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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/01/27 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting January 27, 2010 Chairman Fletcher called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was held in the Tri-Communities Room at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Frances Howdyshell, Lou Munoz, Ray Wimberly ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Candyce Burnett, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; James Troyer, Planning Director ANNOUNCEMENTS None NEW BUSINESS A. 2010 DRAFT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE WORKSHOP James Troyer, Planning Director, presented the staff report and a brief Power Point presentation of the 7 big ideas which are the main areas that saw change in the new plan and the highlights of the new plan document. He noted that since the last update in 2001,the City has changed dramatically. He said it is technically now an infill community because that is all the land that is left and this is the hardest to develop. He said this update had a focus on community participation. He thanked Pam Stewart and Frances Howdyshell for their service on the GPAC. He shared highlights and milestones of the various events during the community participation process. He noted that the department heads participated in "Summer School" to review drafts of the various elements. He said the draft has also been reviewed by 6 or 7 key Planning staff members. He said the plan is based on the Guiding Principles. He said the plan celebrates a Healthy Mind, Body and Earth. He said the plan includes an enhanced circulation system with transit choices. He noted the new plan meets or exceeds the requirements of AB32 and SB375 for sustainability. He mentioned the rise of more historic preservation groups and partnerships to enhance historic preservation opportunities. He noted the economic opportunity for mixed use zoning on the west portion of Foothill Boulevard. He added that this is a format/user friendly document. He said the City Council will also have a workshop on February 17, 2010. He noted that he and Mr. Gennawey would answer questions. He said the plan is scheduled for adoption on May 19, 2010. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Dietl, HPARC, thanked Sam Gennawey of Hogle-Ireland for his good work particularly in the area of historic preservation. He asked if historic districts would be formed. He noted there is already a plan for Etiwanda, Alta Loma and Cucamonga. Sam Gennaway, Hogle-Ireland, remarked that this plan views historic preservation uniquely in that it is not regarded as just buildings or objects, but includes landscapes. He said this plan proposes to celebrate the historic community and historic districts such as Red Hill, North Town and Cucamonga will be created and guidelines developed. He said they would encourage incentives such as tax breaks and loans and that there are tools in the plan that strengthens the City's historic preservation efforts. Bob Curtis stated he is a volunteer with several groups. He said he heard the Gold Line light rail system might come in and take a portion of the Pacific Electric trail and may also go along Foothill Boulevard. He asked if this is being considered. He said there has been a good start with Etiwanda as a historic district and he asked if the yearly Etiwanda Faire would continue and if support for the historic districts would occur. Mr. Gennawey noted that the Etiwanda area has become the historic model for the City. He said the types of guidelines used in Etiwanda could also be applied in the other historic areas. He said the transit plan is being studied and includes BRT which is like light rail on tires. He said this was anticipated and lanes on Foothill Boulevard are being considered for change to accommodate this. He said the only light rail plan being considered is the Gold Line that will skirt the outside of the City. He noted there are no plans to change any part of the Pacific Electric Trail as part of this Update. He said it is the spine that makes the bicycle plan work. Mr. Curtis reported that he understood the Gold Line would come through whether we want it or not albeit 20-30 years from now. He expressed concern that it would ruin the trail. He thanked everyone at the City for their help with the trail. He said he receives many compliments on the amenities along our portion of the trail. He asked where the train would go 40 years from now when everything is built out. Mr. Gennawey said the trail is so well supported. He said we should be vigilant in this but he knows the Gold Line has minimal or no funding at this point. He noted the bridge for the overpass was built to allow passage of the BRT busses underneath. Mr. Troyer added that the City Council has met regarding this and they have expressed opposition to the Gold Line taking anything from the trail. Mr. Curtis mentioned the subway bridge. Mr. Troyer said it is his understanding that the old bridge will be refurbished and used as a gateway to the Pacific Electric Trail. John Anicic asked about re-doing the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Mr. Troyer reported that after the General Plan Update is finished, we plan to finish the update on the Historic Preservation Ordinance. He said it is being done this way to ensure consistency between the ordinance and the update documents. Luana Hernandez thanked staff for how the historic groups were respectfully treated and how they were encouraged to participate in the process of the update. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- January 27, 2010 Brad Buller offered kudos to the team and commented on the transit plan/complete streets and how that interacts with clustered neighborhoods/development. He said preservation should also be kept in mind and to increase flexibility and creativity in all these areas for transit. He said that there should be statements and incentives for Mixed Use with a focus on Foothill Boulevard. Mr. Dietl asked for the next steps. Mr. Troyer noted that the City Council will have a workshop on February 17, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. He said the EIR will be circulated in mid-February for a 45-day review period and that during that time the City will receive comments on that EIR. He said that is followed by a response to comment period. He noted that the tentative schedule is to adopt the 2010 General Plan Update document and the EIR on May 19, 2010. Mr. Gennawey said that the 7 Big Ideas will be loaded on the General Plan Website tomorrow. Mr. Gennawey complimented Mr. Troyer for his leadership and gave kudos to the entire planning staff. He thanked everyone for their comments. COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Howdyshell reported that she participated on the GPAC, that it was a lot of work, dedication and input, and that they had a great demographic representation. She added she also participated in the Visioneering activity and calendaring Roadshow Workshops. She thanked staff and Mr. Gennawey for their hard work and she noted that this document is much more comprehensive than she thought it would be; it is a phenomenal blueprint for our community to build upon. Vice Chairman Munoz remarked that he focused on the historic portion of the plan with Chattel Architects. He said this plan includes identifying each and every property that is considered historic. He said it includes identifying each of these historic neighborhoods which is key in moving the historic plan ahead; it helps provide vision. He said that Etiwanda is now sort of known as a historic district but the new plan includes the idea of historical landscapes so that things such as high curbs will help make the connection of historic neighborhoods. He said this will help complete the package for a homogeneous plan for historic preservation and that it will also help assuage our concerns about historic buildings being demolished before we could have the opportunity to identify them. He said we now have an archive of the properties. He thanked Mr. Troyer for his support in this. Mr. Gennawey added that the new plan incorporates consistent methodology for local, State and Federal designations so everyone is speaking the same language. He added that staff will be trained in evaluating the properties and this will also include starting to look at post World War II properties. Chairman Fletcher also thanked Mr. Gennawey, Mr. Nicholson, and staff. He said this has been a real public effort and that he was amazed at how much input our residents had. He mentioned that Rancho Cucamonga has previously been awarded for their plan and it goes back to the founding fathers, the citizens and the staff that laid the foundation for a great city. He said he likes the document format, narratives and explanations prior to the policy statements. He thought the way the public outreach was done was exceptional. He said he likes the inclusion of the Guiding Principles and he highlighted the various titles. He said their inclusion was excellent and presented well. He noted he was glad to see nearly all of the Hillside Ordinance is preserved and that this is important to our community. He mentioned community design and the high standards and quality of our PC Adjourned Minutes -3- January 27, 2010 development. He said it was a good plan before and a better plan now and is a good document for building out our City. Vice Chairman Munoz noted that the plan reinforces again the important asset of our hillside communities. He mentioned the Housing Element and noted that it was not included with the draft document. Mr. Troyer reported that is being prepared separately by staff and if the State reviews it within the two-month period, we will be able to include it for adoption with the rest of the plan. Mr. Dietl thanked staff for the good workshop and complimented Mr. Gennawey. Chairman Fletcher said the great thing about giving everyone opportunities to have input on what the plan says, is that it then it would be difficult for them to come back later and complain. He said he has been very impressed with the entire department efforts in the public outreach. Mr. Troyer said he was glad he had the opportunity to work with Ms. Stetson and Mr. Gennawey for their work on the plan. He remarked that he also has the best Commission anywhere. Chairman Fletcher said this reflects two years of hard work and it has been a good effort. John Anicic announced the dedication of a museum (Kaiser Steel) at Sweeten Hall on February 25, 2010 and 10:00 a.m. and all are welcome to attend. He said they have had 180 people come through the museum already. « « « « « ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. spectfully s mittt OY,` James R. Troyer, AICP n , Secretary Approved: February 10, 2010 1 PC Adjourned Minutes -4- January 27, 2010