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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/01/14 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting January 14, 2004 Chairman Macias called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:10 p.m. The meeting was held in the Board Room at Cucamonga County Water District, 10440 Ashford Street, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Rich Macias, Cristine McPhail, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart • ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney; Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Donald Granger, Assistant Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Lori Shrivel-, Historic Preservation Planning Aide;Alan Warren,Assistant Planner, Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad Buller, City Planner, observed that staff provided additional standard conditions for Consent Calendar Item A to the developer and they were also in front of the Commissioners for their review. Mr. Buller also gave a brief description of the public hearing process and the meeting format. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by McPhail, carried 4-0-0-1 (Macias abstain), to approve the minutes of December 10, 2003. CONSENT CALENDAR A. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00965 - MANNING HOMES - The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for 23 single-family homes on 13.6 acres of land in the Very Low Residential District (.1-2 dwelling units per acre), located at the southwest corner of Hillside Road and Archibald Avenue - APN: 1061-571-04, 08, 09, 21, and 22. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16430, Landmark Designation DRC2003-00574, Landmark Alteration Permit DRC2003-00575, Mills Act Application DRC2003-00576, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2002-00917. B. VACATION OF IRREVOCABLE OFFER OF PARCEL"A"OF PARCEL MAP NO. 13692(V-192) —CRESTWOOD CORPORATION- Located south of Wilson Avenue and west of Haven Avenue —APN: 0201-182-34. Related file: Tract Map SUBTT16237. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by McNiel, to adopt the Consent Calendar including the additional standard conditions for Item A. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16554-PINEWAVE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING -A residential subdivision of 6 single-family lots on 1.68 acre of land in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southwest corner of Base Line Road and Hermosa Avenue - APN: 1077-041-57. Related Files: Development Review DRC2003-00358, Landmark Alteration Permit DRC2003-00711, Minor Exception DRC2003-00726, and Preliminary Review DRC2003-00088. NEW BUSINESS K ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00358 - PINEWAVE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING - The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for 6 single-family lots on 1.68 acre of land in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southwest corner of Hermosa Avenue and Base Line Road - APN: 1077-041-57. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16554, Landmark Alteration Permit DRC2003-00711, Minor Exception DRC2003-00726, and Preliminary Review DRC2003-00088. L. MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2003-00726-PINEWAVE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING-A request to allow an 8-foot high wall for sound attenuation purposes along the northern and eastern boundaries of Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16554, and to allow up to a 7-foot high wall by adding 1 foot to an existing wall along the southern boundary of Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16554 for privacy purposes,where a maximum 6-foot wall height is permitted for a residential subdivision of 6 single-family lots on 1.68 acres of land in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southwest corner of Base Line Road and Hermosa Avenue - APN: 1077-041-57. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16554, Development Review DRC2003-00358, Landmark Alteration Permit DRC2003-00711, and Preliminary Review DRC2003-00088. Donald Granger, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Eric Au, Pinewave Design and Engineering, 21017 Commerce Pointe Drive, Walnut, stated he was available to answer questions. Commissioner Fletcher asked the location of the river rock wall. Donald Granger pointed out that the existing low river rock wall along Hermosa Avenue will remain with the exception of Where it will be deleted to allow construction of the cul-de-sac and it will also be deleted at the corner of Base Line Road. He said the higher perimeter wall will be split-faced block with stacked stone pilasters to match the stacked stone on the houses and will be set back behind the low stacked stone wall with landscaping between the walls. Mr. Buller stated that if the Planning Commission wished the perimeter wall to be river rock, the condition could be modified and the wall would then look much like what is on East Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes -2- January 14, 2004 Cathy Gray, 7284 Hermosa Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, requested a left-turn signal for traffic going from Hermosa Avenue onto Base Line Road. She said there have been numerous traffic accidents at that intersection. Phil Gwozdz, 10070 Ironwood Street, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he lives directly behind the project and his lot is about 5 feet lower than the proposed lots. He said that when he attended the Neighborhood Meeting at the school, the plans showed the new lots will be raised another2 feet and will drain toward the wall. He asked if the pad elevation had been changed since the Neighborhood Meeting. He commented the proposed houses are beautiful but the current neighborhood is composed of 1,800—2,000 square foot houses and the new ones will be 3,500 square feet. He felt the new houses would be out of their element and are not compatible with what is in the neighborhood. He requested that the houses be lowered so they would not be peering into adjacent . backyards. