Diamond Bar City Council
March 21, 2023

City of Diamond Bar General Plan Status Report 2022
Period beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022

OVERVIEW
On December 17, 2019, the City Council adopted Diamond Bar General Plan 2040, which is a State mandated document that the City uses to plan the framework for its future physical, social, and economic development. The General Plan is considered a long-term document that projects development within a community for approximately 20 years. The General Plan serves as the foundation for all land use decisions and provides a vision and blueprint about how a community will grow, reflecting community priorities and values while shaping the future.

The City of Diamond Bar General Plan consists of the following eight elements (“Chapters”):
1) Land Use & Economic Development 2) Community Character & Placemaking 3) Circulation 4) Resource Conservation 5) Public Facilities & Services 6) Public Safety 7) Community Health & Sustainability 8) Housing The following information summarizes the status of the goals and policies that the City has implemented for each chapter of the updated General Plan in 2020. Each chapter is organized by color scheme for navigation.

1. Land Use & Economic Development
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

LAND USE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This chapter provides the overall framework for the physical development of the community and the distribution and intensity of land uses upon which many of the goals and policies in other chapters are based.

GENERAL
Goals
LU-G-4 Land Use
Locate new residential growth in or adjacent to mixed-use centers and transit stations to support regional and statewide efforts to encourage sustainable land use planning and smart growth principles.

In May 2022, the City entered into a Consultant Services Agreement with Torti Gallas + Partners to prepare the Town Center Specific Plan for the Town Center Mixed-Use focus area. The TCSP will provide the regulatory and urban design framework to establish a downtown, or “Town Center” in Diamond Bar as a walkable place with entertainment, retail, restaurants community gathering spaces and urban housing opportunities.

Community
Development
Policies
LU-P-1 Land Use
Ensure that the scale and massing of new development provides sensitive transitions or design techniques in building height, bulk, and landscaping to minimize impacts on adjacent, less intensive uses, particularly residential uses.

On May 17, 2022, the City approved a seven-lot residential subdivision located between the southern terminus of Crooked Creek Drive and the southern City limits. The project is designed to minimize negative impacts on surrounding uses through appropriate setbacks, building separations and heights, landscaping, and window and door placements. Furthermore, the development is designed to minimize visual impacts to the surrounding homes by Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
use of landscape screening and gradual transitions of the slope plane with terraced, plantable retaining walls.

LU-P-2 Land Use
Allow clustering or transferring of all or part of the development potential of a site to a portion of the site to protect significant environmental resources such as vegetated habitats, sensitive species, wildlife movement corridors, water features, and geological features within proposed developments as open space if the developer takes action to preserve the open space in perpetuity.

Preservation can occur through methods including, but not limited to, dedication to the City or a conservation entity such as a conservancy, mitigation bank, or trust, or through conservation easements, deed restrictions, or other means.

The seven-lot subdivision described under Policy LU-P-1 is designed to minimize negative impacts to the existing hillside. The main access road curves away from the hillside to follow the natural contours, thereby substantially reducing the retaining wall heights and minimize potential aesthetic and biological impacts to the eastern portion of the site. 10.4 acres of the 12.9-acre site will be preserved as open space area and will remain undeveloped in perpetuity, with the exception of the planting of mitigation trees and installation of temporary irrigation as part of the project.

Community
Development
LU-P-3 Land Use
As opportunities arise, collaborate with regional agencies and neighboring jurisdictions on land use and transportation planning in line with regional planning efforts such as the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.

On November 30, 2022, the Planning Division reviewed and submitted household and employment data, and land use and entitlement maps for the Southern California Association of Government’s (SCAG) Connect SOCAL 2024, The 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.

Community
Development
LU-P-4 Land Use
Monitor and evaluate potential impacts of proposed adjacent, local, and regional developments to anticipate and require mitigation to the greatest extent feasible to reduce land use, circulation, and economic impacts on Diamond Bar.

On December 6, 2022, staff attending a public scoping meeting for the Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Royal Vista Residential and Parks project located adjacent to and in proximity to the City’s east boundary (approximately southwest of Golden Springs and Calbourne Drive). The proposed project would redevelop portions of the existing private golf course into 360 residences and two recreational/open space trail and park areas on a 75.64-acre site. On December 12, 2022, staff provided written comments to LA County Department of Regional Planning requesting that the Draft EIR analyze the potential blight, land use, public safety, and transportation impacts associated with the project.

Community
Development
LU-P-5 Land Use
Ensure that adequate public services, facilities, and infrastructure are available or provided to support new development, including water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, transportation, public safety, and parks.

Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W)
Staff prepared and submitted the City’s Measure W Annual Plan and executed Fund Transfer Agreement to the County of Los Angeles for processing as the final items required by the County to disperse the local return funds to Diamond Bar. The Annual Plan outlined the City’s proposed Measure W expenditures for the fiscal year, including CIP projects, routine maintenance, consultant costs, efforts to pursue grant funding, and staff time. As a result, Diamond Bar received $836,902.45 for FY 2022-2023.

Public Works

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
In 2022, Measure W funds were used to design and construct a drainage solution for the persistent groundwater seeping onto Flapjack Drive's public streets, creating algae and potential slip hazards. Additionally, funds are currently being used to construct drainage diversion gutters for the Canyon Loop Trail Improvement Project in order to divert runoff around the trail, preventing erosion and slip hazards. Funds were also used to sweep and cleanup the right of way throughout the City in order to prevent debris from entering the storm drain system and removing slip hazards from the sidewalks and streets.

Also applies to Community, Character, and Placemaking Chapter policies CC-P-5 and CC-P-6, and Resource Conservation Chapter Goal RC-G-12.

LU-P-6 Land Use
When appropriate, require new development to pay its fair share of the public facilities and off-site improvements needed to serve the proposed use.

The Public Works Dept. requires all new development projects to pay their fair share of public improvements, including a City sewer fee (when applicable), traffic, and road infrastructure. An example of such a project paying its fair share in 2022 was the Brea Canyon Business Park project located at 850 S. Brea Canyon Road.

Public Works
LU-P-7 Land Use
As larger vacant or underutilized sites within the built environment are developed or redeveloped, maximize multimodal accessibility with appropriately designed street networks, and walkable block sizes scaled to proposed uses.

The Town Center Specific Plan (see Goal LU-G-4 above) will establish a fine-grained street and block grid to encourage pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and improved connectivity between the east and west sides of Diamond Bar Boulevard.

Community
Development

RESIDENTIAL
Goals
LU-G-7 Land Use Promote a variety of housing and neighborhood types that respond to a range of income, household sizes, and accessibility levels.

On October 5, 2022, the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certified the Housing Element Update for the 2021-2029 planning period (sixth cycle) which included analyses of the community’s housing needs, opportunities and constraints, as well as policies and programs to facilitate the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of housing for all economic segments of the community.

On July 20, 2021, the City adopted its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to comply with current ADU law pursuant to AB 3182 (2020) and SB 13, AB 68, AB 881, AB 587, AB 670, and AB 671 (2019). The City has been processing new ADUs in accordance with the new State laws and continues to encourage ADUs and Junior ADUs, which provide an affordable housing option for lower Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
income households. In 2022, 42 building permits for ADUs were issued.

Policies
LU-P-8 Land Use
Ensure that new residential development be compatible with the prevailing character of the surrounding neighborhood in terms of building scale, density, massing, and design. Where the General Plan designates higher densities, provide adequate transitions to existing development.

All new residential development requires review and approval by the Planning Commission through a Development Review application process to assess a project’s compatibility, architectural design, size, scale and massing with the neighborhood. The Planning
Commission reviews the design to ensure compliance with the City’s General Plan policies and design guidelines, and to minimize adverse effects of the proposed project upon the surrounding properties and the City in general. In compliance with recent legislation, the City has begun the process of formulating objective design standards for residential development, beginning with the drafting of the Town Center Specific Plan regulatory document.

Community
Development
LU-P-9 Land Use
Incorporate architectural and landscape design features in new development that create more pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, such as orientation to the street; set-back, or detached garages; tree-lined streets; and landscaped parkways between streets and sidewalks.

Through the development review process, all new development is reviewed to promote high functional and aesthetic architectural and landscape standards to complement and add to the economic, physical, and social character of Diamond Bar.

Community
Development

COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, AND INDUSTRIAL
Policies
LU-P-14 Land Use
Improve vehicular accessibility, traffic flow, and parking availability as well as pedestrian and bicycle access and amenities within office, commercial, and industrial areas.

During project review, staff ensures that all office, commercial, and industrial areas provide improved vehicular accessibility, traffic flow, and parking availability as well as review for opportunities to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle access and amenities.

Adaptive Traffic Control System
The City's Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) is a traffic management strategy in which traffic signal timing changes or adapts based on actual traffic demand. This is accomplished using an adaptive traffic control system consisting of both hardware and software. The system's deployment (hardware and software) was completed and deployed in 2020. Considering the unusual fluctuations in the traffic load due to COVID-19 in the City's main arterials during 2020 and parts of 2021, the system proved to be responsive to those changes by updating signal timing in real-time.

In 2022, the system recently received software and database upgrades. Staff continues to fine-tune the system for a robust coverage of the traffic circulation on the City’s main arterials.

Community
Development
Public Works

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
Diamond Bar Boulevard/SR60 Eastbound Ramp Intersection
project (Diamond Bar Blvd dual left turn to SR-60 East onramp) In 2022, the City worked with Metro and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and got Metro Board’s approval for a $1M funding request for the City’s Diamond Bar Blvd. Dual Left Turn at SR60 EB Ramp Project. This project will be constructed as a change order to the main 57/60 Confluence Project.

MIXED USE
Goals – General
LU-G-12 Land Use
Encourage compact mixed-use developments and projects that are walkable, designed to encourage community interaction, and fulfill a diversity of local commercial, employment, housing, and recreational needs.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
LU-G-13 Land Use Maximize multi-modal accessibility to and connectivity within mixed-use areas.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-P-7.

Community
Development
LU-G-14 Land Use
Foster development of nodes or clusters of mixed-use centers to promote city and neighborhood identity, improve accessibility to stores, parks, natural open spaces, and services, and promote walkable, pedestrian-scaled retail and dining destinations.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
Goals – Town Center Mixed Use G
LU-G-22 Land Use
Promote and support the commercial area on both sides of Diamond Bar Boulevard from Golden Springs Drive to SR-60 as a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented Town Center that serves as Diamond Bar’s primary specialty retail and dining destination and is accessible to all Diamond Bar residents.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
LU-G-23 Land Use Ensure an inviting and comfortable public realm to encourage pedestrian activity in the Town Center area. See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
LU-G-24 Land Use Allow residential and office uses as secondary to commercial (retail, dining, and entertainment) uses. See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
Policies – General
LU-P-19 Land Use
To meet the recreational needs of new residents, ensure that new residential and mixed-use developments larger than four acres incorporate public parkland in the neighborhoods where such developments are located. Residential and mixed-use
developments under four acres may provide dedicated parkland, in A 7-unit residential subdivision was approved by the City Council on May 17, 2022. The in-lieu fee for the project was determined to be $270,319 and shall be paid prior to the issuance of building permits for the construction of the homes within the subdivision.

Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
lieu fees, or a combination, in accordance with Diamond Bar’s park acreage standards.

Policies – Town Center Mixed Use
LU-P-35 Land Use
Ensure that any reuse, redevelopment, or refurbishment of the Town Center area maintains a dominance of retail, dining, and entertainment uses. Allow residential uses within the designation’s permitted maximum range, as well as offices, either on upper floors or otherwise in locations that do not detract from the area’s predominant role as a community shopping, dining, and
entertainment destination.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
LU-P-36 Land Use
Prioritize and support renovation, infill, and reuse of the existing commercial center. Require, where appropriate, redesign and modernization of architectural treatment and the introduction of finer-grained pedestrian network, as well as utilization of parking lots to create central gathering spaces and make the Town Center more pedestrian-friendly.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
LU-P-37 Land Use
Utilize buildings and streetscapes to define the public realm and encourage pedestrian activity and comfort.

To further promote these objectives, incorporate attractive landscaping elements and usable outdoor green spaces,
and discourage new drive through uses.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
LU-P-38 Land Use
Promote site designs that create an active street frontage and screen off-street parking from the Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive frontages.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
LU-P-39 Land Use
Streetscape and intersection improvements along the major corridors of South Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive should enhance connectivity, comfort, and safety for all modes of travel, and increase accessibility to and from surrounding areas.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
LU-P-41 Land Use
Maximize accessibility for transit, automobiles, cyclists, and pedestrians to the Town Center from surrounding neighborhoods, the Metrolink station, and other Diamond Bar destinations.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
LU-P-42 Land Use
Avoid expanses of surface parking and encourage the
consolidation and location of parking to the rear or side of buildings where appropriate.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
LU-P-43 Land Use
When updating the Development Code’s parking standards or preparing specific plans, evaluate parking ratios for the Town Center to balance the financial feasibility of development projects with the provision of adequate parking for visitors. Coordinate with developers and transit agencies to the extent possible to provide alternative modes of transportation to allow for reduced parking requirements.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development

PUBLIC FACILITIES, OPEN SPACE, AND HILLSIDES
Goals
LU-P-54 Land Use
When a public agency determines that land it owns is no longer needed, advocate for the property to first be offered to other agencies, including the City of Diamond Bar, for public uses, prior to conversion to private sector use.

The City continued to follow up with Caltrans regarding the status of the vacant property at the former SR60 EB ramps on Golden Springs Drive at Brea Canyon Road.

