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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/04/24 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting April 24, 2002 Chairman McNiel called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:11 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, John Mannerino, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Larry McNiel, Peter Tolstoy STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Kid Coury, Associate Planner, Craig Fox, Deputy City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, Brent Le Count, Associate L. Dennis Michael, Fire Chief; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Mannerino, carried 3-0-2 (McNiel, Tolstoy absent), to approve the minutes of April 10, 2002. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND ETIWANDA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT DRC2002-00231 -CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA-A request to amend the land use district designation from Low-Medium Residential (4-8 dwelling units per acre)to Medium Residential (8-14 dwelling units per acre) for approximately 7 acres of land, located on the west side of Etiwanda Avenue mid-block between Foothill Boulevard and Church Street as Phase One of the General Plan consistency program -APN: 227-211-12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 32, 33, 34, and 35. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Vice Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. There were no comments, and he closed the hearing. Commissioner Mannerino felt it is an appropriate amendment in light of the update to the General Plan. Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, to recommend issuance of a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution recommending approval of Etiwanda Specific Plan Amendment DRC2002-00231. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL, TOLSTOY - carried B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2001-00439 - LIFEWAY CHURCH-The phased development of a new church facility of approximately 41,300 square feet to include a sanctuary, educational facilities, a gymnasium, administrative offices, and storage on 5.03 acres of land in the Low Residential District(2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southeast corner of Vineyard Avenue and Calle del Prado-APN: 208-921-36. Related File: Variance DRC2001-00444. C. VARIANCE DRC2001-00444- LIFEWAY CHURCH -A request to allow a 10-foot high parking lot retaining wall and a 15-foot high parking lot retaining wall,where a maximum 6-foot high wall is permitted, and increase building height to 45-feet, where 35-feet is the permitted maximum building height, for a proposed church in the Low Residential District (2-4 dwelling units per acre), located at the southeast corner of Vineyard Avenue and Calle del Prado-APN: 208-921- 36. Related File: Conditional Use Permit DRC2001-00439. Kirt Coury presented the staff report and indicated that staff was recommending a condition be added to the resolution to require completion of the north side curb and gutter of Calle del Prado with the development of the gymnasium or the education building. He noted that two letters had been sent by nearby residents raising questions and concems regarding landscaping, drainage,color and height of the building, and the wall on the eastem side. Mr. Coury explained that the trees in question will be a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees to provide some year-round screening. He said the color of the facility is a beige,which should blend in with the neighborhood as 8 of the 10 homes along Vineyard are beige. Regarding the height, he explained that the sanctuary is set back from Vineyard Avenue and Calle del Prado and is designed to be terraced into the hill. He observed that one of the residents to the east was now asking for a block wall instead of a wrought iron wall that was requested at the neighborhood meeting. Dan Jarnes, Senior Civil Engineer, explained that the storm drain facility in Vineyard Avenue was designed and developed in the mid 1980s and was designed to accommodate development of this site. Vice Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. Dr. Chris Esteves, Lifeway Church, 213 East Tenth Street, Pomona, stated is the Senior Pastor for the church. He said they spent many years looking for a church in Rancho Cucamonga because many of their congregants live here. He explained they had community meetings with the surrounding residents prior to purchasing the site. He noted the residents raised concerns about the placement of the buildings and the church worked with the residents. He felt they have established good relations with the neighbors and come up with a good plan that accommodates the needs of the church and lessens impacts on the residents. He believed the church will benefit the community. He reported that they proposed a block wall, but at a neighborhood meeting, the son-in-law of a resident to the east asked for a wrought iron fence. He indicated they are not opposed to constructing a block wall there. Roger Sharp, 