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Home My WebLink About08-56 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 08-56 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING VARIANCE DRC2008-00781 TO INCREASE THE PARKING LIGHTPOLE HEIGHT STANDARD FROM 15 FEET TO 18 FEET FOR DEVELOPMENT DESIGN REVIEW DRC2008-00587 LOCATED IN THE SPECIALTY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF FOOTHILL BOULEVARD AND VINEYARD AVENUE; AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF - APN: 0208-101-22, 23, 24, AND 25. A. Recitals. 1. Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, Inc.filed an application forthe issuance of Variance DRC2008-00781 as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Variance request is referred to as "the application." 2. On the 22nd day of October 2008, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the application and concluded said hearing on that date. 3. All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred. B. Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows: 1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct. 2. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above-referenced public hearing on October 22, 2008, including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows: a. The application applies to 4 parcels located at the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue south of San Bernardino Road, an overall area of about 11.6 acres with a street frontage along Foothill Boulevard, Vineyard Avenue, and San Bernardino Road of about 500 feet, 580 feet, and 500 feet, respectively; and b. The property to the north of the subject site is single-family residential;the property to the south consists of commercial buildings comprised of a gas station and a food establishment; the property to the east is an older shopping plaza; and the property to the west is the Vineyard Gateway shopping plaza; and C. The applicant proposes to install parking light poles with the height of 18 feet, a 3-foot increase to the height standard of 15 feet in conjunction with Development Review DRC2008-00587. The additional height is necessary to provide better lighting distribution. 3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above-referenced public hearing and upon the specific findings of facts set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 2 above, this Commission hereby finds and concludes as follows: PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO, 08-56 DRC2008-00781 — LEGG MASON REA ESTATE INVESTORS, INC. October 22, 2008 Page 2 a. That strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary physical hardship inconsistent with the objectives of the Development Code, in that a 15-foot height limit would cause a 20 percent increase in the number of fixtures within the parking areas because of light distribution dynamics, which would result in a more cluttered parking environment not consistent with the historic Winery theme. Also, the higher fixtures will be more efficient and provide more visibility in the drive corridors for public safety purposes. b. That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or conditions applicable to the property involved or to the intended use of the property that do not apply generally to other properties in the same district. In that, retaining the historic Thomas Winery atmosphere must be considered when creating a plaza with a "village-like" setting. The 12-foot high pedestrian scale fixtures help promote this atmosphere. Parking courts should be distinguished from this streetscape, in part, by 18-foot high fixtures which contrast the on-site pedestrian-ways with vehicle parking courts. To make all light fixtures a uniform 15-foot height throughout the site, would defeat this visual design objective and the 20 percent increase in number of fixtures would add visual clutter and standard"strip center"appearance in lieu of a more creative design acknowledgement of the "Shopping Village" theme that this property offers. C. That strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulation would deprive the applicant of privileges enjoyed by the owners of other properties in the same district. In that, adjacent and nearby commercial sites reveal fixture heights in excess of 15 feet in this area of the Foothill Boulevard Corridor, such as the adjacent center to the east and south of the project site. This development includes a light fixture combination of 12-foot and 18-foot high fixtures which enhances the historic winery theme and reinforces the Foothill Boulevard Corridor design guidelines. d. That the granting of the Variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district. In that, the height increase will allow the property to utilize a much higher quality light fixture package than nearby commercial properties, unique to the historic and architectural qualities to the Thomas Winery Plaza. e. That the granting of the Variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity. In that, the 18-foot parking lot lighting photometric plan demonstrated that by increasing the height by 3 feet, the increased lighting levels in the drive lanes would provide for a safer driving and pedestrian space. 4. The Planning Department Staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The project qualifies under the Class 2c exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (categorical exemption) because replacement of the parking light fixtures from the existing is a negligible increase in capacity and in addition,there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Planning Department's determination of exemption, and based on its own independent judgment, concurs in the staff's determination of exemption. a. Based on these findings and all evidence in the record, the Planning Commission concurs with the staff determination that no additional environmental review is required pursuant to CEQA in connection with the City's consideration of the variance application. PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 08-56 VAR DRC2008-00781 - LEGG MASON REAL ESTATE INVESTORS, INC. October 22, 2008 Page 3 5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby approves the application subject to each and every condition set forth below. Planning Department 1) Approval is for the increase in the parking light pole standard from 15 feet to 18 feet, in conjunction with Development Design Review DRC2008-00587. 6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF OCTOBER, 2008. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Richard B. Fletcher, Chairman ATTEST: �. g- JAA� Jam t/ R. Troyer, AICP, Secreta I,James R.Troyer,AICP, Secretaryof the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 22nd day of October, 2008, by the following vote-to-wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: HOWDYSHELL