HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/1993 Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
JULY 13, 1993
1. CALL TO ORDER: M/Miller called the meeting to order
at 7:03 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, Werner, and MacBride.
Also present were Terrence L. Belanger, City Manager; James
DeStefano, Community Development Director and Lynda Burgess,
City Clerk.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: CM/Belanger reported that the planning
consultant team, consisting of Dale Beland, Cotton/Beland
Assoc. and Michael Jenkins, Richards, Watson & Gershon, would
review changes to the base 1992 General Plan document, as well
as discuss some major significant issues within the Plan. He
recommended that the City Council provide comment to the
General Plan document, receive testimony from the public, and
continue the Public Hearing to July 20, 1993.
CDD/DeStefano reported that this is the eighth Public Hearing
to give an opportunity for the public to provide testimony and
receive a presentation on the General Plan. As a result of a
variety of comments received and direction provided by the
City Council, staff prepared a final draft 1993 General Plan,
dated July 13, 1993, outlining all of the changes and comments
put into the document to date. There are a variety of
significant differences between the General Plan and the prior
document utilized by the City, as well as a number of
typographical corrections and changes made for internal
consistency.
Dale Beland summarized the following significant areas of
change contained in the Plan: a change from a potential
additional buildout of 6,235 dwelling units indicated in the
1992 General Plan to a maximum theoretical additional buildout
of 1,900 dwelling units, of which probably only half would
ever occur given the City's development standards; the
reinforcement of the approach, in the Plan, from a policy
perspective, on environmental concerns, recognizing SEA #15,
defining the significance of various resources and indigenous
species of trees, and recognizing the endangered species,
calling for a careful review of these kinds of environmental
resource concerns before any approvals are permitted; the
reinforcement of the understanding that the City is an
unwilling recipient of regional traffic impacts of which it
has limited unilateral control; it calls for a very strong
statement of proactive involvement to address regional
transportation at the regional level; adds language that
inventories the very aggressive statements and actions taken
to date by the Council with respect to items already in State
and regional transportation implementation programs; a line on
the map is not being proposed at this time because the City
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 2
first needs to work with those that have the authority to
implement transportation projects at regional and State
levels, then the City needs to consider and include in this
document, as a policy, recognition of the need for a regional
transportation corridor that would put regional traffic off
local City streets; the vision statement has been rewritten to
focus on major components of the Diamond Bar revision, identi-
fying the retention of the rural country living community
character, the preservation of open space resources, the
recognition of the status of the sphere of influence and SEA
#15 considered to be a major open space asset to the commun-
ity, that the City will play a proactive role in its
preservation by assuring that extensive analysis and review
precede any changes from its current uses and activities, a
statement relating to the regional traffic impact problem and
regional proactive efforts to deal with it, the promotion of
viable commercial activity, the provision of well maintained
attractive housing and the creation of a community environment
which nurtures social, cultural, religious, educational and
recreational opportunities for its citizens.
Introduction: a statement regarding "implied prioritization,"
which has also been included elsewhere in the document; a --
broader and more detailed description of the process by which
the Plan was considered in 1992 and the actions that occurred
to date; the extensive number of workshops and Public Hearings
to date; references to SEA #15 and its significance; a
statement on how the General Plan responds to the concern that
taxpayers finance virtually all governmental activities and
programs. He pointed out that it was been recommended that
the MEA be excluded from the Plan and maintained as an
administrative data base.
