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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/04/11 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA ' PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting April 11, 2012 Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:16 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Ray Wimberly ABSENT: Francisco Oaxaca STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner; Jeffrey Bloom, Interim Planning Director; Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Donald Granger, Senior Planner; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENTS None * * * * * APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Wimberly, carried 4-0-1 (Oaxaca absent),to approve the regular meeting minutes of March 28, 2012. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Fletcher, carried 4-0-1 (Oaxaca absent),to approve the adjourned meeting minutes of March 28, 2012. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2005-00044-HOME & LAND LLC - The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for 13 condominium units on 2.12 acres of land in the Medium Residential District(8-14 dwelling units per acre), located on the north side of San Bernardino Road,west of Vineyard Avenue-APNs: 0207-091-56 and 57 and 0207-101-48. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16510, Minor Exception DRC2009-00913 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2009-00914. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16510- HOME & LAND LLC-A proposed subdivision of 13 units for residential condominium purposes on 2.12 acres of land in the Medium Residential District (8-14 dwelling units per acre), located on the north side of San Bernardino Road, west of Vineyard Avenue-APNs: 0208-091-56 and 57 and 0207-101-48. Related Files: Development Review DRC2005-00044, Minor Exception DRC2009-00913 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2009-00914. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Donald Granger, Senior Planner, presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation(copy on file). He noted that the remaining parcels open for development in the City are somewhat unusual and this no exception. Commissioner Fletcher asked for clarification regarding the slope and access to the trail. Mr. Granger said that to achieve access to the trail would require numerous switch backs because of the steep grade and they would also have to penetrate the perimeter wall of the development. Commissioner Fletcher asked if they could add steps and if they could add in a slope along the fence to achieve this. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said that would encroach on those who live in the development because trail users would want to park there and to access the trail there, thus reduce available parking for the residents. Chairman Munoz said it would probably look different after the grading of the property and may be too steep to accomplish this. • Mr. Granger said to do this would be problematic in that the developer would have to first penetrate the perimeter wall, which could create a maintenance issue as well as create a nuisance from the use of the gate by those who five there and those visiting the trail. He said in his experience, most HOA's would be reluctant to have that because they could not control who comes into the project. He said such a provision would also have to be ADA compliant which would be another challenge with the steep grades. Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, said there is a connection from the Cucamonga Channel trail. He said the City of Rancho Cucamonga left an opening in the Pacific Electric Trail fence next to the flood control property that allows people to walk to the market. He said it is possible for them to get from this path to the trail but it does not meet the ADA requirements. He said an alternate pedestrian route would be to go under the Pacific Electric Bridge, and around the other side and up to the Cucamonga Trail connection. He said that the alternate route would require approval from CVWD for any needed improvements. Commissioner Fletcher said he thought trail access might be a benefit for the future owners. Mr. Granger confirmed that the Pacific Trails condo development does have a direct connection. Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Charles Lui 2211 South Hacienda Boulevard, Hacienda Heights, gave a PowerPoint Presentation (copy on file). He summarized the improvements made to the project including: modified the design to increase parking; changed two buildings to single-story; reduced number of units; reduced square footage; reduced number of bedrooms; provided a doubled ratio of parking. Planning Commission Minutes -2- April 11, 2011 Hilda Hordyk, 8870 San Bernardino Road, reported highly restricted parking on San Bernardino Road and in the immediate area. She said there is not enough guest parking, the apartment dwellers already have cars on the street and there are semi-trucks making deliveries to the Albertson's store. She asked if the owners will be required to park their cars in their garages. She said this project has no sidewalks and the route for kids to go to the trailhead is dangerous. She asked about the old bridge as it is currently left for the homeless to sleep in. She asked that this development be built at once and she did not want anyone to move in until all the units are sold. She said she wants the walls for the development built at once. Tim Morakami, 371 Van Ness Way, Torrance, said he is the attorney that is drafting the CC& Rs on behalf of the applicants. He said it is common to mandate the garages be used for parking and not storage. He said they could also restrict the use of the guest parking and ensure no overnight parking for visitors or owners. He said this will be a single phase project for construction and sales. Mr. Lui said the bridge is not on their property and therefore not in their jurisdiction. He said they originally proposed a trail connection but it was rejected by the Engineering Department because the 1:1 slope precludes the