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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/02/12 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting February 12, 1997 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. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: David Barker, William Bethel, Rich Macias, Larry McNiel, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman Principal Planner; Rick Gomez, Community Development Director; Tom Grahn, Associate Planner; Boyd Hill, Deputy City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner; Gall Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Alan Warren, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad Bullet, City Planner, announced that there will be no meeting on March 12, 1997, because the Commissioners would be attending the League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Institute. He indicated staff was recommending that a meeting be held on March 11 in lieu of March 12. Chairman Barker asked that the Commissioners advise staff if they could not attend on March 11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by McNiel, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of January 8, 1997. CONSENT CALENDAR A. DESIGN REVIEW 96-31 - CENTEX HOMES - A review of the detailed site plan and building elevations for an existing residential subdivision (Tentative Tract 14410) consisting of 35 single family homes on 10 acres of land in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located on the east side of Beryl Street, south of 19th Street - APN: 202-041-01, 17, 22, and 42. B. DISPOSITION OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY (SUMMIT AVENUE) WHILE RESERVING AN EASEMENT FOR STREET AND PUBLIC UTILITY PURPOSES - A request to find the quitclaiming of Summit Avenue, located on the north side of Summit Avenue west of Etiwanda Avenue, in conformance with the General Plan. Motion: Moved by Bethel, seconded by McNiel, carried 5-0, to adopt the Consent Calendar. PUBLIC HEARINGS C. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 96-01 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to amend the antenna regulations in ail zones to be consistent with Federal Communications Commission recent regulations. (Continued from December 11, 1996) D. INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 96-04 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to amend the antenna regulations in all zones to be consistent with Federal Communications Commission recent regulations. (Continued from December 11, 1996) E. SUBAREA 18 SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 96-01 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to amend the antenna regulations to be consistent with Federal Communications Commission recent regulations. (Continued from December 11, 1996) Chairman Barker indicated staff's recommendation that Items A, B, and C be pulled. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, observed that the items deals only with satellite antennas, not radio antennas. Chairman Barker asked if anyone from the public wished to address the items. There was no response. F. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 96-03A - RANCON REALTY FUND III - A request for a land use change from Industrial Park to Community Commercial for 7.8 acres generally located on the south side of Foothill Boulevard between Aspen and Spruce Avenues and at the northwest comer of Red Oak Street and Spruce Avenue. The City will also consider changing the remaining 1.4 acres of land at the southeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Aspen Avenue, 2.25 acres at the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Spruce Avenue, and 1.2 acres at the northeast corner of Red Oak Street and Laurel Street to Community Commercial - APN: 208-352-10, 11, 12, 79, and 80. Staff has prepared a mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. (Continued from January 8, 1997) G. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 96-03 - RANCON REALTY FUND III - A request to amend the Industrial Area Specific Plan land use designation from Industrial Park to Community Commercial for 7.8 acres generally located on the south side of Foothill Boulevard between Aspen and Spruce Avenues and at the northwest comer of Red Oak Street and Spruce Avenue. The City will also consider changing the remaining 1.4 acres of land at the southeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Aspen Avenue, 2.25 acres at the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Spruce Avenue, and 1.2 acres at the northeast corner of Red Oak Street and Laurel Street to Community Commemial- APN: 208-352-10, 11, 12, 79, and 80. Staff has prepared a mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. (Continued from January 8, 1997) Brad Buller, City Planner, announced that the applicant had sent a letter requesting that Items F and G be continued to an unspecified date. He indicated staff's support of the request and observed that the item would be re-advertised at the time it is placed on a future agenda. He reported the applicant requested the continuance following the City Council discussion at its February 5, 1997, meeting relating to the Planning Commission's memorandum asking for policy direction with regards to zone changes on Foothill Boulevard. He informed the Commission that the City Council, by minute action, forwarded its support for the policy matters identified in the Commission's Planning Commission Minutes -2- February 12, 1997 memorandum. He said the applicant has indicated they intend to try to address the issues identified by the Commission, City Council, and staff as necessary elements to consider the request. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing, Elliott Shaw, Integra Engineering, Inc., 621 East Carnegie Drive, Suite 120, San Bernardino, stated they merely wished to request the continuance. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Tolstoy, to continue General Plan Amendment 96-03A and Industrial Area Specific Plan 96-03. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BARKER, BETHEL, MAClAS, MCNIEL, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried H. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 96-26 - LAWRENCE GUARNIERI (BROOKLYN DELI) - A request to construct a 5,420 square foot restaurant and bar on 1.1 acres of tand in the Industrial Park District (Subarea 7) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan located at the nodheast corner of Laurel Street and Aspen Avenue - APN: 208-352-80. Staff has prepared a mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Related file: Parcel Map 14691. I. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 14691 - RANCON REALTY FUND II - A subdivision of 6.0 acres of land into 2 parcels in the Industrial Park District · (Subarea 7) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, located on the south side of Foothill Boulevard, east of Aspen Avenue - APN: 208-352-80. Staff has prepared a mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Related file: Conditional Use Permit 96-26. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner McNiel pointed out the parking calculation requiring 54 spaces and asked if staff is recommending five more spaces in addition to the 59 currently planned. Mr. Le Count answered in the affirmative. Commissioner Tolstoy voiced his concern regarding north facing doors during windy periods and asked if a vestibule area has been accepted by the applicant. Mr. Le Count replied that the vestibule is conditioned in the resolution. Commissioner McNiel suggested something be done to blend in the utility doors and something a little more decorative be done with the plant-ons. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing. Elliott Shaw, Integra Engineering, Inc., 621 East Carnegie Drive, Suite 120, San Bernardino, requested approval. Chairman Barker closed the public hearing. Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by McNiel, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit 96-26. Motion carried by the following vote: Planning Commission Minutes -3- February 12, 1997 AYES: BARKER, BETHEL, MAClAS, MCNIEL, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NQNE -carried DIRECTOR'S REPORTS J. APPEAL OF A SIGN REQUEST WITHIN UNIFORM SIGN PROGRAM 20 - ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE - An.appeal of the City Planner's decision regarding signs for Orchard Supply Hardware in the Community Commercial Distdct (Subarea 2) of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, located at 9080 Foothill Boulevard - APN: 208-101-20. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, presented the staff repod. Chairman Barker invited public comment. Craig Maynard, Cai-Neon Signs, 1577 Alamaden Road, San Jose, stated Orchard Hardware is not well known in southern California. He felt lack of identity was the cause of sluggish sales in other local communities, but sales increased after adding the "Complete Hardware and Garden" verbiage to their signs. He presented photographs of Orchard Hardware signs in other southern California locations and pointed out examples in the City where he felt similar text is being used. He asked the Commission to approve the request as submitted. Commissioner McNiel asked if the same color-scheme is planned for the additional wording. Mr. Maynard responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Tolstoy asked if the proposed text is to read, "Orchard Supply Hardware." Mr. Maynard answered the main sign would; however, all advertising includes "Complete Hardware and Gardening" and this additional verbiage has made a significant difference in sales. Chairman Barker described this as advertising rather than indicating location or identification and said advertising is the responsibility of the business. Commissioner Macias felt using the word "Complete" crosses the line into advertising. Chairman Barker concurred. Commissioner Bethel felt the wording is a quasi-logo and failed to see the difference between "Complete Hardware and Garden" and "Garden Center." He expressed his approval of the appeal. Commissioner Tolstoy voiced his agreement with the staff recommendation. Commissioner McNiel asked if there are plans to paint the building in corporate colors. Mr. Maynard indicated the building would retain the center's colors. Commissioner McNiel indicated his preference to remain with the criteria established in the past. He stated he had no objection to the use of "Garden Center" or "Hardware and Garden", but felt the use of "Complete" would set an unwanted precedent. He voiced his lack of support for the appeal. Commissioner Macias agreed with Commissioner Bethel. He felt the focus should be on design and the physical aspects of signage and saw no harm in the word "Complete" or "Complete Hardware Planning Commission Minutes -4- February 12, 1997 and Garden." He thought the City Council would like to see flexibility with respect to signage. He recommended approval. Chairman Barker agreed with Commissioner Tolstoy. Commissioner McNiel explained that with each exception made, a precedent is set. Brad