HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-12 - Minutes - PC-HPC Historic Preservation Commission and
Planning Commission Agenda
August 12, 2020
MINUTES
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
7:00 p.m.
A. Call to Order
The meeting of the Historic Presentation Commission and Planning Commission was held on August 12,
2020. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Guglielmo at 7:00pm.
Planning Commission present: Chairman Guglielmo, Vice Chair Oaxaca, Commissioner Dopp,
Commissioner Morales, and Commissioner Williams.
Staff Present: Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney; Anne McIntosh, Planning Director; Elizabeth
Thornhill, Executive Assistant; Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; Brian Sandona, Sr. Civil
Engineer; Dat Tran, Assistant Planner; David Eoff, Sr. Planner; Jason Welday, Engineering Director;
Matt Burris, Deputy City Manager; Jennifer Nakamura, Management Analyst Il; Michael Smith, Principal
Planner.
B. Public Communications
Chairman Guglielmo opened the public communications and hearing no comment, closed public
communications.
C. Consent Calendar
C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2020.
Motion by Commissioner Morales, second by Vice Chair Oaxaca. Motion carried 5-0 to adopt the
minutes as presented.
D. Public Hearings
D1. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT DRC2020-00124 and SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT DRC2020-00254 - CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Located North Of 4th Street,
South of The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, West of Milliken Avenue, and East of
Utica/Cleveland Avenues, Within the Empire Lakes Specific Plan.
The applications include a review of a proposed amendment to Development Agreement DRC2015-
00118 between the City of Rancho Cucamonga and SC Rancho Development Corp. and Empire Lakes
Holding Company, LLC, that was adopted on September 5, 2018, and a review of a proposed
amendment to the Empire Lakes Specific Plan to delete text within the Specific Plan document relating
to street infrastructure and private open space areas.
These applications apply to a property of about 160 acres located north of 4th Street, south of the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway, west of Milliken Avenue, and east of Utica/Cleveland
Avenues, within the Empire Lakes Specific Plan; APNs: 0209-272-20, 0210-102-07 through -10, 0210-
102-01 through -03, 0210-102-19 through -61, 0210-102-15 and -17, 0210-671-01 and -03 and-04,
0210-671-06 through -24, 0210-681-03 and -04 and -06 through -13, 0210-681-14 through -33, and
0210-102-11. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH No. 20150410083) and Mitigation
Monitoring Reporting Program (MMRP) was reviewed and certified by the City Council on May 18,
2016. Section 15162 of the California Environmental Quality Act provides that no further environmental
review is required for a previously certified EIR or for subsequent projects within the scope of a prior
EIR. The Development Agreement including subsequent amendments is a contract governing
timelines, terms, and conditions regarding development of Empire Lakes/The Resort and does not raise
or create new environmental impacts that were not previously contemplated in the EIR. This item will
be forwarded to the City Council for final action.
Mike Smith, Principal Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and oral presentation (copy
on file).
Mike Smith noted Exhibit B- Framework Plan. This will be incorporated as Exhibit B in the Development
Agreement Amendment.
Vice Chair Oaxaca asked question regarding Amendment 1. What is the thinking/reasoning behind this
particular amendment.
Mike Smith answered because some of the changes going on associated with the street network, there were
triggers where we have to start construction of the Joint Use Public Facility (JUPF) due to timing. One of
those triggers was that 22,500 sq. feet of non-residential building construction had to occur south of 61h street,
but due to the nature of how they were developing their property and the change happening to the north,
there was concern they would actually hit that trigger but not be able to build the direct public use facility
because the improvements that would go in on the north side would make it sensible, did not exist.
There was also a trigger for the number of dwellings that had to be constructed as a condition for the
development of the JUPF. We adjusted it, so instead of it relying all of the improvements to occur south of
6th street, it was expanded to occur anywhere within the project in line with keeping up with the idea that the
north half of the project site was being changed with amendments. The bottom line was about being more
flexible.
Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney, mentioned this amendment does not preclude the City from building
the JUPF as soon as possible once it receives the money from the developer as part of the development
agreement. For a number of reasons that Mike explained, including some financial reasons, this provides
more flexibility in terms of timing for the City to get all the money together to build the JUPF.
