HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-29 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 14-29
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA,APPROVING MINOR EXCEPTION
DRC2014-00161, A REQUEST TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF
INTERIOR PROPERTY LINE AND PROJECT PERIMETER WALLS THAT
WILL EXCEED THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT OF 6 FEET (BUT NOT
EXCEED 8 FEET IN HEIGHT) DUE TO GRADE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
LOTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PROPOSED 45-LOT SUBDIVISION OF
A VACANT PARCEL OF ABOUT 7.16 ACRES WITHIN THE MEDIUM (M)
AND LOW MEDIUM(LM) RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS LOCATED BETWEEN
ARCHIBALD AVENUE AND RAMONA AVENUE,AT THE NORTH SIDE OF
THE PACIFIC ELECTRIC INLAND EMPIRE TRAIL, ABOUT 1,400 FEET
NORTH OF BASE LINE ROAD; AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT
THEREOF —APN: 1076-181-01.
A. Recitals.
1. Manning Homes filed an application for Minor Exception DRC2014-00161 as described
in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Minor Exception request is
referred to as "the application."
2. On the 13th day of August 2014, the Planning Commission of the City of
Rancho Cucamonga conducted a duly noticed public hearing on said 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. This 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 meeting on August 13, 2014, including written and oral staff reports,together with
public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to a parcel located between Archibald Avenue and
Ramona Avenue, at the north side of the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail, about 1,400 feet north
of Base Line Road; and
b. The project site is a rectangular parcel with an overall area of about
312,000 square feet (7.16 acres). The overall dimensions of the site are about 1,200 feet deep
(east to west) and 250 feet (north to south); and
C. The project site is generally vacant with the exception of a single-family residence
that was built in circa 1915 that is located at the east side of the project site near Ramona Avenue;
and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 14-29
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00161 — MANNING HOMES
August 13, 2014
Page 2
d. To the west of the project site, is an equestrian/pet supplies retail store;to the north
and east are single-family residences; and to the south are an apartment complex and a mobile
home park; and
e. According to the Zoning Map adopted by the City Council on July 18, 2012, the
project site is currently within two zoning districts. The western half of the project site, an area of
about 147,000 square feet (about 3.37 acres), is zoned as Medium (M) Residential District. The
eastern half of the project, an area of about 165,000 square feet (about 3.77 acres), is zoned as
Low Medium (LM) Residential District; and
f. This application is in conjunction with Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18912,
Development Review DRC2013-01083,Zoning Map Amendment DRC2013-00887, Tree Removal
Permit DRC2013-00889, and Development Code Amendment DRC2014-00626; and
g. The applicant is requesting a Minor Exception to allow the construction of
combination walls(garden/screen walls on top of retaining walls)with a height of up to 8 feet along the
rear and interior property lines of several lots within the proposed subdivision; and
h. Per Table 17.48.050-1 of the Development Code, the maximum wall height of
fences and walls along the rear and interior property lines is 6 feet.
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 Minor Exception is consistent with the General Plan. The General Plan
designation of the project site is Medium Residential and the zoning of the property is Medium (M)
and Low Medium (LM) Residential District. The Minor Exception does not affect the General Plan
designation, zoning designation, or the residential purpose of the project site.
b. The Minor Exception is compatible with the existing and proposed land uses in the
surrounding area. The Minor Exception will not result in a substantially larger house, an increase in
lot coverage, an increase in density, or adjustments to the physical lot area of the subject lots.
C. The proposed exception to the specific development standard(s) is necessary to
allow creative design solutions compatible with the desires of the community and/or to
accommodate unique site conditions. The proposed walls will be located generally where there are
grade differences that warrant retaining walls. Generally the natural terrain of the project site slopes
from west to east. Therefore,the usual alternative, an earthen slope, is not practical because of the
lack of available space in the side yards between the house(which with a few exceptions, are on the
east and west sides of the house) and the property line wall.
d. The granting of the Minor Exception will not constitute a grant of special privilege
inconsistent with the limitations on other properties classified in the same district, and will not be
detrimental to public health, safety or welfare or materially injurious properties or improvements in
the vicinity. The Minor Exception will allow the applicant to construct walls that will provide adequate
property screening/security and usable yard area and are similar to other walls that have been
constructed for the same purpose because of similar site conditions. The walls will be consistent
with the standards and guidelines of the City.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 14-29
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00161 — MANNING HOMES
August 13, 2014
Page 3
4. Based upon the facts and information contained in the proposed Mitigated Negative
Declaration,together with all written and oral reports included for the environmental assessmentfor
the application, the Planning Commission finds that there is no substantial evidence thatthe project
will have a significant effect upon the environment and recommends the City Council adopt a
Mitigated Negative Declaration and Monitoring Program attached hereto, and incorporated herein by
this reference, based upon the findings as follows:
a. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act("CEQK)and the City's local
CEQA Guidelines, the City staff prepared an Initial Study of the potential environmental effects of
the project. Based on the findings contained in that Initial Study, City staff determined that,with the
imposition of mitigation measures, there would be no substantial evidence that the project would
have a significant effect on the environment. Based on that determination, a Mitigated Negative
Declaration was prepared. Thereafter, the City staff provided public notice of the public comment
period and of the intent to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
b. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Mitigated Negative Declaration and all
comments received regarding the Mitigated Negative Declaration and, based on the whole record
before it, finds: (i)that the Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared in compliance with CEQA;
and (ii) that, based on the imposition of mitigation measures, there is no substantial evidence that
the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The Planning Commission further finds
that the Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the
Planning Commission. Based on these findings,the Planning Commission hereby recommends the
City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
C. The Planning Commission has also reviewed and considered the Mitigation
Monitoring Program for the project that has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Public
Resources Code Section 21081.6 and finds that such Program is designed to ensure compliance
with the mitigation measures during project implementation. The Planning Commission
recommends the City Council adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the project.
d. The custodian of records for the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration,
Mitigation Monitoring Program and all other materials which constitute the record of proceedings
upon which the Planning Commission's recommendation is based is the Planning Manager of the
City of Rancho Cucamonga. Those documents are available for public review in the Planning
Department of the City of Rancho Cucamonga located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho
Cucamonga, California 91730, telephone (909) 477-2750.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above,
this Commission hereby approves the application subject to each and every condition set forth
below.
Planning Department
1) Approval is for the construction of interior property line and project
perimeter walls that will exceed the maximum height limit of 6 feet(but
not exceed 8 feet in height) due to grade differences between lots in
conjunction with a proposed 45-lot subdivision of a vacant parcel of
about 7.16 acres within the Medium (M) and Low Medium (LM)
Residential Districts, located between Archibald Avenue and Ramona
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 14-29
MINOR EXCEPTION DRC2014-00161 — MANNING HOMES
August 13, 2014
Page 4
Avenue, at the north side of the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail,
about 1,400 feet north of Base Line Road -APN: 1076-181-01.
2) The wall segments that are visible to the public and/or are located
along the perimeter of the project site shall be constructed of
decorative masonry block such as slumpstone or stackstone or have a
decorative finish such as stucco. Final design shall be subject to
Planning Director review and approval during plan check.
3) Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with any sections
of the Development Code, Etiwanda Specific Plan, State Fire Marshal's
regulations, Uniform Building Code, or any other City Ordinances.
4) All Conditions of Approval for Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18912 and
Development Review DRC2013-01083 shall apply.
5) Approval of Minor Exception DRC2014-00161 is contingent upon the
approval of Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18912, Development Review
DRC2013-01083, Tree Removal Permit DRC2013-00889,
Development Code Amendment DRC2014-00626, and Zoning Map
Amendment DRC2013-00887.
6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 13TH DAY OF AUGUST 2014.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
BY: v�
Frances Howdyshell, Chairman
ATTEST: 0,J
Candyce nett, fanning M nager
I, Candyce Burnett, Secretary of the Planning Commission for 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 13th day of August 2014, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: HOWDYSHELL
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE