HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/2015 MinutesMINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MEETING OF THE PLANNING :
FEBRUARY
Chairman Frank Farago called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill
Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Low led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
1. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Ruth Low, Jennifer "Fred"
Mahlke, Bob Nishimura, Peter Pirritano, and
Chairman Frank Farago
Also present: Greg, Gubman, Community Development
Director; Grace Lee, Senior Planner; Josue Espino, Assistant Planner; Natalie T.
Espinoza, Assistant Planner; and Stella Marquez, Administrative Coordinator.
2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCEIPUBLIC COMMENTS:
Edward Dahl, 1938 Chestnut Creek Road, said he was concerned about the
drainage diverters along the streets and was told that the City would remove them.
His has been removed because he had work done to his driveway and wanted to
know if the other diverters would be removed in the future. He was also concerned
about the heavy coyote population in the City and the loss of his dog and other
cats and dogs as well as, the possible loss of small children.
CDDIGubman asked the speaker to provide his contact information and staff will
reach him by phone to discuss his concerns. With respect to relocation of drainage
diverters or any other infrastructure improvements, those items are handled by the
City's Public Works Department and he will refer this inquiry to that department for
outreach to Mr. Dahl. Regarding the coyote issue, staff is well aware of that issue
which is a matter under the jurisdiction and regulations of the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and it may be unlawful for individuals to take any
action in this regard. There is staff in the City Manager's office that can provide
information about what measures would be proposed to address this concern and
he will ask the Deputy City Manager or one of the Management Analysts in that
office to reach out to Mr. Dahl.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented
FEBRUARY 24, 2015
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION
4.1 Minutes of the JanuarV 27 2015 Regular Meetin .
C/Pirritano moved, Chair/Farago seconded, to approve the January 27,
2015, regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
5. OLD BUSINESS:
6. NEW BUSINESS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
COMMISSIONERS:
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S):
None
None
Low, Mahlke, Pirritano,
Chair/Farago
None
Nishimura
None
7.1 Development Review No. PL2014-618 •- Under the authority of Diamond
Bar Municipal Code Section 22.48, the applicant and property owners
requested Development Review approval to construct a 1,232 square foot,
two-story addition to an existing 1,823 square foot, two-story single family
residence with an attached two -car garage on a 0.30 gross acre (13,180
gross square foot) lot. The subject property is zoned Low Medium Density
Residential (RLM) with an underlying General Plan land use designation of
Low Density Residential.
PROJECT ADDRESS:
PROPERTY OWNERS
APPLICANT:
1928 Chestnut Creek Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Hongjie Wu and Yanfang Yao
1928 Chestnut Creek Road
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Jason Jiang
Jao Design, Inc.
5877 Pine Avenue
Chino Hills, CA 91709
FEBRUARY 24,2015 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISS101
APIEspino presented staff's report and recommended Planning
Commission approval of Development Review No. PL2014-618, based on
the Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed
within the resolution.
CILow asked if the second floor room designated as an office with an
attached bathroom presented different challenges to the approval or plan
check process than if the room was designated as a bedroom. APIEspino
responded that per the building code, the room would need to have a closet
to be considered a bedroom and in this particular case, no closet is
proposed. CILow asked if the amount of space made a difference and
APIEspino responded "no."
C/Nishimura stated that staff's report and diagram indicates there is a
22 foot setback from the front property line to the building and asked if that
was correct to which APIEspino responded "yes." C/Nishimura said he
noticed that the lot was irregularly shaped and on the drawing the 22 feet is
shown from the north side of the garage. Looking at the south side corner
it will be less than 22 feet and he wanted to know if it is at 20 feet or more
or less than 20 feet or if it makes a difference. APIEspino responded that
the distance at that location was about 21 to 22 feet because of the site
tapering in a bit but it would not mal<e-a difference in compliance with the
Development Code and still meets the front setback requirement.
C/Nishimura asked why staff used 22 feet in the report- and APIEspino
responded that for consistency of the drawings and staff measured the site
and found that the setback meets the minimum requirement. C/Nishimura
said if the measurement is something less than 22 feet, and staff is
submitting a report, and the measurement is something less than what is
stated he would like to see that information reflected in staff's report.
C/Nishimura said he visited the site and found that it was less than 22 feet
and he wanted to know how much less than 22 feet it measures or if it is
over 20 feet because a Minor CUP might be required. APIEspino thanked
C/Nishimura for bringing this to his attention and staff will correct the
information; however, staff's site visit concluded that the project complies
as stated in staff's report and a condition of approval can be included in the
Resolution that the project will comply with the 20 foot front setback
requirement.
