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Home My WebLink About2008/01/23 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting January 23, 2008 Chairman Stewart called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:09 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: Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary; Denise Sink, Office Specialist II e e + + ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Fletcher, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent), to approve the • minutes of January 9, 2008. CONSENT CALENDAR A. SUMMARY VACATION OF A PORTION OF THE SIERRA MADRE AVENUE CUL-DE-SAC TERMINUS, SOUTH OF NINTH STREET (V-210) -A REQUEST TO FIND THE SUMMARY VACATION OF SIERRA MADRE AVENUE, GENERALLY LOCATED 97 FEET TO 226 FEET SOUTH OF THE CHAFFEE STREET ALLEY(SOUTH OF 9TH STREET) IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN —APN:0207-254-67, 68. RELATED FILE: DRC2005-01060 Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS B. VARIANCE DRC2007-00299 - PETE VOLBEDA-A request to reduce the required side-yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet in order to construct a single-family residence in the Low (L) Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at 8770 Vinmar Avenue - APN: 0207-242-18. The project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)as a Class 5 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15305, which covers minor alterations in land use limitations and includes variances for side yard setbacks. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING TO ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT NOTICING. Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing to take testimony from those who are unable to attend the February 13, 2008 meeting. Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary, noted for the record that a letter of opposition was received today from Adalberto Nieves. He cited concerns regarding property value, the close proximity of the house to his own, a potential fire hazard, parking, and an invasion of privacy. Nancy Lopez, 525 West 4th Avenue, stated she owns the property to the south of the project site located at 8776 Vinmar Avenue. She noted that when the property was for sale several years ago, she contacted City staff on two occasions to inquire as to what she could build on that site; if it was suitable for a home exactly like what she has. She stated she was informed that it could not be done because the lot is too narrow. She reported that she was told she could demo her current home and build a larger home on the combined property. She said she was told the property was otherwise useless. She said others were also interested in the property but they were told the same thing. She said because she is a woman, she felt discriminated against. She remarked that she was never given any other options or told about the possibility of a variance and so she gave up. She said she is concerned about how close this home would be to hers and how it would affect her property value. She asked what the reason is for granting a 10 foot variance. She said it is a party neighborhood and the noise rattles her windows now, so she could not imagine what it would be with another house next door. She commented that it could also be a fire hazard. Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director commented.that the City is sensitive to these requests, and considers in-fill development. Commissioner Munoz remarked that it is a request for a variance and has not been approved yet, and that there is no guarantee of its approval. Lisa Mejia, 8776 Vinmar Avenue asked if staff would go out and look at the site, Commissioner Munoz commented that the Commission often is seen on the project site and that they often go look prior to hearing the item at the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Howdyshell said visiting the site gives a good perspective as to the sense of scale of a project. Mr. Nicholson reported that staff has visited the site and that the property is the same size as her own. Vice Chairman Fletcher remarked that the City inherited many such lot splits from the County and that there are a number of pockets of property like this; they are legal lots but do not conform to our Codes. He said this is why variances came about,to try to make it fair for property owners that want to build on their land. He added that there are many lots in Rancho Cucamonga built to within 5 feet of the property line. Planning Commission Minutes -2- January 23, 2008 Mr. Nicholson commented that even her own carport is built to within 2 feet of the property line. He presented Ms. Lopez with a copy of the draft staff report for the project for her information and that the information in it may help her understand the project and the variance request. He offered to meet with her and/or to have the project planner contact her to answer her questions. Lois Schrader, Planning Commission Secretary, noted for the record that the report is a draft only and that some things in the report could change between now and the time that the report is distributed with.the agenda packet for the February 13 meeting. Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, to continue the project to the February 13, 2008 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried . . . . . C. VARIANCE DRC2007-00396 - JALAL NOORZADY-A request to reduce the'required corner side yard setback from 27 feet to 16 feet 11 inches for the purpose of building a single-family residence in the Low (L) Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southeast corner of Amethyst Avenue and 19th Street-APN: 0202-111-05. The project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 5 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15305, which covers minor alterations in land use limitations and includes variances for side yard setbacks. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 13,2008 MEETING TO ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT NOTICING. Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing and noted that no one from the audience wished to speak to this item that could not attend the February 13, 2008 meeting. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Munoz, to continue the project to the February 13, 2008 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried . . . . . D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2006-00633 — RANCHO WORKFORCE HOUSING—The request to develop a 166-unit apartment complex on 10.5 acres of land in the Community Commercial District (the associated General Plan Amendment and Development Code Amendment applications propose a Mixed Use District), located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard and west side of Center Avenue. APN: 1077- 601-02, 03, and 04. Related Files: Development District Amendment DRC2006-00634, General Plan Amendment DRC2006-00635, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2006-00636. An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for consideration. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING TO ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT NOTICING E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AMENDMENT DRC2006-00634 — RANCHO WORKFORCE HOUSING — A request to amend the Development District from Community Commercial (CC), Foothill Boulevard District, Sub area 3, to Mixed Use/Retail (MU) for approximately 17 acres of land, located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard between Center Avenue and Hermosa Avenue-APN: 1077-601-02,03, 04, Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 23, 2008 05, 06, 11, 13, and 14. Related Files: General Plan Amendment DRC2006-00635, Development Review DRC2006-00633, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2006-00636. An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for consideration. This item and the Environmental Impact Report will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING TO ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT NOTICING F. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2006-00635— RANCHO WORKFORCE HOUSING — A request to amend the General Plan land use designation from General Commercial (GC) to Mixed Use (MU) for approximately 17 acres of land, located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard between Center Avenue and Hermosa Avenue - APN: 1077-601-02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 11, 13, and 14. Related Files: Development District Amendment DRC2006-00634, Development Review DRC2006-00633, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2006-00636. An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for consideration. This item and the Environmental Impact Report will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. THIS ITEM IS CONTINUED TO THE FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MEETING TO ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT NOTICING. Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing and noted that no one from the audience wished to speak to this item. Motion: Moved by Howdyshell, seconded by Fletcher, to continue the project to the February 13, 2008 meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, HOWDYSHELL, MUNOZ, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: WIMBERLY - carried PUBLIC COMMENTS None COMMISSION BUSINESS None ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Munoz, seconded by Howdyshell, carried 4-0-1 (Wimberly absent),to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, James R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: February 13, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 23, 2008