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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/08/09 -Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting August 9, 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 at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order in the De Anza Room and immediately adjoumed to the Rains Room. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart ABSENT: Peter Tolstoy STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, Kirt Coury, Associate Planner; Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 00-08 - HURST-A request to develop an amusement park on 34.08 acres of land within the Industrial Park District (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, located at the northwest comer of Buffalo Avenue and Fourth Street-APN:229- 263-48 through 53. Brad Buller, City Planner, introduced the item and identified the Pre-Application process. He explained the review was to be on design only and its relationship to the surrounding area. Michael Hurst, architect, introduced the team and discussed the nature of the project as a"theme" family fun center. He also identified uses within the proposed park and said such facilities would include a realm of rides and attractions, to bring in customers from Rancho Cucamonga and many surrounding cities. He explained rides would include three sections of the park with the first focusing on racetracks, including a kiddy track, road track, and a simulated drag strip. He indicated the second section would focus on water park rides and the third would focus on a miniature golf course and buildings for theater events: He said two roller coasters will run throughout the length of the park. Mr. Hurst explained that he was looking forward to input from the Planning Commissioners and working with the City to create a quality project. He also indicated that parking would be half to three quarters underground/subterranean. Chairman McNiel expressed concems about handicapped parking. Mr. Hurst further explained that Mr. Carl Ross, the present owner of the property, has a strong passion for "Safari" themes, and this is where the theme is derived. Mr. Hurst explained that the intent of the project is to build something that the city would be proud of as well as create a project that will be considered a destination theme park. Mr. Hurst also identified some of the proposed rides that would be used to bring in all age groups. Emily Wimer, Assistant Planner, identified three main issues for the Commissioners to build discussion upon: 1) a concern with the building design and its effect on the entryway them, 2) the idea of tension roof canopies to provide shade, and 3) zoning compatibility. She said surrounding uses were addressed to help assess the design layout of the proposed park. Kirt Coury, Associate Planner, identified technical issues for the Commissioners to discuss with the most important issue being the circulation and access in and around the park. Because of the volume of people, he said staff felt parking and circulation will be a main issue. He indicated streetscape with regard to landscaping was particularly unique to this proposed them park and should be considered by the Commission. Because of the major and local streets that surround the property, he stated staff felt setbacks should also be taken into consideration. Mr. Buller identified the project as a unique project in nature and further expressed concerns regarding parking as well as on and off-site circulation. He further discussed design and entryway elements. Mr. Buller also expressed the opinion that neighborhood meetings should be required and felt that close contact with the neighboring offices would make a "good neighbor' concept even better. Commissioner Macias asked how the project would be considered a destination park. Mr. Rawls, a member of the development team, responded that the park would have drag boats that cannot be found anywhere in California. In addition, he said the theme park would have carefully designed roller coasters and a custom-built Ferris wheel. He felt the variety of rides will attract patrons. Commissioner Macias expressed concems regarding parking and circulation. He emphasized lush landscaping, as well as strong security, should be a focal point of the development team. Commissioner Stewart also expressed concerns regarding parking and circulation. She identified concerns relating to the architecture and landscaping. She strongly emphasized the need to have more than one neighborhood meeting. She said her main concern was circulation on 4th Street and Buffalo Avenue. Commissioner Mannerino echoed the concems raised by the other Commissioners. He further identified that he would like more detail and information about theme parks in general. He noted that the Commission has never before reviewed this type of development, therefore background information about these types of uses would be helpful. Chairman McNeil asked if there would be enough room on-site to support all of the uses. Mr. Hurst responded that they felt there was enough acreage to support the project, primarily because many of the other theme parks are smaller. He reported Castle Park is 23 acres, Pharos Lost Kingdom is 18 acres, and Scandia is only 8 acres plus another 5 acres on the other side of the street. He noted the proposed safari theme park is 34 acres. Chairman McNiel expressed excitement as well as his concerns about the project. He emphasized concerns with parking as well as noise associated with the project. Mr. Hurst replied that the impact to adjoining properties as well as the hours of operation would be taken into consideration as much as possible. PC Adjoumed Minutes -2- August 9, 2000 • Chairman McNiel reemphasized the idea of the"Safari"theme park and said he would like to see the theme carried throughout the park. Commissioner Macias also requested studies and information from surrounding cities to help further analyze theme parks. In closing, Mr. Buller emphasized the idea of being a "good neighbor to the offices and buildings surrounding the proposed theme park. He said the parking and circulation are a major concem that the applicant should analyze very closely and stated the landscaping and streetscape will be an important part of the drawings and elevations. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, i ��i B dam-. ler V S-cre ary PC Adjoumed Minutes -3- August 9, 2000