CILow said it appeared the measurement was 31 feet on the diagram.
There is a notation of 22 feet at the bottom of the slide and then it goes up
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 4 PLANNING COMMISSION
to 31 feet. APIEspino responded that in reference to the 22 feet versus the
20 foot question was because the measurement was taken from its
respective location as opposed to the location indicated by C/Nishimura. 11
is a correct statement that this should be taken into account and, based on
staff's review and site visit that is from where the setback distance was
measured. The 31 feet is recessed area from a portion of the property line.
Chair/Farago opened the public hearing.
Edward Huang, Project Manager, Hao Design, Inc. introduced his
colleagues Jason Jiang, Project Architect and Lew Jiang, Project
Coordinator, thanked staff for their help and support through a very pleasant
working relationship during the design and development phase of this home
addition project. His company respectfully submits this project for the
Commission's consideration. This project is designed to house a four
person family. Mr. Wu is a very successful businessman in China and he
is in the process of pursuing his American dream and identified and
purchased this property as part of that dream and wished to become a new
member of this community. Mr. Wu was very happy to hear that Diamond
Bar staff was very pleasant to work with., and that Diamond Bar is a
"business -friendly" community. His twin boy and girl are 11 and are looking
forward to attending school and making new friends in the community. The
proposed improvement to the property meets every requirement of the
City's General Plan, Zoning, Development Standards and Design
Guidelines. Again, this is the owner's pursuit of the American dream. The
kids are growing and the owner wants a nice house forthemselves and their
kids. Mr. Huang said his company was very glad to be able to serve as a
help in bringing the Wu family to Diamond Bar.
The house, as proposed with an addition is compatible -to the neighborhood
and the style of the architecture is compatible to the neighborhood as well.
Mr. Huang provided two maps and a photo to the Commission. Mr. Huang
distributed to the Commission and staff copies of two maps diagramming
all other existing two-story homes within an area generally along Chestnut
Creek Road/Bella Pine and Wellspring Drive, between Terra Loma Drive on
the south and Leaning Pine Dive on the north, and houses with compatible
architectural styles. He also distributed to the Commission and staff copies
of an aerial photo and street view photo with the roof plan and front elevation
of the proposed project overlaid on them and showing the proposed slope
and ridgeline of the roof. Mr. Huang said his firm's intent from the very
beginning was to provide an integrated and compatible design and his client
EBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 5 PLANNING COMMISSIW4
and staff are pleased with the result.
all conditions of approval as stated
implement those conditions.
Mr. Huang said that he would accept
and continue to work with staff to
Lew Jiang thanked the City's Planning staff and in particular APIEspino and
AP/Espinoza for their help through this process.
Jeff Deutsch, 1922 Chestnut Creek Road (property to the north of the
project) said that based on his limited knowledge of the project he did not
have any specific problems with the project with the possible exception of
the fact that he added solar panels to their south facing roof and was
concerned that the increase in the height of the project roof may impinge on
the design of his solar panels which might require a change in the design
plan and costs related to moving the panels.
Chair/Farago asked if the ridgeline was being changed on the project house
and APIEspino responded that the ridgelines, as shown on the roof plan,
are such that it is maintaining the same height as the existing home. The
cross ridgeline will intersect with the top of the existing ridgeline and the
overall height will not change. There will be a mass for the second story
addition but the height will not increase.
Chair/Farago asked that the front view rendering of the project addition be
put on the overhead and asked to have the speaker's concerns explained.
Chair/Farago said that if the current height does not interfere with the
exposure and shading of his property, in staff's opinion, how would the
project affect the neighboring property?
CDD/Gubman referred Chair/Farago to sheets A-4 and A-6 of the plans and
explained that the existing residence and the roof facing the neighboring
property at 1922 Chestnut Creek currently has a gabled roof. The proposed
addition will change that to a hipped roof in such a manner that the new roof
eave line is going to be at the same height as the existing ridge and will
increase in height to the height of the front facing gable. CDDIGubman
approached the dais in order to show Chair/Farago the roof plans to
demonstrate how that would occur. CDDIGubman addressed Chair/Farago
and Commissioner Nishimura, reiterated what he had previously stated on
the record and pointed to the diagram; however, the microphone was off
and the audience could not hear the conversation.
