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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/07/23 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting July 23, 2008 Chairman Fletcher called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:06 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; Rina Leung, Senior Planner; Jennifer Nakamura, Associate Planner; Wean Messner, Associate Planner * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Munoz brought to the attention of Staff an error in the spelling of his name. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 7, 2008 Special Joint Meeting Minutes, no action was taken. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0 to approve the minutes of May 28, 2008 Special Joint Meeting Minutes. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Howdyshell,carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher abstain),to approve the minutes of July 9, 2008. . * * . • CONSENT CALENDAR A. VACATION OF A PORTION OF FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, LOCATED EAST OF ROCHESTER AVENUE (V-214) - FOOTCHESTER PARTNERS I, LLC - A REQUEST TO VACATE A PORTION OF FOOTHILL BOULEVARD, LOCATED EAST OF ROCHESTER AVENUE - APN: 0229-021-93. RELATED FILE: PARCEL MAP 17818. Chairman Fletcher stated the commission would make the finding by minute action. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Stewart, carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None W r • DIRECTOR'S REPORT B. PRESENTATION REGARDING PRELIMINARY SUSTAINABLE GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM. Rina Leung, Senior Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Howdyshell commented that there was a lot of information given and to digest. She asked staff; in gathering all this information if staff researched other cities. Ms. Leung replied that staff researched other cities, and also consulted with a consulting company, Mr. John Zinner, Planning Commissioner for the City of Santa Monica who is very active in sustainable building. She commented that staff tried to find similar programs and incentives that were compatible to the City and to the community. She stated that the City has the option to revisit the program in a year and can make modifications if needed. Commissioner Wimberly commented he had noticed a retrofit in the Municipal Courts. He asked since the City is near being built out if there is a retrofit for residential homes. Ms. Leung stated that there is and that the City is working on a pilot residential program. Ms. Leung refered the question to Jennifer Nakamura, Associate Planner, for further details. Jennifer Nakamura, Associate Planner, stated that staff has been working with the Building and Safety Department on identifying potential retro fit items that may require building permits. Ms. Nakamura stated that the City has been working on a 1 year pilot program. This program is • designed so that the City will waive the fees of the permits for the residents. She stated that as opposed to those who say the City wants to take their share of the process, instead the City is willing to waive the time and money it takes for the City to process the permits. She stated this process will assist the developer in building something that is sustainable or green. She stated there is a tentative list right now and a finalized list is being worked on from the Building and Safety Department before the sustainability project becomes final, and that will be implemented as the green sustainability program. Commissioner Wimberly asked if there are additional incentives for the residential home builders. Ms. Nakamura stated that for the residential home builders there is the option to choose which type of green program they would like to choose from,and there will be different incentives depending on the level that they wish to participate at. She stated that the City is also looking at the long term for single family home owners looking to build on custom lots. She commented that this is something the City is looking forward to in the future. Planning Commission Minutes -2- July 23, 2008 Commissioner Howdyshell made a comment or asked a question; it was not clearly stated for the record due to audio interference. Ms. Nakamura answered the question by answering yes and then stated that the City would start with the replacement of furnaces, insulation of solar panels and the replacement of water heaters. She stated that the City is hoping to replace them with tankless water heaters and Energy Star dish washers. Commissioner Howdyshell asked about wind mills or wind turbines. Ms. Nakamura stated that currently the City does not have a provision in the code which allows for wind turbines in residential areas. It is something that the City is currently looking at as a separate issue. She said it would require a development code amendment. Commissioner Munoz asked if the City sees windmills as being an issue. He stated his concerns regarding the aesthetics. Commissioner Stewart commented that she has seen windmills currently in her neighborhood. Vice Chairman Munoz asked Commissioner Stewart what her thoughts were on seeing the windmill. Commissioner Stewart commented she was not familiar with the criteria, but it was very uniquely done and stated she felt it was not offensive. Mr. Nicholson commented that this is one of the conflicts, and the City has taken a look at other cities that have jumped into this green building at full force. He stated that the city is taking the approach as more of a transition from volunteering to going into a possible mandatory program. He stated that the City is taking a close look at these different elements such as cost effectiveness and the aesthetics. He stated during each program year staff would be running reports back to the commission or council pertaining to the progress. Vice Chairman Munoz stated that the City should consider existing neighborhoods