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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-26 - Minutes - HPC-PCHPC/PC MINUTES – February 26, 2025 Page 1 of 5 Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission Agenda February 26, 2025 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 February 26, 2025. 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: Katherine Reed, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer Nakamura, Planning Director; Kirt Coury, Contract Planner; Mike Parmer, Engagement and Special Programs Director; Sean McPherson, Principal Planner; Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant. B. Public Communications Chairman Morales opened the public communications. Hearing no comments from the public, Chairman Morales closed the public communications. C. Consent Calendar C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025. Motion: Moved by Vice Chairman Boling; seconded by Commissioner Daniels. Motion carried 5-0 approved the minutes as presented. D. Public Hearings D1. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP, DESIGN REVIEW, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND TREE REMOVAL PERMIT– LING YEN MOUNTAIN TEMPLE – A request to subdivide approximately 77.39 acres of land into 4 numbered lots including site plan and design review for the development of eight buildings for the operation of a Buddhist Temple for the purposes of worship, living quarters, and related administrative or support uses on certain property located near the northeast corner of DeCliff Drive and Ambleside Place. The Project site consists of portions of four parcels; APNs: 0226-061-47, 0226-061-73, 0226-061-74, and 0226-061-76. Primary Case File No. DRC2021-00187. Environmental review of the project has been conducted consistent with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183(a). Contract Planner Coury presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). He stated there was an error in the Resolutions and Conditions with the omission of an existing parcel which should have HPC/PC MINUTES – February 26, 2025 Page 2 of 5 been referenced (APN: 0226-061-77). He clarified that the project will still result in 4 new parcels after the subdivision. Commissioner Dopp asked staff about the hillsides and fire risks, inquiring whether there have been discussions with the developer regarding fire mitigation strategies to ensure best practices in hillside communities. Contract Planner Coury responded that the applicant has been in discussions with the Fire Department and currently have plans under review. Commissioner Daniels asked staff what plans are anticipated for the area around EHNCP site. Contract Planner Coury answered that nothing has been talked about that he is aware of. Principal Planner McPherson mentioned that the majority of areas around the site are zoned for open space for flood control and no other applications or inquires have been received about the property. Vice Chairman Boling asked for clarity regarding the parking. He said the ample amount of parking that is provided in the multiple locations throughout the project area and the placement of the spaces were determined based upon anticipated peak usage for annual events, as opposed to regular and consistent daily use for those parking facilities. He said what we would expect much of the year is that the parking facility being proposed for development would be for excess capacity for festivals which occur infrequently and that is when the abundance of parking would be utilized. He wanted to make it clear to all in attendance and for the record to understand that this was over planned for daily use but appropriately sized for anticipated festival use which occur infrequently throughout the year. Contract Planner Coury confirmed. Principal Planner McPherson responded to Commissioner Daniels earlier question that there is one project application that has been received by staff for a five-unit residential development which is west to this site is zoned for residential development. He said any zone within the EHNCP that allows for residential development is highly rural in nature. Chairman Morales opened the public hearing. Applicant Chen was in attendance and available to answer questions. He indicated that they are in discussion with the Fire Department, and they have done extensive modifications to the landscape that does not easily burn. Commissioner Dopp asked if he knows the maximum amount of people that usually attend the big events at the existing temple facility. Applicant Chen responded approximately 200. Commissioner Dopp asked if the surrounding neighborhood has seen any significant impact from those number. Applicant Chen answered no and that the neighbors did not even know the temple existed. HPC/PC MINUTES – February 26, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Dopp asked for the specific number of events we are looking at. Applicant Chen answered 12 events. He said there are three major events that have the maximum capacity of 500 people, and the other events would have 200 people. Commissioner Daniels asked what type of annual events they have. Applicant Chen indicated, but is not limited to, the following events: • Chinese New Year • Day for Repent • Retreats • Buddha and Vegetarian Festival • Blessing Service Commissioner Daniels asked if the facility is open to the public. Applicant Chen answered that there are one or two events that is somewhat private for the self- study session, but most of it is open to the public. Commissioner Daniels asked how many permanent people live there. Applicant Chen replied that there are 20-30 people, and they are on a rotation basis. Commissioner Diaz asked of the venue would be available for rental to people wishing to host celebrations there. Applicant Chen answered no. Wayne Smith, Resident, expressed