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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/12/07 - Minutes - CC Spec Min (Dev. 12467 Base Line) December 7, 2005 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING II A, CALL TO ORDER II A special meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2005, in the Training Room at City Hall located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Mayor Pro Tem Williams called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m, Present were Councilmembers: Rex Gutierrez, L. Dennis Michael, Sam Spagnolo, Diane Williams, and Mayor William J. Alexander (arrived at 4:11 p.m.). Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Linda D. Daniels, Redevelopment Director; Jan Reynolds, RDA Analyst; Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. * * * * * * II B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS II B1. Joey Filippi asked if the signal lights could be fixed at Haven and Base Line because they were not working properly. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated he would have it checked out right away. * * * * * * C. ITEM(S) OF BUSINESS C1. DISCUSSION OF THE EXISTING GROUND LEASE AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND MASTER PLAN BY J. FILIPPI VINTAGE COMPANY FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12467 BASE LINE ROAD Linda D. Daniels, Redevelopment Director, stated there is a proposal by the J. Filippi Vintage Company for a master plan and development agreement. She indicated that the City Council currently has a 99- year ground lease with the tenant for the 14-acre site that contains the historic Regina Winery. She stated staff has reviewed the tenant's proposal and has evaluated it with the terms of the ground lease. She stated there are four business terms of the ground lease that are most affected by the proposed development agreement and master plan, so the Council can keep this in their thoughts as they go through the tenants presentation. She stated these four areas are: The requirement that the uses on the property be winery and winery related uses. She stated another provision is the amount and location of permanent vineyard open space. She stated even though the locations have changed, the overall area is roughly the same, but she wanted to make sure the Council was aware of the deviation from the existing ground lease. She stated the other two areas that staff has identified dealing with public access and historic preservation. She indicated the ground lease requires a cellar in the winery, which contains several large wood tanks, to be preserved. She stated just north of this cellar there is a potential for a restaurant, and that staff needs the Filippi's to define how the winery tank cellar can be preserved, and potentially enhanced, because of the restaurant use. She stated there are several uses on the property that will become private uses, including residential. She stated one of the requirements is that the public will have access to the grounds and the site. The Filippi's will need to explain how this public access may or may not be limited because of the proposed uses being private in nature, in particular the residential units. City Council Minutes December 7, 2005 Page 2 She added that the Council established the long-term ground lease for one primary purpose - to preserve a historic asset within the community. She stated the 99-year ground lease has a payment of $1 per year for two main reasons - the limitations of the uses that the ground lease imposed (winery and wine related), and that the Council recognized the need for significant investment in the historic buildings. She stated the winery and winery related uses were a requirement of the Council in consideration of the below .' '. market lease payment. The Council asked various questions about the project. Linda D. Daniels, RDA Director, turned the meeting over to the Filippi's to explain this project. Gino Filippi stated they are here to share their vision and to gain support of the City for their master plan concept. He referred to visual displays, done by Pitassi Architects. He talked about their company's accomplishments and the improvements they have made at the winery since 1994, and stated they have continued to develop this site over the years. He stated they have many more ideas for the site, which Pete Pitassi, Architect, can review with the Council. He stated they are interested in making improvements to the outside of the winery building as well. Pete Pitassi, Architect, went through the master plan proposal for this property. He stated this is the last operating winery in the City and felt it should be preserved. He mentioned they have talked about what use would be complimentary to the winery and the overall block. He stated they want restaurant uses, food service, and showed this on the plan. He stated office/professional use is also envisioned. He stated artist lofts are also part of the plan to bring more traffic to the site. He added they want uses that will enhance this site. He stated they are asking for the Council to determine if they are going in the right direction based on previous conversations they have had with them. .".- The Council continued to inquire about this project. Councilmember Michael stated his concern is that the City could be challenged on what is being charged to the Filippi's to develop this property under the terms of the ground lease as compared to a market rate rent for a comparable property. He felt there could be criticism to the City if it is not done right. He asked what a market rate rent would be if the restaurants and offices were developed elsewhere in the City. The tenant indicated he did not have that information. Linda D. Daniels, RDA Director, asked Mr. Pitassi to explain the operational management of this project and the various uses. Pete Pitassi, Architect, stated this would all be leased through a professional management company and that they would contract out that service. Councilmember Williams asked about the dollar amount on the artist lofts. . j~;; Pete Pitassi, Architect, stated in the $1200 to $1500 range but that this was very preliminary. They are :i :;,~g still researching the artists lofts and looking at other communities and developers that have this type of housing. Councilmember Williams felt the office use possibly needed to be looked at so that it fits in better for land that is publicly purchased. Mayor Alexander stated he agreed with Councilmember Williams' concerns. Councilmember Williams stated there have been challenges with this project, and she just wants to be sure we are protected. She stated the office part of it is the only thing that makes her a little uneasy. Pete Pitassi, Architect, stated he and the Filipppi's are grateful for this opportunity to develop this project. .':~ City Council Minutes December 7, 2005 Page 3 Mayor Alexander felt it was important to be able to discuss this together. Councilmember Michael stated the property negotiations would be discussed in closed session, but would like to meet again with the Fillipi's to discuss this further. Joey Filippi stated they have an emotional attachment to this property. He stated they want to make this something to leave for everyone. He stated they want to make this work. * * * * * * II D. ADJOURNMENT II MOTION: Moved by Alexander, seconded by Gutierrez to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debra J. Ada CMC City Clerk/Records Manager Approved: December 21, 2005