before establishing the sustainability program. He indicated that a set of guidelines should be developed that lists the types of products with specifications that a homeowner could choose from that would be acceptable to the City;for example,windmills. He noted that the type, size, height and design of windmills (if windmills are considered) should be innocuous to an existing neighborhood. He remarked that the choices should not be driven by the pocketbook alone. Chairman Fletcher commented that Council Member Michaels, during the Joint Special Meeting, stated that as a City we don't want to move in that direction where we as a City does not forfeit some of our values that Rancho Cucamonga has created in the past for design and development. He commented on parking as it stands is difficult. He said he feels that instead of offering that as an incentive we need to take a closer look at these areas before we start offering any incentives. Ms. Leung commented that because we are very early into the development of the project that we can add and remove different items as needed. She extended her gratitude for the Commission providing their comments. Ms. Nakamura spoke on the outreach program and educating the public. Commissioner Stewart commented that we will find the proper methodology to dealing with aesthetics of the windmills and with today's technology. She commented how pleased she is with the program and stated this is just the starting point and it will evolve with time. Planning Commission Minutes -3- July 23, 2008 Vice Chairman Munoz concurred with Commissioner Stewart. He commented that he appreciates the support of City Council for a plan that focuses on incentives. He said he supports the decision of an incentive based program, and education, which is played out in phases. He extended his gratitude to staff for a job well done. Chairman Fletcher concurred and commented that he also supports awarding those who volunteer for this program. Commissioner Howdyshell commented on being part of a City which is pro-active. She stated this allows the City to be ready for the next building wave by being prepared with standards that are already in place. Mr. Nicholson commented that for those who did not have an opportunity to attend the meeting, staff has made copies of the presentation. Copies were distributed to the Commissioners by staff. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Fletcher opened the floor for public comment. Seeing and hearing no comment, he closed the floor. COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENT 111 Chairman Fletcher thanked the Commission and staff for all the letters and flowers that he received to console his family following the loss of his father. C. TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Chairman Fletcher stated that we have two appointments from the commission to this committee. Chairman Fletcher commented that he has served for some time now and has seen that the attendance has been quite poor lately. He requested that Parks and Recreation be contacted to inquire as to why there has been a vacancy for the Bicycling Member at Large for so long. Commissioner Howdyshell expressed her interest in serving on the committee. Chairman Fletcher noted Commissioner Howdyshell would be a good appointment for the Trails Advisory Committee. He commented that Trails would be a good place for Commissioner Howdyshell to look at the Site Plans and the issues of the buildings before they go to Design Review and to the Commission. Vice Chairman Munoz commented that is also a good opportunity to interact with a good Parks and Recreations Commission. Commissioner Stewart stated that the Trails Advisory Committee would still need an alternate, she pointed out that the Commissioners have other obligations at this time and that she would be willing to continue as the alternate. Planning Commission Minutes -4- July 23, 2008 Chairman Fletcher stated there is a motion for Commissioner Howdyshell to serve as the Trails Committee Member and Commissioner Stewart as the alternate. The Commissioner agreed that the new appointment for the Trails Advisory Committee would be Commissioner Howdyshell and alternate would remain Commissioner Stewart. Commissioner Stewart asked if the Commission needs to take action on Carol Douglas or if this would be an action taken by the Trails Advisory Committee. Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney, stated that any action taken for other appointments should be taken by the Trails Advisory Committee, since the Advisory Committee is an at-large body it is not for the Planning Commission to decide. Vice Chairman Munoz made a request directed to staff to look into an audio problem. He stated he was told that when he reviewed the inconsistencies with May 7th meeting that there may be a technological problem related to why certain comments were not taken. He request for the Planning Staff to go to the City Staff to find out the reason why sometimes in certain comments in meetings are recorded and other are not, which are only a few feet away. He asked if more microphones need to be located in the meeting rooms. He commented that there is a requirement according to the Open Meeting Law (Brown Act) that we, as a City have the obligation to record the minutes accurately as possible. He stated he has copies of the tapes from City Staff to review and see what the means of the problem might be. He commented that he want to make it clear that this is not a reflection of the Planning Staff or of the City Staff this is a technological problem that may exist. He commented on the professionalism of both Planning and City Staff. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Stewart, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:40 p.m. • Respectfully submitted, Cor NiC of Acting Secretary Approved: August 13, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes -5- July 23, 2008 •