Public Works
LU-P-55 Land Use
Preserve publicly-owned, undeveloped hillsides, as well as privately-owned hillsides with an Open Space General Plan designation, as natural open space in perpetuity. On privatelyowned property which has a residential land use designation, preserve hillsides as natural open space through Diamond Bar’s Hillside Management Ordinance by allowing residential
development only at the permitted densities and where
development would not detract from the protection and overall perception of the hillsides as natural topographic and ecological features, or negatively impact public safety or welfare.

On May 17, 2022, the City approved a 7-lot residential subdivision located between the southern terminus of Crooked Creek Drive and the southern City limits. 10.4 acres of the 12.9-acre site will be preserved as open space area and will remain undeveloped in perpetuity, with the exception of the planting of mitigation trees and installation of temporary irrigation as part of the project.

Community
Development
LU-P-56 Land Use
Ensure that development on privately owned, residentially designated land in hillside areas is compatible with surrounding natural areas promoting the following design principles:
a) Minimize—as articulated by the landform grading criteria of the Development Code’s Hillside Management
regulations—excavation, grading, and earthwork to retain natural vegetation and topography;
b) Preserve existing vistas of significant hillside features such as ridgelines, particularly from public places;
c) Do not create unsafe conditions;
d) Incorporate site and architectural designs that are sensitive to natural contours and land forms and hydrological
features;
e) Preserve natural watersheds, including existing vegetation within undeveloped hillside areas to the maximum extent feasible, including mature trees and native plant materials; All new residential development requires review and approval by the Planning Commission through a Development Review application process to ensure compliance with the design principles listed.

Violation Prevention
To preserve resources and prevent code violations, the City issued 9 NPDES Notices of Violation, mostly related to illicit discharges into the storm drain system.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter policies CR-P-60, CR-P-62, and CR-P-64, Resource Conservation Chapter goals and policies RC-G7, RC-P-23, and RC-P-33, and Public Safety Chapter policy PS-P-3.

Community
Development
Public Works

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
f) Incorporate fuel modification as part of the Fire
Department’s approved fuel modification program;
g) Utilize planting palettes consisting of drought tolerant, fire resistant, non-invasive plants that are native to or
compatible with those in the surrounding area; and
h) Group plants within swale areas to more closely reflect natural conditions within landform graded slopes.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Goals
ED-G-1 Economic Development
Prioritize infill development opportunities and the reuse of existing vacant commercial space to grow the city’s base of residents and employment to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and promote conservation of natural open space.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development
Policies – Commercial Centers
ED-P-3 Economic Development
Create commercial centers or districts that have a sense of place and provide attractive places to shop, dine, and gather. Within these areas, support the development of uses and distinct characters that complement other commercial areas within Diamond Bar and adjacent jurisdictions.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

On July 21, 2022, a community workshop was held at the Diamond Bar Center to introduce the Town Center Specific Plan process and encourage an open exchange of ideas about the desired look, feel and palette of land uses for the new downtown. More than 100 residents attended the workshop. During the week of August 22, 2022, a weeklong design charrette also took place at the City Hall Windmill Room. The design exercise kicked off by incorporating the public input from the prior month’s workshop into drawings and sketches. The public were able to stop in, meet with the architects and designers, critique the design concepts, and mark up the design team’s drawings. There were evening presentations to share with the public how the design concepts and alternatives evolved over the course of the weeklong exercises. During the charrette, as well as weeks leading up to it, the project team conducted stakeholder interviews with most of the Town Center property owners and community leaders.

Community
Development

Policies – Community-Serving Uses
ED-P-6 Economic Development
Work with property owners of existing office centers to increase the daytime population and facilitate opportunities to attract quality office tenants and supporting commercial businesses.

Although not within an office center, Providence Health & Services opened a 27,000 square-foot medical office facility at 253 S.

Diamond Bar Boulevard, within the Diamond Bar Ranch shopping Center (part of the Town Center Specific Plan project area), adding 60-to-70 high-paying jobs to the daytime population. The addition to Diamond Bar’s workforce has benefited the local economy through its patronage of surrounding retail, restaurant, service and fuel sales businesses.

The new three-story medical office building in the Brea Canyon Business Park located at 850 S. Brea Canyon Road is nearing its final stages of construction. Estimated completion is the first quarter of 2023.

Community
Development
ED-P-7 Economic Development Allow for home occupations where compatible with the privacy and residential character of the neighborhood.

Home based businesses are allowed, and are required to comply with the operating standards in Diamond Bar Municipal Code Section

22.42.070, where the business shall be incidental and secondary to the residential use of the property. Modifications that alter the character of the residence or change its occupancy classification are prohibited, and activities that create nuisances, such as glare, light, noise, solid waste, or other characteristics in excess of that customarily associated with similar residential uses are prohibited.

Eighty-eight home based business licenses were issued in 2022.

Community
Development

2. Community Character & Placemaking
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

COMMUNITY CHARACTER & PLACEMAKING
This Chapter guides the physical form and character of the City by providing strategies to strengthen the City’s identity through both new development and public improvements. Placemaking elements include features such as monuments and decorative treatments that define City entry points, public art installations, decorative streetscape elements at key intersections or districts, and landscaping that creates a memorable and unified character. The Goals and Polices contained in this Chapter provide direction to incorporate such elements into both new development projects and public improvements. The majority of the Goals and Policies are related to the new opportunities within the four mixed-use focus areas and encourage walkable and pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods.

OVERALL CHARACTER & DESIGN
Goals
CC-G-2
Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage development within mixed-use areas that is inviting to pedestrians, promotes community interaction and activity, and contributes to an engaging street environment.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
CC-G-4
Community Character &
Placemaking
Preserve the scale and character of existing residential neighborhoods and ensure sensitive transitions between densities and uses.

All new residential development requires review and approval by the Planning Commission through a Development Review application process to assess a project’s compatibility, architectural design, size, scale and massing with the neighborhood. The Planning Commission reviews the design to ensure compliance with the City’s General Plan policies and design guidelines, and ensure sensitive transitions between densities and uses. Beginning with the Town Center Specific Plan, efforts are underway to establish objective design standards to support this goal.

Community
Development
CC-G-5
Community Character &
Placemaking
Provide an expanded pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure network to improve connectivity throughout the city where topography and technology permit.

Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets Corridor
The design of the Diamond Bar Boulevard Complete Streets Project was completed in 2020. The construction cost for the project is estimated to be around $6 million. The City has secured $3 million in Metro grant funding for construction. In June, the City submitted a grant application for ATP Cycle 6 funding. While the project was not selected for the first round of grant funding consideration, the project is being considered for funding during the secondary Metropolitan Planning Organization allocation..

Golden Springs Drive from Lemon Avenue to Brea Canyon
Road Rehabilitation
The City improved approximately 0.6 miles of bike lanes as a part of the Diamond Bar Blvd Rehabilitation Project completed in October.

The existing Class II bike lanes were re-striped to add a 4’ wide buffered zone, providing greater separation between bicyclists and vehicles. This design is being incorporated into all future arterial rehabilitation projects.

Also applies to Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goals CC-G-7 and CC-G-10 and Policies CC-P-5 through CC-P-7, CC-P9, and Circulation Chapter Goal CR-G-2 and Policies CR-P-4, CRP-14, and CR-P-29.

Public Works

Policies – City Identity
CC-P-1
Community Character &
Placemaking
Develop visual gateways at entry points to the city and at the entrances to the Neighborhood Mixed Use, Town Center, TransitOriented Mixed Use, and Community Core areas. Establish a gateway design palette and guidelines consistent with the existing gateway at Grand Avenue and Longview Drive, employing the same or a similar elements of streetscape design, monument signage, lighting, and building massing and setback.

Grand Avenue/Golden Springs Drive Intersection
Improvements
The construction of the intersection improvements project commenced in 2021 and will continue through mid-2023. Several components of the work were completed in 2022, i.e., slope grading, parts of the sidewalk work, decorative street lights, traffic signal poles installation, tunnel, and decorative retaining walls. Golf course tunnel relocation, storm drain improvement, pavement works on the widening of the streets, completion of the sidewalks, and landscaping on medians and slope landscape will be completed during 2023.

Also applies to Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policies CC-P-4 through CC-P-7, CC-P-9 and Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-27.

Also applies to Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policies CC-P-4 through CC-P-7, CC-P-9 and Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-27.

Street Name Sign Design
Procurement of residential street name signs with the new design (new windmill logo, new typeface, etc.) was completed for half of the City and the installation (replacement) of the signs started in 2021.

The second half of the residential areas of the City will be covered in 2023.

Procurement of Internally Illuminated street name signs--with the new design--and LED safety lights for arterial streets started in 2022 and the installation works are scheduled to be completed in 2023.

Procurement of new bus shelters for the City-wide replacement of bus shelters started in 2022. Among other upgrades, the new bus shelters will feature a City logo on the back panel.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter Policies CR-P-20 and CR-P-21.

Public Works
CC-P-4
Community Character &
Placemaking
Continue to support community identity with streetscape improvement and beautification projects in both existing residential areas and commercial centers, as well as new mixed-use areas that incorporate unified landscaping and pedestrian amenities.

Amenities should include seating, bus shelters, pedestrian safety See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CC-P-1. Public Works

treatments such as sidewalk bulb-outs and widening and improved crosswalks, and city-branded decorative elements such as street lighting, concrete pavers, tree grates, and theme rails.

CC-P-5
Community Character &
Placemaking
Establish a landscaping palette made up of native, drought-tolerant plants and stormwater management systems with a view to enhancing beautification and sustainable landscaping practices.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-5 and Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 and Policy CC-P-1.

The streetscape design in the TCSP project area will be centered around reducing the number of years to carbon neutral/zero carbon in order to reduce the effects of climate change by planting evergreen trees and installation of cool pavements such as hydro pavers.

Community
Development and
Public Works
CC-P-6
Community Character &
Placemaking
Prioritize sustainability in site design. When incorporating on-site stormwater management through the use of bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavement, and/or other available low-impact development technologies, require such features to be aesthetically integrated into the site design.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-5 and Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 and Policy CC-P-1.

Sunset Crossing Park
The proposed Sunset Crossing Park is located adjacent to the Diamond Bar Channel, which handles the drainage from
approximately 1,600 acres within the City of Diamond Bar. This makes the park an excellent candidate for a water quality treatment facility that can be incorporated into the proposed park’s design. To further study the feasibility of such a treatment facility, staff submitted an application to the LA County Flood Control District for funding through their Measure W Technical Resources Program (TRP), which funds the development of Project Feasibility Studies for water quality purposes. The City was awarded $300,000 in TRP funding that is being used to fund the feasibility study prepared by Technical Assistance Teams from the County, add the Sunset Crossing Park project to an eligible water quality plan, and address other prerequisites to apply for the Infrastructure Program, which awards construction funding to water quality projects. Monthly design/coordination meetings were taking place in 2022 to discuss project alternatives. Only the stormwater capture/treatment-related elements and certain landscape elements would be eligible for Measure W funding.

Also applies to Resource Conservation Chapter Policy RC-P-22 and Public Facilities & Services Chapter Goal PF-G-1 and Policies PFP-3 and PF-P-12.

Public Works

Policies – Streetscapes & Building to Street Interface
CC-P-7
Community Character &
Placemaking
Ensure that new development provides an integrated pattern of roadways, bicycle routes and paths, and pedestrian connections within and between neighborhoods that are safe, comfortable, and accessible sidewalks for people of all ages and abilities.

See Land Use Chapter Policy LU-P-7 and Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 and Policy CC-P-1.

Public Works
CC-P-9
Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage pedestrian orientation in mixed-use development using a variety of site planning and architectural strategies, such as locating and orienting buildings to street frontages, plazas, or pedestrian paseos; providing visual transparency through fenestration; entries and arcades close to the street edge and sidewalk; and/or incorporating porches, patios, or outdoor spaces that overlook or interact with front yards or sidewalks.

The TCSP will develop form-based development standards and guidelines that are customized to deliver development consistent with the community’s vision for the TCSP area. Form-based codes provides a land development regulation that fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form (rather than separation of uses_ as the organizing principle for the code).

The TSCP is intended to create vibrant public realm with a high intensity mix of uses to include retail, office, hotel, civic, and residential uses, and a bustling active environment during both day and evening hours. Numerous new public spaces, both hardscape squares and landscaped greener park spaces, will be located throughout the Plan area to provide a variety of environments that will serve residents and downtown visitors alike.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and LU-P-7 and Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 and Policy CC-P-1.

Community
Development
CC-P-11 Community Character &
Placemaking
In residential and mixed-use areas, use traffic calming measures such as pavers, bollards, sidewalk bulb-outs, and speed humps to slow travel speeds.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP)
In residential neighborhoods, the NTMP continues to be an effective tool in providing a procedure to implement traffic calming devices in neighborhoods that experience speeding and cut-through traffic. The program’s goal is to improve the livability of neighborhoods by empowering residents with the proper calming devices to modify driver behavior.

Staff completed the first two NTMP meetings with the Hawkwood Drive neighborhood to introduce the program and review the initial design with the community. Final plans were approved, and construction quotes were procured for the project.

The final plans were approved, and construction was completed for the N Del Sol NTMP as approved by the neighborhood residents.

Staff will follow up with the neighborhood and collect traffic data in approximately six months to gauge the effectiveness of the trafficcalming measures.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter Policies CR-P-22 and CR-P-23 and Community Health & Sustainability Policy CHS-P-29.

