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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/10/25 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPCVl. I untm Lug LV 1 / PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA A. 7:00 P.M.* - CALL TO ORDER Roll Call: Chairman Oaxaca _X_ 7:25 P.M. Vice Chairman Macias X Commissioner Fletcher A Commissioner Munoz X Commissioner Wimberly X Additional Staff Present. Candyce Burnett. City Planner; Tom Grahn. Associate Planner; Albert • Espinoza, Asst. City Engineer, Lois Schrader. Planning Commission Secretary; Mike Smith, Senior Planner; Nikki Cavazos, Assistant Planner; Rob Ball, Fire Marshall B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS This is the time and place for the general public to address the Planning Commission on any item listed or not listed on the agenda. State law prohibits the Commission from addressing any issue not previously included on the Agenda. The Commission may receive testimony and set the matter for a subsequent meeting. Comments are to be limited to five minutes per individual or less, as deemed necessary by the Chair, depending upon the number of individual members of the audience. This is a professional business meeting and courtesy and decorum are expected. Please refrain from any debate between audience and speaker, making loud noises or engaging in any activity which might be disruptive to the decorum of the meeting. Chairman Oaxaca noted correspondence was received opposing Item C2 and was received by the Secretary and entered into the record. C. DISCUSSION ITEMS PLANNING COMMISSION C1. PRE -APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2017-00697 — VAN DAELE HOMES, INC. — A Pre - Application Review of a proposed mixed use development consisting of 296 units consisting of bungalows, townhomes, and flats on a property consisting of multiple parcels with a Page 1 of 8 OCTOBER 25, 2017 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA combined area of 16.7 acres within the Empire Lakes Specific Plan, Planning Area 1, located north of 4th Street, south of 6th Street, west of Milliken Avenue, and east of Utica/Cleveland Avenues. The specific location of the project site is south of 6th Street and east of the future alignment of The Vine; APNs: 0210-082-41, -49, and -52. Related files: General Plan Amendment DRC2015-00114, Specific Plan Amendment DRC2015-00040, and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT20073. Mike Smith, Senior Planner introduced the project and gave a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file). He noted the plotting, variety of architectural style, the project is within the limits allowed with the specific plan parking requirements. He noted a variety of parking solutions including The Vine is allowed. He said the applicant complied with the no wall/fences" requirement. He said staff did not receive the rear elevations. He said an error was made in in his density calculation for the project, he has corrected it and therefore no revision is needed by the applicant. Eric Scheck. Vice President of Operations said he hopes to submit in 1 month. He gave a brief summary of the various building styles proposed. He said the project is overpacked on the standard floorplan and the bungalow would be overparked even with the 3i° floor option. He said the landscaping is focused on the interior paseo connection. He said passive uses are added into paseo connections as well as a dog park area, quiet seating and circulation between the units. He said the plan promotes pedestrian traffic. A representative of the applicant presented conceptual building elevations for the Commissioners review and comment. Mr. Scheck said they are looking into colors, and may acid additional color schemes. Commissioner Munoz said it is a good product and he likes the articulation and the design looks pretty good. He noted the challenge is plotting and setbacks and keeping continuity within the project. He said he likes the contemporary take on the heritage and Spanish designs. Commissioner Wimberly agreed. Commissioner Macias said he is relatively cornfortable-they need to make some tweaks and then proceed. L_J • Page 2 of 8 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Chairman Oaxaca said he likes the contemporary treatment of the flats. He said he had a concern about the comments for the heritage design but it appears they made it work. He said they kept it consistent with the modern environment they are trying to create. He said the Spanish design looks modern but maintains the Spanish features. He said they need to carry out all the features on all 4 elevations. He said the applicant is moving in the right direction. Mr. Smith asked the Commission if they saw a need for additional materials. Commissioner Munoz said yes and he would like to see more detail. • Chairman Oaxaca said it would be helpful to have actual samples of the materials and color schemes for reference. Commissioner Wirnberly agreed that all elevations should be fully articulated with materials and provided for the Commission to see. Chairman Oaxaca noted a staff comment about the set back of structures along the Vine- He asked if this has been resolved. Mr. Smith noted that because a detailed plan has not been provided yet, staff just made the note that they should take advantage of the setbacks included in the specific plan and that we want to frame the street. He said staff will be looking for that in the final submitted plans. 7.53 PM C2. NORTH EASTERN SPHERE ANNEXATION SPECIFIC PLAN DRC2015-00750 —A Planning Commission Workshop to review the proposed conservation areas of the North Eastern Sphere Annexation Project (NESAP). Related applications include: General Plan Amendment DRC2015-00749, Zoning Map Amendment DRC2015-00751, Etiwanda North Specific Plan Amendment DRC2015-00750, North Eastern Sphere Annexation DRC2015- 00732, and related Environmental Impact Report. rom Grahn, Associate Planner introduced the project and stated the workshop is focused on • the conservation area. Page 3 of 8 OCTOBER 25, 2017 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Chairman Oaxaca noted correspondence received and filed by the Secretary (see public comment section). David Sargent of Sargent Town Planning gave a PowerPoint presentation, (copy on file). Candyce Burnett, City Planner said much is being said on social media about this project. She reported that today staff received a County Referral for a major expansion of a Budhist Temple — 23 buildings of about 157, 000 square feet and 4 in excess of 50 feet in height. She said these types of applications are one of the reasons we are doing this annexation. She said if