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
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PC Adjourned Minutes -4- March 22, 2000