HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-27 - Minutes - PC-HPCDric Preservation Commission
Planning Commission Agenda
October 27, 2021
MINUTES
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
7:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Historic Presentation Commission and Planning Commission was held on
October 27, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Chair Oaxaca at 7:00 p.m.
A. Roll Call
Planning Commission present: Chair Oaxaca, Vice Chair Dopp, Commissioner Guglielmo,
Commissioner Morales and Commissioner Williams.
Staff Present: Nicholas Ghirelli, City Attorney, Sean McPherson, Acting Planning Director; Mike
Smith, Principal Planner; Jason Welday, Engineering Director, Justine Garcia, Deputy Director;
David F. Eoff IV, Senior Planner; Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; Elizabeth Thornhill,
Executive Assistant.
B. Public Communications
Chair Oaxaca opened the public communications and hearing no comment, closed public
communications.
C. Consent Calendar
C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2021.
Motion by Commissioner Guglielmo, second by Commissioner Williams to approve Consent
Calendar. Motion carried unanimously 5-0 vote.
D. Public Hearings
D1. LOCATED ON SOUTH SIDE OF BANYAN STREET WEST OF LAUREL BLOSSOM
PLACE -- MANNING HOMES — A request to subdivide 5.18 acres of land into 9 lots
including the Design Review of 9 single-family residences, and a Minor Exception for
increased wall heights within the Very Low (VL) Residential District (.1 - 2 Dwelling Units
per Acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan and the Equestrian Overlay District — APN: 0225-
171-04. A Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts was prepared for
consideration. Tentative Tract Map, Design Review and Minor Exception. (SUBTT20337,
DRC2021-00018 and DRC2021-00019).
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and
presentation (copy on file).
Commissioner Dopp mentioned there has been some conversations about the 20,000 sq. ft. lots. He asked
was there any conversation with the developers about that requirement and were they willing to budge on
the number of houses or other maneuverability within the lot to meet that requirement.
Tabe van der Zwaag answered it was once sub -divided for 6 lots and once it went to optional development
standards because they wanted that double loaded street, it was not possible to get lots up to 20,000 and
getting the extra units.
Commissioner Morales mentioned he read in the comments received that there are two people in support of
the project. He asked was it from the town meeting with the neighbors.
Tabe van der Zwaag answered yes.
Chair Oaxaca opened public hearing.
Jim Manning, Applicant, reinforced all that staff said and responded to comments made by Alta Loma
Riding Club providing information on the specific plan and development code.
Commissioner Guglielmo stated the park is a nice feature. He asked how it will be maintained.
Jim Manning answered it will be maintained by the HOA.
Commissioner Morales asked if there will be a bench/ seating area at the park.
Jim Manning answered yes. He also added they will be complying with art requirements and are open
to any requests they might have.
Commissioner Morales asked where the bench will be located in the park.
Jim Manning responded he could not say but assured him there will be one or two benches.
Lawrence Henderson, ALRC, expressed his objection to the project and asks that the developer go
back to the drawing board to meet all requirements of the Overlay, General Plan and Etiwanda Specific
Plan.
For the record, it is noted the following correspondences were received after the preparation of the
agenda packet and the following general concerns are noted. The actual correspondence should be
referred to for more details:
• Alta Loma Riding Club expressed their objection to the project.
• Albert Cheatham and Richard Lee are in support of the development as designed.
Jim Manning stated he and Larry have worked on a few projects and hope they can work this out. He
expressed they are not taking away existing trail lifestyle.
Commissioner Guglielmo asked regarding the Equestrian, are there plans with concerns of horses
being on a neighbor's property. Can something be put in the CC&R to prevent it from happening.
Tabe van der Zwaag responded the minimum of 20,000 sq. ft. lot is required to keep horses. He said
none of these lots meet that requirement, so they will not be able to keep horses.
Nicholas Ghirelli, City Attorney, mentioned the mandatory requirement in the overlay is to make sure
the trail is built to connect the existing trails.
HPC/PC MINUTES — October 27, 2021
Page 2 of 5
FINAL
Commissioner Morales mentioned Mr. Henderson brought up the point of 70 ft. set -back, if one of the
neighbors, in the future, wanted to use it for equestrian purposes. He asked staff to address if that
would be a problem or what that means.
Tabe van der Zwaag responded there is a requirement that all of the equestrian facilities be 70 ft. from
the adjacent residences. Behind this lot is still a 15 ft. trail and then neighboring yard. He does not
believe it will impact the majority of them. The lots to the east were developed previous to the city
having the 200 ft. lot depth. So, they have 150 ft. lot depths, but they have wider lots. We will have to
see exactly how they will plot it.
Commissioner Morales stated looking at the one of the satellite pictures from the project site, it looks
like all the properties around there are already developed with pools and they probably will not do that.
Chair Oaxaca closed the public hearing.
