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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/10/12 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting October 12, 2005 Chairman Stewart called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.The meeting was recessed and reconvened in the DeAnza Room at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL 4 COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Rich Macias, Larry McNiel, Cristine McPhail, Pam Stewart ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner; Joe Stofa, Associate Civil Engineer; Vance Pomeroy, Contract Planner Chairman Stewart called the meeting to order and indicated that the location of the meeting was being moved to the DeAnza Room. She invited the audience to attend and recessed for 10 minutes to allow the public to be directed to the new location. Signs were posted indicating the new location and staff was ' available to direct the public to the appropriate room. • NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2005-00820-KAMM REALTY, INC.-Review of conceptual plans for development of 127 townhome units on 9.63 net acres of land in the Mixed Use land use area located at northeast comer of Foothill Boulevard and Grove Street-APN: 0207-011-35, 36, 41, 43, 44, and 45. Dan Coleman, Acting City Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the Pre-Application Review process. Jason Kamm and Peter Bachmann, representatives for the applicant, gave a presentation of the project. Mr. Kamm discussed the proposed 127-unit project, including the vacation of Red Hill Country Club Drive, the single-story portion near the Grove Avenue-facing houses, and the internal streetscape site design. Vance Pomeroy presented the staff analysis. He reported that the project is zoned Mixed Use in the Bear Gulch portion of Subarea 1 of the Foothill Boulevard District. He noted that this location is subject to a maximum range of commercial and a maximum range of residential uses for the entire zone. He commented that the applicant would need to provide a detailed study of compliance with this mix for the entire zone; approximately 90 percent of the subject site is located in the Mixed Use zone while the remainder is located in the Low Density Residential zone. He reported that the internal circulation of the site is problematic for a multiple-family project having eleven dead-end sections. He added that while the Code calls for using the Sycamore Inn and the Magic Lamp as models for the architecture in the area, only the scale, massing, and broad design features should be used in order to prevent allowing these Route 66 landmarks to be diminished in prominence. He pointed out that the corner of this site is the gateway into - the City and should be given a special architectural treatment. He indicated that the zone regulations limit development to single-story within 100 feet of residential development (north and east property lines). Commissioner McNiel asked if the applicant had explored retail uses on the property. Mr. Bachmann stated that the commercial office and retail markets in this area are in poor condition and do not warrant the construction of either on this site. He quoted from an analysis prepared by their consultant, CB Ellis,the amount of vacant retail and office space in the City of Rancho Cucamonga and in the City of Upland. He added that the small amount of frontage on Foothill Boulevard could present ingress and egress issues for commercial uses on this site. Commissioner McNeil stated that the project appears to be too dense. He noted the architecture needs to be very high quality, but should be distinctive rather than mimicking other residential architecture found in the city. He added that the vacated street should be a park-like buffer without the project encroaching into it. Commissioner Fletcher stated that he has mixed feelings about the project. He said he believes there is a need to enhance the western gateway to the city. He said he is not in favor of scrapping the mixed use idea and believes that a new project could pave the way for commercial uses to improve in this area. Commissioner McPhail stated that the density is not acceptable and the area should maintain the mixed use concept. She was concerned about changing the easterly Low Residential zone. She said the internal circulation is not good. She commented that the architecture needs to be exceptional and the streetscape should be phenomenal with ample buffering. Commissioner Macias said he considers the density to be an issue. He remarked the architecture needs to be magnificent and above and beyond the usual level. He said the change of the Low Residential zone is a concern. Chairman Stewart said she does not want to see the site to go all residential. She pointed out that the corner needs to make a gateway statement. She said she foresees a variety of difficulties for the ' development of this site, especially as it is being presented. She suggested that the entire Bear Gulch area, and this site in particular,would be best served by the establishment of a task force in the manner of the one for near Day Creek and Base Line Road, including representatives from the City Council, the historic preservation community and the neighbors. She was especially concerned that the existing traffic issues here would create substantial public interest. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comment was made at this time. • ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully sub fitted, Dan ec ry • Approved :October 26, 2005 • PC Adjourned Minutes -2- October 12, 2005