Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/07/28 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA • PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting July 28, 2004 • Chairman Macias called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman Macias then led in the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Rich Macias, Cristine McPhail, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Jim Markman City Attorney; Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Lois Schrader, Planning Division Secretary; Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad Buller, City Planner, announced that two open Associate Planner positions which had previously been approved in the budget are now being advertised to be filled. He also congratulated Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner, on her wedding engagement. CONSENT CALENDAR A. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2004-00206 -STANDARD PACIFIC HOMES-The review of site plan and elevations for 25 single-family detached homes on 8.27 acres at the southeast corner of Victoria Park Lane and Base Line Road - APN: 0227-161-141 thru 147 and 0227-171-126 thru 128, 130 thru 133, 135, and 137 thru 139. Through the preparation of an Initial Study, this action has been determined to be within the scope of the supplement to the Victoria Arbors Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse No. 98041137)that was certified by the City Council on July 7, 1999,and no additional environmental notice for the discretionary actions pertaining to the proposed projected is required pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166. Commissioner Fletcher requested the item be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Chairman Macias pulled the item and asked for comment. Commissioner Fletcher commented that as he gets older, and as the children leave home,the idea of a single-story home is more appealing. He remarked that there is little new home product being built that is single-story and much of what is currently being developed are two-story, box type homes. He noted that if the other tracts near this project offer a single-story plan, and the new projects going in around it should also. Chairman Macias asked if the applicant was present and opened the public hearing. Ryan Thomas, representing Standard Pacific Homes, 255 E. Rincon Street, Suite 200, Corona, stated that several smaller projects have single-story product in the Victoria Arbors development. He remarked that this application applies to the third and final tract for Standard Pacific. He noted that they were told two-story product would be acceptable and that this tract is in conformity with the first two tracts they built. Brad Buller,City Planner,suggested Mr.Thomas let his company know that the Commission has a concern about the amount of two-story box-type product that is being built. He remarked that we are putting developers"on notice"because the Commission is looking for more single-story home product. Mr.Thomas commented that this current application reflects a single-story"element"particularly on the corner lots, which softens the two story appearance. Commissioner Fletcher remarked that although the elevations are fine, the roofs are varied and architectural treatments are added,the homes are still two-story and box-like. He added that if the neighborhood is essentially two-story, then we need to reduce the mass of the homes. He commented no one envisioned such large homes in comparison to the size of the lots. He noted that to the north of this project on Day Creek Boulevard is an example of a good mix of single-story and two-story home,product. He added that many people his age have larger homes and are looking to downsize and go to a single-level living arrangement. He remarked that people looking for homes in Rancho Cucamonga often ask him if we have any single-story homes. Chairman Macias said that was a good comment and that the Design Review Committee has recently dealt with this issue. He asked Mr. Buller if we are anticipating a "pre-decision" being made with the new applications coming in. Mr. Buller reported that we are attempting to notify the developers that we are looking for more single-story product but that we will not require those that are midstream in the process to change their plans. Chairman Macias asked that Mr. Buller keep the Commission informed to any new developments related to this policy direction. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Fletcher, carded 5-0, to approve Development Review DRC2004-00206 as presented by staff by adoption of the Resolution of Approval and to file a Notice of Determination. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2004-00079-THE BATES COMPANY Chairman Macias announced that this item would be heard in conjunction with public hearing item C. PUBLIC HEARINGS B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2004-00079-THE BATES COMPANY-A request to develop five industrial buildings totaling 64,500 square feet on 4 acres of land in the General Industrial District (Subarea 11), located on the north side of Mission Park Drive between Richmond Place and Buffalo Avenue-APN:0229-263-54 and 55. Planning Commission Minutes -2- July 28, 2004 Related File:Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16815. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM16815 -THE BATES COMPANY - A request to subdivide 4 acres of land into five parcels in the General Industrial District (Subarea 11), located on the north side of Mission Park Drive between Richmond Place and Buffalo Avenue-APN:0229-263-54 and 55. Related File: Development Review DRC2004-00079. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. Chairman Macias asked if the Commissioners had any questions. Seeing and hearing no response, he opened the public hearing. Chris Atkinson representing the Bates Company, 147 East Olive Avenue Monrovia,stated he did not have any questions. Seeing and hearing no further comment, Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by McPhail, carded 5-0, to approve Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16815 and Development Review DRC2004-00079 as presented by staff by adoption of the Resolutions of Approval and to adopt the Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE carried Chairman Macias noted that Items D and E would be heard together. D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16716 — J.T. STORM DEVELOPMENT-A request to subdivide 13.22 gross acres into 22 single-family homes in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda Specific Plan, located on the east side of Etiwanda Avenue,between Etiwanda Intermediate School and Etiwanda Railway Station -APN: 0227-121-16 and 49. Related Files: Variance DRC2003- 01061 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-01060. Staff has prepared a Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. E. VARIANCE DRC2003-01061 - J.T. STORM DEVELOPMENT - A request to increase wall heights for a proposed subdivision, located on the east side of Etiwanda Avenue, between Etiwanda Intermediate School and Etiwanda Railway Station - APN: 0227-121-16 and 49. Related Files: Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16716 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2003-01060. Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner presented the staff report. She noted that on page D, E 57 of the agenda packet, Engineering Condition # 7a has been added which reads: "Because the subject tract is a privately gated community, the interior storm drains shall be privately maintained to the connection with Line XIV-32." Commissioner McNiel asked if in regard to the Variance request if the wall is terraced or a"straight up-flat 11-foot"wall. Ms. Wimer responded that it is straight up but that there are slopes and therefore the visual effect will be reduced because of the grade variations. Planning Commission Minutes -3- July 28, 2004 Peter Pitassi, 8439 White Oak Avenue, commented that the vineyard buffer is about 1.3 acres of land and Filippi Winery has agreed to plant and maintain it in cooperation with the Homeowners Association. He explained that to clarify the wall height,there would not actually be one 11 1/2 foot wall but that the wall heights vary. He reported that along the north side of the property would be a 10-foot wall measured from the school side and the south side of the wall will slope down to a retaining wall at the base to the vineyard buffer/landscaping below and then to a flat area along the curb and then to the street level. He said that when you combine all of those elements,you end up with the potential for 11 1/2 feet. He remarked that the south side wall will be at grade and 8 feet tall and on the east edge of the project will be an open pilaster/wrought iron fence lending visibility to the Banks'vineyard/property to the east and then along the west side will also be pilasters and wrought iron. He pointed out that a mitigation condition for a wall to be built for noise mitigation should no longer be necessary because of the vineyard/landscape setback being provided. He commented that Engineering Condition #3 states the frontage along Etiwanda Avenue for Lots "B" and "C" should look like front yards. He pointed out that they should look like Vineyards. Commissioner McNiel asked if housing product would be coming in the near future, particularly single-story homes. Mr. Pitassi remarked that the previous comments regarding single-family homes is a point well taken and that everyone is looking for single-story homes at one point of their lives. Commissioner Fletcher asked about the structure on the northwest comer. Mr. Pitassi responded that it is a single-family home that is not part of this project. Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner remarked that Mr. Pitassi is correct, that the noise condition requiring the wall is no longer needed because the acoustical study was performed prior to the introduction of the vineyard/buffer. Mr. Coleman asked that the condition be deleted for the record. Brad Buller, City Planner, remarked that in respect to the wall issue,we would not want to put a wall in between the vineyard and the street. Ms.Wimer added that in concert with the direction of the Etiwanda Base Line Historic Task Force, there would be no need for the block wall because of the visual effect and because the houses are set back further. Commissioner McNiel confirmed that regarding the condition that applies to the front yard appearance then the wall is not going to be put in. Ms. Wimer said that they have agreed upon wrought iron. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Fletcher, carried 5-0, to approve Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM16815 and Development Review DRC2004-00079 as presented by staff by adoption of the Resolutions of Approval and to adopt the Negative Declaration of environmental impacts. AYES: FLETCHER, MACIAS, McNIEL, McPHAIL, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE carried Planning Commission Minutes -4- July 28, 2004 town. She stated she is proud of the beautiful new Senior Center and the recently opened Town Square. She passed out a catalogue of programs offered at the center, encouraged people to participate in the Legacy Tree program, and noted that the age to be considered a senior now begins at 50 according to the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP). ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by McPhail, carried 5-0, to adjoum. The Planning Commission adjoumed at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, i I. Br!ller V Secretary • Planning Commission Minutes -5- July 28, 2004