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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/06/15 - Minutes - Spec Jt/Plng Comm June 15, 2004 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Special Joint Meetinq A. CALL TO ORDER A special joint meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, in the Tri Communities Room of the Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 5:44 p.m. Present were Councilmembers: Rex Gutierrez, Robert J. Howdyshell, Dr. Donald J. Kurth, Diane Williams and Mayor William J. Alexander. Present were Planning Commissioners: Richard Fletcher, Larry McNiel, Cristine McPhail, Pam Stewart, and Chairman Rich Macias. Aisc present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Brad Buller, City Planner; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. B. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC No communication was made from the public. C. ITEM OF BUSINESS C1. DISCUSSION OF HAVEN AVENUE OVERLAY DISTRICT Brad Buller, City Planner, referred to a drawing on the wall that was provided by Lewis Homes and gave some background information on the Haven Overlay District (HOD). He indicated the City's center point was intended to be Haven and Foothill. He stated Haven Avenue was referred to as the "premier street." Mr. Buller also referred to information distributed to the Council and Commission, which is on file in the City Clerk's office. Mr. Bullet reported the highest demand of construction in the City is for housing units. He also felt a meeting of this type is productive so it can be discussed the possibility for more housing units in the City. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he is not opposed to housing as long as it is not overdone, but also felt there should be a good mixed use. He also indicated he felt Haven Avenue was beginning to be the stepchild. Councilmember Gutierrez asked what happens when a developer comes in and indicates they want to build something in a certain area. Brad Bullet, City Planner, advised they can test the water, and that there is a process for doing that. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he hopes the applicants are encouraged and not shot down. He stated the Council likes to know and cares what is going on. He felt a lot of attention has been put on Foothill. He stated Haven is a very interesting street with a lot going on. He hoped the City will keep an open mind. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2004 Page 2 Commissioner McNiel stated in the early years, the Planning Commission got a reputation of being tough in its standards. He felt things do not have to happen immediately, and that the City and Haven do not have to be maxed out. He a~so indicated he did not think the mall would be a downtown area. He felt the housing on Haven, if approved, should be upper class and treated like the housing around the golf course. Councilmember Williams felt the old KMART Center should be developed and did not feel housing should come right up to Haven Avenue. She felt the overlay of Haven should include the original plan with office buildings along there. Mayor Alexander suggested there be mixed uses along Haven and felt they should be upscale. Chairman Macias stated they use the General Plan as a guiding document. He stated as a group they are open to innovative planning. Mayor Alexander felt the City should be open to ideas and listen to what developers are proposing. Councilmember Gutierrez also felt the KMART Center should have something done to it. Councilmember Kurth felt there should be a way to have it all and have it look nice and be upscale. Commissioner Fletcher stated he has always thought of Haven as upscale. He felt there should be a place for residents to go to work. He felt there were better areas, other than Haven Avenue, for mixed uses. He thought Haven should be preserved as office. Commissioner McPhail stated the Planning Commission does welcome innovative designs. She stated sometimes the market hinders the design that is presented to them. She felt the Planning Commission should encourage the finest of design, the best of materials and innovation, and that they should not settle for less. Commissioner Stewart stated she is not going to give up on Haven Avenue as office, but felt she is willing to listen to other ideas as well. She expressed the City needs senior housing, and felt there could be a high-end senior project on Haven. Mayor Alexander felt the Planning Commission needs to think about Iow and moderate housing as well because of State mandates. Addressing the Council and Commission was: David Lewis, Lewis Homes, stated they have envisioned first class office facilities for Haven Avenue just as the Council has mentioned. He stated what they are proposing is to have housing next to the existing housing on the west side of their proper~y. He indicated this would be of the highest standards as they have done in the past for other projects. Councilmember Kurth felt the proposed plan portrays the goals he has in mind. Councilmember Williams added she did not feel any of this property should be retail. Councilmember Kurth left the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Commissioner Stewart suggested the whole thing needs to be master planned. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2004 Page 3 D. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Sincerely, -~ ,, City Clerk Approved by Planning Commission: July 14, 2004 Approved by City Council: August 4, 2004