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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/09/08 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting September 8, 2004 Acting Chairman Stewart called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Acting Chairman Stewart then led in the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Rich Macias (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Cristine McPhail, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Larry McNiel STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Bill Curly, Assistant City Attorney; Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner; Donald Granger, Assistant Planner; Betty Miller, Associate Engineer; Maria Perez, Associate Engineer; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary * ** * * ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad Buller, City Planner, announced that the Council Chamber would not be available for the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. He reported the meeting will be held in the Rains Room. • * ** * APPROVAL OF MINUTES Brad Buller, City Planner, suggested that action on the Minutes be delayed until following the arrival of Chairman Macias. CONSENT CALENDAR A. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2004-00276-YOUNG CALIFORNIA HOMES, L.P.-The design review of building elevations and detailed site plan for 15 single-family lots on 4.39 acres of land in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan in the Rancho Etiwanda Planned Development, located at the northwest comer of Banyan Street and Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 0225-101-34. Related File: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16726. Staff has found the project to be within the scope of the project covered by a prior Environmental Impact Report certified by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors in June 1991 and Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and Initial Study/Addendum certified by the City of Rancho Cucamonga on October 26, 1999, and August 1, 2001, respectively, and does not raise or create new environmental impacts not already considered in that Environmental Impact Report, Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, and Initial Study/Addendum. Acting Chairman Stewart pulled the item to be heard with Public Hearing Item B. PUBLIC HEARINGS B. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16726 - YOUNG CALIFORNIA HOMES, L.P. -A residential subdivision of 15 single-family lots on 4.39 acres of land in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan in the Rancho Etiwanda Planned Development, located at the northwest corner of Banyan Street and Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 0225-101-34. Related File: Development Review DRC2004-00276. Staff has found the project to be within the scope of the project covered by a prior Environmental Impact Report certified by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors in June 1991 and Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and Initial Study/Addendum certified by the City of Rancho Cucamonga on October 26, 1999, and August 1, 2001, respectively, and does not raise or create new environmental impacts not already considered in that Environmental Impact Report, Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, and Initial Study/Addendum. Donald Granger, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Acting Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing. Mike Meyer, 355 Rincon Street, Corona, thanked staff for direction on the enhancements. He indicated the architect was available to answer questions Hearing no further testimony, Acting Chairman Stewart closed the public hearing. Commissioner McPhail believed the applicant had come a long way with the elevations. She thought they were good enhancements. Commissioner Fletcher stated he knew the decks were a concern at the Design Review Committee meeting and he knew they are a requirement as opposed to an option; however, he did not think such a requirement would be necessary if there were other architectural details on the rear of the houses. He stated the project has four house styles and they will be nice looking homes in a nice neighborhood, but he did not believe they look like a bungalow. He believed all four houses are basically the same box design with just a few enhancements. He hoped for more architectural ingenuity in the future. He commented the City has a policy calling for 360-degree architecture and said he would expect more detailing on the backs of houses in the future. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the resolution approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16276 and Development Review DRC2004-00276. Motion carried bythe following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: MACIAS, McNIEL - carried C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR METROLiNK RAILROAD/HAVEN AVENUE UNDERPASS — CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The City of Rancho Cucamonga is proposing to lower the existing grade of Haven Avenue where it intersects to SCRRA railroad tracks. The proposed action also includes construction of a temporary detour of Haven Avenue (approximately 90 feet wide) and the railroad tracks(within the existing railroad right-of-way), a new bridge for the railroad tracks over Haven Avenue, and realignment of 8th Street. The project area includes Haven Avenue, between Jersey Boulevard and 7th Street, and approximately 1700 feet of the railroad track on either side of the intersection with Haven Avenue. The proposed project will not increase the number of lanes along Haven Avenue nor Planning Commission Minutes -2- September 8, 2004 result in an increase in quantity of traffic. Construction duration is expected to last approximately two years and will be initiated in 2004. Funding for this project is being provided by the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The California Public Utilities Commission will be requested to approve the grade separation and temporary realignment of the railroad tracks. The purpose and need of this project is to improve the circulation of traffic at Haven Avenue and the SCRRA railroad tracks. Three structures will be demolished or relocated as result of the temporary detour of Haven Avenue. The structures include winery facilities (APN: 0209-131-02) on the northwest side of the intersection of the railroad and Haven Avenue and two residences (APN: 209-242-06 and 07) on the southwest side of the intersection of 8th Street and Haven Avenue. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Maria Perez, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Fletcher asked how much the project would cost the City. Ms. Perez responded that initial estimates were $14 million, but the costs will probably be higher because of increases in prices for steel and concrete. Acting Chairman Stewart asked the primary purpose of the project. Ms. Perez replied it is to relive congestion. She said the project was planned for in the General Plan and the funding is now available. Acting Chairman Stewart opened the public hearing. Armando Amador, 10483 East 8th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, asked how it would impact his ' property. Paul Hofer, 11248 South Turner Avenue, Ontario, stated that the Hofer family owns one of the parcels on the west side of Haven Avenue just north of the railroad tracks. He commented that staff has been very good at informing them as to what will be involved. He stated their property will be heavily impacted during construction but they understand it is for the good of the community. He said they want to be helpful and request that staff continues to keep them informed. Alan Davis, 10459 8th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he represented Speedway Muffler. He was primarily interested in details as they relate to his business and access to their business. He asked how traffic would be rerouted. He was concerned about access to the business during construction phases and wanted to know how they could go about getting signs put up to let the public know they are still in business. Xuzhou Lin, 8777 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he owns the car wash at Haven Avenue and Jersey Boulevard. He stated they just bought the property four months ago. He observed the construction phase may be up to two years and he asked if there are any plans to help out the businesses. Hearing no further testimony, Vice Chairman Stewart closed the public hearing. Chairman Macias arrived at this time. Ms. Perez showed the proposed realignment and indicated the proposal includes an interim 111 temporary road. She stated construction will take from 18 months to 2 years and it is not anticipated to begin for at least a year. Planning Commission Minutes -3- September 8, 2004 Brad Buller, City Planner, requested clarification that Mr. Amador's property will be needed for the project. Ms. Perez confirmed that was correct. Mr. Buller stated that if the Commission took action to find the environmental documentation was in order, the City Council could then move forward to obtain the property. Ms. Perez stated the proposal includes plans that need Mr. Amador's property, but the City Council has not taken action as yet. Bill Curly, Assistant City Attorney, gave a brief description of the steps for land acquisition. He said the City must do the planning first, including the environmental and design phases. He indicated following those steps,the City would enter negotiations with the property owner and eminent domain could only be considered if those negotiations fail. He stated that acquisition issues are very premature at this time. Mr. Curly advised Chairman Macias that four speakers had addressed the Commission prior to his arrival and he gave a brief recap of their comments: 1) Mr. Amador, an adjacent property owner, who wanted to know how he will be affected; 2)Mr. Hofer commended the City for keeping him up-do-date and asked that he be kept informed; 3) Mr. Davis from Speedway Muffler wanted to know how his business would be affected and if the City would install signs; and 4) Mr. Lin, the new owner of Haven Car Wash, who wanted to know how he will be affected and if the City would provide any assistance. Chairman Macias stated it was his understanding the Commission was being asked to adopt a Negative Declaration determining that an Environmental Impact Report is not required and mitigations can reduce the impacts to a level of insignificance. Ms. Perez affirmed that was correct. She pointed out the muffler shop and the route of the detour during construction. She said there would be access to the shop during the construction period, however it will be constrained. She reported there would be signals. Mr. Buller noted that the detour would actually move Haven Avenue traffic closer to their business. Ms. Perez pointed out the location of the car wash. Mr. Buller observed the temporary condition will move Haven Avenue further away but said their driveway on Jersey Boulevard will not be impacted. Ms. Perez stated she is the project manager and the project manager is responsible for maintaining signs to show that businesses are open. She said the signs could be moved around as necessary as the construction progresses. She noted all businesses would have access. Mr. Buller suggested that individuals contact Maria Perez to come in and see the plans to have their questions answered. Acting Chairman Stewart had Maria give her name and telephone number for the benefit of the people in the audience. She indicated Ms. Perez is the project manager. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by Macias, to adopt a Negative Declaration for the Metrolink Railroad/Haven Avenue Underpass. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: ABSENT: McNIEL - carried Planning Commission Minutes -4- September 8, 2004 D. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2004-00243 - NUTTALL-UCHIZONO ASSOCIATES - A request to develop a 7,600 square foot BJ's Restaurant& Brewhouse on 2 acres of land within the General Industrial District (Subarea 12), located on the north side of 4th Street, east of Pittsburgh Avenue - APN: 0229-263-48. Related Files: Conditional Use Permit DRC2003- 00770 and Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16300. This action has been determined to be within the scope of the Mitigated Negative Declaration that was adopted by the Planning Commission on May 12, 2004, and no additional environmental notice for the discretionary actions pertaining to the proposed project is required pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166. Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Greg Lynds, BJ's Restaurant&Brewhouse, 16162 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach,stated they will not brew beer at this location but instead will ship from their Brea location. Commissioner Fletcher asked how many restaurants there are in the chain. Mr. Lynds replied there are 36 and they plan to have 38 by the end of the year. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart indicated there were some problems at the Design Review Committee level but the applicant came in with a lot of alternatives. She felt it will be a nice looking restaurant and will be a great project for this area. Commissioner McPhail concurred. She said she looked forward to seeing it built. Commissioner Fletcher thought it is a nice looking project and will be an enhancement. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by Stewart,to adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit DRC2004-00243. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: McNIEL - carried Brad Buller, City Planner, indicated there would be a mural on the side of the building and said staff would encourage businesses to install murals, as they are a nice artistic touch. E. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16972-1 -JEFFERSON ON FOURTH, L.P.-A subdivision for condominium purposes of 18.54 acres of land related to the development of 467 residential condominium units in the Mixed Use District (Subarea 18 Specific Plan), located at the northwest corner of 4th Street and Milliken Avenue - APN: 0210-082-47. Related File: Development Review DRC2003-00505. On June 1, 1994, an Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 93102055)was prepared and certified by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as a Program Environmental Impact Report for the Rancho Cucamonga IASP Subarea 18 Specific Plan. Commissioner McPhail recused herself because the firm where she works receives remuneration from the applicant. Planning Commission Minutes -5- September 8, 2004 Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Stewart asked if the move would help with the City's affordable housing stock. Mr. Fenn replied affirmatively. Commissioner Fletcher observed the project was approved for apartments and is now being changed to condominium units. He asked if there are any changes. Mr. Fenn responded that no changes are necessary for this project. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the project was built to the standards of condominiums. He noted that the City has a condominium conversion ordinance. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Heidi Mather, JPI, 8910 University Center Lane, Suite 150, San Diego, concurred with the staff report and requested approval. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias dosed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart felt it is a positive move. She thought it would help with the affordability index and give first time buyers an opportunity with 467 rentals tuming into for-sale condominiums. Commissioner Fletcher supported the project and felt it is more desirable to have condominiums. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, to adopt the resolution approving Tentative Trail Map SUBTT16972-1. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: McNIEL ABSTAIN: McPHAIL - carried F. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16769 - HARMA MAGHAKIAN-The proposed subdivision of 1.46 acre of land into three parcels in the General Industrial District(Subarea 1), located at the northeast corner of Vineyard Avenue and 8th Street - APN: 0209-013-15. Related files: Development Review DRC2001-00154 and Variance DRC2001-00155. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Brad Buller, City Planner, announced that Item F would have to be re-advertised and would be heard at the October 13, 2004, meeting. G. VARIANCE DRC2001-00155 - HARMA MAGHAKIAN - A request to reduce the building and landscape setbacks along 8th Street and Vineyard Avenue on 1.46 acre of land in the General Industrial District(Subarea 1), located at the northeast corner of Vineyard Avenue and 8th Street - APN: 0209-013-15. Related Files: Development Review DRC2001-00154 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16769 NEW BUSINESS I. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2001-00154-HARMA MAGHAKIAN-A request to construct three light industrial buildings(Building"A" -6,274 square Planning Commission Minutes -6- September 8, 2004 feet; Building"8"-7,312 square feet and Building "C"-7,222 square feet)on 1.46 acres of land in the General Industrial District(Subarea 1), located at the northeast corner of Vineyard Avenue and 8th Street -APN: 0209-013-15. Related Files: Variance DRC2001-00155 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16769. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Stewart asked for clarification with respect to poles remaining along Vineyard Avenue even if there is undergrounding. Betty Miller, Associate Planner, replied that undergrounding is required for all lines except for 66kV. Brad Buller, City Planner, observed that the project north and south of 9th Street was conditioned to remove the lower lines from the poles to lessen the visual clutter but the poles remain with the 66 kV lines at the top. With respect to the undergrounding along 8th Street, Commissioner Stewart asked the distance that would be saved if the Commission chose to delete the requirement to cross Vineyard Avenue and the Cucamonga Creek Channel. Ms. Miller thought it would save from 200-300 feet if they don't cross the street to the west or the channel to the east. Commissioner Fletcher asked which poles would always be there. ' Mr. Buller replied that it is extremely expensive to underground 66kV lines; therefore, when the Planning Commission adopted the undergrounding policy, it did not push to underground 66 kV lines, only those that are lesser voltage. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, observed that the picture on page 37 of the staff report shows the large poles. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. • Frank Lane, 18892 Fowler, Santa Ana, thanked staff for working on the project for over three years to try to get the project going. He stated he owned the property for over 10 years and wanted to put in a recycling center, but the neighborhood opposed. He said he next tried to plan a strip mall, but that was not economically feasible. He indicated he put in a lot of architectural enhancements and it will be a nice gateway to the City. Mr. Lane said the monument would cost between $15,000- $20,000 and they will pay for its maintenance. He said the cost per square foot of development would be higher than most gateway monuments in the City because his project is small and he asked for assistance in the funding for building the monument. With respect to the in-lieu fee for undergrounding on Vineyard Avenue, he said it would never be used as the City of Ontario has indicated they will never underground. He said that on 8th Street, the line only goes part way along his property line. He did not feel it is fair to ask him to continue the line beyond that point. He felt it would be a reasonable compromise to go from the first pole west of the Cucamonga Creek Channel to Vineyard Avenue. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner McPhail stated that part of the charge of the Planning Commission is to uphold the General Plan and gateways are crucial to the overall identity of the community. She felt it is important to have entry statements and that is a developer cost. Regarding undergrounding along Planning Commission Minutes -7- September 8, 2004 Vineyard Avenue, she preferred the developer underground what can be done. She said it appeared the applicant was wiling to compromise on the undergrounding along 8th Street. Commissioner Stewart concurred. With respect to undergrounding, she noted that many developers have asked for relief and she felt it important for the City to uphold its policies. She was willing to allow the shorter length for undergrounding on 8th Street. She felt the entry monument must be done and observed that maintenance is a part of it. She asked that they install the undergrounding along Vineyard Avenue from the first pole on the south side of 8th Street to the first pole north of the S.C.R.R.A./SANBAG Railway right-of-way, as suggested in Option F.2.c.in the staff report. She saw no reason to collect an in-lieu fee for work that would never be done. Commissioner Fletcher asked if the City had a cost for the undergrounding along Vineyard Avenue. Ms. Miller replied that it typically costs approximately$210 a linear foot. Commissioner Fletcher agreed that the monument is necessary for the entry point to the City. He questioned the need to underground along Vineyard because the poles will remain, but he did say he understood the need to reduce clutter. He agreed with Commissioners McPhail and Stewart with respect to the 8th Street undergrounding. Commissioner Macias agreed the monument needs to be installed. He agreed with the undergrounding suggested in the staff report for Vineyard Avenue. He concurred with the lesser amount of undergrounding along 8th Street and noted that developer fees are non-negotiable. Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by Fletcher, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Development Review DRC2001-00154 and Variance DRC2001-00155 with modifications to require undergrounding along Vineyard Avenue and to reduce the length of undergrounding along 8th Street as noted above. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: McNIEL - carried PUBLIC HEARINGS H. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM16507- HPA, INC. -A request to subdivide 9.57 acres of land into four parcels in the Minimum Impact Heavy Industrial District(Subarea 9), located at 8226 Rochester Avenue-APN: 0229-111-05. Related file: Development Review DRC2004-00109. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. NEW BUSINESS J. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2004-00109 - HPA, INC. -A request to develop four industrial buildings totaling 196,995 square feet on 9.57 acres of land in the Minimum Impact Heavy Industrial District(Subarea 9), located at 8226 Rochester Avenue - APN: 0229-111-05. Related file: Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16507. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes -8- September 8, 2004 Patrick Russell, 18802 Bardeen Avenue, Irvine,thanked Mr. Fenn for helping guide them through the process. He felt they have a sophisticated project. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner McPhail stated the applicant made modifications through the Design Review process and the project was now ready to be approved. Commissioner Fletcher agreed. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by McPhail to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16507 and Development Review DRC2004- 00109. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: McNIEL - carried APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, carried 3-0-1-1 (McNiel absent, McPhail abstain), to approve the minutes of July 14, 2004. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, carried 3-0-1-1 (McNiel absent,McPhail abstain), to approve the minutes of the Adjoumed Meeting of July 14, 2004. I Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by McPhail, carried 4-0-1 (McNiel absent), to approve the minutes of July 17, 2004. Motion: Moved by Fletcher, seconded by McPhail, carried 3-0-1-1 (McNiel absent, Macias abstain), to approve the minutes of August 11, 2004. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, carried 3-0-1-1 (McNiel absent, Macias abstain), to approve the minutes of the Adjourned meeting of August 11, 2004. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Stewart asked if the Commission could take another tour of the mall site. Mr. Buller indicated a tour could be arranged. It was the consensus of the Commission that a tour should be scheduled. Planning Commission Minutes -9- September 8, 2004 • Mr. Buller observed that some of the staff attended the memorial service to Deputy Ron Ives. He suggested closing the Planning Commission meeting in memory of the fallen Rancho Cucamonga Officer. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by McPhail, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (McNiel absent), to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, : �uller Secretary Approved: October 13, 2004 1 Planning Commission Minutes -10- September 8, 2004