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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/11/28 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting November 28, 2001 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: Rich Macias, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: John Mannerino STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner, Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Kevin Ennis, Assistant City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Debra Meier, Contract Planner, Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Stewart, carried 3-0-1-1 (Mannerino absent, Tolstoy abstain), to approve the minutes of November 14, 2001. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. MODIFICATION TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 97-23 — LAKEES (TWINS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL)-A request to allow service to patrons 18 years and older for an existing restaurant with sports bar and grill, including entertainment, dancing, amusement devices, and on site consumption of alcoholic beverages, in the Community Commercial District(Subarea 3), located at 10134 Foothill Boulevard - APN: 1077-601-07. Related File: Entertainment Permit 00-02. (Continued from November 14, 2001) B. ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT 00-02—LAKEES (TWINS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL)—A request to renew an entertainment permit to allow, disc jockey music, dancing, satellite television, and amusement devises (pool tables, dart boards), and allow service to patrons less than 21 years of age in conjunction with a bar and restaurant in the Community Commercial District(Subarea 3), located at 10134 Foothill Boulevard - APN: 1077-601-07. Related file: Conditional Use Permit 97-23. (Continued from November 14, 2001) Brad Buller, City Planner, observed the applicants requested the items be continued to January 9, 2002, while they consider possible modifications to the application. The public hearing remained open from November 14, 2001; however there were no comments. Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Tolstoy, to continue Conditional Use Permit 97-23 and Entertainment Permit 00-02 to January 9, 2002. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MANNERINO - carried C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP SUBTT16217 - LEWIS APARTMENT COMMUNITIES -A proposed tentative tract map consisting of B lots for multi- family residential, on 8.66 acres of land within the Medium-High Residential District (14-24 dwelling units per acre) of the Terra Vista Community Plan, located on the west side of Milliken Avenue south of West Greenway Park - APN: 1077-422-40. Related File: Development Review DRC2001-00407. D. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DRC2001-00407-LEWIS APARTMENT COMMUNITIES - The review of detailed site plan and building elevations for Tentative Tract 16217, consisting of 166 multi-family apartment units on 8.66 acres in the Medium-High Residential District (14-24 dwelling units per acre)of the Terra Vista Community Plan, located on the west side of Milliken Avenue, south of West Greenway Park. APN: 1077-422-40. Related File: Tentative Tract Map Subtt16217. Debra Meier, Contract Planner, presented the staff report and observed that staff had received a letter of opposition to apartments from three residents who live north of the greenway trail. She pointed out the minimum separation is approximately 150 feet from the proposed apartments to the homes and the project grade is approximately 10 feet below the existing houses. Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing. Christopher Greiner,450 West Foothill Boulevard, Pomona, stated he represented Lewis Apartment Communities. He indicated he agreed with the proposed conditions and was appreciative of the opportunity to work with staff. Marty Amaro, 11209 Amiata Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he lives just north of the development. He asked if there would be a traffic signal at the entrance of the facility on Milliken Avenue. He concurred with having the traffic enter and exit at Milliken. He noted there is a left-tum bay allowing people to turn into the park and development. He expressed concem about the traffic speeds and the amount of traffic during rush hour. He reported that his street is used for overflow parking from Milliken Park and he hoped the development will have enough guest parking. Mitchell Maynard, 11249 Amiata Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he lives in the fifth house west of Milliken Avenue. He expressed concern about the wall and hoped it will be high enough so that people cannot jump over it. He asked if there will be a crosswalk from the project entry to go to Milliken Park and suggested the park be used for overflow parking from the apartments. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, indicated the developer is conditioned to install a traffic signal at the project entrance on Milliken Avenue. Brad Buller, City Planner, reported that Milliken Park is a City park which is programmed by the City. He indicated that if the programs are causing off-site parking, the City should be informed so that adjustments can be made. He stated the project has 17 parking spaces above what is called for by Planning Commission Minutes -2- November 28, 2001 the Code and indicated the City would not encourage parking across the street in the park. He thought there will likely be a crosswalk at the signal. Chairman McNiel asked about the wall. Ms. Meier stated there is a 6-foot solid wall on the property line of the single-family homes. She reported a wrought iron wall and landscaping will be on the south side of the greenway along the apartments. She said the apartments will face and view the greenway trail in front of the units. Chairman McNiel reopened the public hearing to allow a resident to speak. J. B. Greenberg, 11273 Amiata Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, stated she is one of the concemed residents who presented the letter placed before the Commission. She said they have major concems regarding crime and vandalism in the area. She requested that condominiums be built instead of apartments because she wanted someone who has a financial stake in the community. She requested a light terra cotta roof tile to be more consistent with what is in the community. She asked if the City will not have to pay for the maintenance and operation of the traffic signal. Ms. Greenberg stated she spoke with someone who lives in Victoria and asked how they were able to cut down on the number of apartments and was told that they have five to six Police officers at meetings who say how many more calls for service there would be if apartments are built. She stated that Lewis had been gracious enough to send two representatives to the meeting they had with City staff regarding the letter that was before the Commission. Chairman McNiel responded that condominiums are rarely built anymore because of the multiple lawsuits filed. He observed that Terra Vista was built under a master community plan which has been in place for many years although it is a living document subject to change. He indicated that under the community plan, this land was designated as apartments and said the developer has the right to pursue apartments in this area. He asked if it would be possible to integrate the apartment roof color with the homes. Ms. Meier indicated she had looked at photographs of the existing homes and she felt it would be possible to integrate the roofs. Chairman McNiel asked if Lewis would be willing to integrate the roof color and Mr. Greiner responded affirmatively. Ms. Meier