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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/10/12 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting October 12, 2011 Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:15 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, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Francisco Oaxaca, Ray Wimberly • ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Mike Smith, Associate Planner; James Troyer, Planning Director; Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENTS None * * * * * APPROVAL OF MINUTES Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney noted a correction to the minutes in that he was not present at the meeting of September 28, 2011. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Wimberly, carried 5-0, to approve the minutes of September 28, 2011 with the correction noted. * * ** * PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Munoz excused himself from hearing Items A, B, and C stating he works for a communications provider and to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest, he would recuse himself. He left the Council Chambers at 7:17 p.m. Vice Chairman Howdyshell then read the public hearing item description as follows: A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2010-00690 - T-MOBILE WEST CORPORATION - A request to replace an existing single carrier monopalm wireless communication facility with a two-carrier 60-foot high monoeucalyptus wireless communication facility located within an existing shopping center within the Community Commercial District of the Foothill Boulevard District (Subarea 2), located at 9116 East Foothill Boulevard - APN: 0208-632-49. Planning Department staff has determined that the project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines as a Class 3 (CEQA Guidelines Section 15303) exemption which covers the installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures. Tube van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Oaxaca asked if only one carrier is part of this facility. Mr. van der Zwaag said there are two: T-Mobile and Sprint. Vice Chairman Howdyshell opened the public hearing. Curt Collier, Ikuma Inc., 920 Raymond Avenue, Long Beach, California, said he is representing T Mobile. He said this project is a plus because they were able to collocate rather than construct a new facility and the stealth design also matches the eucalyptus trees found in the area. Commissioner Fletcher said the elevation shows 3 arms. He asked if there is a 4th: Mr. Collier said the design is not finalized but will probably be 3 and it may be able to accommodate other carriers in the future. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said this is the first time she has seen a monoeucalyptus. She asked if they have been used elsewhere in the City. Mr. Collier said they are popular now because cities are overrun with monopines and monopalms; this is the next generation. He said this design also has more foliage and therefore they are more stealth. Vice Chairman Howdyshell closed the public hearing. Commissioner Fletcher said he has not seen these. He said he hopes this will be a good replication of a tree as some really stand out(because they are not a good replication). Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she looks forward to seeing this completed as she has never seen one of these. Mr. Collier placed a picture of one on the overhead. Commissioner Wimberly noted there is more foliage to hide the antennas. Mr. Collier said these are more expensive, it has been used for several years, the carriers have resisted this design because of the costs. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Oaxaca, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC2010-00690. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, OAXACA, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: MUNOZ - carried B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2011-00916 - AT&T MOBILITY - A request to replace 12 antennas and add two surge suppressors and a GPS antenna on an existing 62-foot high wireless communication facility located on the west side of Hyssop Avenue and south of 6th Planning Commission Minutes -2- October 12, 2011 Street in the General Industrial Development District(Subarea 14)at 9320 Hyssop Drive-APN: 0229-321-02. Staff has determined that this project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1 Exemption - Existing Facilities). Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. He noted that Staff added a condition of approval to repaint the pole to match the existing building. Commissioner Oaxaca asked if the height will be changed. Mr. van der Zwaag said this proposal does not increase the height. Edwin Kim of STC Wireless, representing AT & T Mobility confirmed that this proposal does not increase the overall height. He said there will be no visible changes to the equipment inside the facility. He said this facility is surrounded by general industrial uses. Vice Chairman Howdyshell opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no comment she closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wimberly noted that it is good that they can use the existing facility without reconstruction. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Wimberly, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC2011-00916. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, OAXACA, WIMBERLY ABSENT: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: MUNOZ - carried C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2011-00886 - AT&T MOBILITY -A request to replace 12 antennas on an existing 61-foot high (top of antennas at 65 feet) co-located wireless communication facility located on the northwest corner of Onyx Avenue and Feron Boulevard in the General Industrial Development District (Subarea 3) at 8800 Onyx Avenue - APN: 0209- 032-02. Staff has determined that this project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1 Exemption - Existing Facilities). Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. He said this proposal will be higher. He added that the tenant does not feel they should bear the expense of installing a stealth facility. Vice Chairman Howdyshell opened the public hearing. Edwin Kim, representing AT&T Mobility said this is the same type of upgrade. He said they need to maintain a 10 foot separation between carriers and that is why they are raising the height to allow for that separation. Vice Chairman Howdyshell asked how many more of these facilities are anticipated in the City. Mr. Kim said there are several factors as AT&T is trying to upgrade nationally and there is a pending merger that may also generate more sites. Planning Commission Minutes -3- October 12, 2011 Vice Chairman Howdyshell closed the public hearing. Commissioner Fletcher said it is a simple request to upgrade and the changes will most likely not be visible. He expressed support of the proposal. Motion: Moved by Oaxaca, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC2011-00886. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, OAXACA, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: MUNOZ - carried Chairman Munoz returned to the Council Chambers at 7:39 p.m. D. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2011-00456-RESOURCE SOLUTIONS INC. FOR LAZY DOG CAFE - A proposal to construct a restaurant with an overall floor area of 9,396 square feet including an outdoor dining area of 978 square feet on an undeveloped parcel within a commercial center of approximately 504,000 square feet in the Industrial Park (IP) District (Subarea 12), located between Richmond Place and Buffalo Avenue on the north side of 4th Street - APN: 0229-411-04. Related file: Conditional Use Permit DRC2011-00457, Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00713, Uniform Sign Program Amendment DRC2011-00768, and Development Review DRC2004-01013. On September 28, 2005, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted by the Planning Commission for Development Review DRC2004- 01013. The California Environmental Quality Act provides that no further environmental review or Negative Declaration is required for subsequent projects or minor revisions to projects within the scope of a previous Negative Declaration. E. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2011-00457 - RESOURCE SOLUTIONS INC. FOR LAZY DOG CAFE -A request to provide alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption at a proposed restaurant with an overall floor area of 9,396 square feet including an outdoor dining area of 978 square feet within a commercial center of approximately 504,000 square feet in the Industrial Park(IP) District(Subarea 12), located between Richmond Place and Buffalo Avenue on the north side of 4th Street - APN: 0229-411-04. Related file: Development Review DRC2011-00456,Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00713, Uniform Sign Program Amendment DRC2011-00768, and Development Review DRC2004-01013. On September 28, 2005, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted by the Planning Commission for Development Review DRC2004-01013. The California Environmental Quality Act provides that no further environmental review or Negative Declaration is required for subsequent projects or minor revisions to projects within the scope of a previous Negative Declaration. F. TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2011-00713-RESOURCE SOLUTIONS INC.FOR LAZY DOG CAFE -A request to remove two trees in conjunction with a proposal to construct a restaurant with an overall floor area of 9,396 square feet including an outdoor dining area of 978 square feet on an undeveloped parcel within a commercial center of approximately 504,000 square feet in the Industrial Park(IP) District(Subarea 12), located between Richmond Place and Buffalo Avenue on the north side of 4th Street - APN: 0229-411-04. Related file: Development Review DRC2011-00456, Conditional Use Permit DRC2011-00457, and Development Review DRC2004-01013. Mike Smith, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes -4- October 12, 2011 Commissioner Fletcher asked if the outdoor dining includes screening. Mr. Smith said there will be a low fence and no glass. He said a noise study was performed and the noise levels were not significant enough to require the construction of a sound mitigating wall. Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Moni Dosanjh of Lazy Dog Café, 27611 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel thanked staff and Mike Smith for his assistance. He said this is their 10th location and it is the first true ground up building. He said this design will be their prototype. He said they look forward to being part of the community. Commissioner Fletcher asked where the closest Lazy Dog Café is located. Mr. Dosanjh said in West Covina, attached to the mall. He said they have a varied menu that is extensive and the decor is a lodge type atmosphere. Commissioner Oaxaca asked if there are any design features in this one that they did for the first time and is the outdoor space typical. Mr. Dosanjh said they kept to their concept materials including stone and wood. He said the kitchen is laid out more efficiently. He said an outdoor dining area is standard. Commissioner Wimberly noted that at Design Review they talked about using copper but the DRC allowed them to change that element to stucco. Mr. Dosanjh noted that after seeing the copper installed at another location,they could see that it is not holding up as it is a less controllable material. Carol Plowman, 8022 Carabe Court said she came to represent the owners of the Signature Center where the proposed restaurant will be located. She said she came to thank staff for the quick amount of time in getting this done. She said the owners and Lazy Dog are very impressed. She praised staff because this ground up construction application was entitled faster (6 months) than when Lazy Dog files applications in existing buildings in other communities. Commissioner Oaxaca asked what the timeline is for opening the restaurant. Mr. Dosanjh said they build in about 135-140 days from the receipt of permits. He said following several weeks to train chefs and the staff they hope to open in late March or April. Chairman Munoz closed the public hearing. Commissioner Fletcher said the design looks good and he wished them success. Commissioner Wimberly said the project should enhance that location and he looks forward to its completion. Commissioner Oaxaca said he drove by one in West Covina and it looks really nice. He said it is great design and he agreed with the decision to drop the copper element. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she really likes the architecture,and she reviewed the great looking menu. She said this project creates jobs and another great destination for this City. She expressed many thanks to staff for their great work. Planning Commission Minutes -5- October 12, 2011 Chairman Munoz said he worked with the applicants at DRC. He said he is really pleased when we get a project that is well done before it comes to the DRC. He said it has a Craftsman bungalow look and should look great in our City. He wished them the best of luck. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolutions of Approval for Development Review DRC2011-00456, Conditional Use Permit DRC2011-00457 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2011-00713. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, OAXACA; WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE - carried James Troyer, Planning Director offered his thanks to Associate Planner, Mike Smith. He said everything Mike works on for the City receives compliments, he does a great job, and this too is a `signature' project for Mike Smith. DIRECTORS REPORT DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE STATUS REPORT AND REVIEW OF PROPOSED CHANGES James Troyer, Planning Director presented the staff report. Commissioner Fletcher asked if the approval items would still have public notice requirements. Mr. Troyer affirmed that legal noticing would still occur per the Municipal Code regulation which is 15 days. Commissioner Fletcher commended staff. He said the update is a big improvement and more customer-friendly. He said he likes it that smaller projects can be handled by staff that will save businesses time and money. Commissioner Wimberly concurred with Commissioner Fletcher and he offered kudos to staff for the hard work. He said this should be a significant improvement to the process. Commissioner Oaxaca agreed with both and said it sounds like a significant amount of work for staff and the consultant. He asked how many years has it been since this process was last done. Mr. Troyer said in 1983 the Development Code was written for developing lots of vacant land. He said that is not us anymore; we have more infill development now with only about 10% remaining vacant land. Commissioner Oaxaca asked if there is any provision to look at the Code more often. Mr. Troyer said staff will review this with every General Plan Update and also review it when any amendments are processed to maintain consistency. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said this looks like a wonderful thing and is a great model for other cities. She noted the great compliment received from Ms. Plowman and noted that it can be related to the Development Code. She said staff is doing a great job on this. Chairman Munoz agreed, staff and the consultants have done a great job. He said this is complex material and graphics like those shown in the presentation make it easier for the lay people. He said Planning Commission Minutes -6- October 12, 2011 he likes the inclusion of items such as historic, sustainable development and infill development. He asked if the parking regulations will be reviewed. Mr. Troyer said parking is part of it and we are looking at all those standards and will bring future updates. He said the tentative adoption date is in April 2012. Chairman Munoz expressed appreciation for the work staff has put in and noted that this was a tremendous amount of work that was accomplished with less staff. Commissioner Fletcher said with respect to parking if staff is looking at all the standards in all areas. He said it would be good to have clear standards that are more appropriate for commercial areas. Mr. Troyer said staff is reviewing all the parking standards and said that some need to be tweaked. The Secretary received and filed the report. PUBLIC COMMENTS Sandy Dietl 7576 El Arco asked staff to look at the handicapped parking at the Senior Center and the Community Center. She said the cement bumpers at the front of parking spaces (wheel stops) should be changed to higher, more visible posts for the benefit of seniors. She noted that a friend fell and was seriously injured on one. She also invited everyone to attend the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber event on October 21st at the Double Tree Hotel. COMMISSION BUSINESS AND COMMENTS Chairman Munoz asked staff to provide a report regarding the parking at the Senior Center and to review possible alternatives. He thanked staff for dedicating the book to the memory of his grandson Landon who recently passed away. He said his son and family were deeply touched by this special gift. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Howdyshell, carried 5-0, to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, R ' • James R. Troyer, AIC�� P Secretary Approved: October 26, 2011 Planning Commission Minutes -7- October 12, 2011