Michael Bharosa, 1981 Evergreen Springs, said he was totally against this
project because he has seen in other cities such as Temple City, Alhambra,
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION
Monterey Park where they build these mini -mansions and the houses
around depreciate in value. He stated that that was his opinion, of course.
He wanted to know the reason these individuals are building this big
monstrosity of a house which is almost doubling the size of the house. He
had a yard sale two weeks ago down the street and neighbors from the
neighborhood close to the project site, and it's just hearsay, said that they
are going to open up a business there. Like he said, he has no proof, just
hearsay, but they volunteered the information and if that is so, in his opinion,
they should not be running a business if that is what is going to happen. He
likes his neighborhood like it is and does not think his neighborhood needs
mini -mansions.
Edward Dahl, 1938 Chestnut Creek, next door to the property, said he
moved into his house in 1977 (38 years ago) and there have been six
families in the house (subject property) since he has lived in Diamond Bar.
There used to be a plastic pool in the back yard and the third or fourth owner
filled it in and planted a tree. If you go in the back yard and look from the
house next to it across the subject property yard into his yard, about 10 feet
from the back hill is a crack which has been there for over 30 years which
he believes is not an earthquake fault but something cracked the cement
apart. He added on to his house a few years ago and had to go deeper into
his foundation to put the addition on. His addition did not require a hearing
because it is in the back and not visible. Building a structure that high
makes it a mansion. His house has more square footage because it is flat
and not built up. This proposed "mansion" will stick out like a sore thumb
and it does not match the rest of the neighborhood and seems like it would
be out of place. The prior owner acquired the house at a discount through
a sale and put $100,000 into the house. The roof is three years old. There
is all new flooring inside and all new everything inside. Mr. Wu paid a
premium for this house and does not see why he would want to dump
another $100,000 to $200,000 into it because the neighborhood does not
support that type of thing. If the gentleman wanted a bigger house he could
have gone up the street four or five houses where all the houses are new
and larger. The project house was built in 1963 and up the street the houses
were built a lot later. They are a lot bigger. One of his concerns based on
hearsay, up the street in the cul-de-sac there is a baby house, which he
believes are illegal, and asked why would a person want to double the
footage and overbuild for the neighborhood. He thinks the ground in the
back needs to be inspected to see if it will support that type of weight. Mr.
Dahl said he put up a brick wall between the houses many years ago and
had the first three feet of it poured solid for the retaining wall and wondered
if all of the weight of the new addition would affect his retaining wall. If it is
IF EBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 7 PLANNING COMMISSION
a multiple family he is concerned about parking. He parks a car on the
street and has a jeep next to his motor home and will be putting all of his
vehicles off of the street. When the street sweeper comes along he has to
park on the lawn and has permission from the City to do so every Friday.
He has talked with his neighbors who believe the addition will bring property
values down. He understands that it is close to Diamond Bar High School
which is a premium high school. He believes the roofline will infringe on
Mr. Deutsch's solar system to where he will have to have it moved.
Mr. Huang said that this is a single family home and not a baby house and
it will not be a multi -family unit so there should be no concerns about those
issues. He reiterated staff's report with respect to concerns about the new
roofline interfering with the neighbor's solar panels that the new design will
maintain the eave line. The roof line will be sloped up. The purpose of this
design is not to create a mansion which is why the current roofline format
will be retained.
Shelley Wicks, 1950 Chestnut Creek Road, three houses down from the
project site, said she was sure the people who purchased the home, intend
to change the home and move into it are very nice. She understands why
they want to live in Diamond Bar because it is a wonderful community.
When she first came to California she lived in West L.A. for a number of
years and one of the things that got her out of L.A. was the overbuilding that
was happening. Nice middle class neighborhoods are taken over by people
who want to update their homes which she understands and would love to
do to her home as well. But what happened in West L.A. and all over Los
Angeles is "McMansion" which is overbuilding. The subject property looks
like it will be a lovely home but she cannot think of another house on her
block that looks anything at all like the proposed project. It will be beautiful
but it looks to be completely inappropriate to the rest of the neighborhood.
Chair/Farago closed the public hearing.
