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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/09/25 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting September 25, 1996 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: Jim Curatalo, City Council Member; Shintu Bose, Deputy City Engineer; Miki Bratt, Associate Planner; Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Ralph Hanson, Deputy City Attorney; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Gall Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Bethel, seconded by Macias, carried 3-0-1-1 (McNiel absent, Tolstoy abstain), to approve the minutes of September 11, 1996. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) FOR INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A public hearing on a draft Final EIR for a request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the 1-15 Freeway - APN: 229-263-18 through 21,229-263-48 through 53, and 229-341-13. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the I-15 Freeway - APN: 229-263-18 through 21,229-263-48 through 53, and 229-341-13. Miki Bratt, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and a revised Exhibit "H," expanding upon the findings supporting the Statement of Overriding Considerations. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing. ' Jim Axtell, Mission Land Company, 3281 East Guasti Road, Ontario, stated he was available to answer questions. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Barker closed the hearing. Commissioner Bethel stated that it appears that development could be completely stopped in 90 percent of Riverside County and most of San Bernardino County when looking at a map showing the possible area where the Delhi-Sands Flower Loving Fly could live. He reported that a lawsuit against the Fish and Wildlife Service was filed by San Bernardino County and several cities and is presently in process in the Ninth Circuit Court. He said the lawsuit maintains that the intent of the Endangered Species Act has been surpassed so that it now covers rodents and disease carrying insects. He observed that the staff report and the EIR points out that the area has been disced annually and would not be likely habitat. He objected to an interpretation of the Endangered Species Act that will inhibit development for the protection of an insect. Commissioner Tolstoy observed that the Agajanian Study suggested that Fourth Street should be available for retail trade and said that he also felt that warehouse style retail merchandising is a good transitional use between the industrial park to the Mills Project. He thought the issue of the fly will be addressed. He felt that the traffic and air quality impacts which cannot be mitigated are overshadowed by the benefits to the City of strengthening the economic base and the additional employment opportunities. He thought the EIR was well prepared. Commissioner Macias feared that Fish and Wildlife may be overstepping its boundaries and may unnecessarily delay the project. He wanted to be able to advise City Council that the fly issue has been addressed. Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, stated the consultants determined that the land has no value as habitat to this insect but agreed to meet Fish and Wildlife Service personnel on the site to discuss why the Service feels there is a possibility. He reported the consultant indicated there is only one small area of approximately 7,200 square feet in the northeast section which could remotely be available for this type of insect to inhabit. He thought it may be possible to mitigate the issue by surveying that small area next year. He indicated the meeting has not yet taken place but it is hoped such a meeting will take place prior to the City Council hearing. He did not think Fish and Wildlife personnel have even looked at the site, but merely sent their comments out as a shotgun approach. He said the consultant is fairly confident the issue will be resolved by a site visit with Fish and Wildlife. Commissioner Macias asked if the City Council could certify the EIR with the issue still pending. Ms. Bratt believed mitigation measures would have to be determined. She said the City would prefer that the mitigations be acceptable to Fish and Wildlife. She indicated the mitigation measures would have to occur at some point in the project, such as perhaps calling for a survey on the northeast corner of the project site before grading. Commissioner Macias asked if the purpose of the spring survey is to determine if flies are present or to determine that the habitat is suitable to accommodate the flies. Ms. Bratt responded the survey is to determine if specimens are present. Commissioner Macias asked that staff be sure that an independent professional biologist is present to substantiate any findings. Planning Commission Minutes -2- September 25, 1996 Chairman Barker asked if it was possible for private landowners to deny access to the property to Fish and Wildlife. Michael Houlihan, Michael Brandman Associates, 17310 Red Hill Avenue, Irvine, stated that Fish and Wildlife Service provided information that there is potential habitat on the site but his company had provided information that there is not potential habitat. He stated that because there was a conflict, it was felt it would be best to invite Fish and Wildlife personnel to the site to show that there is no habitat present with the possible exception of the small focused area previously mentioned. He felt that denying access to Fish and Wildlife would not be due diligence in trying to respond to comments. Mr. Buller stated it would not be the desire of the City to delay forwarding the project to City Council if the meeting does not occur shortly. He said staff would look at options to move the project to City Council. Motion: Moved by Bethel, seconded by Tolstoy, to recommend certification of the EIR and to adopt the resolution recommending approval of Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment 95-05. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BARKER, BETHEL, MACIAS, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL - carried Chairman Barker commented that this was the first in a number of actions which must be taken in a timely manner to take advantages of the changes in the status quo. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. COMMISSION BUSINESS C. COMMERCIAL LAND USE STUDY DISCUSSION Brad Buller, City Planner, observed that Commissioner McNiel had suggested a field trip to visit the Foothill Boulevard corridor. He reported that an incomplete application has been submitted for the Rancon property which is located between Applebee's and the Backwaters building. He also revealed that plans have been submitted and are in plan check for a restaurant and food distribution user for the Backwaters building. He remarked that a developer has indicated plans to submit an application for a service station on the east side of the I-15 freeway. He mentioned that Wohl has not yet submitted their master plan. Commissioner Bethel thought Commissioner McNiel had suggested a meeting to "walk through the plan" in addition to physically visiting the corridor. He suggested a Saturday meeting be scheduled so that the matter could be brought to closure. Chairman Barker recommended that the Commissioners advise staff of several available dates so that staff could select a date available for all. Mr. Buller asked that the Commissioners call the office on Thursday to advise what dates they are available. Planning Commission Minutes -3- September 25, 1996 Chairman Barker asked that a meeting be set and noticed so that the public would be aware. He suggested that the meeting include a study session of the plan followed by a visitation with perhaps a return to City Hall to wrap it up. Commissioner Bethel suggested that the consultant attend at least part of the session if it would not mean an added cost to the City. Mr. Buller indicated staff would check into that. Chairman Barker agreed it is important to move forward so that a recommendation can be made to the City Council. Commissioner Bethel asked who in the City would handle economic development and business retention programs. Mr. Buller replied that a City Council subcommittee works closely with staff, primarily the Redevelopment Agency staff. Commissioner Bethel asked who the point person would be. Mr. Buller responded that Linda Daniels is the Redevelopment Agency Manager. He indicated that either he or Community Development Director Rick Gomez would also be able to answer most questions related to economic development. Mr. Bethel asked if there is a written business plan for business retention and economic development. Mr. Buller replied there are several programs in process for business retention. He indicated that the Fantus report would be made available to Commissioners Bethel and Macias. Chairman Barker suggested an overview presentation regarding the City's economic program be scheduled for a future Commission meeting as it would aid the Commissioners in being ambassadors to attracting businesses into the City. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, carried 4o0-1 (McNiel absent), to adjourn. 7:37 p.m. o The Planning Commission adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Brad Bullet Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -4- September 25, 1996