6513 Peridot, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he was speaking on behalf of Ruth Haas, the property owner to the east. He said she preferred a 6-foot block wall for privacy reasons. He indicated they support development of the church as they feel it will help with the coyote problems. Planning Commission Minutes -2- April 24, 2002 Donavan Vrem, 7444 Avila Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he lives across the street and his bedroom fronts onto Calle del Prado. He asked that a block wall be built on his property for sound ' attenuation purposes. He felt traffic could be noisy as it climbs the grade. He noted that Avila Avenue was originally built by the homeowners and is a gravel road. He asked what will happen when heavy rains wash the gravel into the gutter or streets. He asked that Avila Avenue be blacktopped. Joe Villalobos, 8988 Calle del Prado, Rancho Cucamonga, stated they are still on septic systems. He requested that the residents on Calle del Prado be allowed to tap into the sewer lateral of the church. Brad Buller, City Planner, suggested that a team member from the applicant address the sewer connection question. Christopher Bradley,WLC Architects, 10470 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga,stated they are running the sewer line up from Vineyard Avenue between the classrooms and gymnasium, so it will not be close to Calle del Prado. Mr. Buller asked if the project engineers had considered the gravel debris that may come from Avila Avenue. Mr. Bradley responded they had not because Avila Avenue is a relatively long distance away. Mr. Buller stated that staff does not believe there is a nexus between the project and Avila Avenue to require the applicant to improve Avila Avenue. Commissioner Mannerino asked if Avila Avenue has been dedicated to the City. Mr. James responded that an offer of dedication has been made for both Calle del Prado and Avila Avenue, but the City has not accepted. He indicated Calle del Prado will be accepted in connection with this project and become a publicly maintained street. He said that if gravel runoff becomes a problem, the City would try to work with the homeowners. Regarding the sound wall issue, Mr. Bradley observed that Mr.Vrem had requested a sound wall on his property. Mr. Buller indicated there had been no discussion regarding an off-site wall. He stated the homeowner can install a block wall so long as it does not encroach in the required setback. He observed that Calle del Prado will be a publicly dedicated street. Vice Chairman Macias did not see a nexus between the proposed project and the wall requested by Mr. Vrem. He also did not see a significant impact since it is an existing street. Commissioner Mannerino asked the distance between the bedroom and the street. Mr. Vrem indicated it is about 15 feet. Mr. James stated Calle del Prado will not be widened and said it appears the bedroom is 20 to 25 feet from the edge of pavement. Commissioner Mannerino did not feel the issue could be addressed without a sound study. He said he was not willing to require the developer to build a wall off site. Planning Commission Minutes -3- April 24, 2002 Mr. Buller observed that historically, the City has not required churches to build off-site walls. He said staff would be glad to work with the property owner to see if there is sufficient room for a sound wall. He suggested that double pane windows would be beneficial. Mr. Villalobos expressed concerns that gravel washing down from Avila Avenue during heavy rains will dig up Calle del Prado. He said they have put down %-inch gravel. He explained there is a rut that runs down from the top of the hill and it is currently diverted into an old storm gutter. He said any blockage there will stop the water from flowing freely. Mr. Buller indicated that when the site is developed, the plans must evaluate the design on surrounding conditions. He observed the City does not want the public street damaged. Mr. Villalobos indicated that his house has been flooded three times in 22 years. Regarding the sound wall, Mr. Buller noted there are two driveways from the main parking lot. He believed the majority of people will enter from the southerly driveway. Mr. Vrem stated that Red Hill Park is extremely busy on weekends with a lot of soccer games, etc. He suggested the curb in front of the church be painted red to avoid accidents caused by reduced visibility. He noted that park patrons are currently parking on the grass field where the church will be built and he asked if the City could provide more parking at the park. Walter Gustafson, 9000 Calle del Prado, Rancho Cucamonga, commented they dedicated the streets to the County in 1976 but they were never accepted. He indicated the water line currently meanders behind their houses over to Avila Avenue and hooks up to fire hydrants there. He stated that he paid Cucamonga County Water District in August 1976 on the front footage on his property to put a water line in front of his house, but it has not yet been done. He asked for assurances from the City that the City will take care of the