HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-61 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962, A
REQUEST TO CHANGE THE ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN ZONING
DESIGNATION FOR AN 8.32 ACRE PARCEL OF LAND WITHIN THE
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AREA FROM VERY LOW(VL) RESIDENTIAL
(.1-2 DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE) TO LOW (L) RESIDENTIAL (2-4
DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE) FOR A SITE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF CARNESI DRIVE AND EAST OF ETIWANDA AVENUE; AND
MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF —APNS: 0227-061-03 AND
82.
A. Recitals.
1. Storm Western Development, Inc. filed an application for the approval of Etiwanda
Specific Plan Amendment DRC2013-00962 as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter
in this Resolution, the subject Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendment request is referred to as "the
application."
2. On the 12th day of August 2015, the Planning Commission of the City of
Rancho Cucamonga conducted a noticed public hearing on the 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 public hearing on August 12, 2015, including written and oral staff reports,
together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to a property located on the south side of Carnesi Drive and
east of Etiwanda Avenue in the Very Low (VL) Zoning District of the Etiwanda Specific Plan; and
b. To the north are single-family residences within the Very Low(VL)zoning district of
the Etiwanda Specific Plan;to the south is an existing church within the Very Low(VL)zoning district
of the Etiwanda Specific Plan; to the west is an existing church and single-family residences within
the Very Low (VL) zoning district of the Etiwanda Specific Plan; and to the east are single-family
residences within the Low (L) zoning district of the Etiwanda Specific Plan.
C. The General Plan land use designation and the Etiwanda Specific Plan zoning
designation for the project site is Very Low (VL) Residential; and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962
STORM WESTERN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 12, 2015
Page 2
d. Storm Western Development, Inc. submitted an application for the subdivision of
8.32 acres of land into 17 lots. Sixteen lots are for residential purposes, with Lot #17 as the new
boundaries for Cross and Crown Lutheran church, which is located on a portion of the project site;
and
e. Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, which is located at the southeast corner of
Etiwanda Avenue and Carnesi Drive, is selling a portion of their property to the applicant,which was
originally master-planned for expansion of the church's educational program; and
f. The project site is vacant with the exception of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church,
a perimeter wall along the south side of Carnesi Drive and 50 onsite trees. Staff has determined that
the existing wall along the south side of Carnesi Drive was voluntarily constructed by Toll Brothers
during the development of the residential subdivision on the north side of Carnesi Drive
(SUBTT16279).The wall straddles the property line between the project site(Tentative Tract 18936)
and the public right-of-way. There is no documentation available showing that there is an easement
or other legal agreement that would restrict removal of the wall; and
g. The application includes General Plan and Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendments to
change the land use and zoning designations from Very Low(VL) residential (.1-2 DU per acre)to
Low(L) Residential (2-4 DU per acre)for the 16 residential lots(Lots 1-16). The new boundaries for
Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (Lot 17)will remain in the Very Low(VL) General Plan land use
district and Etiwanda Specific Plan zoning district. The project also includes applications for a
Variance (DRC2014-00219)for property line walls that range in height from 6 to up to 11 feet along
the rear property lines of all 16 residential lots and a Tree Removal Permit (DRC2014-00113) to
remove up to 50 onsite trees. House product for the lots is not a part of the project scope and will be
submitted at a later date; and
h. The site is currently zoned Very Low (VL) Residential and is within the Etiwanda
Specific Plan area. The narrowness of the site precludes developing a double-loaded street with lots
that meet the 200-foot lot depth requirement. The applicant has requested to change the zoning
designation to Low (L) Residential, which requires 100 foot lot depths. The existing single-family
residences to the east were developed prior to City's incorporation and are within the Low(L)zoning
district of the Etiwanda Specific Plan. The existing lots to the east average approximately 7,500
square feet in size, below the 15,000 square foot average lot size required by the Etiwanda Specific
Plan. The existing single-family residences to the north are with the Very Low(VL)zoning district of
the Etiwanda Specific Plan and average approximately 25,000 square feet in size, in conformance
with the Etiwanda Specific Plan. The existing lots to the west were developed prior to City's
incorporation and are within the Very Low (VL) zoning district of the Etiwanda Specific Plan and
average approximately 16,000 square feet in size, below the 25,000 square foot average lot size
required by the Etiwanda Specific plan; and
