HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/01/27- Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
January 27, 1999
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 Ddve, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman
McNiel then led in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, John Mannedno, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart
ABSENT: Peter Tolstoy
STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Michael Estrada,
Deputy City Attorney; Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil
Engineer; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner; Salvadore Salazar, Associate
Planner; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Rebecca
Van Buren, Associate Planner; Alan Warren, Associate Planner; Cecilia
Williams, Associate Planner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brad Buller, City Planner, announced there would be a design charrette at the Reginia Winery on
Saturday, January 30 starting at 7:30 a.m. He invited the Commissioners to attend and observe.
He also mentioned that the Commission would be adjourning their final meeting this evening to
a Joint Meeting with the Redevelopment Agency on Saturday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. at the
Regina Winery, 12467 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, for a presentation of the design
concepts that were discussed at the charrette.
Mr. Bullet announced that Associate Planner Cecilia Williams was leaving to move to Austin,
Texas to join her husband.
Chairman McNiel made a presentation to Ms. Williams.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-O-1 (Tolstoy absent), to approve
the minutes of January 13, 1999.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. VACATION OF NORTHTOWN AREA ALLEYS (V-161) - NORTHTOWN HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY: A request to find the vacation of portions of two alloys
generally located on the south side of Feron Boulevard west of Hermosa Avenue, in
conformance with the General Plan - APN: 209-085-04. Related File: Conditional Use
Permit 98-30.
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Macias, carded 4-0-1 (Tolstoy absent), to adopt the
Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT 15915 - WOODSIDE HOMES
- A request to subdivide 21 acres of land into 36 lots for the purpose of single family home
construction in the Very Low Residential District (up to 2 dwelling units per acre) of the
Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the southwest comer of Etiwanda Avenue and Victoria
Street - APN: 227-101-04, 12, and 14~ Related file: Tree Removal Permit 98-27.
Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel opened the public headng.
Nate Pugsley, Woodside Homes, 30211 Banderas, Suite 130, Rancho Santa Margarita, stated
they accepted the conditions. He thanked Mr. Le Count for working on the project and said the
neighborhood meeting had gone very well.
Headng no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public headng.
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt
the resolution approving Tentative Tract 15915. Motion carded by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: TOLSTOY - carded
C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTAND TIME EXTENSION FOR TENTATIVE TRACT 14405
- LEE - A request for an extension of a previously approved tentative tract map including
design review for the development of 20 single family lots on 4.39 acres of land in the Low-
Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre), located on the north side of San
Bemardino Road, east of Vineyard Avenue - APN: 208-091-08.
D. TIME EXTENSION FOR VARIANCE 91-11 - LEE - A request for extension of a previously
approved variance to reduce the required rear lot depth from 90 to 65 feet for one lot within
a proposed 20 lot subdivision in the Low-Medium Residential Distdct (4-8 dwelling units per
acre), located on the north side of San Bemardino Road, east of Vineyard Avenue -
APN: 208-091-08.
Planning Commission Minutes -2- January 27, 1999
Rebecca Van Buren, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Jeff Lee, Nevis Construction, 2208 Edwards Avenue, South El Monte, stated he is processing
another map to realign the street further away from Vineyard Avenue so as not to cause any traffic
problems.
Steve Rudder, 8897 Hemlock Street, Rancho Cucamonga, asked how tall the retaining wall will
be behind his home.
Brad Buller, City Planner, suggested that Mr. Rudder meet with the project planner. He observed
that revised plans will be going through the design review process and said staff would be happy
to meet with Mr. Rudder. He also suggested he might meet with Mr. Lee.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, stated the slope is actually off site and part of the lots to the
north; therefore the developer may not need to install a retaining wall.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt
the resolutions approving Time Extension for Tentative Tract '14405 including design review and
Time Extension for Variance 9'1-'11. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: TOLSTOY - carried
NEW BUSINESS
E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 98-30 - HOME DEPOT -
A request to construct a 220,669 square foot warehouse building on 12.4 acres of land in the
General Industrial designation (Subarea 8) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, located at the
southeast comer of Arrow Route and Oakwood Place - APN: 209-471-08.
Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, presented the staff repod. He observed that following Design
Review, staff leamed that the gate for truck access is to be left open 24 hours a day. He stated
that because of the angle, staff felt it would not be that noticeable from the street.
Chairman McNiel asked if the screen wall is high enough to screen the trucks and storage area.
Mr. Le Count stated the area is approximately 5 feet lower than the street and the wall will be
8 feet high with a 3 foot retaining wall. He stated the applicant has indicated they will not store
lumber higher than 10 feet. He thought trucks may be visible if parked adjacent to the wall.
Chairman McNiel asked the setback.
Mr. Le Count replied there is a 25 foot minimum setback.
Commissioner Mannedno asked if the gate will always be open or if the truck drivers will open it.
Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 27, 1999
Mr. Le Count reported it will be open 24 hours a day except on holidays.
Chairman McNiel opened the public headng.
Mader Shah, Vice President, Cole Development Company, 4343 Von Karman Avenue, Newport
Beach, accepted the conditions. He reporled they had made the changes requested by staff.
Chairman McNiel questioned the landscaping along the wall where the gate will remain open.
Brad Buller, City Planner, indicated the tree species and locations depicted on the landscaping
plan. He thought there may be some alternatives which could be explored including the possibility
of a screen wall. He suggested that staff and the applicant work together and that the resolution
be modified to provide for City Planner approval of the gate/wall design.
Commissioner Stewart indicated she was looking forward to the ardval of Home Depot. She
asked if the balance of the building will be spec.
Mr. Shah confirmed it is spec at the moment, but indicated there is the potential for Home Depot
to expand into the area.
Chairman McNiel stated he was pleased to have Home Depot come into the community. He
asked if the applicant would be willing to work with staff regarding screening of the gate area.
Mr. Shah responded affirmatively.
Headng no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mannedno stated he was nol offended by being able to see the tops of trucks from
time to time.
Commissioner Stewart indicated she had served on the Design Review Committee with
Commissioner Macias and she supported the project.
Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Stewart, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the
resolution approving Development Review 98-30 with modification to revise the gate/wall design
to the satisfaction of the City Planner. Motion carded by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: TOLSTOY - carded
F. DESIGN REVIEW 98-23 - GRIFFIN INDUSTRIES, INC. - A design review application to
amend the development standards for Phases 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of previously approved
Amended Tentative Tract 15727 consisting of 339, (formerly 342) single family lots in the
Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre) and authorize the use of the
Development Code optional standards, on 82 acres located between Fourth and Sixth
Streets, adjacent to the Cucamonga Creek Flood Control Channel - APN: 210-062-02, 11,
13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 32, and 33. Related file: Lot Line Adjustment No. 404.
Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 27, 1999
G. DESIGN REVIEW 98-21 - GRIFFIN INDUSTRIES, INC. - A design review application to
amend the previously approved building elevations of Design Review 97-44 for 84 (formerly
85) single family units in Phases 3 and 6 of Amended Tentative Tract 15727, consisting of
339 (formerly 342) single family lots in the Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units
per acre), on 82 acres located between Fourth and Sixth Streets, adjacent to the Cucamonga
Creek Flood Control Channel- APN: 210-062-02, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 32, and 33. Related
file:. Lot Line Adjustment No. 404.
Associate Planners Alan Warren and Salvadore Salazar presented the staff report. Mr. Salazar
indicated that 25 percent of the floor plans are single story.
Chairman McNiel questioned if the 25 percent single story is a requirement of the optional
standards.
Mr. Salazar replied that the requirement is only to provide variation.
Commissioner Stewart expressed concern about the small front yard setbacks and questioned if
the project is required to provide parking bays because of the optional standards.
Mr. Warren responded that optional standards require special parking for multi-family units only.
He indicated the optional standards do allow the houses to be closer to the street.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, observed that the streets are the standard 36-foot width with
parking on both sides.
Commissioner Stewart noted that some driveways are very short and she asked if they will have
roll-up doors.
