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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/06/11 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting June 11, 2003 Vice-Chairman Macias called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 8:45 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rains Room at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, Richard Fletcher, Cristine McPhail, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Larry McNiel STAFF PRESENT: Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Doug Fenn,Associate Planner,Dan James, Senior Engineer; Alan Warren, Associate Planner NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2003-00503 - JOHN LAING HOMES - 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 thry 23. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the Pre-Application Review process. Terry Galloway, after introducing the project team, presented a summary of the design concept and special features that he believes make the project a benefit to the area. David Kent, architect provided responses to some of the comments contained in a written staff Preliminary Review of the project. Alan Warren,Associate Planner, addressed design issues that included major setback issues along Foothill Boulevard and San Bernardino Road that would significantly affect the ultimate streetscapes. Also, he highlighted the need for the applicant to provide a land use master plan for the entire Mixed Use area and to show how the project complies with the General Plan requirements for the area. Pedestrian and possibly vehicular linkages to the surround properties were recommended to allow for easy access of the future nearby businesses to the residents of the complex. Mr. Warren added that the driveway off San Bernardino Road, which may be used as the main entry/exit from the site, could thereby increase traffic concerns to the neighbors. Relocation of the pool recreation area to the center of the complex was also suggested and it was pointed out that additional recreation facilities, for a total of five, are required by City standards. Commissioner McPhail opened the Commission comments by stating that she felt the location of the pool area was acceptable and that the openness of the tot lot was a benefit. She liked the neighborhood "feel"of the site, but recommended that the project needs to have a more distinctive landscaping palette. Commissioner Stewart expressed agreement with staff that a master plan is needed to appropriately place the complex within the Mixed Use context. She commented favorably on the San Bernardino frontage with the single-family units facing the street. Further she encouraged the designers to consider adding onto the multi-family buildings more of the architectural treatments exhibited on the single-family houses. Ms. Stewart declared that she does not like auto-court type multi-family designs. She felt the location of the tot-lot was not in a desirable location from a parents' point of view, as it is dose to the San Bernardino Road frontage. In closing, she stated that more visitor parking is probably needed. Commissioner Fletcher stated that additional pedestrian linkage to the adjoining properties and Foothill Boulevard is needed to make access to the nearby businesses convenient to the residents. Vice Chairman Macias agreed with Commissioner Stewart that Master Planning the area is pivotal to ensuring the appropriate site relationships with the Mixed Use area. He thought that, with the need to include additional recreation areas, the number and size of the buildings may need to be scaled back. Again in agreement with Commissioner Stewart, Vice Chairman Macias reiterated the Commission's previous doubts about auto-courts as an acceptable design solution for residential developments. Mr. Coleman thanked the applicants for their interest in using the Pre-Application Review process to further the success of their project. B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2003-00028- MARKET PLACE PROPERTIES-A request for review of a 65,245 square foot Marriott's Town Place Suite Hotel along with four other restaurant and retail pad buildings within the Industrial Park District, located at the northwest comer of Milliken Avenue and 4th Street. -APN 0229-342-13. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, introduced the item and gave an overview of the Pre-Application Review process. Chuck Buquet, after introducing the project team, presented a summary of the design concept and special features. He stated the proposed concept for the four-story hotel along with three high-end restaurants and retail building would "raise the bar for hospitability centers." Marty Campbell indicated there is currently a lot in hotel interest in Rancho Cucamonga,and that the location of the project is ideal for restaurant users. Douglas Fenn,Associate Planner, echoed sentiments from the City Planner that this southern entry into the city is a good location for the proposed project; however, because this is a good location and entry point into the city, only exceptional design and architecture would be considered. Additionally, he indicated a landscape planter or similar improvement must be extended in the center of the project to discourage vehicular traffic off of 4th Street from taking a short cut through the project in order to get quicker access onto Milliken Avenue. Commissioner Fletcher expressed concern about the location of trash enclosures adjacent to Milliken Avenue. He supported the project, as long as the proposed improvements and good architecture are incorporated into the overall design. Commissioner Stewart expressed agreement with the project and had no objection to a median break on Milliken Avenue. Commissioner McPhail had no problem with a proposed break in the median on Milliken Avenue. She strongly reiterated that rich and luscious landscaping must be installed as part of the project. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- June 11, 2003 Commissioner Macias echoed similar sentiments of the other Commissioners and supported the project concept. Mr. Coleman thanked the applicants for their interest using the Pre-Application Review process to further the success of their project. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted Di Dan Coleman Acting Secretary r PC Adjourned Minutes -3- June 11, 2003