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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/05/13 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting May 13, 2009 Vice Chairman Munoz called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:05 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: Lou Munoz, Frances Howdyshell, Pam Stewart; Ray Wimberly ABSENT: Richard Fletcher STAFF PRESENT: James Troyer, Planning Director; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Tabe Van der Zwaag, Associate Planner; Steve Fowler, Assistant Planner;Valerie Victorino, Planning Secretary; Steven Flower, City Attorney; Cam Amos, Assistant Engineer, Engineering Dept. k k f k F ANNOUNCEMENTS None * * * * * APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Wimberly, carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher absent),to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 22, 2009. Motion: Moved by Wimberly, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher absent),to approve the Workshop minutes of April 22, 2009. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2008-00134-MICHAEL WILLIAMS ON BEHALF OF NEW BEGINNINGS FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER-A request to add 2,657 square feet to an existing church facility on a .42 acre site for additional worship area, storage room and meeting room in the Low Residential District, located at 8137and 8139 9th street-APN -207-241-31,40 and 46. The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The project qualifies as a Class 1 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)(2) that covers additions to existing buildings. Steve Fowler, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. He noted that a letter of support was received via e-mail from Robert J. Houchin, DDS and the letter has been placed in front of the Commissioners. Vice Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing. Pastor Michael Williams, the applicant, spoke saying that they want to be good neighbors and want more of the public having a chance to worship with a larger facility. They host a lot of community activities and would like a chance to grow. No further comments, Vice Chairman Munoz closed the public hearing. Commissioner Wimberly stated he worked with Pastor Williams at DRC on this and on improvements in the area. Commissioner Howdyshell commented that she rode through the area and was pleased to see positive church growth in these economic times. Supportive of expansion. Commissioner Stewart commented that it is very straight forward. And she concurs on growth and that it is a nice project. Vice Chairman Munoz spoke with the applicant in March and reviewed the project. Wonderful project and this will help with growing in the community. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC2008-00134. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: FLETCHER - carried B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND NON CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - DRC2009-00118 - BONNEY ARCHITECTS - A request to amend conditions of the original Conditional Use Permit DRC2005-00327 regarding overhead utilities, located at 8619 Baker Avenue -APN:207-132-53. The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA Guidelines. The project originally qualified as a Class 32 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 that covers in-fill projects and this project will not have any significant changes to the original determination. • Cam Amos, Assistant Engineer, Engineering Department, presented the staff report. Commissioner Stewart asked for clarification on the Baker project that had in-lieu of fees that was located on the northern corner of a condo development. Mr. Amos replied that it was a small condo development on the corner of Baker. Commissioner Howdyshell asked if it was new construction. Mr. Amos advised built within 1 to 2 years. Projects across the street paid in lieu fees. Vice Chairman Munoz requested clarification which project paid in-lieu of fees. Mr. Amos answered it was a small project that is on the west side of Baker near the northwest corner, north of Arrow. The church is south of Arrow, divided by Arrow. Commissioner Stewart enquired whether fees were negotiable at all. Planning Commission Minutes -2- May 13, 2009 Mr. Amos replied that he not been involved with that in the past. Mr. Flower stated that it is a step by step formulation per the resolution. Vice Chairman Munoz asked how many projects paid in-lieu fees. Mr. Amos answered that it is only for the northern 800 ft. of Baker Avenue for under grounding. There is a mobile home park there, but not familiar with it. He is familiar with only one in-lieu of fee • paid in the area. Vice Chairman Munoz opened for public hearing. Mr. J. George Chu, church chairman, and the applicant, showed pictures of the property and explained where the trees and power poles were on the street. Tree species was a concern of his and staffs. He referenced St. Peter and St. Paul Church and their approval in 2007. He would like to have Option Number 3 and have the condition deleted.. Commissioner Wimberly due to the large increase in square feet, noted that there are approx. 50 families and expect the amount of parishioners to increase in the future. Mr. Chu stated that right now the church has approx. 100 people with the children. New building will be a classroom, dining hall, kitchen and multi-purpose rooms. 50 percent live in Rancho Cucamonga. Commissioner Stewart questioned when the Neighborhood meetings were,with Mr. Chu stating that they were in 2006 and 2007 and that they were favorable. Commissioner Stewart then reconfirmed that the citizens were favorable to the landscape plan. She also asked about the designation of a I landmark property. Mr. Chu expressed that it was about 1990 and they are not officially designated. They are the stone house, that is now called the office, and the horse stable. Part of the Conditions of Approval states that he cannot touch the two historic buildings on the property. This is Phase 1 _ right now. Vice Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing, but hearing none, it was closed. Commissioner Stewart stated that she is normally a proponent of underground utilities and that St. Peter and St. Paul church is not the same. They have no developable land and is surrounded by single-family homes. She drove the area extensively and the block is very developed. We should not force the church to underground on this particular block when this block is not going to change. Commissioner Howdyshell also drove up and down Baker and all utilities are above ground. This property is right in the middle of the block with everything around it will stay as is. She is inclined to vote for Option Number 3. Commissioner Wimberly concurred and looked at the area as well. Development will not be changing around it. Vice Chairman Munoz also supported under grounding when practical, with the goal being nothing overhead,however, it is right in the middle of the area with out the possibility of any other going underground. It would be unreasonable at this time. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Howdyshell, to direct staff to prepare a Resolution of Approval for non construction Conditional Use Permit DRC2009-00118 to delete Engineering Services Department Condition Number 2 and to not impose the in-lieu fee (Option Number 3 from the recommendation). Motion carried by the following vote: Planning Commission Minutes -3- May 13, 2009 AYES: HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: FLETCHER - carried Mr. Chu will work with staff regarding landscaping and trees. C. VARIANCE - DRC2009-00195 - TRICKETT - A request to reduce the building-to-building separation from 20 feet to 15 feet in order to allow an existing 70 square foot shed that was built without a permit and is located within the Low Residential (L) District of the Etiwanda Specific Plan and is part of a single-family residential housing tract that was developed using the Optional Development Standards at 13755 Pelican Drive-APN: 226-512-38. Staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA review and qualifies as a Class 5 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15305. The project consists of reducing the required building separation by 5 feet and will not result in any changes in land use, density or create a new lot. Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Jeff Trickett, the applicant, 13755 Pelican Drive, apologized for missing the last Commission meeting due to work constraints. It was never his intent to build without having the permits. Followed up promptly, and with Mr. Troyer's help his other permits were granted in March. Building and Safety prosecuted but that part is done. A code states that Storage buildings under 120 square feet can be built without a permit. He built two: a 115 square foot building and this one, a 70 foot and made an effort to make it as esthetically pleasing as possible, but a mistake he made was adding a slant roof shed attached to the house which threw him in a variance. He showed pictures of his shed and home and other homes in the area with medium density that had less than 15 feet between the homes. He was not setting a precedent because that was already done by the builder, Pulte Homes, He was not blaming the Planning Department at all putting in high density homes, as they are desirable and beautiful homes that were affordable. He did not believe that there was a thorough process, and that homeowners should not be harmed by the standard of 30%lot coverage which put him in a difficult position. This alternative storage shed is better than a portable pre-fab and he would like the Planning Commission to see this favorably for him. Vice Chairman Munoz opened the public hearing and hearing none, closed it. Commissioner Howdyshell drove through the area to see what currently existed on various streets. She saw quite a few pre-fab sheds. His is esthetically compatible, pleasing and good. Commissioner Wimberly drove through the neighborhood of medium density. Looked at the situation built by the builder, which is different than the homeowner. He granted that it was esthetically pleasing in comparison with the other free standing sheds. Commissioner Stewart said that she was not going to change her position from the last meeting. Findings can be made in favor of retention of the structure. Started out with miscommunication on a misinterpretation of development guidelines. We have asked our staff to come back and to educate folks in our community in how to do a better job. Findings can be made in favor. Having said that, one of strongest point-optional standards throughout development in the beginning. The fact is we have some encroaching 17 feet with side yard setbacks. We are already encroaching in the area. And are arguing over a very small amount of footage on how this storage shed is attached to this home. Hardship is self imposed, but it is still a hardship on the homeowner. They have done a very nice job attaching this to the residence. They tried to make it look attractive and they are proud of their home, and to demolish it they have to re stucco and other improvements to the side of home, so I think it is a hardship. She also stated that other homeowners who have verandas have been Planning Commission Minutes -4- May 13, 2009 allowed under optional standards and are enjoying the benefits of that. There is a case to be made to deprive them of that enjoyment and we set those optional standards. She was completely unconvinced that this is detrimental to the public health, safety or the wellbeing of anyone in the neighborhood. It is not materially dangerous to anyone, in her opinion. There is a case to be made for that. They have taken great care to attach something to their residence to enjoy and to make it very healthful to their neighbors. After opening Pandora's Box, she really doesn't see any significant problems. Many residents, as in photos, are using the type of structures that you can buy at self- improvement stores and construct themselves. This homeowner has invested pride in this project and a lot of support for this project. Vice Chairman Munoz concurred with most of what has been previously said. The City has to have some specific plans and guidelines that are in place for a reason and for a purpose. Exceptions to everything and this project doesn't meet the exact letter of the law, but it does in spirit. He drove around the neighborhood too and many were inferior to this in esthetics. There was nothing there that would be aesthetically injurious to the rest of the neighborhood. In summary, he concurred with the rest of the commission that he saw enough here that we would like the variance to be granted in this case. Again, he re-emphasized the commission supports specific plans, ordinances and regulations in the City, however they can make exceptions in some cases. Mr. Flower, Assistant City Attorney, advised the Commission to vote on the Variance request and then direct staff to return with a resolution at a future meeting. Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Wimberly, to direct staff to prepare a revised Resolution for Approval for Variance request DRC2009-00195. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART, WIMBERLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: FLETCHER - carried I. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. R R R « R COMMISSION BUSINESS/COMMENT Commissioner Wimberly welcomed all of the high school students from Rancho Cucamonga High to the meeting. Vice Chairman Munoz thanked them for attending. Commissioner Stewart requested staff to return with a report at a future meeting on what staff recommendations should involve. Commissioner Wimberly looked forward to attending the Community Fair this Saturday. Mr. Troyer invited everyone to the General Plan Update Community Fair this Saturday, May 16, which is the culmination of 14 months of General Plan work, with Land Use Opportunities that our own Commissioners Stewart and Howdyshell were active in, activities on Healthy RC, Green sustainability and Historic Preservation. It is open to all ages including the high school students, Saturday, from 9 to 12 at Central Park, 11200 Base Line Road. He hoped to see all the Commissioners there and that everyone is welcome. Planning Commission Minutes -5- May 13, 2009 Vice Chairman Munoz reiterated that this is everyone's chance to make your mark on the General Plan update which is only done once every 5 years or so, so this is your chance for your input and invited all to attend. f l f * * ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Fletcher absent), to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /1 "'�� D mes R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: May 27, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes -6- May 13, 2009