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
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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.
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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
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