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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/11/14 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO,CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting November 14, 2007 Chairman Stewart called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California.Commissioner Munoz then led in the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Pam Stewart; Ray Wimberly ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Kevin Ennis,Assistant City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Rina Leung,Senior Planner; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Denise Sink, Office Specialist II; . James Troyer, Planning Director; Tabe Van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; ANNOUNCEMENTS • . None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0, to approve the Special Joint City Council/Planning Commission minutes of October 22, 2007. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Munoz, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of October 24, 2007. CONSENT CALENDAR A. RECOMMENDATION TO QUITCLAIM VEHICULAR ACCESS RIGHTS FOR ALL LOTS ALONG ETIWANDA AVENUE WITHIN PARCEL MAPS 1299, 2151, 3368, 4029, 4929 AND WITHIN TRACT MAPS 11549-1, 12659-3, 12870, 13027, 16147, 16279-1 AND 16466 LOCATED ON BOTH SIDES OF ETIWANDA AVENUE BETWEEN BASE LINE ROAD AND WILSON AVENUE B. VACATION OF EXCESS DRAINAGE EASEMENT (V-212) - ALEX MA - A REQUEST TO VACATE A 5 TO 10 FOOT WIDE BY 500 FOOT LONG EXCESS DRAINAGE EASEMENT ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF ALTA LOMA CHANNEL, LOCATED BETWEEN HELLMAN AVENUE AND BERYL STREET (6928 HELLMAN AVENUE) - APN: 0202-041-62. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, 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 C. ORDINANCE REGARDING TEMPORARY SIGNS - DRC2007-00495 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA-A review of a draft ordinance amending Sections 14.08.350, 14.16.010(P)and 14.16.020 and adding Chapter 14.25 to the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code concerning temporary signs. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action -CONTINUED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 MEETING. CONTINUANCE REQUESTED TO DECEMBER 12, 2007. Chairman Stewart asked if there was anyone in the audience that wished to speak on the item that would not be able to attend the December 12 meeting. Seeing and hearing none, she recommended the Commission allow the continuance as requested. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Munoz, to continue the item to the • . December 12, 2007meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM18196 - FERRERA - A request to subdivide a property of 1 acre into three parcels in the Low (L) Residential District and within the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the west side of East . Avenue and south of Victoria Street at 6970 East Avenue - APN: 0227-121-34. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. CONTINUED FROM THE OCTOBER 24, 2007 MEETING. E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VARIANCE DRC2006-00538- FERRERA-A request to reduce the required lot area average from 15,000 square feet to approximately 14,400 square feet in conjunction with a proposal to subdivide a property of 1 acre into three (3) parcels in the Low(L) Residential District located at 6970 East Avenue and within the Etiwanda Specific Plan - APN: 0227-121-34. Tabe van der Zwaag presented the staff report. Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing. Brian Heiman, representing the applicant, David Ferrera, 6970 East Avenue, stated he represents the applicant and that the resolution and conditions of approval are acceptable. Chairman Stewart closed the public hearing. Commissioner Munoz commented that the variance allows flexibility and provides for the subdivision of the property into similar sized lots of adjacent properties. He added that no one expressed opposition at the neighborhood meeting and that the request is reasonable. He moved for approval. Planning Commission Minutes -2- November 14, 2007 • • Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolutions of Approval with conditions for SUBTPM18196 and Variance DRC2006-00538 and the Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried 1 4 # # # F. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2006-00337 - ELIAS ALFATA (for Bichara Mitri) - A request to construct a 3,300 square foot full service car wash on .85 net acre of land in the General Commercial (GC) District, located at 8517 Grove Avenue. The proposed car wash will replace the automotive body shop, one of two existing automotive service buildings located on the subject property-APN:0207-222-05. Related file: Variance DRC2006-00737. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. G. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VARIANCE DRC2006-00737 - ELIAS ALFATA (for Bichara Mitri)- A request to allow a reduction in the parking setback along Arrow Route,a Major Arterial street, from the required 30 feet to 20 feet in conjunction with a request to build a 3,300 square foot full service car wash on .85 net acre of land in the General Commercial (GC) District, located at 8517 Grove Avenue - APN: 0207-222-05. Related file: Conditional Use • Permit DRC2006-00337. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director, gave the staff report. Chairman Stewart asked for clarification regarding the hours of operation because the hours shown in the Environmental documents indicate the hours would be limited to a start time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and closing no later than 7:00 p.m. She expressed concern because of the possibility of noise affecting the adjacent residential properties, particularly in the evening hours. She asked if this discrepancy would affect the integrity of the environmental documents. Mr. Nicholson noted that the Resolution of Approval indicates the hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p. m. everyday, and that is staff's recommendation. Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney noted that because the environmental documents reflect an evaluation of a more impactful scenario than what is being approved by the resolution, no amendment or revised study is needed because the impact would actually be less on the neighbors than what was studied. Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing. Elias Alfata, 6626 Wilding Place, Riverside, stated he is the applicant and he is in agreement with the hours shown in the resolution or he would be happy to adjust the hours to the Commission's preference. A speaker whose name could not be understood,nor his signature decipherable,stated he owns the market at Arrow and Grove. He asked if there would be liquor sales at the car wash. Mr. Nicholson responded that there would not be any alcohol or liquor sold at this location. Chairman Stewart closed the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes -3- November 14, 2007 Vice Chairman Fletcher commented that this project is a welcome improvement to this corner and to the neighborhood. He added that the variance request is reasonable. He moved for approval. Commissioner Howdyshell concurred and said that this corner needed this development and that it will be an improvement for the neighborhood. Commissioner Munoz concurred and said that the variance will also help with the bus stop/turnout. Commissioner Wimberly agreed. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Wimberly, to adopt the Resolutions of approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC 2006-00337 and Variance DRC2006-00737 with the adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried DIRECTOR'S REPORTS H. REQUEST TO INITIATE DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT DRC2007-00810 - F/S MOTORSPORTS, INC. (GEORGE REYNOSO)-A request to amend the Development Code, Section 17.30 to allow auto sales and leasing, subject to a Conditional Use Permit, in the General Industrial (GI) District, Subarea 1. James Troyer, Planning Director, presented the staff report. He commented that the request is consistent with adjacent and related uses that are already permitted and that this request would not present a significant impact to the area. Vice Chairman Fletcher asked if this is the old egg ranch property. George Reynoso, the applicant, stated it is. Mr. Troyer confirmed the response. Chairman Stewart referred to the map on Exhibit B page H-4 of the agenda packet. She noted that there is a long narrow finger of land that extends to Grove Avenue and into a residential area. She asked if this is problematic. Mr. Troyer commented that it is part of this district and that any requests for this type of use would still require a Conditional Use Permit and a public hearing before the Commission before that could take place and that the request for the permit could be denied if needed if there was an impact to the residential area. Vice Chairman Fletcher asked if there is sales activity at this location now. Mr. Troyer said no. Chairman Stewart asked for a motion. Commissioner Munoz made the motion to recommend the amendment be initiated. Planning Commission Minutes -4- November 14, 2007 Vice Chairman Fletcher said he thought auto sales and leasing already occurs there and that is what brought about the request for the amendment. He said that he does not have a problem with the proposed amendment as long as the.size and scope of future uses and activity that goes into the area can be controlled. Commissioner Munoz clarified that his impression was that there are not sales activities occurring there now but the proposed use for the site is consistent with what is going on in that area now. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Fletcher, to initiate Development Code Amendment DRC2007-00810 as proposed. The proposed amendment will be brought back to the Commission at a future date for a recommendation to the City Council and will then be forwarded to the Council for final action. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried PUBLIC COMMENTS None 1111k COMMISSION BUSINESS I. UPDATE ON SELF STORAGE FACILITIES James Troyer, Planning Director, gave a powerpoint presentation (on file as part of the official record) highlighting a survey performed in July of this year that covered the storage sites in Rancho Cucamonga as well as 10 other cities. He commented that staff supports conducting study sessions with staff and the City Attorney's office to review staff proposals; to consider possible impacts on property owners, entitlements and the development community; and to develop an appropriate Development Code Amendment to be considered at a later date. He suggested staff would bring a further update to the November 28, 2007 Planning Commission meeting for review. Some suggestions being reviewed by staff include: only permitting facilities in Commercial and Industrial Park zones; requiring all storage sites to obtain a Conditional Use Permit regardless of the zone in which it is located; allowing public storage facilities only as an ancillary use to commercial and/or industrial development. Chairman Stewart indicated concurrence and agreement with the direction that staff is taking in working with the attorney's office and in researching the impacts of the proposed amendment. Vice Chairman Fletcher asked if the question would be raised about vacancy rates of such facilities within residential areas. He noted that storage facilities have been permitted in some residential areas and whatever direction is taken, these entitled properties will need to be reviewed. Mr. Troyer said that vacancies could be researched and staff would bring back their findings to the Commission. He commented that if the new amendment removes the use out of a zone,but the site has already received an entitlement, there could be an effect upon the value of the property and those entitlements. Planning Commission Minutes -5- November 14, 2007 Kevin Ennis,Assistant City Attorney, commented that we would be performing and intensive case by case review and analysis of the status of those properties and prior approvals to determine what the impacts might be on those entitlements. Commissioner Howdyshell affirmed the idea of a case by case review. Vice Chairman Fletcher asked if the review would give direction in changing zoning to some of these areas where there are entitled properties. Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney stated that is correct. He noted that for those facilities already constructed in the areas where the zoning constraints would change, the facilities would become a legal non-conforming use and their ability to expand their use would be restricted. For those who have not been developed yet, but have entitlements, a case by case review would be done to see the effect any changes would make on those sites. He commented that unless the Commission prefers a different direction,the Commission can by minute action affirm staff's course in continuing to research and develop the proposed amendment. Mr. Troyer added that there could be the possibility of damage to those who bought property years ago and received an approval. Commissioner Munoz added that there may be some areas where storage facilities have been • permitted and that should now be revisited. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Fletcher, to support staff's direction in further study and development of the proposed amendment and another update report would be presented at the November 28, 2007 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Fletcher, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Respe ully submitted, Jamey R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: November 28, 2007 1 Planning Commission Minutes -6- November 14, 2007