HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/11/10 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
November 10, 1998
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; Michael Estrada,
Deputy City Attorney; Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil
Engineer; Jan Reynolds, RDA Analyst; SalvadorSalazar, Associate Planner;
Gall Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Mitch Slagerman, Senior
RDA Analyst; Alan Warren, Associate Planner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brad Bullet, City Planner, announced that Items A, B, C, and D should all be considered at one
time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Macias, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of
October 28, 1998.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 98-04 - RANCHO
CUCAMONGA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - A request to change the General Plan Land
Use Map from Medium Residential (8-14 dwelling units per acre) and Civic/Community to Low
Medium Residential (4-8 dwelling units per acre) for 17 acres of land on the north side of
Base Line Road, approximately 1,300 feet east of the intersection of Rochester Avenue.
APN: 0227-09%18 through 21. Related file: Victoria Community Plan Amendment 98-03.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VICTORIA COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT 98.03
- RANCHO CUCAMONGA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - A request to change the Victoria
Community Plan Land Use Map from Medium Residential (8414 dwelling units per acre) and
Community Facility to Low Medium Residential (4-8 dwelling units per acre) for 17 acres of
land on the north side of Base Line Road, approximately 1,300 feet east of the intersection
of Rochester Avenue. APN: 0227-091-18 through 21. Related file: General Plan
Amendment 98-04.
C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 98-05 - CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to change the General Plan Land Use Map from
Medium Residential (8-14 dwelling units per acre) to Low Medium Residential (4-8 dwelling
units per acre) for approximately 6 acres of land on the north side of Base Line Road,
approximately 1,100 feet east of the intersection of RochesterAvenue -APN: 0227-091-22
and 25. Related file: Victoria Community Plan Amendment 98-04.
D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTAND VICTORIA COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT 98-04
- CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to change the Victoria Community Plan Land
Use Map from Medium Residential (8-14 dwelling units per acre) to Low Medium Residential
(4-8 dwelling units per acre) for approximately 6 acres of land on the north side of Base Line
Road, approximately 1,100 feet east of the intersection of Rochester Avenue and
2½ acres approximately 2,000 feet east of Rochester Avenue - APN: 0227-091-22, 25, and
43. Related file: Victoria Community Plan Amendment 98-05.
Alan Warren, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing. There were no comments and he closed the
headng.
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino, to recommend issuance of Negative
~eclarations and adopt the resolutions recommending approval of General Plan Amendment
98-04, Victoria Community Plan Amendment 98-03, General Plan Amendment 98-05, and Victoria
Community Plan Amendment 98-04. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
E. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 94-25 MODIFICATION - FILIPPI WINERY - A request to
expand the winery operation to include seasonal grape pressing for an existing facility within
the High Residential Distdct (24-30 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Community Plan,
located at 12467 Base Line Road - APN: 227-161-24.
Nancy Fong, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Brad Buller, City Planner, reported that he had observed the crushing operation at another winery
and had videotaped the operation. He indicated the videotape was available for viewing.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Frank Lizarraga, 10535 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he is the legal counsel
for Filippi Winery and was available to answer questions.
Chairman McNiel asked if the grape pressing could be viewed by the public.
Planning Commission Minutes -2- November 10, 1998
Mr. Lizarraga replied that the operation wilt be conducted indoors.
Chairman McNiel asked if tours could be arranged.
Mr. Lizarraga responded the possibility exists but it is not contemplated at this time.
Nick Karavidas, Filippi Winery, 12467 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he is the
winemaker. He indicated they are trying to move forward with utilizing the facilities and do not
have tours planned as yet.
Headng no further comments, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mannerino stated that wine was produced on the site for 80 years and he thought
it would be great to do so again. He indicated he initially had some concerns regarding traffic and
the discharge of water, but his concerns had been answered.
Commissioner Stewart concurred. She hoped the process could be viewed by the public.
Commissioner Tolstoy stated he had been concerned regarding noise and lights but he felt the
hours of operation address the concerns. He did not think traffic will be a problem. He also hoped
the public and schools will be able to watch the process. He supported the use.
Commissioner Macias supported the use.
Chairman McNiel felt the use helps to validate wine making in the community.
Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Tolstoy, to adopt the resolution approving Conditional
Use Permit 94-25 Modification. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
DIRECTOR'S REPORTS
F. CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNITY TRAIL CONCEPT FOR TENTATIVE TRACT 15915 o
WOODSlDE HOMES - A request to dedicate a public Community Trail as an easement for
a tract to be located on the west side o~' Etiwanda Avenue, south of Victoria Avenue.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, presented the staff report.
Commissioner Stewart asked who is responsible for maintenance of the trails.
Mr. Coleman responded that whether the trail is owned in fee or is an easement, the City
maintains the Community Trails.
