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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/01/28 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting January 28, 1998 Chairman Barker 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 Barker then led in the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: David Barker, William Bethel, Rich Macias, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: Larry McNiel STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Michael Estrada, Deputy City Attorney; Steve Hayes, Associate Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Gall Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS There werenoannouncements. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 97-42 - L & M RESTAURANTS (COCO'S) - A request to construct a 5,500 square foot restaurant on a 1.1 acre parcel within the Foothill Marketplace Shopping Center within the Community Commercial District of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, located south of Foothill Bou'levard and immediately east of Interstate 15 - APN: 229-031-40. Steve Hayes, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing. Greg Wattson, 3600 Birch Street, Newport Beach, thanked staff for its assistance. He supported installation of a four-way stop. He felt there is sufficient pedestrian access to all of the development and stated they do not have the ability to provide additional walkways without deleting some of the landscaping island. He explained that they can't delete any of the parking. He requested deletion of the requirement to provide a pedestrian access to connect Coco's to Wal-Mart. He observed that the missing sidewalk along the Etiwanda Avenue frontage is actually on Metropolitan Water District property and asked that the condition be eliminated. He said that if the center was responsible for putting in the sidewalk, he would install it. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, stated that staff could work with the developer to confirm whose responsibility it is to put in the sidewalk. Brad Bullet, City Planner, stated it was his understanding that the Design Review Committee requested that there be a pedestrian connection from Coco's to the intersection, not to Wal-Mart. He suggested deletion of Planning Condition No. 9. Mr. Wattson indicated that was acceptable. There were no fudher comments and Chairman Barker closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tolstoy liked the development. Motion: Moved by Bethel, seconded by Tolstoy, to adopt the resolufion approving Conditional Use Permit 97..42 with modification to delete Planning Condition No. 9. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BARKER, BETHEL, MACIAS, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL - carried NEW BUSINESS B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 97-38 - CHARLES JOSEPH ASSOCIATES - A request to construct a public mini-storage facility consisting of 5 buildings totaling 77,860 square feet on 2.96 acres of land in the General Industrial District (Subarea 8) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, located on the south side of Arrow Highway, between Utica Avenue and Red Oak Street - APN: 209-491-82. Steve Hayes, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Tolstoy asked if the issues related to the single point of vehicular and emergency access had been resolved. Mr. Hayes thought it had with additional fire sprinklers being placed within the facility to eliminate the need for a second access. Chairman Barker invited public comment. Charles Buquet, Charles Joseph Associates, 10681 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga, thanked staff and the Design Review Committee for their input. He felt the project had been improved since its initial submittal. He said they had received approval from the Fire Division by increasing the density of the fire protection equipment where necessary. Jeff Matzek, Jeffrey A. Matzek & Associates, 151 Kalmus Drive, Suite B-200, Costa Mesa, stated he is the project architect. He explained it was the first project he processed in Rancho Cucamonga and said working with the Design Review Committee had been a good experience. He commented that his client normally uses large towers and color bands for instant identification and those features had been diminished on this project. He stated they had submitted the project as a one-story office with a metal roof and it is now two stories with a parapet. He pointed out that the original proposal had the three-color bands along the entire building and it is now reduced to only in the office area. He commented that Commissioner Bethel had suggested two 2-foot pop-out elements instead of one 4-foot element to provide more definition. He stated they are mostly vehicular-oriented rather than pedestrian-oriented and he thought the 60-foot long 4-foot pop-out would be more noticeable than two 2-foot pop-outs occurring every 15 feet. He also explained that two 2~foot pop-outs would not coincide with the interior storage units, thereby creating awkward storage units. Commissioner Macias stated that throughout the Design Review process, he had problems with the color bands and the pop-outs; however, he did not feel they should be a deal-breaker. He Planning Commission Minutes -2- January 28, 1998 acknowledged the applicant had come a long way since the initial submittal. He said he would be willing to support the project as requested by the applicant. Commissioner Tolstoy suggested eliminating the color bands and incorporating the colors into the s~ignage. Brad Bullet, City Planner, indicated signs were not part of the application before the Commission. He stated the plans show canned signs. He observed the Design Review Committee felt there could be a recessed area on the tower for the sign and the sign should be individual channel letters on the stucco background. Commissioner Tolstoy suggested the color band be included as part of the background of the sign instead of at the top of the cornice element. Commissioner Bethel stated that suggestion had been made at the Design Review Committee meeting and the applicant had said that was not sufficient. Commissioner Tolstoy asked how large the band is. Mr. Matzek indicated it is 15 inches tall and contains three colors. He said they feel it provides identity for the entrance area. Commissioner Tolstoy felt the way the project was presented was acceptable but he did not want the color banding on the top. He said he would like to see it incorporated into the sign. Chairman Barker agreed with Commissioner Macias that neither issue should be a deal-breaker. He felt uncomfortable going against the Design Review Committee recommendations. Commissioner Macias felt there were larger issues which had been addressed. Commissioner Bethel was willing to accept the 4-foot pop-out but felt the color banding issue is important. He agreed the project had improved since its initial submission but he felt the striping cheapens the building. Mr. Buquet said he would like to see a win/win situation. He noted the banding was originally all around and they have reduced it to being only on the office tower element. He stated his client wants to be sure that people recognize that it is a Public Storage facility. He said they intend to be tasteful but want to call attention to the area. Chairman Barker suggested deferring a decision on the banding and incorporating it into the signage. Mr. Buller asked if the Commission was objecting to the intensity of the colors. He suggested using the colors on a monument sign. Commissioner Tolstoy felt it would be acceptable on a monument sign. He observed that the new AM/PM monument signs use multi-color bands. He said the Commission has not allowed multi-color banding on buildings. Commissioner Bethel concurred with Commissioner Tolstoy. Mr. Buquet remarked that the building next door has a monument sign and he did not believe his client intends to use one. He said his client wanted the signs on the building and was willing to change to individual channel letters. He felt his client had made significant concessions. He thought the color banding is more tasteful than other projects in the City. Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 28, 1998 Commissioner Macias did not see the banding as a major issue but he did support Commissioners Bethel and Tolstoy on what they were trying to do. Chairman Barker suggested the color banding and signs be looked at together. He was not sure the b. anding wou d not be appropriate. Mr. Buquet felt the banding will be complementary. Chairman Barker acknowledged the project had come a long way. Mr. Buller suggested the banding and signs be reviewed and approved as one package by the Design Review Committee. He stated that the Committee could forward the matter to the full Commission if it is unable to reach agreement. Chairman Barker observed that the Commission would then have the full package to consider including the signs. Mr. Buquet stated they would like the opportunity to have the Design Review Committee review the mat[er. Mr. Bullet pointed out that the color bands would not affect the architecture so it should not hold up the project. Motion; Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Development Review 97-38 with modifications to allow a 4-foot pop-out element and to require the color stdping and sign program be reviewed and approved by the Design Review Committee. Motion carried by the fo[lowing vote: AYES: BARKER, BETHEL, MACIAS, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL - carried PUBLIC COMMENTS John A. Gurney, 12924 Chestnut Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he lives across Etiwanda Avenue from Food for Less. He requested a sidewalk and a pedestrian cross-walk be installed to connect to Food for Less. He said that pedestrian traffic has to go north to Foothill Boulevard to cross Etiwanda Avenue. Chairman Barker felt that if a pedestrian crosswalk were installed without a traffic signal, it would lead to more accidents. Mr. Gurney stated a sidewalk should then be put in to Foothill Boulevard because it is now impossible for anyone in a wheelchair to get to Foothill Boulevard. He also stated his house faces a large vacant lot at the southeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Etiwanda Avenue and the lot is being used for tractor trailer parking by generally two to three trucks every night. He repoded he had called the police but was told they could not do anything because the trucks are on private property. In addition, Mr. Gumey requested additional police patrols. He said his house had been broken into 10 times in the last year. He felt it is being broken into by punk kids with baggy pants who are permitted to hang around. Chairman Barker indicated Mr. Gumey was addressing the Planning Commission and the Commission does not handle public safety. He stated the Commission does not have any