all of the changes submitted to the Council
dealt solely with the three topics summarized by MPT/Papen and
he would like an opportunity to discuss them at an appropriate
time.
Dale Beland, in response to C/Werner's request for the consul-
tant's review on the points submitted by Mr. Neely, stated
that they would appreciate further time to evaluate Mr.
Neely's recent submittal, which is quite extensive. Given the
burden of the workshop process, there has not been an
opportunity to deal with the previous submittals in a level of
detail now requested.
C/Forbing, noting that the designation of the Tres Hermanos
Ranch was changed from Specific Plan to Agricultural, stated
that any discussion of a University or any other use would
seem to be inappropriate in an Agricultural zone. Likewise,
a potential lake in an adjoining County does not have much to --:
do with our General Plan.
C/MacBride explained that the Council is indicating that
provisions have been made in the General Plan so that if this
dream becomes reality, the zoning ascribed to this area will
allow the Council to consider it. Until such time as it is
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 13
much more nearly in fruition, it is not appropriate to
predicate it now in this document.
Gary Neely stated that he feels the citizens of this community
are being short-changed by not taking advantage of opportun-
ities that are available. The document, though well written,
does not go far enough and does not paint this community in
the best light possible.
Don Schad emphasized the importance of the Tree Ordinance. He
then stated that the University and lakes recommended by Mr.
Neely is a good vision because the college developed could be
a College of Science, particularly to water reclamation,
purification, and distribution.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS: M/Miller stated that he will be attending
a meeting with the Mayor of Walnut and the Director of
Lanterman dealing with the MRF.
C/MacBride suggested that the General Plan include an intro-
ductory sentence to get the message across that, "Virtually
every government program, every government service, must be
paid for by taxpayer dollars."
C/Werner inquired when staff will present the Council with the
revised material, and how the process will proceed from this
point.
CM/Belanger stated that staff is, and will continue to, make
changes to the text of the General Plan as it exists today,
based on the comments made at these Public Hearings and the
workshops as well as the comments submitted. Staff will
incorporate all these revisions into a complete draft document
that will come before the Council's review within the next two
weeks. An adoption proposal for a General Plan for the City
will then be presented at the meeting of July 6, 1993 for the
Council's review. The Planning Commission will not need to
review the document if the differences that might be incor-
porated into this new General Plan document cover items and
topics that were discussed previously by the Planning
Commission when reviewing the previous iteration of a General
Plan. In response to C/Werner, he stated that a memorandum
has been prepared by the City Attorney for the City Council
which will be provided.
Michael Jenkins, in response to a comment made by MPT/Papen,
stated that various portions of both the land use and housing
elements contemplate that a density bonus could be granted
which would thereby exceed the 12DU/Ac that was referred to in
the new high density areas.
MPT/Papen requested that the issue be placed for discussion as
to whether or not the Council would take that kind of action.
JUNE 2, 1993 PAGE 14
C/Forbing reported that there is an Economic Development
breakfast scheduled for June 10, 1993 at 7:00 a.m. at the
Diamond Bar Country Club.
ADJOURNMENT: M/Miller adjourned the meeting at 10:30
p.m. to June 9, 1993 at 7:00 p.m.
1��7ka G�2%
Ly da Burgess, Cit0 y Clerk
Attest:
ayor