CILow said she noticed during the public hearing that CDDIGubman
presented a diagram of the roof (to the Commission) and asked if the
comments by the applicant comports with his understanding of the project
and the diagram he presented, in short, does this clarify the concerns
regarding the roofline? CDDIGubman stated that in his opinion, after
reviewing the plans, the distance separation between the two residences
and the additional factor of the hipped roof being introduced would seem to
suggest that it is being mindful of the solar access for the panels. Ultimately,
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 8 PLANNING COMMISSION
it could be a civil issue if that turns out not to be the case. The proposed
addition is in compliance with the Development Standards and there is not
an obligation for the Planning Commission to remedy a potential civil issue
that may take place. However, he believes it would be prudent for the two
neighbors, should this project be approved, to discuss this matter and have
a consultant provide line -of -sight analysis to determine whether or not there
is a solar access issue and if that would need to be remedied either by
relocating the panels, raising their height, or whatever needs to be done to
modify the panels; or, alternatively, modify the design of the proposed
house and come back to the Planning Commission for a revision. At the
end of the day, this is a potential civil matter and he believed it was an
important issue for the two potential future neighbors to resolve.
C/Low asked for verification that this was not something that would bar the
Planning Commission's approval of this project and CDD/Gubman
responded that CILow was correct and that is why he mentioned that when
this type of situation comes up it is a civil matter that would have to be
resolved between the private parties involved.
CILow said that for the record, the diagram that CDDIGubman earlier
presented to the Commission is available for the neighbor's review and that
the neighbor can contact staff with further questions. It is her understanding
that as with any development, there is no "right" to sight or view that people
cherish in their neighborhoods insofar as it impacts the Commission's
decision. CDDIGubman said that CILow was correct with respect to the
Commission's decision making for this matter. There may be laws that
grant solar access rights and if those rights are impinged upon there may
be civil remedies for that. C/Low is correct that there are no guarantees
and no requirements for protection of views and other preservations of an
existing context. CILow asked for verification that the Planning
Commission's decision is based upon whether or not this particular project
meets the City's Development Standard when it decides whether or not to
approve a project. CDDIGubman responded that there are two components
to consider. The first is whether or not a project meets the Development
Standards. As the Planning Commission's technical staff, we would not
bring a project to the Planning Commission unless it met all of the
development standards or if the application included a Variance request to
deviate from those standards. The second component and why the
Commission is needed, is to determine if the Commission can make the
findings in order to grant approval which goes beyond the quantitative
FEBRUARY
compliance and technical compliance standards to a more qualitative
judgment of whether this use is compatible and appropriate as a design in
conformance with the Design Guidelines for the structure itself, as well as,
its appropriateness in that location where this land use is proposed.
CILow asked if it would be appropriate to consider the development of the
neighborhood by looking at Diamond Bar as a whole or is the Commission
limited to looking at development or compatibility by focusing solely on that
street. The reason she asks this question is because the concerns that
have been voiced here by speakers is that some people might feel, in their
opinion, that this is a very large residence while other people who may not
have spoken today feel that it is not. The reality is that this development
being proposed is not "double" the existing area, it is a little bit over one-
third, which is not double or triple the existing home. However, if one looks
around the area, as mentioned by a speaker, there was a similar home that
was even larger in square footage than the proposed home. In addition,
there is information from the applicant that there are similar homes in close
proximity to this neighborhood. She asked if homes directly adjacent to the
proposed development are smaller in size does the Commission consider
that or can it consider the neighborhood to be larger than that because in
fact, the Diamond Bar community has a number of homes that are the size
of this proposed development. CDDIGubman stated that some of the
decisions the Commission needs to make go beyond the "black and white"
realm of code standards: the Commission should look at neighborhood
context. How the Commission determines the radius or what defines the
neighborhood in which this fits is the criteria by which it should judge this
project. Looking at Diamond Bar citywide is not really a criterion that one
would use because obviously, in The Country this project would barely be
the size of maids quarters. There are very large homes within The Country.
In fact, The Country might take a dim view and perhaps disapprove a project
this size because it could affect the comparable values in that
neighborhood. There are other multi -family designations where the mass
and the bulk in scale of the homes are different. And so, each neighborhood
is going to have its character -defining features and for this particular
residence, the most critical compatibility factor or criteria to look at is this
tract of homes in which it is located. The Commission can expand upon
that evaluation by taking into account other subdivision/production type
neighborhoods of similar lot sizes where because of the desirability of the
community, the school district being an important draw, and families
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 10 PLANNING COMMISSION
growing, a lot of projects that come before the Commission are proposed
additions so that the families can grow in place and stay in the community.