Land Use Element: the addition of a section called Potential
Regional Impacts listing areas outside the City's boundaries
insofar as they affect the planning of the community; dealing
with the issue of deed restriction status and the open space
definition and preservation; including recreational properties
in the broad context of open space and which sets up, as Plan
policy, the need for the Plan to categorize these in distinct
and clearly understood designations, and to include strategies
for land use development that will preserve significant
environmentally sensitive areas; confirm as an issue the need
to define and promote an image that reflects the City's many
attributes and its vision; adds language introducing the
concept of proactive and aggressive involvement in lobbying
and working with adjacent and regional agencies via
circulation; modifies Goal One to provide a stronger statement
about the balance of development and preservation of
significant open space areas to assure both economic viability
and retention of distinctive natural features; modifies the
designation for median density residential to RM12 (maximum
12DU/AC) for existing planned townhome, condominium,
apartment, mobile home, etc. and RM16 (maximum 16DU/AC) to
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 3
designate existing and planned townhome, condominium,
apartment, etc.; modify designation of Tres Hermanos Ranch
property to Agricultural/Specific Plan; the designation for
the sphere of influence is Agricultural; addition of a
strategy to undertake an economic resource strategic program
to target revitalization of existing commercial; additional
strategies to emphasize the City's intent to pursue
development of major joint use recreation and meeting
facilities as part of educational facility development to work
with Tres Hermanos Ranch owners to incorporate, where
appropriate, educational, cultural, recreation and public
service, and to work with neighboring jurisdictions in
coordination of educational, cultural and recreational plans;
require the submission of a title report, or other acceptable
documentation of deed and map restriction on all applications
for subdivision and development approval; a strategy defining
open space, which now includes recreational facilities, both
active and passive; requires a Public Hearing prior to any
City action which would change existing deed restrictions on
such open space lands; a strategy to develop an open space
program to identify, acquire, and preserve land consistent
with needs, objectives and financial capability; recognizes
the significance of SEA #15 resources and to support further
definition of the extent and the intensity of such resources
to provide needed additional information; add reference to the
Circulation Element in Goal Two regarding an environmentally -
sensitive corridor; a strategy to monitor the progress of
regional developments, encourage coordination with cities to
lobby the State and Federal government on regional issues
which affect the City, and evaluate the potential impacts upon
the City of major proposed regional development; and the
appropriate revisions to the Land Use Map.
Housing Element: change Table 2-1 for accuracy; modify
section F in an effort to support the conclusion stated, and
amend "The Diamond Bar Village" to correctly refer to "The
Heritage Park Apartments"; add the new buildout potential of
1,900 units; modify the density classification for low medium
density residential; modify the ranges of medium density from
5 to 12; include the new description of high density; clarify
the Tres Hermanos Ranch property to Agricultural/ Specific
Plan; and eliminate Table H-5.
Resource Management Element: add new language to develop a
Tree Preservation Ordinance to preserve, where practical,
indigenous trees; a strategy to provide access and migration
corridors; definition of mature oak, walnut, and pepper trees;
add a strategy to discuss with neighboring jurisdictions and
other agencies the location of a recreational water facility;
and add language to work with property owner and other
jurisdictions and agencies to plan and locate reclaimed water
facilities within the Tres Hermanos area.
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 4
Public Health and Safety Element: references to Colima Road
are changed to Golden Springs Drive; Figure IV -1 provides
projected noise contours which ties back to the document, the
MEA, and the EIR.
Circulation Element: provide sufficient policy and issue
description to be responsive to State law; provide a
foundation for the City to make decisions in the future
without adding details that don't belong in a General Plan
that might create problems of modification or amendment in the
future and in someway limit the City's flexibility; the
roadway system diagram are potential corridors, in which one
set addresses future access needs for the school site in the
Tres Hermanos Ranch property, and for regional, peripheral or
bypass corridor providing access between Chino Hills and the
SR 57 freeway; show the corporate boundary of the City and the
sphere of influence; reference to strategies 1.3.6 of the Land
Use Element and 1.1.4 of the Circulation Element because they
describe some future consideration of a transportation
corridor in the southeasterly portion of the SOI, outside of
SEA #15; a reference to see strategies 1.3.4 and 2.2.2 of the
Circulation Element to tie a graphic representation back to
the text of the strategy definitions; the remainder of the
graphic shows the major elements of the system that is also
defined in Table V-1; a fairly detailed description of the
term of an environmentally -sensitive transportation corridor;
repeat the level of development that would be permissible
under the proposed Plan, which is approximately a maximum of
1,900 units, hypothetically; a more explicit statement for the
need to consider an environmentally -sensitive transportation
corridor through the easterly portion of the sphere of
influence; language relating to cul-de-sacing of Sunset
Crossing Road; modification of language pertaining to Tonner
Canyon; add language stating the City's intent to continue to
seek support for regional State transportation improvement
program projects; encourage Orange and San Bernardino Counties
to fund and construct an environmentally -sensitive transpor-
tation corridor roadway through Soquel Canyon and/or Carbon
Canyon; pursue development of additional lanes on route 60
easterly of the City; expansion of the term "traffic control
devices"; add strategy to pursue other traffic measures to
enhance circulation and transient traffic movements; add
strategy minimizing impacts of roadways serving the Diamond
Ranch High School site on surrounding residential neighbor-
hoods; add strategy to synchronize signals on Grand Ave.