Public Works

Policies – Parks & Open Spaces
CC-P-13 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage landscaped common public spaces to be incorporated into new mixed-use development. See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
CC-P-16 Community Character &
Placemaking
Ensure that common spaces be integrated elements of
development, coordinating landscaping and amenities with the projects’ architecture and character.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
Policies – Site Planning & Parking
CC-P-17 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage the aggregation of individual small lots into larger development parcels within mixed-use areas that will support an appropriately-scaled, cohesive and economically viable
development.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

The TCSP is an important component of the City’s overall strategy to revitalize older areas and expand housing production. Incentives for lot consolidation are being considered as the TCSP is being crafted to encourage the improvement of underutilized properties.

Community
Development
CC-P-18 Community Character &
Placemaking
As large vacant or underutilized sites are developed or redeveloped, maximize multimodal accessibility with fine-grained street networks and walkable block sizes. Generally limit new block sizes to a maximum of about 400 feet in length. Mid-block plazas or alleys may be considered if the intent is to ensure fine-grained patterns where pedestrian access can be accommodated in intervals no more than 400 feet apart.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Community
Development
CC-P-21 Community Character &
Placemaking
Site plans should be designed to create pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods that follow these guidelines:
a) Buildings should be oriented to the street;
b) Garages and parking areas should be screened and/or
located at the side or rear of properties wherever possible; and
c) Landscaping, sidewalk conditions, and other streetscape elements should be improved during rehabilitation and new construction.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-7.

Some of the planning goals for the TCSP include the following:

1. To implement the community vision, goals and policies of the General Plan, which established the Town Center Mixed-Use land use designation to “foster the development of a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented Town Center in Diamond Bar that serves as a place for Diamond Bar’s residents to shop, dine, and gather.

2. To make the town center a complete neighborhood with a sense of place, that takes advantage of its location, to provide residents and visitors a unique experience.

3. Ensure that the physical design and programming of the town center supports health, wellbeing, and environmental
sustainability, the latter so as to make progress toward meeting the greenhouse gas reduction targets of the
Diamond Bar Climate Action Plan by supporting compact,
infill, mixed-use development.

Community
Development

4. The town center allows for car-lite/car-optional living allowing those who choose not to use their car on a daily basis or who choose not to own a car at all to be easily accommodated thus furthering progress to the City’s climate action goals.

5. The town center provides great public spaces, and small parks with regenerative landscapes to support the goal of environmental sustainability.

CC-P-22 Community Character &
Placemaking
Orient buildings adjacent to public spaces such that entries, windows, and seating areas face the public space.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-23 Community Character &
Placemaking
Where appropriate and feasible, locate and orient active uses (such as commercial uses and parks) along the street edges of new mixed-use development, at street corners, or along main roadways internal to larger developments.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-25 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage the design of shared parking for commercial and office uses where possible.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-26 Community Character &
Placemaking
Establish reduced minimum commercial parking requirements for all development within new mixed-use land use designations.

Reduced parking requirements should be supported by proximity to transit, shared parking, and technologies that, once mainstreamed, would reduce the need for conventional parking layouts.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development
Policies – Building Massing and Design
CC-P-32 Community Character &
Placemaking
Emphasize human-scaled design within large-scale commercial and mixed-use centers. Employ measures such as articulated massing, awnings, and landscape elements to break down the scale of development.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-33 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage new mixed-use and commercial development to
incorporate visual quality and interest in architectural design on all visible sides of buildings through the following approaches:
a) Utilizing varied massing and roof types, floor plans, detailed planting design, or color and materials;
b) Maintaining overall harmony while providing smaller-scale variety; and
c) Articulating building facades with distinctive architectural features like awnings, windows, doors, and other such
elements.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development

CC-P-35 Community Character &
Placemaking
Ensure the protection of views of hillsides and ridges from public streets, parks, trails, and community facilities by requiring a visual impact analysis for new development that identifies potential impacts to visual resources as well as feasible measures to mitigate any potential impacts.

On May 17, 2022, the City approved a 7-lot residential subdivision located between the southern terminus of Crooked Creek Drive and the southern City limits. The Project is designed to minimize negative impacts to the existing hillside. The main access road curves away from the hillside to follow the natural contours, thereby substantially reducing the retaining wall heights and minimize potential aesthetic and biological impacts to the eastern portion of the site. Additionally, a row of large trees will be planted along the rear yards of the new homes to not only minimize the visual impact of the development, but to maintain privacy for the existing and future residents. With the proposed landscape easement in the rear yards of these residential lots, a landscaping buffer will be maintained in order to provide some visual relief to existing homes.

Community
Development

NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE FOCUS AREA
Goals
CC-G-7
Community Character &
Placemaking
Create a well-designed, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood that encourages community interaction, showcases the city’s identity, and is integrated with residential uses to the east.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 Community
Development
CC-G-8
Community Character &
Placemaking
Promote vertical and horizontal mixed-use development along Diamond Bar Boulevard. See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 Community
Development
Policies

TOWN CENTER MIXED USE FOCUS AREA
Goals
CC-G-11 Community Character &
Placemaking
Support an intense mix of active uses on both sides of Diamond Bar Boulevard within the Town Center focus area.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy LU-P-21.

Community
Development
CC-G-12 Community Character &
Placemaking
Establish an inviting and comfortable public realm that encourages pedestrian activity in the Town Center focus area.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-G-13 Community Character &
Placemaking
Establish a new pedestrian-oriented “Main Street” within the Town Center focus area lined with retail uses.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
Policies
CC-P-41 Community Character &
Placemaking
Through development review, ensure that the Town Center remains predominantly a community shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, and that residential uses and offices are located so as not to detract from this image.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development
CC-P-42 Community Character &
Placemaking
Prioritize retail and other uses that promote pedestrian activity on the ground floor of buildings.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development

CC-P-43 Community Character &
Placemaking
Establish gateways to the Town Center area at the intersections of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive and at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive. Gateway elements should be consistent with the gateway design palette.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-44 Community Character &
Placemaking
As the Town Center redevelops, enhance pedestrian connectivity throughout the district through the incorporation of a new “Main Street” within the western portion of the focus area that is off of or set back from Diamond Bar Boulevard.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-45 Community Character &
Placemaking
The design of new development should be pedestrian-oriented, with the majority of building frontages located at the new street edge and with entrances located along the roadway or along pedestrian pathways or public spaces.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-46 Community Character &
Placemaking
Ensure that new buildings employ horizontal and vertical building articulation and diversity in color, materials, scale, texture, and building volumes.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development
CC-P-47 Community Character &
Placemaking
Develop specific building height and other development standards through implementation mechanisms such as the City’s Zoning Ordinance or a master or specific planning process.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development
CC-P-48 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage dining establishments to incorporate outdoor dining or sidewalk cafés. See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development
CC-P-49 Community Character &
Placemaking
Encourage reductions in surface parking and allow for the development of consolidated parking structures, provided that they are screened from view from Diamond Bar Boulevard and Golden Springs Drive.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-50 Community Character &
Placemaking
Where possible, above-grade parking structures should be wrapped with pedestrian uses where they front onto active streets.

If active uses are not feasible, frontages should be architecturally attractive. This may include unique designs and materials such as glass, articulated masonry, murals, or landscaping setbacks.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CC-P-51 Community Character &
Placemaking
Enhance the pedestrian experience along Diamond Bar Boulevard within the Town Center area with widened sidewalks, shade trees, and pedestrian amenities such as street furniture, attractive paving, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and landscape buffers.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development

3. Circulation
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

CIRCULATION
This Chapter is aimed at improving the transportation network within the City, balancing the circulation needs with safety and access across a variety of modes of transportation, including automobile travel, public transit, non-motorized transportation and goods movement through a Complete Streets approach.

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND STREET DESIGN
Goals
CR-G-3 Circulation
Strive to achieve a finer grained network of streets and pedestrian/bicycle connections as development occurs, especially in focus areas such as the Transit-Oriented, Neighborhood, Town Center, and Community Core mixed-use areas.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CR-G-4 Circulation
Design roadways serving pedestrian-oriented mixed-use areas to promote neighborhood interaction, pedestrian comfort and walkability, and commercial patronage.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
CR-G-5 Circulation
Develop neighborhood streets and alleys that encourage walking, biking, and outdoor activity through engineering and urban design principles that reduce the potential for speeding and cut-through traffic, which may include traffic calming measures.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
Policies
CR-P-1 Circulation
When redesigning streets, plan for the needs of different modes by incorporating elements such as shade for pedestrians, safe pedestrian-friendly crossings/ intersections, lighting at the pedestrian scale, bike lanes, signage visible to relevant modes, transit amenities, etc.

Citywide Bus Shelter Replacement
In 2022, the City signed an agreement with a new bus shelter advertisement franchisee to: a) Replace all bus shelters and unsheltered bus stops amenities city-wide using Prop A funding, b) Manage advertising on the future bus shelters, and c) Maintain all bus stops (sheltered and unsheltered).

Procurement of the new shelters, benches, and trash cans started in 2022, and the construction work and the transition from the old franchisee to the new franchisee will be completed in 2023.

Additionally, in 2021, The Foothill Transit Grant program re-opened its call for applications after a one year delay. The City applied for a grant to replace two bus shelters. The City was awarded the grant in 2022, procurement is currently underway, followed by construction early 2023. This project grant will be coordinated with the City-wide bus shelter replacement project.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter Goal CR-P-3, CR-G-13 and Policies CR-P-8 and CR-P-48
Public Works

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
CR-P-2 Circulation
Promote new street designs and efforts to retrofit existing streets in residential neighborhoods minimize traffic volumes and/or speed as appropriate without compromising connectivity for emergency vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and users of mobility devices.

Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant
Application
Federal regulations require each state to develop a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) to reduce traffic accident fatalities and serious injuries on all public roadways. While the SHSP is used as a statewide approach for improving roadway safety, a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is the means for providing City-owned roads with the opportunity to address unique highway safety needs in their jurisdictions while contributing to the SHSP. The City applied for and was awarded a grant by Caltrans to develop an LRSP. The City’s LRSP was completed in, and its findings were presented to the City’s Traffic and Transportation Commission 2022. An LRSP is a recommended prerequisite to apply for specific State Grant applications, including HSIP Grants which are awarded to implement the recommendations in the LRSP. In 2022, the City submitted a Caltrans Cycle 11 HSIP Grant application with a list of proposed traffic improvements. Caltrans will award Grants during 2023.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter Policies CR-P-19, CR-P-26, CRP-45, and CR-P-65, and Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-35.

Public Works
CR-P-3 Circulation
Plan for and provide new connections within the Transit-Oriented, Neighborhood, Town Center, and Community Core mixed-use areas to create finer grained, pedestrian-scaled circulation networks that support the development of connected and
accessible neighborhoods. Connections should facilitate the use of alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles, such as walking, bicycling, and transit by improving the safety and accessibility of those modes.

See Circulation Chapter Policies CR-P-1 and Goal CR-G-13. Public Works CR-P-4 Circulation
Develop traffic calming strategies for Diamond Bar Boulevard between Temple Avenue and Golden Springs Drive in order to provide a safe and comfortable pedestrian-friendly environment along and through the Neighborhood Mixed Use and Town Center Mixed Use areas.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5. Public Works

VEHICLE CIRCULATION
Policies – Level of Service (LOS) Standards
CR-P-14 Circulation
Prioritize pedestrian movement and safety— through wider sidewalks, more frequent pedestrian crossings, sidewalk bulbouts, median pedestrian refuges etc.—rather than LOS in Community Character Priority Areas, which are areas designated for higher density mixed-use development in the General Plan.

See Section 4.4 for more detailed policies on bicycle and pedestrian movement in mixed-use areas.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5 Public Works CR-P-16 Circulation
Allow exceptions to LOS standards upon findings by the City Council that achieving the designated LOS would:
a) Be technologically or economically infeasible; or
b) Compromise the City’s ability to support other important policy priorities, including but not limited to:
i. Promoting alternate modes of transportation;
ii. Ensuring pedestrian, bicycle and automobile safety, comfort, and convenience;
iii. Reducing VMT and GHG emissions; and
iv. Preserving and enhancing character of the
community.

See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-2. Public Works
Policies – Adaptive Traffic Control (ATCS) & Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) CR-P-20 Circulation
Implement measures such as additional signal timing and synchronization, speed limit regulations, and ITS techniques to increase safety and reduce congestion. Maintain a pavement management system and maintenance program for all public roadways throughout the City.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-14.

Battery Back-Up and CCTV Replacement Program
Battery backup units are a critical part of the City’s public safety efforts as they allow traffic signals to operate fully for a short period and then operate on red flash for several hours in an emergency resulting in a power outage. CCTV cameras display live feeds of the City’s most heavily used intersections, allowing staff to view and diagnose any traffic or Public Safety concerns quickly. The City implemented a multi-year program to replace battery backup systems that have reached their useful life on the City’s 66 signalized intersections. The City is also implementing CCTV cameras at intersections that do not already have them. Year 1 of the multi-year program was completed in 2022. The year 2 project is currently underway and scheduled to be completed by mid-2023.

Also applies to Circulation Chapter policy CR-P-21.

Public Works

CR-P-21 Circulation
On an ongoing basis, examine opportunities to avoid delay, spillover, or cut-through traffic onto Diamond Bar’s roadways through techniques such as adaptive traffic control systems along major corridors and traffic calming measures along cut-through routes that would reduce speeds and discourage drivers from electing to drive on them. Consider financial and technological feasibility and community priorities to determine whether and how strategies should be implemented.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-14 and Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-20.

Public Works
Policies – Safety
CR-P-22 Circulation
Implement traffic calming measures to slow traffic on local and collector residential streets and prioritize these measures over congestion management where appropriate and feasible.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CC-P-11 Public Works CR-P-23 Circulation
Maintain the integrity of existing residential areas and discourage cut-through traffic by retaining cul-de-sacs and implementing other traffic calming measures that promote safe driving at speeds appropriate to the surrounding neighborhood, particularly at Prospectors Road, Chaparral Drive, Sunset Crossing Road, Lycoming Street, and Washington Street.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CC-P-11 Public Works Policies – Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination
CR-P-26 Circulation
As opportunities arise, coordinate with other jurisdictions, including neighboring cities, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Caltrans, on improvements to street segments common to the City of Diamond Bar and other jurisdictions.

Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans for Traffic Detour During SR-57 Pavement Rehabilitation
Caltrans District 7 roadway resurfacing and restoration project along the State Route 57 (SR-57) freeway (the "Project") between the County line and near Grand Ave continued in 2022. Under California Streets and Highways Code Section 93, Caltrans is authorized to construct and maintain detours that may be necessary to facilitate traffic movement where state highways are closed or obstructed by construction or otherwise. The City of Diamond Bar roadways will be affected during Project-related traffic detours. The Project estimated 16 extended weekend closure detours (over eight two-day weekends) for the Project's duration, which will be scheduled to be implemented during the low traffic hours. No long full closure was scheduled in 2021, but seven (7) closures have been completed in 2022. City staff and traffic consultants have been monitoring the traffic flow and adjusting the City traffic signals timing as needed to ensure a steady traffic flow during the detours. The City and Caltrans negotiated a Traffic Detour Cooperative Agreement; the City will be reimbursed for the traffic monitoring and signal adjustment and additional Sheriff's services, as applicable. Per the Agreement and upon completion of the Project, Caltrans, at its costs, will restore the City streets impacted by the detours to their original condition before Public Works

the detours. To achieve that goal, Caltrans, in coordination with the City staff, evaluated the condition of streets before and after the Project.

See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-2.

CR-P-27 Circulation
Encourage improvements to regional routes and arterial streets to account for environmental, aesthetic, and noise concerns, as well as to provide adequate buffers to adjacent land uses.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policies CC-P-1 Public Works CR-P-29 Circulation Solicit State and Federal funds to improve area freeways and local streets. See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Goal CC-G-5. Public Works

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE CIRCULATION
Policies – Bicycle & Pedestrian Movement in Mixed Use Areas CR-P-40 Circulation
Provide for a vibrant Town Center that encourages pedestrian activity and comfort within the Town Center Mixed Use area while accommodating through traffic along Diamond Bar Boulevard through the following strategies:
a) Establishing a new pedestrian-oriented main street or pedestrian pathway in the Town Center;
b) Enhancing the pedestrian experience along Diamond Bar Boulevard within the Town Center area with widened
sidewalks, shade trees, and pedestrian amenities such as street furniture, attractive paving, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and landscape buffers;
c) Buffering bike lanes along Diamond Bar Boulevard;
d) Improving crosswalks at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive, at Diamond Bar Boulevard
and Golden Springs Drive, and where Diamond Bar
Boulevard intersects with the driveway to the Town Center; and
e) Strengthening cyclist and pedestrian connections between the Town Center area and nearby schools to provide safe and convenient routes to the Town Center for students by identifying barriers such as safety hazards and gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian networks and implementing
improvements to address those barriers.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policies LU-P-7 and CCP-21.Community Development
Policies – Safety
CR-P-43 Circulation
When planning capital improvement programs, ensure that projects incorporate measures that strengthen the protection of cyclists in bike lanes by implementing improvements such as increasing visibility of lane markings and signage, increasing bike lane widths, See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-20 Public Works

raising lanes, designing safer intersection crossings and turns, and buffering lanes from traffic wherever feasible, prioritizing bicycle lanes along arterials.

CR-P-45 Circulation
Routinely review pedestrian and cyclist collision data for type, location, severity, and cause, and develop strategies to prevent these collisions.

See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-2 Public Works

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Goals
CR-G-13 Circulation Support the availability, efficiency, and effectiveness of public transit service.

SGV Public Transit Feasibility Study
In 2021, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
(SGVCOG)—in partnership with Los Angeles Metro (Metro)— started conducting a feasibility study to evaluate and improve mobility in the San Gabriel Valley. The work continued in 2022, and the City has been actively participating in the Technical Advisory Committee of the study and provided its feedback on the alternatives to protect the City’s interests, including the General Plan recommendations.

Also applicable to Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-3
See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-1
Public Works and City
Manager’s Office
Policies
CR-P-48 Circulation
As opportunities arise, work with Foothill Transit to maintain and improve bus stops and shelters, as well as identify areas where service can be improved or expanded to increase system use.

See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-1 Public Works

PARKING
Goals
CR-G-14 Circulation
Provide adequate parking for all land use types, while balancing this against the need to promote walkable, mixed-use districts and neighborhoods in targeted areas, and promoting ride-sharing and alternative transportation modes.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4.

Community
Development

GOODS MOVEMENT
Policies – Truck Routes
CR-P-60 Circulation Use Figure 4-4: Goods Movement as the guide for designating truck routes in the City. See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56 Public Works

CR-P-62 Circulation
Maintain truck routes with signage between industrial areas and freeway interchanges to discourage truck travel through residential neighborhoods, and provide truck route information to truck routing software providers.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56 Public Works CR-P-64 Circulation
Continue prohibiting trucks heavier than 5 tons from operating on designated residential streets, except for emergency, maintenance, residential moving trucks, and transit vehicles, to maintain pavement integrity.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56 Public Works CR-P-65 Circulation
Periodically review collision data for type, location, severity, and cause. Develop countermeasures for sites with recurrent truckinvolved collisions.See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-2 Public Works

4. Resource Conservation
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

RESOURCE CONSERVATION
A conservation element is required to provide guidance for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, including water quality and hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and others as applicable to each jurisdiction. An open space element is intended to ensure that cities and counties recognize that open space land is a limited and valuable resource, and that they prepare and carry out open space plans to guide the comprehensive long-range preservation and conservation of open space land. The Resource Conservation Chapter provides policies to guide the City’s stewardship of its resources, ensuring the conservation and enhancement of open spaces, biological resources, water and air quality, and cultural resources.

OPEN SPACE
Goals
RC-G-1 Resource Conservation
Create and maintain a balanced open space system that will preserve scenic beauty and community identity, protect important biological resources, provide open space for outdoor recreation and the enjoyment of nature, conserve natural resources, and ensure public health and safety.

The City has partnered with Michael Baker International and Endemic Environmental Services during the construction of the Canyon Loop Trail to ensure the necessary mitigation measures are enforced.

Parks & Recreation

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Goals
RC-G-6 Resource Conservation
Utilize native and drought-tolerant vegetation in landscaping, site stabilization and restoration where practical to prevent the spread of invasive plant species into natural open spaces.

During project review, the Planning Division ensures that the plant palette is diverse, Southern California native and drought-tolerant vegetation is utilized, and that the planting and irrigation plans comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance.

Community
Development

Policies
RC-P-9 Resource Conservation
Require, as part of the environmental review process prior to approval of discretionary development projects involving parcels within, adjacent to, or surrounding a significant biological resource area, a biotic resources evaluation of the site by a qualified biologist.

Focused plant surveys shall be conducted at the appropriate time of year, and local reference populations checked to ensure detectability of the target species. Wildlife shall also be evaluated by a qualified biologist through appropriate survey or trapping techniques necessary to determine presence. Such evaluation shall analyze the existing and potential natural resources of a given site as well as the potential for significant adverse impacts on biological resources. The report shall identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any impacts to species that have been observed or have the potential of being present on the site. In approving any permit based on the evaluation, the City shall require implementation of mitigation measures supported by the evaluation, or work with the applicant to modify the project if mitigation is determined not to be adequate to reduce the impacts to a non-significant level.

The City Council approved a residential project on May 17, 2022 which includes the development of seven new single-family residences. As part of the CEQA process, the applicant submitted a biological resources assessment and arborist report. The reports were peer reviewed by the City’s environmental consultant, who verified the accuracy of the reports and updated the information based on current findings. The biological resources assessment included a general biological survey and a focused botanical survey.

The City was provided a list of recommended mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any impacts to species that have been observed or have the potential of being present on the site.

Community
Development
RC-P-10 Resource Conservation
Require, to the greatest extent feasible, new development to preserve mature native trees including oak and walnut, and trees of significant cultural or historical value such as sycamore and arroyo willow, etc., as set forth under the Diamond Bar Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance. Review the ordinance periodically and update it as necessary to reflect current best practices.

The Planning Division reviews each project to evaluate if a protected tree can be preserved or retained on site. If preservation is not feasible, trees are required to be replanted at a minimum 3:1 ratio pursuant to the City’s Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance.

The City Council approved a residential project which includes the development of seven new single-family residences on May 17, 2022. As part of the project, a Tree Permit was approved for the removal of 62 existing protected trees consisting of 58 Southern California black walnuts and four coast live oaks. Consistent with the City’s Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance, the applicant is proposing to replant mitigation trees on site with 201 Southern California black walnuts and 12 coast live oaks. All other protected trees that are not within the development area are being retained and preserved in place.

Community
Development
RC-P-12 Resource Conservation
Support and cooperate with the efforts of other local, State, and federal agencies, groups, and private entities—including Los Angeles County, neighboring jurisdictions, and conservation groups—to preserve environmentally sensitive hillsides, canyon areas, wildlife corridors and riparian areas within Diamond Bar’s SOI, including the Puente - Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor, Tres Hermanos Ranch, Tonner Canyon, and SEA 15 to provide
regional connectivity, and to sustain the ecological function of natural habitats and biological resources.

The City has worked closely with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as well as California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) during the Canyon Loop Trail project to ensure that the City is complying with all state and federal requirements for the protection, replacement and restoration of native habitat affected by the project.

Park & Recreation

a) Discourage development in areas with identified significant biological resources, such as SEAs.
b) Discourage development in riparian habitats, streambeds, wetlands, coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and native
woodlands in order to maintain and support their
preservation in a natural state, unaltered by grading, fill, or diversion activities.
c) Preserve and restore oak woodlands and other native
woodlands that are conserved in perpetuity with a goal of no net loss of existing woodlands.

RC-P-14 Resource Conservation
Support and cooperate with the efforts of local school districts, environmental groups and volunteers to offer environmental education programs.

In 2016, the City of Diamond Bar established a partnership with Discovery Cube of Santa Ana. This partnership’s main goal was to bring environmental awareness to Diamond Bar based schools.

Approximately 1,000 5th and 6th graders participate in an assembly addressing various environmental topics, followed by a school field trip to Discovery Cube of Santa Ana.

City Manager’s Office

WATER RESOURCES
Goals
RC-G-7 Resource Conservation
Protect waterways—including creeks, riverines, artesian springs, seeps, and wetlands—and watersheds in Diamond Bar from
pollution and degradation as a result of urban activities.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56 and Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-4.

Public Works
RC-G-12 Resource Conservation Pursue methods to control, capture, and reuse stormwater runoff for the purposes of groundwater recharge and local water recovery. See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-5. Public Works Policies – Water Conservation
RC-P-19 Resource Conservation Encourage the implementation of the latest water conservation technologies into new developments.

Building and Safety requires water conservation fixtures as required in CALGreen and the California Plumbing Code.

Community
Development
Policies – Water Quality
RC-P-22 Resource Conservation
Protect and, where feasible, enhance or restore the City’s waterways and drainages, preventing erosion along the banks, removing litter and debris, and promoting riparian vegetation and buffers.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CC-P-6. Public Works RC-P-23 Resource Conservation
Ensure that post-development peak stormwater runoff discharge rates do not exceed the estimated predevelopment rate and that dry weather runoff from new development not exceed the predevelopment baseline flow rate to receiving water bodies.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56. Public Works

AIR QUALITY
Policies
RC-P-24 Resource Conservation
Encourage new development to minimize impacts on air quality through the following measures: a. Use of building materials and methods that minimize air pollution. b. Use of fuel-efficient heating equipment, and other appliances, such as water heaters, swimming pool heaters, cooking equipment, refrigerators, furnaces, boiler units, and low or zero-emitting architectural coatings. c. Use of clean air technology beyond what is required by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), leveraging State and local funding sources.
• Building & Safety implements the California Green Building Code (CALGreen). Whenever a building permit is issued for construction, CALGreen requires the building inspector to verify the reduction of dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dust control measures include watering of dirt on projects that are moving earthwork and VOCs are limited in quantity by requiring materials with certified lower VOCs be used.
• Through the implementation of the California Energy Code and CALGreen, more efficient equipment and reduced VOC’s are required respectively. The CA Energy Code requires
highly efficient heating and cooling systems through requiring high seasonal energy efficiency ratings and energy efficient materials such as low-E (low emissivity) windows. The CA Energy Code also requires high efficacy lighting, energy efficient switching and sensors, certified cooktop hoods, rooftop solar installations in new construction, and mostly instantaneous water heaters for new construction. CALGreen requires low emitting architectural coatings through limiting the VOC’s and requiring certified listed low-emitting products including paints and sealants.
• CALGreen requires clean air within buildings including through requiring higher minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) filters and minimum outdoor air circulation. Higher filtration removes contaminants and outdoor air circulation reduces carbon dioxide levels within structures.