Adding onto homes that were built when lifestyles and expectations for the
amount of personal living space was different, and the need to adapt to
contemporary lifestyles is something to look at. So, getting back to
compatibility for this proposal, is it just different? Sometimes looking at tract
developments the complaint is the monotony, the repetitiveness. So, this is
clearly different from the other home designs in the neighborhood which is
either good or bad in that it is difficult for CDDIGubman to provide guidance
onto which side this proposal falls. It is clearly an unprecedented design in
this neighborhood. The square footage is about 3,000 square feet. By
today's standards that is not unreasonably large for a parcel of this size and
it is certainly not in the same context as Arcadia where one might have a
4,000 or 5,000 square foot lot and build an 8,000 or 10,000 square foot
home. Those homes are clearly overbuilt. The amount of lot coverage
permitted in some communities would be unacceptable in Diamond Bar and
that is why Diamond Bar has lot coverage limits.
CILow thanked CDDIGubman for his comments and said she felt they were
very, very helpful for the Commission in terms of making its decision. She
noted that as CDDIGubman said, people have changing standards about
personal living spaces and she recalled that the Commission recently
approved a remodel where the family situation changed with Grandma
returning home to live with the family which prompted a need to upgrade
and increase the size of the home which is another type of lifestyle change
that is seen in this community and across America. She also noted that if
a family wanted to make their house better it is their money and they are
entitled to use it as they see fit.
C/Nishimura said he sympathizes with those who commented about
"McMansions." He just did the math and this house is going from just over
1,800 square feet to 3,055. This is not a kitchen pantry addition, this is not
a bedroom addition, this is 67.5 percent increase from the current size so
he thinks it is something the Commission needs to keep in mind. He has
worked in different cities where he has seen some of the West L.A.
"McMansion" homes and he knows that the Commission is bound by the
City's current standards, but again, this is a house and they are asking for
our permission but he thinks the Commissioners have to realize when they
look at the numbers and the neighborhood, this is almost a 70 percent
increase in the size of the house for this neighborhood.
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE i O
Someone from the audience asked how long the building (construction)
would last because she has allergies. CDDIGubman said that as a general
response, the City recently revised its Building Code so that a project needs
to pass an inspection within certain deadlines. There used to be an
allowance where one nail was driven which was considered "work being
done" and that could extend the life of a permit for another six months.
Currently, there are specific requirements for a project to pass an inspection
within a certain deadline. A project of this size could take about four months.
C/Nishimura asked if there were constrictions on the days and hours of
construction and CDDIGubman responded that the restrictions are
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. C/Nishimura said he saw
two different things in both agenda items where one section said 7:00 a.m.to
5:00 p.m. and another said 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDDIGubman reiterated
that the Code allows 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
CILow said she thinks this is a nice project and she is mindful of the
comments and the speakers that have spoken on this and the Commission
has listened to their concerns. Based on the Commission's discussion and
the Development Standards before it together with other intrinsic factors,
she said she would move to approve the project.
CILow moved, C/Pirritano seconded, to approve Development Review
No. PL2014-618, based on the Findings of Fact, and subject to the
conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Low, Mahlke, Pirritano,
Chair/Farago
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Nishimura
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
C/Nishimura said he voted "no" because the motion for approval did not
include the 20 foot setback amendment that was discussed earlier.
CDDIGubman stated for the benefit of the audience that there is a 10 -day
appeal period so that within 10 calendar days of this decision and with
submittal of an appeal fee to the City Clerk's office, anybody has the right
to appeal this decision for a de novo hearing before the City Council.
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 12 PLANNING COMMISSION
7.2 Development Review and Minor Conditional Use Permit
No. PL2014-574 - Under the authority of Diamond Bar Municipal Code
Sections 22.48 and 22.56, the applicant and property owner requested,
Development Review approval to remodel and construct a two-story
addition consisting of 1,017 square feet of floor area to an existing 2,529
square foot, two-story single family residence with an attached 573 square
foot garage on a 0.38 gross acre (16,700 gross square foot) lot. A Minor
Conditional Use Permit was requested to allow a second story addition to
an existing nonconforming structure with a 15 foot front setback (where 20
feet is required).
PROJECT ADDRESS
PROPERTY OWNER
1280 S. Lemon Avenue
Diamond Bar, CA 91765'
Girish Shah
1280 S. Lemon Avenue
Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
APPLICANT: Gabriel Isaia
11171 Oakwood Drive, Unit G312
Loma Linda, CA 92354
AP/Espinoza presented staff's report and recommended Planning
Commission approval of Development Review and Minor Conditional Use
Permit No. PL2014-574, based on the Findings of Fact, and subject to the
conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
Chair/Farago opened the public hearing.