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, stated that the proposed conditions do not require the developer to change the signal as they are only adding five additional lots, which would not warrant the modification of the signal. He said he would address the issue with the traffic engineer and respond to Mrs. Gray. Commissioner McPhail asked if there is sufficient street width at the intersection to put in a left-turn lane. Mr. James was not sure and commented that it would not be possible to install a left-tum lane if there is not sufficient width. Commissioner McNiel felt Mrs. Gray's concerns were valid. Brad Buller, City Planner, noted that the second issue raised had to do with grading. He indicated that site lines are depicted on Page C, K, L-9 of the agenda. He said it is the practice of the City to have lots drain to the street rather than to adjacent lots. Mr. James said the lots are being raised in an attempt to have them drain to the street at the north; however, a small portion of the lot area will drain to the south and go toward Hermosa Avenue. He indicated it appears the finished floor plans have houses that will be 5—6 higher than the existing houses on Ironwood Street. He noted the proposed subdivision will create 3 lots adjacent to 4 lots on Ironwood Street. Mr. Granger indicated the proposed rear yard setbacks will be between 42 and 68 feet. He observed the Grading Committee reviewed the project on two occasions and the lots were lowered 1 -2'h feet since the Neighborhood Meeting. Commissioner McNiel commented the lots will be elevated to crate the ability to drain to the street. He observed the City tries to avoid cross-lot drainage. He stated cross-lot drainage led to problems in the past so the City adopted a policy to have each lot drain to the street wherever possible. Commissioner McPhail stated that when the Design Review Committee reviewed the project, the Committee asked that houses be stacked and that is conditioned. She was still concerned that the plans reflect a symmetrical driveway pattern. She also stated the conceptual landscape plan does not have the level of detail she would like to see. She asked that the items be returned to the Design Review Committee before issuance of building permits. Mr. Buller suggested the matter could come back to the Design Review Committee as a Consent Calendar item before issuance of permits. Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 14, 2004 Commissioner Fletcher stated he was concerned because of the historic nature of the Minor House. He was pleased the house will be moved back from Base Line Road but it will still be visible off Hermosa Avenue. Chairman Macias felt it is a good project. Commissioner McNiel believed retaining the existing historic cobblestone wall is good and he felt the proposed perimeter wall of split-faced block and stack stone pilasters to relate to the homes is acceptable. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by McPhail, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTTT16554, Development Review DRC2003-00358, and Minor Exception DRC2003-00726 with modification to retum the project to Design Review. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16542-J.T.STORM -A request to subdivide 4.92 acres into 11 lots in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units • per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the east side of East Avenue, south of Highland Avenue-APN: 0227-071-24. Related Files: Development Review DRC2003-00602, Variance DRC2003-00604, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00603. E. VARIANCE DRC2003-00604-J.T. STORM-A request for a Variance for wall height on the east and south sides of the property, totaling 13 feet in height in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the east side of East Avenue, south of Highland Avenue - APN: 0227-071-24. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16542, Development Review DRC2003-00602, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00603. NEW BUSINESS M. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00602 - J.T. STORM - A request to develop 11 single-family homes on 4.92 acres of land in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the east side of East Avenue, south of Highland Avenue - APN: 0227-071-24. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16542, Variance DRC2003-00604, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00603. Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, observed that the existing row of Eucalyptus trees along the north tract boundary will be entirely removed and replaced with Eucalyptus Maculata planted 8 feet on center. He stated there are mitigation measures required to protect the off-site trees. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Jay Ahluwalia, J.T. Storm Development, P. O. Box 2428, Rancho Cucamonga,thanked staff(Rene Guerrero, Emily Wimer, Dan Coleman, and Dan James) for guidance through the processing. Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 14, 2004 Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner McNiel asked if the 13-foot retaining wall will be a combination of block wall and wrought iron. Ms. Wimer responded it will be a block crib wall with wrought iron on top. Commissioner McNiel felt the Design Review Committee did a good job. Commissioner Fletcher commented on the variation and articulation with the differing rooflines. He felt it is a good design. Chairman Macias supported the project. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by Fletcher, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16542, Development Review DRC2003-00602, and Variance DRC2003-00604. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS F. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM16365- REGENCY REALTY GROUP, INC.-A request to subdivide 11.84 acres into 5 parcels plus public right-of-way dedication for a retail shopping center consisting of multiple pads, including a drive-through lane, and anchor tenants totaling 112,000 square feet of building area in the Regional Related Office/Commercial and Mixed Use Districts of the Victoria Community Plan at the northwest comer of Day Creek and Foothill Boulevards-APN: 0227-201-39 and 44. Related files: Conditional Use Permit DRC2003-00617 and Preliminary Review DRC2003-00246. Alan Warren, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Keith Peterson, Regency Realty Group, Inc., 555 South Flower Street, Suite 3500, Los Angeles, accepted the conditions. He complimented Engineering staff (Joe Stofa and Dan James) and requested approval. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart stated the application was a very straightforward housekeeping item as the shopping center has already been approved. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by McPhail, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16365. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried Planning Commission Minutes -5- January 14, 2004 G. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16445- WILLIAM LYON HOMES - A residential subdivision of 23 single-family lots on 6.55 acres of land in the Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the west side of Etiwanda Avenue, approximately 1,000 feet south of Base Line Road - APN: 0227-171-06. Related Files: Conditional Use Permit DRC2003-00682, Variance DRC2003-01012, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00365. H. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2003-00682 - WILLIAM LYON HOMES-The development of 23 single-family lots on 6.55 acres of land in the Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the west side of Etiwanda Avenue, approximately 1,000 feet south of Base Line Road - APN: 0227-171-06. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16445, Variance DRC2003-01012, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00365. I. VARIANCE DRC2003-01012 - WILLIAM LYON HOMES-A request to allow up to a 10.7 foot high combination wall along the south property boundary and 8 foot high combination wall between Lots 10 and 11, in a residential zone where the Development Code allows a maximum height of 6 feet, for the development of 23 single-family lots on 6.55 acres of land in the Low- Medium Residential District(4-8 dwelling units per acre)of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the west side of Etiwanda Avenue, approximately 1,000 feet south of Base Line Road - APN: 0227-171-06. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16445, Conditional Use Permit DRC2003-00682, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00365. Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report and noted staff suggested some additional conditions that had been inadvertently left out of the staff report packets. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Stan Morse, MDS Consulting, 17320 Redhill Avenue, Suite 350, Irvine, stated he was the engineer for the project. He stated the additional conditions were acceptable and he requested approval. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart felt the project was very straightforward. Commissioner McNiel expressed support. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by McNiel, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16445, Conditional Use Permit DRC2003-00682, and Variance DRC2003-01012 with the additional conditions added by staff. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried J. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM16180 - L.D. KING, INC. - A request to subdivide 3.37 acres into 4 lots in the Very Low Residential District (.1-2 Dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the southeast corner of Banyan Street and Greenwood Place -APN: 0225-171-23 and 26. Related File: Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-00308. This project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15315 (Class 15 Exemption—Minor Land Divisions). Planning Commission Minutes -6- January 14, 2004 Commissioner McPhail recused herself from acting on Item J, as her firm receives remuneration from the applicant. Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Kevin Maevers, L. D. King, Inc., 2151 Convention Center Way, Suite 100, Ontario, thanked Warren Morelion and Dan James for working closely with them during processing of the project. He said the staff gave them the attention that would be expected of a much larger project. He objected to the Engineering condition requiring relocation of the existing driveway for Parcel 1 from Banyan Avenue to Greenwood Place. He indicated that the owner has lived in the house for many years. He said the driveway is functionally difficult. He noted that Greenwood Place is used as an alternate route to access the elementary and high schools nearby; therefore, twice a day for nine months of the year, the Greenwood Place Driveway has limited access because traffic is backed up on Greenwood Place waiting to make a turn on Banyan Street. He felt eliminating the driveway access from Banyan Street would severely limit the functionality of the property. He also noted it will be difficult to make a turn onto Greenwood Place and then an immediate left turn into the driveway with the owner's horse trailer. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner Fletcher thought one of the reasons the driveway onto Banyan Street is to be eliminated is to avoid crossing over the horse trail along Banyan. Brad Buller, City Planner, said that the south side of Banyan Street is a major east/west multi- purpose trail and the City prefers to avoid traffic conflicts with trails. He believed Banyan Street will likely have future worse traffic issues than what Mr. Maevers described as occurring on Greenwood Place. Mr. James stated that Banyan Street is 36 feet curb to curb with no left-turn pocket. He said the City is prohibiting all new driveways onto Banyan Street, as it is a highly traveled collector street and they are trying to eliminate left turns into driveways if at all possible. He stated it is not a public safety issue, but makes for a better traffic flow. He acknowledged anyone going west on Banyan Street will be making a left turn either at the driveway or at Greenwood Place. Commissioner Stewart agreed that Banyan Street will be the heavier traveled street in the future. She agreed with staffs position. Commissioner McNiel stated he was inclined to agree. He said he understood the difficulty of accessing from Greenwood Place; however, he felt coming off Banyan will be worse in the future. Commissioner Stewart felt it may become a public safety issue in the future and may put some people in jeopardy. Chairman Macias felt the project was straightforward. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by McNiel, to adopt the resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16180. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: McPHAIL - carried Planning Commission Minutes -7- January 14, 2004 NEW BUSINESS N. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00324 - DRS. GEORGE MAKKAR AND AMIRA BOUTROS-A request to construct a 13,855 square foot office and retail building on 1.70 acre of land in the Neighborhood Commercial District, located approximately 300 feet east of Archibald Avenue, on the north side of Base Line Road -APN: 1076-191-10. Related File: Preliminary Review DRC2002-00337. Donald Granger, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias invited public comment. Michael Kirollos, 28334 Sycamore Drive, Santa Clarita, stated he represented the applicants. He • said they were heavily challenged to respect the Mission style architecture and he felt they did a good job of that. He requested approval. There were no further public comments on this item. Commissioner McPhail believed the applicant did a nice job with the architecture and that it upgrades the existing center. Commissioner McNiel agreed they did a fine job and felt the building will compliment the center. Commissioner Stewart concurred. Commissioner Fletcher commented that there were few issues when the project was processed through the Design Review Committee. He liked the design. Chairman Macias felt it is a great project. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Stewart, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Development Review DRC2003-00324. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried O. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00782 - HK CONSTRUCTION-A request to construct a 5,928 square foot single-family home on .55 acre of land in the Very Low Residential District(.1- 2 dwelling units per acre), located on Lot 8 of Tract 12650-1 at the westerly terminus of Deer Canyon Drive -APN: 1074-331-10. Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias invited public comment. Debra Roehrbam, Runyan Engineering, 437 South Cataract, Suite 6, San Dimas, agreed with the conditions. There were no further public comments regarding this project. Commissioner Fletcher commented that he reviewed the house at Design Review Committee level and he felt it is a nice looking house. Planning Commission Minutes -8- January 14, 2004 Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the resolution approving Development Review DRC2003-00782. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried P. CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2002-00116-EAGLE FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP-An appeal of a Design Review Committee decision denying a request to change an exterior building material for a 25,622 square foot warehouse on 1.25 acre of land in the Industrial District (Subarea 13), located at 9275 Charles Smith Avenue -APN: 0229-283-02. Emily Wimer,Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. She noted that on Page 16, paragraphs 2-3b and 3c, a correction on the draft resolution was suggested to replace the word "use" with "project." Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Steve Mills, an attorney, indicated he represented the applicant. Mr. Mills noted the word revision and asked what effect it might have on the approval of the project. Brad Buller, City Planner, explained that he had received a call from Mr. Eagle questioning the original wording shown as"use." Mr. Buller commented that he agreed with Mr. Eagle that the issue at hand does not pertain to the use but instead refers to the project review; therefore, the wording was changed at his request. Mr. Buller clarified that the question before the Commission deals only ' with the material proposed for the exterior of the building, not the merits of the project. Using a 3-dimensional model, Mr. Mills pointed out the areas of the building where the exterior material would be used (either the travertine or sand blasted concrete). He noted the areas include the corners of the building and the area framing the doorway. He commented that the sides and back of the building were never planned to have any travertine other than the corner wraps. Commissioner Fletcher asked if the rest of the building is proposed as painted concrete. Mr. Mills indicated it is. He noted the Development Code indicates that sand blasted concrete is an approved building material. He stated the building is not substandard and that their intent is not just to cut corners. He said the structure is not a basic box and that it features 45-degree angles and not standard corners alone. He noted that this would require extra footings and therefore extra expense. He added that they are using a more expensive type of spandrel glass opposed to the typical glass with mullion surrounds. He believed the building is visually appealing from Charles Smith Road and the freeway. He said they(the applicant, architect, and project engineer) did not receive notice of the November 4 Design Review Committee date. He reported that the consent calendar comments from the November 4 Design Review Committee meeting incorrectly indicate that the applicant is proposing to use split face block and that would significantly change the design. He clarified that they are not proposing to use split face