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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-10 - Minutes - HPC-PCHPC/PC MINUTES – July 10, 2024 Page 1 of 5 Final Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission Agenda July 10, 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 July 10, 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 Daniels, Commissioner Diaz, and Commissioner Dopp. Staff Present: Serita Young, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer Nakamura, Deputy Director of Planning; Sean McPherson, Principal Planner; Tabe van der Zwaag, Assistant Planner; Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant. B. Public Communications Chairman Morales opened the public communications. Hearing no comments, Chairman Morales closed the public communications. C. Consent Calendar C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2024. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Diaz; seconded by Vice Chairman Boling, to approve Minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-1. Abstain - Commissioner Dopp. D. Public Hearings D1. MASTER PLAN, DESIGN REVIEW AND MINOR EXCEPTION – WESTERN SPIRE – Recommendation to the City Council for a request for a site plan and design review of a mixed-use development on 1.8 acres of land consisting of 176 residential units (including 2 live-work units), 7,870 square feet of commercial lease area, and 1,400 square feet of live-work commercial lease area with a related Master Plan to reduce the required non- residential floor area ratio and a Minor Exception for a reduction in the required on-site parking at the northwest corner of Red Oak Street and Spruce Avenue in the Center 2 (CE2) Zone. The City Council is the final decision- making authority on this item and a separate public hearing before that body will be scheduled at a later date. APN: 0208-353-18 (Design Review DRC2023-00154, Master Plan DRC2023-00346) and Minor Exception DRC2023- 00280. The project qualifies as a Class 32 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 – Infill Development Projects. HPC/PC MINUTES – July 10, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Final Associate Planner Tabe van der Zwaag presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). Commissioner Daniels asked what was the reason for the roundabout. Planner van der Zwaag answered that it was directed by the Engineering department to efficiently handle traffic rather than a four-way stop. Commissioner Daniels stated that when parking spaces for commercial are not being used, there will be additional parking available to the residents. Chairman Morales opened the public hearing. Applicant Comments: Gerald Hammer Public comments by Vatsal and Nilan Mody expressed parking concerns for their business and requested to increase parking allotment. Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. Chairman Morales asked staff to respond to the property owners concern regarding their parking issue. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura suggested for the property owners to contact the Planning department to resolve and navigate their issue. She asked for the Applicant’s input on how they would resolve the parking issue. Shane Green, LLG Engineers, replied to create two Committees; One for Retail/Commercial and another one for Residential and have them both discuss any issues and figure out a solution to resolve it. He stressed how important it is for the two Committees to communicate for it to work. Commissioner Dopp inquired if there will be timed parking for any of the units. Green answered they would have to wait for tenants to get a better idea on timed parking. Commissioner Dopp expressed his concern to make sure there is no overlap. Commissioner Daniels inquired if the applicant feels it is an adequate number of parking for how it will be utilized. Green confirmed. Vice Chairman Boling asked where employees will park. Green answered that employees would park on the second level as indicated on the Parking Management Plan. Commissioner Diaz stated the City has goals to Live, Work and Play and she asked if they have any incentive for people to live in the building. Green responded there will not be one. Vice Chairman Boling asked if there are any thoughts of the type of tenants they plan to bring in for the non- residential commercial retail. HPC/PC MINUTES – July 10, 2024 Page 3 of 5 Final Serafin Maranan, Architects Orange, answered that it is too early in the process to identify perspective tenants. Vice Chairman Boling asked what they have seen be successful in the live, work environment. Maranan responded that they have seen financial services, accounting, and architects be successful in the Live, Work environment. Commissioner Dopp stated there is a lot to like about this project such as creative use of the outdoor space for the residents and accents on the balcony. He expressed he is not thrilled about the parking spaces. Commissioner Daniels concurred with Commissioner Dopp and said regarding the parking reduction, he does not have a problem with the deficiency because of the mixed-use. He said there will be times when parking will be in high demand and times when it will not. He expressed the only problem he does have is that drive to the north and recommended the City talk to the property owners because the road is in poor condition and very narrow. He said he supports the project and likes the design. Commissioner Diaz stated that this is a beautiful project. She likes they are using the roof top and that the amenities are going to be very popular with the tenants. She encourages they do more with Live, Work and see how they can make it happen for the residents they will have in the building and surrounding area. Vice Chairman Boling stated the density, 98 units to the acre, is something we have not seen within the city and commends the applicant for embracing the City Council’s desire to have higher density. It’s important that we plan for, and the developers provide a wide variety of housing units, types, styles, and pricing for all our residents, both current and perspective. He said this addresses a market demand for quality housing in Rancho Cucamonga and in regard to the parking reduction, it is being addressed by the Parking Management Plan. He said in response to public comments, he encourages them to lean on staff’s expertise to help provide suggestions and recommendations. He asked staff to clarify for the public, with the number of units at this property site, some of the community may be concerned with school overcrowding and he asked to explain how the City ensures school impact fees are paid as determined by the effected school districts and not the city. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura explained how each school district determines their development impact fees. Vice Chairman Boling stated that in the Conditions of Approval being proposed by Engineering, there is a requirement for the developer to install high-speed fiber and in the long run, it will serve residents well. Chairman Morales stated he is glad staff invited the property owners to contact the Planning department to discuss their parking issue. He said he is impressed with the design of the building and likes the roundabout in the middle. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Daniels; seconded by Vice Chair Boling to adopt Resolution 24-20, Design Review DRC2023-00154, Resolution 24-21 Master Plan DRC2023-00346 and 24-22 Minor Exception DRC2023-00280, with modification to the Condition of Approval Parking Management Plan. Motion carried 5-0. E. General Business E1. Review of Pedestrian Access from Arabian Drive to Heritage Park. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). HPC/PC MINUTES – July 10, 2024 Page 4 of 5 Final Commissioner Diaz mentioned that it seems the main issue stands from Little League parking and asked if the other Little League Park locations have residents in those areas and if they experienced similar issues and if so, what has staff done to resolve those issues. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura answered not that she is aware of. Commissioner Daniels inquired if a property owner contacted staff about this and was it one person. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura confirmed it was one individual. Vice Chairman Boling clarified what prompted this was one individual contacting the City inquiring about the opportunity of opening the gate in order to provide additional access to the park. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura confirmed that they questioned who has access via keys and why only some have access and others do not. The following persons commented on the project: Lorraine Greer, Sergio Valdez, Larry Greet, Susan Benson- Massagli, Rick Givens and Mike Villarreal. The comments included the following concerns: Traffic, damage to property, safety for children, trespassing, trash, crime and street repair needed. For the record, it is noted that the following correspondences were received after the preparation of the agenda packet and the following general concerns are noted. The actual correspondence should be referred to for details: • Correspondence from Judith Brennan is opposed to opening the gate. • Email from Martin Yapur expressed traffic and trash concerns. • Email from Frank Pinkerton is opposed to the removal of the gate. • Email from Jara Winters expressed noise concerns, security, and safety. • Email from William Sweet expressed loss of security and children safety. • Email from Susan Massagli-Benson expressed traffic and trash concerns. • Email from Susan Benson against opening the gate. • Email from Karlyn Sweet is concerned with traffic, safety, and crime if gate is removed. • Email from Laurie Torella opposed to opening the gate. • Email from Julie Bessert against opening the gate due to traffic. After discussion with Commissioners, Vice Chairman Boling stated that Arabian is a public street, and the public has the right to park on a public street. He said from a policy perspective, restricting use of a public street should only be done under limited circumstances. His recommendation is to remove the gate and install a permanent fence so there is no pedestrian access and access for all would be through Mustang Drive and to take away the keys. Commissioners Dopp and Diaz agreed with Commissioner Boling’s solution. Commissioner Daniels stated that he was agreeable to leaving the gate as is. Chair Morales stated that the gate should be grandfathered in. Commissioner Diaz appreciated Commissioner Boling’s suggestion but could also see leaving the gate as is. HPC/PC MINUTES – July 10, 2024 Page 5 of 5 Final Chair Morales asked if staff has been provided enough feedback. Deputy Director Nakamura asked the commission to come to consensus and make a formal recommendation to the Council. Commissioner Dopp made a motion to recommend two options. Option 1 was to remove the gate and lock and install permanent fencing. Option 2 was to leave the gate as is. Commissioner Diaz felt that the options should be prioritized in the opposite order. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Dopp; seconded by Vice Chairman Boling to recommend to City Council replace the gate with a permanent fence or leave the gate as is Motion carried 3-2. (Commissioners Morales and Diaz opposed to the order of the options). F. Director Announcements – None G. Commission Announcements Commissioner Daniels thanked the residents for coming out tonight. He said it is nice for the Commission to hear from the residents. Vice Chairman Boling also thanked the residents for coming out. Commissioner Daniels requested to have the Historical Structure Survey brought before the Commission as it is part of their responsibility to look at. Deputy Director of Planning Nakamura replied they are actively working on getting information in the near future to the Commission on the status of the historic preservation efforts. H. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Commissioner Diaz, seconded by Vice Chairman Boling to adjoin the meeting. Hearing no objections, Chairman Morales adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant Planning and Economic Development Department Approved: HPC/PC Meeting - July 24, 2024.