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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/01/25 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting January 25, 2006 Vice Chairman Macias called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 9:30 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, Rich Macias, Larry McNiel, Cristine McPhail, ABSENT: Pam Stewart STAFF PRESENT: Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner; Mike Smith, Assistant Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None + : ww+ New Business A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2005-01092 - RICHARD DICK & ASSOCIATES - A review of Conceptual Plans for a commercial center comprised of four buildings with a combined floor area of about 118,000 square feet for a home improvement store, food service, and various standard/medical offices in the Rancho Cucamonga Corporate Park in the Industrial Park District (Subarea 7), located at the south side of Foothill Boulevard, at Mayten Avenue -APN: 0229-011-87-92. Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the pre- application review process. He emphasized that the purpose of the workshop was to look at the proposed overall design of the project and its relationship to the surrounding area. Richard Dick, developer and property owner, described the proposed commercial and office buildings as a logical complement to the existing, surrounding commercial development that includes several restaurants, a bank, and a Lowe's Home Improvement store. He stated that there is a strong demand for home improvement stores as a result of the growth in housing and the desire of homeowners to enhance their homes. He also said that the proposal would serve as a transition between the industrial warehouse/distribution uses to the south and the commercial uses to the north. Mr. Dick pointed out how the proposed Site Plan will integrate well into its surroundings. Yong Nam, the project architect from Hill Pinckert Architects (HPA), described the project as having exemplary architecture that would employ design themes to reflect the surrounding buildings while still having its own identity. He indicated that the project will be constructed of concrete tilt-up panels. He stated that the project will also incorporate some design elements reflecting Historic Route 66. Mike Smith,Assistant Planner, gave a brief overview of the site. He said the project would be the 'build-out'of the Rancho Cucamonga Corporate Park, and that it generally followed the approved master plan and staff did not have any concerns with the site layout. He remarked that as the land uses proposed are allowed in this development district,there was no concern as long as the number of parking stalls provided were sufficient to serve all of the potential (allowable) land uses, not just the few that they propose, including fast food, general retail, and medical offices. The staffs primary concern is centered on the architecture of the individual buildings, particularly Building A. Staff stated that a mix of materials should be used on the buildings. Furthermore, architectural features, details, and finishes should be applied uniformly on all elevation buildings and not just on the most visible elevation. Colonnades should be incorporated wherever possible to provide shade/weather protection; the reliance on trellises or fabric awnings should be minimized. The staff also suggested to the applicant that opportunities for creating architectural 'focal points' at the termini of drive aisles and primary tenant entrances, such as tower elements, should be pursued. Commissioner McPhail said that she had no concern with the proposed land use, and that it appeared okay,functionally. She was not, however, in favor of relatively simple, painted concrete tilt-up panels; although it was unclear from the renderings provided, if a greater amount of materials should be used. She stated that the specifics of the architecture could be resolved during the Design Review process. Commissioner McNiel also did not have any concerns with the proposed land uses. He thought that the project was not architecturally or qualitatively consistent with that found along Foothill Boulevard. He stated that the applicant should, and could, do better. He also pointed out that the awning should not be constructed of fabric as fabric will not weather well. Lastly, he wanted to see more Route 66-oriented details and features. Commissioner Fletcher echoed the other Commissioners' comments regarding materials. He also suggested shifting the position of the Building A northward and placing the parking lot south of it. Vice-Chairman Macias also did not have any concerns with the proposed land uses. He was equally unimpressed with the architecture and that significant improvement is required. He agreed with the suggestion staff made for focal points in the architecture. The applicant thanked the Commissioners for their input on what was still a conceptual project. He appreciated the Commissions feedback and stated that he and his company understood where the staff and the Commissioners were coming from and would seriously consider the issues that were brought up by the Commissioners. B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2005-01094-WORKFORCE HOMEBUILDERS LLC-A conceptual review of 170 work force apartment homes located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard west of Center Avenue in the Community Commercial District of the Foothill Boulevard District (Subarea 3) -APN: 1077-601-02, 03, 04. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- January 25, 2006 Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner, introduced the item and gave a brief overview of the Pre- Application Review Process. He emphasized that the purpose of the workshop was to look at the project in terms of overall site plan, design, and relationship to adjoining properties. Tony Mize, president of Workforce Homebuilders Assoc. presented the project and the background which includes acquiring the property to the west, abutting the Twins nightclub, and to the east abutting the Whole Enchilada. The development team provided details about the overall concept, and the overall Tuscan style of architecture. Mr. Mize stated that the team has been working with RDA to provide the affordable housing element. He indicated that they have conducted a series of neighborhood meetings. The current proposal is 16.1 dwelling units per acre and includes 10.5 acres of property, some of which was acquired within the week. Charles Addington, partner of KTGY Group, added that the proposal will include a community room with a kitchen, a workout facility with computer room and two tot lots. Emily Cameron,Associate Planner,give an overview of the project from staffs perspective. The project now incorporates over 10.5 acres of property including the strawberry field to the west; one additional parcel since the original submittal. The three main issues noted by staff are 1)the Master Plan of the site 2) the surrounding neighborhood, and 3) architecture of the proposed buildings. The developer is proposing a General Plan Amendment and a zone change to Mixed Use. In recent months,the developer held 2 neighborhood meetings. The neighbors to the north seem very concerned about the project and the effect of the low income portion of the proposal. The developer must continue to have neighborhood meetings to address outstanding issues that the adjoining property owners may have. Commissioner McPhail commented that she likes the density transition from single-story abutting the northern single-family homes,to 3 story units out to Foothill Boulevard. Her reference to the architectural style was that the elevations look like a box on box style, and that the architecture "isn't there"at all. The elevations looked like low-income housing. She indicated it is acceptable to use a simple style, but it has to be more developed than what is being proposed. Commissioner McNiel stated that he also likes the 3 story density transition. In terms of the architecture, he stated the Route 66 theme will be tough to achieve. Commissioner McNiel also stated that the architecture was too austere, and he was in agreement with Commissioner McPhail's comments regarding the architecture. Overall, Commissioner McNiel stated that low income housing is a necessity. Commissioner Fletcher stated that the garage element which faces the entries on Foothill Boulevard definitely give a "project" type feel and the lined up driveways also add to a "project- like" segmented feel. He said enhancing Foothill Boulevard will definitely be the key to a successful proposal. He emphasized that landscaping and buffering will be required. Commissioner Macias stated that the Site Plan is OK; however the architecture needs work. The style is too simple and that the developer needs to be creative when revising the plans. x * * x x PUBLIC COMMENTS None x x • x PC Adjourned Minutes -3- January 25, 2006 ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 10:30 p.m. spectfully s miffed, Dan Coleman • Secretary Approved: February 22, 2006 1 1 PC Adjourned Minutes -4- January 25, 2006