block. He stated they did not attend the November 4 Design Review Committee meeting because they did not receive notice of the meeting and they feel they are at a disadvantage and have to rely on the staff report for the reason for the denial. He stated that his architect would present samples of sandblasted concrete. He added that many industrial buildings in the City use this material on their exterior. Mr. Mills then presented a portfolio of photographs of buildings in the City that use sandblasted concrete. Richard Cartozian, Nazarian Engineering, 24254 Hawthorne Avenue, Torrance, presented a sample of the proposed sandblasted concrete. He commented that the building will be expensive to Planning Commission Minutes -9- January 14, 2004 construct because of the large expanse of spandrel glass and the angled side. He said the freeway side of the building has been enhanced and that it is exquisite on its own. Commissioner Stewart asked if, in spite of the missed notification of the November 4 meeting, the applicant had not been informed that the Design Review Committee indicated it would be willing to look at and consider other materials to replace the travertine. Mr. Cartozian responded that it was suggested that they could think about using split faced concrete. He felt block would not be in keeping with the rest of the building because it appears jointed. He said the sandblasted concrete would have another aggregate material added to it to make it"pop out"in appearance and yet would not appear jointed. He felt that would complement the type of glass they are using. She asked if another slate or tile could be used. Mr. Cartozian said it would still look jointed. He believed the materials they have chosen will complement each other with the design of the building. He felt that the way the comers are handled is very important. Commissioner Fletcher asked if what was being shown tonight is the original sample board presented to the Design Review Committee. Mr. Cartozian reported that it is, but they have an agreement with staff to bring in a chip and get an approval from staff when it comes time to paint. He indicated that the travertine shown is not exactly the one they would have chosen. Mr. Mills asked that a declaration from Jack Nazarian, (project engineer) stating that he had not received notice of the November 4, 2003, Design Review Committee meeting be included in the record. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, reported he did not receive the notice because of an incorrect suite number and a missing zip code. Mr. Mills then supplied a diagram prepared by Mr. Eagle indicating adjacent buildings to the proposed building that have used sandblasted concrete. He stated that the cost to build the building as proposed with the sandblasted concrete is already 30 percent more than the average building. He believed the draft resolution is contrary to the Development Code because the material (sandblasted concrete) is sanctioned by the Code as a primary material. He queried how a material already provided for and approved by the Code could be contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Code. He reiterated that many buildings have used this exterior and it is commonly used. He commented staff pointed to the section of the Development Code(17.30.60.J.7),which requires the creative use of building materials. He believed you should not have to use a material that has never or rarely been used before(i.e. travertine)in order to be creative. He felt they are proposing the use of a common material in a creative manner and that the Code does not require the use of a unique material. Chairman Macias closed the public hearing and asked the Commissioners for their comments. Commissioner McNiel stated that a year and a half ago, he and Ms. Stewart met with the applicant for their first Design Review. He noted that at that meeting, the applicant was adamant about two items, the color of the building (green) and that he wanted to present a building to the City that is unique and the use of the travertine stone would make it unique. He noted that this is what the applicant requested and this is what the Committee approved. He commented that the building was sold to the Committee on the basis of the use of the travertine, the color, and at a later meeting, the glass. He remarked that the travertine was a selling point of the building and this is the key issue. Planning Commission Minutes -10- January 14, 2004 Commissioner McPhail commented that the City does not favor tilt-up type concrete boxes and although this building is not exactly a box because of the 45 degree angles, the travertine feature is what keeps it from looking like a concrete tilt-up type building. She preferred the contrast that would be provided by the travertine and the green over the look or the color combination of the gray with the green now being proposed by the applicant. She added that she could not support their proposal because it does not enhance the building and that she is unwilling to set a basis/precedent, which would say that we would allow a tilt-up concrete type of structure. Commissioner Stewart concurred with the other commissioners. She commented that this building kept coming back to the Design Review Committee and each time the applicant"chipped away" at what was proposed as the design. She remarked that initially there was passionate discussion about travertine and adamant discussion about the color. She added that the use of the travertine offsets the entrance to the office portion of the building,which is an element that the Committee favors with this type of building because it helps people to know where the entrance is. She noted that in the Committee they stated they would not be open to sandblasted concrete, but that they were open to altemate materials and that she is still open to other suggestions. She commented that the angles help to enhance the building, but that they do not make the building particularly unique. She noted that some of the photographs provided by the applicant as examples using