HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-38 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 14-38
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MINOR
EXCEPTION DRC2014-00536, A REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE IN THE
MAXIMUM WALL HEIGHT FROM 6 FEET TO 8 FEET ALONG THE
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE PROJECT SITE, ADJACENT TO
LOTS 4 AND 5 AND BETWEEN LOTS 3 AND 4, TRACT 18747, IN
CONJUNCTION WITH A REVIEW OF 5 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES
PROPOSED FOR DEVELOPMENT ON A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
SUBDIVISION WITHIN THE VERY LOW (VL) RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT,
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN, LOCATED AT THE EAST TERMINUS OF
ARAPAHO ROAD BETWEEN EAST AVENUE AND CHOCTAW PLACE;
AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF —APN: 0225-181-73.
A. Recitals.
1. Manning Homes filed an application for Minor Exception DRC2014-00536 as
described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Minor Exception
request is referred to as "the application."
2. On the 27th day of August 2014, the Planning Commission of the City of
Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on said 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 August 27, 2014, including written and oral staff reports,
together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to a parcel located at the east terminus of Arapaho Road
between East Avenue and Choctaw Place; and
b. The project site is a rectangular parcel with an overall area of approximately 3.4
acres. The overall dimensions of the site are approximately 442 feet deep (east to west) and 331
feet (north to south) and is currently vacant; and
C. To the north, west, and south of the project site are existing residences, to the
east is a telephone facility; and
d. This application is in conjunction with the previously approved Tentative Tract
Map SUBTT18747 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2009-00963, and the current applications
Design Review DRC2014-00425 and Variance DRC2014-00535; and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 14-38
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00536 — MANNING HOMES
August 27, 2014
Page 2
e. The applicant is requesting a Minor Exception to allow the construction of
combination walls (garden/screen walls on top of retaining walls) with a height of up to 8 feet along
the south property line of the project site and between two lots within the subdivision; and
f. Per Table 17.48.050-1 of the Development Code, the maximum wall height of
fences and walls along the rear and interior property lines is 6 feet.
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. The Minor Exception is consistent with the General Plan. The General Plan
designation of the project site is Very Low (VL) Residential and the zoning of the property is Very
Low (VL) Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan. The Minor Exception does not affect the
General Plan designation, zoning designation, or the residential purpose of the project site.
b. The Minor Exception is compatible with the existing and proposed land uses in
the surrounding area. The Minor Exception will not result in a substantially larger house, an
increase in lot coverage, an increase in density, or adjustments to the physical lot area of the
subject lots.
C. The proposed exception to the specific development standard(s) is necessary to
allow creative design solutions compatible with the desires of the community and/or to
accommodate unique site conditions. The proposed walls will be located generally where there
are grade differences that warrant retaining walls. Generally, the natural terrain of the project site
slopes from north to south. Therefore, the usual alternative, an earthen slope, is not practical
because of the lack of available space in the side yards between the house and the property line
wall.
d. The granting of the Minor Exception will not constitute a grant of special privilege
inconsistent with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district, and will not be
detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious properties or improvements
in the vicinity. The Minor Exception will allow the applicant to construct walls that will provide
adequate property screening/security and usable yard area and are similar to other walls that
have been constructed for the same purpose because of similar site conditions. The walls will be
consistent with the standards and guidelines of the City.
4. Based upon the facts and information contained in the application, together with all
written and oral reports included for the environmental assessment for the application, the
Planning Commission finds that no subsequent or supplemental environmental document is
required pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in connection with the
review and approval of this application based upon the following findings and determinations:
a. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and the City's
local CEQA Guidelines, the City adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration on June 13, 2012 in
connection with the City's approval of Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747. Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15162, no subsequent or supplemental EIR or Negative Declaration is
required in connection with subsequent discretionary approvals of the same project unless: (i)
substantial changes are proposed to the project that indicate new or more severe impacts on the
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO, 14-38
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00536 — MANNING HOMES
August 27, 2014
Page 3
environment; (ii) substantial changes have occurred in the circumstances under which the project
was previously reviewed that indicates new or more severe environmental impacts; or (iii) new
important information shows the project will have new or more severe impacts than previously
considered; or (iv) additional mitigation measures are now feasible to reduce impacts or different
mitigation measures can be imposed to substantially reduce impacts.
b. The Planning Commission finds, in connection with the Minor Exception
DRC2014-00536, that substantial changes to the project or the circumstances surrounding the
project have not occurred which would create new or more severe impacts than those evaluated
in the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration. SUBTT18747 provided for the subdivision of
3.4 acres into 5 lots. Design Review DRC2014-00425 provides for revised architecture to that
approved subdivision and Variance DRC2014-00536 provides for an increase in wall height from
6 feet to 8 feet between Lots 3 and 4 and along the south property line of Lots 4 and 5 within
SUBTT18747. Staff further finds that the project will not have one or more significant effects not
discussed in the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration, not have more severe effects than
previously analyzed, and that additional or different mitigation measures are not required to
reduce the impacts of the project to a level of less than significant. The project provides for the
development of the same 5 lots considered in the approval of SUBTT18747 and the current
application proposes the development of those same lots with single-family homes.
C. 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 DRC2014-00536.
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 construction of interior property line and project
perimeter walls that will exceed the maximum height limit of 6 feet
(but not exceed 8 feet in height) because of grade differences
between lots in conjunction with a proposed 5-lot subdivision of a
vacant parcel of approximately 3.4 acres within the Very Low (VL)
Residential Districts, Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the terminus
of Arapaho Road between East Avenue and Choctaw Place -
APN: 0225-181-73.
2) The wall segments that are visible to the public and/or are located
along the perimeter of the project site shall be constructed of
decorative masonry block such as slumpstone or stackstone or have
a decorative finish such as stucco. Final design shall be subject to
Planning Manager review and approval during plan check.
3) Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with any sections
of the Development Code, Etiwanda Specific Plan, State Fire
Marshal's regulations, Uniform Building Code, or any other City
Ordinances.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 14-38
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00536 — MANNING HOMES
August 27, 2014
Page 4
4) All Conditions of Approval for Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747 and
Development Review DRC2014-00425 shall apply.
6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 27TH DAY OF AUGUST 2014.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
BY: &'�
Frances Howd shell, Chairman
ATTEST: 01 � � Q�A k zu:
Candyce u nett, Planning Manager
I, Candyce Burnett, Secretary of the Planning Commission for 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 27th day of August 2014, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE