HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-22 -Minutes - HPC-PC
Historic Preservation Commission and
Planning Commission Agenda
June 22, 2022
MINUTES
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
7:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Historic Presentation Commission and Planning Commission was held on
June 22, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Chair Dopp 7:00 p.m.
A. Roll Call
Planning Commission present: Chair Dopp, Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Boling and
Commissioner Daniels; Commissioner Williams.
Staff Present: Serita Young, Assistant City Attorney; Mathew R. Burris, Deputy City Manager,
Community Development, Interim Planning Director; Jennifer Nakamura, Deputy Director of
Planning; Mike Smith, Principal Planner; David Eoff, Senior Planner; Sean McPherson, Senior
Planner; Brian Sandona, Sr. Civil Engineer; Darleen Cervera, Executive Assistant II; Elizabeth
Thornhill, Executive Assistant.
B. Public Communications
Chair Dopp opened public communications and hearing no one, closed public communications.
C. Consent Calendar
C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of May 25, 2022.
Motion to adopt by Vice Chair Williams, second by Commissioner Boling. Motion carried 5-0
vote.
D. Public Hearings
D1. VARIANCE – KERMIT SMITH (APPLICANT) – Consideration of a Variance to allow for
deficient lot depth for parcels identified as APNs: 0225-181-35, 0225-181-38 and 0225-181-39
located in the Very Low Residential District (VL). This request is related to a proposed lot line
adjustment and lot merger, and no development is proposed as part of this application. Pursuant
to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the project is exempt under CEQA Section
15305 – Minor Alteration to Land Use Limitations. Variance DRC2022-00205
Sean McPherson, Senior Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and presentation
(copy on file).
Kermit Smith, Applicant, and daughter Nicole thanked Commissioners for evaluating their variance and
lot merger. Nichole mentioned they are residents and would like to stay in this area.
Chair Dopp opened Public Hearing and hearing no one, closed Public Hearing
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Commissioner Morales stated this makes sense because the way the lots are. Nothing wrong with it.
It’s the right thing to do.
Chair Dopp asked is it assumed the entrance for the house will face north.
Sean McPherson answered that the frontage of the empty parcel would be off Chickasaw.
With no other comments from Commissioners, Chair Dopp asked for a motion.
Motion by Commissioner Daniels; Second motion by Vice Chair Williams. Motion carried unanimously,
5-0 vote. Adoption of Resolution 22-18, DRC2022-00205.
D2. DESIGN REVIEW - 8500 HAVEN, LLC – A request for a site plan and architectural review
of a mixed-use development comprising of 248 apartments and 23,750 square feet of
commercial space on a vacant parcel roughly 9.37 acres in size, and a request for a minor
exception for a reduction in the required parking for the proposed mixed-use development.
The project is located at the southwest corner of Haven Avenue and Arrow Route within the
Corridor 1 (CO1) mixed-use zone. APNs: 0209-092-09, -13. A CEQA Section 15183
Compliance Memorandum has been prepared for this project. Design Review DRC2021-
00200, Minor Exception DRC2022-00232.
David Eoff, Senior Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and presentation (copy on
file). Followed by a brief presentation by the applicant.
Chair Dopp opened Public Hearing
Commissioner Daniels asked regarding the minor exception, which one is staff recommending, is it the
angled parking or 90 degree.
David Eoff answered that the angled parking increases the deficit and staff is recommending approval
of the increased deficit with the angled parking. A minor exception up to 62 stalls.
Winston Chang, Architect, presented commissioners with a presentation and available to answer
questions.
Vice Chair Williams asked about the trees and what size will they start off with.
Winston Change answered that they will vary. He said about approximately 14-foot canopy. They try
to get the biggest trees they can.
Commissioner Daniels asked was there any thought of 3-bedrooms.
Winston Chang replied yes but depending on how the market reacts. Right now, it is saying two-
bedroom units. If it changes, this project has the ability to adapt to it.
Chair Dopp mentioned regarding the shed, looking at the parking plan by numbers, he asked is it
assumed that residents would use those ports for parking and not for storage.
Winston Chang responded that is a good question. How do people use their garages….
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Chair Dopp stated that part of the parking numbers is contingent on those 13 garages being used for
parking. He just wanted to make sure that is part of the plan that they are actually used for parking.
We have had development issues with other projects.
Winston Chang replied the intended uses is definitely for people to park their cars in. He said we
wanted to make sure we offer garages for those apartments who have that expensive car. We will be
able to capture that person. The intent here with all these variations is to lease every single square
foot through and through because we deal with a lot of different people in the market.
Chair Dopp stated with the restaurant bases on the northeast corner, he asked do you have a type of
restaurant uses you are looking at for the second floor.