Buller, City Planner, reported the Signage Task Force will be addressing policy issues. He referred to Ordinance Section 1424.080, voicing his concern over the interpretation of that section and what discretion is given to the City Ptanner related to assignment of other ancillary copy. He pointed out a code amendment is required if this type of issue is no longer a concern. Mr. Bullet requested the Commission determine whether or not the word "Complete" is subordinate information. Motion: Moved by Bethel, seconded by Macias, to overturn the City Planner's decision regarding a modification of signs for Orchard Supply Hardware. Motion failed by the following vote: AYES BETHEL, MACIAS NOES: BARKER, MCNIEL, TOLSTOY ABSENT: NONE K. REQUEST TO INITIATE A DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT TO CREATE AN AMATEUR RADIO ANTENNA ORDINANCE - MITCHELL Dan Coleman, Principal Planner reported this to be an opportunity to dialog with Mr. Mitchell and discuss specific recommendations he has for the City regarding adoption of new regulations specifically dealing with amateur radio antennas. He distributed pictures of different styles of antennas with manufacturer's dimension specifications. He stated staff was looking for direction and scope from the Commission to initiate an amendment. Chairman Barker invited Mr. Mitchell to address the Commission. Michael Mitchell, 5271 Turquoise, Rancho Cucamonga, distributed an article from the March 1997 issue of "Wodd Radio" which highlighted the importance of amateur radio operators in cases of emergency. He stated, in the case of an emergency in Rancho Cucamonga, the high frequency bands and antennas will be needed to communicate with the Emergency Operations Center in Sacramento. He volunteered his group's time to preform research for the Planning Commission in the area of emergency communication. Chairman Barker asked why Mr. Mitchell wants to initiate a change in the status quo. Mr. Mitchell indicated his desire to erect an antenna higher than 50 feet, and said five or six other amateur radio operators in the community also wish to do so. Commissioner Bethel asked how far a 50 foot antenna can broadcast. Mr. Mitchell indicated the distance is dependent upon a number of factors, but under optimum conditions, he can reach Sacramento. Commissioner Bethel felt a 50 foot antenna is sufficient to deal with emergency situations and anything higher presents visual, safety, and interference problems. Mr. Mitchell pointed out most communities have a requirement within their code that amateur radio operators maintain their own equipment. Planning Commission Minutes -5- February 12, 1997 Commissioner Tolstoy voiced his concern regarding safety issues. He requested information regarding the manufactures' guarantees in terms of wind velocity. Mr. Mitchell responded most manufacturers guarantee their towers to withstand winds up to 70 mile per hour. Commissioner Tolstoy noted that our winds blow harder than that. Charles Sputnagle, 5327 Carol Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, stated the American Radio Relay League commissioned a study addressing the issue of tower failures, reporting 100 percent of the debris from falling towers fall within a radius of 10 percent of the height of the antenna. Chairman Barker asked if current regulations address wind velocity. Mr. Sputnagle reported the tower is required by the Building and Safety Department to meet uniform building codes. Jay Kolich, 10628 Grandview, Rancho Cucamonga, reported he had just received a permit based on a 1994 Universal Building Code standard for an exposure "C" rating, which is a very strict code designed for fiat terrain in windy areas. He stated the exposure "B" rating is normally assigned to areas with single-family dwellings, but Rancho Cucamonga enacted the exposure "C" rating this year, requiring Mr. Kolich to purchase certain hardware to meet the 1994 code. Commissioner McNiel agreed with Commissioner Bethel regarding safety issues and aesthetics. He supported the recommendation by staff to proceed with the process of identifying appropriate standards. Commissioner Macias concurred. Mr. Mitchell pointed out that Federal Communication Regulation, PRB-1, partially preempts local judsdictien over amateur radio antennas, requiring the City to use the minimum regulation necessary to achieve its purposes and said he did not believe the City's ordinance is in compliance with the regulation. Commissioner Macias asked if Mr. Mitchell would be willing to survey his immediate neighborhood regarding this issue. Mr. Mitchell agreed to preform the survey. Chairman Tolstoy acknowledged the FCC do~s preempt local communities from banning antennas, but said the regulation also states that health, safety, and aesthetics are a consideration that local governments can exercise. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that staff continue working with the amateur radio group in collecting data for presentation so that a policy discussion can take place regarding a possible ordinance draft. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. Planning Commission Minutes -6- February 12, 1997 COMMISSION BUSINESS L. CENTRAL PARK TASK FORCE Commissioner Tolstoy will serve on the Central Park Task Force with Commissioners Bethel and McNiel acting as alternates. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Tolstoy, carried 5-0, to adjourn. 8:35 p.m. - The Planning Commission adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Brad Buller Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -7- February 12, 1997