Mr. Warren indicated that any driveways under 18 feet require automatic garage door openers.
He observed that the first two phases of the development all have automatic garage door openers.
Chairman McNiel opened the public headng.
Richard Niec, Vice President, Gdffin Homes, 9540 Springbrook Court, Rancho Cucamonga, stated
they are continuing to try to improve and meet the ever changing demands of the real estate
market by increasing the size of the homes. He reported that their largest homes are in Phases
3 and 6, He indicated they met all of the requirements of the Design Review Committee.
Chairman McNiel asked if all the homes will have roll up garage doors with automatic openers.
Mr. Niec responded affirmatively. He pointed out that only 10 of the homes fall below normal
standards and they are off only by 1 or 2 feet. He stated they will have a homeowners'
association as the project is a pdvate community.
Commissioner Macias thanked the developers and observed that at the last Design Review
Committee meeting they had volunteered to give up a lot to provide land for the desired park.
Commissioner Stewart expressed concems about the foam to be used around the garage door
windows. She feared denting of the surrounds if they are knocked.
Planning Commission Minutes -5- January 27, 1999
Mr. Niec indicated it is more durable than wood and requires less maintenance. He said they have
about 100 homes constructed that way. He felt theirs is a good application. He pointed out that
it is color treated and said they have a large color palette.
Van Roberts, Construction Manager, Griffin Homes, 9540 Spdngbrook Court, Rancho
Cucamonga, stated that it used to be that way, but no longer is. He said they use a high density
material and they use it for waterproofing.
Chairman McNiel indicated that foam dents easily if less than 2 pounds of foam but 3 to 4 pounds
is stronger than wood. He agreed that thE) matedal can be stronger than wood and that wood
does crack. He said that lower density matedal does not wear well. Hearing no further testimony,
he closed the public hearing. He questioned the amount of landscaping on the individual lots to
be provided by the developer,
Mr. Warren replied that the slope areas in the rear yards is required to be landscaped by the
developer.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt
the resolutions approving Development Review 98-30 and Design Review 98-23 with modifications
to require that the specifications for the stucco over foam treatment be submitted for City Planner
approval. Motion carded by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: TOLSTOY - carded
DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
H. DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 91-24 - MAS1 - A review of a
request to change the location of placing the La Fourcade arch on Building 5 -
APN: 0229-011-39.
Commissioner Mannedno recused himself because of pdor business dealings with the applicant.
Nancy Fong, Senior Planner, presented the staff report. She distributed handouts provided by
the applicar}t depicting a proposed treatment above the front entry to Compass Creek and
photographs of the building and the proposed location for the La Fourcade arch as part of the
Vintner's Walk. She said they proposed landscaping and a Iow fence in front of the La Fourcade
arch to frame the area and protect the arch from vandalism.
Chairman McNiel invited public comment.
Raymond Persinger, 24081 Ramada, Mission Viejo, stated the drawing of the art piece is an
artist's model and they are now considering a figure depicting Mother Nature with products of
Rancho Cucamonga on the side. He said it would be in the simplified style depicted in the
drawing.
Commissioner Stewart asked what type of material would be used.
Planning Commission Minutes -6- January 27, 1999
Mr. Persinger responded it will probably be gypsum plaster reinforced with polyester or it may be
carved directly into sign board and the color would probably be gray, peacock slate, sienna or
something reflective of the columns.
Commissioner Stewart asked if it will fit into the recessed area.
Mr. Persinge~ replied affirmatively.
Chairman McNiel thought gypsum is not generally used as an external building material.
Mr. Persinger indicated they could send information regarding the material.
Chairman McNiel asked when the Commission could see the alternative design feature,
Mr, Persinger did not know because he said he was busy working on the a bronze art piece.
Chairman McNiel asked how much of the backdrop would be filled by the La Fourcade arch.
Mr. Persinger responded the backdrop pretty closely skirts the arch. He said the arch is an old
structure and some pieces may fall off.