Chairman Guglielmo opened public hearing.
Tim McGinnis, Applicant, Lewis Company, asked that the Planning Commission recommend approval of
the proposed amendments to the City Council.
No public comments. Chairman Guglielmo closed public hearing.
Commissioner Dopp stated he does not see any problems with the agreement.
Commissioner Morales mentioned the development agreements need to be reviewed periodically, so it's
good we are doing this.
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Commission Williams concurred with what has been said.
Vice Chair Oaxaca stated this is what we should be doing as part of the Development Agreement. Has no
issues.
Chairman Guglielmo stated he is in agreement with his fellow Commissioners.
Motion by Vice Chair Oaxaca, second by Commissioner Williams to approve Item D1 and adopt Resolutions
20-40 and 20-41. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0 vote.
D2. DESIGN REVIEW MODIFICATION DRC2020-00192 (LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF
RESORT PARKWAY, NORTH OF 4TH STREET)-THE NEW HOME COMPANY-A request to modify
an approved 135-unit multi-family development made up entirely of two-bedroom units by adding a third
bedroom/flex office for a project site on 5.18 acres of land within Planning Area S-20 in the Village
Neighborhood (VN) District of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan, Planning Area 1, located on the east
side of Resort Parkway, north of 4th Street; APN:0210-102-06. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map
SUBTT20241 and Design Review DRC2018-00784. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), the City certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH No. 2015041083) on May
18, 2016, in connection with the City's approval of General Plan Amendment DRC2015-00114, Specific
Plan Amendment DRC2015-00040, and Development Code Amendment DRC2015-00115. Pursuant
to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, no subsequent or supplemental EIR is required in connection with
subsequent discretionary approvals of the same project. (CONTINUED FROM JULY 22, 2020,
HPC/PC MEETING.)
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director, explained this was on your last agenda to alter the floorplans on some
units currently at the resort. The home builder asked if they could appeal to the commission to make a
modification and the commission did direct they would be willing to see what they proposed and asked to
work with staff and come back with a revised modification. They came back with a revision and upon
staffs review felt a need for a conversation with them to make modifications of what the City was looking
for.
We wrote the Staff Report last week to ask you to continue this to a date uncertain. However, since that
time, we heard from Holly Slevcove, New Home Representative, who has requested to continue to the
next PC meeting. We have a scheduled meeting with them next week to discuss alternatives. One of the
reasons we need to have more time is that if we are moving ahead with a compromised solution, we need
time to evaluate whether or not we need to do additional environmental reviews before you might approve
something. As you recall staff's recommendation at the last meeting was to deny the request and when
you deny a request you don't need to do additional review. It's just one of the things we need to consider
depending on what we conclude. We are hoping to come back with something the City can accept. She
is revising the staff recommendation to continue this item to the next HPC/PC meeting of August 26t",
2020.
Chairman Guglielmo re-opened the public hearing.
Holly Slevcove, New Home Representative provided a brief update of the revised plans they submitted.
Motion by Commissioner Dopp, second by Commissioner Morales, leaving the public hearing open to
continue Item D2 to August 26' HPC/PC Meeting. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0 vote.
D3. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2018-00533,
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT DRC2018-00534, DESIGN REVIEW DRC2018-00535, CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT DRC2018-00536, VARIANCE, DRC2020-00232 TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2019-
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes—August 12, 2020
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00218 (LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET EAST OF ARCHIBALD AVENUE ON THE NORTH
SIDE OF ARROW ROUTE)—ALAN SMITH FOR ARBOR EXPRESS CAR WASH -A request for site
plan and architectural review of a 5,865 square foot carwash and 1,428 square foot car detailing center,
a Conditional Use Permit to operate a carwash, General Plan and zoning map amendments to change
the land use and zoning designations on a portion of the project site to General Commercial (GC)
District, a Variance to reduce setback and landscape requirements and a Tree Removal Permit for a
1.36-acre project site in the General Commercial (GC) District and Low Medium (LM) Residential
District, located approximately 200 feet east of Archibald Avenue on the north side of Arrow Route -
APN: 0209-291-03 and -06. A Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts has been
prepared for consideration.