authority Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 28, 1998 over the Police department and said the Commission no longer is in charge of zoning enforcement. He explained that sidewalks are usually built when the subject parcel is developed and are paid for by the developer. He said sidewalks in areas not being developed are budgeted on an annual basis with the money generally budgeted several years in advance and the Commission has no authority t.a spend money. He requested that staff forward Mr. Gurney's concerns regarding zoning enforcement to the proper staff. COMMISSION BUSINESS Chairman Barker stated he had written letters on behalf of the Commission to thank staff for their assistance regarding the Planning Commissioners Forum held on Saturday, January 24. C. LOT SIZES ALONG ETIWANDA AVENUE Brad Buller, City Planner, indicated that Etiwanda Avenue has been designated as an historical street. He said the width of the street, curbing, setbacks, and housing types are meant to enhance the historical nature. He believed Chairman Barker's primary concern to be with the higher density areas. He said the intent is that ar~y structure impart the flavor of the historic nature of Etiwanda. He observed that the homes built between Nighland Avenue and Base Line Road are the pattern and size of what the City would like to see along Etiwanda Avenue. He told the Commission that staff would keep that concept in mind as applications are submitted. Chairman Barker said the Barmakian project made an attempt to protect the streetscape along Etiwanda Avenue. He noted there are a large number of small lots in the area. Commissioner Tolstoy asked if the Lewis project at Etiwanda Avenue and Base Line Road is compatible. Chairman Barker felt it is marginally compatible. He felt they did a nice job and did as requested by the City but noted there is higher density within the project boundaries. He feared the area may become theatrical and thought it may be wise to take another look at the zoning to see if there are other potential problems. He observed that the two newer Planning Commissioners were not on the Commission when the zoning was adopted. Commissioner Tolstoy did not feel the Lewis project meets the goals. He thought some of the zoning is counter to what the City really wants to see because the lots are too small. Mr. Buller acknowledged the zoning is for smaller lots the closer you get to Base Line Road but he felt it would still be possible to capture the essence. He said there were problems where houses do not front onto Etiwanda Avenue and porches have been wrapped to address the issue. He asked if houses should be oriented to face Etiwanda Avenue. He reported a proposal has been submitted to change some Office Professional zoning to Low Medium Residential at 4-8 dwelling units per acre for a parcel south of the Buddhist Temple. Chairman Barker suggested that the two new Commissioners review the Etiwanda Specific Plan. Commissioner Tolstoy did not object to ~ acre lots with houses facing Etiwanda but he thought that many small lots will generate more traffic than Etiwanda Avenue can handle turning it into a major street. Mr. Buller suggested considering incentives for ~ acre lots with houses fronting Etiwanda Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes -5- January 28, 1998 Commissioner Tolstoy felt if the Commission were going to do anything, it should be done now. Mr. Buller said staff would bring the matter back to a future agenda. D.' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING MOTORCYCLE RIDING ON TRAILS Brad Bullet, City Planner, presented the staff repod. Chairman Barker supported the four actions suggested by the Trails Advisory Committee. He asked if the properly owners who back up to the trails will be able to gain access to the trails where vehicle gates are installed. Mr. Buller said it would only be successful where the neighbors support the idea. It was the consensus of the Commission to support the recommendations of the Trails Advisory Committee. Brad Buller, City Planner, gave a brief update on the Isle House. He reported that the City Council had directed staff to submit a proposal to purchase the house from Caltrans. He stated staff is working on a potential site at the southwest corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Victoria Avenue. He indicated the land would be donated to the City. He remarked it is a small lot, 54 by 80 feet. He said the City has to move the house off its present lot by March 1. He reported that Riverside Museum is willing to take the house and move it to Riverside if necessary to save it. Brad Buller, City Planner, reported that Rubio's had appealed the Commission decision regarding palapas umbrellas. Mr. Bullet also remarked that there had been discussions with the church in the single family home regarding an appeal. He stated the applicant had mailed their appeal prior to the end of the appeal period but it had not been received until after the appeal pedod ended. He said the City Attorney had determined the appeal was not flied in a timely manner. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, carried 4-0-1 (McNiel absent) to adjourn. 8:25 p.m. - The Planning Commission adjourned to a workshop immediately following regarding Pre-Application Review 97-07. The workshop adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and those minutes appear separately. Respectfully submitted, Brad Buller Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -6- January 28, 1998