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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/06/13 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting June 13, 2012 Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:09 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Lou Munoz, Francisco Oaxaca, Ray Wimberly ABSENT: Frances Howdyshell STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner; Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Jeff Bloom, Interim Planning Director; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Mike Smith, Associate Planner; Valerie Victorino, Planning Secretary. * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Oaxaca, carried 3-0-1-1 (Wimberly abstain, Howdyshell absent) to approve the minutes of May 23, 2012. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT18747 - K.U. & ASSOCIATES - A proposal to subdivide a vacant parcel of about 146,000 square feet (3.4 acres) into five(5) lots in the Very Low(VL) Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the east terminus of Arapaho Road between East Avenue and Choctaw Place-APN: 0225- 181-73. Related files: Development Review DRC2009-00010,Variance DRC2010-00963, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2010-00964. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2009-00010-K.U. & ASSOCIATES - A review of five (5) single-family residences that will be constructed in conjunction with a proposed subdivision in the Very Low (VL) Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the east terminus of Arapaho Road between East Avenue and Choctaw Place - APN: 0225-181-73. Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747, Variance DRC2010-00963, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2010-00964. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VARIANCE DRC2010-00963-K.U. &ASSOCIATES - A request for a Variance to allow a reduction in the lot depth (from the required 200 foot minimum to about 135 feet)for two(2) lots of a proposed 5-lot subdivision in the Very Low(VL) Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the east terminus of Arapaho Road between East Avenue and Choctaw Place-APN: 0225-181-73. Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747, Development Review DRC2009-00010, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2010-00964. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2010-00964-K.U. & ASSOCIATES -A request to remove one (1) tree in conjunction with a 5-lot subdivision and construction of five (5) single-family residences on a property located in the Very Low (VL) Residential District, Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the east terminus of Arapaho Road between East Avenue and Choctaw Place-APN: 0225-181-73. Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747, Development Review DRC2009-00010, and Variance DRC2010-00963. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Mike Smith, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. • Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to speak. Mr. Richard Macias, representing the property owners, complimented the staff, discussed the process and was extremely happy with the product. Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Commissioner Oaxaca thanked staff on his detailed report on the challenging project. He also thanked the applicant for his willingness to work with staff and getting a good product without compromise. Commissioner Wimberly concurred and especially thanked staff for working well with the applicant. He enjoyed working with the applicant in design review and their ability to work with the community including changing some of the 2-story homes into 1-story homes. He said he looks forward to seeing the development. Commissioner Fletcher stated that this project exemplifies infill development done well. He said that the project fit the purpose and intent including horse trails and nice decks for the homeowners. Chairman Munoz agreed with all of the Commissioners commented that it is a well designed project with successful cooperation between the applicant and staff. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the Resolutions of Approval for Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18747, Development Review DRC2009-00010, Variance DRC2010- 00963, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2010-00964 and to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE . ABSENT: HOWDYSHELL - carried E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT18826 - RBF ASSOCIATES, INC. -A request to subdivide a vacant parcel of about 83,000 square feet(1.91- acre) into eight (8) lots in the Low Medium (LM) Residential District, within the Etiwanda Planning Commission Minutes -2- June 13, 2012 • Specific Plan, located at the south side of Lima Drive and the west side of East Avenue near the southbound off ramp of Interstate 15 - APN: 0227-012-24. Related file: Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00927 and Variance DRC2012-00127. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. F. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VARIANCE DRC2012-00127-RBF ASSOCIATES- A request to allow walls,in excess of 6 feet, the maximum wall height permitted in residential districts, for noise attenuation and soil retaining purposes along the perimeter of a proposed subdivision of a property of about 83,000 square feet (1.91-acre) into eight (8) lots in the Low Medium (LM) Residential District,within the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the south side of Lima Drive and the west side of East Avenue near the southbound off ramp of Interstate 15 - APN: 0227-012-24.Related file: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18826, Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00927, and Stockpile Permit PMT2011-02122. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. G. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2011-00927- RBF ASSOCIATES -A request to remove six (6) or more trees in conjunction with a proposed subdivision o a parcel of 83,000 square feet (1 .91 acre) in the Low Medium (LM) Residential District, within the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located at the south side of Lima Drive and the west side of East Avenue near the southbound off ramp of Interstate 15 - APN: 0227-012-24. Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18826, Variance DRC2012-00127, and Stockpile Permit PMT2011-02122. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Mike Smith, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. He noted a change in Resolution Number 12-24, page 95, under 2) Water Quality Management Plan, b) is eliminated along with the chart as it is no longer necessary. He also noted copies are on the dais for the Commissioners that eliminates the words "of the property and" at the following locations: the Staff Report, page 2, paragraph C, 9th sentence; Resolution 12-24, page 91, paragraph B., 2. d. second sentence; Resolution 12-25, page 119, 4. e. second sentence; and Resolution 12-26, page 126, 2. e. second sentence. Also a correction in Resolution 12-24, page 92, paragraph 3. b. the last two sentences should read"The zoning of the properties to the east is Medium (M) Residential District. The zoning of the properties to the south is the Office Professional (OP) District" (all corrections are attached). Commissioner Oaxaca asked about an opportunity for mitigation of noise measures in the future as in Resolution 12-24, in particular page 103, #2. Mr. Smith replied that is regarding interior noise levels and that might include special windows as a mitigation. Commissioner Fletcher asked Mr. Smith about the retaining walls and if there was a separation between the existing wall and the proposed one. Mr. Smith stated that the walls would be on top of each other, called a combination wall, with the lower wall a retaining wall and the upper is an attenuating wall. Commissioner Fletcher asked for further explanation on the west side walls of the proposed project. Mr. Smith showed details on the map on where the walls would be located and where the property lines were. He stated water needed to drain and showed where the retaining walls would be with the grading. He further stated that the retaining wall would be going from almost zero height to 4 to 6 feet high with the attenuating (screen) wall on top of that. Chairman Munoz asked if the applicant would like to speak. Planning Commission Minutes -3- June 13, 2012 John Friedman, representing RBF and Associates, thanked staff. He stated that they started this project in 1998 with neighboring projects and a 2-acre temporary detention basin was added. Drainage issues onto Lima Drive made it difficult to design on the west property line. He went on to say that they had a neighborhood meeting with neighbors requesting a terraced back wall and they are still working with staff to make sure that the retaining wall is there to address drainage and noise issues. He also stated that the City Engineer had discussions with Caltrans due to the close proximity of the I-15 Freeway interchange with future changes a possibility. He stated that the City continues to own property south of the project and would hope the City would continue to consider a 4 foot slope away from the homes toward the 1-15 Freeway interchange. He did appreciate receiving fill dirt from close-by local projects to help with filling in the basin. Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Vivian Apodaca, resident of 7185 Acorn Place, stated that her home was directly behind the project. She is asking that all homes be back as far as possible on the lots for privacy and wanted to be sure that a single-story home would be built on Lot 1. Ernie Bankston, resident of 7159 Acorn Place, stated that he previously lived where there was 2 separate walls and that was not a positive experience with trees and leaves everywhere. He further stated that the 8 Eucalyptus trees on the property drop branches and leaves on their roofs and neighboring pools especially during the winds. He would like to have a variance so that he would not have to maintain the trees. He went on to say that he had no complaints on the project. Chairman Munoz had the applicant, Mr. Friedman, come forward to address the single-story issue. Mr. Friedman stated that it is clearly stated in Resolution 12-24 on page 94 that Lots 1 and 8 will have single-story homes. He also discussed the tree issue and noted that replacement trees would be required and showed on the overhead where the step down on the walls would occur. He went 111 on to discuss weed abatement. Chairman Munoz closed the public hearing. Mr. Smith showed a map of the location (Exhibit E of the Staff Report)of the proposed 6-foot wall on top of the 4-foot retaining wall along the west property line. He stated that the combination wall would not be terraced due to maintenance issues. Mr. Smith clarified that on page 94 of Resolution number 12-24, condition number 12 