Jack Masi, 11871 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga, asked that the Commission reconsider
its decision to place the La Fourcade arch over the Compass Creek building entry, He said they
have reinforced the La Fourcade arch and he suggested they install it in the Vintner's Walk on a
temporary basis so the Commission could see how it would look. He did not feel the arch would
fit in with the building architecture.
There were no further public comments regarding this item.
Chairman McNiel noted that the objective was to salvage the La Fourcade arch from the old
building and make it a part of the new building.
Brad Bullet, City Planner, stated that staff had asked the applicant to be as specific as possible
regarding what is proposed. He indicated that staff believes it would be acceptable to move the
arch to the proposed area. He observed the applicant has appealed the Commission's decision
to require the arch over the building entry and that appeal has been held in abeyance to allow the
applicant to attempt to gain the Commission's support.
Commissioner Stewart asked for confirmation that it will not be possible to walk up to the arch
because of the fencing and landscaping.
Ms. Fong responded that was correct.
Commissioner Macias asked if the City has requirements with respect to removal of graffiti.
Ms. Fong replied that it is to be removed within 24 hours.
Mr. Bullet indicated the matter could also be addressed through the Conditional Use Permit
process,
Chairman McNiel asked if any text is proposed to explain the arch,
Planning Commission Minutes -7- January 27, 1999
Mr. Bullet responded affirmatively. He said the text would describe what the arch is, along with
an inscription depicting what the arch looked like on the odginal building.
Chairman McNiel indicated he would prefer' placement of the arch on the building but he was not
opposed to the Vintner's Walk location. He said he would support the relocation contingent upon
seeing what is proposed for the building entryway.
Mr. Bullet suggested the applicant firm up what they want and then get final approval.
Ms. Fong asked if the Commission would consider Design Review Committee approval.
Chairman McNiel felt it should come before the full Commission.
Commissioner Macias stated the applicant obviously would prefer to not place the arch above the
building entry. He felt the development has an historic name and there should be a focus on that
history. He suggested the applicant finalize his proposal and return to the Commission for
approval. He agreed in concept to the applicant's proposal.
Commissioner Stewart concurred. She said she was supportive of the direction being taken but
wanted to see what will go above the entryway before approval.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the applicant provide finalized plans for the building
entryway for Commission review prior to final approval of locating the La Fourcade arch in the
landscape area by the Vintner's Walk.
PUBLIC (~OMMENTS
There were no public comments at this time.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
I. TRAILS ADVISORY COMMI'I-FEE APPOINTMENTS AND MEETINGS
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, presented the staff report. He indicated that the Trails
Committee members had been polled and it was a consensus that Wednesday evenings at
6:00 p.m. prior to Planning Commission would be an acceptable time. He noted that would limit
the meetings to one hour but felt that should not be a problem.
Chairman McNiel noted that the Committee meets once a month but he felt it could go to twice a
month if warranted by activity.
Mr. Coleman concurred.
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Stewart, to move Trails Committee meetings to
6:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month and maintain McNiel and Tolstoy as
members, Motion carded by the following vote:
Planning Commission Minutes -8- January 27, 1999
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: TOLSTOY - ca~ed
J. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TASK FORCE REPORT
Brad Buller, City Planner, reported that the Task Force met on January 20 and a Request for
Proposal is being .forwarded to the City Council for consideration at its February 3 meeting. He
indicated the Request for Proposal will also have a sedes of addendum studies to be priced
separately for possible inclusion in the contract.
Commissioner Mannedno stated staff is compiling a listing of potential consultants.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Stewart, carded 4-0 (Tolstoy absent) to adjoum. The
Planning Commission adjourned at 8:23 p.m. to a workshop on Pre-Application Review 98-13
(Sundse Development), Victoda Arbors, and a quarterly discussion and review of Design Review
Committee projects. That workshop adjourned at 10:25 p.m. to a Joint Redevelopment
Agency/Historic Preservation/Planning Commission Meeting on January 30 at 5:00 p.m. at the
Regina Winery, 12467 Base Line Road regarding a presentation of design concepts for future
development of the Regina Winery property. The minutes of the workshop and the joint meeting
appear separately.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes -9- January 27, 1999