concerns about using Ambleside Place as access to the temple, noting that it is a narrow road with traffic passing directly in front of his home. Applicant Chen mentioned the new portion of the street will be improved with curbs, cutter and sidewalk. Hearing no other comments, Chairman Morales closed the public hearing. Commissioner Dopp asked if the main entrance will be on the west or east side, where most people will be parking. Contract Planner Coury answered the main parking will be to the east side. Commissioner Dopp asked is it anticipated that the vast majority, if not all, traffic will go through Colonbero Road. Principal Planner McPherson answered both roads would be used as access. Commissioner Daniels stated he had a discussion with the Planning Director regarding fire sensors in the wildlife areas around the site. Planning Director Nakamura explained that they are working on a grant they received from the State to install wildfire sensors along corridors owned by LADWP. This will provide more active electronic monitoring in the foothill area to quickly detect fires, which is of major concern. HPC/PC MINUTES – February 26, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Daniels expressed the way the complex is laid out is very functional. He said he likes the architecture and the landscape which will be an improvement to what is already there. Vice Chairman Boling stated there have been access concerns of the main entrance from the public and asked the applicant what their intended use is for primary access, if there is one anticipated. Applicant Chen answered that their preference is for people to come in from the east side but both accesses are open. Vice Chairman Boling reiterated the preference would be entrance to the east side. Applicant Chen confirmed. Vice Chairman Boling expressed he liked the building design and landscape proposal. He said the trees compliment the open space and natural habitat. He wants to make it clear that parking has been planned for based upon peak potential use that is anticipated for periodic festivals and there will be ample parking and will not be an issue. He appreciates the attention to the wildland interface aspects that have been coordinated with the Fire for on-site landscaping. He said the facility overall, the worship and learning, will support the existing and growing population of the City’s Buddha’s residence. Commissioner Dopp concurs with Boling and Daniels comments about the architecture and design. He appreciates Boling’s comments on the future of the site to try and defer parking and traffic through Colonbero which could likely handle it more efficiently. He said he still has trepidation of a project so close to the hills considering what has happened recently with the fires. He said while those concerns are relatively minor overall, the project is still a net positive for the community as evidenced by individuals in attendance tonight. Chairman Morales expressed his concerns of the fire risk because of the high winds. He appreciates the applicant working with the Fire Department. He said having a paved parking lot will be a big help and reduce the risk of fire. He likes the project, and mentioned that the parking issue has been addressed, encouraging people to use the east entrance. Motion: Moved by Vice Chairman Boling; seconded by Commissioner Daniels to adopt Resolution 2025-005, Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM19720, Resolution 2025-006 Design Review DRC2021-00187, Resolution 2025-007 Conditional Use Permit DRC2021-00188, and Resolution 2025-008 Tree Removal Permit DRC2021-00189 with amendment to Resolutions and Conditions of Approval (APN: 0226-061-77). Motion carried 5-0. E. General Business E1. Finding of General Plan Conformity for Real Property Acquisition of Approximately 122 Acres Located East of West Cucamonga Truck Trail (Big Tree Road), generally north of Via Verde Street and Skyline Road Rancho Cucamonga area in unincorporated San Bernardino County; APNs: Portion of 0200-051-48 and 0200-051-49. Engagement and Special Programs Director Parmer presented a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). Commissioner Diaz mentioned she read in the Staff Report that the land purchase is being funded with both State and Federal funds. HPC/PC MINUTES – February 26, 2025 Page 5 of 5 Engagement and Special Programs Director Parmer confirmed. Commissioner Diaz asked if we have the Federal funding available. Engagement and Special Programs Director Parmer confirmed. Commissioner Daniels asked if there are any plans for annexation of the property. Planning Director Nakamura answered no. Commissioner Diaz expressed that she is in support of this. Vice Chairman Boling stated for clarity that tonight’s action for the Commission to consider is limited to the assessment and determination of General Plan compatibility and conformance and not related to any specific project, activity, or land purchase. He expressed his appreciation to staff that in the Staff Report it called out and identified 16 points of the General Plan which helped support and give the Commissioners guidance necessary for them to render a decision that this is in conformance with the General Plan. Chairman Morales expressed that he is proud of the City for working with the different agencies to address the issues that have been there for a long time, especially for the residence that live there. Motion: Moved by Commissioner Diaz; seconded by Commissioner Daniels to adopt Resolution 2025-004, Proposed Acquisition of 122.09 Acres of Real Property Located East of West Cucamonga Truck Trail. Motion carried 5-0. F.Director Announcements - None G.Commission Announcements - None 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 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant Planning Department Approved: HPC/PC March 12, 2025 Meeting.