HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-68 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 11-68
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING VARIANCE
DRC2011-00383 TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM AVERAGE LOT SIZE AND
THE MINIMUM LOT DEPTH REQUIREMENT FOR 1 LOT ASSOCIATED
WITH THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION OF 10.6 ACRES INTO 17 LOTS
THE VERY LOW RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OF THE ETIWANDA SPECIFIC
PLAN, LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ETIWANDA
AVENUE AND VICTORIA STREET AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT
THEREOF -APN: 1089-081-16, 17, 20, AND 21.
A. Recitals.
1. Water Mill Homes filed an application for the issuance of Variance No. DRC20011-00383
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 14th day of December 2011, 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 December 14, 2011, including written and oral staff reports, together
with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application is related to Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18819 and Development
Review DRC2011-00629;
b. The application applies to property located at the southwest corner of Etiwanda
Avenue and Victoria Street, with a street frontage of approximately 490 feet along Etiwanda Avenue
and a street frontage of approximately 635 feet along Victoria Street;
C. The property to the north, west, and south of the subject site is existing single-
family residences, the property to the east is Etiwanda Intermediate School;
d. The zoning of the property and all surrounding properties is the Very Low (VL)
Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan;
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-68
VARIANCE DRC2011-00638 - WATER MILL HOMES
December 14, 2011
Page 2
e. The applicant is proposing the subdivision of 10.6 acres into 17 lots ranging in size
from 20,181 square feet to 29,099 square feet. The Variance request is for a reduction in the
minimum average lot size from 25,000 to 22,003 square feet; and
f. The applicant is proposing the reduction in the minimum lot depth requirement for
Lot 17 from 200 feet to 96 feet. The design of this property and the future relocation of the Johnston
House will be compatible with the setbacks established by the adjacent Pearson House, a local
Historic Landmark.
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:
a. That strict or literal interpretation and enforcement of the specified regulations
would not result in practical difficulty or unnecessary physical hardship inconsistent with the
objectives of the Development Code. The subject property is an infill property bounded by public
streets that separate the project site from neighboring residential equestrian properties. The
applicant is proposing an average lot size of 22,003 square feet and all 17 lots are larger than the
20,000-square foot minimum lot size; lots range in size from 20,181 square feet to 29,099 square
feet. The proposed subdivision configuration achieves the principal goal of creating an equestrian
subdivision compatible with the Etiwanda Specific Plan and the adjoining equestrian community,
augments the equestrian trail system, and allows the applicant to address the preservation of a
cultural resource. The applicant is proposing a reduction in the lot depth requirement from 200 feet
to 96 feet for Lot 17, which will provide for the relocation of the Johnston House, a local Historic
Point of Interest. Although the proposed lot depth reduction is a significant modification, the design
far exceeds the lot width requirement resulting in a 22,501 square foot lot that is consistent with the
design of the balance of the subdivision. The design of Lot 17 will also be consistent with that of an
adjacent Historic Landmark, the Pearson House. Additionally, the application proposes the
relocation of the Johnston House to Lot 17, maintaining its current solar orientation. This will also
require matching the front and rear setbacks of Johnston House to the Pearson House, which
provides a 40-foot front yard setback (20 feet behind the front property line) and 25 feet from the
rear property line.
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. The proposed project is an in-fill subdivision, bounded by a Historic
Landmark, existing single-family residences, and local streets. The location of these existing
improvements and the presence of the Johnston House, establish exceptional conditions that limit
the design options of the proposed subdivision, while also trying to meet development standard
requirements. The proposed subdivision configuration will substantially meet the development
standards of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, while also providing the opportunity for preservation of a
local cultural resource. Additionally, the lot configuration for the proposed relocation of the Johnston
House will be identical to those established by the existing and adjacent Pearson House.
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.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-68
VARIANCE DRC2011-00638 —WATER MILL HOMES
December 14, 2011
Page 3
With the exception of the minimum average lot size and minimum lot dept requirement, the
proposed subdivision was designed to meet all applicable development standards of the Etiwanda
Specific Plan. The proposed subdivision provides for the development of homes that will be
architecturally compatible with surrounding properties, in a home size compatible with surrounding
properties, and provide the potential for equestrian use consistent with surrounding properties. The
applicant has designed the subdivision to provide the maximum average lot size achievable within
the constraints of the property and a strict interpretation and enforcement of the minimum average
lot size requirement would deprive the applicant of privileges enjoyed by the owners of other
properties in the district. Additionally, the lot configuration for the proposed relocation of the
Johnston House will be identical to those established by the existing and adjacent Pearson House.
d. That the granting of the Variance not will constitute a grant of special privilege
inconsistent with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district. The applicant has
designed the subdivision to provide the maximum average lot size achievable within the constraints
of the property and creates an equestrian community compatible with adjacent developments. The
granting of the Variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations
on other properties in the district because the configuration of the proposed subdivision is
compatible with the Etiwanda Specific Plan and achieves the goal of preserving buildings of
potential historic significance.
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. The granting of the
Variance will allow the proposed project to achieve the goals of relocating and preserving the
Johnston House and creating an equestrian community compatible with the surrounding
developments. 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 because the
development of this in-fill parcel will not require an extension of City infrastructure/services and
preserves a resource of potential historic significance. Additionally, the lot depth reduction and
relocation of the Johnston House will be compatible with the development standards of the adjoining
Pearson House.
4. Based upon the facts and information contained in the proposed Mitigated Negative
Declaration, togetherwith all written and oral reports included forthe environmental assessment for
the application,the Planning Commission finds that there is no substantial evidence that the project
will have a significant effect upon the environment and adopts a Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Monitoring Program attached hereto, and incorporated herein by this reference, based upon the
findings as follows:
a. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act("CEQA") and the City's local
CEQA Guidelines, the City staff prepared an Initial Study of the potential environmental effects of
the project. Based on the findings contained in that Initial Study, City staff determined that, with the
imposition of mitigation measures, there would be no substantial evidence that the project would
have a significant effect on the environment. Based on that determination, a Mitigated Negative
Declaration was prepared. Thereafter, City staff provided public notice of the public comment period
and of the intent to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
b. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Mitigated Negative Declaration and all
comments received regarding the Mitigated Negative Declaration and, based on the whole record
before it, finds: (i)that the Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared in compliance with CEQA;
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-68
VARIANCE DRC2011-00638 —WATER MILL HOMES
December 14, 2011
Page 4
and (ii) that, based on the imposition of mitigation measures, there is no substantial evidence that
the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The Planning Commission further finds
that the Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the
Planning Commission. Based on these findings, the Planning Commission hereby adopts the
Mitigated Negative Declaration.
C. The Planning Commission has also reviewed and considered the Mitigation
Monitoring Program for the project that has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Public
Resources Code Section 21081.6 and finds that such Program is designed to ensure compliance
with the mitigation measures during project implementation. The Planning Commission therefore
adopts the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the project.
d. The custodian of records for the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration,
Mitigation Monitoring Program and all other materials which constitute the record of proceedings
upon which the Planning Commission's decision is based is the City Planner of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga. Those documents are available for public review in the Planning Department of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California
91730, telephone (909) 477-2750.
4. 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 a reduction in the minimum average lot size from 25,000
to 22,003 for the proposed subdivision of 10.6 acres into 17 lots in the
Very Low Residential District of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at
the southwest corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Victoria Street.
APN: 1089-081-16, 17, 20, and 21.
2) Approval is for the reduction in minimum lot depth requirement for
Lot 17 from 200 to 96 feet and reduced setback dimensions for the
proposed subdivision of 10.6 acres into 17 lots in the Very Low
Residential District of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the
southwest corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Victoria Street. APN: 1089-
081-16, 17, 20, and 21.
3) All Conditions of Approval for Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18819,
Development Review DRC2011-00629, and Tree Removal Permit
DRC2011-00638 shall apply.
5. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 14TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2011.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-68
VARIANCE DRC2011-00638—WATER MILL HOMES
December 14, 2011
Page 5
BY:
Luis Munoz, Jr., Chairman
ATTEST: � P, �t"l
Ja1AICP,
R. Troyer, AICP, Secretary
I, James R. Troy Secretary of 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 14th day of December 2011, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, OAXACA; WIMBERLY
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE