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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/01/12 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting January 12, 2011 Chairman Munoz called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 9:15 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rains Room 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: Larry Henderson, Principal Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary;James Troyer, Planning Director; Tabe Van der Zwaag, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW-DRC2010-00935-PACIFIC COMMUNITIES BUILDER, INC-A review of a proposal for an 80 unit multi-family development on 13.8 acres located within the Commercial Office (CO), Low Medium (LM) and Open Space (OS) Districts at the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Cornwall Court -APN: 1100-201-05. Tabe van der Zwaag,Associate Planner,summarized the process for a Pre-Application Review as a time to provide an opportunity for the applicant to present designs and to receive broad comments from the Commissioners. He noted that no formal decision or vote would be taken and minutes will be sent to the applicant. He noted that the applicant desires to discuss the zoning on the parcel:the issues are detailed in the staff report. He said staff feels the best"fit"would be Medium Residential which is the same as the project to the west and the same as the workforce housing on the south side of Foothill Boulevard. He said only the developable portion of the site would be considered in the density calculation and the project as presented is approximately 15 units per acre. He said Staff favors incorporating a design element along Foothill Boulevard that is similar to the existing project to the west, which is a winery theme. He said staff is recommending the look of an old winery or they could suggest something similar. He noted that their current design using drive aisles looks like a long series of garage doors. He said Staff is suggesting they create green space in the center of the project to connect with the park to the north. He said the developer could flip some buildings to face the open space, and some to face the street. He added that they will also install the future community trail improvements and Foothill Boulevard visual improvements. Nelson Chung introduced himself as the President of Pacific Communities, and gave a PowerPoint presentation noting that 10 years ago they dedicated a parcel for the park and retention basin before the flood channel was built. He said they concur with most of the comments from staff including the zoning for best use of the site. He said they agree that the Medium Residential zoning is best. He said the MWD easement will not allow structures but they can do other things whereas the Edison corridor will be more restrictive. He said the placement of the majority of the units was intentional as they are north and south facing in order to capture solar energy. Commissioner Fletcher asked about the MWD property on the eastern portion of the site and if guest parking and trail improvements are proposed there. Mr. Chung responded affirmatively that guest parking and the proposed trail will be improved as shown in his presentation. He said they can work out the width of the frail in the process. He said the development design incorporates building mass that does not dominate the street scene. Vice Chairman Howdyshell asked if any single-story units are proposed. Mr. Chung said none are proposed because the lots are not big enough for a single-story footprint. He added that in this economy they need to get more value per square foot. He said they have no problem with rotating the recreation center to the front of the site and to mimic the other development design. He said they have no issue with the trail, although they need to know how to manage the liability if the general public will be using it. He said he is asking for consideration in how they calculate the density. He said they should consider the MWD easement similar to the developable portion of the site. He said he was unsure why this has not been included in the calculation for the density. He said he wants to consider the unique setting of the project site and he wants to count the easements together. He said the Edison, gas and MWD easements account for about 54% of the site. He said he wants to promote setback undulations and some private space in back of the units. He said he wants to lessen the potential for litigation and that is one reason he does not want to do single-story units. He added that the up/down design of the buildings is better for townhomes. Commissioner Fletcher asked if the back yard areas are fenced or open. Mr. Chung said they are open but should be fenced. Chairman Munoz then asked for Commission comments. Commissioner Fletcher agreed that there is a unique shape to the property. He remarked that the Amador and Camino Real developments are fenced and gated. Mr. Chung noted this development is as well. Commissioner Fletcher asked about access to the park. He said it would be reasonable to assume the trail will tie into park. He said he agrees with staff on their recommendation on the zoning; it makes sense. He said he is not sure about staffs idea about a center green space. He said the appearance on Foothill Boulevard should be high-quality and he agrees on moving the recreation center to the front of the site. He asked what recreation facilities would be provided such as Tot lots. He said he is not opposed to using the MWD easement as part of the calculation for the density. He said he wants high-quality product, and the visibility should be similar to the adjoining developments along Foothill Boulevard. Commissioner Oaxaca said he is sensitive to the shape and constraints of the site. He said he agrees with staff on the zoning but he would like a greater sense of walkability rather than just following drive aisles. He said relocating the recreation facility would help create more sense of community. He said the back to back buildings of the current design may be a more efficient use of space but he would prefer to look at some different orientations. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- January 12, 2010 . Commissioner Wimberly agreed with Commissioner Oaxaca regarding a desire for green space and walkability. He said he agrees with staff that the developer should consider different placement of the homes and he assented that the site has many constraints. He said the offsets proposed for garages and units are workable. He said he wants to see the design elements when the project is brought back. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said that with 80 units she would want a sense of community and suggested they incorporate paseos, walkways, bike racks, and connectivity. She complimented Mr. Chung for providing on every unit an attached 2 car garage. Mr. Chung said he would like to consider tandem parking. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she did not favor the suggestion. Chairman Munoz said he likes some of the ideas presented, but also offered some cautions. He said that when they are thinking about the design and articulation they need to balance possible litigation with aesthetics. He noted that this Commission will look heavily at style; they want walkability, and the common areas will have to meet the requirements. He suggested that in the easement they are using they should be mindful of the landscaping. He encouraged drought tolerant plants and flowering year round. He said with respect to orientation, i.e., efficiency versus design, that if they use drive aisles then they will have to be more creative with plotting. He said he hates drive aisles. He said we want trees and plantings. He said it is possible to do them correctly. He said single-story units are an issue; seniors want at least one plan without stairs. He said he appreciates the developer's flexibility in moving the clubhouse to the entrance. He said he wants this development to be better than previous surrounding projects. He said regarding the park-gate access; he said for the tenants, keep the access rules to a minimum. He said he would like the greenbelt to be creative with the landscape and the Trails Advisory Committee can be helpful with this. Mr. Chung said there will be gate access for everyone if it is allowed. Mr. van der Zwaag confirmed that they be required to provide that access. Commissioner Fletcher said that walkability is important and he does not see much of that in their current design. He said the recreational facilities should be dispersed throughout the development. He said they should be mindful of the location of dumpster sites so they are convenient to all the units. He suggested they look at the landscaping at the San Sevaine Villas on the south side of Foothill Boulevard. He added that with this development there will be 3 gated communities adjacent to one another along Foothill Boulevard. Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, noted that the trail will tie in to the park. Chairman Munoz said there are specific standards for garbage enclosures and he cautioned the applicant to make sure they meet them. PUBLIC COMMENTS None PC Adjourned Minutes -3- January 12, 2010 COMMISSION BUSINESS AND COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 2JtR. b Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: January 26, 2011 • I I PC Adjourned Minutes -4- January 12, 2010