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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/02/26 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPCTHE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA WORKSHOP OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 26, 2014 - 7:00 PM City of Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center DE ANZA ROOM 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance 7:10 PM Roll Call Chairman Howdyshell X Vice Chairman Fletcher X Munoz A Wimberly X Oaxaca X It was noted that Commissioner Munoz' absence is excused for medical reasons. Additional staff present: Candyce Burnett, Planning Manager: Jeff Bloom, Deputy City Manager, Economic/Community Development. Mike Smith. Associate Planner: Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary. L H. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS 11 This is the time and place for the general public to address the Historic Preservation Commission or the Planning Commission on any item listed or not listed on the agenda. State law prohibits the Historic Preservation Commission or the Planning Commission from addressing any issue not previously included on the Agenda. The Historic Preservation Commission or the Planning Commission may receive testimony and set the matter for a subsequent meeting. Comments are to be limited to five minutes per individual or less, as deemed necessary by the Chair, depending upon the number of individuals desiring to speak. All communications are to be addressed directly to the Historic Preservation Commission or Planning Commission, not to the members of the audience. This is a professional business meeting and courtesy and decorum are expected. Please refrain from any debate between audience and speaker, making loud noises, or engaging in any activity which might be disruptive to the decorum of the meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES om+a FEBRUARY 26, 2014 C Page 2 11 _ III. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION A. PRE -APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2014-00016 - WLC ARCHITECTS FOR CHARLES ZHANG: A request for a Planning Commission Workshop review of the conceptual site plan and architecture of four (4) buildings with a combined floor area of 102,540 square feet on a vacant parcel of 30.3 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Haven Avenue and Civic Center Drive in the Mixed Use (MU) Development District. APN: 0208-331-40 and -47. Related file: Development Review DRCDR00-79 and SUBTT16179. Mike Smith, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and briefly described the location and the proposed mixed use with 4 buildings. He noted handouts and illustrations have been made available (copy on file). He noted access points, fire access, the proposed roofing material, setbacks, building heights, and he described the building architectural style as a mix of modern and traditional architecture. He talked about the high quality, enhanced architecture that is expected in the Haven Overlay corridor. Frank Cuomo with WLC Architects said some of the initial comments received from staff have been addressed. He gave a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). He noted elements of other developments such as Americana in Glendale and the Grove in Los Angeles have been referenced in this design proposal with items such as a park, water features, trees, pathways and a strong focal point/plaza. He said the building placement framed by the interior park area draws and funnels the eye to the mountain views to the north and that they have been mindful of the view from City Hall into the development as well. He said the revised conceptual design includes wood enhancements to both the office buildings and the restaurants along with a stronger use of color. Commissioner Wimberly asked if the use of glass has a sustainability property to it and if power is generated from them. He asked about pervious materials used for paving. Mr. Cuomo said the windows have fixed vertical fins to provide shading and articulation but no energy generation will occur from them. He said they should be able to retain much of the water on site with their plan and they are in discussions with Mathew Addington (Grading) regarding this. He said a 6- inch protruding ledge has been added to the sides of the office buildings to add dimension and more visual enhancement. He noted the parking ratio currently is at .33 — and is short 50-60 spaces. He said they are hoping some will walk to the office to help mitigate the shortage. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES 0=c„o FEBRUARY 26, 2014 �'� Page 3 Mr. Zhang said they are trying to be respectful of what is best for the city. Chairman Howdyshell referred to Page A-3 of the agenda packet in section C of the staff report (referring to architecture). She said the concept may meet the requirement but that she did not see this design compatible with the existing development. She said it seems cold. She said she would prefer something less industrial and less contemporary. She said she would like to see it more like the European piazzas in Europe. She was approving of the water feature. She mentioned that she likes the design of the Lazy Dog restaurant. She said this design needs more "wow". She expressed a desire for a "hangout" type restaurant with an emphasis on walkability to the site and on the site to encourage use of the restaurants. Mr. Cuomo