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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/09/22 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting September 22, 2010 Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:35p.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: Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Francisco Oaxaca, Ray Wimberly ABSENT: Richard Fletcher STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner; Adam Collier, Planning Technician; Steven Flower,Assistant City Attorney; Mayuko Nakajima,Assistant Planner; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; James Troyer, Planning Director * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENTS I James Troyer, Planning Director, announced that Adam Collier, Planning Technician is leaving the City as he has accepted a position with March Air Force Base Joint Powers Authority. He noted Adam's superb talent and wished him the best in his future endeavors. Mr. Collier thanked Mr. Troyer for his good wishes and explained that following the sale of the air force base, there was a large remainder of land which is controlled by the Joint Powers Authority. He said he will be involved in the planning of the re-use of that property that was previously the Air Force base. The Planning Commissioners thanked him for his service, heartily congratulated him, and wished him the best. * * * ** APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Oaxaca, carried 3-0-1-1 (Howdyshell abstain and Fletcher absent), to approve the regular meeting minutes of September 8, 2010. Motion: Moved by Oaxaca, seconded by Wimberly, (Howdyshell abstain and Fletcher absent), carried 3-0-1-1, to approve the Adjourned Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2010 as corrected. f M R 4 M I NEW BUSINESS A. REPORT AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PERCENTAGE OF SINGLE-STORY HOMES REQUIRED IN NEW HOME DEVELOPMENT Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner, gave the staff report and mentioned that the policy is to allow for issues of massing, size, and scale along street frontages. She said there is a correction on#2 in the report and said it should read a 'Development Code Amendment' and not 'Development District Amendment'. Chairman Munoz explained that at DRC a key issue is whether we have enough single-story versus multi/story homes. Is said it is tough times to hold a builder to a requirement and thought it might be easier to do as a policy. He said the Commission is charged to not only look at the design of the community but also the needs of the community. He noted that two-story homes are cheaper to build and give more square footage on a piece of property. He said he recognizes that putting this policy with a requirement might burden them however, we also need to look after the disabled, and/or seniors in our community. He said he has heard many times that most homes here are two- story. He thought having a policy in writing would make this stronger and easier to uphold. He said this is why it is being discussed with the Commission. Commissioner Wimberly agreed with Chairman Munoz. He said it does put a burden on the builders but there is a need for these persons in the community and also allows them to downsize if they need to. He said 25% in the past has not necessarily been a problem, and is not a major component of what they offer. He said we should hold them to a 20% set aside for single-story homes. Commissioner Oaxaca said it sounds like the 20% set aside was more for aesthetics and to avoid the 'cereal box' look and provide variation to the look of a development. He said he concurs about needing to incorporate changes for the demographics in the City and access needs for the elderly and our aging population, and to offer them options to live comfortably. He said he does not have good sense if we had good cooperation in the past on this. He asked if the cart has already left the barn in that what potential do we have left for this in the City. He asked if we are facing infill development issues where owners may consider tearing down older properties to rebuild or mixed use development. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she deals with this issue daily. She said she would like to see a standard on paper as a strong guideline. She said we have an aging population that does not want to leave the City. She said many other communities have provided for this and we have missed the mark in that we have no for-sale senior developments, only rentals. She said many other communities provide for that lifestyle. She said we need builders to meet the needs of the aging community. She said she understands the footprint is larger but single-story homes always sell first and there are never enough. She said we should set the pace and the tone for the future and for people to stay in the City. Chairman Munoz said historically,with respect to adherence, most developers try to work with us on this. He said we usually see 10-15% adherence but he said he feels it is not an onerous number for a tract of 70 homes to set aside 20% as that is only 14 homes; it seems relatively insignificant. He said we should give our disabled and seniors options. He said short of saying we missed the opportunity for senior development, this could be a tool, and it adds some burden. Commissioner Oaxaca said the Chairman's comments are helpful. He said this City is not afraid to be on the leading edge of planning and developmen; this is a model city and moving in the direction of formalizing a policy is responsive and a good idea. Chairman Munoz said with respect to infill that when we tear down and are about to build, we consider the context of where it sits. He said we would look at this to see if it fits and see that it does not stick out and is contiguous and congruent with what is already there. Planning Commission Minutes -2- September 22, 2010 James Troyer, Planning Director, noted that there is obvious support for doing this and we need to get a percentage that the Commission agrees on and then staff will look at some nuances where it might be difficult to do this such as mixed-use development or on small lots and then staff will bring back a recommendation at a future meeting. Chairman Munoz asked if the Commissioners could agree on 20% or if they would like to see a different number. Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she would like to see higher but 20%would be reasonable and that we need the developers know that we need to address the needs of the community. Commissioner Wimberly concurred and at one point they thought about 25% but they thought that might not be fair to the builder. Commissioner Oaxaca agreed and he said he was going to defer to Commissioner Howdyshell as she experiences the unfulfilled demand for this on a daily basis. Commissioner Howdyshell said that downsizing folks are moving to other cities because we have no product available for them. Commissioner Oaxaca agreed that in some cases it would not work. Chairman Munoz said he is hearing that it should be formalized, staff will study it and they are looking at 20% and also looking at exceptions to consider. Mr. Troyer said staff will have to study this further and see if it would best serve as a policy or put it formally in the Development Code and that would need Council approval. He said we need the recommendation of the Commission and how it is to be implemented and then staff will bring it back for more discussion and handle details. Commissioner Oaxaca said staff is good at the homework part, he suggested they look at other examples of the formalization of similar requirements of other municipalities on this issue. * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Dietl said he looked at a Lewis development at Terra Vista today of about 800 apartment units. He said he did not see any single-story units. He asked if there are any rules to require a percentage of units at ground level. He asked why there are no restrictions on apartment complexes. He said not everyone can afford to buy a house and we should have this. He said the Lewis development apartments although large and lovely, are all multiple floors. Mr. Troyer said there are no restrictions requiring single-story apartments. Steven Flower,Assistant City Attorney said if he is referring to senior housing,there are big hurdles that must be crossed for senior housing product. Vice Chairman Howdyshell noted that there are senior apartments for 55 years and older on Church Street at Milliken. She said there are first floor units there and there are elevators to the floors • above. Chairman Munoz confirmed that Mr. Dietle is asking if the regulations would require a certain amount of the product to have only one level and not just specific to senior housing. Planning Commission Minutes -3- September 22, 2010 COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENTS Vice Chairman Howdyshell said she is glad we had this discussion during this lull in development and it is good for future planning. Commissioner Oaxaca attended the annual meeting of the Historical Society. He said he was glad to see the excitement, involvement and commitment and they have new members from surrounding cities that want to contribute. Commissioner Wimberly said he is happy about the discussion about single-story units. He said the developers ask if they really have to follow this. He said he is glad this is coming in the future. James Troyer, Planning Director indicated that we only have 13% vacant land left and this may be our last opportunity. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Oaxaca, seconded by Howdyshell, carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher absent), to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ja�Tr0 er, AICP Y It d71-ler 1 Secretary Approved: October 13, 2010 I Planning Commission Minutes -4- September 22, 2010