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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/11/21 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Workshop Meeting November 21, 2000 Chairman McNiel called the Adjourned Workshop Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 9:00 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: Rich Macias, John Mannerino, Larry McNiel, Pam Stewart, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Debra Meier, Contract Planner; Warren Morelion, Assistant Planner OLD BUSINESS A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 00-34 — COSTCO WHOLESALE — A proposal to construct a 149,705 square foot retail store, which also includes a tire sales and installation center(5,200 square feet), food service (1,042 square feet), and gas pumps, located on the north side of 4th Street between Buffalo Avenue and the Interstate 15 on/off ramps, in the Industrial Park District (Subarea 12) —APN: 229-263-19, 20, 21, and a portion of 18. Applicants Present: Todd Bartok, COSTCO; Ken McKently and Michael Hidalgo, McCellan Hunter Architects; and Greg Vena, Northwest Atlantic Real Estate Mr. Brad Buller presented an opening statement and introduction of the applicant. Mr. Greg Vena provided an introduction of his involvement with COSTCO in looking for potential sites for relocation, and reiterated the competing design function and corporate image that drive the designs presented for consideration this evening. Mr. Todd Bartok described the design elements of the revised building elevations, and how they responded to comments heard by the Commission during the previous workshop. Mr. Bartok,along with Mr. McKently, laid out a variety of design schematic elevations for the Commission to review and assess. The schematic designs featured a variety of use of masonry products and roof types and the introduction of a rock veneer. Commissioner Tolstoy observed that this is a warehouse used in a commercial setting and in addition was in a key gateway location entering the City from the freeway and from the City of Ontario. He preferred the design scheme that utilized the river rock, as the use of rock is already established at the site by the existing City monumentation on 4th Street near the freeway. Mr. Tolstoy also felt the use of the trellis and vine planting intermittently around the building is an attractive and desirable feature. He observed that with the freeway setting above grade, the roof of the building will be visible. He therefore thought a line-of-site study would be appropriate and the treatment of AC units should be given consideration. He noted the City typically allows unscreened views of skylights; however the AC units should be screened, using architectural design features, wherever possible. Finally, Mr. Tolstoy reiterated that he wanted people to know the difference between Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga— Rancho Cucamonga is a community that cares about design quality. Commissioners Stewart, Mannerino, and Macias also preferred the schematic design that incorporated the use of rock. They encouraged the applicant to maximize he use of rock and vary the pattern of the various block surfaces. They preferred the use of a tile roof, rather than standing seam metal, primarily due to long term maintenance and aesthetic considerations. They indicated that tile is a theme material consistent throughout much of Rancho Cucamonga. Chairman McNiel was not as enthusiastic of the building design elements as were the other Commissioners, saying he preferred minimal use of precision block. He indicated there must be a definite distinction between this project, and the north side of 4th Street in general and "The Mills". He felt all details used in the design of the building must be of substantial and distinguishable size and character, as this project holds a key location and is likely to set the design trend as projects develop further west along the north side of 4th Street. Mr. Buller summarized the discussion and provided direction for the applicants. • The view from the freeway is indeed important, and in fact it may be appropriate to provide a photo image to portray the project as viewed from the freeway. Consider"ganging"AC units in clusters to promote effective screening if possible. • Investigate the use of various size, color, and patterns of block that can be used; especially those products that are a variation of the 8-inch x 6-inch size. • The loading must be screened from direct view. Mr. Buller anticipated that many customers from within Rancho Cucamonga will enter the site from Buffalo, avoiding the freeway, which means the access from the west should be treated with the same aesthetic detail. In fact, given the setting of the building there should be no "rear" architectural elevation, as all sides are visible. • One design detail that sets Rancho Cucamonga apart is the attention to the detail used at the pedestrian level, including pavement texture, color and patterns used at eye level and ground level. • The applicants were encouraged to further modify the design concept based on the direction of comments provided and work with staff to complete the application and appropriately respond to design issues. • It was noted the Commission can be available for further workshops if desirable. ADDED ITEM B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 00-10—AMERICAN PACIFIC HOMES—Consideration to gate a residential subdivision on approximately 25 acres of land in the Low and Low-Medium (2-4 and 4-8 dwelling units per acre, respectively) Residential Districts, located east of Etiwanda Avenue, south of Victoria Street—APN: 227-141-42, 44, 46, and 65. Brad Buller, City Planner, introduced the item and stated the purpose of the Pre-Application Review, being the question as to whether the applicant could develop the block bounded by East Avenue, Victoria Avenue, the railroad tracks, and the Interstate-15 Freeway into a gated community. PC Adjourned Workshop Minutes -2- November 21, 2000 Commissioner Macias indicated this his past philosophy ha been that a gated community excludes the surrounding community and said that he does not like the concept of a gated community because it has to potential to exclude the rest of the community. U Commissioner Tolstoy felt that a gated community should be permitted if that is what is desired. However, he thought that it should definitely have two exits. John Snell clarified that there are two exits. Commissioner Tolstoy stated that the entrances, including the gates, should be attractive. Mr. Snell responded that was the developer's intent. He referred to two elevations on the wall. Commissioner Mannerino stated that he had lived in a number of gated communities and he felt they provide a false sense of security. Commissioner Stewart asked if others in the Etiwanda area may have a problem with the proposed gated community. Mr. Snell replied this was the only gated community this his company is going to propose within the City. He said the November 7, 2000, letter stated the reasons they feel a gated community is desirable. Mr. Buller asked the Commissioners if they would be willing to allow a gated community in the proposed location. It was the overall consensus from the Commission to allow a gated community in that location provided the applicant work with staff to address any outstanding issues associated with the project. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjoumed at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ie. B'i Iler ecretary PC Adjourned Workshop Minutes -3- November 21, 2000