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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/06/24 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting June 24, 2009 Chairman Fletcher called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:10 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, Pam Stewart; Ray Wimberly ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner, Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Steve Fowler, Betty Miller,Associate Engineer; Corkran Nicholson,Assistant Planning Director; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; James Troyer, Planning Director; Tabe Van der Zwaag, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Munoz, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of June 10, 2009. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT DRC2009-00452-CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA- A proposed amendment to the Development Code, amending Section 17.14.040.to clarify that 'the Victoria Gardens Master Plan shall control the development process in the VGMP area for the Victoria Gardens Regional Mixed Use Lifestyle Center, located in the eastern portion of the City of Rancho Cucamonga bordered by Foothill Boulevard to the south, Church Street to the north, Day Creek Boulevard to the west and Interstate 1-15 to the east. Related Files: Environmental Impact Report DRC2008-00381, General Plan Amendment DRC2008-00384, Victoria Community Plan Amendment DRC2008-00383, Victoria Arbors Master Plan Amendment DRC2009-00146, Victoria Gardens Master Plan Amendment DRC2009-00145 and, Development Agreement Amendment DRC2008-00385. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner, gave the staff report and emphasized that this minor text amendment is being made to ensure consistency between the various planning documents as they relate to the recently approved Victoria Gardens amendments. Chairman Fletcher opened the public hearing and hearing and seeing no comment, closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Munoz noted that this is a fairly routine request. Commissioner Stewart concurred that it is a housekeeping item for consistency and moved approval. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Munoz, to adopt the resolution recommending approval of Development Code Amendment DRC2009-00452 to be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried B. VARIANCE- DRC2007-00396-JALAL NOORZADY-A request to reduce the required corner side yard setback from 27 feet to 21 feet for the purpose of building a single-family residence. The property is located in the Low residential (L) district (2-4 dwelling units per acre) at the southeast corner of Amethyst Avenue and 19th Street - APN: 202-111-05. The project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 5 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15305, which covers minor alterations in land use limitations and includes variances for side yard setbacks. Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, gave the staff report and emphasized that the applicant has made many changes to reduce the impact of the house in relation to the neighboring properties. Pete Volbeda, Architect, said he hoped the Commission liked the changes such as reducing the overall square footage, reducing the mass of the house, adding the French influence design and minimizing the appearance of the house for the adjoining neighbors. He asked for approval. Clark Bosen, 9529 19th Street and stated he also owns the house to the west(9517 19th Street) of the subject lot. He said some of his neighbors said they were going to send a letter opposing the project. He said that the 28 new homes on the west side of Amethyst were in the$700,000 range at the time they were purchased (2 years ago) and that with only one ingress/egress from that tract, there has been an increase in traffic on Amethyst and that should be looked into with a traffic study. He said Mr. Noorzady should have considered the constraints of building on this particular lot when he purchased it. He maintained that this two story house would stick out like a sore thumb next to two single-story homes. He said it is substandard, and that lot is too small for the house. He requested denial of the project. He added that he fears it will become a rental. Commissioner Howdyshell commented that it appears the applicant worked hard to modify and scale the house to the size of the lot. She said they did everything the Design Review Committee asked for. Commissioner Wimberly concurred. He said his only concern is about the size of the lot and that if that was the concern then perhaps those complaints should have been brought forward at the time of the Design Review. He said the applicant bent over backwards to comply with the requested changes and to create a home on the property that he was allowed to purchase and that now they will work with the applicant to see that those changes are brought about. • Planning Commission Minutes -2- June 24, 2009 Commissioner Stewart commented that this has never been her favorite project and that it came before the DRC several times. She said no letters were submitted in opposition or support of this project. She said this is an example of why there is a need for master planning, so that you do not end up with lots like this. She reported that this is a legal, buildable lot, and that the applicant has taken many steps to modify the house and to make it the best that it can be. She said that a single story is not practical but that this an example of the remnant lots that are left in our community and we will probably see more of these. She said there is the legal issue of entitlements. She commended the applicant for listening to them and for taking the time to redesign this and that it is probably the best that it can be. Vice Chairman Munoz agreed with all the previous comments. He said the applicant worked hard noting that now there is only one window at the back of the house that shows over the wall. He said a one story house is not practical on this lot and a two story is the only solution and that it is also a problem for this body to tell someone they cannot develop their property. He noted that the Commission is sensitive to the existing/surrounding neighbors and that this house design has been reduced by 100's of square feet and is as good as it is going to get. He said they have done their best to'mitigate this project and he commended the applicant for working with them. Chairman Fletcher remarked that it is a legal lot left over from County days and there is a problem in telling him he can't build something on it. He said although a single story would be preferable, it is not practical for living. He remarked that if the neighbors believed that this property should not be built upon, then they should have bought it a long time ago; it is a legal lot. He noted that with the Variance, it should be allowed. He remarked that staff and DRC worked many hours on this project and he supports their decision. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Variance DRC2007-00396 as presented. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried • C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2008-00802 - SCHEU STEEL -C. R. CARNEY ARCHITECTS -A proposal to develop a 61,141-square foot manufacturing/warehouse building on a property of 5.52 acres in the General Industrial District (Subarea 1), located on the west side of Vineyard Avenue, south of 9th Street (8810 Vineyard Avenue). APN: 0207-271-49, 23 and 46. Related Files: Preliminary Review DRC2008-00441, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2008-00803. A Mitigated Negative Declaration of Environmental Impacts has been prepared for consideration. CONTINUED FROM JUNE 10, 2009,AND JUNE 24, 2009. CONTINUANCE IS REQUESTED TO THE JULY 8, 2009 MEETING. Chairman Fletcher noted that a continuance has been requested and asked if anyone from the public wished to comment. Seeing and hearing no comment, he asked for a motion. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Stewart, to continue the public hearing for Variance DRC2008-00802 as requested to the July 8, 2009 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried Planning Commission Minutes -3- June 24, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENTS None COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Howdyshell thanked Ms. Smith for coming forward earlier during the Historic Preservation Commission portion of the meeting and for bringing her concern about the noise issue to the attention of the Commission. James Troyer, Planning Director, assured the public and the Commission that staff is addressing the issue and will continue to work with the residents. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, James R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: July 8, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes -4- June 24, 2009