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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/11/28 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting November 28, 2007 Chairman Stewart called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:27 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; Ray Wimberly ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Michael Diaz, Senior Planner; James Troyer, Planning Director; Corkran Nicholson, Assistant Planning Director; Larry Henderson, Principal Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None NEW BUSINESS A. WORKSHOP REVIEW OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2007-00550 - CHARLES JOSEPH & ASSOCIATES - A request to change the current land use designation of Low- Medium Residential to Neighborhood Commercial and includes an amendment of the Etiwanda Specific Plan for the two parcels located at the northeast corner of Base Line Road and Etiwanda Avenue in the Neighborhood Commercial District and the Community Service Overlay District. APN: 0227-131-17 & 0227-131-39. B. WORKSHOP REVIEW OF ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2007-00604 - CHARLES JOSEPH & ASSOCIATES - A request to amend the Etiwanda Specific Plan to change the current Low-Medium Residential District designation of the two parcels located at the northeast corner of Base Line Road and Etiwanda Avenue to include them in the Neighborhood Commercial District and the Community Service Overlay and to amend the uses for which a Conditional Use Permit is required to include drugstores with and without a drive- through lane not to exceed 18,000 square feet. APN: 0227-131-17 & 0227-131-39. Charles Buquet, of Charles Buquet and Associates and Don Howard, Market Place Properties, presented the concept of the project proposal and answered follow up questions from the. Commissioners. Larry Henderson, Principal Planner, presented the applicable existing Etiwanda Specific Plan Policies. He explained that the policies in place generally give warning and caution in that traffic impacts to Etiwanda Avenue are to be avoided and that the intent of the Etiwanda Specific Plan is to • limit commercial development to two other intersections/locations at Wilson Avenue and East Avenue, and Base Line Road and East Avenue. Shawn Judson, Etiwanda School District Superintendent, spoke of the District's concern with student safety in regards to increasing traffic congestion on Etiwanda Avenue for both Grapeland School and Etiwanda Intermediate, both located on Etiwanda Avenue. Commissioner Howdyshell expressed concern regarding the traffic congestion related to the existing schools and that the proposal could further negatively impact traffic. She commented that the design is too western and outpost looking which is not compatible with the residential neighborhood. Commissioner Fletcher was not necessarily opposed to the concept of a land use change but that this may not be the proper location for this change based on the issues raised by Commissioner Howdyshell. Commissioner Munoz echoed the concerns of the other Commissioners and expressed that it would take too many modifications to the Etiwanda Specific Plan which is an indication that it does not fit the area. He added that the design quality needs improvement. Chairman Stewart indicated she has had discussions with people in the area that are looking for these types of services in the area that such a change in land use would bring, and therefore she is not completely opposed to the concept. She urged the Commissioners consider referring the project for comment to the Base Line Etiwanda Historic Study Task Force. She also suggested a neighborhood meeting to seek other input before proceeding. She added that if the project proposal is for commercial uses, it would need to be designated as a true gateway to the area. There were no objections from the other Commissioners to move the request forward to the Etiwanda Task Force and a neighborhood meeting to seek other input before proceeding. The Commissioners agreed that the land use amendment is problematic with regards to the Etiwanda Specific Plan but that the applicant could proceed to the Base Line Etiwanda Historical Study Task Force and a neighborhood meeting to secure additional comments. C. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2007-00909-THE CHURCH HAVEN COMPANY, LLC-A review to receive comments from the Planning Commission relative to a potential General Plan and Development District Amendment that would change the General Plan land use designation and the Terra Vista Community Plan designation of Office Space to Medium-High Residential and Community Commercial for a 14.6 acre site, located at the southeast corner of Haven Avenue and Church Street. The Pre-Application review includes conceptual site and architectural plans for 168 senior condominiums on 11.7 acres and convenience retail shops on the remaining 2.9 acres - APN: 1077-422-46 and 93. Lewis Homes presented the Commission with their conceptual plan to develop approximately 15 acres of land at the south east corner of Haven Avenue and Church Street. The property is within the Terra Vista Community Plan and is currently zoned Office Park. The proposal included the development of market rate Senior Housing (55 years an older)condominiums on 11.83 acres and a small commercial retail center on approximately 2.89 acres of the site. In order to proceed with the proposal, an amendment to the Terra Vista Community Plan and the City's General Plan land use designations is required. • PC Adjourned Minutes -2- November 28, 2007 Overall, the Commission was open and supportive of the concept. All felt that the targeted demographic was underserved within the City. Commissioner Fletcher,while supportive of the concept and open to the possibility,was concerned about the loss of commercial office space and possible impact on business opportunities. The commissioners also voiced concern about providing more than enough parking (especially guest parking)to support both the residential and commercial uses. They were not keen on the idea of single car garage spaces per unit as proposed by the applicant. Chairman Stewart and Commissioner Munoz, indicated that the proposed architectural design of the residential buildings was a good start but needed more refinement so that the buildings appeared more residential and less "hotel" like in appearance. All commissioners indicated concern for the project to have usable onsite recreational amenities, strong pedestrian links to surrounding uses (without compromising security), and high quality design. Chairman Stewart also indicated that she would like to see the commercial center expanded to a degree so as to provide additional services and goods to the area. There was a general concensus to support the Land Use Amendment and that work is needed on refining the design elements of the project. At the conclusion of the meeting, staff reiterated that the proposal was only conceptual in nature and would more than likely be modified to comply with City applicable standards and policies. Staff also informed that the applicants that a full review of the affordable housing provisions of the Terra Vista Community Plan needs to be done and that the pending City Inclusionary Housing Ordinance may apply and affect the proposed project. 111 PUBLIC COMMENTS None COMMISSION BUSINESS None } M f f M ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, J es R. Troyer, AICP Secretary Approved: December 12, 2007 PC Adjourned Minutes -3- November 28, 2007