indicted that Ms. Greenberg and some of the other residents had been informed that three applications for condominium units had been submitted and were in the initial stages of being processed but they had not been forwarded as yet to the Design Review Committee or the Planning Commission. Chairman McNiel again closed the public hearing. Commissioner Stewart stated she appreciated the commentary regarding the roof color. She observed that a lot of time had been spent in the Design Review process trying for the desired architectural look and she wanted staff to work with Lewis but did not want to jeopardize what had been designed. Commissioner Macias stated he has lived in Terra Vista three blocks from where the residents live. He acknowledged that the seven complaints in the letter regarding enforcement of existing codes are true, but he felt there was no nexus between those complaints and the applicant's project. He felt the project will help to shelter the residents from some of the problems listed. He observed apartments had been planned for the area for years. He said that he knew when he moved to Terra Vista that he would be surrounded by apartments and he has not had any major problems. Planning Commission Minutes -3- November 28, 2001 Chairman McNiel requested that the letter be forwarded to Code Enforcement and Lewis. Mr. Buller stated that the City Council and most department heads received the letter as well as Code Enforcement and Business License. Kevin Ennis,Assistant City Attorney, pointed out that Commissioner Macias lives more than 500 feet from the borders of the project and therefore could vote on the project. Commissioner Tolstoy noted there was a reference to ambulances parking at Milliken Park in the letter from the residents. He believed ambulances do not have a headquarters but rather move throughout the City and park in various spots in order to be able to respond quickly when a call is received. He thought it would be better if they park in commercial areas rather than a park. Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Tolstoy to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolutions approving Tentative Tract Map SUBTT16217 and Development Review DRC2001-00407. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MANNERINO - carried E. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2001-00519 - TRICON GLOBAL RESTAURANTS - The development of a drive-thru fast food restaurant consisting of 2,715 square feet on .69 acre of land in the Neighborhood Commercial district, located at 7369 Milliken Avenue-APN: 227-182-10. Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report and indicated new elevations had been provided to the Commissioners. She showed an actual block of the material the applicant was proposing for the wainscot. She indicated the block would be painted to match the existing color. She stated that the applicant wished to use the block material in lieu of ceramic tiles similar to the ones on the existing buildings. She reported that staff had visited the site and confirmed that all existing buildings have some tiles and suggested that tiles be used. Chairman McNiel opened the public hearing. Jim Forgey, Program Manager, RHL Design Group, 1201 South Beach Boulevard, La Habra, expressed appreciation for the attention staff had given the project. He felt the design of the building was tied in with the other buildings in the center. He stated the proposed tower elements match Carl's Jr. and Baskin Robbins. He specified the cornice trim, wooden trim, roof treatment, building color palette, and stucco finish are also consistent with the center. He said there are several pads or buildings that have no wainscot. He indicated they want to use scored block to show a distinction between the top and bottom and noted they are a stand-alone building. Chairman McNiel recalled discussions regarding the treatment at the Design Review Committee meeting. Ms. Wimer responded that at the Design Review Committee meeting, the applicant indicated that not all buildings have tile. She said that following the meeting she and Senior Planner Nancy Fong visited the site and confirmed that all buildings have tile and staff is asking for tile. Mr. Forgey stated that there are two buildings with no ceramic tile at the base. He said ceramic tiles create maintenance problems and they wish to avoid that. He stated that Ralph's has several broken tiles. Planning Commission Minutes -4- November 28, 2001 Chairman McNiel asked if the changes requested by the Design Review Committee had been made with respect to the area where the signs will be located. Ms. Wimer responded affirmatively. She also showed color photographs of the tile work on other buildings. She said several buildings do not have the tile wrapped but they all have accents. Mr. Forgey presented photographs of several elevations of buildings with no tile showing. Commissioner Tolstoy believed tile should be included and he felt any broken tiles at Ralph's should be repaired. Mr. Buller agreed that some elevations may not have tile, but noted that City staff saw tile on all buildings. He suggested the Commission could designate if it wants 360-degree tile or could direct staff to work with the applicant regarding the amount. Chairman McNiel noted it is a stand-alone building and he felt it should have 360-degree tile. Steve Pulcheon, Construction Manager, Tricon Global Restaurants, 17901 Von 'Carman, Irvine, stated Carl's Jr. has no tile on the base of the building. He observed that kids ride their bikes into the building and ceramic tile and stucco are easily damaged. He felt the block they are proposing is sturdier. He asserted that replacement tiles do not match and asked that they be allowed to use stucco if they are not allowed to use the block. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman McNiel closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tolstoy felt tile should be used and it would not be appropriate to use stucco. Commissioner Macias agreed. Mr. Buller suggested adding a condition to require wainscot tiles on all four sides of the building. Motion: Moved by Macias, seconded by Tolstoy, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit DRC2001-00519 with modification to require wainscot tiles on all four sides of the building. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MANNERINO - carried PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. COMMISSION BUSINESS F. TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENTS Brad Buller, City Planner, presented the staff report. He observed there had been several very strong candidates. Chairman McNiel invited public comments. Planning Commission Minutes -5- November 28, 2001 Tim Mitchell, 8636 Avalon Court, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he has lived there for 35 years and has traveled extensively on bike. He indicated he is also a competitive mountain biker. Commissioner Tolstoy was pleased the City was able to find applicants so well qualified. Chairman McNiel agreed it was good to find quality people who were so enthusiastic. Motion: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Macias, to appoint Tim Mitchell as the Bicycle Representative and Brian Zupke as the Bicycle Alternate Representative to the Trails Advisory Committee. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MACIAS, MCNIEL, STEWART, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: MANNERINO - carried ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Stewart, carried 4-0-1 (Mannerino absent),to adjourn. The Planning Commission adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, VBr- •'r" ler Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -6- November 28, 2001 •