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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/02/24 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CiTY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting February 24, 1999 Chairman McNiel called the Adjoumed Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rains Room at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: John Mannedno, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Rich Macias, Peter Tolstoy STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner;, Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Duane Morita, Contract Planner OLD BUSINESS A. THE VICTORIA ARBORS {FORMERLY VICTORIA LAKES) - AMERICAN BEAUTY DEVELOPMENT CO. - An overview of the proposed land use and development concepts for Victoria Arbors within the Victoria Community Plan on approximately 291.8 acres of land, generally bounded by Base Line Road, Foothill Boulevard, Etiwanda Avenue, and the Day Creek Channel - APN: 227-201-04, 13 through 18, 22, 28 through 30, and 36; 222-201-33; 227-161-33, 35, 36, and 38; and 227-171-08, 11, 12, 14, 20, 22, and 23. Nancy Fong, Senior Planner provided an overview of the project issues and the Commission concerns and comments expressed at the last workshop John Morfisette, American Beauty Development Co., summarized that he took the Commission's concerns seriously and went back to the drawing board to review their development concepts. He then handed out colored development concepts showing two design alternative plans to the Commission and staff for discussion. Bob Lacoss, PDS West, presented the two design alternative plans to the Commission. He explained that Design Alternative A is a mixed use (senior housing and commercial) designation along the east and west sides of the winery property with a buffer landscape area consisting of a double row of trees and vineyards separating the residential development immediately to the south. He then described Design Alternative B as similar to the first one except that the senior housing was being proposed near the comer of Base Line Road and Victoria Park Lane. He thought that senior housing or high density residential could be proposed along areas south of Church Street, which he felt would buffer the regional shopping center to the south. Mr. Morrisette felt the City has an over abundant supply of commercial areas already and the loss of commercial land within the project site would not adversely affect the fiscal soundness of the City. He introduced Matt Disston, an economics consultant, to provide his fiscal opinion. Matt Disston outlined his qualifications. He supported Mr. Morrisette's comments that the City has large amount of approved commemial land and stated the following: · City has approximately 1,800 to 1,900 acres of commercial land · Only 400 to 500 acres of commemial land are needed to support the City Region is uretail-rich" · Foothill Boulevard is the commercial spine for the City · Base Line Road is not a good retail area Mr. Disston concluded that office development is not viable for the area because of the current market. Gino Filippi, Filippi Winery, indicated that he preferred Design Alternative A. John Goldman, Etiwanda School District, indicated that the proposed school "fits" nicely within the area. He too supported Design AItemative A. He liked the joint use of the school and park and liked the access roads. He did not object to the Iocetion of the wetland in relation to the park and school. John Lyons, resident, suggested the City establish a building moratorium for the area. He suggested that commercial be allowed from Foothill Boulevard to Base Line Road. Mrs. Little, resident, inquired when a grocery store would be built in the Etiwanda area. Mr. Bullet, City Planner, responded that he did not believe a grocery store would be built in the area until more residential development occurs. He indicated that the City recognizes the lack of supermarkets in the area. He then provided direction to the Planning Commission on issues to discuss for the evening. Commissioner Mannerino encouraged the protection of the winery property's integrity and supported Design Alternative A. Commissioner Stewart believed that the site could serve as a tourist destination point for the City and did not support development of senior housing within the area. She supported Design Alternative A and encouraged commercial uses for the area. Chairman McNiel supported the location of the school and discussed the land swap issue. He encouraged the need to further evaluate the commercial viability of the area. Mr. Buller announced that the project would be scheduled for a March 23, 1999, Planning Commission meeting to further discuss the issues. He indicated that text to the Victoria Community Plan would have to be changed to ensure that the Arbors project compliments the winery property and that design guidelines would have to be provided as to what the City envisions for the site in relationship to design, trails, etc. He also indicated that staff was researching the wetland issue to determine whether it should be retained onsite. He then introduced the next item of discussion relating to development west of Day Creek Boulevard. He suggested that an overlay zone could be created to allow mixed use. He also reiterated that the commercial site would be valuable in the future and stated that he was reluctant to relinquish commercial zoning for the area. Mr. Mordsette agreed that further analysis should be conducted to determine the viability of commercial development in the area. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- February 24, 1999 Commissioner Mannerino felt that Route 30/210 would make the area valuable in the future. He did not envision large commercial development in the area. He supported the idea of allowing mixed use within the area. Commissioner Stewart agreed with Commissioner Mannerino and did not support residential use for the area west of Day Creek Boulevard. She supported the idea of mixed use for the area. Mr. Buller then introduced the next item of discussion relating to the Buddhist temple parcel. He indicated that the representatives of the temple supported retention of the office designation and would object to a residential designation. He indicated that the site might be too large and deep for office development and that staff would evaluate other land use options. Ms. Fong indicated that the applicant is proposing to take parcels out of the Etiwanda Specific Plan area and include them in the Victoda Community Plan area. Mr. Buller requested discussion relating to the office parcels. Chairman McNiel reminded everyone that the office classification was originally intended to allow for local and neighborhood offices, such as dentist offices. He expressed concern that this had not occun'ed. Commissioner Mannerino did not envision any potential for office use in the area. Mr. Buller indicated that he received comments from Commissioners Tolstoy and Macias that were to be reflected in the minutes. He said Commissioner Tolstoy indicated the following: Provide strong buffering to the winery and the regional center from single family residential developments The lakes are amenities for the entire planned community. The City approved the Lakes Village in exchange for higher densities. The proposed reduction in densities does not relieve the applicant's obligation to provide sufficient amenities for the planned community in some form or another if not the lakes He reported that Commissioner Macias indicated the following: Provide good buffering to the winery Believed that Team 1 of the Design Charrette is the most realistic Look for sufficient open space (not necessarily the lakes) that maintains the integrity of the Lake's Village and the Victoda Community Plan Chairman McNiel expressed the need for substantial park/open space amenities. Commissioner Mannerino did not consider the lakes as usable open space. Commissioner Stewart expressed the need for the types of open spaces that people could walk through because the regional shopping area is a terminus for the region. She indicated that the project needs to be creative so as to encourage those pedestrian activities. Mr. Bullet next presented the Community Trail System exhibit and discussed how people would move through the area. He then announced the next workshop would discuss fiscal impacts and phasing of improvements. PC Adjourned Minutes -3- February 24, 1999 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:.40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary PC Adjourned Minutes -4- February 24, 1999