dust, dirt, and water on Calle del Prado. He said the water line is old and regularly springs a leak and there have been four water leaks in their back yards so far this year. Hearing no further testimony, Vice Chairman Macias closed the public hearing. Commissioner Mannerino asked if the church was agreeable to building a block wall on the east side. Mr. Buller responded that staff and the Design Review Committee accepted a wrought iron fence but he heard the church say they were willing to put in a block wall. He said Standard Condition C11 calls for 6-foot high masonry project perimeter walls. Commissioner Stewart suggested staff review what street improvements will be constructed with this project. Commissioner Macias indicated that some issues that were addressed by the public are not in the City's jurisdiction. He suggested that staff send a letter to the homeowners addressing those issues and directing them as to what the process is and indicating who can address those issues. Mr. Buller suggested that following the Commission's action, he could briefly explain what the steps are. Commissioner Mannerino also suggested that the process for attempting to get the street accepted should be explained by the City. He thought perhaps those interested could stay after the meeting for an explanation, as there was only one more item on the agenda. Planning Commission Minutes -4- April 24, 2002 Mr. James stated the applicant will complete all the frontage improvements along Vineyard Avenue, i.e., parkways, streetlights, whatever is missing. He said they will install curb and gutter along the south side of Calle del Prado to the cul-de-sac at the end and will complete the curb and gutter around the cul-de-sac at the end. He said they will fully improve the end of the cul-de-sac and install asphalt pavement for the whole cul-de-sac width. He observed they will be adding traffic on Calle del Prado and that is the nexus for getting improvements on the north side of the street. He indicated the applicant will be required to install curb and gutter on the north side of the street with the development of the next phase of either an education building or the gymnasium. He confirmed the City will be accepting the street and taking over the maintenance. Commissioner Stewart knew that was not all the issues on the streets, but she thought it was information the public may not have. Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Conditional Use Permit DRC2001-00439 and Variance DRC2001-00444 with modification to require completion of the north side curb and gutter of Calle del Prado with the development of the gymnasium or the education building. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL, TOLSTOY - carried D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP SUBTPM15802-CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE DEPARTMENT-A request to subdivide 4.24 acres of land in the Estate Residential District (1 dwelling unit per acre) into 4 parcels (3 parcels for single family residential development and 1 parcel to be dedicated fora fire station), located on the west side of East Avenue, north of Banyan Street at 5844 East Avenue-APN:225-122-63. Related Files: Conditional Use Permit DRC2002-00065 and Tree Removal Permit DRC2002-00066. E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2002-00065 - RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT—A request to construct a fire station on 1.08 acres of land located in the Estate Residential District(1 dwelling unit per acre),located on the west side of East Avenue, north of Banyan Street at 5844 East Avenue-APN: 225-122- 63. Related Files: Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM15802, and Tree Removal Permit DRC2002-00066 Kirt Coury, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Vice Chairman Macias opened the public hearing. There were no comments, and he dosed the hearing. Commissioner Mannerino stated the City needs another fire station and he supported the project. Commissioner Stewart concurred. Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Parcel Map SUBTPM15802 and Conditional Use Permit DRC2002-00065. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MANNERINO, STEWART NOES: NONE ABSENT: MCNIEL, TOLSTOY - carried • Planning Commission Minutes -5- April 24, 2002 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Mannerino thanked the City for the opportunity to attend the American Planning Association Conference in Chicago, where the Commissioners were able to view a number of interesting developments. He said they also had an opportunity to view a shopping center similar to the new mall proposed for Rancho Cucamonga. Commissioner Stewart stated she agreed wholeheartedly. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated he would show a video from the trip at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Mannerino, seconded by Stewart, carried 3-0-2 (McNiel, Tolstoy absent), to adjoum. The Planning Commission adjoumed at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, B = •'-uller Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -6- April 24, 2002