i. The proposed lots comply with the 80-foot lot width and 100-foot lot depth
requirements of the Etiwanda Specific Plan for the Low (L) zoning district. The lots range in size
from 11,597 to 19,938 square feet with an average lot size of 15,010 square feet,which exceeds the
required 15,000 square foot average lot size. These lot sizes will permit for the creation of a double-
loaded new street that provides a density transition from the existing smaller lot (7,500 square foot
lots)development to the east and the existing larger lot(25,000 square foot lots)development to the
north. The proposed lots will also be compatible with the existing lots to the west, along Etiwanda
Avenue, which average approximately 16,000 square feet in size; and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962
STORM WESTERN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 12, 2015
Page 3
j. The applicant is requesting to change the General Plan land use designation and
the Etiwanda Specific Plan zoning designation from Very Low(VL) Residential (.1-2 dwelling units
per acre)to Low(L) Residential (2-4 dwelling units per acre). The lots will allow for the creation of a
double-loaded new street that provides a density transition from the existing smaller lot (7,500
square foot lots) development to the east and the existing larger lot (25,000 square foot lots)
development to the north. The proposed lots will also be compatible with the existing lots to the
west, along Etiwanda Avenue, which range in size from 15,000 and 16,000 square feet; and
k. The project is designed to conform to all related development criteria for the Low
(L)zoning district of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, except for the necessity of up to 11-foot tall walls. In
conjunction the application, the applicant has submitted a Variance application (DRC2014-00219)
requesting to increase the maximum wall heights along the rear property line of all 16 residential lots
from the permitted 6 feet to up to 11 feet in height for drainage purposes.
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 proposed Etiwanda Specific Plan amendment does not conflict with the Land
Use Policies of the General Plan and will provide for the development, within the district, in a
manner consistent with the General Plan and with related development. As a Land Use Policy, the
General Plan states that new development should be accommodated in a manner that integrates it
into the physical structure of the City, is a logical extension of existing infrastructure improvements
and there are adequate public services available to serve the development. The proposed zoning
amendment will implement the Land Use Policies outlined above and will not be inconsistent with
the density or quality of existing development within the Etiwanda Specific Plan area and the City.
b. The proposed Etiwanda Specific Plan amendment does promote the goals and
objectives of the Etiwanda Specific Plan which in turn are consistent with and implement the goals
and objectives of the General Plan. These goals include promoting the economical and efficient use
of land, promoting design and construction techniques that are responsive to the environment, and
promoting development compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The proposed zoning
amendment will result in development that is consistent with these goals and objectives and will be
indistinguishable in overall quality and design from existing development in the surrounding area.
c. The proposed Etiwanda Specific Plan amendment will not be detrimental to the public
health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity. The
proposed zoning amendment will act as a transition in density between the smaller lot homes to the
east(7,500 square foot lots) and the larger lot homes to the north (25,000 square foot lots).The lots
will be of similar size to the existing residential lots to the east. The minor increase in density will
not increase traffic in a manner that is beyond what the roads were designed to accommodate or
overwhelm the existing public facilities in the surrounding area; and
d. The proposed amendment is in conformance with the General Plan. The General
Plan states that the Low (L) land use designation is characterized by detached, low density single-
family residential units on individual lots forming a cohesive neighborhood, with private yards and
private parking with a density range of 2 to 4 dwelling units per acre. The related subdivision
(SUBTT18936) of the project site has a proposed density of 2.43 units per acre. The proposed
zoning amendment will be fully compliant with the General Plan; and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962
STORM WESTERN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 12, 2015
Page 4
e. In conjunction with the approval of General Plan Amendment DRC2013-00961, the
proposed Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendment will be consistent with the objectives of the Etiwanda
Specific Plan. The project site is being subdivided for the development of single-family residences
with a density of 2.43 dwelling units per acre and an average lot size of 15,010, in excess of the
required 15,000 square foot average lot size. The project site will act as a transition in density
between the smaller lot homes to the east (7,500 square foot lots) and the larger lot homes to the
north (25,000 square foot lots). The lots will be of similar size to the existing residential lots to the
east and will become an integral part of the surrounding area.
4. Based upon the facts and information contained in the proposed Mitigated Negative
Declaration,togetherwith all written and oral reports included forthe 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 that the City Council adopt a
Mitigated Negative Declaration based upon the findings as follows:
a. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act("CEQA") 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
that the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration prior to approving the requested
General Plan Amendment.
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 therefore
recommends that the City Council adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for the project.
d. The custodian of records for the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration and all
other materials which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the Planning Commission's
recommendation is based is the Planning Director 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 recommends that the City Council approve the Etiwanda Specific Plan
Amendment application as shown in Attachment "A" subject to each and every condition set forth
below.
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962
STORM WESTERN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 12, 2015
Page 5
Planning Department
1) Approval is for Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendment DRC2013-00962 to
change the Etiwanda Specific Plan zoning designation from Very Low
(VL) Residential (.1-2 dwelling units per acre)to Low(L) Residential(2-
4 dwelling units per acre) for Lots 1-16 of Tentative Parcel Map
SUBTT18936 for a site located on the south side of Carnesi Drive and
east of Etiwanda Avenue; APN: 0227-061-03 and 82.
2) Approval is contingent upon City Council approval and enactment of
General Plan Amendment DRC2013-00961.
3) Approval is contingent upon City Council adoption of Mitigated
Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for the project and the
Mitigation Monitoring Program and all mitigations contained therein.
4) Approval of this request shall not waive compliance with any sections
of the Development Code, State Fire Marshal's regulations, Uniform
Building Code, or any other City Ordinances.
5) The applicant shall agree to defend at his sole expense any action
brought against the City, its agents, officers, or employees, because of
the issuance of such approval, or in the alternative, to relinquish such
approval. The applicant shall reimburse the City, its agents,officers,or
employees, for any Court costs and attorney's fees which the City, its
agents, officers, or employees may be required by a court to pay as a
result of such action. The City at its sole discretion, participate at its
own expense in the defense of any such action but such participation
shall not relieve applicant of his obligations under this condition.
6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 2015.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
BY: '
Ravenel Wimberly, Chairman
ATTEST: OA &
Candyce M
urnett, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 15-61
ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2013-00962
STORM WESTERN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
AUGUST 12, 2015
Page 6
I, Candyce Burnett, 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 12th day of August 2015, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, MACIAS, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
Zoning Map Designations (Existing)
LU
a 1 �
Q Very Low Residential
C (1-2 du/acre) F-
Z Etiwanda SP W
Q �
W 2
CARNESI DR
Project VISTA ST
Very Low Residential Site Low Residential
(1-2 du/acre) (2-4 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP Very Low Residential Etiwanda SP
(1-2 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP PINON ST
I
Very Low Residential LOS CEDROS ST
(1-2 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP
E
EXHIBIT A
Zoning Map Designations (Proposed )
1
W
Q
Q Very Low Residential
p (1-2 du/acre)
Z Etiwanda SP LU
Q
CARNESI DR
Project VISTA ST _
Very Low Residential Site Low Residential
(1-2 du/acre) (2-4 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP Low Residential Etiwanda SP
(2-4 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP PINON ST
Very Low Residential LOS CEDROS ST
(1-2 du/acre)
Etiwanda SP
v
A