Vice Chair Dopp stated it goes back to something we heard Mr. Manning say. We are faced with two
options; on the one hand, if we were to cede to Alta Loma Riding Club's request, we would end with
what Mr. Manning is talking about, a street with one side houses and the other side butting a wall.
Thinking about it, moving forward, what is the best way to create a great neighborhood, as worded in
the General Plan "people friendly". He's not sure that at the end of the day a development that would
have to create a situation that is equestrian friendly, would be friendly and conducive to the
neighborhood at large. When he looks at this project, it probably is not perfect in terms of our desires
in trying to enhance the roll character of the neighborhood. He admits the lot sizes are probably less
than desirable from what we have seen in the past. He does appreciate couple of things in the plan
such as open space. He knows there is a concern it would be underdeveloped. You see that
neighborhoods can create those spaces for positive opportunities. The trail is connected at the northern
part of the community. For those reasons, he can appreciate our riding club, equestrian character,
especially in the Etiwanda neighborhood. He is not exactly sure that 9 homes are going to destroy that
character. If you look at the site map provided in the staff packet, a quick glance sees that Mr. Manning
is somewhat on cue here. Most of these homes have pools in the backyard. They really do not have
equestrian shelters in back. He believes it will be a conversation to continue to have moving forward
on whatever plots are left on how to synergize harmonious relationship between equestrian and
developments moving forward. Generally speaking, he knows it will not be happy for everybody but
it's acceptable. Manning has done a good job of finding a creative solution on what is a difficult plot of
land in terms of its vertical and horizonal orientation.
Commissioner Morales expressed he likes the park down at the south end of site. He believes kids will
be attracted to playing in this park. Good use of site. Also, using the optional development standard
for this project is a lot more attractive for the neighborhood, and it fits in better with the surrounding
neighborhood and streets. He is in support of the project.
Commissioner Williams expressed she likes it. They did a very good job. As said previously, it's sort
of difficult piece. The homes will be very attractive and a real enhancement to the general
neighborhood. The equestrian is important, but not everybody wants horses or can afford them. These
homes are lovely, and she is in support of it.
Commissioner Guglielmo stated he has thought long and hard about this site and read Alta Loma Riding
Club's concerns. This is one of those very unique situations given the basic development standards.
There is a reason they gave an optional standard. This is an infill site in the neighborhood that is based
HPC/PC MINUTES — October 27, 2021
Page 3 of 5
FINAL
on the dimensions and layout. The optional standard design is superior to the basic development
standards. He does like the cul-de-sac coming down the center. The developer has done a good job
dedicating 25% of site to open space. The park will be a huge asset to the neighborhood. They will
see to maintain it to good standards if there is an Association. He is glad it's not part of the LMD, where
the city used to maintain it, it's not a burden on the city. As a compromise, if a person wants to have
horses, there are plenty of other options in the city. This is a perfect example of an optional
development to continue improving the city overall. In terms of the single story, he agrees that is a very
desirable layout these days. They have done three out of nine, think that is adequate, and it obviously
met the code that is required for the City. He expressed he is in support and excited to see the project
move forward.
Chair Oaxaca stated this is a project where the existence of an optional approach, it's in the standards,
is the crucial point to him. Based on this particular parcel, it's the best approach for a situation like this.
It's an asset and it will be something worthwhile for him.
Motion by Commissioner Guglielmo, second by Vice Chair Dopp to adopt the proposed Resolutions
21-66 - Tentative Tract Map SUBTT20337; 21-67 - Design Review DRC2021-00018; 21-68 - Minor
Exception DRC2021-00019. In addition, amend the Conditions of Approval Line 16, to read "All
parkways, open areas, landscaping and park equipment s h a I I be permanently maintained by
the property owner, homeowners' association, or other means acceptable to the City'. Motion
carried unanimously, 5-0 vote.
E. Director Announcements
Sean McPherson, Acting Planning Director, mentioned the following updates:
• The comment period for the Draft EIR for the General Plan has concluded. Received 6 comments.
Now the consultant forthe General Plan will respond to those comments and continue on in preparing
the final EIR.
• Make sure to mark your calendars for the second meeting in November, which is scheduled for
Monday. November 22 (a) 6:00 p.m.
• October 1811 the City Council held interviews and appointed two individuals to the Planning
Commission, plus re -appointing Commissioner Morales. The two new Commissioners are Al Boling,
who previously served as City Manager for City of Ontario and James Daniels who is a long-time
planning professional for City of Norco. They both bring eagerness and a wealth of knowledge.
F. Commission Announcements - None
G. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Dopp to adjourn the meeting, motion carried
unanimously, 5-0 vote. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Res ectfully su mitted,
L -A
li th nornhill
Executive Assistant, Planning Department
Approved: HPC/PC Regular Meeting November 10, 2021
HPC/PC MINUTES — October 27, 2021
Page 4 of 4
FINAL