HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/09/26 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
September 26, 2001
Chairman McNiel 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 Chamber at Rancho
Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman
McNiel then led in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart,
Peter Tolstoy
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner, Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Kirt Coury,
Associate Planner; Kevin Ennis,Assistant City Attorney; Rick Fisher,Contract
Planner, Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil
Engineer, Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner; Gail Sanchez, Planning
Commission Secretary; Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brad Buller, City Planner, suggested that Item B be pulled from the Consent Calendar to be acted
upon in conjunction with Item C and that Item H be taken last.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Mannerino, carried 4-0-0-1 (Tolstoy abstain), to approve
the minutes of September 12, 2001.
Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Mannerino, carried 4-0-0-1 (Tolstoy abstain), to approve
the minutes of the Adjoumed Meeting of September 12, 2001.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR PACIFIC ELECTRIC INLAND EMPIRE TRAIL-CITY
OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The proposed project is the development of approximately 7
miles of the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail, a Class I multi-use bicycle, pedestrian, and
separated equestrian trail located within the existing Pacific Electric Railroad right-of-way,which
varies in width from 80 feet to 100 feet,within the city limits of Rancho Cucamonga. The project
also includes the acquisition of the historic Etiwanda Station for preservation as a museum,and
the potential acquisition or use of the historic Casa De Cucamonga, for use as a future
transportation park-n-ride and trailhead. The total area of development of the trail is •
approximately 85 acres. The total area of development associated with the use of the Etiwanda
Station for preservation as a museum, park-n-ride, or staging area for the Trail is approximately
4 acres; for a total of 89 acres of development. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of
environmental impacts for consideration.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2001-00262 —
DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC — The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for
Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16239 consisting of 109 single-family lots on 20.15 acres of land in
the Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Community
Plan, located at the northeast corner of Base Line Road and Milliken Avenue -
APN: 227-691-01: Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16239 and Victoria Community
Plan Amendment DRC2001-00263. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of environmental
impacts for consideration. (Continued from September 12, 2001)
Item B was pulled to be acted upon in conjunction with Item C.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to continue Environmental Assessment for
Pacific Electric Inland empire Trail to October 10, 2001. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2001-00262 —
DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC
PUBLIC HEARINGS
C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16239 —
DIVERSIFIED PACIFIC-A request to subdivide 20.15 acres of land into 109 lots for the purpose
of single-family home construction in the Low-Medium District(4-8 dwelling units per acre)of the
Victoria Community Plan, located at the northeast corner of Base Line Road and Milliken
Avenue-APN:227-691-01. Related files: Development Review DRC2001-00262 and Victoria
Community Plan Amendment DRC2001-00263. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of
environmental impacts for consideration. (Continued from September 12, 2001)
• Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report and provided a design pamphlet and color
materials sheet. She indicated that the Fire Safety Division had just requested that the standard
condition requiring automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Matt Jordan, Diversified Pacific, 10621 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, indicated that the
interior property line walls are to be open fence, not block walls. He requested that Planning Division
Condition 3 be changed to reflect that the stucco finish walls are return walls.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Stewart felt the applicant had done significant upgrades as shown in the design
pamphlet, which had just been distributed. She agreed that the return walls are to be stucco.
Chairman McNiel felt the project will be a nice addition to the community.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Tolstoy, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the
resolutions approving Development Review DRC2001-00262 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16239
with modifications to delete the fire sprinklers and indicate that the return walls shall be stucco.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Planning Commission Minutes -2- September 26, 2001
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
D. ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2001-00549 - CITY OF RANCHO
CUCAMONGA - A request to amend the Very Low and Estate Residential Districts lot basic
development standards to facilitate horse keeping. Related File: Development Code
Amendment DRC2001-00505.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel asked the side yard setbacks.
Mr. Coleman responded that Estate Residential is 20 feet on both sides and Very Low Residential is
10 and 20 feet.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing. There was no testimony, and he closed the hearing.
Commissioner Tolstoy felt the amendment is a good solution for the problem brought up by the Alta
Loma Riding Club.
Commissioner Mannerino indicated he sat on the Trails Committee when the matter was discussed
and he felt the amendment addresses the problems brought to light with recent developments.
Chairman McNiel stated that when the standards were originally set, it was felt they were adequate;
however houses have become larger and he felt this amendment is a good solution.
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino to adopt the resolution recommending approval
of Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendment DRC2001-00549. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE -carried
E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2001-00082 -
NORTHKIRK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-The development of an 18,260 square foot church
with sanctuary and classrooms for Sunday School programs on 5 acres of land in the Low
Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at 9101 19th Street-APN: 202-041-41.
Related File: Tree Removal Permit DRC2001-00426. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative
Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration.
Kirt Coury,Associate Planner, presented the staff report. He reported that staff received a telephone
call from a resident on Hamilton Street expressing concems regarding traffic on Beryl Street and
asking that the wall height be raised. He indicated there is currently an approximate 5-foot wall and
the maximum allowable would be 6 feet.
