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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-37 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 15-37 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00713, A REQUEST TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF A COMBINATION RETAINING AND GARDEN WALL HEIGHT FROM 6 FEET TO 8 FEET, ALONG THE WEST AND SOUTH PROPERTY LINE IN CONJUNCTION WITH DESIGN REVIEW DRC2014- 00545 FOR A PROPOSED 24,641 SQUARE FOOT, 60-UNIT, THREE- STORY SENIOR APARTMENT COMPLEX ON 2.25 ACRES OF LAND IN THE LOW (L) RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (2-4 DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE), LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF ARCHIBALD AVENUE, SOUTH OF BASE LINE ROAD—APN: 0208-031-58 AND 0208-031-59 A. Recitals. 1. The applicant, 7418 Archibald, LLC, filed an application for the approval of Minor Exception DRC2014-00713 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 13th day of May 2015 the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a 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 May 13, 2015, including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows: a. The application applies to approximately 2.25 acres of land, basically a rectangular configuration, located on the west side of Archibald Avenue, south of Base Line Road. Said property is currently designated as Low Residential; and b. The project site is approximately 612 feet from east to west and 160 feet from north to south and is presently improved with a single-family residence; and C. The properties to the north of the subject site are designated High Residential and developed with an existing senior housing apartment complex (Villa Pacifica) and Office and developed with the Archibald Library. The properties to the west are designated Low Residential and are developed with single-family residences. The property to the south is designated Low Residential and is developed with the First Baptist Church of Rancho Cucamonga; and PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-37 DRC2014-00713— 7418 ARCHIBALD, LLC May 13, 2015 Page 2 d. The proposed project meets or exceeds all Development Code standards. As conditioned, the proposed senior apartment complex will meet all applicable Development Code standards for multiple family residential development. 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 or any applicable specific plan or Development Agreement. The proposed wall height increase is necessary due to a grade difference between project site and existing adjacent properties and is consistent with the residential nature of the Development District in which the project site is located. The additional wall height will provide privacy and security between the adjacent yard areas and neighboring project sites; and b. The proposed development is compatible with existing and proposed land uses in the surrounding area. The proposed project is compatible with the surrounding land uses as the project site is within the existing Low(L) Residential District and proposed High (H) Residential District,which will permit the development of multi-family residential structures. Additionally, there are residential development to the north (Villa Pacifica Senior Apartments), west (existing single- family residential), and east across Archibald Avenue (existing single-family residential). Combination retaining and garden wall heights over 6 feet are common where there is a grade difference between project sites and neighboring properties; and 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. There is an approximate 2-foot grade difference between adjacent properties and the project site, with the property to the west approximately 2 feet higher than the project site and the project site approximately 2 feet higher than the property to the south. The additional wall height along the west property line will allow adjacent residential properties to secure their private yard areas with a minimum 6-foot high wall. The additional wall height along the south property line will allow the applicant to maintain a minimum 6-foot high wall between the adjacent land uses; and 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 approval of a Minor Exception is appropriate for proposed wall height increases within residential districts when there is a minor grade difference between adjacent properties. 4. Based upon the facts and information contained in the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, together with all written and oral reports included for the 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 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-37 DRC2014-00713 —7418 ARCHIBALD, LLC May 13, 2015 Page 3 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, the City staff provided public notice of the public comment period and of the intent to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration; and 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; 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 recommends the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration; and 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 recommends the City Council adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the project; and 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 recommendation is based is the Planning Director 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. 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 and in the attached standard conditions incorporated herein by this reference. Planning Department 1) Approval is for a Minor Exception for an increase in the height of combination retaining and garden walls from 6 feet to 8 feet, along the west and south property line of a proposed 24,641 square foot, 60-unit, three-story senior apartment complex on 2.25 acres of land in the High (H) Residential District (24-30 dwelling units per acre), located on the west side of Archibald Avenue, south of Base Line Road -APN: 0208-031-58 and 0208-031-59. 2) Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with any sections of the Development Code, State Fire Marshal's regulations, Uniform Building Code, or any other City Ordinances. 6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY 2015. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-37 DRC2014-00713 — 7418 ARCHIBALD, LLC May 13, 2015 Page 4 BY: Ravenel Wimberly, Chairman ATTEST: 0'J' Candyc BurnW, Secretary I, Candyce Burnett, 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 13th day of May 2015, by the following vote-to-wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, OAXACA, WIMBERLY NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: MUNOZ ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE