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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/03/11 - Agenda Packet - Planning Commission r THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA ifavr PLANNING COMMISSION L� t AGENDA RANCHO MARCH 11 CUCAMONGA , 2009 - 7:00 PM Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center Council Chambers • 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California I. CALL To ORDER I Roll Call Chairman Fletcher Vice Chairman Munoz Stewart_ Howdyshell _ Wimberly_ • ( II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 25, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS The following items are public hearings in which concerned individuals may voice their opinion of the related project. Please wait to be recognized by the Chairman and address the Commission by stating your name and address. All such opinions shall be limited to 5 minutes per individual for each project. Please sign in after speaking. A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF DRC2008-00116—VOLUNTARY/INCENTIVE BASED GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM ORDINANCE (CITYWIDE) — The proposed Voluntary/Incentive Based Green Building Program Ordinance will not have any potential significant impacts on the environment and is therefore, not subject to further review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15061(b)(3). Staff has prepared a Notice of • 1 of 4 ti PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA S MARCH 11, 2009 RANCHO CUCAMONGA Exemption for consideration. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. CONTINUANCE TO AN UNSPECIFIED DATE REQUESTED V. NEW BUSINESS B. THE PRESENTATION, REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE C. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE A TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE ,VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS This is the time and place for the general public to address the commission. Items to be discussed here are those that do not already appear on this agenda. • VII. COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENTS VIII. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission has adopted Administrative Regulations that set an 11:00 p.m. adjournment time. If items go beyond that time, they shall be heard only with the consent of the Commission. 1, Lois J. Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, or my designee, hereby certify that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on March 5, 2009, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code Section 54964.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. • 2 of 4 .; y PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA La_l MARCH 11 , 2009 RANCHO Cce n!1 If you need special assistance or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Department at (909) 4((-21b0. Notification Ot 4t - hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION The Planning Commission encourages free expression of all points of view. To allow all persons to speak, given the length of the agenda, please keep your remarks brief. If others have already expressed your position,you may simply indicate that you agree with a previous speaker. If appropriate,a spokesperson may present the views of your entire group., To encourage all views and promote courtesy to others, the audience should refrain from clapping, booing or shouts of approval or disagreement from the audience. The public may address the Planning Commission on any agenda item. To address the Planning Commission, please come forward to the podium located at the center of the staff table. State your name for the record and speak into the microphone. After speaking, please sign in on the clipboard located next to the speaker's podium. It is • important to list your name,address and the agenda item letter your comments refer to. Comments are generally limited to 5 minutes per individual. If you wish to speak concerning an item not on the agenda, you may do so under"Public Comments." There is opportunity to speak under this section prior to the end of the agenda. Any handouts for the Planning Commission should be given to the Planning Commission Secretary for distribution to the Commissioners. All requests for items to be placed on a Planning Commission agenda must be in writing. The deadline for submitting these items is 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, one week prior to the meeting. The Planning Commission Secretary receives all such items. AVAILABILITY OF STAFF REPORTS Copies of the staff reports or other documentation to each agenda item are on file in the offices of the Planning Department, City Hall, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730. These documents are available for public inspections during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m., except for legal City holidays. APPEALS Any interested party who disagrees with the City Planning Commission decision may appeal the Commission's decision to the City Council within 10 calendar days. Any appeal filed must be directed to the City Clerk's Office and must be accompanied by a fee of$2,039 for maps and$2,141 for all other decisions of the Commission. (Fees are established and governed by the City Council). • 3 of 4 svr PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA SM MARCH 11 , 2009 RANCHO CUCAMONGA Please turn off all cellular phones•and pagers while the meeting is in session. Copies of the Planning Commission agendas and minutes can be found at http://www.ci.rancho-cucamonga.ca.us • • 4 of 4 Vicinity Map Planning Commission March 11 , 2009 a SPHERE ' O F I N F L U E N C E P z 1 ct Et W H.LLSI'E h w 1 ' a C WIL •N = eC !_ " y 3— 11111111111i o �Pr Pr ` . — i , 2A0-, 1 1111.11r '�'r _• 19TH • (f 1�SE LINE I orlogli.` ■atom= Ia FOOTHILL It I 2 'ARRO W 8TH 1 Z -J Q m • _Z.. U 3 = Q LLI 4TH Q * Meeting Location: City Hall • 10500 Civic Center Drive Items A, B, and C are City-wide issues. STAFF REPORT 44%* S.7(4-91 • PLANNING DEPARTMENT • RANCHO Date: March 11, 2009 CUCAMONGA To: Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission From: James R. Troyer, AICP, Planning Director By: Waen Messner, Associate Planner Subject: ASSESSMENT AND CONSIDERATION OF DRC2008-00116 — VOLUNTARY/INCENTIVE BASED GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM ORDINANCE (CITYWIDE) — The proposed Voluntary/Incentive Based Green Building Program Ordinance will not have any potential significant impacts on the environment and is therefore, not subject•to further review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15061(b)(3). Staff has prepared a Notice of Exemption for consideration. Staff requests that the Planning Commission continue the review of the proposed draft Ordinance to adopt Rancho Cucamonga Voluntary/Incentive Based Green Building Standards to an unspecified date. Currently, the draft Ordinance is being revised to potentially incorporate additional incentives to Green Building developers and builders. Further research is being conducted in examining the • feasibility and applicability of new incentives that may be proposed. After the incentives have been finalized, staff will bring back the proposed Ordinance and present it to the Planning Commission for their review. Respectfully submitted, JLT R. Troyer, AICP Planning Director JRT:WM/Is • Item A • 0 ITEM B PRESENTATION, REVIEW, AND DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT GENERAL PLAN GUIDING PRINCIPLES 0 0 Item B • ITEM C RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE A TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE. • (RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTED UNDER SEPARATE COVER) Item C MEMORANDUM PLANNING DEPARTMENT RANCHO Date: March 11, 2009 CUCAMONGA To: Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission From: James R. Troyer, AICP, Planning Director/ —_ By: Lois J. Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary Subject: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE A TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE BACKGROUND: At the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 28, 2009, Chairman Fletcher requested consideration be given to businesses because of the lagging economy. He asked staff if a possible temporary modification could be made to the current sign regulations to help businesses in our current economy. A draft resolution recommending the initiation of such consideration was drafted and is placed before the Commission for review. However, upon staff's review of the suggestion, staff has two possible concerns and possible paths that should be considered before the resolution is enacted upon by the Commission. First, the current Temporary Sign Ordinance defines what appropriate temporary signage is. Staff does not believe illegal signs, such as A-frames or haphazard, non-compliant signage should be permitted, even in the current economy. Allowing signage that is already defined as illegal in terms of what is codified would be problematic for those required to enforce what is in place. Staff also believes such signage contributes to blight and if all businesses resort to illegal signage, motorists may only become confused rather than encouraged to visit competing places of business. Additionally, with respect to efficiency, a change to the current Temporary Sign Ordinance would not be an approach that could be enacted quickly as the modifications would first have to be initiated by the City Council, researched and drafted by staff, reviewed by the Commission and then finally be reviewed and adopted by the City Council. Even considering the possibility of minimal wording changes from either the Commission or the City Council, a legislative action in this regard could take a period of months to enact, thereby being of little help to businesses currently struggling. A second option to consider would be the relaxing of the timelines already in place that apply to legal temporary signage, such as approved banners and grand opening signage. In this case, Planning Staff, with concurrence from the City Council and in concert with Code Enforcement, could amend and extend the current time allowances for this type of temporary signage to remain in place. Although this option would give businesses additional time to promote their places of business legally, it would present a new challenge. If extensions are granted, staff believes it may prove difficult to retract the "extension mentality" and regain lost ground with respect to illegal or expired signs and could negatively affect the City's streetscapes. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY PAGE 2 COUNCIL INITIA 1 E A 1 EMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE I EMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE • MARCH 11,2009 PAGE 2 RECOMMENDATION: It is the experience of staff that many businesses do not utilize the full opportunities available to them under the current sign ordinance. Staff recommends the planning Department assist businesses in sign requirement education through collaboration with Building and Safety and Code Enforcement. Staff suggests this could be accomplished in the venue of a community workshop that could be held in the next 30 days. Additionally, Code Enforcement Staff could partner with Planning Staff for individual, on-site meetings with business owners to explore additional sign opportunities. Staff further recommends the Planning Commission hold action on the draft resolution to allow staff the time to develop, promote, and hold a workshop for the businesses. Staff believes this option will allow the City to further support businesses with the tools for legal signage that may assist them in our current economy. • JRT/LS RESOLUTION NO. 09- A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE TEMPORARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE CITY'S TEMPORARY SIGN REGULATIONS A. Recitals On March 11, 2009, during a duly noticed public meeting, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga considered the following facts: 1. Title 14 of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code regulates signs for the purpose of making the city attractive to residents, visitors and commercial, industrial and professional businesses while maintaining economic stability through an attractive sign program. Title 14 regulates, amongst other things, the location, number, size, and other aspects of temporary business signs. 2. Local businesses could benefit from modifications to the City's sign regulations that allow for an increase in the types, locations, number, size, or duration of temporary business signs allowed by Title 14, and such modifications might be warranted in light of current economic conditions. B. Resolution NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga hereby finds, determines, and resolves as follows: 1. All facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A, or this Resolution are true and correct. 2. The Commission recommends that the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga initiate temporary modifications to the City's temporary sign regulations for the purpose of assisting businesses in the current economic climate. 3. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 11TH DAY OF MARCH 2009. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA BY: Richard B. Fletcher, Chairman 11231-0001\1121375v1.doc - I - ATTEST: James R. Troyer, AICP, Secretary I, James R. Troyer, AICP, 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 11th day of March 2009, by the following vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: 11231-0001\1121375v1.doc -2- MEMORANDUM *tv ces4 PLANNING DEPARTMENT RANCHO Date: March 11, 2009 CUCAMONGA To: Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission From: James R. Troyer, AICP, Planning Director/,{ By: Lois J. Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary Subject: A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE A TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE BACKGROUND: At the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 28, 2009, Chairman Fletcher requested consideration be given to businesses because of the lagging economy. He asked staff if a possible temporary modification could be made to the current sign regulations to help businesses in our current economy. A draft resolution recommending the initiation of such consideration was drafted and is placed before the Commission for review. However, upon staffs review of the suggestion, staff has two possible concerns and possible paths that should be considered before the resolution is enacted upon by the Commission. First, the current Temporary Sign Ordinance defines what appropriate temporary signage is. Staff does not believe illegal signs, such as A-frames or haphazard, non-compliant signage should be permitted, even in the current economy. Allowing signage that is already defined as illegal in terms of what is codified would be problematic for those required to enforce what is in place. Staff also believes such signage contributes to blight and if all businesses resort to illegal signage, motorists may only become confused rather than encouraged to visit competing places of business. Additionally, with respect to efficiency, a change to the current Temporary Sign Ordinance would not be an approach that could be enacted quickly as the modifications would first have to be initiated by the City Council, researched and drafted by staff, reviewed by the Commission and then finally be reviewed and adopted by the City Council. Even considering the possibility of minimal wording changes from either the Commission or the City Council, a legislative action in this regard could take a period of months to enact, thereby being of little help to businesses currently struggling. A second option to consider would be the relaxing of the timelines already in place that apply to legal temporary signage, such as approved banners and grand opening signage. In this case, Planning Staff, with concurrence from the City Council and in concert with Code Enforcement, could amend and extend the current time allowances for this type of temporary signage to remain in place. Although this option would give businesses additional time to promote their places of business legally, it would present a new challenge. If extensions are granted, staff believes it may prove difficult to retract the "extension mentality" and regain lost ground with respect to illegal or expired signs and could negatively affect the City's streetscapes. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY PAGE 2 COUNCIL INITIATE A TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN ORDINANCE MARCH 11,2009 PAGE 2 RECOMMENDATION: It is the experience of staff that many businesses do not utilize the full opportunities available to them under the current sign ordinance. Staff recommends the planning Department assist businesses in sign requirement education through collaboration with Building and Safety and Code Enforcement. Staff suggests this could be accomplished in the venue of a community workshop that could be held in the next 30 days. Additionally, Code Enforcement Staff could partner with Planning Staff for individual, on-site meetings with business owners to explore additional sign opportunities. Staff further recommends the Planning Commission hold action on the draft resolution to allow staff the time to develop, promote, and hold a workshop for the businesses. Staff believes this option will allow the City to further support businesses with the tools for legal signage that may assist them in our current economy. JRT/LS Planning Commission Meeting of RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION SIGN-UP SHEET Please print your name, address, and city and indicate the item you have spoken regarding. Thank you. NAME ADDRESS CITY ITEM 1. I rrJa, 763? 31 : G air 2. � •3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. • 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.