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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/08/13 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting August 13, 2008 Chairman Fletcher called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:05 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: Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Denise Sink, Office Specialist II; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Tom Grahn, Associate Planner; Mike Smith, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Munoz, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of July 23, 2008, with the correction to page 5 to reflect Carol Douglas instead of Carol Beckman. CONSENT CALENDAR A. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2006-01012 - CARTER REDISH - Site plan and design review of a 28,860 square foot warehouse/office building and associated parking on approximately 1.39 acres of land in the General Industrial District (Subarea 13), located at the northeast corner of 6th Street and Charles Smith Avenue; APN: 0229-283-06 and 0229-271-33. The Planning Department Staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The project qualifies as a Class 32 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, which covers in-fill developments. Chairman Fletcher stated the commission would make the finding by minute action. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0 to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly,to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS B. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM19091 - MOJABE ENTERPRISES, LLC -A proposal to subdivide two buildings (under construction) into 16 units for condominium purposes in the Commercial Office (CO) District, Subarea 3, located at 10168 Foothill Boulevard: APN: 0208-331-30. Related file: Development Review DRC2005-00287. The project qualifies as a Class 1 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Existing Facilities. Chairman Fletcher stated he would abstain from this item because of a possible conflict of interests. He then left the Council Chambers. Mike Smith, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Lauren Phillips, Lauren Phillips and Associates, stated he represents the applicant. Mr. Phillips stated he has gone over the Conditions of Approval with his client. He stated his client has read them and is in agreement. Vice Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no comment he closed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart, stated her concern when examining the Site Plan the second access point was not presented. She commented how the project as been to Design Review Committee (DRC) several times and the two points of access were to be part of the plan. Mr. Smith commented that by the time the Tentative Parcel Map application was submitted the building was already under construction. He stated he did not know the dates in which the building permits were approved and that it was prior to taking over the project. He stated he would consult with the applicant and research it to see if this was a condition that was not met. Commissioner Stewart commented that it was only as a good faith commitment and a concern of the DRC. She stated that the applicant did work hard with the DRC and moved to approve the project. Commissioner Howdyshell asked Commissioner Stewart where the second access point was intended to be. Commissioner Stewart commented it was discussed during DRC and proceeded to read from the DRC minutes. She stated that it was to be located at the south west corner of the BC Café. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Wimberly, carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher abstain). Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Wimberly, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM19091. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: FLETCHER - carried Chairman Fletcher returned to the Council Chambers. C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2007-00283 - EL LOCO CANTINA (FORMERLY FELIPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT) - A public hearing to examine the business operation to ensure that it is being operated in a manner consistent with the conditions of approval and in a manner which is not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to properties in the vicinity. The Planning Commission will consider modifications of the approved Conditional Use Permit. The subject restaurant is located in the Masi Plaza commercial center at 11815 Foothill Boulevard; APN: 0229-011-38. Continued from July 9, 2008. D. ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT DRC2007-00284 - EL LOCO CANTINA (FORMERLY FELIPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT) - A public hearing to examine the business operation to ensure that it is being operated in a manner consistent with the conditions of approval and in a manner which is not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to properties in the vicinity. The Planning Commission will consider revocation of the approved Entertainment Permit. The subject restaurant is located in the Masi Plaza commercial center at 11815 Foothill Boulevard; APN: 0229-011-38. Continued from July 9, 2008. Chairman Fletcher opened the floor for public comment for those who could not attend the Meeting on August 27, 2008. Seeing and hearing no comment he closed the public hearing. Chairman Fletcher noted that a continuance has been requested and that the hearing would remain open and continued to August 27, 2008 and asked for a motion and a second. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Howdyshell,to continue Items C & D to the August 27, 2008 meeting (carried 5-0). Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE * * * * E. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT DRC2008-00196 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to amend the Development Code Sections 17.08 - Residential • Districts; 17.10 - Commercial/Office Districts; and Section 17.30 - Industrial Districts, prohibiting public storage facilities including recreational vehicle storage and mini-storage in Residential Districts (with the exception of the provision for such facilities permitted or conditionally permitted within the Terra Vista Community Plan) and Commercial Districts. The proposed amendment also amends Section 17.30 from permitting storage facilities "by right" and to require a Conditional Use Permit for all storage facility applications. Staff has determined that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15061 (b) (3). Related files: Victoria Community Plan Amendment DRC2008-00561. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. F. VICTORIA COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2008-00561 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to the amend the Victoria Community Plan revoking Ordinance No. 287 and prohibiting public storage facilities including recreational vehicle storage and mini-storage in all Residential Districts. Staff has determined that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) Section 15061 (b) (3). Related files: Development Code Amendment DRC2008-00196. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. • G. ETIWANDA NORTH SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2008-00566-CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA -A request to amend the use regulations for the Residential Districts of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan to prohibit recreational vehicle storage facilities within the planned community. Staff has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15061 (b) (3). Related files: Development Code Amendment DRC2008-000196 and Victoria Community Plan Amendment DRC2008-00561. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Ms. Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary, presented the staff report. Chairman Fletcher opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no comment he closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Munoz commented on how over the past twenty years,there has been a significant amount of change, this includes business and residential. He stated that although the City has shown growth and prosperity, there is also the issue that where the City thought growth and development would take place the City found that because of changing conditions,the City needs to revisit codes that by today's standards may seem disconnected. He stated this allows the City to work with current business to reflect the current market environment. Commissioner Munoz stated he supports the language in the report and recommends to moving forward. Commissioner Howdyshell complimented Staff in doing the research and presenting the report in a well written form. She stated she was pleased to see the comparison against other cities and what works well with the environment. Commissioner Wimberly stated that he had noticed projects have been submitted to DRC, which include storage facilities. He asked what impact this will have on these projects. Ms. Schrader commented that the project in question (13560 Etiwanda)was originally proposed on a parcel that was designated as open space and that an amendment was processed to allow that particular development. She stated that the parcel was basically unusable for anything other than a storage facility. • Commissioner Stewart commented on seeing past development and the amendment for the Development Codes will have a great impact across the board. She commented on having storage units adjacent to residential and the impact that could have and has had in the past. Commissioner Stewart stated that she is in support of modification and should move forward to City Council. Chairman Fletcher concurred with Commissioner Stewart. He stated that in the past there has been a concern with the amount of noise and that originally this development was a good proposal. It had worked as a buffer between the residential and the freeways, until the freeways were constructed and then there were a lot of complaints regarding the noise, although sound walls were already in place it didn't protect the residents. It worked well with the residents south of the project and did not work well with the residents east of the location. He stated he felt all three were good proposals and was in support of the proposed modifications and recommended to move forward to City Council. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0, to adopt the Resolutions of Approval recommending Development Code Amendment DRC2008-00196, Victoria Community Plan Amendment DRC2008-00561,and Etiwanda North Specific Plan Amendment DRC2008-00566 as presented by staff 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 H. PUBLIC SCOPING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) DRC2008-00263 FOR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2007-00951 -HOGLE IRELAND INC.-An opportunity to give public testimony pertaining to the environmental issues to be addressed in an EIR for the demolition of the former Biane Winery(originally Padre Winery),and the construction of a 240,740 square foot industrial warehouse building with two office spaces within the General Industrial District on 10.41 acres, located at 10013 East 8th Street - APN: 0209-201-19 & 20. Mr. Tom Grahn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Fletcher asked how if staff knew how many structures were currently on the Historic • National Register. Mr. Grahn stated he did not have that information in front of him. He stated that the Rains House was on the Historical National Register. Vice Chairman Munoz asked if it is currently in the plan to have a list of current Historical landmarks or the possible landmarks that should be listed on the Historical National Register. Mr. Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director, stated that this is a topic that the City has discussed but it has not been determined whether or not if the City will proceed. Ms. Luana Hernandez, Member of the Ordinance Committee, stated that together the City and the Committee is currently working on a list and an Ordinance so that homes and other structures can be put on a Historical List, whether it is City, State or National designation. Vice Chairman Munoz thanked Ms. Hernandez for the information. He asked Staff to discuss/consult with the Planning Department and to bring a status report back to the Planning Commission for further discussion. Commissioner Howdyshell stated that she would like Staff to research the difference between the National Trust for Historic Preservation compared to the National Register. • Chairman Fletcher opened the public hearing. Pam Steel, Hogle-Ireland, stated she was representing the applicant and can answer any questions that Staff might have. Edward Dietl, President of the Historical Preservation Association, read from a letter stating a proposed an alternative apart from completely demolishing the site. He suggested they retain the main building(s) and move some of the smaller buildings closer to the main building to create a smaller historic site and donate the area to the City of Rancho Cucamonga or a non-profit historical organization to maintain as a museum along with the historical artifacts for the benefit of Rancho Cucamonga and the state of California. John Anicic, Historical Society, stated there are three topics the Historical Society would like to speak on, one being aesthetics as, the impact would be significant. It would replace a unique historical structure with a wall 50 feet high, including; lights,traffic and noise. He stated it would not fit in with the neighborhood of single-family residential use with a nearby park and a 100 year old Catholic Church two doors away. Secondly, the cultural resource;he stated that the assessment on the entire project concluded that 10 of the 15 structures and features in the project are found to contribute to the cultural significance of the Biane Winery (originally called the Padre winery). He said the former winery buildings are determined to be eligible for listings in the National Register and the California Register, plus designation as a local Historical Landmark. He stated that these buildings are the only intact winery site in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. He reported the third is land use and planning. Mr.Anicic stated that the neighborhood would be heavily impacted with the effects on the narrow street and would have no aesthetics. Jim Frost, asked what could the City do to help preserve landmarks which have potential historic significance. He stated that to the best of his knowledge the Norton-Fisher House is the only house that was declared a historic landmark against the will of the owner. Victoria Jones, 7888 Hickory Circle, President of the Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail, stated how the Biane Winery holds a tender spot to the community. She stated that the community is losing its' identity by demolishing the wineries. She asked what are we teaching the next generation,and what effect will this have on our community. Dennis Jones, 7888 Hickory Circle, asked what impact this will have on the community. He suggested a mixed use and converting the Biane Winery into a museum and to preserve some of the City's heritage. Gwyn Frost stated that the community should be consulted within the vicinity of the winery. She commented that the Catholic Church, which is 103 years old, is there and the area should be preserved. Ms. Frost concurred with Mr. Jones to covert the Biane Winery to into a museum to show children the history of Rancho Cucamonga. Luana Hernandez, 6797 Hellman Ave., stated that she is involved with the preservation with the City. She stated that the impact on demolishing the Winery and building another commercial building will have a great effect on the community. Chairman Fletcher, seeing and hearing no further comment closed the public hearing. Commissioner Howdyshell, stated that the traffic will have an impact on the community. Commissioner Stewart, stated she concurred with everyone who spoke on the scoping of the Environmental Impact Report(EIR). She stated that the Biane Winery has great significance to the community. Vice Chairman Munoz, stated that the cultural aspect should be significant in the review. He concurred with all of the commissioners. Chairman Fletcher, stated he heard and documented the concerns of the community, which are as follows: 1) Consider/study adaptive re-use of the property 2) Consider historic designation 3) Provide a detailed description of the property's historic value 4) Provide a detailed description of the cultural significance of the property 5) Seek out public comment specifically from the Northtown area 6) Provide a greater area of notification of future meetings 7) Provide the number of designated historic properties in the City and their ranking of status/pursue historic designation 8) Consider aesthetics and the affect on the Mt. Carmel Church/neighborhood 9) Cultural impacts 10) Consider the condition of the buildings; exterior and interior 11) Consider and document antique equipment on the property 12) Consider compatibility/appropriate land use 13) Consider the historic nature of the neighborhood as a whole 14) Consider the significance of prior owners 15) Consider the condition and sustainability of the buildings 16) Consider the educational impact on children if the site is razed/consider future generations. 17) Consider the value of preserving the site rather than replacing it with a warehouse. 18) Consider transportation/traffic impacts-large trucks moving through the area 19) What infrastructure is needed to accommodate a warehouse 20) Consider a museum as an alternate use 21) Air quality impacts resulting from a warehouse operation 22) Noise impacts resulting from a warehouse operation 23) Consider the identity of the community and its historic grape producing heritage 24) Consider historic tourism 25) Consider project conformance to the objectives of the General Plan 26) Agricultural impacts from the loss of vineyards 27) Recreational impacts from the loss of a private meeting facility PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Fletcher opened the floor for public comment. Ms. Gwyn Frost commented on having a time line to be notified on items to be agendized. Edward Dietl asked what the procedure for the Historical Preservation would be to designate property as a historic landmark especially when the property owner does not feel fit to do so. Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney, commented that that under the current code a property owner can come forth and request that a property be listed. Commissioners can also request for property to be studied and designated. The current code is currently under review. In the current code it is not stated that a third part can make a request. A third party can bring a request to Staff to evaluate and decide if it should be brought to the Commission. Chairman Fletcher requested that we agendize a staff report on what the procedure would be to for designation of historical properties within the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Commissioner Howdyshell commented on the possibility of exploring other cities to research their policies on how to designate historic landmarks. Commissioner Fletcher, seeing and hearing no further comments, closed the public comment period. 4 4 4 4 4 COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENT Vice Chairman Munoz commented on the time line for future communication concerns. Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary, stated that staff has not received specific direction but will bring a report back to the Planning Commission. Vice Chairman Munoz requested a time line on the EIR and an outline of what the Commission and the city can expect to go through in a summarized format. Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney, stated that there is a requirement that the EIR is circulated, once it is finished, for a set amount of time to allow for public comment. This will allow for the appropriate agencies to be notified before it is approved by the Planning Commission or by the City Council. 4 1 t 1 k ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Munoz,seconded by Stewart,carried 5-0,to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C ► Corkran W. Nicholson Acting Secretary Approved: August 27, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes -8- August 13, 2008