HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 22-17RESOLUTION NO. 22-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA,
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT DRC2020-00164, A REQUEST TO AMEND
CHAPTER 7 OF THE EMPIRE LAKES SPECIFIC PLAN
CONSISTING OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE CIRCULATION
NETWORK FOR PLANNING AREA 1B, INCLUSION OF NEW
STREET TYPES FOR PLANNING AREA 1B, RELOCATION OF
LAND USES WITHIN PLANNING AREA 1B, THE REFORMATING
OF SECTION 7 INTO 2 SEPARATE CHAPTERS REGULATING
PLANNING AREA 1A AND PLANNING AREA 1B
RESPECTIVELY, AND MISCELLANEOUS TEXT EDITS FOR THE
DELETION OF INAPPLICABLE REFERENCES, DELETION OF
INAPPLICABLE EXHIBITS, AND INCLUSION OF NEW EXHIBITS
REFLECTIVE OF THE AMENDMENTS LISTED ABOVE; AND
MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF —APNS: 0209-272-
20; AND ALL APNS INCLUDED IN PARCEL MAP PM14647,
TRACT MAP TR20240,
A. Recitals.
1. SC Rancho Development Corp., an entity of Lewis Operating Corp., filed an
application for Specific Plan Amendment DRC2020-00164 as described in the title of this
Resolution.
2. On May 25, 2022, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public
hearing on the application and concluded said hearing on that date.
3. 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. The 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 25, 2022, including written and oral staff reports,
together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to the property that is currently regulated by the
Empire Lakes Specific, further identified as Planning Area 1 and further noted as Planning
Area 1A and Planning Area 1B in Section 7 of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan, which allows
for an infill mixed -use development on the former 160-acre golf course.
b. The Specific Plan, as it was originally approved in 1994, consists of eleven
(11) "Planning Areas" which are identified with Roman numerals, i.e. Planning Area IA/IB
through X. The golf course is within "Planning Area IA", "Planning Area IB", and (partly)
"Planning Area III" of the Specific Plan.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 22-17
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2020-00164 - SC RANCHO DEVELOPMENT CORP.
(LEWIS OPERATING CORP.)
May 25, 2022
Page 2
C. The overall area of the Specific Plan is 347 acres. The Specific Plan is
bound by 416 Street to the south, Milliken Avenue to the east, Cleveland Avenue and Utica
Avenue to the west, and 81^ Street and the BNSF/Metrolink rail line to the north. The golf
course is generally located at the center, and covers about 46%, of the Specific Plan. Both
the Specific Plan and the golf course are bisected into north and south halves by 61 Street.
d. In 2015, the current applicant purchased the golf course property and
submitted an application DRC2015-00040 for a Specific Plan amendment to consolidate
Planning Area IA, Planning Area IB, a portion of Planning Area III, and a portion of Planning
Area VI, all of which encompassed the golf course area, into Planning Area 1 (PA1) and create
Section 7 in the Empire Lakes Specific Plan to allow the future development of an infill mixed
use transit -oriented development in proximity to the Metrolink Station on the golf course
property.
e. In May of 2016, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 888 and
Resolution No. 16-057, approving DRC2015-00040 for an Amendment to the Empire Lakes
Specific Plan and certifying and adopting a Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH No.
20150410083) associated with the amendment to the Empire Lakes Specific Plan,
establishing Section 7 of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan, which provides regulative authority
for the redevelopment of the golf course property into a mixed -use transit -oriented high density
development.
f. Development of the subject property is governed by the Empire Lake
Specific Plan — Section 7, the City's Development Code, and the City's General Plan.
g. The applicant has applied for a Specific Plan Amendment DRC2020-
00164, requesting an amendment to Section 7 of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan to allow
modifications to the circulation network, inclusion of the modified street types, shifting location
of current land uses/placetypes to accommodate the new circulation network, the separation
of the Section 7 into 2 chapters regulating Planning Area 1A and Planning Area 113,
respectively, and miscellaneous text and graphic edits involving revision and/or removal of
text, graphics, and other exhibits that are no longer applicable with the proposed amendments
h. The existing Land Use, General Plan and Zoning Designations for the
project site and adjacent properties are as follows:
Land Use
General Plan
Zoning
Site
Vacant
City Center
Resort Specific Plan
North
Industrial/Manufacturing
Neo-Industrial
Neo-Industrial
South
Multifamily Residential,
Urban Neighborhood
Resort Specific Plan
Single -Family Residential
East
Multifamily Residential,
City Center
Center 2
Metrolink Station
West
Office, Industrial
21't Century Employment
Mixed Employment 2
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 22-17
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2020-00164 - SC RANCHO DEVELOPMENT CORP.