through the City in adjacent communities; Table V-1 has been
updated to address the proper name of Colima Road, and to
classify Sunset Crossing Road east of route 57 as a
residential collector and west of route 57 as collector cul-
de-sac.
Public Services and Facilities Element: either word changes
describing "Element" instead of "Plan for Community
Development", etc. or to items under Goal One pertaining to
JULY 13, 1993
PAGE 5
working with the City of Industry to facilitate redevelopment
of the reclaimed water reservoir, and similar proposals. Mr.
Beland stated that he did not review typographical changes,
nor wording changes that do not affect policy or direction.
Staff will make the appropriate administrative changes as they
occur, with the consent of the Council.
RECESS: M/Miller recessed the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
RECONVENE: M/Miller reconvened the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
MPT/Papen inquired how the calculations in Table II -1, page
II -4, were determined, and what projects were included.
Mr. Beland stated that condominiums would be considered single
family attached and apartment buildings would be considered
multiple family units.
In response to C/Werner, Mr.
2.2.2 on page V-13 includes
development within the Tres
integrated into the community
roadway system. This strategy
on the Circulation Element ma
with that level of specificity.
Beland stated that strategy
language to ensure that new
Hermanos Ranch property is
of Diamond Bar through the
language and the designations
p on page V717 are consistent
Tom Van Winkle requested that "where practical" be deleted
from strategy 1.1.10, page III -10.
Don Schad requested the following: delete "where practical"
from strategy 1.1.10, page III -10; add a specific time frame
for completion to strategy 1.1.10; add "west of the 57
freeway to strategy 1.1.10; add the California Sycamore and
the Valley Willow to strategy 1.2.2, page III -11; and add the
preservation of all of our natural creeks and springs to
strategy 1.2.5 page III -2.
Max Maxwell stated that he felt that the subcommittee meeting
to discuss the Tonner Canyon issue was productive. Though
C/Werner did an admirable job at chairing the meeting, all
Councilmembers should be present to discuss the issues. He
requested that the Council and City give him more adequate
prior notice of any meetings to be held, specifically
regarding the 33 page letter submitted by the Citizens of
Diamond Bar.
Nick Anis questioned the authority of the Citizens of Diamond
Bar group to claim representation of the residents and to make
such demands on the City, such as calling for a five-year
moratorium on any building. Such a request would prevent the
construction of a Diamond Bar High School, Pantera Park, etc.
Gary Neely, 344 Canoecove, made the following comments: why
was the MEA removed; existing land use is still not accurately
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 6
depicted in Figure I-1 on page I-6; there should be discussion
of map restricted property being designated on the Land Use
Map as open space; there should be a statement that "It is the
City's policy not to renegotiate these prior map and/or deed
restrictions unless, after a separate public hearing, it is
deemed that doing so would benefit the community"; and the
Circulation Element needs to be rewritten. He then stated
that the subcommittee meetings with C/Werner are quite
productive.