Commissioner Stewart asked if there has ever been less than a 20-foot trail dedication for
Community Trails.
Mr. Coleman was not aware of any.
Planning Commission Minutes -3- November 10, 1998
Commissioner Stewart felt it is better for the City to own the trail and feared that complications can
arise with easements. She asked what would happen if the City wished to change the trail if it was
an easement.
Mr. Coleman responded the City would have to go back to the property owners.
Commissioner Stewart asked if eminent domain could be used to secure the trail in the future.
Mr. Coleman replied that it could be used but that would create substandard tots.
Chairman McNiel asked if the County used easements.
Mr. Coleman observed there are three levels of trails: private Local Feeder Trails are easements
which provide access to public Community Trails which lead to Regional Trails.
Mr. Bullet explained that the maintenance of the private local feeder trails is up to the property
owner and that often leads to problems for the City. He commented that the City has taken the
position that Community Trails should be under the full control of the City and that is easier done
if the trail is owned in fee simple.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Nathan Pugsley, Woodside Homes 30211 Banderas, Suite 130, Rancho Santa Margarita, stated
one of the issues is the difference between Community Trails and private trails in various locations
that allow the homeowners to connect to the overall trail system. He indicated the trail would look
the same whether it is granted to the City as an easement or in fee simple. He stated they had
o'nly recently been informed they would have to provide a 20-foot trail and they had originally
thought they would only have to provide a 15-foot easement. He requested the Commission allow
an easement.
Mr. Coleman indicated that when the project was submitted in the spring, staff identified the
problem in the incompleteness letter which was sent to the applicant.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Stewart indicated she had spoken in general terms with Mr. Pugsley earlier in the
day. She was very concerned about using an easement and felt it may cause legal problems for
the City and the homeowner in the future. She noted there have not been deviations from the
plan in the past, and she did not support the applicant's request.
Commissioner Mannerino indicated the City has consistently required 20-foot Community Trails
be dedicated in fee-simple. He did not support an easement because it may lead to problems.
He did not think necessary findings could be made to grant a variance.
Commissioner Tolstoy did not support the request.
Commissioner Macias feared that approval of the request would set a precedent that would not
be in the City's best interest.
Chairman McNiel concurred.
Planning Commission Minutes -4- November 10, 1998
Motion: Moved by Mannedno, seconded by Tolstoy, to uphold the practice of not including public
Community Trails in lot area calculations and direct the applicant to revise the map. Motion carried
by the following vote:
AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE - carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments at this time.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
G. GENERAL PLAN REVISION
Brad Buller, City Planner, presented the staff report.
Commissioner Mannerino indicated he was interested in serving on the Task Force. He believed
Commissioner Macias was also interested. He supported the need for a consultant.
Chairman McNiel commented that it would be easier to schedule meetings using a Task Force.
He asked that the Task Force members keep the other Commissioners updated on progress and
stated the Task Force members could pass along comments from those Commissioners not on
the Task Force. He suggested that Pam Stewart be the first alternate.
Commissioner Stewart indicated that would be acceptable.
Chairman McNiel appointed Commissioners Macias and Mannerino to the Task Force with
alternates to be in the following order: Commissioners Stewart, Tolstoy, McNiel.
H. SIGNS/MULTI-FAMILY TASK FORCE UPDATE
Brad Buller, City Planner, reported that the Task Force will forward recommendations to the City
Council. He observed that the Task Force recommends that letters be a minimum of 8 inches high
for readability. He stated other recommendations were made regarding enforcement for removing
illegal signs such as the large number of sandwich board signs, banners, flags, etc. He indicated
the Task Force asked that the subject of neon signs be further discussed at its next meeting.
Commissioner Tolstoy felt the conclusions were good.
Mr. Buller commented the Task Force will also be looking at billboards. He reported there are 19
billboards left in the City. He stated quite a few have been eliminated as development has
occurred. He noted that the City Council had asked the Task Force to look at the billboards and
cause their removal. He said the Task Force would prioritize which should be approached first for
removal.
Planning Commission Minutes -5- November 10, 1998
Chairman McNiel recalled that approximately 12 years ago the billboards were identified and time
lines were placed on them.
Mr. Buller responded that in 1987 the City cataloged the billboards and recommended a priority
for their removal but the law changed and the City no longer has that same ability. He stated the
City will probably have to pay for removal of billboards.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino, carried 5-0, to adjourn.
7:55 p.m. - The Planning Commission adjourned to a workshop immediately following in the Rains
Room regarding Pre-application Review 98-07 (AIlard Engineering) and Pre-application Review
98-08 (Curw). The workshop adjourned at 9:10 p.m. and those minutes appear separately.
Respectfully submitted,
Planning Commission Minutes -6- November 10, 1998
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