Winston Chang answered it will probably attract a nice restaurant. Probably a very nice steak house
on the corner, given that we designed it there will be a valet. He said that is their vision for it. They
are at the mercy of the market.
Chair Dopp closed Public Hearing.
Commissioner Morales stated looking at the park area between Market Hall Building #1 and Haven
Building #2, there is oval grass in the middle. He mentioned to make it more welcoming place a nice
tree in the middle and wrap benches around the tree planter and facing out. He asked, if possible,
they would consider it. A place where people can sit down and gather. Especially, being close to the
restaurant.
Winston Chang responded they would look into it. It’s a good idea. Only challenge it would make it a
single use space.
Commissioner Morales mentioned he was given alternative designs at the Design Review Committee
meeting. He said he likes the Elevation Option #2 because it’s such a big building. We want to break
up the massing there. Almost makes it into three buildings. Regarding Chair Dopp’s concern about
the garage storage use. He asked couldn’t you write it in the rules for tenants they cannot use it for
storage, so it gets enforced. It’s a simple fix.
Winston Chang replied he likes all the options. There is an advantage to staying with what they got.
He said it is a perfectly valid suggestion and he agrees with it 100%. There are just different ways of
looking at it.
Commissioner Daniels asked about the west property line parking structures are pulled 6 ft. off the
property line. His concern is a security issue. Will it be gated off.
Winston Chang replied each individual building has it’s dedicated parking that is very close. He said
even up towards commercial, it’s separated so they are not competing with each other. He said
safety is their number one concern. He explained when you come to the back 6 ft., it is basically a
shade structure that is open to the wall and by end of day is not closed in. We will be okay with it.
Commissioner Daniels asked staff to summarize parking issue, including 22 parking spaces on the
street.
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David Eoff explained that the total deficit right now with 90-degree parking along the north side road is
a deficit of 47 stalls. He said all 47 stalls are within the commercial parking category. The residents
have strived to provide all the required residential parking and the residential visitor. In the past, that
is where we see most of the problems because it’s the overnight guests, residents and they have more
cars because they live there and that results in spillover parking. With all the residential parking being
met on top of the parking management plan, there is less of a concern with that type of impact
happening. The commercial aspect of it is a bit of a different aspect in the residential because the
business is closed. If there is spillover parking, it will unlikely be due to commercial use. The deficit at
47 seems reasonable. It’s a 7.4%, minor exception allows you to go up to 25. They are not asking for
the full 25, just what they need to make the project work. The angled parking however, it is a great
feature, it does create a larger deficit because of the design and the size and space that is needed to
provide angled parking. These stalls are at a 60-degree angle. They designed it to accommodate the
angled parking, but it just comes at the cost of 15 extra stalls. It really comes down to pros and cons
of including that angled parking and at the price of 15 stalls. If there is a parking problem, we would
get the call first, then we would call the applicant and ask how we can fix that.
Chair Dopp asked will the street parking spaces be metered or open to the public free to use.
David Eoff answered they will be open to the public.
Commissioner Boling asked for clarity with the 22 parking stalls, will that be time restricted parking or
unlimited.
Matthew Burris answered that they have not talked about that detail specifically. Right now, it’s
generally open. He said part of the parking management plan, we have the ability to adjust it. That is
City owned parking, so we have direct control on managing those spaces.
Vice Chair Williams stated she likes Option 3. She said just changing the colors gives it a much different
feel. She expressed concern of the parking and said to lose any parking, is a huge loss. She would
be reluctant to take away any parking to get the angled parking.
Chair Dopp asked for Commissioners to express comments on the following questions from staff:
• Architectural design to Building 2 - Haven Ave.
• Parking
Commissioner Boling stated that Option 3 with the steel canopies, distinctive color scheme really breaks
that large building into pleasant segments. It visually appears to be 3 buildings. Given the surrounding
already built environment that predominantly has flat roofs. There are not very many buildings in the
area that have pitched roofs. Looking at a more urban progressive design, Option 3 hits those marks.
Commissioner Morales explained he liked Option 2 because he knew it went along with their theme of
the mountains. Now hearing everyone’s comments, he likes Option 3.
Commissioner Daniels expressed his preference is Option 3 as well.
Chair Dopp stated the consensus is Option 3. Moving on to parking issue.
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Commissioner Boling stated he appreciates the intent infusing the streets characteristics with angled
parking. However, the shortage of parking will be exasperated as well as that short distance of north
south street and in his opinion does not warrant giving up those 15 spaces.
Commissioner Morales stated he sees good points on both. He said the angled parking along that
promenade are good because it goes with our new General Plan, but this does not have to conform to
the new General Plan. He said he liked the angled parking but, in this case, because the parking there
is a slight parking deficit, he would prefer the original parking instead of the angled.
