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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/01/28 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting January 28, 2009 Chairman Fletcher called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:12 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, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Ray Wimberly STAFF PRESENT: Adam Collier, Planning Technician; Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Denise Sink, Office Specialist II; James Troyer, Planning Director; Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent), to approve the minutes of January 14, 2009. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent), to approve the Adjourned Workshop minutes of January 14, 2009. * * * * * PUBLIC HEARINGS A. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2008-00829-WARMINGTON RESIDENTIAL CALIFORNIA- The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for 73 single-family lots on 26.53 acres of land in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre) in the Etiwanda North Specific Plan, located on the north side of Day Creek Boulevard, east of the Southern California Edison Corridor-APN: 1087-161-43, 1087-181-01 through 24, 1087-141-30 through 38 and 1087-171-01 through 39. Related files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16227. Staff has found the project to be within the scope of the project covered by a prior Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse #88082915 and #98121091 certified by the City Council on August 1, 2001) and does not raise or create new environmental impacts not already considered in that Environmental Impact Report. Adam Collier, Planning Technician, presented the staff report. Chairman Fletcher opened the public hearing. Tom Tupman, Warmington Homes California, said this project has appropriately sized and priced homes for this economy. He said the models would be open in November with home product ready in 2010. He said it has been a pleasure to work with the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Commissioner Howdyshell asked for clarification on the map of this project in relation to the existing home development. Mr. Tupman indicated on the map the new proposed tract of home development. He said their goal is to finish the community, bring fees to the City, make the CFD to perform and to sell homes; a baby step towards economic recovery. • Holly Luu, 12700 Encino Court, asked if the proposed homes are comparable to the square footage of the existing homes. Mr. Collier indicated that these homes have been decreased in size from the original approved plans as they reflect the needs of the current market and have been downsized to 2,600-3,200 square feet. • Chairman Fletcher closed the public hearing. Commissioner Howdyshell said she has visited the site several times and she is glad this builder stepped forward for this development. She added that she is please to see that 15 of the homes will be single-story and she looks forward to this development moving forward. • Commissioner Stewart clarified that 15 homes will have a single-story element, that they are not actually single-story homes. She noted this is the remaining part of the master plan from the Etiwanda Estates development. She remarked that she has never seen such excited folks in the DRC, they believe in their product, and they made an excellent presentation. She said the DRC asked for minor enhancements and they provided them. Vice Chairman Munoz commented that the applicant provided high quality design and that he supports staffs recommendation to approve the project. Chairman Fletcher agreed with the other Commissioners. He said he appreciated the applicants' comments about their product being in keeping with the current economic conditions. He said the homes and lots are an appropriate size and that he does believe this product better serves the community. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolution of Approval for Development Review DRC2008-00829. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried * * * * * B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2008-00464 - CHARLES JOSEPH ASSOCIATES - A request to construct two multi-tenant retail buildings with a drive-thru totaling 6,484 square feet on a 41,821 square foot site in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) District, located at the Planning Commission Minutes -2- January 28, 2009 northeast corner of Haven Avenue and the 1-210 Freeway - APN: 0201-272-23. Staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA review. I Tabe van der Zwaag,Associate Planner, presented the staff report. He noted a correction on page 1 in the Analysis section of the report; the square footage of the buildings is shown as 41,821 square feet and the correct square footage is 6,484 square feet. Chairman Fletcher opened the public hearing. • Charlie Buquet, Charles Joseph Associates, thanked staff and commented that this is the third and final phase of this commercial development. He said the project provides additional opportunities for small businesses. He said the applicant has reviewed the conditions of approval and accepts them. Chairman Fletcher'asked if all the parking and driveway right of way issues have been resolved between the adjacent property owners. Mr. Buquet said there are reciprocal access and parking agreements in place. He commented that along the westerly portion of the project along Haven Avenue, the project has the existing right-of-way. He said the adjustments for the new development are consistent with the intent of the original project. George McAlan, 6411 Haven Avenue, said he is the owner of the 76 gas station near the southeast corner of the development on Haven Avenue and just north of the proposed development. He said there is a lot of traffic at many times of the day and accidents on the corner to the east of the traffic light where the driveway comes into the center. He said the volume of traffic impairs easy in and out I for his gas station and therefore he is losing customers. He said he questions the design of the traffic flow at the south end entrance into the development. He pointed out areas of difficulty on the site map. He said people get.their gas and then have difficulty exiting from the station. Mr. van der Zwaag said the new dedicated left lane should ease the traffic at the light, there is a problem with cross traffic but although it is not the optimum situation, it should be better. Charlie Buquet suggested that they work together with the property owner and staff for the addition of striping and directional arrows should help this situation. Mr. McAlan asked if the entrance off of Haven Avenue would be widened. Chuck Buquet, Charles Joseph and Associates, said the improvements would provide two out lanes with one dedicated left turn lane. He said the end result of the project improvements will relieve the stacking of vehicles as they enter the development and reduce the congestion. He said there would not be ingress or egress to the new proposed development near the station, that it is further east on the site. He said the improvements should help him and the proponents as well and that all are equally affected by that. He remarked that this site was developed over 25 years ago and has many owners and previous easements and agreements that had to be considered. Chairman Fletcher asked for clarification regarding the two exit lanes. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, reported there would be two lanes that people can exit to the left and on one of them a right turn is allowed. He added that the traffic signal will be modified to control these movements. . Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 28, 2009 Commissioner Howdyshell mentioned that the stop sign has been removed and that has helped entering the center but she was not aware of what might relieve the exiting traffic. She asked if the sign is there near the exit. • Chuck Buquet said one was removed but all the other stop signs will remain in place that control the people entering. He said there are many owners and previously established paths. He noted that if someone wanted to offer their land so that the drive aisles could be widened, then they could do •that, but no one has offered that. Commissioner Howdyshell said there is much traffic that backs up heading north to Chaffee College for evening classes and general traffic. Mr. Buquet noted that the signal should give relief and allow traffic to cycle out of the center faster and minimize the stacking problem. He added that change always causes concern but that this development will provide more parking and high quality design and the developer is absorbing the expense of the traffic modifications. He added that this will also add more needed parking spaces. He noted that John Hunt from Cadence Capital is also available for questions. Seeing and hearing no further comment, Chairman Fletcher closed the public hearing. Vice Chairman Munoz stated he understands the traffic concerns but that the modified traffic signal and the turn lanes should help mitigate the circulation. He said he likes the project, the design is appropriate, and that this final phase will "punch up" the Haven Village center. Commissioner Howdyshell commented that staff did a great job for getting the right design, it is a nice enhancement. She said the project is a good design and is pleased to see it. She said she hopes the result of the project will help the traffic circulation. Commissioner Stewart noted the traffic concerns and pointed out that the conditions in the resolution does include enhancements for directional signing. She suggested the developer work with Mr. McAlan to see what would be helpful. She said she believes the changes will give some relief to the traffic and that in order to enter this new portion of the site, drivers will have to go a distance to the east up to Corky's Restaurant in order to enter this new development and some of the traffic will be pushed up in that direction. She added that it should be a nice project. Chairman Fletcher recognizes the traffic problem and the stacking of cars at the entrance. He said he would like the developer to work on the striping and signage. He said it is a short distance from Haven Avenue going into the development, particularly at peak hours. He remarked that this development finishes off this parcel/center and that it will be a good improvement and should aide both the center and the community. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Resolution of approval for Conditional Use Permit DRC2008-00464. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried • PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Dietl asked if the city did a parking study and traffic study. He said whenever he looks at a building for a project that is historical he is always asked about the traffic and parking. Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 28, 2009 James Troyer, Planning Director, noted that this project is exempt according to CEQA-Class 32 - which applies to projects under 5 acres. He noted projects such as this do go to Engineering and Planning for internal review of traffic, circulation and parking. He said staff believes that this is an appropriate level of review for a project this size as the original project is 120,000 square feet of existing buildings and this portion is only adding about 7,000 square feet of building space. Chairman Fletcher commented that when an application is submitted, staff looks at parking,shared parking and it is also looked at by the Design Review Committee. COMMISSION BUSINESS Chairman Fletcher mentioned that he has noticed the white fencing along the horse trails, particularly in the Barratt development (near Archibald), have been knocked out by the winds. He asked if the vendor/contractors could be contacted as they are not holding up in the winds. He added that this could be looked at throughout the city. Chairman Fletcher then asked if a suspension of sorts prohibiting certain types of temporary signage could be considered to help small business owners during this tough economy. • ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent),to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, jArfr Ja s R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: February 11, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes -5- January 28, 2009