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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-24 - Minutes - HPC-PCHPC/PC MINUTES –April 24, 2024 Page 1 of 4 Final Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission Agenda April 24, 2024 Final Minutes Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 7:00 p.m. The regular Joint meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission was held on April 24, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Morales at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call Planning Commission present: Chairman Morales, Vice Chairman Boling, Commissioner Dopp, Commissioner Daniels and Commissioner Diaz. Staff Present: Serita Young, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer Nakamura, Deputy Director of Planning; Sean McPherson, Principal Planner; Bond Mendez, Associate Planner; Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant. B. Public Communications Chairman Morales opened the public communications. Mike Villarreal Jr., Resident, expressed concerns about the condition of his street (Effen Street, north of the fire station). The road has large sections of loose gravel on the street. He stated someone recently slid off their motorcycle and is concerned about safety. He requested something be done soon to eliminate accidents or liabilities. With no other comments, Chairman Morales closed public communications. C. Consent Calendar C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2024. Motion: Moved by Vice Chairman Boling; seconded by Commissioner Dopp, to approve Minutes as presented. Motion carried 3-0-2, with Commissioners Daniels and Diaz abstain. D. Public Hearings D1. Consideration of a Municipal Code Amendment to amend Title 17 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code Establishing Battery Energy Storage Facilities as a Use Permitted with a Conditional Use Permit for Properties Located in the Neo-Industrial (NI) and Industrial Employment (IE) Zones. This Item is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(C)(2) And 15061(B)(3). This Item Will be Forwarded to City Council for Final Action. HPC/PC MINUTES –April 24, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Final Associate Planner Bond Mendez requested item be continued to June 12, 2024, due to staff receiving multiple comment letters from interested parties, which Commissioners have copies of on the dais, requesting continuance. It will allow staff enough time to review and revisit the proposed amendments. Chairman Morales opened the public hearing. Director of Development Matt Gilliland with Gridstor, stated he submitted a comment letter requesting item be continued. He looks forward to working with staff on the development of the ordinance. With no other comments, Chairman Morales mentioned this item will remain open to June 12, 2024, HPC/PC meeting. Motion: Moved by Vice Chairman Boling; seconded by Commissioner Diaz. Motion carried 5-0. E. General Business E1. Request to Review Options for the Potential Development of a Mixed-Use Project at the Northeast Corner of Foothill Boulevard and Milliken Avenue. APN: 1090-121-37. Deputy Director of Planning Jennifer Nakamura introduced the Lewis Development Team - Randall Lewis, John Young, and their architect (name unintelligible). The Lewis team presented a PowerPoint presentation on various topics. The purpose and goal of this workshop is to collaborate and consider site layouts that would be good for the city and make sense for their customers. Commissioners asked questions and provided feedback for each topic as follows: TOPIC 1. OVERALL RETAIL/COMMERCIAL REQUIRED – Comments: • Commissioner Diaz asked what their vision of commercial space they would like to see there. o Randall Lewis responded they would like a nice restaurant and or rooftop bar. He mentioned subterrain parking would be expensive. His concern is new tenants would be coming here and would like it to be profitable. It needs to be at a price tenants can afford and subterrain parking would be expensive. • Vice Chairman Boling stated10,000 sq. ft. of retail is inadequate, due to the magnitude of this project. He felt that 200,000 sq. ft. of horizonal retail seems excessive. A more appropriate amount would be somewhere in between. He suggested to consider subterranean parking to provide close, convenient parking for ground level retail. • Commissioner Dopp stated our goal is to activate spaces/corridors and create opportunities for groups of residents to meet and congregate and 10,000 sq. ft. will not accomplish that goal. Flexible office space or grocery stores can be successful in a more urban setting, if done correctly. • Commissioner Daniels stated100,000 sq. ft. is not achievable, 