HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-59 - Resolutions - Recommending Approval Of Trail Easement Vacation RESOLUTION NO. 16-59
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA,CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
TRAIL EASEMENT VACATION DRC2016-00780, FOR A REQUEST TO
VACATE A PORTION OF AN EXISTING EQUESTRIAN EASEMENT
LOCATED ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE PROPERTY WITHIN
THE ESTATE RESIDENTIAL (ER) DISTRICT OF THE ETIWANDA
SPECIFIC PLAN AND WITHIN THE EQUESTRIAN OVERLAY DISTRICT
AT 5820 ROLLING PASTURES; AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT
THEREOF—APN: 0225-122-96.
A. Recitals.
1. Danny Morel filed an application for the approval of Trail Easement Vacation DRC2016-
00780, as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Trail
Easement Vacation request is referred to as "the application."
2. On the 12th day of October 2016,the Trails Advisory Committee conducted a meeting on
the application and gave a recommendation of approval to the Planning Commission.
3. On the 9th day of November 2016, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the application and concluded said hearing
on that date.
4. All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals,
Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above-
referenced meeting on November 9, 2016, including written and oral staff reports,this Commission
hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to property located at 5820 Rolling Pastures—APN:0225-
122-96; and
b. The property to the north and east of the subject site contains single-family
residences and Rancho Cucamonga Fire Station #176; the property to the south and west of the
subject site is currently vacant, undeveloped land. The zoning of the property to the north is Low
Residential (L) District, whereas the zoning of the subject property and the property located east,
south and west are Estate Residential (ER) District, both of which are within the Etiwanda Specific
Plan; and
c. On April 24,2002,the Planning Commission approved Tentative Parcel Map 15802
for a proposal to subdivide a parcel of 4.24 acres into four(4) lots. The four lots are located west of,
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 16-59
TRAIL EASEMENT VACATION DRC2016-00780— DANNY MOREL
November 9, 2016
Page 2
and adjacent to, East Avenue, approximately 1,500 feet north of Banyan Street. Since the
subdivision is located within the Equestrian Overlay District, a 15-foot wide local feeder trail
easement was recorded on the map to provide access for equestrian purposes to the rear of each
residential lot. Lot 4 is the subject of this request to "vacate", i.e. delete, a portion of the trail
easement; and
d. On November 24, 2014, the Planning Director approved a Minor Design Review
(DRC2013-00964)for the development of a 4,943 square foot single-family home on the project site.
The house is currently under construction and is nearing completion, of which the remaining
improvements include the installation of the perimeter walls and equestrian improvements; and
e. The applicant/property owner, Danny Morel, is requesting to vacate the equestrian
trail easement along the south boundary of the subject property in order to utilize the southernmost
portion of it. Currently a 15-foot wide equestrian trail is required to be constructed within the
equestrian easement. This request involves a vacation of a segment of the easement that is 157.45-
feet in length; and
f. The previous owner of the adjacent property to the east(Lot 3—Parcel Map 15802)
obtained a building permit in 2006 to install a block wall along the side yard and rear yard property
lines.Although the approved site plan for the block wall indicated the wall was to be built outside of
the local feeder trail equestrian easement at the rear of the site,the wall was constructed around the
trail and was unintentionally issued a final inspection approval. Because of this,trail access through
Lot 3 from the properties to the west and east was ultimately blocked; and
g. Although the proposal is not consistent with Section 17.122.010 (K)(1)(e) of the
Development Code that sets a standard for providing an internal loop trail system of local feeder
trails within subdivisions, the proposal would maintain connectivity with the local feeder trail
throughout the residential tract to the north and would allow for future local feeder trail connectivity
through the properties to the south and west if and when they are proposed to be developed; and
h. Per Chapter 5 of the General Plan (Community Services)and section 17.70.040 of
the Development Code, local feeder trail easements for equestrian purposes are to provide access
to the rear of all lots. Access to the rear of the subject property will continue to be provided.
Furthermore, the request would not interfere with potential equestrian trail access for Lot 3 as this
proposal does not involve the removal of the equestrian trail easement on any other lot within Tract
15802; and
i. The applicant has obtained signatures from all other property owners within Parcel
Map 15082; and
j. On October 12, 2016, this project was brought before the Trails Advisory
Committee (Oaxaca, Fletcher, Tisler, Douglass, and Jones) for review and recommendation.
Following comments from the public (Larry Henderson representing the Alta Loma Riding Club)
voiced opposition to the project. The Committee concluded their discussion of the project and
unanimously voted to recommend approval to the Planning Commission/City Council of the proposal
to vacate the easement; and
k. This item was advertised as a public hearing in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
newspaper, the property was posted, Larry Henderson (representing the Alta Loma Riding Club)
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 16-59
TRAIL EASEMENT VACATION DRC2016-00780— DANNY MOREL
November 9, 2016
Page 3
was notified, and notices were mailed to all property owners within a 660-foot radius of the project
site.
3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above-
referenced hearing and upon the specific findings of facts set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 above,
this Commission hereby finds and concludes as follows:
a. The proposed project is consistent with the objectives of the General Plan, which
states that the intent of local feeder trails is to provide access from the rear of every lot, wherever
feasible, to a community or regional multi-purpose trail. The project will allow access to be
maintained to various surrounding community trails through the existing adjacent trail system; and
b. The proposed trail easement vacation is in accord with the objectives of the
Development Code and the purposes of the district in which the site is located. Although the
proposal is inconsistent with Section 17.122.010 (K)(1)(e) of the Development Code that sets a
standard for providing an internal loop trail system of local feeder trails within subdivisions, the
proposal would maintain connectivity with the local feeder trail throughout the residential tract to the
north and would allow for future local feeder trail connectivity through the properties to the south and
west if and when they are proposed to be developed; and
c. The proposed use is in compliance with each of the applicable provisions of the
Development Code. The property permits for equestrian purposes and the remaining portion of the
trail that is not vacated will provide access to the rear of the subject property; and
d. The proposed use, together with the conditions applicable thereto, will not be
detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to properties or
improvements in the vicinity. The future residential uses on the subject property are consistent with
existing residential uses within the vicinity and are not expected to create any negative impacts.
4. 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 under the Class 5 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines
Section 15305(MinorAlterations in Land Use Limitations) because this project meets all the criteria
described in the section and there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant
effect on the environment. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Planning Department's
determination of exemption, and based on its own independent judgment, concurs in the staff's
determination of exemption.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above,
this Commission hereby approves the application subject to each and every condition set forth in the
attached Conditions of Approval, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 9TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2016.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 16-59
TRAIL EASEMENT VACATION DRC2016-00780 — DANNY MOREL
November 9, 2016
Page 4
BY:
Francisco Oaxaca, Chairman
ATTEST: C
Candyc Burnett, Secretary
I, Candyce Burnett, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed, and adopted
by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission held on the 9th day of November 2016, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, MACIAS, OAXACA
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: MUNOZ, WIMBERLY
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
Conditions of Approval
•
RanCxo Community Development Department
OVA.MONGA
Project#: DRC2016-00780
Project Name: Morel Residence
Location: 5820 ROLLING PASTURES PLACE - 22512296
Project Type: Trail Easement Vacation
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOUR PROJECT:
Planning Department
Please be advised of the following Special Conditions
1. Approval is for the vacation of a 157.45 foot section of an existing trail easement upon completion of
all conditions. The section is located entirely on the property at 5820 Rolling Pastures Place.
2. The property owner shall be responsible for working with a Title Officer to process the paperwork
necessary for the County Recorder to remove the easement from their property title.
3. A recorded copy of the easement vacation shall be submitted to the Engineering Services
Department.
4. The trail along the westerly side yard of the properties shall be graded and maintained in
accordance with the approved plans for Minor Design Review DRC2013-00964 and shall be in
usable condition per the Trails Implementation Plan design standards for local trails. The grading
shall occur prior to the recordation of the vacation.
5. All documents shall be reviewed by the Planning and Engineering Services Departments prior to
submittal to the Title Company or County Recorder's Office.
Standard Conditions of Approval
6. The applicant shall agree to defend at his sole expense any action brought against the City, its
agents, officers, or employees, because of the issuance of such approval, or in the alternative, to
relinquish such approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents, officers, or employees,
for any Court costs and attorney's fees which the City, its agents, officers, or employees may be
required by a court to pay as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole discretion, participate
at its own expense in the defense of any such action but such participation shall not relieve
applicant of his obligations under this condition.
7. The applicant shall be required to pay California Department of Fish and Wildlife Notice of
Determination fee in the amount of $50.00. All checks are to be made payable to the Clerk of the
Board Supervisors and submitted to the Planning Commission Secretary prior to public hearing.
8. Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with all sections of the Development Code, all
other applicable City Ordinances, and applicable Community, Specific Plans and/or Master Plans in
effect at the time of Building Permit issuance.
9. The site shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the approved plans on file in the
Planning Department, the conditions contained herein, the Development Code regulations, and the
Etiwanda Specific Plan.
10. Prior to any use of the project site or business activity being commenced thereon, all Conditions of
Approval shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Planning Director.
11. Per Minor Design Review DRC2013-00964, a gate providing access to the local feeder trail from the
rear yard shall be installed.
www.CityofRC.us
Printed:10/26/2016
Project#: DRC2016-00780
Project Name: Morel Residence
Location: 5820 ROLLING PASTURES PLACE - 22512296
Project Type: Trail Easement Vacation
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOUR PROJECT:
Planning Department
www.CityofRC.us
Printed:10/26/2016 Page 2 of 2