Community
Development
RC-P-26 Resource Conservation
Ensure that new development projects are designed and
implemented to be consistent with the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan.

Building & Safety follows various SCAQMD rules including requiring SCAQMD proof of notification before some projects are demolished, preventing wood burning fireplaces from being installed, prevention of excessive dust on construction sites, and requiring SCAQMD notification prior to the issuance of permits for char-broilers.

Community
Development
RC-P-28 Resource Conservation
Cooperate with the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SCAQMD, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and the State of California Air Resources Board in improving air quality in the regional air basin.

Building & Safety Department requires all construction projects to provide proper mechanical ventilation systems pursuant to the California Mechanical Code. The California Building Code limits the amount of hazardous materials on a site which could lead to further Toxic Air Contaminants. During construction, dust mitigation and erosion control are required and enforced by the building inspector on any construction project. The remainder of this work is conducted through the Public Works Department.

Community
Development

EV Charging Stations City-wide
The Public Works Dept. participated in a regional EV Charging and need feasibility study sponsored by SCAG. With the City’s participation, five facilities Citywide were selected as pilot sites for the study, among which two facilities belong to the City of Diamond Bar (Diamond Bar Center and Washington Park).

Public Works
RC-P-30 Resource Conservation
For new or modified land uses that have the potential to emit dust, odors, or TACs that would impact sensitive receptors, require the business owners to obtain all necessary SCAQMD clearances or permits prior to business license or building permit issuance.

Sensitive receptors include residences, schools, childcare centers, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical care facilities.

The Public Works Department requires an erosion control plan to be provided prior to permit issuance, including sandbags around the property and intermittent watering of a grading site. Prior to any demolition, the Building & Safety Division requires that SCAQMD to be notified before permits are issued.

Community
Development
Public Works
RC-P-33 Resource Conservation
Require construction and grading plans to include State and AQMD-mandated measures to the maximum extent possible
fugitive dust and pollutants generated by construction activities and those related to vehicle and equipment cleaning, fueling and maintenance as well as mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from vehicle and equipment operations.

Public Works implements all dust control measures during grading with assistance from Building & Safety during construction.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56.

Community
Development
Public Works

5. Public Facilities and Services
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
This Chapter sets forth the policy framework for the City to manage infrastructure and services, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that public utilities, services, and programs can meet the needs of the community into the future.

PARKS & RECREATION
Goals
PF-G-1
Public Facilities &
Services
Maintain and expand the system of parks, recreation facilities, open spaces, and trails that meet the active and passive recreational needs of residents of all ages and abilities.

The Parks and Recreation Department, along with Public Works Department, continues to update outdoor court lighting, youth playgrounds, and has neared completion of the Canyon Loop Trail renovations.

See Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CC-P-6.

Parks and Recreation
Public Works

Policies – General
PF-P-3
Public Facilities &
Services
Identify and pursue funding and financial resources to acquire land for parks and to continue providing high quality maintenance of parks, trails, and recreational facilities.

Staff applied for Proposition 68 State funding, Measure A and Measure W funding to improve and create parks and open space.

Parks and Recreation
PF-P-5
Public Facilities &
Services
Continue cooperative efforts with the Walnut Valley and Pomona Unified School Districts through joint use agreements for park and recreational facilities.

City staff continue to utilize the revised Joint Use Agreement with Walnut Valley Unified School District for indoor athletic space for community programming.

Parks & Recreation
Policies – Parks & Recreation Facilities
PF-P-8
Public Facilities &
Services
Develop and maintain a parkland dedication requirement/in-lieu fee consistent with the General Plan standard of five acres per 1,000 residents in Diamond Bar.

On May 17, 2022, the City approved a seven-lot residential subdivision located between the southern terminus of Crooked Creek Drive and the southern City limits. Pursuant to DBMC Section

21.32.040, the in-lieu fee for this project is determined to be $270,319 and shall be paid prior to the issuance of building permits for the construction of any residential structure(s) within the subdivision.

Community
Development
PF-P-9
Public Facilities &
Services
Prioritize public parkland dedication as a condition of new residential development, allowing the use of in lieu fees only where parkland dedication is not feasible, to ensure a public park system available to the entire community.

On May 17, 2022, the City approved a seven-lot residential subdivision located between the southern terminus of Crooked Creek Drive and the southern City limits. Due to the unique topographical and geotechnical constraints of the property, the project was required to pay the in-lieu park fees for the project instead of dedicating parkland.

Community
Development
PF-P-12 Public Facilities &
Services
Routinely review existing funding mechanisms and seek new funding opportunities to support additional parks and recreation facilities and programs, such as State and federal grants, Park Bonds and property tax assessments, Community Facility Districts, and Lighting and Landscape Assessment Districts.

Landscape Assessment Districts
The City’s General Fund subsidized Landscape Assessment District Nos. 39 and 41 for over ten years. After an unsuccessful attempt in 2019, the City went through another process to dissolve the two districts. Through interactive and cooperative work with the community, a successful balloting (Prop 218) process took place in District 39. District 39 was dissolved and District 39-2022 was formed, in 2022, to replace the dissolved district with an identical service area. Due to the higher assessment (with the option to increase by CPI annually), District 39 is self-supporting again after over a decade. This eliminated the need to subsidize the district by General Fund. It’s a success story of cooperation between the community and the City. A similar successful process was completed for District 41 (now 41-2021) in 2021.

Also see Community Character & Placemaking Chapter Policy CCP-6.

Public Works

PF-P-14 Public Facilities &
Services
Preserve existing and future City-owned recreational open space as recreational open space in perpetuity. City-owned recreational open space includes undeveloped areas of City parks that are available for passive recreational use, and portions of designated open space land that have been dedicated to the City for use as trails.

See Chapter 2, Land Use and Economic Development and Chapter 5, Resource Conservation for additional policies regarding the preservation of open space.

The Canyon Loop Trail project will create a safer trail experience for residents while preserving the natural habitat. Improvements such as gabion walls, stairs, and water erosion devices will extend the life of the hard pan trail and increase safety for those accessing the trail.

Parks & Recreation
PF-P-16 Public Facilities &
Services
Continue to provide programming and services for seniors, including active programs, classes, and activities and outings, adjusting programming based on needs and preferences,
particularly as Diamond Bar’s residents age.

The department continues to modify many programs to include virtual delivery methods and implemented Covid-19 safety measures to re-open safely per guidelines issued by LA County Department of Public Health.

Parks and Recreation
Policies – Trails
PF-P-21 Public Facilities &
Services
Seek grants and alternative funding mechanisms for trail development and maintenance.

Staff applied for Proposition 68, Measure A, Measure W, and Habitat Conservation Grant funding.

Parks and Recreation

UTILITIES
Goals
PF-G-6
Public Facilities &
Services
Ensure that public facilities and services, including water, wastewater, sewage, electricity, natural gas, and solid waste, are provided in a safe, efficient, and timely manner to meet the current and future needs of the city.

Sewer Pump Stations Refurbishment
In 2019, a wastewater system master plan was prepared. In 2020, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works hired a consultant to design two pump stations assigned the highest priority for refurbishment in the master plan. The design work continued in 2022, and the City assisted the County in field investigations and stakeholder meetings to complete PDR (Project Design Report) for two pump stations in the City. The design plans are at 30%.

New Underground Utility DistrictIn 2021 the City studied different project alternatives to create a new Underground Utility District (UUD) by using the City’s $1.6M Rule 20A undergrounding work credit. Subsequently, the City worked with Southern California Edison (SCE) to evaluate each option's financial feasibility and constructability. Eventually, the most feasible alternatives were shared were the City Council. The City Council approved the Brea Canyon Dr. UUD to go through the formation process. The City Council established the UUD by adopting a Resolution after a public hearing and an approval letter from SCE. The Resolution was shared with SCE to activate the City’s Rule 20A program. The project design was completed in 2022. Additionally, in 2000, the City Council approved an easement to SCE for two strips of land in Heritage Park Public Works

for SCE to install underground and aboveground equipment necessary for the utility undergrounding project.

Also applies to Public Facilities & Services Chapter Policies PF-P37 and PF-P-38.

Policies – Water & Wastewater
PF-P-37
Public Facilities &
Services
As opportunities arise, work with the Los Angeles County Public Works Department (LACPWD) and Los Angeles County Sanitation District (LACSD) to ensure that wastewater treatment conveyance systems and treatment facility capacity is available to serve planned development within Diamond Bar.

See Public Facilities & Services Chapter Goal PF-G-6. Public Works PF-P-38
Public Facilities &
Services
Continue to monitor and assess wastewater and sewer system operations to identify and subsequently address system
deficiencies.

See Public Facilities & Services Chapter Goal PF-G-6. Public Works

6. Public Safety
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC SAFETY
The purpose of this Chapter is to identify the natural and man-made public health and safety hazards that exist within the City, and to establish preventative and responsive policies and programs to mitigate their potential impacts, particularly in light of our unique environmental, seismic, and topographic conditions. This Chapter also addresses the excellent public safety services provided by the L.A. County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, and endorses the continuation of the contract model of government for the continuation of these services. Lastly, the Public Safety Chapter addresses noise and serves to limit the exposure of the community to excessive noise levels. The Goals and Policies emphasize partnerships with local, regional and State agencies to ensure the City’s readiness for public safety threats through action plans and educational efforts.

SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Goals
PS-G-1 Public Safety
Partner with the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments in community education efforts aimed at preventing potential loss of life, physical injury, property damage, public health hazards, and nuisances from seismic ground shaking and other geologic hazards such as landslides and mudslides.

The City and its public safety partners continue outreach efforts to residents on safety, including earthquake, fire, emergency preparedness topics, and pandemics such as COVID-19. The City’s public safety partners work in coordination with the City’s Public Information Division to communicate time sensitive information to residents through the City’s website, as well as the Neighborhood Watch Program. The City also distributes outreach materials via print and electronic media that focuses on public safety and emergency preparedness related topics, such as earthquake preparedness, as well as important and timely public health orders and social distancing guidelines. Updated information was included in the most recent Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was adopted by Council and approved by FEMA July 19, 2022.

City Manager’s Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-5 and Goal PSG-5.

Policies
PS-P-2 Public Safety
Require areas identified as having significant liquefaction potential (including secondary seismic hazards such as differential compaction, lateral spreading, settlement, rock fall, and landslide) to undergo site-specific geotechnical investigation prior to development and to mitigate the potential hazard to a level of insignificance or, if mitigation is not possible, to preserve these areas as open space or agriculture.

Figure 7-3 (Page 7-8 of the Public Safety Element) shows areas where historical occurrence of liquefaction, or local geological, geotechnical, and groundwater conditions indicate a potential for permanent ground displacements.

Through the development review process, all projects proposing development on lands with known geotechnical and/or geological issues, including lands identified as Restricted Use Areas (RUA), are required to prepare a Geotechnical Study acceptable to the City Engineer, pursuant to the Municipal Code requirements as provided in Diamond Bar Municipal Code Section 15.00.320.

Public Works
PS-P-3 Public Safety
Periodically update the grading standards to supplement the State and local building and construction safety codes with detailed information regarding rules, interpretations, standard specifications, procedures requirements, forms, and other information applicable to control excavation, grading, and earthwork construction, and provide guidelines for preparation of geotechnical reports in the city.

See Land Use & Economic Development Chapter Policy LU-P-56. Public Works PS-P-4 Public Safety
Carry out a review of City-owned critical facilities that may be vulnerable to major earthquakes and landslides and develop programs to upgrade them.

Diamond Bar Center Slope Stabilization Project
The City became aware of concrete separations along the northern side of the Diamond Bar Center. A decision was made to take preventative measures to ensure long-lasting slope stability and prevent any potential risk to the facility. Therefore in 2020, the City conducted a geotechnical investigation and sampled the soil conditions of the northern slope at the facility. All geotechnical characterization and lab analyses of the subsurface soil conditions were complete. This data was utilized to prepare a formal soil report to develop design plans and project specifications. The design of a slope stabilization engineering solution was completed in 2021. The construction works commenced in late 2022 and will be completed early 2023. The construction budget was included in the CIP for FY 2022/23.

Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-6.

Public Works

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
PS-P-5 Public Safety
Develop a City-based public awareness/ earthquake preparedness program to educate the public about seismic hazards and what to do in the event of an earthquake.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-1. City Manager’s Office PS-P-6 Public Safety
Prevent and control soil erosion and corresponding landslide risks on public property and in conjunction with new private development through hillside protection and management.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-6.

Public Works and
Community
Development

FLOOD HAZARDS AND PROTECTION
Goals
PS-G-2 Public Safety
Implement measures aimed at preventing the potential for loss of life, physical injury, property damage, public health hazards, and nuisances from the effects of a 100- year storm and associated flooding.

The City prepared a comprehensive update to the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan) with the assistance of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, which was adopted by the City Council and approved by FEMA July 19, 2022. The Plan Update includes an all-hazards summary of potential risks to the City from earthquakes, fires, floods, severe storms, and other natural disasters. The Plan will provide information to assist the City in planning for 100-year floods, significant earthquakes, all with the ultimate goal of minimizing the loss of life and damage to property.

The Plan, in concert with the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), can eventually be used to support resilient planning, mitigation, reconstruction strategies, and response efforts to climate conditions and incidents impacting the community. The Plan review process included a public comment period, including initial submission and review by FEMA. Very High Severity Fire Zones have been mapped throughout the City hillside areas requiring new construction to be fire-resistant at exterior surfaces exposed to wildland areas.

Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Goals PS-G-3 and PS-G-8 and Policies PS-P-7, PS-P-38, PS-P-39, and PS-P-44.

City Manager’s Office
Policies
PS-P-7 Public Safety
Work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as needed to ensure that the City’s floodplain information is up to date with the latest available hydrologic and hydraulic engineering data.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office PS-P-8 Public Safety
Continue to implement flood control programs, such as the City’s Grading and Floodplain Ordinances, that reduce flood hazards to comply with State flood risk management requirements.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
PS-P-9 Public Safety
Consider the impacts to health and safety from potential flooding on future development in flood-prone areas, including those identified as being within the 100- or 500-year floodplains. Require installation of protective structures or other design measures to protect proposed building and development sites from the effects of flooding in these areas.

Figure 7-4 (Page 7-12 of the Public Safety Element) shows flood zones in and around the Planning Area based on FEMA’s 2016 flood hazard data.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office

FIRE HAZARDS
Goals
PS-G-3 Public Safety
Partner with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and affiliated agencies to implement hazard mitigation plans and community education efforts aimed at preventing the potential for loss of life, physical injury, property damage, public health hazards, and nuisances from wildland and urban fires.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office Policies – General
PS-P-14 Public Safety
Educate the public about fire hazards and fire prevention. Work with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department and CAL FIRE to disseminate information on fire weather watches and fire risks and encourage all Diamond Bar residents to engage in risk reduction and fire preparedness activities.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department maintains information on family fire preparedness plans and risk reduction measures such as vegetation management.

The City continues to expand upon public education and outreach efforts to educate residents about fire and weather-related hazards through a variety of platforms such as the City’s website, the monthly DBConnection newsletter, public presentations, the emergency alert system, and informational videos. The information, in collaboration with City and Public Safety partners with Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments, is aimed at improving public safety preparedness efforts, increase resident awareness, and ensure compliance with State and County Public Health Orders. The Los Angeles County Fire Department also has an active fire brush clearance program that incorporates inspections from local fire stations in areas of know fire danger to ensure that residents are aware of mitigation measures they can implement on their property.

Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-9 and Policies PSP-18 and PS-P-42.

City Manager’s Office
PS-P-16 Public Safety
For privately-owned property within areas designated for development that are subject to high wildfire risk, condition approval of development upon the implementation of measures to reduce risks associated with that development, including, but not limited to, fuel modification plans and Fire Code requirements in effect at the time of project approval.

Prior to building permit issuance, all residential projects located in the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone are required to submit landscape plans designed to comply with the requirements of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Fuel Modification Plan Guidelines in terms of plant selection, placement and maintenance. The final landscape and fuel modification plans are submitted to the Los Angeles Fire Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
Department for review and approval.

PS-P-18 Public Safety
Work cooperatively with the County of Los Angeles Fire
Department, CAL FIRE, and fire protection agencies of neighboring jurisdictions to address regional wildfire threats.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14. City Manager’s Office Policies – Fire Hazard Severity Zones & State Responsibility Areas PS-P-19 Public Safety
Maintain and update the City’s High Fire Hazard Severity Zones map consistent with changes in designation by CAL FIRE to ensure that the County of Los Angeles Fire Department is protecting the community from wildland-urban fires as future development takes place.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14. City Manager’s Office PS-P-20 Public Safety
Prior to permit approval, ensure that all new development located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a State Responsibility Area (SRA) is served by adequate infrastructure, including safe access for emergency response vehicles, visible street signs, and water supplies for fire suppression.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14.

Community
Development
PS-P-21 Public Safety
Collaborate with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department to ensure that properties in and adjacent to High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones as indicated in Figure 7-6 are adequately protected from wildland fire hazards in a manner that minimizes the destruction of natural vegetation and ecosystems through inspection and enforcement. Update Figure 7-6 as new information becomes available from CAL FIRE.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14.

Community
Development
PS-P-22 Public Safety
Support the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Provision of weed abatement and brush thinning and removal services in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Areas in order to curb potential fire hazards.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14.

Community
Development
PS-P-23 Public Safety
Where development is proposed within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, ensure that the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has the opportunity to review the proposal in terms of its vulnerability to fire hazards and its potential as a source of fire, including fuel modification plan review for new development or additions that are equal or greater than 50 percent of the existing square footage.

Prior to building permit issuance, all residential projects located in the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone are required to submit landscape plans designed to comply with the requirements of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Fuel Modification Plan Guidelines in terms of plant selection, placement and maintenance. The final landscape and fuel modification plans are submitted to the Los Angeles Fire Department for review and approval.

Community
Development

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND OPERATIONS
Goals
PS-G-4 Public Safety
Support the enforcement of applicable local, County, State, and federal regulations pertaining to the manufacture, use, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes in the City with the primary focus on preventing injury, loss of life, and damage to property resulting from the potential detrimental effects (short- and long-term) associated with the release of such substances.

NPDES Business Inspections
Per the State Water Board’s NPDES MS4 permit, the City of Diamond Bar is required to perform stormwater inspections every five years for certain commercial/industrial facilities identified in the permit. Diamond Bar has roughly 200 applicable facilities, including restaurants, auto repair shops, and retail gasoline outlets. The City prepared all required information and coordinated with a consultant, who performed these inspections on the City’s behalf. The inspector visited each business in person, educated the business owners on permit requirements, and performed inspections identifying any NPDES compliance issues. The second round of inspections for about 100 businesses was completed between February – April 2022.

Also applies to Resource Conservation Chapter Goal RC-G-7.

Public Works
Policies
PS-P-28 Public Safety
Promote public awareness and participation in household hazardous waste management, solid waste, and recycling
programs.

For additional policies related to household hazardous waste management, solid waste, and recycling programs, see Chapter 8:

Community Health and Sustainability Element.

The City’s contracted residential and commercial waste haulers continue to offer comprehensive waste collection and curbside recycling services citywide. Curbside recycling services include collection of green waste; bulky items; and household hazardous waste, including electronic waste, used oil, paint products, batteries, garden chemicals, household chemicals and hypodermic needles.

All City and LA County environmental programs are promoted through a wide variety of outlets, and on an ongoing basis. Program specific flyers and post cards are distributed at City Hall, the Diamond Bar library, Diamond Bar Center, Heritage Park, during events, and as billing inserts. City media outlets include the annual EnviroLink newsletter, the monthly city newsletter DB Connection, an extensive website, and DBTV Channel 3. Additionally, each of the City's waste haulers maintains a website that highlights available programs and instructions for participation. Used motor oil recycling kits (containing a drain container, funnel, filter bags, shop towels, and a filter wrench) were distributed to interested do-it-yourselfers community events, and from City Hall.

The City also works with Los Angeles County Public Works to provide a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event in the City once a year. The HHW event takes most forms of electronic and hazardous waste including paint, batteries, and other toxic materials that are recycled and do not enter the waste stream. The City City Manager’s Office

promotes the Los Angeles County Public Works HHW events throughout the year in addition to promoting the County’s hotline 1- 888-CLEAN LA and their dedicated website.

SHERIFF, FIRE, AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Goals
PS-G-5 Public Safety
Maintain safety services that are responsive to citizens’ needs to ensure a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-1. City Manager’s Office PS-G-6 Public Safety
Support community-based policing partnerships to enhance public awareness of crime prevention and strengthen the relationship between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and neighborhoods throughout the city.

The City continues to distribute information through its “Let’s Talk Public Safety” program, primarily through law enforcement safety blogs and videos. This is a collaboration between the City, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and is an extension of the existing Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch programs. The reinstituted “Coffee with a Cop” meetings are held once a month at locations through the City, where residents and businesses can talk with a member of the Sheriff’s Department about crime and other law enforcement techniques
Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-30.

City Manager’s Office
PS-G-7 Public Safety Provide effective emergency preparedness and response programs.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office Policies
PS-P-30 Public Safety
Continue to promote the establishment of neighborhood watch and business watch programs to encourage community participation in the patrol of neighborhoods.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-6. City Manager’s Office PS-P-31 Public Safety
Continue to utilize the contract model of government with Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments and provide facilities, staffing, and equipment to attain the shortest possible response times as set forth by the adopted standards of those public safety organizations.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office PS-P-32 Public Safety
Support the achievement of police and fire response times through the implementation of traffic management measures that mitigate congestion during peak rush hour and during school drop-off and pick-up times.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office

PS-P-35 Public Safety
Work cooperatively with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and fire protection agencies of neighboring jurisdictions to ensure that all portions of the Planning Area are served and accessible within an effective response time.

Wildfire Prevention in Assessment Districts
The City continues to provide fire brush and other wildfire prevention-related maintenance at the Landscape Assessment Districts 39-2022 and 41-2021.

See Circulation Chapter Policy CR-P-2.

Public Works
PS-P-37 Public Safety
Maintain area-wide mutual aid agreements and communication links with adjacent governmental authorities and other participating jurisdictions.

The City continues to expand upon its emergency preparedness and response capabilities through testing and exercises. The dedicated EOC provides the City with added flexibility to coordinate and respond to emergencies, provide redundant communications to public safety agencies, and enable added communications to residents. City Hall also has a backup power generator to ensure critical systems are operational in the event of a prolonged emergency outage, with redundant communications capabilities including the Sheriff’s Department and County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City EOC has been activated virtually to monitor impacts to the City and coordinate response efforts with County Office OEM, local school districts, and adjoining municipalities.

Also applies to Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-7 and Policies PSP-40, PS-P-41, and PS-P-43.

City Manager’s Office

EMERGENCY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Goals
PS-G-8 Public Safety
Use the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan to address mitigation and response for local hazards, including seismic hazards, flood hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materials incidents, and hazardous sites, and to plan for the protection of critical facilities (i.e., schools, hospitals), disaster and emergency response preparedness and recovery, evacuation routes, peak load water supply requirements, and minimum road width and clearance around structures.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office PS-G-9 Public Safety
Conduct emergency and disaster management planning in a collaborative manner with State and local agencies and neighboring jurisdictions, while striving for self-sufficiency in City-level emergency response.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14. City Manager’s Office

Policies
PS-P-38 Public Safety
Maintain, review, and update Diamond Bar’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as needed to take into account new hazard conditions in the Planning Area and new emergency management techniques.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office PS-P-39 Public Safety
Adopt, implement and update as necessary the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to develop strategies to address changing risks from flood, drought, fire, landslides, seismic activity, hazardous materials, and other potential hazards, including strategies related to monitoring, emergency preparedness, development policies, conservation, vulnerable populations, and community resilience.

See Public Safety Chapter Goal PS-G-2. City Manager’s Office PS-P-40 Public Safety
Continue to coordinate the City’s emergency preparedness and response plans and operations with the State Office of Emergency Management, Los Angeles County, schools, and other neighboring jurisdictions.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office PS-P-41 Public Safety
Maintain and expand as necessary community emergency
preparedness resources including personnel, equipment, material, specialized medical and other training, and auxiliary
communications.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office PS-P-42 Public Safety
Continue to disseminate public information and alerts regarding the nature and extent of possible natural and manmade hazards, resources identifying measures residents and businesses can take to prepare for and minimize damage resulting from these hazards, citywide response plans, and evacuation routes.
• The City and its public safety partners continue outreach efforts on safety topics, including earthquakes, wildfires, weather-related impacts, and emergency preparedness.

Information and education resources are made available to residents and businesses through a variety of print and electronic platforms, including the City’s monthly newsletterDiamond Bar Connection and City website. • City staff routinely uses its social media outlets to increase awareness of its Emergency Alert notification system and to encourage registration by residents and businesses to
receive time-sensitive notices by email, text or voicemail regarding emergency situations, such as evacuations or
roadway closures.
• In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), the City continues to manage a dedicated resource hub on the City web to provide COVID-19 prevention and education,
information regarding temporary changes to City operations, virtual programs and meetings. Additionally, information is Public Information

distributed to residents and businesses via print, electronic notices and signage posted at City facilities.

PS-P-43 Public Safety
Require all City staff to be adequately trained to respond to emergency situations, and conduct regular emergency
preparedness drills with local organizations including the Los Angeles County fire and Sheriff’s departments.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-14. City Manager’s Office PS-P-44 Public Safety
Leverage pre- and post-disaster assistance programs to support resilient planning, mitigation, and reconstruction strategies that consider future climate conditions, such as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and California Disaster Assistance Act.

See Public Safety Chapter Policy PS-P-37. City Manager’s Office

7. Community Health & Sustainability
POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

COMMUNITY HEALTH & SUSTAINABILITY
The Goals and Policies in this Chapter identify strategies to facilitate healthy and active lifestyles, social connections and celebrating diversity, access to healthy food, and climate change resilience. Many of these strategies could be incorporated into existing or future City programs and Development Code standards.

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Goals
CHS-G-3
Community Health &
Sustainability
Promote the use of public parks, recreational and other spaces for healthy exercise and physical activity.

Staff has taken a proactive approach to increase the quantity of enrichment programs offered to residents and witnessed a dramatic registration increase as residents become more comfortable returning to group activities.

Parks & Recreation
Policies
CHS-P-10 Community Health &
Sustainability
Promote social engagement and healthy lifestyles for older adults by continuing to organize and offer appropriate cultural, recreational, and assistance programs, activities, and services.

The new Wednesday Walkers program encourages seniors to walk through City parks once per week and discuss current events with City staff. This program continues to grow and has received exceptional feedback.

