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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/09/25 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting September 25, 2002 Chairman McNiel called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:20 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, John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Peter Tolstoy • ABSENT: Pam Stewart STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner, Deborah Clark, Library Director, Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Donald Granger, Assistant Planner; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner; Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, Diane O'Neal, Program Analyst; Joe Stofa, Associate Civil Engineer NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2002-00682-G&L COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, LLC-A Pre-Application Review to consider a conceptual design concept for a proposed development of 8 two-story office buildings totaling 50,816 square feet on 2.76 acres of land in the Industrial Park District (Subarea 6), located on the west side of Utica Avenue, approximately 300 feet south of Arrow Route- APN: 0209-491-06 and 0. 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 overall design and its relationship to the surrounding area. Bob Gallishaw and Wayne Litman, developers for the proposed project, gave a presentation of the project. Mr. Litman discussed the need for traditional wood-frame construction, due to the octagonal footprint of the building. He further noted that although tilt-up construction is very common in Industrial Districts, it is not financially feasible for the proposed design. He stated that tilt-up construction makes the project virtually impossible to manage and build from a construction management standpoint. Mr. Gallishaw stressed the quality of the exterior materials of the project, and added that the goal of the developers is to offer a high-end office building that offers an abundance of window exposure. There was a brief discussion about the durability of stucco in the Industrial Districts and how certain architectural features would be attached to the wall plane. ' Serge Bonaldo, architect, explained the construction techniques involved and assured the Commissioners of the quality of the proposed materials. Donald Granger, Assistant Planner, discussed the issues relating to the proposal. He noted that office/professional use is an appropriate land use for this area, and mentioned that although the project has a courtyard surrounded on all sides by building walls, staff felt that the widths and geometric proportions of the courtyard are adequate. Commissioner Macias liked the project and felt the design was upscale. He supported the proposal. ' Commissioner Mannerino expressed approval of the architectural concept and noted that he was comfortable with stucco as a material for this project. Commissioner Tolstoy felt the design was innovative and indicated that he particularly liked the idea of maximizing the amount of window exposure. Chairman McNiel echoed the comments of the other Commissioners. He stated that he wanted to make sure the site has adequate parking and landscaping. He complimented the developer on the project design. B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW DRC2002-00730 - WLC/PITASSI ARCHITECTS -A request to review the design of a proposed, 68,000 square foot, three level Cultural Center including a Branch Library, Performing Arts Theater, and Events Center on 3 acres of land located south of the future extension of Church Street and east of the future extension of Day Creek Boulevard and part of the Victoria Gardens Regional Center APN: 227-201-35. Brad Buller, City Planner, introduced the project as part of the Victoria Gardens Regional Center. He described the Pre-Application Review process and introduced Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director and Debra Clark, Library Director. Mr. Buller mentioned that the focus of discussion should be on the Arbor Way issue as the design of the connection from Merlot Street along the east side of the Cultural Arts Center has changed since the inception of the Arbors Master Plan. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated that he is coordinating the project between the City and Forest City Development(the developer of the Victoria Gardens project). It was decided to align the main plaza area of the Cultural Arts Center(CAC)with the "Town Green"within the mall. Mr. McArdle introduced Larry Wolfe and George Weins with Wolfe Lang Christopher Architects,the designers of the CAC. Larry Wolfe, Wolfe Lang Christopher Architects, reviewed the design process for the CAC. He said that it has been a challenge to coordinate the different design ideas and expert opinions into one cohesive design. He gave an overview of the project design including an area at the northeast corner of the site he referred to as "Arbor Court." He said this is intended to act as the southem terminus for Arbor Way, the northern terminus of which contains a turning circle with a gazebo. He indicated the Arbor Court will include short-term parking and drop off for books. He noted there is a water feature planned on the south side of the court and the CAC building will have a large glass area/bay window on the northeast comer where a reading room is located to enhance the terminus of the way. Mr. Wolfe stated Arbor Court is intended to function as a transition from Arbor Way into the site for the CAC and the remainder of Victoria Gardens. He commented that the court will also be an area of activity accommodating art shows, book sales, and parade termination point—a multi- functional space. He noted special paving and continuance of the octagonal shapes established for Arbor Way to the north will be utilized. He described the anticipated pedestrian circulation routes through the site and the use of the "Golden Mean" as a design inspiration for the CAC plaza area. He observed the building