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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/07/30 - Minutes - Spec'l Adj July 30, 2002 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Special Adjourned Meeting A. CALL TO ORDER A special adjourned meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Mayor William J. Alexander. Present were Councilmembers: Paul Biane, Grace Curatalo, Bob Dutton, Diane Williams and Mayor William J. Alexander. Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Pamela Easter, Deputy City Manager; Michelle Dawson, Management Analyst Ilk Brad Buller, City Planner; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; Joe O'Neil, City Engineer; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. B. ITEM OF BUSINESS B1. DISCUSSION OF THE COLONIES PROJECT AND UPLAND'S REQUEST TO ANNEX PORTIONS OF FLOOD CONTROL PROPERTIES CURRENTLY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, WEST OF THE CUCAMONGA CREEK CHANNEL AT 19~' STREET FOR TNt: COLONIES PROJECT - Item continued from July 25, 2002 Mayor Alexander stated this item was continued from July 25 and asked if there was anyone that would like to speak at this time. There was no response. Jack Lam, City Manager, updated the Council and public as to what had occurred at the previous meeting. Mayor Alexander stated the Council had asked the City Manager to provide them written information about this project, which he had done through a memorandum that is on file in the City Clerk's office. He continued to quote some of the information contained in this memorandum. He pointed out that there was a boundary situation from the 1980's on 19th Street east of the storm drain where Upland would not deannex a portion of the property to Rancho Cucamonga. Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, informed the Council about the TIA plan. He informed them how a major project can cause traffic problems for various surrounding streets. Mayor Alexander asked if Rancho Cucamonga will be making improvements in other cities when the City's mall is built. Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated yes that it will affect Fontana. Councilmember Williams asked if the developer gives the City the money to pay for these improvements in Fontana and if we hold that money until they are ready to make the improvements in their City. Joe O'Neil, City Engineer, stated yes. Mayor Alexander opened the meeting for public comments. Addressing the City Council were: Special Adjourned City Council Minutes July 30, 2002 Page 2 J.P. Pomierski, Mayor of Upland, read their proposal to the Council, which was distributed to the Council. Councilmember Biane asked what the normal process for a project is, adding he has not been involved with this type of thing in the seven years he has been on the Council. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated most EIR issues are normally handled at a staff level. Councilmember Biane stated if the developer or Upland had come to the City asking for monetary assistance with the bridge, he would have supported it. Councilmember Dutton inquired about the boundary line from the channel edge to the new boundary. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated it was 34 feet. Councilmember Curatalo stated she went through the project on a four-wheel drive and felt she understands the project and can now vote on it. Mike Thornton talked about various aspects of the project and also showed a map indicating how close the auto mall was to the residents. Councilmember Williams stated she is concerned that Rancho Cucamonga residents will back up to the auto mall and will have to look at a big wall. Jeff Bloom showed a map of the project and explained it. Pete Pitassi, Project Manager for the Colonies, stated there is an access road on the west side of the channel to be used as an access road. He stated there would be a block wall between the Rancho Cucamonga residents and the auto dealership. Councilmember Williams stated she is very concerned about the aesthetics and the other impacts this project will have on Rancho Cucamonga. She asked if the trash enclosures for this project will be on the Rancho Cucamonga border side. She stated she is very concerned about the pylon signs. She asked if there was a chance to move the sign because she felt totally violated about it. Jeff Bloom stated If Counc[Imember Williams would like a minimum set back put in the plan of 600 feet from the nearest residence in Rancho Cucamonga he would be more than happy to add that to the design standards. Councilmember Williams agreed that would give about an additional 200 feet and felt that was something and stated she agreed with that. Melanie Ingram, Rosebud Street, felt more residents are affected than those on Sapphire and 19th. She stated the Rancho Cucamonga residents have not been involved in their meetings until July 11th, She stated that the residents questioned why they are developing above the freeway. She asked for the Council to help to limit what is built north of the freeway and felt the auto mall was the worse part of this project. Bill McCowan, lives near this proposed development, stating every time they turn around there is something going into the project that they did not know about. He stated they moved to the northern part of the City to get away from the auto malls and the Targets. He stated he is disappointed that they are doing this to the Rancho Cucamonga and Upland residents. He stated they do not want this commercial development so close to their homes. He stated he does not want the City of Rancho Cucamonga to deannex this property for Upland to be able to put up billboards and large pylons. Special Adjourned City Council Minutes July 30, 2002 Page 3 Marilyn Smith felt the lights could possibly impact Rancho Cucamonga residents and did not feel they should have to put up with that. She also felt the tall signs should be dealt with. She stated they do not need billboards in Rancho Cucamonga and wanted the City to reconsider deannexing this property. Councilmember Williams stated no matter whether the property is deannexed or not the signs and lights will go up anyway. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the City still has the opportunity to comment on the specific plan. Councilmember Dutton added the City has no control over what is built near Rancho Cucamonga's boundary in the City of Upland. He felt it makes sense to deannex this property to Upland. He hopes they will listen and consider the concerns of the Rancho Cucamonga residents. Councilmember Williams stated she concurs. She hoped that the dialogue will continue. She stated the impact to the Rancho Cucamonga residents is the most important thing. Councilmember Curatalo stated she has looked at the property and felt this project will be a great addition to the City and hoped that Upland will consider Rancho Cucamonga residents' concerns. Councilmember Biane stated he feels this property has no value to Rancho Cucamonga and stated he is not sure that the City is taking the right approach. He felt it makes sense to deannex this property to Upland. He felt Upland's proposal is tied to the TIA. Mayor Alexander asked that they move the commercial away from the Rancho Cucamonga border and put the residential development near the Rancho Cucamonga border. He felt the commercial should be near the center of the project. He asked that the signs be moved near Campus so there would not be an impact on Rancho Cucamonga residents. He felt Upland should consider having a park in this project so that Heritage Park is not overly impacted. He felt that trust has been violated with regards to the trails system because of the grant funds that Upland and Fontana were able to get and not shared with the other cities. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the question to the Council is if they wish to authorize deannexation and annexation of the property, and if they do this staff will continue to work with the City of Upland. He stated the other question is how does the Council wish to deal with design review. If there are other points they want carried out they need to give that direction to the staff which can then be put into an agreement. Councilmember Dutton inquired how does the City guarantee that the property to the west of the flood control remains open space and asked if it needs to be acquired from the County. Brad Bullet, City Planner, stated the only way to control it is to own it, which the City does not at this time. Councilmember Dutton felt the revenue that is received from this should be used to secure the open space east of the channel so the City can get some additional benefit from what Upland is doing on their side of the channel. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated staff can certainly look into this. He added that LAFCO will not initiate deannexation unless they get a letter of support from the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Jack Lam, City Manager, clarified what the TIA money is and how it is derived at. Mayor Alexander suggested that the while issue be dropped and let the land stay as it is. Special Adjourned City Council Minutes July 30, 2002 Page 4 Councilmember Williams felt the City should be known as the "Big City with a Big Heart with a Big Classy Act" and felt the City should work in cooperation. MOTION: Moved by Dutton, seconded by Williams to authorize staff to start the deannexation and annexation proceedings with the City of Upland regarding the property located north and south of the 210 Freeway. Motion carried 4-1 (Alexander voted no.) C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC No communication was made from the public. D. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Dutton to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Approved: August 21,2002