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Home My WebLink About09/27/2016 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Mahlke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Mok led the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Naila Barlas, Frank Farago, Ken Mok, and. Chairperson Jennifer Mahlke Absent: Vice Chairperson Raymond Wolfe was excused Also present: Grace Lee, Senior Planner; James Eggart, Assistant City Attorney; Natalie T. Espinoza, Assistant Planner; and Stella Marquez, Administrative Coordinator. 1 2. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: As presented 4. CONSENT CALENDAR: 4.1 Minutes Of—the —R—egu—la—r—M—e—etn-g—of—August —2-3--20-16: C/Farago moved, C/Mok seconded to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 23, 2016. AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Farago, Mok, NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS Chair/Mahlke ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Wolfe 4.2 Minutes of the Requ�lar M�eetjin Septemberof 1 �32 2016: C/Farago moved, C/Barlas seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 13, 2016, as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Farago, Mok, Chair/Mahlke NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Wolfe 61:4 20hyJ MIA Mffl� PAGE 2 PLANNING COMMISSION 5. OLD BUSINESS: None 6. NEW BUSINESS: None 7. PUBLIC HEARING(S): 7.1 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW NO. PL2016-77 — Under the authority of Diamond Bar Municipal Code Section 22.48, the applicant and property owner requested Development Review approval for an exterior fagade remodel of the existing Holiday Inn located on two parcels totaling 4.89 gross acres (212,069 gross square feet). The subject property is zoned Office Business Park (OB) with an underlying General Plan land use designation of Office Professional (OP) PROJECT ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER: FRAT01112067JAM 21725 Gateway Center Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Oak Creek LP 21725 Gateway Center Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Anthon Ellis AB Design Studio, Inc. 2234 Barry Avenue, Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90064 AP/Espinoza presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. PI -2016-77, based on the Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed within the resolution. Chair/Mahlke opened the public hearing. With no one present who wished to speak on this item, Chair/Mahlke closed the public hearing. C/Mok asked about the installation of 438 square feet of landscaping in front of the retaining wall. On Page 7 of the plans, it shows a brown patch on the slope and he asked if there were plans to mitigate the area. AP/Espinoza responded that at this point in time the applicant is proposing to landscape the area in front of the wall only. C/Mok said it will be a beautiful building when finished and it will be a shame if half of that slope is brown. AP/Espinoza explained that the applicant is required to maintain that slope with green vegetation and staff will make certain during plan check and inspection that it SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 PAGE 3 PLANNING COMMISSION is properly maintained. C/Mok said that on the plans, Page A4.01, it appears to him to be a west elevation rather than an east elevation. Likewise on Page A4.03,, it appears to be the east elevation instead of the west elevation. AP/Espinoza said that the applicant acknowledged they are reversed and during plan check she will verify that the correct elevations are noted on the, plans. Chair/Mahlke moved, C/Barlas seconded, to approve Development Review No. PL2016-77, 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: Barlas, Farago, Mok, Chair/Mahlke NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Wolfe Chair/Mahlke congratulated the applicant, said she believed the project will be beautiful and a welcomed change to the center. 7.2 Development Review No. PL2015-405 — Under the authority of Diamond Bar Municipal Code Section 22.48, the applicant and property owner requested Development Review approval to demolish an existing house, and construct an 18,005 square -foot single family residence with 3,077 square feet of garage and storage area, 650 square feet of patio/deck area and a 142 square foot gazebo on a 1.27 gross acre (55,250 gross square foot) lot. The subject property is zoned Rural Residential (RR) with an underlying General Plan land use designation of Rural Residential. PROJECT ADDRESS: 2759 Steeplechase Lane Diamond Bar, CA 91765 PROPERTY OWNER: Mary H. Dong 2759 Steeplechase Lane Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APPLICANT: Pete Volbeda 180 N. Benson Avenue, Suite D Upland, CA 91786 AP/Espinoza presented staff's report and recommended Planning Commission approval of Development Review No. PL2015-405, Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval as listed in the resolution. Chair/Mahlke opened the public hearing. SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 PAGE 4 E-11 91 PLANNING COMMISSION Pete Volbeda, architect, said that as mentioned in staff's report this appears to be a large house but it will look like two stories from the street so it will not look that big. In addition, there are a number of existing Cypress trees around the property which will be retained and there will be a tennis court at the rear of the property where there is a lot of landscaping that will be retained. There are no problems with the deed restriction. Mr. Volbeda offered to respond to Commissioners' questions. C/Mok asked why the owner on the plans is listed as Ms. H. Dong while staff's report refers to Mary Dong. Mr. Volbeda said that it was the same person. Andrew Dell, student at Diamond Bar High School, asked how much this residence would be predicted to cost. Chair/Mahlke responded that it is a great question but the Commission is not privy to that information. Chair/Mahlke closed the public hearing. C/Mok moved, C/Farago seconded, to approve Development Review No. PL2015-405, based on the Findings of Fact, and subject to the conditions of approval listed within the resolution. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES- COMMISSIONERS: Barlas, Farago, Mok, Chair/Mahlke NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: VC/Wolfe Ch.air/Mahlke congratulated the applicant and property owner for an absolutely stunning design and she felt the architect had taken great care by dropping the project into the existing landscape. PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None STAFF COMMENTS/IN FORMATIONAL ITEMS: 9.1 Public Hearing dates for future projects. SP/Lee stated that the October 11, 2016, meeting agenda consists of one item which is the renovation of the Kmart Shopping Center which will include renovating the existing Kmart building and construction of a new 4,200 square foot freestanding building to accommodate two fast casual food service tenants, one of which will have a drive-through. The project will also include renovation of the parking lot (resurfacing and striping, new lighting, landscaping and ADA upgrades). SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 PAGE 5 im PLANNING COMMISSION SP/Lee reported that the first General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Community Room. Chair/Mahlke asked if Commissioners were expected to attend or not attend and SP/Lee said "not attend." Chair/Mahlke reminded Commissioners that they are asked not to attend GPAC meetings to avoid the perception of "undue influence." SP/Lee said that staff would be providing the Commission with regular GPAC meeting updates. C/Mok asked if there was a plan for a meet and greet between the 15 GPAC members and the Commission. SP/Lee said there has been no discussion and no plan for such a meeting but she will look into it and get back to the Commission. There is a first Community Workshop scheduled for November 9 where everyone is invited to attend and Commissioners are welcomed. The workshop will be heavily advertised in media outlets and through the website. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS: As listed in the agenda. Chair/Mahlke pointed out that Diamond Bar Restaurant Week, co-sponsored by the San Gabriel Valley Chamber of Commerce, will be held the week of October 8-14. She hoped that everyone would participate and partake of the sweet deals and delicious meals. Check out the event and special offerings at www.dbrestaurantweek.com Also of note, are the Barktober event on October 15 at Pantera, Park and the Family Fun Festival on October 31 at Heritage Park. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair/Mahlke adjourned the regular meeting at 7:26 p.m. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 11 day of October, 2016. Attest: Respectfully Submitted, Greg Gubman Community Development Director V kAM J ' fifer ke, OhM Chairperson