(LEWIS OPERATING CORP.)
May 25, 2022
Page 3
3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the
above -referenced public hearing 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 Specific Plan Amendment is consistent with the General Plan goals,
policies, and implementation programs. The Empire Lakes Specific Plan is within the
City Center land use designation of the General Plan. The City Center designation is
intended to provide for intense concentrations of retail and civic activity, multifamily
housing, and employment in a pedestrian -oriented, transit -ready environment. The
Empire Lakes Specific Plan was amended in 2016 to create Planning Area 1 for the
development of a high density walkable mixed -use transit -oriented community. The
Specific Plan provides standards and guidelines that regulate various placetypes,
offering a variety of housing options at densities that range from 17 units per acre up
to 80 units per acre. The proposed amendment includes changes to the circulation
network that will improve access into and throughout the subject area using well -
deigned streetscapes that provide safe and comfortable environments for bicyclist and
pedestrians. The current specific plan coupled with the proposed amendments
demonstrates consistency with General Plan policy LC-4.2, which strives to ensure
that all new neighborhoods and infill development within or adjacent to existing
neighborhoods are complete and well -structured such that the physical layout and land
use mix promote walking, biking, and transit uses; LC-4.3, which requires each new
increment of residential development to make all possible street and pedestrian
connections to adjoining developments; and LC-4.4, requiring a density ranges and
housing types that promote range of housing and price levels within each
neighborhood. The current Empire Lakes Specific Plan, through Section 7, is
consistent with these General Plan policies. The proposed amendment will not alter
the intent or purpose of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan, nor will it change the densities,
placetypes, or development program. The amendment will create a stronger
consistency to the General Plan with the modified street network and continued use of
design standards and guidelines.
b. The land use and development regulations of the Empire Lakes Specific Plan are
comparable to similar zoning regulations within the Development Code. Section 7 of
The Empire Lakes Specific Plan provides development opportunities through 6
placetypes that offer mixed -development, residential development in a range of
densities and intensities, and a variety of non-residential uses distributed throughout
the specific plan area. The placetypes function in the same manner as zones, offering
a purpose and intent and development standards to meet the purpose and intent. The
General Plan land use designation for the subject site is City Center. Absent the
specific plan, the current zoning for the site would likely be Center 2 based on adjacent
zoning under the same land use designation. Center 2 encourages mixed -use urban
development and infill development that promotes walkability, pedestrian -friendly
commercial and residential areas, and adequate scale and intensity of buildings in
context of its surroundings. Based on this information the similarities are comparable
between the Empire Lakes Specific Plan and the Center 2 zone. The proposed specific
plan amendment will not alter the placetypes or modify the purpose and intent of
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 22-17
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2020-00164 - SC RANCHO DEVELOPMENT CORP.
(LEWIS OPERATING CORP.)
May 25, 2022
Page 4
Section 7 of the specific plan.
c. The administration and permit processes within the Empire Lakes Specific Plan are
consistent with the administration and permit processes of the zoning code. All
development within the specific plan is required to complete design review process in
the same manner as described in the Development Code. All projects must
demonstrate compliance with the regulations and standards outlined in the specific
plan, all project must demonstrate compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act, and all projects must receive approval from the appropriate review
authority identified in the development code. The Specific Plan includes various
references back to the Development code for procedural requirements and
administration processes. The proposed specific plan amendment will not alter these
procedures or introduce new administration and permit processes.
4. California Environmental Quality Act
a. 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 associated with the approval and establishment of Section 7 of the
Empire Lakes Specific Plan.
b. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, no subsequent or supplemental EIR is
required in connection with subsequent discretionary approvals of the same
project. To demonstrate that no subsequent EIR or environmental review is required,
an Environmental Compliance Memorandum dated May 17, 2022 was prepared by T
& B Planning. Staff evaluated this memorandum and concluded that the project is
within the scope of the approved overall project and the analysis included in the Final
EIR identified above, and therefore no additional environmental review is required in
connection with the City's consideration of Specific Plan Amendment DRC2020-
00164.
c. The proposed Specific Plan Amendment does not propose substantial changes which
will require major revisions to the Empire Lakes Specific Plan Amendment Final EIR
due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial
increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects. No new information
of substantial importance was found that would create new significant effects, increase
the severity of previously examined effects, determine that mitigation measures or
alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible, or introduce
mitigation measures or alternatives that are considerably different from those analyzed
in the Empire Lakes Specific Plan Amendment Final EIR.
d. In accordance with CEQA Section 21166, and Sections 15162 and 15168 of the State
CEQA Guidelines, and based on the information provided above, Staff has concluded
that the proposed Specific Plan Amendment, which would modify the circulation and
development pattern for PAIB but will not result in an increase to the amount or type
of development allowed within the specific plan, will not result in environmental effects
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 22-17
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2020-00164 - SC RANCHO DEVELOPMENT CORP.
(LEWIS OPERATING CORP.)
May 25, 2022
Page 5
that were not previously analyzed under the certified EIR for the Empire Lakes Specific
Plan Amendment.
e. The Planning Commission has independently reviewed City staffs determination, and
based upon the whole record before it, and its independent review and judgement,
finds that the Specific Plan amendment is not subject to further environmental review.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, the
Planning Commission hereby approves DRC2020-00164, a request to amend Section 7 of
the Empire Lakes Specific Plan.
6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 251" DAY OF MAY 2022.
PLANNING COMMISSION OFF THE OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
BY:
Bryan Dopp, Chairman
ATTEST:
Burris, AICP, LEED AP, Secretary
I, Matthew R. Burris, AICP, LEED AP, 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 25T" day of May 2022, by the following vote -to -
wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: DOPP, WILLIAMS, MORALES, BOLING, DANIELS
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:
Conditions of Approval
RANCHO
CUCAMONGA
Project #: DRC2020-00164
Community Development Department
Project Name: EDR - EMPIRE LAKES PROJECT /// SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT
Location:
Project Type: Specific Plan Amendment
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOUR PROJECT.
Planning Department
Please be advised of the following Special Conditions
1. All conditions of approval associated with the approval of General Plan Amendment DRC2015-00114,
Specific Plan Amendment DRC2015-00040, Development Code Amendment DRC2015-00115, and
Tentative Tract Map SUBTT20073, including all environmental requirements and Mitigation Monitoring
and Reporting requirements associated with the Final certified EIR (SCH No. 2015041083), allowing
the 2016 amendment to the Empire Lakes Specific Plan shall remain in effect and complied with where
applicable as part of the approval of Specific Plan Amendment DRC2020-000164.
2. All final technical, graphical, and text edits to the specific plan document for Section 8 and Section 9
shall be completed prior to scheduling the application on a City Council agenda
3. Upon final approval of Specific Plan Amendment DRC2020-00164, the applicant shall provide: two (2)
bound print versions of the final specific plan, a PDF version of the final specific plan, and all electronic
source files of the final specific plan within 30 days of adoption by the City Council. The final versions
shall include any and all final edits, revisions, etc., as required by the Planning Commission and/or City
Council.
Standard Conditions of Approval
4. The applicant shall sign the Statement of Agreement and Acceptance of Conditions of Approval
provided by the Planning Department. The signed Statement of Agreement and Acceptance of
Conditions of Approval shall be returned to the Planning Department prior to the submittal of
grading/construction plans for plan check, request for a business license, and/or commencement of the
approved activity.
5. The applicant shall agree to defend at his sole expense any action brought against the City, its agents,
officers, or employees, because of the issuance of such approval, or in the alternative, to relinquish such
approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents, officers, or employees, for any Court costs
and attorney's fees which the City, its agents, officers, or employees may be required by a court to pay
as a result of such action. The City may, at its sole discretion, participate in the defense of any such
action but such participation shall not relieve applicant of his obligations under this condition. In the
event such a legal action is filed, the City shall estimate its expenses for litigation. The applicant shall
deposit such amount with the City or enter into an agreement with the City to pay such expenses as they
become due.
Exhibit F
w .CityofRC.us
Printed: 5/19/2022