HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/07/24 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
July 24, 2002
Chairman McNiel called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning
Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Rancho
Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman
McNiel then led in the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart, Peter Tolstoy
ABSENT: Rich Macias
STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner, Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Kevin Ennis,
Assistant City Attorney; Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner; Dan James,
Senior Civil Engineer; Catherine Johnson, Associate Planner; Chris
Knowlton, Planning Aide; Warren Morelion,Assistant Planner, Gail Sanchez,
Planning Commission Secretary;Alan Warren,Associate Planner; Christina
Wilson, Planning Aide
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brad Buller, City Planner, announced that staff was recommending that Item E be continued to
August 14, 2002.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino, carried 4-0-1 (Macias absent),to approve the
minutes of the Adjourned Meeting of June 26, 2002.
Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Mannerino, carried 4-0-1 (Macias absent),to approve the
minutes of July 10, 2002.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2002-00153 -
GRANITE HOMES-The design review of building elevations and detailed site plans for three
previously approved tentative tract maps consisting of 102 single-family lots on 38.1 acres in the
Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan in the
Rancho Etiwanda Planned Development, located at the northwest corner of Day Creek
Boulevard and Wilson Avenue-APN: 225-071-59. Related files: Tentative Tract Maps 14496
and 14496-1. This project is based on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) previously
certified by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors in 1991 and the Supplemental
EIR(SEIR)previously certified by the City of Rancho Cucamonga in 2001. This project is within
the scope of these prior environmental documents and does not raise or create new
environmental impacts not already considered in the certified EIR and SEIR.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart,to adopt the resolution approving Development
Review DRC2002-00153: Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: MACIAS - carried
PUBLIC HEARINGS
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2001-00572 -
HOGLE-IRELAND, INC. (McDonald's)-A request to demolish and rebuild a fast food restaurant
with drive-thru facilities and indoor play area totaling 4,751 square feet, located at 9649 Foothill
Boulevard in the Specialty Commercial District of Subarea 3, pursuant to Development Code
Section 17.32.030E.1.a. -APN: 208-261-53.
Alan Warren, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Neal Casper, McDonald's Corporation, 11682 El Camino Real, Suite 400, San Diego, thanked staff
for working on the project and the Commission for hearing the project. He supported the conditions
of approval.
Commissioner Tolstoy asked if having two drive-thru lanes is a new trend in the fast food industry.
Mr. Casper responded that McDonald's has found that it reduces the wait time for stacking.
Commissioner Tolstoy asked if blending of traffic back into one lane causes any problems.
Mr. Casper responded negatively. He said they have been doing this for two years and have not had
any problems. He noted there has been one such design in Rancho Cucamonga since last
December.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing. He commented that the
applicant had been very cooperative during the design review process and noted the applicant had
agreed to a Route 66 thematic tone. He felt the project will be an improvement and enhance the
community.
Commissioner Tolstoy believed the project will be an asset to the community.
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart,to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the
resolution approving Conditional Use permit DRC2001-00572. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: MACIAS - carried
C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM15781 — PRP
INVESTORS- A request to subdivide 12.59 acres into 5 lots for the purpose of a commercial
shopping center in the Village Commercial District of the Victoria Community Plan, located at
the northwest and southwest comer of Highland Avenue and Day Creek Boulevard -
APN: 1089-021-09 and 10. Related File: Conditional Use Permit DRC2001-00638.
Planning Commission Minutes -2- July 24, 2002
D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2001-00638-PRP
INVESTORS - The proposed development of a 52,316 square foot grocery supermarket and
25,000 square feet of retail shops on the southwest corner of Highland Avenue and Day Creek
Boulevard, and a 3,522 square foot fast food restaurant and site plan approval for a 3,600
square foot gasoline service station including a convenience market store and a drive-thru
carwash on the northwest corner of Highland Avenue and Day Creek Boulevard,on 12.59 acres
of land in the Village Commercial District of the Victoria Community Plan—APN: 1089-021-09.
and 10. Related Files: SUBTPM15781 and Preliminary Review DRC2001-00364.
Douglas Fenn, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and suggested changes to the
resolutions to clarify frontage improvements needed along Highland Avenue, drainage assessment
responsibility, and use of an Improvement Certificate to require public improvements no later than
development of the first parcel.
Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, observed that Engineering suggested revising the resolution to
require an Improvement Certificate on the Parcel Map so that the map can record with the public
improvements being required upon development of the first parcel. He said this would put potential
buyers on notice that they cannot purchase one small parcel and merely put in frontage
improvements for just that small parcel.
Commissioner Tolstoy asked if there was any prohibition of incoming telephone calls on public
telephones since the project is so close to the freeway.
Brad Buller, City Planner, responded that it had not been included as a condition but such a
restriction would be consistent with the Planning Commission action at the last meeting.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Chuck Buquet, Charles Joseph Associates, 10681 Foothill Boulevard, Suite 395, Rancho
Cucamonga, believed the City will be pleased with the entry statement. He observed the project
includes a grocery store and convenience market and stated their intent was that the Conditional Use
Permit application would qualify them for the ABC process. He asked that such approval be included
in the resolution. He stated that Standard Condition D8 limits loading and unloading to between the
hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and asked if trucks could make deliveries starting at 6 a.m. He
observed that the Commission could review the Conditional Use Permit if problems occur. He
believed they had already addressed Standard Condition D12 with respect to Design Review
Committee approval of the design of storefronts. With respect to security hardware covered in
Standard Condition 51, Mr. Buquet stated the items being installed will be consistent with
commercial and industry standards. He indicated they have no security fencing planed for the
development. He believed a lot of the former problems with pay phones have been eliminated with
the advent of cell phones. Mr. Bouquet did not know if there will be any pay phones in the plaza area
but said they are amenable to the wishes of the Planning Commission.
Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney, noted that the Initial Study points out that there is an existing
block wall along the north property boundary of the residential neighborhood and the wall will mitigate
noise from the project.
Chairman McNiel stated that pay phones have been used elsewhere that can be used to call out but
will not accept incoming calls.
Mr. Buquet stated that would be acceptable.
Commissioner Stewart asked if changing the delivery time frame would violate the findings of the
Initial Study.
Planning Commission Minutes -3- July 24, 2002
Commissioner Stewart noted that police calls are not necessarily when there is entertainment, but
rather at closing time. She felt Riptide is trying to be a good neighbor and work through the
problems.
Ms. Talak stated that most of the problems occur during the week. She said that during the week
they generally have pool players and drinkers because they can't have the entertainment. She said
that if she could have more entertainment, she would be able to afford to hire more security.
Commissioner Stewart asked if Ms. Talak had had any discussions with Mr. Fabis.
Ms. Talak indicated she had. She said she was shocked to see his letter. She stated that when she
first applied for the entertainment permit, she mailed letters to the neighbors and gave her cell phone
number to them. She said Mr. Fabis called her a lot but his problems included the freeway
construction. She said he had not called her lately.
Commissioner Stewart asked what security does if there is a problem in the parking lot.
Ms. Talak replied they have radios and talk to each other when there are several guards. She noted
that if there is only one person outside, they will notify the bartender or another staff member to call
the Police if there are problems.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Stewart felt the applicant is trying to be a good neighbor and seems to be addressing
the security problems at closing time. She indicated a willingness to review the permit in six months.
She suggested Ms. Talak call the Sheriffs Department to ask for tips to the security people on what
they can better do when there are problems in the parking lot. She thought there may be some
training or a better radio system or something that could be done that would not cost a lot of money.
Commissioner Tolstoy hoped the applicant can get together with the owner to work out something
with the common wall with Radio Shack. He thought that would help solve some of the problems.
Chairman McNiel remarked that many years ago someone else owned the business and there were
many problems. He said the ownership changed and there were still problems. He felt the current
owners are doing the best at avoiding problems. He noted the bar is very close to residential.
Commissioner Tolstoy suggested reviewing the situation in six months.
Commissioner Stewart and Chairman McNiel agreed.
Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Tolstoy,to review the permit in six months. Motion carried
by the following vote:
AYES: MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: MACIAS
ABSTAIN: MANNERINO - carried
G. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM15699 - BCA DEVELOPMENT - A request to subdivide
248.63 acres into 6 parcels, part of a larger project which includes Tentative Tract Map
SUBTT16226 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16227 in the Low Residential District(2-4 units
per acre) of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan, located north of Wilson Avenue, east of Day
Creek Boulevard, and west of Etiwanda Avenue - APN: 225-071-37, 47, 48, 50 and 51 and
Planning Commission Minutes -6- July 24, 2002
225-081-08, 09, 11, and 14. Related files: Tentative Tract Maps SUBTT16226 and
SUBTT16227.
H. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16226 - BCA
DEVELOPMENT - A request to subdivide 92.78 acres into 265 lots for single-family home
construction, part of a larger project which includes Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM15699 and
Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16227, in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre)
of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan, located north of Wilson Avenue, east of Day Creek
Boulevard, and west of Etiwanda Avenue-APN: 225-071-37, 48, and 50 and 225-081-08 and
11. This project is based on the EIR previously certified by the County of San Bernardino Board
of Supervisors in 1991 and the Supplemental EIR (SEIR) previously certified by the City of
Rancho Cucamonga in 2001.
I. TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16227- BCA DEVELOPMENT-A request to subdivide 144.94
acres into 367 lots for the purpose of single-family home construction, part of a larger project
which includes Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM15699 and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16226,in
the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre) of the Etiwanda North Specific Plan,
located north of Wilson Avenue, east of Day Creek Boulevard, and west of Etiwanda Avenue-
APN: 225-071-47 and 51 and 225-081-09 and 14.
Catherine Johnson,Associate Planner, presented the staff report and suggested modifications to the
resolutions clarifying the environmental documentation and deleting the requirement for flood
protection measures, as the project is not located within a Flood Hazard Zone.
Chairman McNiel asked if the project encroaches into the Water District property.
Ms. Johnson responded negatively.
Chairman McNiel asked if any property north of the Water District land is within the City's Sphere of
Influence.
Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, replied there are three larger parcels north of the Water District
corridor and this development will provide access for those parcels. He said a conservation area,
Etiwanda North Habitat Preserve, is located north of those three larger parcels.
Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing.
Ben Anderson, BCA Development, 17780 Fitch Street, Suite 120, Irvine, gave a brief history of the
project. He thanked staff for its efforts. He noted that the resolution calls fora maximum 10 percent
driveway grade and said his engineer indicated it will not be able to meet that requirement on all lots
because of the property grade. He asked that the resolution be modified to allow exceptions with the
City's approval. He indicated that during the design review process, it was pointed out that wooden
fencing would be prohibited because of public safety issues and the open space and wild lands
adjacent to the project. He stated that the project is completely surrounded by masonry walls. He
said they agree with staff regarding a number of design and architectural elements relating to the
interior walls, but he proposed they be permitted to submit a master plan of walls and fencing prior to
the first development review of the homes in order to allow a comprehensive approach to the fencing
rather than having a blanket prohibition of wooden fencing. Mr.Anderson stated that Ray Allard,the
project engineer, was available to answer questions.
Commissioner Mannerino asked if the issue of fencing is merely an economic issue.
Mr. Anderson responded that the economics are significantly different. He said he spoke with Brad
Buller and is in agreement that interior corner lots facing private roadways and walls between houses
Planning Commission Minutes -7- July 24, 2002
facing the street should be masonry. However, he preferred to be able to work with staff to allow
view fencing on view lots and they thought wood fencing may be appropriate in some downhill areas.
Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Mannerino asked if staff was comfortable with the proposal of a master fence plan
being presented for City approval and the applicant's request for possible leeway on the 10 percent
maximum driveway grade.
Brad Buller, City Planner, stated it has been a normal process that the Commission would see a
fence/wall master plan with the development review of the homes and he would be comfortable with
submission of the plan prior to or concurrent with the first design review. He suggested that the
condition regarding the driveways be modified to allow for exceptions to be considered by the Design
Review Committee during the development review processing of the homes.
Chairman McNiel stated the Commission would be seeing those things during the design review
process and the property has many restrictions because of the grade. He supported both requests
from the developer.
Commissioner Stewart concurred.
Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart,to adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Parcel Map
SUBTPM15699, Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16226, and Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16227, with
modifications to require a master plan of fencing and walls be approved by the Design Review
Committee and to permit the Design Review Committee to consider exceptions to the maximum
10 percent grade for driveways. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MANNERINO, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: MACIAS - carried
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
There was no additional Commission business.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Macias absent),to adjourn. The
Planning Commission adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Br'•rr: II @r to
Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes -8- July 24, 2002