Gabriel Isaia, project designer, stated that the owner contracted with him to
do this project because there is currently no bedroom downstairs. There
are four bedrooms upstairs; however, the owner is getting to the point in his
life of needing a master bedroom for his use downstairs. The living area
over the garage will accommodate one child's playroom. As a designer, he
proposes to match the existing roof ridgeline. These are not extravagant
plans, merely simple plans to accommodate the family members' current
and future daily living needs.
Chair/Farago closed the public hearing.
C/Low told the applicant she believed his design was very sensible and
practical. People have changing lifestyles and need to make their homes
COMMISSION
,�EBRIJARY 24, 2015 PAGE 13 PLANNING
compatible with their needs which the applicant has done for this family in
good fashion.
C/Nishimura said he visited the site and believes the architecture and plan
the applicant submitted will fit is fine with the neighborhood.
C/Low moved, C/Pirritano seconded, to approve Development Review and
Minor Conditional Use Permit No. PL2014-574, based on the Findings of
Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed within the resolution.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Low, Mahlke, Nishimura,
Pirritano, Chair/Farago
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None
�. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTSIINFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Chair/Farago welcomed C/Nishimura to the Planning Commission.
C/Mahlke also welcomed C/Nishimura.
C/Pirritano welcomed C/Nishimura and said it was good to have him on the
Commission.
CILow welcomed C/Nishimura and hoped he would enjoy serving on the
Commission. She thanked staff for a great job as always, for their patience,
detailed information and articulation of the difficulties she inherits in some of these
hearings.
C/Pirritano announced that the annual Golfing for Kids Day to raise money for
children of the community will be held on Monday, May 11. He serves as President
of the Diamond Bar Community Foundation and last year the Foundation raised
about $30,000 after expenses. The Foundation hopes to exceed that amount this
year. There will be a celebrity golfer playing and he invited everyone to join in the
event and at least come for lunch if they do not wish to golf.
CILow announced that The Friends of the Library will host the 22"1 Wine Soiree on
April 26 and everyone is invited. She has tickets for the event and The Friends
would love to have everyone join in the event to celebrate the Wines and Foods of
FEBRUARY 24, 2015 PAGE 14 PLANNING COMMISSION
Italy this year together with Wines and Foods of native California. C/Pirritano will
serve as a pourer and be sure to visit his table.
C/Nishimura stated that this weekend was opening day for Diamond Bar Girls'
Softball, the oldest youth sports league in the community which was started in
1969. He has been an active supporter and participant and served as past
president and currently serves as treasurer. The first game was tonight and games
will run for about the next 10 weeks and Commissioners are encouraged to attend
the games which are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Pantera Park from
5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and all day Saturday starting at about 8:00 a.m. The event
is for girls from T -Ball as young as 4 years of age through high school.
C/Pirritano announced that the Diamond Bar Community Foundation is raising
money for "Fields for Kids."
9. STAFF COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
9.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects.
CDDIGubman welcomed C/Nishimura to the Commission on behalf of the
Community Development Department staff and said staff looked forward to
working with him.
CDDIGubman stated that the next Planning Commission is scheduled for
March 10. On that agenda will be the Planning Commission reorganization
which is the time for the Commission to select a Chair and Vice Chair to
serve for the forthcoming year. Currently, the Commission does not have a
Vice Chair and that deficiency will be remedied during the reorganization
process.
CDDIGubman stated that also on the March 10 agenda, there will be a
proposed residential addition at 2745 Wagon Train Lane and a proposed
cell site at Maple Hill Park which proposes an artificial tree (monopine).
Staff's report recommendation will be forthcoming and the Commission will
need to prepare for what will likely be a controversial item since the
proposed cell tower is surrounded by residential properties.
CDDIGubman reminded Commissioners that next Wednesday through
Friday the Planning Commissioners Academy will be held and he,
C/Nishimura and C/Pirritano will attend. CDDIGubman said he would report
any pertinent information back to the Commissioners that they missed out
on by not attending.
PAG
FEBRUARY ... .. 5 PLANNING
As listed in tonight's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission,
Chair/Farago adjourned the regular meeting at 8:23 p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 10th day of March, 2015_
Attest:
Respectfully Submitted,
Greg Gubman
Community Development Director
i
Rutfi Low, Chairperson