Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/02/22 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting March 22, 2000 Chairman McNiel called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:50 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: John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: Rich Macias STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan James, Senior Civl Engineer; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 00-04 — GATX - Review of conceptual plans for two industrial buildings (436,971 square feet and 468,394 square feet) within the Catellus Master Plan area at the northeast and northwest corners of Milliken Avenue and Arrow Route in General Industrial District (Subarea 8) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan. APN: 229-011-25, 31, and 32. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the purpose of the Pre-Application Review process. Pamela Steele, Hogle-Ireland, introduced the project and stated that the orientation for the GATX building at the northeast corner of Milliken Avenue and Arrow Route is being revised with loading on the south side to avoid having the dock doors exposed to high winds. She oriented the Commissioners to the graphics that had been submitted. Dennis Hill, Hill-Pinkhert Architects, reviewed the proposed design. He said the intent is to screen the loading area from Arrow Route with very high decorative tilt up concrete walls with an architectural theme to match the building. He indicated the building would also have architectural enhancements, especially that part of the building wall that would be visible above the screen walls. He stated that they intend to align the driveways with existing driveways on the south side of Arrow Route. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, reviewed staffs concerns. He stated the Site Plan and Grading Plan are inconsistent and both have good and bad points. • The Grading Plan shows free-standing screen walls north of the driveway entrances to the loading area. Staff is in favor of this design because it blocks views through the driveway opening into the loading area. • The Site Plan shows new driveways on the north side of Arrow Route lining up with existing driveways on the south side, which is the most desirable driveway orientation. The primary issue, however, is to ensure that views into the loading area are sufficiently screened. The plans submitted show sight lines cut perpendicular into the site from the street frontage but the actual views of the site will be from the east and west as motorists approach the site. In these cases, the sight lines are more shallow and intrude into the loading area. Sufficiently detailed sight line analysis will be necessary. The Frito Lay project at 4th Street and Archibald Avenue demonstrates that loading areas can be screened. • GATX Building IV at the northwest corner of Milliken Avenue and Arrow Route has very long frontage on Milliken. Substantial architectural enhancement will be necessary to provide visual interest and variation. • The driveway at the southwest corner of the site will have to be relocated easterly away from the railroad track intersection at Arrow Route or changed to right-in/right-out only. • Truck circulation at the north end of the site appears overly circuitous and should be simplified to avoid trucks driving over planters, etc. Commissioner Tolstoy agreed that locating the loading docks on the south side of the building makes sense due to the seasonal high winds. He concurred that Frito Lay serves as a good example of screening. He thought the design details regarding architectural enhancement and ensuring high enough screen walls can be resolved through the Design Review process. Commissioner Stewart indicated that she is confident that the screening method will work, thereby allowing loading to be located on the south side of the building. Commissioner Mannerino agreed that the logical location for loading would be on the south side of the building. Chairman McNiel asked for clarification of the east-west trending walls shown on the Grading Plan but not on the Site Plan. Dennis Hill responded that the walls were originally intended to screen the loading area views through the driveway openings; however, the walls were abandoned because it was decided that they would cause very difficult truck maneuvering and limit the area available for loading. Chairman McNiel stated that locating the loading docks on the south side of the building makes sense given our high winds out of the northeast. He strongly suggested that the north elevation of the building have the same level of architectural detail and enhancement as on the GATX I building at Milliken Avenue and Millennium Court. He said particular attention should be paid to sight lines into the loading area from Arrow Route to make sure screen walls are high enough. He indicated GATX Building IV at the northwest corner of Milliken Avenue and Arrow Route should have substantial articulation and variation, especially along east elevation given it's length. He stated that screen walls should have a high level of surface enhancement for both projects. Mr. Buller summarized the Commission's comments: the overall concept of having loading on the south side of the building is feasible if adequate screening can be provided, the screening solution should be effective in terms of view blockage, and architectural enhancement is necessary. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- March 22, 2000 B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 00-05 — COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH - Review of conceptual plans for a temporary Youth Center, totaling 4,900 square feet, on 4.96 acres of land in the Medium Residential District, located at the northwest comer of 19th Street and Beryl Street -APN: 201-221-08. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated the purpose of the Pre-Application Review process. Rob Acker, Senior Pastor, Community Baptist Church, introduced the group and reviewed the Church's intent. In attendance were Ed Ringer, Executive Pastor, Senator Brulte, Craig Hutchinson, and William Fox from the Sprung Structure Company. Pastor Acker said the Church intends to relocate eventually for more space but in the meantime, the congregation is outgrowing the capacity of the facilities and a large enclosed space with high ceilings is needed. He explained the temporary building would be used mostly for teen recreation and mentoring activities. He said the tensioned structure is proposed instead of attached modular buildings because of the high ceiling height (useful for recreation) and the flexibility to disassemble and move it to their eventual new location or sell it. He stated a two-toned color can be used to visually blend the structure with the existing facilities, existing trees will provide screening and additional landscaping can be provided, and windows and dormers can provide a greater sense of permanence. He said the structure will be very hard to see from 19th Street and only visible for a short distance on Beryl Street. Pastor Acker reported that the church had sent out invitations to all property owners within 400 feet of the site (about 160 homeowners) for a neighborhood meeting but no one attended; therefore, in his opinion, the matter does not appear to have neighborhood controversy. He closed by stating that he is aware that the City is very cautious in approving temporary structures but he felt this structure is a major improvement over modular type buildings. He thought the structure would not set a negative precedent due to the unique nature of the church's needs, site orientation, and screening options. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, stated there are unique circumstances faced by the church that tend towards the proposed solution. He acknowledged that it will be difficult for the church to make the tensioned structure look like something it's not but said it is equally difficult to make modular buildings appear as anything other than they are. He noted door pop-outs and window dormers, as well as trellis structures, can be provided to help convey a sense of permanence. He observed the church has indicated that the structure can be colored to match the existing facilities. He stated the building will primarily be visible for southbound drivers on Beryl Street and said he had driven by the site and found that with existing development and landscaping to the north, the building will only be visible for a short distance. Commissioner Stewart said that she'd been invited by the Church to review the proposal. She liked the two-tone color scheme and felt there should be an emphasis on landscaping along Beryl Street. She supported the use so long as it can be effectively screened. Commissioner Mannerino said that he also is in favor of the design. He reported he was also invited to review the proposal by the church. He thought the integrity of the people involved sets the proposal apart from other, similar uses. He suggested that something be done to the top of the building so it doesn't look so "bald" and to break up the skyline. Commissioner Tolstoy stated that he visited the site. He felt it is an innovative solution and said he tends to favor innovation. He thought the tensioned structure, with two tone color scheme and landscaping, will look better than modular trailers. PC Adjourned Minutes -3- March 22, 2000 Chairman McNiel indicated he had also met with church representatives and he has no problem with the proposal. He thought it will be important to color the building to match the existing facilities. He felt the building will serve the community well. He asked about longevity of the structure. Pastor Acker indicated that five years would be adequate and said the church intends to relocate within Rancho Cucamonga. Brad Buller, City Planner, summarized the Commissioners comments: The next step in the process will be for the Church to apply for a Conditional Use Permit, window dormers and door pop-outs will help give a look of permanence, and special attention should be paid to color scheme and landscaping. Mr. Buller expressed appreciation for how hard the Church worked to get to this point. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Aretary • PC Adjourned Minutes -4- March 22, 2000