Commissioner Daniels stated he is all for getting as much parking for commercial as possible. In this
case, he would go along with what Commission wants to do with having the 90 degree to allow more
parking.
Chair Dopp mentioned there is not much of a movement to go angled at this time but asked if it is
possible to go angled down the line of a development enhancement in the future.
Matthew Burris mentioned to answer your question “in the future”, it largely conforms to the vision of
the General Plan, but it also has to be designed under our old mixed-use standards. It’s bridging the
old standards and the new General Plan. Vision is right on point. Also, the first urban project in what
the General Plan identifies as a new downtown area is around our Civic Center. As the blocks around
start to develop and area becomes more walkable, there would be less need for parking.
Char Dopp asked, in the future, if parking numbers change and styles change, is it plausible they can
come back to us and ask for an exception to the parking and switch it to diagonal even if it is cost
prohibitive.
Matthew Burris answered absolutely. He said we try very hard to accommodate all requests.
Chair Dopp stated it looks like we will go with the 90 degree on the parking.
Commissioner Morales stated he has no additional comments. Mentioned it’s a nice project. Thanked
applicant for working with staff on this big first one like this on Haven Avenue. It’s important to us on
getting it right. Hopefully, take another look at putting a tree with benches around. Thanked Staff for
all their work and commented it was a good presentation. He said it’s a good start on our vision for
the future.
Commissioner Boling expressed his appreciation for the developer and architect for really taking a hard
look at what the adjacent neighbors would be concerned about and being able to step down those
buildings on the west side. Taking into consideration their views as well as the office building to the
south. He commented they hit upon a density that works for this site. Although, the density could have
been up to a maximum of 50 units per acre. You are just over half of that. He said we appreciate you
taking into consideration with the limitation of side order. Balancing that with what the Council’s vision
for the urban environment.
Commissioner Daniels expressed it is a very good project. Excited to see it develop.
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Chair Dopp stated this is getting closer to the benchmarks that we look for in the General Plan. It
sounds like you spent a lot of time on the retail/office component. You have a lot of different options
for people, which is appreciated. He said the fact that entirety of Haven Avenue is activated will be a
big benefit to us and past Commission and Council is really what we are looking for out of those
corridors. He expressed he liked the studio complex. He has not seen studio apartments at 800 square
ft., with private decks. It will be interesting and unique.
Serita Young, Assistant City Attorney, stated before we entertain a motion, she wanted to clarify with
staff and also suggest we take into motion each resolution separately. She asked David Eoff if there
are specific revisions to make, given that they are going with that perpendicular parking to Resolution
22-19 as that resolution has been drafted.
David Eoff answered yes. We have an alternate resolution that limits the reduction to 47 stalls which
is reflective of the 90 degree parking in that promenade area. We need to be specific to that deficit, a
minor exception of 47 stalls only. The original resolution allowed up to 62.
Serita Young clarified for the Commission. The resolution originally distributed the title contains
reference of 62 parking stalls. To the revision, has a reference to 47 parking stalls. That would be the
amended resolution. She suggested to entertain a motion to approve Resolution 22-19 with the
suggested amendments by staff.
Chair Dopp asked for a motion for a Minor Exception to reduce the required parking to 47 parking stalls.
Motion by Vice Chair Williams; Second motion by Commissioner Boling. Motion carried unanimously,
5-0 vote. Adoption of Resolutions 22-19, DRC2022-00232 with suggested amendments by staff.
Serita Young explained the second resolution you are approving the application subject to every
condition set forth in the Conditions of Approval. She just wanted to make sure that motion to adopt
that resolution also states, for the record, that Condition #28 specifically indicates the project has to be
built in accordance with approved plans.
Chair Dopp asked for a motion for Design Review DRC2021-00200. Motion by Commissioner Boling;
Second motion by Commissioner Daniels. Adoption of Resolutions 22-20, Condition #28 approved
plans would be elevations presented in Option #3.
E. Director Announcements - None
F. Commission Announcements
Commissioner Daniels stated that some of the Planning Commission’s decision of an appeal went to the
Council relating to environmental and requested an update.
Matthew Burris provided an update as follows:
• Appeal for Lewis Group (Milliken/Foothill) was withdrawn.
• Appeal for Wood Partners Project (Southeast corner of Foothill/Etiwanda) - Scheduled for hearing
before City Council next month in July.
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G. Adjournment
Motion by Vice Chair Williams, second by Commissioner Boling to adjourn the meeting. Hearing no
objections, Chair Dopp adjourned the meeting at 8:48p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Elizabeth Thornhill
Executive Assistant, Planning Department
Approved: HPC/PC July 27, 2022, Meeting.