pointed out the enhancements on the restaurant buildings and said they can add additional wood shading elements on the restaurant buildings. He commented that they have taken cues from the City with a more progressive inclination towards the possible use of modern architecture. He suggested more features on the site at the ground/eye level rather than applying them on the buildings. He agreed they may add additional features to the buildings but suggested more eye level stone enhancements such as ledges. Vice Chairman Fletcher said he likes the park like setting and the walkways add value. He said he likes the restaurant buildings a little better with the recent enhancements. He said the office buildings have no articulation of roof or of the wall planes. His request is to make the office buildings more interesting. He asked if the 6 -inch wall plane protrusion element would create a maintenance issue with water stains. He asked about lower level aprons and drought tolerant plants. Mr. Cuomo said they may add more deep overhangs and the entry portal elements on the office buildings may need to be grander. He said they could take their cues from top left example shown on the PowerPoint (slide # 11). He said they are mindful of water usage in the design. Commissioner Oaxaca said he leans towards modern architecture in Rancho Cucamonga. He said he likes the direction of the restaurant buildings and the mix of materials. He suggested more consistency in the context of the project in that it almost looks like two separate projects. He said there is a 'disconnect' on the approach used between the office buildings, the restaurants and the balance in the use of materials. He suggested corner treatments on the office buildings (refer to top left example on slide 11) to enhance those buildings. He also noted the long flat roofline and suggested it could be broken up with a varied height accent element. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES �[pY��,�,,Ho FEBRUARY 26, 2014 AMONOA Page 4 Charles Zhang, Zion Enterprises, commented that the elephant in the room is that north part of the existing project has not done well and there is no desire to continue that trend. He said the challenge is to marry the two but have it dynamic enough for them to stand alone. Mr. Smith asked the Commission for comments on the metal roof. Mr. Cuomo pointed out that they are proposing a standing seam metal roof —anodized grey in color. He said he would send additional photos of examples to staff. He noted the stucco on the buildings is a smoother, less stippled type of stucco. Candyce Burnett, Planning Manager, said with respect to the parking deficit that because of the greenspace and open area, continuity with existing development and the walkable nature of the development, staff would entertain an exception to the parking requirement. IV. ADJOURNMENT 8:15 PM If you need special assistance or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION The Planning Commission encourages free expression of all points of view. To allow all persons to speak, given the length of the agenda, please keep your remarks brief. If others have already expressed your position, you may simply indicate that you agree with a previous speaker. If appropriate, a spokesperson may present the views of your entire group. To encourage all views and promote courtesy to others, the audience should refrain from clapping, booing or shouts of approval or disagreement from the audience. The public may address the Planning Commission on any agenda item. To address the Planning Commission, please come forward to the podium located at the center of the staff table. State your name for the record and speak into the microphone. After speaking, please sign in on the clipboard located next to the speaker's podium. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES HoON6A FEBRUARY 26, 2014 (:UCAM Page 5 It is important to list your name, address and the agenda item letter your comments refer to. Comments are generally limited to 5 minutes per individual. If you wish to speak concerning an item not on the agenda, you may do so under "Public Comments." . Any handouts for the Planning Commission should be given to the Planning Commission Secretary for distribution to the Commissioners. A copy of any such materials should also be provided to the Secretary to be used for the official public record. All requests for items to be placed on a Planning Commission agenda must be in writing. Requests for scheduling agenda items will be at the discretion of the Commission and the Planning Director. AVAILABILITY OF STAFF REPORTS Copies of the staff reports or other documentation to each agenda item are on file in the offices of the Planning Department, City Hall, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730. These documents are available for public inspections during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for legal City holidays. APPEALS Any interested party who disagrees with the City Planning Commission decision may appeal the Commission's decision to the City Council within 10 calendar days. Any appeal filed must be directed to the City Clerk's Office and must be accompanied by a fee of $2,486 for all decisions of the Commission. (Fees are established and governed by the City Council). Please turn off all cellular phones and pagers while the meeting is in session. Copies of the Planning Commission agendas, staff reports and minutes can be found at www.CityofRC.us