HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-02 - Resolutions - A Rquest To Remove Twenty Heritage Trees RESOLUTION NO. 17-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TREE REMOVAL
PERMIT DRC2016-00524, A REQUEST TO REMOVE TWENTY
HERITAGE TREES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT OF A 102,530 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ON 4.78
ACRES IN THE GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (GI) DISTRICT, LOCATED AT
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SIXTH STREET AND HERMOSA
AVENUE; AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF -
APN: 0209-211-41.
A. Recitals.
1. The applicant, Phelan Development, filed an application for the approval of Tree
Removal Permit No. DRC2016-00524, as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in
this Resolution, the subject Tree Removal Permit request is referred to as "the application."
2. On the 25th day of January, 2017, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho
Cucamonga conducted a noticed public hearing on the application and concluded said hearing
on that date.
3. All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
B. Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows:
1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals,
Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct.
2. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the
above- referenced meeting on January 25, 2017, including written and oral staff reports, this
Commission hereby specifically finds as follows:
a. The application applies to approximately 4.78 acres of land, basically a
rectangular configuration, located at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Hermosa Avenue
and is currently designated General Industrial; and
b. The project site is approximately 338 feet from east to west and 616 feet from
north to south and is currently vacant; and
c. The property to the north is a large warehouse distribution building of about
400,000 square feet, the property to the west is an office complex consisting of four buildings of
20,000 square feet each, and the property to the south and east, respectively, are a large
warehouse distribution building of about 400,000 square feet and an office/warehouse complex
consisting of six buildings of various sizes; and
d. The related Design Review DRC2016-00522 is a request to develop a 102,530
square foot industrial building at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Hermosa Avenue; and
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 17-02
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2016-00524— PHELAN DEVELOOPMENT
January 25, 2017
Page 2
e. The trees are not designated as historically significant; and
f. The trees are not noted in any Specific Plan/Community Plan or condition of
approval; and
g. The Arborist Report (Mike Parker, July 17, 2016) evaluated a total of 22 trees on
the project site whose location conflicts with project improvements; 20 of these trees meet the
Development Codes criteria for height and trunk dimension to be considered heritage trees. All
of the 22 trees on-site are in average to below average condition, one is dead, and the location
of all trees conflict with proposed improvements. The Landscape Plan demonstrates that the 22
trees removed as part of this project will be replaced with a variety of 36-inch box, 24-inch box,
and 15-gallon size trees. Based on Development Code standards for tree plantings a total of 82
trees are required for the project, and the Landscape Plan proposes planting trees throughout the
project site to address this requirement; and
h. It is necessary to remove the trees in order to construct improvements which
allow economic enjoyment of the property; and
i. There are a variety of existing healthy trees in the neighborhood; the removal
does not affect the established character of the area and the property values; and
j. It is not necessary to remove the trees to construct required improvements within
the public street right-of-way or within a flood control or utility right-of-way; and
k. The trees cannot be preserved by pruning and proper maintenance or relocation
rather than removal; and
I. The trees do not constitute a significant natural resource of the City.
3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the
above- referenced meeting and upon the specific findings of facts set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2
above, this Commission hereby finds and concludes as follows:
a. The proposed Tree Removal Permit is consistent with the objectives of the
General Plan. The related industrial development(Design Review DRC2016-00522) is consistent
with the General Plan General Industrial land use designation. The removal of the subject trees
is necessary to develop the related 102,530 square foot industrial development; and
b. The proposed Tree Removal Permit is in accord with the objectives of the
Development Code and the purposes of the district in which the site is located, which permits the
removal of heritage trees when associated with development of a project site. In this case removal
of the trees is necessary to construct a related 102,530 square foot industrial development.
Additionally, the Arborist Report submitted for the related project (Mike Parker, July 17, 2016)
determined that the on-site trees are in poor condition due to their condition, health, and conflict
with proposed improvements; and
c. The proposed Tree Removal Permit is in compliance with each of the applicable
provisions of the Development Code including replacement of the removed trees with trees of a
species and quantity commensurate with the aesthetic value of the trees to be removed. In this
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 17-02
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2016-00524— PHELAN DEVELOOPMENT
January 25, 2017
Page 3
case, a minimum of 82 trees will be planted as part of the related development, 60 more trees
than those removed; and
d. The proposed Tree Removal Permit, together with the conditions applicable
thereto, will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or materially injurious to
properties or improvements in the vicinity as the 22 on-site trees will be replaced with 82 new
trees throughout the project site.
4. The Planning Department staff has determined that the project is categorically exempt
from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA
Guidelines. The project qualifies under the Class 32 exemption under State CEQA Guidelines
Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Project) because the project involves the construction of
development within city limits on no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses.
In addition, there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the
environment. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Planning Department's determination
of exemption, and based on its own independent judgment, concurs in the staff's determination
of exemption.
5. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above,
this Commission hereby approves the application subject to each and every condition set forth
below.
Planning Department
1) Approval of this Tree Removal Permit application is subject to
Planning Commission approval of Design Review DRC2016-00522.
2) All applicable Conditions of Approval as contained in Resolution No.
17-01 approving DRC2016-00522, shall apply.
3) Approval is granted for the removal of all 22 trees on-site. The 22
trees removed as part of this project will be replaced with a variety of
36-inch box, 24-inch box, and 15-gallon size trees. Based on
Development Code standards for tree plantings a total of 82 trees are
required for the project, and replacement trees shall be planted
throughout the project site. The replacement tree plantings shall be
indicated on the Landscape Plan submitted for plan check.
4) This permit shall be valid for a period of 90 days, unless an extension
is requested in writing prior to the expiration date. Where this permit
is associated with development, the 90 days shall start from the date
of issuance of a grading permit.
6. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF JANUARY 2017.
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 17-02
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT DRC2016-00524 — PHELAN DEVELOOPMENT
January 25, 2017
Page 4
BY:
Francisco Oaxaca, Chairman
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ATTEST: / `k" 1/111�
Candyce Bett, Secretary
I, Candyce Burnett, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed, and
adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a regular meeting of
the Planning Commission held on the 25th day of January 2017, by the following vote-to-wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: FLETCHER, MACIAS, MUNOZ, OAXACA
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: WIMBERLY
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: NONE