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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-27 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 20-27 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2017-00194, APPROVING A REQUEST FOR THE OPERATION OF A PROPOSED 12,350 SQUARE FOOT CHURCH AND 18,033 SQUARE FOOT SOCIAL BUILDING ON A 3.28 ACRE (143,053 SQUARE FOOT) PROJECT SITE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF EAST AND WILSON AVENUES IN THE VERY LOW (VL) RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OF THE ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN; AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF - APN: 0225-123-05. A. Recitals 1. George Botros filed an application for the approval of Design Review DRC2017-00194, as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Conditional Use Permit request is referred to as "the application." 2. On the 22nd day of April 2020, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a noticed public hearing on the application and continued said hearing to May 20, 2020. 3. 1. On the 27th day of May 2020, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga conducted a noticed public hearing on the application and concluded said hearing on that date. 4. All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred. B. Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows: 1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct. 2. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above - referenced public hearing on May 27, 2020, including written and oral staff reports, together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows: a. The project site is comprised of a parcel totaling 3.28 acres of land located at the southwest corner of East and Wilson Avenues; and b. The existing General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations for the project site and adjacent properties are as follows: PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 20-27 DR DRC2017-00194 — GEOGE BOTROS May 27, 2020 Page 2 Land Use General Plan Zoning Site Vacant Land Very Low Very Low (VL) Residential District Etiwanda Specific Plan North Vacant Land Very Low Very Low (VL) Residential District Etiwanda Specific Plan South Single -Family Very Low Very Low (VL) Residential District Residences Etiwanda Specific Plan East Vacant Land Neighborhood Neighborhood Commercial (NC) District Commercial Etiwanda Specific Plan West Single -Family Very Low Very Low (VL) Residential District Residences Etiwanda Specific Plan C. The proposed project includes the construction of a 12,350 square foot church and 18,033 square foot social building. The two buildings will face each other and will be separated by a common courtyard. The east (rear) elevation of the church will face East Avenue; and d. The church will hold services on Sundays between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., followed by a social gathering/meal in the adjacent social hall. The applicant estimates that attendance for church services, based on their current church attendance in the city of Upland, will be approximately 150 persons along with 75 children, with increased attendance for religious holidays and other special events. The church operation will also include monthly family nights, youth meetings and senior citizen gatherings. Additionally, church members may use the church and social building for weddings, funerals and other related events. These special events currently occur no more than once monthly; and e. Access to the project will be from a single driveway from East Avenue with a separate emergency access gate at the terminus of Rolling Pasture Place.; and f. The proposed church provides 167 parking spaces, 28 parking spaces over the minimum requirement; and g. The project includes Design Review DRC2017-00193 for the operation of the church. 3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above - referenced meeting and upon the specific findings of facts set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, this Commission hereby finds and concludes as follows: a. The proposed use is allowed within the applicable zoning district and complies with all other applicable provisions of this zoning code, Municipal Code, General Plan, and any applicable specific plans or city regulations/standards. The subject property has a General Plan land use designation of Very Low and a zoning designation of Very Low (VL) Residential District. Churches are permitted in the Very Low (VL) Residential District subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit. Additionally, the project complies with the City's building height, setback, parking, landscape, and architectural standards. b. The site is physically suited for the type, density, and intensity of the proposed use including access, utilities, and the absence of physical constraints and can be conditioned to meet all related performance criteria and development standards. The project site is located in an area dominated by residential land uses. The project site will provide vehicle access from a public street PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 20-27 DR DRC2017-00194 — GEOGE BOTROS May 27, 2020 Page 3 and public utilities are located on or adjacent to the project site. The attached standard conditions include conditions of approval related to parking, noise and light glare to reduce potential impacts on the surrounding residential land uses. C. Granting the permit would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare, or materially injurious to persons, property, or improvements in the vicinity in which the project is located. Environmental studies were prepared by the applicant's consultants reviewing the projects potential impact on the environment related to air quality/greenhouse gasses, biological resources, noise, and traffic. The reports determined that the project would not have a negative impact on the surrounding land uses. 4. The Planning Department staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The project qualifies under a Class 32 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 - In -Fill Development Projects for the following reasons: (1) the project is consistent with the applicable General Plan designations and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with the applicable zoning designation and regulations, (2) the proposed development occurs within the City limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses, (3) the project site has no value as a habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species, (4) approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and (5) the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The General Plan land use designation is Very Low and the zoning designation is Very Low (VL) District, which permits the development and operation of a church subject to a conditional use permit. The project complies with the City's development standards and design guidelines, including setbacks, height, lot coverage, and design requirements. The project site is located within the City limits, is under five acres, and is surrounded by existing residential development and City infrastructure. The following are the five environmental factors that need to be analyzed to determine that the project qualifies for the Categorical Exemption: a) Traffic: A Trip Generation Memo (Birdseye Planning Group) was prepared for the project which determined that the number of trips generated by the project would not create a significant impact. The proposed church use will create an estimated 27 peak hour trips on weekdays and 86 peak hour trips on Sundays. The project's peak hour trips are on Sundays when there is generally minimal vehicle traffic. The proposed church will not negatively impact the operation of the nearest intersections. b) Noise: A Noise Impact Analysis (Birdseye Planning Group) was prepared for the project. The analysis determined that the project's construction phase could potentially create a significant or adverse impact. The analysis included three mitigations measures to reduce construction noise levels. With the implementation of these measures, the analysis determined that the project would have a less than significant impact. Conditions of approval to implement these mitigation measures have been added to Conditions of Approval for the project. c) Air Quality: Separate Air Quality and a Green House Gas Analysis (Birdseye Planning Group) were prepared for the project. The analysis determined that emissions associated with construction and operation of the project would be below South Coast Air Quality Maintenance District (SCAQMD) thresholds for both Air Quality and Green House Gases. PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 20-27 DR DRC2017-00194 — GEOGE BOTROS May 27, 2020 Page 4 d) Water Quality: A Water Quality Control exhibit (Plumb Engineering) was prepared for the project. It was also determined through the review of the project's preliminary water quality plan that the project would not result in a significant impact related to the water quality of the site or surrounding properties. e) Biological: A Biological Assessment Report (Advantage Environmental Consultants) was prepared for the project site. No critical habitat was recorded on the project site. No drainage features occur on the project site and no USFWS designated critical Habitat is located on the project site. Based on the onsite conditions, the project is not anticipated to result in any impact to federally or State -listed plants or animals listed as endangered or threatened or to any non -listed special -status species. No natural communities will be affected by the project and the project is not within a Habitat Conservation Plan area. The Biological Assessment Report does recommend burrowing owl surveys and a nesting bird survey prior to grading. The requirement to perform these surveys has been added to Conditions of Approval for the project. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Planning Department determination of exemption, and based on its own independent judgment, concurs in the staffs determination of exemption. 5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, this Commission hereby approves the application subject to each and every condition set forth below and in the attached standard conditions incorporated herein by this reference. 6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 27TH DAY OF MAY 2020. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA BY: z 27 To Guglielmo, Chairman ATTEST: dzenL A `&kttL Anne McIntosh, AICP, Secretary(L/�y I, Anne McIntosh, AICP, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 27th day of May 2020, by the following vote -to -wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: GUGLIELMO, OAXACA, DOPP, MORALES, WILLIAMS NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: