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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/08/13 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting August 13, 2003 Chairman Macias called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 8:15 p.m. The meeting was held at Cucamonga County Water District, 10440 Ashford Street, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Richard Fletcher, Rich Macias, Cristine McPhail, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Larry McNiel STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner; Alan Warren, Associate Planner OLD BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2003-00503 - JOHN LAING HOMES—Second review of a request for 18 single-family detached condos and 140 single-family attached motor court condos with a common recreation facility and common area landscaping within the Mixed Use District of the Foothill Boulevard Districts with improvements consistent with the Foothill Boulevard Visual Improvement Plan, located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard between Hellman and Malachite Avenues-APN: 0208-141-06 thru 17, 33, 34, 35, 37, and 38 and 0208-151-20 thru 23. Brad Buller, City Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the previous Pre-application Review on June 11, 2003. He explained that following that meeting the applicant designed an altemative complex with townhouse rows opposing central driveways. Mr. Buller emphasized that the purpose of the workshop was to clarify the Commissioners'view of the auto-court concept versus a standard row townhouse design for the site. Rhonda Neely of Laing Homes summarized the alternative plan and highlighted the positive features of each site plan concept. She added that her company is appreciative of the Commission's input and that Laing Homes is prepared to move forward with either design for the site. Mr. Buller shared a conversation he had with Commissioner McNiel just before he left for the evening. He indicated Commissioner McNeil expressed reservations about the auto court concept from the closed-in appearance within each court area and also how the court's misuse(parking,play area, etc.) will negatively affect the residents. He said Commissioner McNiel mentioned that he would be willing to give auto-courts a chance at this location only. Commissioner Fletcher stated he did not know about any inherent negative aspects of the auto-court concept. He added that he liked the example of the townhouse row architecture better than the architecture of the auto-court. He asked if there is there a tot-lot in the alternative plan. Commissioner McPhail commented that she preferred the view of the auto court plan from Foothill Boulevard. She indicated any plan that is eventually proposed must have sufficient outdoor amenities for those who will reside in the complex. She added that she likes the single-family housing portion along San Bernardino Road. With either plan, she felt the architecture needs to be superior. Commissioner Stewart said that she did not care for either design as presented because they both look over built. While she commented that she did not care for auto-courts, she added that she could support an auto-court plan that has an appropriate amount of open space. She believed that a tot lot is needed. She proposed that some bungalows along Foothill Boulevard might enhance a "Route 66" streetscape. She felt high quality landscaping is needed along the Foothill Boulevard frontage. Chairman Macias agreed with Commissioner Stewart that he was not fond of the auto court concept; however, he preferred the auto-court plan between the two designs submitted. He added that Commissioner Stewart's suggestion regarding bungalows along Foothill Boulevard had merit within the "Route 66" context. He also believed that both plans appear too dense and that a reduction in units might be warranted. He concluded by saying that any plan needs to be pedestrian friendly and a tot lot is a must for the complex. Brad Buller, City Planner, summarized the comments of the Commission. He stated that the plans conform to the area's multiple family density range. Further he added that single story bungalow type elements would be appropriate along Foothill Boulevard and that such features might provide a less dense appearance from the major street frontage. He advised the applicants that they could move forward with submittal of a Design Review application for either type of project. NEW BUSINESS B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16605 AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2003-00637-SYCAMORE TOWN HOMES-CHARLES JOSEPH ASSOCIATES- A Pre-Application Review to consider a conceptual design concept for the proposed development of 86 town homes and 133 flats on 20.00 acres of land in the Western Foothill Boulevard Mixed Use Corridor area within Subarea 1 of the Foothill Districts, located on the north side of Foothill Boulevard, between San Bernardino Road and Baker Avenue - APN: 0207-101-31 and 34. Brad Buller, 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 project design overall and its relationship to the surrounding area. Chuck Buquet, Charles Joseph Associates, introduced the development team and gave an overview of the project. He indicated that the project is currently going through the development process with the City, and added that there have been some revisions to the project layout that were not reflected on the plans the Commissioners received for the workshop. However, he thought the Commissioners and staff would like the new changes. He indicated that someone has done a lot of grading on the property and flattened out an area; however,they have not been able to discover who did it. Victor Mahony, Chief Financial Officer for Cameo Homes, discussed the proposed project in detail. Using photo simulations of the site for reference, he explained the project layout. He also noted that the adjacent property owner, Sycamore Inn, is in support of the project. Chris Giannini, Associate Landscape Architect, added that the applicant's intention is to save as many trees on-site as possible. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- August 13, 2003 Commissioner Fletcher asked the developer if the project was a gated community. The developer indicted it would be. Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner, pointed out the following four key items for the Planning Commissioners to consider. 1) Development on hillside slopes 30 percent or greater, 2) Building heights exceeding 30 feet in the Hillside Overlay; 3)Architecture of the buildings; and 4) Layout of private open space and entrances. Mr. Buller, stated his concern with the proposed project as it relates to the Hillside Ordinance. He indicated that the project, as proposed, does not meet the Hillside Ordinance. He also stated his concern with the photo simulations the applicant presented to the Commissioners because they did not appear to accurately depict the proposed development on the hillside. He noted that the existing Sycamore Inn parking lot on the east side of the restaurant would be separated from the restaurant by the development of the Foothill Boulevard entrance to the project, but felt comfortable that pedestrian access from the parking lot to the restaurant crossing over the project entrance can be worked out. He questioned whether it was possible to save trees with the proposed grading scheme that will mass grade the site and fill in the natural ravines. He indicated that in his conversations with the owner of the Sycamore Inn, their support for project was very conditional. He stated that cross sections and sight line analysis from the Red Hill town homes is important. Mr. Buquet said that they will submit a section through every unit on Red Hill. Mr. Giannini clarified that the only trees that the developer could possibly save were on the perimeter of the project because of the project's mass grading concept. Commissioner Stewart stated she likes the project location next to the Sycamore Inn restaurant and wants it to move forward. She also indicated that she would like the site to be designed with a village feel that included wood motif street signs and other elements. Commissioner Fletcher stated he liked the overall concept of the project; however,was concerned the misleading depiction of the project on the photo simulations. He asked the applicant to revise the simulations to be more reflective of the actual project proposed. Commissioner Macias echoed Commissioner Stewart and Fletcher's feelings for the project. He indicated that the project was unique. He stated, that although there could be issues with the project, he thought they could be worked out. He also thought it was important for the applicant to submit realistic photo simulations of the project so the Commissioners could get a true picture of the proposed project. He then directed the applicant to work future issues out with staff and the Sycamore Inn. Mr. Buller summarized the comments of the Commission and directed the applicant to move forward with the development process. C. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2003-00733 - HOGLE IRELAND, INC. — A review of conceptual design concept for the proposed development of 10 duplexes consisting of 20 units and 5 single-family homes on 4.20 acres of land in the Low-Medium Residential District (4-8 dwelling units per acre)of the Foothill Districts(Subarea 3), located south of Foothill Boulevard, at the terminus of Hampshire and Devon Streets -APN: 0208-331-18. This item was continued to August 27, 2003, at the request of the applicant. PC Adjourned Minutes -3- August 13, 2003 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bra r Secretary 1 PC Adjourned Minutes -4- August 13, 2003