50,000 sq. ft. sounds more realistic. • Commissioner Diaz suggested they invest in parking at that corner it is a high traffic corridor, and it would be worth it in the long term. • Chairman Morales Stated a Restaurant would be good. Not so sure about live/work, due to it being a key corridor. He suggested to look at it again and see what else can be done. TOPIC 2. TWO BLOCKS OR THREE – Comments: • Commissioner Dopp expressed concern with walkability if the project is designed with 2 blocks. He was further concerned with having an intersection, turning left into project. • Commissioner Daniels felt the two block development makes sense. He wants to make sure it will HPC/PC MINUTES –April 24, 2024 Page 3 of 4 Final be long enough to support traffic flow. • Vice Chairman Boling felt the two-block option made more sense than the three-block option. His primary concern would be the architectural style as it faces Foothill. Cautions against the buildings looking like a huge monolithic block. He had concerns with on street parking, adjacent to Foothill, with the three-building option. He felt with the frontage road it could be difficult to get vehicles flowing. • Commissioner Diaz stated she shares same thoughts as fellow Commissioners. • Chairman Morales felt the three-block option provided more walkability and may be better for traffic. He does not want something similar to the apartment buildings in Ontario, located off Archibald as it is very overwhelming. TOPIC 3. TWO OR THREE BUILDING TYPOLOGIES – Comments: • Commissioner Daniels stated he prefers compatibility, with buildings being the same type. • Vice Chairman Boling reiterates that it should not look monolithic. He suggests utilizing color, varying heights, and setbacks. TOPIC 4. STOOP HEIGHT AVERAGE OF 30” VERSUS 30” MINIMUM REQUIRED – Comments: • Commissioner Daniels understands flexibility is needed based on the physical constraints on the property. • Commissioner Dopp agrees. • Commissioner Diaz likes that the stoops will be varied. • Commissioner Morales agreed with flexibility in stoop height. • Vice Chairman Boling stated stoops are associated with the front door of units and are often a secondary entry to homes. He agrees there are opportunities for variation in the number of steps and landscape architecture could help frame it. • Chairman Morales Agrees it should have flexibility. TOPIC 5. RETAIL COMMERCIAL USES PROPOSED FOR FOOTHILL – Comments: • Commissioner Dopp encouraged the applicant to avoid using Foothill as an amenity component of the complex. • Vice Chairman Boling stated fitness space being elevated above ground level on that corner, would be an awesome experience. • Chairman Morales Wants to make sure Foothill Boulevard becomes more walkable and in alignment with the General Plan. Closing Comments: • Vice Chairman Boling – Thanked Lewis Group for bringing this forward and the opportunity to provide general comments. He asked about the vacant triangle piece of land that is owned by the Hospital and if there is any desire to try and corporate into their project. o Randall Lewis answered they are trying to do something. It’s on the list to see if want to do some sort of trade. • Commissioner Daniels appreciated these discussions, feels they are beneficial and helpful and wishes to have more. • Commissioner Dopp appreciates the Lewis Group being open and putting their project on the table and taking in comments. Looking forward to seeing what they do in the future. • Commissioner Diaz appreciates all the information that was provided. It will be an important project for the community. • Chairman Morales – Appreciates the Lewis Group working collaboratively with staff. Projects like these set precedence for future development along Foothill. As they work with staff, he asked to compare the density for three blocks vs. two blocks, which is more walkable, and how many units can be placed there. Looking for alignment with the General Plan. HPC/PC MINUTES –April 24, 2024 Page 4 of 4 Final F. Director Announcements – None G. Commission Announcements Vice Chairman Boling requested a report at a future meeting to discuss where the key Historic assets that exist are located within the city. Commissioner Daniels requested at a future meeting if information can be provided from Economic Development on market conditions, vacancy rates in our key sectors and how will future projects with retail be absorbed into the market. H. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Vice Chairman Boling, seconded by Commissioner Dopp to adjoin the meeting. Hearing no objections, Chairman Morales adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant Planning and Economic Development Department Approved: HPC/PC Meeting – May 8th, 2024