Walnut Residents to Appeal Planning Commission Approval of Development to City Council

Residents opposed to the construction of six homes on two vacant parcels near Silver Valley Trail and Cantel Place plan to appeal the Walnut Planning Commission's approval of the project to the City Council.

In November, the commission voted to approve the tentative tract map for the 5.14-acre site, enabling the developer to move forward with the project, but mandated he return to the city to get a permit before removing or relocating any of the protected walnut trees on the land.

Property owner Handaro Harijanto's plan for the project includes the proposed removal of three trees, something residents against the plan said they were concerned about. Harijanto said in November that the remaining walnut trees on the land would not have to be relocated or removed because they ring the property.

The commissioners stressed that Harijanto would have to come back for a permit to remove or relocate any trees, but homeowners near the project who oppose it said that the city was not doing enough to protect the trees.

"What compelling reasons does the developer have except he wants to squeeze six sites on this property," Carol Coy said. "Do you think mature black walnut trees are going to survive removal?"

The applicants for the appeal cited concerns about the tree removal, as well as inadequate tract separation from existing homes and inconsistency with the rural overlay design of the area, as reasons for the appeal.

Current owner Harijanto submitted an application to the city to subdivide the lots totaling 5.14 acres into 8 parcels for homes on June 28, 2010.

He withdrew the application in September 2010 and resubmitted it on April 19, 2011 with six parcels instead of eight.

In June 2011, the Walnut City Council authorized the city manager to enter into an agreement with LSA Associates inc for the environmental study related to the project.

Commission Vice Chair Mark Fernandez said he felt comfortable allowing the project to move forward because of the condition put in place regarding the removal of trees.

"I believe the developer has taken the necessary steps," he said.  "No trees will be removed or relocated until the developer comes in for a permit, and a professional arborist will be brought in at that time. I can't stress that enough.  There is going to be a significant amount of care given to the relocation of those trees."

The Walnut City Council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 21201 La Puente Road.