the noted project moves forward, it will have a huge impact on that area. Brock Ortega of Dudek (environmental consultants) said patches of development that could be allowed • if this area remains under County control would be expensive to maintain and problematic for conservation. Commissioner Munoz asked if the K-rats are found there or could they exist there Mr: Ortega said both. The habitat could support them and RAFSS. He said it is designated a critical habitat. He said his tearn performed hundreds of trap nights with no presence of SBKR. Mr. Sargent noted that the project area Napping was 5-10 miles away from original area identified by the State as SBKR habitat. The conservation priority area is 3176 acres. The identified area was changed. Mr. Ortega said the current hydrological processes/water flows are not present to sustain the soil conditions for SBKR, but it's possible they could in the future. He said they also looked -for the California Gnatcatcher. Mr. Sargent noted that the neighborhood footprint has decreased significantly and the conservation area has grown as a result. Mr'. Ortega said this plan conserves the largest amount of RAFSS area: 400-500 acres. Rob Ball. Fire Marshal, said the Fire Department has looked at fire history reaps and they will look at the plan. • Page 4 of 8 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Mr. Sargent noted the advantage of a comprehensive management scheme -there is active maintenance of open spaces that world include removal of some (lead underbrush, non-native species, weeds. etc. He said this can help the health of the habitat and remove some of the fuel load. Mr. Ortega commented on resource management- the plan would have to be developed to remove weeds, open areas suitable for SBKR and allow for the reintroduction of SBKR. Albert Espinoza. Assistant City Engineer asked when the conservation area is created who will maintain it and pay for it. Commissioner Munoz asked how does the bottom half pay for the top half. • Mr: Ortega said the Inland Empire Conservation District covers all of this far into the forest and to the east and south and they have the capability to do it and the resources. Commissioner Munoz said they need to paint the story for those who already have concerns about their taxes. Commissioner Macias asked how long this will take and how does it work over space and time -what is the timeline after an agreement is reached with fish and game and what if the real estate market changes -and development changes. He asked how much will it impact the Sphere. Ms. Burnett commented that every project has potential to create impacts. In many cases the developer most purchase mitigation lands and pay fees to maintain those lands. The developer has to accept that as part of his project. As development comes in, lands are purchased and a new land value is created -it provides a new credit systern. There are conservation entities that will accept these. The more that is developed, more mitigation lands will be required. This is a specific plan with an EIR and will consider maximurn density so if an amendment is proposed because of changing conditions, it will come back to the Planning Commission and then to City Council. Commissioner Macias said we are trying to introduce a friendly enemy (SBKR). John Baucke (consultant) said we would have to get a sign off -it is a work in progress first have to determine the impacts, then mitigations, then identify mitigation sites (types, values -some greater than others) then .8 values of mitigation costs. He said Mitigation land values are higher than the developed • land value. Mr. Ortega said lower value biotic resources may give us lower mitigation ratios. Page 5 of 8 OCTOBER PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Mr. Sargent said that if it is not just conserved but enhanced, we will get better value and we are getting rid of a gravel pit. He said parcels will be designed for conservation and others for developers so it will help with the conservation. He said essentially, the lower part of the plan (development) will pay for the upper part (conservation/mitigation lands). Chairman Oaxaca said they will have to explain the 'no project" alternative of the EIR. He said it would have to be clear that it would be worse for the habitat if we do nothing. this is what it will look like and what that will mean to the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Commissioner Munoz said if we don't do this, then it stays with the County. • Ms. Burnett reiterated that there are active applications the County is considering for development. Mike Smith. Senior Planner said that staff regularly gets questions about development in the Sphere and putting this plan into place would settle that. Mr. Ortega confirmed water flows under bridge will be minimal (about a foot). Mr. Espinoza asked if there is —sufficient parking for trailheads. Mr. Sargent replied -yes. Commissioner Munoz said the current problems experienced at the North Etiwanda Preserve are more than what was anticipated. Mr. Sargent said programs would have to be developed as well as habitat management plan. Commissioner Munoz said he has a much better understanding of the proposal. it is a logical plan. Mr. Sargent said it is a balancing act but the plan will set up the framework. 9:13 PM D. ADJOURNMENT Page 6 of 8 • PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA I, 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 October 19, 2017, seventy two (72) hours prior to the meeting per Government Code 54954.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive. Lois J. Schrader Planning Commission Secretary City of Rancho Cucamonga 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. If you need special assistance or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. 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 Page 7 of 8 OCTOBER 25, 2017 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA the Commissioners. A copy of any such materials should also be provided to the Secretary to be used for the official public record. All requests for items to be placed on a Planning Commission agenda must be in writing. Requests for scheduling agenda items will be at the discretion of the Commission and the Planning Director. 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 decisis 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 $2,662 for all decisions of the Commission. (Fees are established and governed by the City Council). Please turn off all cellular phones and pagers while the meeting is in session. Copies of the Planning Commission agendas, staff reports and minutes can be found at www.CityofRC.us. • Page 8 of 8