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director, explained this item had been noticed for this meeting and after it
had been done, we met with the applicant and they indicated an interest in amending a portion of the
application regarding some of the parcels and the general plan amendment. There were some
concerns about a request to change the general plan designation for some of the parcels and they
proposed a new proposal for moving forward and we are going to consider that, so they are in the
process of making a revised application. At this point, we are requesting to continue it to a date
uncertain. We will re-notice it and bring it back after it has been revised.
Chairman Guglielmo opened public hearing,
Motion by Commissioner Morales, second by Commissioner Williams, leaving the public hearing open to
continue Item D3 to a date uncertain in the future. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0 vote.
E. General Business
E1. Update on Etiwanda Heights Annexation
Mike Smith, Principal Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and oral presentation (copy
on file).
Vice Chair Oaxaca asked if there have been any opposition or protests filed with LAFCO.
Mike Smith answered yes. They did receive letters prior to the public hearing in July. The Executive
Officer at LAFCO had pointed out to the representative opposing the annexation, if they wanted to
protest, they will need to send in within a certain time period. It appears to be the case and that is why
we are having the protest proceedings here.
Commissioner Williams requested if the notice can be sent to the Commissioners so they can tune in
virtually to the protest hearing.
Mike Smith replied yes, he will forward the meeting link along with any documents.
Commissioner Morales commented that he attended some of those meetings as a resident and found
it to be very informative.
E2. Discussion —General Plan Update: Draft Vision and Core Values
Matt Burris, Deputy City Manager, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and oral presentation
(copy on file).
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes—August 12, 2020
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Commissioner Morales mentioned he attended a lot of the sessions and noticed people spoke openly
with good comments. Great job on the outreach. It was very constructive. It's things like that which
makes our city great.
Commissioner Williams expressed the excitement of how it is moving along. She is amazed of the
input they are receiving and how people are coming together and telling us what they really like and
want from the City. Found it interesting talking about the holistic approach. It's what makes Rancho
Cucamonga a special place.
Vice Chair Oaxaca mentioned a few things he noticed on the Staff Report. One of the items was the
importance looking at the input from different parts of the city and taking into account that different parts
of the city have different issues. In the interest of equity, you probably need different solutions too and
glad to see that surfacing. Also, the differences as far as access to physical resources like parks, trails,
and open space, those fall into categories of health and equity. Glad to see getting that kind of input
and hoping to see that input influence where our General Plan goes.
Commissioner Dopp mentioned he attended as many sessions as possible. The first group turnout
was less than he would hope. Great to see response from second group. He agrees with Vice Chair
Oaxaca on health and equity and it's important to understand and he hopes the public understands that
is part of the Commissioner's job, wanting to see equity for everybody and that opportunity. What most
people really want, not just the City but most people in general, they want to provide the opportunity for
people to thrive. Stewardship was a great word. Our city needs to be strong economically providing
strong back bone what people rely on and our natural resources, and insuring we are doing our part to
make health and equity work.
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director, stated the thing she likes about stewardship is it makes each of us
stewards. It's a real humbling role to be the stewards of our community.
Commissioner Morales agrees and believes we should build on our vision through those three lenses.
Chairman Guglielmo stated he likes the direction staff is going. Concurs with Commissioners and likes
terminology equity and stewardship. It's important to a thriving community in the long run looking at a
10-year vision.
Anne McIntosh acknowledged and thanked Jennifer Nakamura, Management Analyst, who has put so
much work into this. She is part of the Core Team of the General Plan Update and part of the outreach
and putting together documents and coordinating.
F. Director Announcements
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director, discussed with Commissioners and agreed upon the following meeting
dates - one combined date in November and a revised second meeting in December:
• Wednesday, November 18' @ 6:OOpm (Reschedule due to Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving
holiday).
• Monday, December 21 @ 7:OOpm — Special meeting for reviewing a General Plan item. (Regular
meeting on December 9`" will still be held.)
G. Commission Announcements - None
H. Workshop— None
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes—August 12, 2020
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I. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Vice Chair Oaxaca, to adjourn the meeting; motion
carried unanimously, 5-0 vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm.
Respectfully submitted,
aj
IF-fith Thornhill
Executive Assistant, Planning Department
Approved: August 26, 2020— Regular Meeting
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