Chairman McNiel questioned the deferral of utility undergrounding and street improvements until
Phases 2 and 3.
Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the Commission could discuss the request this evening. He
indicated staff did not feel the improvements should be with Phase 1.
Planning Commission Minutes -3- September 26, 2001
•
Mr. Cowry stated that Phase 2 would include additional class rooms and a new parking lot and
Phase 3 will include construction of a sanctuary, Boy Scout clubhouse, and additional parking lot.
Commissioner Tolstoy felt the undergrounding should be tied to street improvements.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Richard Green, Pastor, Northkirk Presbyterian Church, 9101 19th Street, Rancho Cucamonga,
thanked staff for assistance in processing the application. He stated they agreed with the proposed
conditions. He said they plan to do the undergrounding in conjunction with street improvements on
Beryl Street in Phase 2.
Chairman McNiel asked the current membership of the church.
Pastor Green responded it is approximately 200 adults. He said they do not anticipate a great
increase in the use of the property during Phase 1.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mannerino felt it made sense to require the undergrounding with Phase 2.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, pointed out that the resolution calls for undergrounding along Beryl
Street in Phase 2 and an in-lieu fee toward future undergrounding of utilities on the opposite side of
19th Street in conjunction with Phase 3.
Commissioner Tolstoy felt that was good.
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the
resolution approving Conditional Use Permit DRC2001-00426. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
F. AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 00-02-RANCHO ETIWANDA 685, LLC.-A
request to modify certain sections of the development agreement regarding the timing of
construction of specific infrastructure improvements, generally located north of Interstate 210
between Hanley Avenue and Day Creek Channel—Tentative Tract Maps 14493 through 14498,
14522, 14523, 15838, and 15902.
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel asked the reasoning for the changes.
Mr. Henderson replied that the number of building permits trigger improvements. He noted that there
are five different developers and those developers would have to be limited to pulling permits for
approximately 20 houses each under the original agreement. He felt the changes would not be
detrimental to the public.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Jerry Gahan, Project Manager, Rancho Etiwanda 685, LLC, 5109 East La Palma, Suite D,Anaheim,
stated that five major builders are under contract for almost 700 lots. He stated the builders would
have to put out a lot of money to only be able to start development on 20 lots each and they would
Planning Commission Minutes -4- September 26, 2001
have difficulty securing financing with only 20 lots for development. He said they plan to do the
infrastructure as soon as plans are approved and are already under construction on some of the
infrastructure. He indicated that Day Creek Boulevard will be completed prior to the finagling of the
100th building permit.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel dosed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mannerino felt the amendment makes sense.
Chairman McNiel agreed.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to recommend approval of Amendment to
Development Agreement 00-02. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
G. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT DRC2001-
00534—CABOT INDUSTRIAL TRUST—A request to amend the circulation within the Industrial
Park District(Subarea 6), to eliminate Center Avenue between 6th Street and Trademark Street.
Related Files: Development Review DRCDR00-41, Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment
00-02, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2001-00394. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative
Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration.
NEW BUSINESS
I. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRCDR00-41 - CABOT
INDUSTRIAL TRUST-The development of an 830,000 square foot industrial building on 39.96
acres of land in the Industrial Park District (Subarea 6), located on the south side of 6th Street
between Haven and Hermosa Avenues - APN:210-072-06, 11, 16, 17, and 35. Related Files:
Development Code Amendment DRC2001-00534, Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment
00-02, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2001-00394. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative
Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration.
Senior Civil Engineer Dan James and Associate Planner Kirt Coury presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Chuck Buquet, Charles Joseph Associates, 10681 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga, stated
he represented the applicant. He concurred with the staff report and recommended conditions.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Chairman McNiel questioned the vacation of Center Street.
Mr. James responded that Center Street was originally planned to cut through the project because
the land could have been subdivided into smaller lots. He observed that with the development of
one large warehouse on the entire lot, it would not be necessary to have Center Street cut through
the lot for circulation. He noted that the lots to the south have access to both Haven Avenue and 4th
Street. He said the developer is conditioned to cul-de-sac Center Street where it would have entered
this project.
Planning Commission Minutes -5- September 26, 2001
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the
resolutions recommending approval of Development Code Amendment DRC2001-00534 and
approving Development Review DRCDR00-41. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
J. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2001-00160 — CRUMBAKER RESIDENCE — A request to
construct a 4,343 square foot single family home on .60 acre of land within Tract 11626 in the
Very Low Residential District (1-2 dwelling units per acre), located at 5051 Lomas Court —
APN: 1061-821-09.
Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel asked why they were unable to meet standards.
Mr. Morelion responded that they revised the plans and reduced the amount of fill in vertical feet and
cubic yards. He said staff asked them to reduce it further and the developer indicated they preferred
to stay with their proposal. He indicated staff felt the visual impacts could be mitigated with the
planting of mature landscaping.
Chairman McNiel invited public comment.
Pete Volbeda, architect, 127 West B Street, Ontario, indicated they reduced the amount of fill from
4,000 to 1,500 yards at the request of the Grading Committee. He indicated they have a 14 to 15
percent grade and they determined they could not drop the garage further.
Chairman McNiel asked if the driveway will be safe.
Mr. Volbeda affirmatively.
There was no further public testimony on this item.
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino, to adopt the resolution approving Development
Review DRC2001-00394. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
K. TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel was glad there had been applicants.
Commissioner Mannerino indicated Ms. Jarek was very enthusiastic.
Commissioner Stewart noted that Ms. Jarek is a multiple user; in that she bikes, hikes, and
horsebacks on the trails. She indicated the second candidate was also very qualified.
Planning Commission Minutes -6- September 26, 2001
Commissioner Tolstoy requested that a letter be sent to the other applicant thanking them for
applying and indicating that the application would be kept in the event there is another opening.
Commissioner Mannerino was glad to see enthusiasm from the Alta Loma Riding Club.
Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Macias, to appoint Laura Jarek as the equestrian member
on the Trails Committee. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
H. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 99-07 AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT—CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The City of Rancho Cucamonga has completed the Draft City of
Rancho Cucamonga General Plan Update. The Project Planning Area encompasses the
existing City (approximately 24,000 acres) as well as its Sphere-of-Influence (approximately
7,700 acres) that is located north of the City. This update includes changes in land use
designations as well as updates to the policies and programs within all elements the City's
General Plan. The proposed General Plan includes the reduction of approximately 182 acres of
residential uses and an increase of 182 acres in non-residential uses. Within the existing City
limits, non-residential acreage is reduced by 18 acres and residential acreage is increased by 18
acres. Within the Sphere-of-Influence, the change is a reduction of 200 acres in residential
uses, and an increase of 200 acres in non-residential uses. With the implementation of the
proposed General Plan, the following additional(i.e.,future)development would occurwith build
out: approximately 13,524 dwelling units, approximately 9,460,680 square feet of commercial,
approximately 52,811,591 square feet of industrial, no additional public/quasi-public uses, and
approximately 231 acres of arterials/freeways. The Project/Planning Area includes all of the
land area within the boundaries of the City of Rancho Cucamonga and its Sphere-of-Influence
area located directly to the north. The City is located in the southwest corner of San Bernardino
County, 13 miles west of downtown San Bernardino. The San Gabriel Mountains are located to
the north, and the communities of Upland, Ontario, and Fontana surround the City to the west,
south and east, respectively. Total acreage within City boundaries is approximately 24,000
acres. Total acreage within the Sphere-of-Influence is approximately 7,700 acres. Total
project/planning area comprises approximately 31,700 acres. This action will be forwarded to
the City Council for final action and the date of the Public Hearing before City Council will be
separately noticed. A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Findings of Overriding
Considerations have been prepared for this Project and will be reviewed and a recommendation
forwarded to the City Council. (Continued from September 12, 2001)
Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, presented the staff report. He reported that prior to the City
Council hearing, staff expects to receive written confirmation from the State Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) that the Housing Element is acceptable. He introduced Mike
Houlihan, the consultant who worked on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Commissioner Tolstoy observed that in the past the City received good feedback on the Housing
Element and he questioned why it took them so long to approve it this time.
Mr. Henderson replied that all cities are currently having the same experience. He said HCD
requested more detailed analysis and indicated they are not looking at history even though the City
111 has always had up-to-date information. He felt the problem was more a language interpretation. He
said HCD is looking for more uniform technical passages.
Mike Houlihan, Michael Brandman &Associates, 15901 Red Hill, #200, Tustin, discussed the EIR.
He indicated that the EIR determined that there were six areas in which the impacts could not be
Planning Commission Minutes -7- September 26, 2001
mitigated to a level of insignificance: elimination of existing sand and gravel mining operations
before depletion of the aggregate resource, loss of farmland, short and long-term air quality impacts
related to construction, noise (residences adjacent to existing roads), need for increased library
services, and aesthetic and visual impacts. He said they received 14 comment letters
Mr. Henderson indicated the item had been continued from the September 12 meeting in order to get
clarification regarding a traffic impact analysis requested by SANBAG. He reported that staff met
with SANBAG on September 13, and SANBAG agreed that an analysis would not need to be
completed.
Al Bell, The Planning Center, 1580 Metro Drive, Costa Mesa,felt they had provided a good General
Plan.
Chairman McNiel felt it was fortunate that the original General Plan was so well done. He thought it
was a good foundation for this update.
Commissioner Tolstoy felt staff had done a good job.
Chairman McNiel indicated the public hearing remained open from the September 12,2001,meeting.
There were no comments, and he closed the hearing.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to adopt the resolutions recommending
certification of the EIR and recommending approval of the 2001 General Plan Update. Motion
carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no additional public comments.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
There was no Commission Business at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Planning
Commission adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
t tv
B = • :Iler
Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes -8- September 26, 2001