Barbara Beach-Courchesne made the following comments: terms
such as "feasible" and "practical" should be deleted from the
document, such as on page I-7; the term "map restricted"
should be added to strategy 1.5.3 on page I-16; and Pathfinder
should not be classified as minor and secondary as indicated
on page V-16.
Martha Bruske, 600 S. Great Bend Drive, stated that strategy
1.6.6 on page I-17 should indicate that the excess land from
clustered development should not be given to a Homeowners
Association nor should it be sold and consequently developed.
She also stated that the General Plan, which indicates a
tolerance for transient parking in our shopping center lots _
and in CalTrans parking lots, should be guarded against any
language that simply allows the people from other facilities
to more easily drive through the City.
Todd Chavers, 600 Boxcove, stated that there are no standards
in the General Plan for what level service "C" or "D" means as
indicated in the Circulation Element.
Max Maxwell stated that the lines on the map should be revised
to more specifically define SEA #15 as it exists today.
Don Schad stated that two volumes of the General Plan document
is not adequate to allow 50,000 plus residents an opportunity
to review it. He requested a 90 -day period of review if it is
to remain with the same availability.
Ken Anderson, clarifying the Land Use Map, stated that the
building on the right on the corner of Fountain Springs and
Diamond Bar Blvd. is a professional office and the one on the
left is a public facility.
Wilbur Smith, 21630 Fair Wind Lane, stated that he feels the
1993 General Plan is sensitive to the public input and that
the language is consistent with, and responds to most of the
issues raised to maintain the quality of life in Diamond Bar. —
C/Werner stated that the subcommittee, consisting of 8
residents and staff, met again on July 13 to discuss the
regional bypass/Tonner Canyon issue, and to resolve some of
the differing viewpoints regarding that issue. Following the
meeting, there was agreement from the subcommittee that the
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 7
Circulation Element needs to make the best use of all of the
existing land use and circulation data available, and to
relate to land use policies and plans, not only of Diamond
Bar, but of neighboring communities because this circulation
issue is viewed not only as a local issue but a regional
issue. It was also agreed that all of the existing future
traffic data needs to be considered, such as the Parsons,
Brinkerhoff Report, SCAG Reports, and the DKS Study paid for
by the City in conjunction with the City of Brea. It was
further suggested that all improvements and proposals for
regional circulation systems planned for future improvements
be included since a lot of the regional components to the
circulation system work together. The subcommittee agreed
that there are alternative routes that are potentially
possible in order to develop a regional bypass that should be
identified as part of the General Plan, recognizing that one
particular route is not considered to be the solution, and
that all the necessary information is not available today, nor
are all the jurisdictions part of the decision making process
available to discuss the proper location of a regional bypass
road. The alternative routes identified as being potentially
possible are as follows: a south -of -the canyon route staying
out of SEA #15; a route following existing development in
Diamond Bar which would be north of the canyon; and no road.
Before considering construction of a bypass road, the City
should assure that all other improvements, such as the
widening of SR 60 located east of Diamond Bar, improvements of
the 60/57 interchange, other similar freeway regional
improvements, and all local road improvements including
traffic signalization and signs, are considered and that there
is a defined benefit, regionally and locally. The preferred
approach is to establish criteria and policy guidelines that
can be followed for the roadway, if it is to be developed.
There was concurrence that the roadway should be
environmentally balanced and sensitive from an ecological
standpoint; however, the subcommittee did not yet come to an
agreement as to the degree of specificity in defining
environmental sensitivity. The subcommittee is planning to
meet July 19th to discuss this issue. The subcommittee
concurred that there should be a proactive effort on the part
of the City to work with other jurisdictions that would take
part in the decision making and the financing of such a
roadway, if it were ever to be developed. He then stated
that, using the parameters discussed, staff is in the
position, with Council's approval, to make the appropriate
modifications to the portions of the Circulation Element which
would be available for review at the next Council meeting.