will contain a 500-seat theater, with 370 of those seats on the first level and the remainder in a mezzanine, banquet facility, and library. There is a major hallway connecting the building components referred to as the"main street." Mr. Wolfe explained that classical books and imagination inspired the architectural design and a definite intent was made to establish a timeless quality to the building. He stated there will be slate veneer, copper roofing, terra cotta roofing, and use of real plaster(as opposed to some of the newer commercial applications such as PC Adjoumed Minutes -2- September 25, 2002 EFS). He said a large screen is proposed on the south side of the fly tower upon which various video and still images can be projected. He noted a bridge will connect the building to the parking structure to the west. Mr. Wolfe explained the intent to show off the building at night with the use of transparent building materials in areas such as the tower at the southwest corner of the site to allow the building to light up. Commissioner Tolstoy asked about the grade relationship between the CAC site and the remainder of the regional center. Mr. Wolfe said that the site sits about 5 feet above North Main Street. Mr. Buller noted that at the regional center workshop held on September 23, it was mentioned that the site is actually 8 feet above North Main. Mr. Wolfe stated he will resolve the matter. Commissioner Tolstoy cautioned about impacts associated with strong seasonal winds, especially under the bridge linking to the parking structure. Mr. Wolfe indicated that every effort is being made to mitigate effects of strong northeasterly winds. He indicated a double door vestibule entry system is proposed on the northeast comer of the building and the main courtyard is located on the southwest corner of the building so as to be protected from high winds. Commissioner Tolstoy questioned whether the term"children's theater"is really appropriate for the project given the full fly tower. Mr. McArdle clarified that in actuality the theater is meant to be a"theater for youth"with professional performances. Commissioner Tolstoy suggested working with the Candle Light Theater in Claremont. He suggested consideration be given to adding a lookout of some sort to the fly tower so that visitors can enjoy the breathtaking view of the regional center. He liked the architectural design of the CAC. Mr. Buller interjected that he wished to hear any special concerns the Commissioners may have in how the CAC relates to the rest of the regional center, especially the Arbor Way/Arbor Court connection to the Town Square. Commissioner Mannerino said that he considers the architectural design to be magnificent. He thought it is full of interesting rich themes with the appearance of having grown over time. He felt there is an interesting mix of different design philosophies expressed. However, Commissioner Mannerino objected to including parking in the Arbor Court area. He referenced the Ontario Library temporary parking/drop off area that seems constantly congested with cars and people. If parking were to be allowed in the Arbor Court, he believed it should be entirely for the handicapped. He suggested relocating the drop off activity to the bus bay turnout area. He noted there are only 18 parking spaces contained in the Arbor Court, and he thought those could be relocated. Commissioner Tolstoy agreed that it would be inappropriate to include vehicles in the Arbor Court. He noted that allowing the area to be a parking lot would mean all of the grease and oil and car exhaust associated with the parking of vehicles and he felt that is inconsistent with the intent of Arbor Way to function as a strong pedestrian linkage. He did not believe it made sense to use a parking lot for multi-purpose activities such as the book sales, etc., that were mentioned. Commissioner Macias said that he is impressed with the overall architecture; the design of the children's reading room, and the application of slate and copper roofing. PC Adjourned Minutes -3- September 25, 2002 Chairman McNiel said that the building tends to appear overly busy but he recognized that the large size of the structure justifies the level of articulation. He believed it sets an excellent example of architectural quality for the rest of the regional center to follow. He felt confident that such issues as wind protection can be resolved. However, he thought the Arbor Court should be either a parking lot or an interesting pedestrian courtyard acting as the terminus of Arbor Way. He did not believe it makes sense to introduce vehicles into a pedestrian themed court. Chairman McNiel agreed with Commissioner Mannerino that drop-off activity could be relocated to the bus bay tum out area on Merlot Street. He asked about the potential for a semi-subterranean parking design where a parking area is set below grade and the pedestrian oriented plaza area above. He believed that Arbor Way will indeed convey a large number of pedestrians from the neighborhoods to the north down into the CAC and the regional center and that Arbor Court must be designed to be a pedestrian friendly plaza free from vehicular conflict. Mr. Buller indicated that the design team had been wrestling with the design of Arbor Court for several months. He observed the City Council will ultimately decide how the court is designed. He suggested that the design team assemble a number of various alternative designs for review by the Design Review Committee and/or Planning Commission once the project is formally submitted. Mr. Buller also suggested that one of the alternatives may be to locate parking in a temporary fashion on the site of the future parking structure on the east side of the CAC site. He noted that when the structure eventually develops, it could accommodate the temporary parking for the CAC leaving the Arbor Court free from the demand for parking. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, twist.; a Brag er V Secretary PC Adjourned Minutes -4- September 25, 2002