construction of an ADA compliant access ramp. He said the perimeter walls for the development will be built at the same time. Chairman Munoz said this developer has no control over the parking for the apartments. Mr. Morakami said he could add into the CC&Rs that no future amendments could be made to the CC&Rs without the approval of the City. Chairman Munoz closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Howdyshell commented that this is an unusual, challenging parcel;the applicant did a great job; they were sensitive to the concerns of the neighbors and worked hard with staff. She said the design and architecture is sensitive to the adjacent single-story homes, She said single- story homes sell first and at a premium. She said she is in favor of the project. Commissioner Wimberly concurred and commended the applicant for working with staff and the DRC as they implemented changes as requested. He said it is an infill site and unusual. He said the applicant has worked with the neighbors and the project is sensitive to massing. He said overall the project will enhance the area and he is in favor of the project. Commissioner Fletcher said many neighbors came to the neighborhood meetings and this helped to make it a better project, benefiting the new and existing residents. He said it would have been nice to see trail access but could understand why it is problematic. He said the project transitions well from single-story buildings to the existing single-story homes. He said they cut the density, increased parking, and will have restrictions on their parking. He said the developer did well. Chairman Munoz concurred and said the applicant was sensitive to the neighbors' concerns and held 3 meetings to be sure they heard their concerns. He said the City also has to be sensitive to • developers and give them the ability to use their properties to their benefit as well. He said this is well designed in the Craftsman style. He said he sees a number of concessions made for the neighbors. The applicant also agreed to ensure garage parking is used for the parking of vehicles. He invited the neighbors to contact the Commission if they still feel they are being impacted. Steven Flower,Assistant City Attorney summarized the proposed amended conditions of approval, specifically that the garages must be for vehicle storage and no overnight parking in the guest Planning Commission Minutes -3- April 11, 2011 parking stalls. He said in order to restrict future amendments to the CC&R's without City approval, Condition #13 found on page A-B148 would have to be changed. Mr. Henderson noted that visitor parking should be for visitors and not for residents and garage spaces must be used as garages and not for storage. Commissioner Fletcher pointed out that adding the condition regarding visitor parking makes it difficult for the City to enforce the CC&Rs. Mr. Flower noted that the residents will have their own interests to consider. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said the residents will have their board, and will somewhat regulate themselves and therefore suggested the City not get too involved. Mr. Flower asked if they concurred on not allowing the residents to park overnight in the visitor parking, that they need to park in the garage. Commissioner Fletcher said this condition could force them on the street. Commissioner Wimberly noted that there are basically 3 stalls per unit. Mr. Granger noted the restricted/minimal parking on the street. He said the applicant may have concerns about no overnight parking for their residents. Chairman Munoz said to impose the restricted overnight parking condition may force them off the property to park if they have more than two cars. He said he should allow them to manage that in their community. He suggested they add the condition regarding the use of the garages for vehicles and not for storage and leave it at that. Vice Chairman Howdyshell noted that it will take the 13 residents to manage and control themselves. Commissioner Wimberly concurred. Commissioner Fletcher agreed. Motion: Moved by Wimberly seconded by Fletcher,to adopt the Resolutions of Approval with one amended condition for Development Review DRC2005-00044 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16510 and to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: OAXACA - carried C. AN UPDATE STATUS REPORT REGARDING MCALAN'S PUB 7 GRILL LOCATED AT 6321 HAVEN AVENUE -APN: 0201-272-06. Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, gave the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes -4- April 11, 2011 Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she heard an e-mail was still going around regarding the entertainment being offered at the business. Deputy Ron Wright stated the owner has media coverage such as Facebook and Myspace. He said some of the notifications are automatic, but no entertainment is occurring there and there have not been any further problems. He said the owner continues to work with us. Commissioner Fletcher commended staff and the Police Department for working with the business. Chairman Munoz agreed that good work is being done. The Commission took no further action on the item and the report was received and filed by the secretary. PUBLIC COMMENTS None COMMISSION BUSINESS AND COMMENTS Vice Chairman Howdyshell offered to bring her own report on Toby Keiths. Chairman Munoz said he is looking forward to having them in town. Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner presented a copy of an invitation to a public meeting regarding the Development Code Update on April 19 at Central Park. She said this is an opportunity for the public to comment in an informal setting. She said it is being advertised and promoted in several different formats. Chairman Munoz asked if they are using Channel 3. Ms. Burnett said she would look into that and report back to the Commission. + * * • * ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Fletcher, carried 4-0-1 (Oaxaca absent), to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Approved: April 25, 2012, Planning Commission Minutes -5- April 11, 2011