Parks & Recreation
CHS-P-13 Community Health &
Sustainability
Support the provisions of spaces, programs and facilities across the community to provide opportunities for artistic and cultural engagement and expression for all members of the Diamond Bar community.

The City has partnered with Alchemy Theater to provide weekly live performances at Summitridge Park. These performances are free and take place in a setting similar to Concerts in the Park. The past summer included a spotlight on “Shakespeare in the Park”.

Parks & Recreation
CHS-P-14 Community Health &
Sustainability
Encourage the development of “destinations”—such as the clusters of commercial uses that draw residents from the entire community into the Neighborhood Mixed Use, the Transit-Oriented Mixed Use, and the Town Center focus areas.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

Community
Development

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT

HEALTHY FOOD
Policies
CHS-P-21
Community Health &
Sustainability
Promote healthy food and beverages at City-sponsored events, programs, and recreation activities. Ensure that safe, clean drinking water is available for the public at all City-owned buildings where public programs occur.

Clean drinking water is available at all City facilities and a variety of food trucks typically provide an array of food and beverage options at City-sponsored special events.

Parks & Recreation

PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Policies
CHS-P-30 Community Health &
Sustainability
Support a better informed and civically engaged community by making information available both in print and electronic format, and, to the extent possible, provide this information in the languages predominantly spoken in the community.
• The City continues to use a variety of print, electronic and online communication tools to provide information about local and regional programs and services that may affect resident quality of life. Information is made available to residents via the City website, electronic newsletters, social media
platforms, the City’s printed monthly newsletter (Diamond Bar Connection), and virtual and in-person presentations.
• After the relaxation of COVID-19 safety guidelines that restricted in-person gatherings, many of the temporary virtual services remained in place to expand resident engagement, including teleconferencing options to participate in all City Council and Commission meetings, the option to meet with staff using video conferencing, request construction permits using an online application via the City’s website, and submit a service request using the City’s official mobile app, Diamond Bar Connected.

Public Information

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE GASES
Goals
CHS-G-14
Community Health &
Sustainability
Encourage waste reduction and diversion practices to meet State targets and reduce GHG emissions.

The City is compliant with State Laws, which regulate waste management and recycling. The City continues to offer various economic incentives that encourage source reduction and recycling:
1) Residential refuse rates are based on a pay-as-you-throw system.

Three refuse cart sizes are available (35, 64, and 96 gallon), and cost increases with cart size; 2) one additional recycling cart, and one additional green waste cart, are available to each residence at no cost; 3) residents may earn a yard waste discount equal to 12% if they implement backyard composting, and agree to relinquish their green waste cart; 4) a recycling rebate is issued to residents in any year that the residential waste hauler earns recycling revenues that exceed a specified threshold; 5) all commercial and multi-family City Manager’s
Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
waste is processed at the hauler's MRF, however recycling bins are available at a greatly discounted price; 6) used oil drain containers and reusable shopping bags are distributed to residents at no cost, and; 7) businesses and schools may apply for the City's Recycling Bins Grant, which provides free recycling receptacles (7 to 50 gallon capacity) to qualifying applicants.

CHS-P-39 Community Health &
Sustainability
Support Southern California Edison (SCE) and Southern California Gas Company's (SoCalGas) efforts to increase public awareness of energy conservation technology and best practices.

The City has partnered with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) to increase public awareness of energy conservation technologies and best practices from Southern California Edison and the Gas Company. Information is distributed through the City’s Envirolink newsletter, as well as direct communication from partner agencies and utility providers.

City Manager’s
Office
CHS-P-44 Community Health &
Sustainability
Promote energy conservation and retrofitting of existing buildings through the implementation of the Green Building Codes.

The Building & Safety Division implements CALGreen by requiring all construction projects to meet State requirements. This is done through requiring all waste hauling by the City’s franchise hauler or to a recycling facility, requiring low emitting vehicle parking for new commercial projects, limiting VOCs, inspecting erosion control, and requiring low water usage in plumbing.

Community
Development
Policies – Waste Reduction & Recycling
CHS-P-46 Community Health &
Sustainability
In order to achieve compliance with the source reduction goals set forth under Assembly Bill (AB) 939 amendments thereto,
incorporate solid waste diversion goal performance standards into the contracts with the City’s franchise waste haulers, and enforce the City’s Construction and Demolition Waste Ordinance.

The City’s franchise agreements incorporate solid waste diversion standards to meet State recycling goals, including the new regulations aimed at diverting food waste. The City will continue to build on the successful implementation of food waste diversion programs, with targeted outreach by providing technical assistance for businesses wishing to start a food recycling, recovery, or donation program. In July 2022, the food diversion program was expanded to include residential accounts.

The City's waste haulers are required by contract to divert at least 75% of all construction and demolition (C&D) debris, including inert material. 100% of concrete/asphalt dirt is diverted by both waste haulers. Residential and commercial haulers have met and exceeded the C&D requirement. The City worked with the haulers to identify specific projects that fall under the C&D requirement including roof projects, demolitions, additions, new construction and remodels. The residential waste hauler operates a C&D facility in Los Angeles, this location began processing more projects and resulted in an 83.3% diversion in the C&D category. City ordinance requires that for all C&D projects of at least 1,000 square feet, a diversion deposit and a City Manager’s
Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
Recycling and Waste Reduction Application be submitted before work begins; a Final Compliance Report and associated weight tickets must be submitted after project completion.

Also applies to Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-50.

CHS-P-47
Community Health &
Sustainability
Reduce the disposal of household hazardous wastes in landfills through continued cooperation with waste pick-up service providers, the County Sanitation Districts, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works in the provision of curbside pick-up and annual household waste round up events.

The City’s contracted residential and commercial waste haulers continue to offer comprehensive waste collection and curbside recycling services citywide. Curbside recycling services include collection of green waste; bulky items; and household hazardous waste, including electronic waste, used oil, paint products, batteries, garden chemicals, household chemicals and hypodermic needles.

The City also works with Los Angeles County Public Works to provide a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event in the City once a year in February. The HHW event takes most forms of electronic and hazardous waste including paint, batteries, and other toxic materials that are recycled and do not enter the waste stream. The City promotes the Los Angeles County Public Works HHW events throughout the year in addition to promoting the County’s hotline 1- 888-CLEAN LA and their dedicated website.

The City continues to contract with Waste Management, At Your Door Special Collections, to provide curbside recycling of HHW materials.

The City participates in and promotes the LA County Household Hazardous Waste Roundup program. LA County sponsored its annual HHW roundup in Diamond Bar. The listed events were advertised by the City through the distribution of flyers and/or placement of event information on its online event calendar.

Numerous schools and non-profit organizations hold e-waste collection events throughout the year as a fundraising effort.

Also applies to Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-48
City Manager’s
Office
CHS-P-48
Community Health &
Sustainability
Continue to promote the safe disposal of household hazardous waste through public education and incentives.

See Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-47.

The City’s contracted residential and commercial waste haulers continue to offer comprehensive waste collection and curbside recycling services citywide. Curbside recycling services include collection of green waste; bulky items; and household hazardous waste, including electronic waste, used oil, paint products, batteries, garden chemicals, household chemicals and hypodermic needles.

Information on these programs is distributed by the haulers, as well City Manager’s
Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
as City resources including website, social media, mail and email distribution.

Also applies to Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-52.

CHS-P-49
Community Health &
Sustainability
Continue to educate residential, commercial, and industrial generators about source reduction and recycling programs and encourage their participation in these programs through promotional campaigns and incentives.

See Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-47.

City Manager’s
Office
CHS-P-50 Community Health &
Sustainability
Encourage generators of edible food to have contracts or agreements with food rescue organizations to minimize edible food from being disposed of or destroyed.

Albertson's, Sprouts, Target and Walmart have internal food waste recycling programs that include donation and composting. All franchise green waste collections, as well as third-party green waste collections are taken to facilities that process this material into soils products.

The City contracted with Abound Food Care to provide food recovery consulting services through June, 2025. In May 2022, the City applied and was awarded a CalRecycle Organics Program Grant in the amount of $85,300. A portion of these grant funds are proposed to be utilized to fund the consulting costs associated with capacity planning food recovery activities. Founded in 2021, Abound Food Care (Abound) is a registered 501(C)3 corporation, bringing together nonprofit, public, and private partners to minimize food waste and food insecurity. Abound has longstanding stakeholder relationships within the public, private and nonprofit sectors to assist with implementing successful edible food recovery programs. Abound integrates with various tech platforms to track food donations in order to meet regulatory reporting requirements. Abound will assist the City to meet state law and will have a scope of work that includes the following tasks:
• Manage edible food recovery contracts between Tier 1 and Tier 2 food waste generators as identified by the city and in accordance with SB1383.
• Manage and assist in the execution of food recovery
agreements.
• Provide the use of a technology platform to aggregate pounds recovered and report to the city on a monthly basis.
• Monitor food donations and provide food donors and food recovery organizations assistance as needed.

City Manager’s
Office

POLICY # CHAPTER GOALS & POLICIES STATUS DEPARTMENT
• Conduct the annual inspection of Tier 1 food generators to identify SB1383 compliance.
• Provide educational materials to food waste generators and food recovery organizations, including but not limited to benefits of participation in food recovery and SB1383
compliance regulations.
• Provide the City with a list of Food Recovery organizations to put on the website.
• Conduct targeted and recorded outreach to health permitted food waste generators in cooperation and conjunction with city staff.

See Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-46.

CHS-P-51 Community Health &
Sustainability
Encourage residents and businesses to compost leaves, grass clippings, food waste, and other organic materials by promoting existing food waste pickup services, residential waste hauler rate composting discounts, and residential backyard composting.

The City’s contracted residential and commercial waste haulers continue to offer comprehensive waste collection and curbside recycling services citywide. Organics collection is provided by the City’s commercial provider Valley Vista Services, with residential service scheduled to take place middle 2022.

City Manager’s
Office
CHS-P-52 Community Health &
Sustainability
Collaborate with the City’s contract waste haulers to educate and encourage residents and businesses about waste reduction strategies.

See Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-48.

City Manager’s
Office
CHS-P-53 Community Health &
Sustainability
Support and cooperate with County and State regulatory agency efforts to require commercial and industrial generators to develop and implement a source reduction and recycling plan tailored to their individual waste streams.

See Community Health & Sustainability Chapter Policy CHS-P-47.

City Manager’s
Office
Policies – Climate Change Resiliency
CHS-P-57
Community Health &
Sustainability
Encourage water conservation, drought-tolerant landscaping and the use of greywater and reclaimed and recycled water, where appropriate, with a view to reducing water use.

During project review, the Planning Division ensures that the plant palette is diverse, Southern California native and drought-tolerant vegetation is utilized, and that the planting and irrigation plans comply with the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance. Also, reclaimed water is required for nonresidential irrigation systems where available,.

See Resource Conservation Chapter Goal RC-G-6.

Community
Development

8. Housing Element
2013-2021 Housing Element Program Evaluation
PROGRAM # OBJECTIVES STATUS

HOUSING
The Housing Element, which has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), identifies and makes provisions for existing and future housing needs. While most of these enabling policies require the participation of the private sector, the City also actively participates in implementation by budgeting a portion of its annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation to fund the City’s Home Improvement Program (HIP). The HIP provides zero-interest deferred loans of up to $20,000 to eligible low-income households to perform essential home repairs and improvements. Low-income households are also eligible to participate in the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission’s CDBG-funded Home Ownership Program (HOP) for first-time homebuyer assistance.

The City will file the Housing Element Annual Progress (APR) with HCD and Office of Planning and Research (OPR) by April 1, 2023, which outlines progress on the implementation of the adopted 2013-2021 Housing Element. The table below summarizes the 2013-2021 Housing Element housing programs offered through the Community Development Department along with program objectives, accomplishments, and implementation status.

On October 5, 2022, HCD certified the Housing Element Update for the 2021-2029 planning period (sixth cycle). The City will continue timely and effective implementation of all housing programs included in the sixth cycle update.

1. Residential Neighborhood Improvement
Program
Proactive program conducts neighborhood inspections on a regular basis throughout the entire city/focused code enforcement linked with rehabilitation assistance to correct code violations.

The City continues to operate the code enforcement program. This program is successful and is being continued. Code enforcement cases have increased in number and complexity due to factors including aging housing stock and the declining financial resources of longtime residents. Staff presented these findings to the Neighborhood Improvement Committee (a subcommittee of the City Council), which eventually led to funding for a new, fulltime code enforcement officer position as part of the FY 2022/23 City budget. The code enforcement officers and building inspectors are typically the first public officials to learn which homeowners lack the financial resources to correct property maintenance violations, and in the process, become aware of other deferred maintenance issues. The officers carry copies of the City’s Home Improvement Program (HIP) brochures and inform homeowners potentially in need of assistance that the City offers no-interest, deferred loans for essential home repairs.

2. Home Improvement Program
Improve neighborhoods evidencing deferred maintenance through property maintenance and rehab. Provide minor repair and rehabilitation to 10 units annually.

The City allocates at least $100,000 of its annual CDBG award to the Home Improvement Program. The HIP provides zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 to low- and very-low-income homeowners, which do not need to be repaid unless the home is sold or refinanced. There is a waiting list of pre-screened applicants, and HIP loans are processed in the order received. The HIP is successful in improving housing conditions and is being continued at available funding levels.

PROGRAM # OBJECTIVES STATUS

3. Single-Family Rehabilitation Program Provide ongoing advertisement of loans available through the County for qualified homeowners. Implementation ongoing.