sandblasted concrete feature other unique aspects to the design such as a highly articulated entry, artwork, pop outs, architectural features, and roof variations. She maintained her position to not support the use of sandblasted concrete in place of the travertine. - Commissioner Fletcher commented that he reviewed the history of the project. He noted that part of their job as a Commission is not just to maintain what is happening in the City, but also to enhance the development of the City. He commented that no one questions the durability of sandblasted concrete and that it is a common material. He felt the sample shown earlier in the evening looks like a stepping stone. He added that he agrees that some added enhancement is needed and that what was now being presented looks like an "all cement tilt-up building." He concurred with the Design Review Committee's original decision. Chairman Macias reported that he read the report and the supporting documentation. He concurred with Commissioner Stewart that the photographs of other buildings using sandblasted concrete clearly have better articulated architecture and are no comparison, for the most part,to the one being presented by the applicant. He added that the photographed projects have other enhancements not being provided by this applicant. He asked the City attorney, to clarify the ramifications of either a "yes" or"no" vote on the project. Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney, reported that a "yes" vote would approve staffs recommendation to deny the request for the change and would maintain travertine as the approved material and deny the applicant's request for sandblasted concrete. He pointed out that the Code section referred to by the applicant that lists the creative use of building materials as primary materials also notes that these materials are used subject to approval by the Design Review Committee. He added that Section 17.06.010 3.d directs the Committee to consider texture and color as well. Mr. Buller commented that even if the Commission were to deny the request, the applicant still would have the option to come back to the Design Review Committee with altemate material proposals for consideration. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by McNiel, to support staffs recommendation and to adopt the resolution denying the applicant's request to use sandblasted concrete. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried Planning Commission Minutes -11- January 14, 2004 PUBLIC COMMENTS Valerie Card, 10019 Banyan, Rancho Cucamonga, reported that she is a teacher at Etiwanda Intermediate School located on Etiwanda Avenue. She reported that she teaches math and science and has a gardening class as well. She stated that she has always had interest in the property located to the south of the school because she would like to have a teen center with a kitchen garden and heritage garden there as well as native landscaping. She added that she expressed her idea to Duane Baker,Assistant to the City Manager and Mayor Pro Tern, Diane Williams. She noted that Mr. Baker agreed a teen center is needed on the east side of the City because of all the new development. She reported that these middle school students really need a place to go because they often go home to empty houses with working parents. She commented that Ms. Williams • reported the property is zoned as open space and that it has recently been purchased by someone who may want to develop it but it is a difficult piece to develop because it is not wide enough for a tum around and the owner wants access through the lumber yard. She asked if the zoning of Open Space could be maintained. Brad Buller, City Planner, commented that the property Ms. Card referred to is a 14-acre parcel located directly south of the intermediate school. He indicated a project application is pending and the area is zoned Residential. He remarked that there is another property further south that contains the old train depot and some old industrial uses. He added that Council Member Williams told him of her conversation with Ms. Card and her idea for the garden was presented to him by Dan Coleman. He noted that the City is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Caltrans to acquire this property for part of the Rails-to-Trails project. He stated that property could be considered for a community garden as one use option, and there may be a group of people along with Ms. Card that would favor that idea. He suggested she leave her name and telephone number with Mr. Coleman so that she could be contacted in the future. He clarified that the 14 acre piece is not zoned as Open Space. COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Stewart indicated she would like a discussion regarding parking for multi- family housing projects. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the matter would be placed on a future agenda. Mr. Buller reported that at its January 7, 2004, meeting,the City Council created a Task Force to look at areas of Etiwanda and the Arbors. He said the Council asked that two Commissioners serve on the Task Force with Mayor Pro Tem Williams and Council Member Howdyshell. Mr. Buller commented that the days and times have not been chosen yet but that they are considering the Wednesdays of Planning Commission prior to the meeting. He stated that they would try to avoid the Wednesdays that have a conflicting Trails Committee meeting. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Macias, to appoint the members of the Design Review Committee (Commissioners McPhail and Stewart) to serve on the Etiwanda Arbors Study Task Force. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried Planning Commission Minutes -12- January 14, 2004 ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by McPhail, carried 5-0,to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. to a workshop. The workshop adjoumed at 10:35 p.m. and those minutes appear separately. Respectfully submitted, it B Iler Secretary • • I Planning Commission Minutes -13- January 14, 2004