HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/13/200 Minutes - Special MeetingCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 13, 2001
STUDY SESSION: M/Huff called the Special Joint
Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission to order at 6:07 p.m.
in Room CC -2 of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 E.
Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Ansari, Chang, O'Connor,
Mayor Pro Tem Herrera and Mayor Huff.
PLANNING COMMISSION ROLL CALL: Kuo, Ruzicka, Tye, Vice
Chair/Zirbes. Chairman Nelson was excused.
Also present were: James DeStefano, Interim
City Manager; David Doyle, Deputy City Manager; David Liu, Public Works
Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Ann Lungu, Associate
Planner; Sonya Joe, Development Services Assistant; Kirk Phillips, Associate
Engineer; Todd Strojny, Sr. Administrative Assistant and Lynda Burgess, City
Clerk.
2. 2.a PUBLIC COMMENTS: None Offered
2.b RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
3. OLD BUSINESS:
3.1 STATUS REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE
COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTER AND LIBRARY PROJECT.
Presentations by Armando Gonzales, David Goodale and Bill Turner,
Gonzalez/Goodale Associates.
Armando Gonzales stated that his firm is concluding Phase I of the
project and beginning Phase II, the actual schematic design of the
project. Phase I is the pre -design phase during which a number of
meetings and site visits have been conducted with the subcommittee.
He referred the Council and Commission to the eight guiding
principles (expectations) which will direct the project.
David Goodale explained that one of the challenges of this project is
access. The Summitridge Dr. access would not be used to gain
access to the community center and library because of the headlights
and traffic that would come to bear on Summitridge Dr. Access would
best be served through the park from the existing small parking lot. He
outlined the proposed configuration of the ingress/egress using visuals
FEBRUARY 13, 2001 PAGE 2 JT. COUNCIUPLANNING
COMM.
as well as connectivity between the parking lots and the buildings and
views from the proposed buildings.
C/Ruzicka appreciated the fact that the architects of the project are
concerned about preserving as much of the park as possible. The
feedback he has received from the community is that the most
breathtaking views in the city are located at Summitridge Park and it
would be a shame if buildings were built that did not allow residents
to enjoy these views.
C/Tye asked how friendly the community center parking lot is for the
seniors.
Mr. Goodale explained how the parking area access is level and very
functional for handicapped and seniors in accordance with one of the
guiding principles for this project.
Mr. Goodale responded to Jeff Hull that the concept for the existing
Summitridge Dr. park entrance is to create some form of blockade
gate, which would allow for emergency ingresslegress and would not
allow daily vehicular traffic.
Mr. Goodale indicated to VC/Zirbes that the subcommittee is wrestling
with the issue of the tot lot and current buildings.
ICM/DeStefano stated that the tot lot is scheduled for re -design, which
is a component that will have to be woven into the community center
project.
Brad Hay, Hunsaker & Associates explained to VC/Zirbes how the
access road would be constructed.
Norm Bell, former D.B. Senior Club President, enthusiastically
endorsed the proposed design. J. J. Dinkin concurred.
Mr. Goodale responded to MPT/Herrera that currently, the buildings
are contemplated to be one story instead of two stories for improved
functionality and scale. If it is determined that due to growth,
additional buildings are deemed to be necessary, that fact could be
considered in the design process. There is a limited amount of space
for expansion.
C/Ansari wanted to be certain that the buildings provide adequate
storage.
FEBRUARY 13, 2001 PAGE 3 JT. COUNCIL/PLANNING
COMM.
Mr. Goodale indicated to MPT/Herrera that it is possible to include a
basement area beneath the buildings.
Mr. Gonzales pointed out that it is preferable to have storage areas
adjacent to multi-purpose rooms.
Ed Bischof asked what the stage area would be like, to which C/Huff
indicated it will be a slightly raised platform with assembly area.
MPT/Herrera wanted the space to be adequate in size (facility and
storage) to serve all facets of the community. It may be less costly in
the long run to consider including basements from the outset.
Norm Bell pointed out that the Heritage Park Community Center has
virtually no storage, which makes it very difficult to serve the
residents.
Nina Goncharov felt that curves would improve the look of the
buildings.
Mr. Gonzalez indicated that boxes are shown for footprint purposes
only in Phase I. During Phase II the architectural look and materials
of the buildings will be acknowledged.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, M/Huff
adjourned the joint meeting at 7:05 p.m.
LY DA BURGESS, City Clerk
ATTEST:
OBERT S. FF, Mayor
ROBERT P. ZIRBES, Vice Chair,
Planning Commission