The subcommittee members also suggested that the existing data
available to the City be integrated into the Circulation
Element, to better define the City's present circulation
situation, thereby developing a better Circulation Element.
C/MacBride, in response to a comment made by Mr. Schad,
requested staff to assure that there is sufficient copies of
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 8
the General Plan made available for public review. He then
pointed out that the vision statement on pages 1 & 2 give an
immediate feeling of the thrust of the entire General Plan,
and that page 17 on Economics includes a statement indicating
that the City faces all economic issues with an eye toward the
fiscal responsibility the community demands. Furthermore, the
addition of the statement potential regional impacts," on
page I-3, is helpful to those who want assurance that the City
is aware of what is happening around us.
MPT/Papen expressed concern that the "potential regional
impacts, on page I-3, have been specifically identified. The
description should be abbreviated to state that "Areas of
potential impacts upon the City of Diamond Bar could include
such things as material recovery plants, water projects,
educational facilities, regional roadways, other alternative
methods of transportation" because, at this point in the
document, only generalities are being discussed, not
specifics. In response to a comment made by Mr. Maxwell, she
stated that she feels it is more appropriate to show the
original boundaries on the SEA map, not just the existing
boundaries. In response to a comment made by Mr. Schad, she
suggested that strategy 1.1.10 on page III -10 be amended to ^--
read "Develop a Tree Preservation Ordinance because whether
it is "practical" or "indigenous trees" would be determined
when the Tree Ordinance is adopted.
C/Werner pointed out that the purpose of identifying policy in
the General Plan is to identify what we want to accomplish.
MPT/Papen stated that it is inappropriate to name the Valley
Willow, as suggested by Mr. Schad, specifically in the General
Plan as an indigenous tree when there has not been any Public
Hearings on that specific issue. If the term "indigenous" is
to remain, then the term "as practical" should also remain.
Dale Beland, in response to C/Werner, stated that every Tree
Preservation Ordinance he has written or read has some
opportunity for a waiver or variance for a situation where
preserving a tree is not practical. Whether the strategy
remains as written, or has a period following "Ordinance" is
acceptable since -there cannot be an ordinance that does not
have that element of practicality in it.
The Council agreed to leave the strategy as written.
MPT/Papen stated that it is not appropriate to name specific
trees as indicated in strategy 1.2.2, page III -11, since the --
City only has regulations on oak trees, and not on walnut and
pepper trees.
M/Miller suggested the following language: "Preserving of
existing mature oak, walnut, and pepper trees within existing
natural and naturalized areas should be considered in a Tree
JULY 13, 1993 PAGE 9
Preservation Ordinance."
MPT/Papen expressed concern that indicating that number of
trees restricted on development may create a problem for
vacant property owners. She suggested that the first sentence
in strategy 1.2.2 be deleted and added to strategy 1.1.10.
The Council concurred.
MPT/Papen, referring to the Table on page II -4, stated that if
the description condos and apartments are to be used than
that description should be used in the footnote as well.
M/Miller, in response to C/Werner, stated that the Council
will decide on the circulation issue once Council has had an
opportunity to review the report on the subcommittee meeting.
Dale Beland, at the request of M/Miller, explained that the
reason for the recommendation to modify the description of the
components of the General Plan to eliminate the MEA is because
including it limits the City's ability to make necessary
updates of fact without going through the arduous process of
General Plan amendment hearings. If it is maintained as an
administrative record, the data remains publicly available,
and it is still usable and supportive of additional
environmental documentation.
M/Miller directed staff to take the comments made at this
meeting and make necessary administrative changes to the
document.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Forbing announced that the City is
expanding its computer system. Any resident possessing
bulletin -type information that is of general interest to the
community should contact Troy Butzlaff at City Hall.
4. ADJOURNMENT: At 9:15 p.m., M/Miller declared the
Public Hearing continued to July 20, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Auditorium of the AQMD, 21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.
5*40-1 6�t �, ,
L DA BURGESS, City -Clerk
AT
K
Mayor