No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/01/14 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA ��- PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES Adjourned Meeting January 14, 2009 Chairman Fletcher called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 8:40 p.m. The meeting,was held in the Rains Room at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher,Rich Howdyshell, Lou Munoz,Pam Stewart, Ray Wimberly ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Steve Fowler, Assistant Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, James Troyer, Planning Director; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director ANNOUNCEMENTS None « « ««* NEW-BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2008-00947-FOOTHILL&EAST LLC-KAMRAN BENJI- A request to review options for the development of a 66,212 square foot retail center with restaurant and drive thru pads at the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and East Avenue located in the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, Subarea 4, in the Community Commercial Development District- APN: 1100-201-03 Mr. Benji started the workshop by presenting his project and expressing his issues with the grove of trees on the site. He said they needed to remove all of them because they are generally diseased, in poor health, trimmed wrong in the past and a fire hazard. He also discussed a general planting scheme for new trees on the site that would be included with his development. He then discussed the layout of his proposed project by stating he would include plazas and pedestrian areas throughout the site. He also asked about eminent domain to acquire the parcel between his parcel and East Avenue. Steve Fowler,Assistant Planner,presented a power point presentation providing zoning and general plan information, the request of the applicant to get clarification on the tree grove issue, some optioris for dealing with the grove and the City's expectations from the applicant in relation to this • project. The Commission then gave their thoughts and comments on both presentations and of the proposed project. They noted the following items: • The grove of trees has deteriorated and they asked the applicant to save some perimeter trees if possible and replace the others with some specimen size trees. Also a monument of the history of the grove somewhere on the site would be requested. • A major issue was the acquisition of the parcel of land between the project site and East Avenue. The commissioners said that the sliver of land needed to be acquired to make this project work. • A Master Plan of the parcel to the north of this project will be required.They wanted to see connectivity with both lots. • Parking study may be required to determine if sufficient area has been set aside for this issue. Providing the minimum amount of required parking for certain uses on site is not appropriate, consideration of extra parking is desired. • The architecture and design of the site is a good start but needs to have a "Wow"factor. This is the gateway to the city and needs to exemplify the city's standards. In the design, better architecture and more pedestrian friendly areas such as pathways and plazas would be required. Also the drive thru and pad "A"would need to be redesigned. • Eminent domain would not be a way of obtaining the parcel to the east. • The Route 66 archway should be researched to determine the feasibility of installing it as part of the project at its current location. • Neighborhood meetings are required. I • Continue to work with staff to resolve any issues. PUBLIC COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission Workshop adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jam R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: January 28, 2009 f PC Adjourned Minutes -2- January 14, 2009