is the step down wall and condition number 13 is the wall that will be coordinated with the neighbors. Commissioner Oaxaca clarified that the property owners to the west will keep their existing walls and that a second wall is being added for noise attenuation. He noted the concerns of the residents regarding the space between the walls would be minimized as the homeowners might be unable to attend to the weeds and trash. Mr. Smith stated that the neighbors concerns were addressed with a terraced wall and the new wall will be east, parallel and adjacent to the current wall and not able to be seen from the current owners. He also stated that the City understood the neighbor's requests from the neighborhood meeting that they will have combination walls and not terraced walls. Chairman Munoz stated that it sounded like all of the issues had been dealt with adequately. Mr. Smith stated that on page 94 of Resolution 12-24, condition number 12, reiterates the step-down wall and coordination of the construction of the wall with the homeowners. Planning Commission Minutes -4- June 13, 2012 Commissioner Oaxaca asked about when construction starts if the neighbors have any issues with their existing walls could the wall be replaced and have just a single wall. Mr. Smith deferred to the applicant on that matter but did state that issue would be addressed at the time of building plans. Commissioner Oaxaca asked if the wall issues would be addressed again in the future with the builder's development plans. Mr. Smith stated that the City would be paying careful attention at that time and another neighborhood meeting would be held with more specific details at that time. He went on to state that the applicant is currently bringing in dirt and rough grading the land but that is all right now. Chairman Munoz stated that if there are no improvements planned then the design will be reviewed in the future including these issues at that time. • Mr. Smith stated that yes the design would be brought up at the time when this or another developer is ready with the project and they will be required to follow the conditions of approval at that time. Commissioner Fletcher stated that they would receive more details during design review. He asked if there are any other adjacent walls currently in the City. Mr. Smith stated that in his experience most residents preferred terraced walls. He stated that they are rare, but as in-fill continues the City will have more of these instances. Commissioner Fletcher stated that if the space between the walls is not maintained there will be a lot of weeds and asked if the gap between the walls could be filled with something to help stop the weeds and rodents. Mr. Smith stated that he knew of an instance where 2 screen walls were close together but that there is always a chance of weeds and that maybe caulking or another solution could be used to mitigate the problem. Chairman Munoz asked the applicant to respond. Mr. Friedman stated that he is not a home builder but that some companies have expressed interest in the property including Lewis Operating Corp, and said that after looking at the old plans the Apodaca's wall is actually into their property line. He stated that they will butt the two walls up together as close as possible to both neighbors homes. He further stated that it is difficult with grading to not injure another wall and that it is also hard to take down other walls and replace them especially with the existing backyard Jacuzzi and decking that is currently there. He anticipated that this will be discussed at the time of design review. Commissioner Fletcher stated that it sounded like all issues had been "hammered out" and everyone satisfied. Commissioner Wimberly stated that the solutions are good and the best for this location. Commissioner Oaxaca stated that there were challenges with this property and that staff went the extra mile to help all concerned. He went on to thank the residents for working on the best possible solutions and looked forward to a well designed project in the future. He further stated that it was a creative solution and thanked everyone involved. • Planning Commission Minutes -5- June 13, 2012 Chairman Munoz concurred with all of the comments from the Commissioners. He stated that the tract map had a lot of unique surrounding it and thanked the applicant, neighbors and staff for everything and their great solutions. He stated that he hoped everyone was pleased with the issues resolved well. He advised that if there are any issues that the neighbors come to the City staff or Commission for an acceptable resolution. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Wimberly, to adopt the Resolutions of Approval for Tentative Tract Map SUBTT18826, Variance DRC2012-00127, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00927 and to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: HOWDYSHELL - carried • PUBLIC COMMENTS None. w w w x + COMMISSION BUSINESS AND COMMENTS Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner and acting Planning Director, stated that the Commission requested at the last meeting a report on the wind turbine in the City and advised that the staff is still researching that issue and would get back to the Commission as soon as possible. . 1 ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Oaxaca, seconded by Wimberly, carried 4-0-1, to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Approved: July 11, 2012 • Planning Commission Minutes -6- June 13, 2012