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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/10/26 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting October 26, 2005 Chairman Stewart called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 8:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rains Room. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Larry McNeil, Rich Macias, Pam Stewart, Richard Fletcher and Christine McPhail ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner; Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner; and Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2005-00877 - PAUL HOFER - A Pre-Application Review to consider a conceptual design concept for a proposed development of 10 two-story office I buildings and 11 industrial warehouse buildings on 9.82 acres of land in the Haven Overlay District (Subarea 6), located at 8812 Haven Avenue, - APN: 0209-131-02 and 07. Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the Pre-Application Review process, He emphasized that the purpose of the workshop was to look at the overall design of the proposed project and its relationship to the surrounding area. He noted that the adjoining single-family neighborhood to the west and the planned Haven Avenue grade separation (underpass) construction project present unique challenges for designers as well as affecting the timing of development. The office portion of Phase II cannot be built until the City completes construction of the grade separation because of the additional right-of-way needed. John Magness, Senior Vice President of Hillwood Investment Properties, introduced the property owner, Mr. Paul Hofer, and the representatives of the project. The architect of the design team reviewed the proposed mixed-use project, which contains Phase I consisting of 11 single-story industrial buildings that would be behind the professional office buildings separated by a parking lot, and Phase II, which consists of 10 two-story office buildings to front along Haven Avenue. He reviewed what the development team considered to be merits of the project such as architecture, site planning, and the mixed-use component. Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, gave a brief overview of the site. He indicated that staff was not in favor of the industrial building concept, especially since it would be visible from the adjacent single-family neighborhood across the street of Marine Avenue. He recommended that Phase I be changed to one-story office buildings. Staff would also recommend that the proposed office buildings of Phase II be at least three to four stories in height and that the architecture should better reflect the creative style that is required in the Haven Overlay District and in concert with the agricultural history of the area. Commissioner McNiel, reminded the applicant's representatives of the purpose of the Pre-Application meeting and that the comments from the Commissioners should strongly be considered in order for the applicant to experience a successful development process. He indicated that he was not in favor of the proposed architecture and was concerned about the compatibility issue of the industrial building adjacent to the single-family residences. He stated he did not like the "soldiering" of the professional office buildings along Haven Avenue and recommended that some of the buildings be combined to create a strong mass and scale for the project. Commissioner Fletcher told the applicant that the subject site is in a sensitive area, he expressed concern about the proposed industrial buildings. He would prefer professional office buildings adjacent to the residential neighborhood, and instructed the applicant to rethink the industrial concept of the proposal. Commissioner Macias echoed the same sentiments as the previous comments from Commissioners McNiel and Fletcher that there was a compatibility issue of industrial buildings adjacent to an existing single-family neighborhood. He also thought that a plaque and some artistic amenity be developed on the site which reflects the history of the site. Commissioner McPhail agreed with her fellow Commissioners. She stated that the architecture does not reflect the history of the site. She believed that the professional office buildings should be at least three to four stories high and that the architect should be given some creative latitude with the architecture. • Chairman Stewart agreed that the architecture should be greatly enhanced and that the industrial buildings should at least look like professional office buildings. She instructed the applicant that they should at least go see the recent project at the southeast corner of Base Line Road and Day Creek Boulevard as a good example of a project that reflects the historical viticulture of the area. Mr. Coleman indicated that staff will be available to meet with the applicant to continue discussions regarding design. He thanked the property owner for waiting for the right time to develop something exceptional. * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS No comment was made at this time. * * * * * ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Acting Secretary PC Adjourned Minutes -2- October 26, 2005