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Home My WebLink About2017-05-10 - Supplemental ADesign Review Modification DRC2016-00338 • Applicant: Owens Court Estates, LLC. • Project Description: A proposal to modify Design Review DRC2014-00207 to revise the plotting and architecture for 6 single-family residences on Owens Court, located on the west side of East Avenue and south of Victoria Avenue - APNs: 0227-842-01, -02, -03, -04, - 05 and -06 1 ,e} _ / 1 .y Project Site CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Background • August 23, 2006 — Planning approved Tentative Tract (SUBTT16578) Commission Map 16578 • September 2014 — Final Map recorded • January 28, 2015 — Planning Commission approved Design Review DRC2014-00207 • Property was recently sold to Owens Court Estates, LLC • Property owner is proposing to architecture and floor plans modify the T 6 I AC • vv� r'wv MMML- 0 ^"s viwr.�r� • - c; May' ` *NZ// PLAN 1 -42 PA LOT 5 0.33 AC Square Footage Tabulation Lot No. Of Story Floor Plan Type 11t Floor (SF) 2nd Floor (SF) Total Living Area (SF) Garage (SF) 1 1 2-D 31014 N/A 31014 678 2 2 1-C 21194 1,817 41011 655 3 1 3-A 31504 N/A 31504 815 4 1 3-D 3,504 N/A 31504 815 5 2 1-A 21194 11817 41011 655 6 1 2-B 31014 N/A 31014 678 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Residence 2 — Spanish `B' Elevation CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Residence 3 — Traditional `A' Elevation 11M klen,r Wmr wcmm2 c:�x� M6F➢M.v .T it Lcsi.-i aiw� ai�L�`a s�. T�nuwonwrr.- � nelixtwmc � �uecwanrErnwia. wiwimenm cvmaotm�a�— vrtar maR sm.E-uxm�ou�m'�mn' n Residence 3 — Craftsman `D' Elevation <twcnrzliw.s [u �r.uumr.l.v.--nam�rl[x [n[xr v; u,[nteeoumw� y11R�liYYYLYI'N [: T�' I�rµ f1�IM1.•IAY1� (L IL [IIViN.IIIYib' Prior Meetings • Neighborhood Meeting — Not necessary as the proposal is of no greater intensity than the previously approved Design Review (DRC2014-00207) • Design Review Committee — Reviewed and approved the project on April 18, 2017. Issues were resolved and are included as conditions. • Technical Review Committee — Reviewed and approved the project on April 18, 2017. No issues were discussed. Environmental Assessment • The City adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration on August 23, 2006, in connection with the City's approval of Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16578 • Substantial changes to the project or the circumstances surrounding the project have not occurred which would create new or more severe impacts than those evaluated in the previous Mitigated Negative Declaration • Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, no subsequent or supplemental Negative Declaration is required Recommendation Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following action: Approve Design Review Modification DRC2016- 00338 through the adoption of the attached Resolution of Approval with Conditions. Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM19557 & Minor Design Review DRC2014-00700 • Applicant: W&W Land Design Consultants • Project Description: A proposal to subdivide a parcel of 42,150 square feet into three (3) parcels and to construct three (3) single-family property located at 9757 0201-251-56 residential homes on Liberty Street - APN: i Is La Gloria Dr ,on Ave _ Lemon Ave Lemon Ave Lemon Av o 11 = ° �� RESIDENTS 257-23-0000 (2-4 DU/AC) Tentative Parcel Map 19557 EXISfWG RESIDENTS APft 0207-26'5-0D00 ZOf- RL U-4 DU/AC) EXISTWG RESIDENTS APR 02Dr261-22-000O ZONE RL (2-4 DU/AC) wfE h i1ti[ IXI]IING tWSE ro az xnoco 1 Fu1M4 AMPw s LOT 3 JG RESIMWS ar2e sfi Daao a 17,355 S.-- IL (2-4 DU/AC) $ -: >NOIC4l M NpC - 6 _i USTWG RELDFNTS EX57INC RESIDENTS k 0201-503-46-0000 APR Q201-603"47'0000 4E RL (2-4 DU/AC) ZONE: RL (2-4 DWAC) FASTING RESIDENTS APR 0201-261-21-0000 ZONE RL (2-4 DU/AC) LOT 2 13,303 SF APN:201-251-56 s (FOR THREE RE.SIDENCIAL LOTS) 1 EXASTWG RESIDENTS LXISTNG RESDENTS APR 0201-503-46-0000 APf4 0201-503-46-0000 ZONE RL (2-4 DU/AC) ZONE RL C2-4 DWAC) EXISTING RESIDENTS APN 0201-251-62-0000 ZONE RL C2-4 DU/AC) EXIS7WG RESbr'. M I APR 0201-406-33-OC ZOW-- RL (2-4 DWA 1 $ _ 1 I LOT 1 �a 11,492 SF '' „., o�ovos[0 sronu a'wh !!CM Cf hN ]_yam — — /-.I h E ATIUT� 1P IME N ] 110.♦ I n1 1 `i ___ O]Eo l�' wOE1' mocv. Kr 1- A W _ W EXISTING RESbINfS T APR 0201--503-46-0000 1 1 ZONE RL (2-4 DU/AC) II ~ w II 9 U Site/Landscape Plan C-- 1 1 + L■T2 _ rs u ti� ¢caeaw ...JJJ LOT 1 _ ■ as low qqgw Lr= h t_ Square Footage Tabulation No. Of Floor Plan 15L Floor 2"d Floor Total Garage Lot Story Type (SF) (SF) ing(SF) (SF) Area 1 2 A 2,521.74 2,225.06 4,746.80 775.20 2 2 B-1 2,488.02 1,867.17 4,355.19 720.24 3 2 B-2 2,767.52 1,975.84 4,743.36 720.24 wr_ A 1Nail. _ r �� .j�As iE'-4 5�.. R� ••.;jR��i fi.l� i �34�tr-�� __ __ L GA m h CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA _ot 3 F ®gym I' t CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Neighborhood Meeting • Neighborhood meeting held on January 18, 2017 at Vineyard Junior High School (6440 Mayberry Avenue). • Several property owners from the surrounding community attended. • Questions relating to the placement and design of 2-story homes, timing of development, and the demolition of the existing house onsite were discussed. • Staff indicated that all comments received at the neighborhood meeting would be taken into consideration moving forward. Design &Technical Review Committee Meetings • Design Review Committee reviewed the proposal on April 18, 2017. No issues were identified and the Committee accepted the proposal as submitted. • The Technical Review Committee reviewed the proposal on April 18, 2017. No significant issues were identified and their conditions have been incorporated into the Resolution of Approval. Environmental Assessment • 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 Classes 3 and 15 exemptions under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and 15315 (Minor Subdivisions) . • Staff has determined that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. Recommendation Staff recommends the take the following action: Planning Commission Approve Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM19557 and Minor Design Review DRC2014-00700 through the adoption of the attached Resolutions of Approval with Conditions. I y- 1 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Project Description • Applicant: LVD Terra Vista, LLC • Project Description: A request for site plan and architectural review of a 214- unit multi -family development • Project Size: 12.1 acres of Land • General Plan Designation: Medium High (MH) • Zoning: Medium High (MH) District (Terra Vista Community Plan) • Density : 17.7 dwelling units per acre Entitlements • Terra Vista Community Plan Amendment — DRC2016-00715 • Tentative Tract Map — SUBTT20054 • Design Review — DRC2016-00713 • Variance - DRC2017-00215 (Wall Height — Sound Attenuation) • Minor Exception — DRC2017-00159 (Parking Reduction) • Minor Exception — DRC2016-00965 (Wall Height — Grade Difference) Jm FOP. +' ■ ��it 'b ■a■ ■a■ �aa aa4 4 a L n °' ' ' CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - y6 Ayoud Cu $Nb[4 t � l4m.d barn Cwb ' T, s- 1 / ffl'i1 = R" ., wop.d& •;;:;• CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Zbk CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA YRtlBI I i �17I� li H P.9'F i ROOMI __ Cza Ml9ATrt A _ `-11 �I��!'ll BR�ROOni 1 MAST@l raoo.+ Bungalows 1,536 to 1,549 square feet LAN 1 oIAH ♦LAN V NAIAiION I CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA 4 rr u 0 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA 4 Plex (k , a 17 q CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA 6 Plex loan ,xm NJ CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Recreational Amenities • Pool and spa • 2,712 square foot community center • Recreation area that includes multiple seating and lounge areas, BBQ facilities and ping pong tables • Recreation area with tot lot conversation areas, covered picnic tables with BBQs • Recreation area with open play area and seating • Landscaped paseos with seating and open grass areas _-=mads iset nmm�ML _FUL-- iF�9s.,'rilk, Y' CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA 1 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Parking • 524 parking spaces required • 524 parking spaces provided (base bedroom count) • 428 in garages, 89 uncovered spaces and 7 spaces in driveways • Each unit includes a 2-car garage • 555 parking required if all 4t" bedroom options are chosen (5.6 percent deficit) • 50 percent of 4t" bedroom options are chosen per applicant's experience • 539 parking spaces required if 50 percent of the optional bedrooms are chosen (2.8 percent deficit) • Traffic study finds that 1 southbound lane of Terra Vista Parkway may be eliminated for use as street parking • Up to 29 parking spaces can be created along Terra Vista Parkway Terra Vista Community Plan Amendment • Modify the development criteria of the Medium High (MH) District of the Terra Vista Community Plan • Current regulations focused on larger multi -family projects • Does not provide flexibility for unique projects with smaller buildings and detached units • Does not permit projects that emphasize the public realm with units facing the public street • Goal of Amendment is not to increase density, but to provide greater flexibility • Amendment will allow the street frontage to be building focused rather than perimeter wall focused • Amendment is for larger projects with greater than 200 units :;e�.. CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA Existing Existing Development Code Proposed Development Terra Vista Community Standard Plan 38-Foot Minimum 43-foot Average 26-Feet 32-Foot Minimum 37-Foot Average 21-Feet 32-Foot Minimum 37-Foot Average 24-feet 16-feet 16-Feet 8-Feet 8-Feet 40-Feet 20-feet 25-Feet 14-feet 30-Feet Minimum 20-Feet 45-Feet Average 100 Square Feet 68 Square Feet Terra Vista Community Plan Amendment Language The following development standards are required for new developments with greater than 200 units*: • Street Setback - Up to 75% reduction of streetscape requirements • Building Separations - Up to 75% reduction from the related building separation requirements • Wall Setbacks - Up to 75% reduction from the related wall setback requirements • Private Open Space - Up to 35% reduction from the related private open space requirements. Recreational amenities shall be enhanced to provide additional features and services to residents to offset the loss of private open space. "Subject to review and approval by the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission per Section 17.20.040 (Design Review) of the Development Code. Conclusion Staff recommends the Planning Commission take the following actions: • Recommend that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts • Recommend that the City Council approve Terra Vista Community Plan Amendment DRC2016-00715 • Approve Tentative Tract Map SUBTT20054, Design Review DRC2016-00713, Variance DRC2017-00215, Minor Exception DRC2016-00716, and Minor Exception DRC2017-00159 CONTINUANCE OF PUBLIC HEARING At its regular meeting held on May 10, 2017, the Rancho Cucamonga Historic Preservation Commission continued the following item(s) to its meeting to be held on May 24, 2017. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS - DRC2016- 00966 - NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA -A request to remove an on - site tree that has been determined to be a Designated Local Landmark related to the site plan and architectural review of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4 — 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 1089-031-36. Related records: General Plan Amendment DRC2016-00964, Design Review DRC2016-00814, Density Bonus Agreement DRC2017-00156, Variance DRC2017-00032 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2016-00965. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Said continuance was passed by the following vote: Ayes: FLETCHER, MACIAS, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY Noes: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE Date: May 11, 2017 AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING I, Lois J. Schrader, declare as follows: I am the Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga; that at a regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga held on May 10, 2017, said public hearing was opened and continued to the time and place specified in the NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE shown above; and that on May 11, 2017, at the hour of 4:00 p.m., a copy of said notice was posted in a conspicuous place near the door in which said meeting was held. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on May 11, 2017, at Rancho Cucamonga, California. Lois J. ScKfader Planning Commission Secretary CONTINUANCE OF PUBLIC HEARING At its regular meeting held on May 10, 2017, the Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission continued the following item(s) to its meeting to be held on May 24, 2017. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2016-00964 — NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA-A request to modify General Plan Figure LU-8 related to the removal of the Historic Resource Designation of an on -site tree related to the site plan and architectural review of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4 — 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 1089-031-36. Related records: Design Review DRC2016-00814, Density Bonus Agreement DRC2017-00156, Certificate of Appropriateness DRC2016-00966, Variance DRC2017-00032 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2016-00965. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DESIGN REVIEW DRC2016-00814 — NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA - A request for site plan and architectural review of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4— 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 1089- 031-36. Related records: General Plan Amendment DRC2016-00964, Certificate of Appropriateness DRC2016-00966, Density Bonus Agreement DRC2017-00156, Variance DRC2017-00032 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2016-00965. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT DRC2017- 00156 — NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA — A Density Bonus Agreement between the City of Rancho Cucamonga and National Community Renaissance of California, for the purpose of providing a senior housing project in accordance with the Victoria Community Plan and the Development Code, including deviating from certain development standards, for the development of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4 — 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard - APN: 1089-031-36. Related records: General Plan Amendment DRC2016-00964, Certificate of Appropriateness DRC2016-00966, Design Review DRC2016-00814, Variance DRC2017-00032 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2016- 00965. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. This item will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VARIANCE - DRC2017-00032 - NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA - A request to permit walls over 8 feet in height due to on -site grades related to the site plan and architectural review of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4 — 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard -APN: 1089-031-36. Related records: General Plan Amendment DRC2016-00964, Certificate of Appropriateness DRC2016-00966, Design Review DRC2016-00814, Density Bonus Agreement DRC2017- 00156 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2016-00965. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration. ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT AND TREE REMOVAL PERMIT- DRC2016-00965 - NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE OF CALIFORNIA-A requestto remove 1 on -site tree related to the site plan and architectural review of a 140-unit affordable senior housing development on 4 acres of land within the Low -Medium (LM) District (4 — 8 dwelling units per acre) of the Victoria Planned Community, located at the terminus of Firehouse Court and west of Day Creek Boulevard -APN: 1089-031-36. Related records: General Plan Amendment DRC2016-00964, Certificate of Appropriateness DRC2016-00966, Design Review DRC2016-00814, Density Bonus Agreement DRC2017-00156 and Variance DRC2017-00032. Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for consideration The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Said continuance was passed by the following vote: Ayes: FLETCHER, MACIAS, MUNOZ, OAXACA, WIMBERLY Noes: NONE Absent: NONE Abstain: NONE Date: May 11, 2017 AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING I, Lois J. Schrader, declare as follows I am the Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga; that at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga held on May 10, 2017, said public hearing was opened and continued to the time and place specified in the NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE shown above; and that on May 11, 2017, at the hour of 4:00 p.m., a copy of said notice was posted in a conspicuous place near the door in which said meeting was held. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct Executed on May 11, 2017, at Rancho Cucamonga, California. Lois J. rader Planning Commission Secretary _0z_ 1b 1 State of California — Natural Resources Agenc DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Inland Deserts Region 3602 Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite C-220 Ontario, CA.91764 Sacramento, CA 95814 www.wildlife.ca.gov May 10, 2017 Sent via email Mr. Tabe van der Zwaag City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Department PO Box 807 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729 tabe.vanderzwaaq (a)cityofrc. us DMUND G. BROWN JR.. Governor 10 -a CHARLTON H. BONHAM, Director "mil Subject: Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Day Creek Senior Villas Project State Clearinghouse No. 2017041029 Dear Mr. van der Zwaag: The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Initial Study and proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Day Creek Senior Villas Project (project) [State Clearinghouse No. 2017041029]. The Department is responding to the IS/MND as a Trustee Agency for fish and wildlife resources (California Fish and Game Code Sections 711.7 and 1802, and the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] Guidelines Section 15386), and as a Responsible Agency regarding any discretionary actions (CEQA Guidelines Section 16381), such as the issuance of a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement (California Fish and Game Qode Sections 1600 et seq.) and/ora California, Endangered Species Act (CESA) Permit for Incidental Take of Endangered, Threatened, and/or Candidate species (California Fish and Game Code Sections 2080 and 2080.1). The project proposes the development of a 140-unit multiple -family housing project on four acres located west of Day Creek Boulevard, at the terminus of Firehouse Court in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, County of San Bernardino; within Assessor Parcel Number (APN): 1089-031-36. COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The [)apartment has jurisdiction over the conservation, protection, and management of fish, wildlife, native plants, and the habitat necessary for biologically sustainable populations of those species (i.e., biological resources); and administers the Natural Community Conservation Planning ;Program (NCCP Program). The Department offers the comments and recommendations presented below to assist the City of Rancho Conserving Caffornia's rWiffffe Since 1870 Mitigated Negative Declaration Day Creek Senior Villas Project SCH No. 2017041029 Page 2 Cucamonga (City; the CEQA lead agency) in adequately identifying and/or mitigating the project's significant, or potentially significant, impacts on biological resources. Biological Resources and Impacts Following. review of the IS and MND, the Department Is concerned by lack of biological analysis included in the.IS, and recommends that the IS and MND be revised to include thorough and detailed analysis of the project's potential impacts on biological resources, and recirculated for further public review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15673.5. We offer the comments and recommendations presented below to assist the City in adequately Identifying and mitigating the project's significant, or potentially significant, impacts on biological resources: Special Status Wildlife Species The IS identifies several special -status wildlife, species with potential to occur on the project site, including Coast horned lizard, northwestern San Diego pocket mouse, and' San Diego desert woodrat, but states that there is a low likelihood for these species to occur due to the habitat conditions on site. The IS further states that no small mammal burrows were observed on site. Given that the LSA letter report "Results of Biological Resources Assessment Survey for the Day Creek Villas Affordable Senior Apartments Project (LSA Project No. NC01601)" dated October 27, 2016, states that the general biological resources survey was conducted for a total period of only 50 minutes (between 11 *30 AM and 12:20 PM on October 19, 2016) the Department questions the adequacy of the pedestrian survey and whether the entire project site was appropriately assessed for the presence of sensitive species. The Department is also concerned that the IS fails to identify the potential for Los Angeles pocket mouse (LAPM) to occur onsite, particularly as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has documented the occurrence of LAPM'within close proximity to the project site. Given the limited assessment completed onsite, and the documented occurrence of LAPM within close proximity, the Department recommends the completion of focused special -status species surveys, including small mammal trapping surveys. A 50-minute walk -over of a project site does not represent an adequate biological assessment, and the Department is concerned with the City's determination that no focused surveys are warranted. The Department requests that' appropriate focused, species -specific surveys be conducted prior to recirculation of the CEQA document, and that the revised and recirculated document include the survey results. The revised document should also contain a thorough and detailed analysis of the project's potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts on biological resources, and appropriately specific, adequate, feasible, and enforceable mitigation measures to reduce the potential impacts to a level that is less than significant. To assist with review, an accompanying map or maps showing the areas of impact and any proposed mitigation locations should also be included. If special -status species are discovered on-site,`the Department is available to Mitigated Negative Declaration Day Creek Senior Villas Project SCH No. 2017041029 Page 3 assist the City in identifying appropriate mitigation measures prior to recirculating the CEQA document. SDecial Status Plant SDecles The IS also identifies special status plant species with potential to occur on the project site, including Parry's spineflower and mesa horkelia. However, despite the identification of suitable vegetation and/or soils, focused botanical surveys of the project area were not completed. Instead, the IS/MND concludes that because the site is disturbed, there is a low likelihood of these species being present. The LSA letter report (page 5) also concludes that "due to the small size of the proposed project site, existing disturbances, and proximity to surrounding development, impacts to these sensitive species are not considered. significant." Because the IS/MND fails to fully evaluate the potential presence -of these species within the project area, the Department finds the City's aforementioned conclusions to be flawed..Further, mesa horkelia, and Parry's spineflower are listed as California Native Plant Society (CNPS) 1 B.1 species, meaning that they are seriously endangered in California. The CNPS states that CNPS 1 B.1 species "meet the, definitions of the California Endangered Species Act of the California Department of Fish and Game Code, and are eligible for state listing. Impacts to these species or their habitat must be analyzed during preparation of environmental documents relating to CEQA, or those considered to be functionally equivalent to CEQA, as they meet the definition of Rare or Endangered under CEQA Guidelines §15125; (c) and/or §15380." In order to provide a complete description of the baseline condition of the project area the Department recommends that focused surveys following the Department's 2009 Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Communities be conducted during the appropriate times of year, and that the results of this assessment be included in the CEQA document prior to adoption of the MND. If special -status plant populations are observed, the MND should include appropriate avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures to address potential impacts. r5.111" =1IRWITF110 The LSA letter report states that the project site supports two primary vegetation communities, one of which includes the presence of scale broom (Lepidospartum squamatum). The letter report, however, incorrectly classifies the community as California buckwheat scrub. Sawyer et al. (2009) has categorized vegetation communities with the presence of >1 % cover of Lepidospartum squamatum as scale broom scrub. Based on the presence of scale broom within the project site the Department has determined that this vegetation community is likely classified as Lepidospartum alliance, and not Buckwheat scrub. Scale broom scrub has an overall rarity ranking of G3 S3, with some associations within the scale broom scrub alliance Mitigated Negative Declaration Day Creek Senior Villas Project SCH No. 2017041029 Page 4 (i.e., Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub) as rare as G1 S1.1. The Department considers all associations. with state ranks of S1-S3 to be highly imperiled. Based on cumulative impacts within the immediate vicinity of this project site (APN 1089-031-37 [10.18 acres], located immediately south is currently under development;. and APN 1090-331-05 [31.99 acres] located south of Base Line Road is proposed for development under the City's "Day Creek Square" project [SCH No. 20170510191), the Department `considers the removal of up to 4 acres of alluvial fan scale broom scrub to be a significant impact (the LSA letter report fails to quantify the acreage of Lepidospartum alliance). In order to reduce the impacts to alluvial fan scale broom scrub to a level that is less than significant, the Department recommends that the City require the -project proponent to purchase, conserve in perpetuity, and enhance/restore similar habitat within the watershed. While the amount (acreage) of habitat that is appropriate will vary based on the location of the proposed mitigation area, the amount and type'of enhancement and/or restoration proposed, and whether (a) the project site and (b) the proposed mitigation site is occupied by special -status species, the Department recommends that the mitigation site include -no lessthan twelve acres of alluvial fan scale broom scrub. A higher acreage may be warranted if the proposed mitigation site requires little enhancement, is located far away from the project site (i.e., within a separate watershed), is not occupied by or available to special status species, and/or possesses other attributes that diminish its long term conservation value. The; Department is available to assist the City in evaluating the proposed mitigation prior to the document's recirculation. Lack of Citv Mitiaation Strateov/Conservation Proaram The Department is concerned by the cumulative impacts to Lepidospartum alliance habitat and associated species assemblages within the City's sphere of influence. Urban development has resulted in alluvial sage scrub to become eliminated or isolated to stands along streams and outwashes on major alluvial fans throughout much of Rancho'Cucamonga. Even degraded or isolated patches of alluvial scrub vegetation still retain a distinct characteristic given their relation to flood -deposited alluvia and the species associated with this habitat type. Multiple species occurrences have been mapped' within this habitat type in Rancho Cucamonga using GIS' by the United States Fish and Wildiife,Service (USFWS). The database was initially created to map locations of federally threatened and endangered species which require a survey report under Section 10.of`the Endangered Species Act. Recently, the database has been expanded to include a few other species of interest, including the Los,Angeles pocket mouse, a California Species of Special Concern (CSSC). Section § 15380 of the CEQA Guidelines clearly indicates that species of special concern should be included in an analysis of project impacts. Using the USFWS GIS data, it was determined that since 1997, 19 known LAPM occurrences have been recorded within the Day and Etiwanda Creek watershed between Interstate 10 and Mitigated Negative Declaration Day Creek Senior Villas Project SCH No. 2017041029 Page 5 Wilson Avenue. Of the 1.9 sites, 14 have been developed, one (1) is proposed for commercial buildings, and three (3) remain open space but may have various maintenance commitments (e.g. Burlington Northern, Southern California Edison, and San. Bernardino County Flood ;Control District). The MND does not include survey data indicating Whether the aboveiisted species occurs on -site, an analysis of the number of individuals expected to occupy the site, or an estimation of the local and regional population of the species. Focused species - specific surveys, completed by a qualified biologist and conducted at the appropriate time of year and time of day when the sensitive species are active or otherwise, identifiable, are required. Please provide a cumulative effects analysis developed as described under CEQA Guidelines § 15130 and'if appropriate, a detailed mitigation proposal to offset the temporal, permanent, and cumulative impacts to this species. The Department also recommends expanding the cumulative effects"analysis to include impacts to Lepidospartum alliance habitat within the City's sphere of Influence. Finally, the Department recommends that the City develop and implement a comprehensive mitigation/conservation strategy as soon as possible to offset the continuing,loss of these sensitive public trust resources. Department Conclusions and Further Coordination The Department appreciates the opportunity to comment on the IS/MND for the City Creek Senior Villas Project (SCH No. 20170410291), and we request that the City of Rancho Cucamonga address the Department's comments and concerns prior to adoption of the MND. If you should have any questions pertaining to the comments provided in this letter, please contact Joanna Gibson at (909) 987-7449 or at ioanna.gib"sdn a(7.'wildlife.ca:go`v. Sincerely, Wea Nair r ager Literature Cited Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler -Wolf, and J....M. Evens. 2009.. A manual of California Vegetation, 2nd ed. California Native Plant Society Press, Sacramento, California. http://vegetation.cnps.org/