The City advertised these programs on the City website and will provide information to interested homebuyers annually via CIty newsletters and through social media.

4. Section 8 Rental Assistance Program Direct eligible households to the County Section 8 program.

This program is beneficial in reducing problems such as overpayment and overcrowding. City continues to coordinate with the County on the Section 8 program. Handouts are available at the public counter and contact information is regularly provided to requestors. The program is being continued.

5. Preservation of Assisted Housing Preserve 100 percent of the 149 low- and moderate-income units in The Seasons Apartments.

Diamond Bar contains only one assisted housing project, the 149-unit Seasons Apartments (formerly Heritage Park) for senior citizens. This project was constructed in 1988 and was originally financed under the Los Angeles County Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue Bond program. The project was refinanced in November 1999 under the California Community Development Authority's Multi-Family Housing Re-funding Bond, and was transferred to the Corporate Fund for Housing, a non-profit organization. According to the terms of the new bond agreement, income restrictions for residents and corresponding rent limits were set. For the duration of the bond, which expires December 2, 2034, all units will be affordable: 30 units (20%) will be very-lowincome, 82 units (55%) will be low-income, and 37 units will be moderateincome (defined as 100% AMI). All units will be preserved.

6. Mobile Home Park Preservation
Support preservation of City's two mobile home parks as important affordable housing resources. Maintain residential zoning, and enforce State closure requirements as necessary.

Zoning for mobile home parks is successful in preserving this affordable housing option and is being continued. No proposals to close the parks were submitted. The City will continue to support preservation of its two mobile home parks as important affordable housing resources.

7. First-time Homebuyer Assistance Programs
Advertise County's Home Ownership Program (HOP) and Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) and provide information to interested homebuyers. In addition, the City will work with realtors to make them aware of these programs.

The City advertised these programs on the City website and will provide information to interested homebuyers annually via CIty newsletters and through social media. In addition, the City will work with realtors to make them aware of these programs.

8. Senior and Workforce Housing Development
Identify and evaluate sites suitable for new senior and workforce housing.

The City will post information on the City website during the first year of the planning period regarding the City's interest in assisting in the development of senior and workforce housing, provide information on available regulatory and financial incentives, and assist developers in applying for funds. The City will also contact local colleges and universities annually to identify potential partnership opportunities for affordable housing.

This program is intended to encourage affordable housing development and is being continued. The City is a member of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust (SGVRHT), which is a joint powers authority. SGVRHT’s focus is primarily on providing funding assistance in the planning and construction of new homeless and affordable housing. The Trust provides funding and loans to help bridge funding gaps for affordable housing projects. Land Use Policies 10 and 28, which were adopted in the 2019 General Plan Update, also encourage the production of senior and workforce housing.

9. Land Use Element and Zoning Maintain adequate sites commensurate with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).

The City has maintained adequate sites for housing development at all income levels and ensure compliance with No Net Loss requirements. This program

PROGRAM # OBJECTIVES STATUS
is being revised and expanded to reflect the new RHNA allocation for the 2021-2029 period. In May 2022, the City entered into a Consultant Services Agreement with Torti Gallas+Partners to prepare the Town Center Specific Plan (TCSP) in the Town Center Mixed-Use focus area, which is one of the sites to accommodate the RHNA. On November 15, 2022, the City notified the water and sewer providers immediately upon adoption of the Housing Element.

On December 6, 2022, the City adopted a short-term rental ordinance to clarify the existing prohibition on short-term rentals. If homes are utilized for transient occupancy, they are no longer part of our housing stock. Prohibiting home sharing is also a way to preserve affordable housing opportunities as rooms and secondary units can be used for permanent housing rather than transient stays. A reduction in permanent housing units can put an upward pressure on rental prices and negatively affect housing affordability.

10. Mixed Use Development
The City will prepare a handout and marketing materials encouraging mixed use development where appropriate and make it available to interested developers during the first year of the planning period. A review of potential areas that may be appropriate for mixed-use development will be initiated by 2015 as part of a comprehensive General Plan update.

In December 2019, the City adopted the Comprehensive General Plan Update that created community visions and blueprint for growth and development in the City through 2040. One of the key features of the new General Plan was the establishment of three new Focus Areas where substantial land use changes are planned as part of a strategy to provide walkable mixed-use activity centers. Goals and policies to promote mixed use developments are as follows: Land Use Goals 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, Land Use Policies 15, 16, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 35, 45; Community Character and Placemaking Goals 7, 8, 14, 17; and Circulation Goal 4.

In May 2022, the City entered into a Consultant Services Agreement with Torti Gallas+Partners to prepare the Town Center Specific Plan in the Town Center Mixed-Use focus area. The TCSP will provide the regulatory and urban design framework to establish a downtown, or “Town Center” in Diamond Bar as a walkable place with entertainment, retail, restaurants, community gathering spaces, and urban housing opportunities. This program is an important component of the City’s overall strategy to revitalize older areas and expand housing production. Over the past summer, the City launched the TCSP website to keep the public informed about the project and upcoming events; a community workshop was held to introduce the specific plan process; a weeklong charette was held with a design exercise, public design studio,and stakeholder interviews.

See Land Use Chapter Goal LU-G-4 and Policy CC-P-21.

11. Second Units Continue to encourage construction of accessory dwelling units pursuant to the provisions of its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance, and In 2017, the City approved an amendment to the municipal code pertaining to accessory dwelling units to satisfy all of the requirements of Government

PROGRAM # OBJECTIVES STATUS
make an informational handout available for distribution at the public counter.

Code §§65852.150-65852.2. Per AB 68 (Ting), AB 587 (Friedman), AB 671 (Friedman), AB 881 (Bloom), SB 13 (Wieckowski) that went into effect January 1, 2020. In 2021 the City adopted a subsequent amendment to ADU regulations in accordance with the new State laws. The updated ADU Ordinance has been effective in supporting the production of ADUs and provides affordable rents to low- and moderate-income households. The City continues to encourage accessory dwelling units and this program is being continued.

Forty-two (42) building permits for ADUs totaling 31,915 sq. ft. were issued.

12. Emergency Shelters and
Transitional/Supportive Housing
Continue to facilitate emergency shelters and transitional/supportive housing, and continue participating in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) homeless study to address homelessness.

This program creates opportunities for a variety of housing for persons with special needs and is being continued with revisions to ensure compliance with recent changes to State law. The City continues to participate with LAHSA and SGVCOG on efforts to address homelessness throughout the planning period.

13. Redevelopment of Underutilized Sites
Encourage interested property owners to pursue redevelopment of underutilized properties though the provision of incentives and concessions.

The TCSP is an important component of the City’s overall strategy to revitalize older areas and expand housing production. The TCSP is being crafted to incentivize the development of housing in the focus area with a mix of uses, range of housing densities, housing types, and level of affordability. An inclusionary housing requirement is also being considered to be incorporated into the TCSP regulations.

14. Affordable Housing Incentives/ Density Bonus
Encourage the production of affordable housing through the use of density bonus, and provide a handout summarizing the benefits and requirements of affordable housing incentives/density bonus provisions.

This program is being continued in compliance with recent changes to State density bonus law. City staff discusses opportunities for affordable housing and density bonuses with developers for housing projects. As mentioned above, an inclusionary housing requirement is also being considered for the TCSP, in addition to other incentives to increase density. The density bonus program is among several tools the City utilizes to facilitate affordable housing.

The City is also a member of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust (SGVRHT), which is a joint powers authority. SGVRHT’s focus is primarily on providing fundings assistance in the planning and construction of new homeless and affordable housing. The Trust provides funding and loans to help bridge funding gaps for affordable housing projects.

15. Efficient Project Processing
Continue to offer streamlined development processing, and periodically review departmental processing procedures to ensure efficient project processing.

The City continues to offer efficient permit processing. As a small city, staff is able to work closely with applicants through the review and approval process, thereby helping to expedite the entitlement process to issuance of building and zoning permits. In addition, the City has several procedures in place to minimize project review times, which include concurrent processing, preapplication reviews, and recently adopted General Plan EIR, which allows for

Climate Action Plan

CAP POLICIES AND ACTIONS IMPLEMENTATION GENERAL PLAN GOALS & POLICIES CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (“CAP”)
A Climate Action Plan is a comprehensive inventory of specific activities a public agency should undertake to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions that originate within its jurisdiction. The City of Diamond Bar adopted a Climate Action Plan concurrently with the General Plan Update to document how it will be able to reduce its GHG emissions in compliance with State mandates and goals to the year 2040, which is the horizon year for the General Plan Update. The table below lists the General Plan Update goals and policies that have been implemented to reduce GHG emissions, quantifies emissions reductions, and explains how these policies and actions will be implemented and organized according to the following categories: 1. Pedestrian Improvements and Increased Connectivity; 2. Bikeway System Improvements; 3. Traffic Calming; 4. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure; 5. Parking Facilities and Policies; and 6. Transportation Improvements.

PROGRAM # OBJECTIVES STATUS
individual projects that fall within the scope of the EIR to utilize this as environmental clearance under CEQA.

Practices to streamline the issuances for residential projects such as room additions and ADUs have been implemented to eliminate the need to submit a separate application for Planning prior to applying for building permits. The pandemic accelerated implementation of online permit services, and by June 2020, applicants were able to submit applications, plans and payments entirely online. In 2022, the City received six proposals in response to an RFP for a new Enterprise Land Management system. This program will be further enhanced through revisions to the Development Code.

16. Fair Housing Program
Continue to promote fair housing practices, provide educational information on fair housing to the public, and cooperate with the Greater Los Angeles Apartment Association in providing fair housing information to landlords and at libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, and Social Security and employment offices. Continue to refer fair housing complaints to the San Gabriel Valley and Long Beach Fair Housing Foundation, and maintain an open dialogue with the Foundation regarding the nature of complaints received.

This program is being continued and expanded to reflect new requirements to affirmatively further fair housing. The City continues to distribute fair housing information at the public counter through brochures, and refers fair housing related complaints to the Housing Rights Center.

17. Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with
Disabilities
Continue to implement reasonable accommodation procedures for persons with disabilities in compliance with SB 520.

The City supports the provision of housing for disabled persons through zoning opportunities for transitional housing, reasonable accommodation procedures, and programs to facilitate affordable housing. In 2010, the City adopted an ordinance to facilitate reasonable accommodations. This program is an important component of the City’s overall efforts to address the special housing needs of persons with disabilities and is being continued and revised to include additional amendments to City regulations to incorporate recent changes to State law.

CAP POLICIES AND ACTIONS IMPLEMENTATION GENERAL PLAN GOALS & POLICIES

1. Pedestrian Improvements and
Increased Connectivity
The General Plan Update includes policies that create more walkable, livable neighborhoods by expanding the multimodal transportation system and creating a safe, pedestrian-oriented environment. Providing an improved pedestrian network and increasing connectivity encourages people to walk more and results in people driving less, causing a reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

LU-P-9: See status above.

LU-P-14: See status above.

CC-G-5: See status above.

CC-P-4: See status above.

CC-P-7: See status above.

CC-P-9: See status above.

CC-P-21: See status above.

2. Bikeway System Improvements
The General Plan Update provides strategies for maximizing multi-modal accessibility to and connectivity within mixed use areas, including the Metrolink Station and new Town Center. With the total bicycle improvements listed in the General Plan Update, there would be approximately 2.4 miles of bike lanes per square mile. Diamond Bar currently has approximately 2,840 people per square miles. This corresponds to a 0.06 percent reduction in VMT emissions.

LU-P-14: See status above.

CC-G-5: See status above.

CC-P-7: See status above.

CR-G-2: See status above.

CR-P-30: See status above.

CR-P-43: See status above

3. Traffic Calming
A 0.25 percent reduction in VMT was assumed to occur from the traffic calming improvements to make streets safer and more comfortable for pedestrian travel. Traffic calming devices include roundabouts, corner bulb-outs, speed cushions, surface textures, raised pavement, road narrowing, and other devices that encourage people to drive more slowly or to walk or bike instead of using a vehicle, especially for short trips in and around residential neighborhoods.

CR-P-4: See status above.

CR-P-21: See status above.

CR-P-22: See status above.

CR-P-23: See status above.

4. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
A 0.05 percent reduction in VMT was assumed to occur from installation of electric vehicle infrastructure, which will encourage Diamond Bar residents, businesses, and the City vehicle fleet to switch to clean fuel and electric vehicles in order to reduce energy use and cost and transportation related GHG emissions.

RC-P-28: See status above.

5. Parking Facilities and Policies
Parking policies reflect both the necessity of providing for adequate and appropriately located vehicle and bicycle parking in existing and new development, and priorities related to safety, urban design, and transportation management. Reduced parking standards and other policies reducing parking availability have an estimated 5 to 12.5 percent VMT reduction.

Conservatively assuming the effect of General Plan parking reduction strategies would result in the lower end of VMT reduction, the cumulative reduction from implementations would result in a 5 percent VMT reduction.

N/A

6. Transportation Improvements
Transit service can provide an alternative to automobile travel and is a critical mode of transportation for those who cannot drive or do not have access to a vehicle. The General Plan policies support Metrolink ridership by improving bus, bicycle, and pedestrian connections to the station and by introducing Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use development around the station.

Conservatively assuming the combined effect of these strategies, summing the low end of the VMT reduction ranges gives a 0.62 percent reduction in VMT emissions.

CR-G-13: See status above.

CR-P-48: See status above.