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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/01/13 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjoumed Meeting January 13, 1999 Chairman McNiel called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 10:20 p.m, The meeting was held in the Rains Room at Rancho Cucamonga. Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Ddve, Rancho Cucamonga, California. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: Rich Macias, John Mannedno, Larry McNiel, Para Stewart, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner; Betty Miller, Associate Civil Engineer; Rebecca Van Buren, Associate Planner; Cecilia Williams, Associate Planner; Rudy Zeledon, Assistant Planner NEW BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 98-12 - SACRED HEART CHURCH - The proposed demolition of an existing church sanctuary and two additional buildings and the construction of a new sanctuary along with the development of a Master Plan for the 10.6 acre site located in the Regional Related Commercial Distdct (Subarea 4) of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, on the north side of Foothill Boulevard, east of Interstate 15 - APN: 227-211- 24 and 25 and 227-221-01 and 02. Brad Bullet, City Planner, explained the purpose and goals of the Pre-Application Review process. The project architect Ted Woods and Father Porter introduced the project and gave a bdef history on why they are choosing to stay on Foothill Boulevard and not pursue the Etiwanda site. Mr. Woods described the vadous design solutions to the church campus and architecture of the new church building. Cecilia Williams, Associate Planner, reviewed staffs comments, noting staff's support for the use remaining on site and the proposed expansion, She highlighted issues of street access and circulation, architecture, master planning for adjacent properties, and tree preservation. Chairman McNiel stated the architecture is eclectic, but that it is unique and he likes it. He expressed concerns about the sheet metal roof and indicated they should consider a different type of roof material, more resistant to wind. Commissioner Mannedno liked the idea of a campus setting for the site. He noted the side view looks different from the front view. He liked the building. He indicated he would like to see the church stay at its present location and expand. Commissioner Stewart thought there are too many design styles happening on the main church building. She liked the Foothill Boulevard facade shown because it looks "Mission" style. She preferred more of the Mission style architecture with more compatible colors. She felt the east elevation is too high. She encouraged the church to master plan for the lot to the west. Commissioner Tolstoy expressed concerns regarding having children attend school on a street as busy as Foothill Boulevard for environmental reasons, but he supported the use. He advised the applicant to work with the neighbor to come up with a good plan for the west parcel. He did not feel that a gas station would be a good use for the vacant lot west of the church site. He thought the building should have some coherence in architecture to look coordinated rather than eclectic. He liked the front of the church, but felt the east elevation has too much roof and the side elevations look industrial. He requested landscaping along Foothill Boulevard to hide cars in the parking lot with a combination of berming, Iow walls, and landscaping. He did not think the sheet metal roof lends itself to a church. He suggested they soften the industrial look on the east side. He commented that the existing church building has a nice flavor. Commissioner Macias felt the church expansion is a great thing for the community. He asked that the applicant address the traffic and circulation comments outlined by staff. He thought it is interesting architecture, but he preferred Mission architecture in the historic winery tradition. He questioned if the existing bell tower is compatible with what is being proposed. He agreed with Commissioner Tolstoy regarding enhanced landscaping and berming to hide cars parked in the parking lot. Father Porter stated the buildings along Foothill Boulevard are brick and cannot be moved. He said the renovated buildings will be stuccoed to match the sanctuary architecture with compatible colors to create a cohesive Catholic flavor and the tower will be renovated to match new building with stucco to match. Mr. Bullet summarized the meeting, noting that the following items are to be addressed when the church submits a development application: 1) Master Plan to show point of ingress and egress for properties to the east and west and allow reciprocal access. 2) Ensure that there is adequate parking on-site to accommodate the expanded sanctuary. 3) Gated intersections will need to be moved. 4) Establish a campus architecture for the site. 5) Where there are heritage trees, preserve where possible. 6) Concern expressed for the standing seam metal roof proposed. Consider an alternative roof material. 7) Provide the City with a phasing plan 8) Air Quality is a concern. Consider reforestation in playground areas to provide a buffer for children along Foothill Boulevard and the 1-15 Freeway. 9) Architecture - Staff and the Design Review Committee will work with the applicant on it. 10) Provide adequate screening to the parking lot with landscaping and berrning. 11) Renovate the Bell Tower to be compatible with the sanctuary that is proposed. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- January 13, 1999 B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 98-10 - WILLIAM LYON HOMES - Consideration of land use and circulation alternatives for 62 acres of land, located southwest of Highland Avenue and future Day Creek Boulevard in the Victoda Community Plan - APN: 227-021-03 and 13. Brad Buller, City Planner, explained the history of the project. He reported the Design Review Committee reviewed the related Victoda Plan Amendment and Vesting Tentative Tract Map and indicated concems with land use compatibility and circulation issues. He said the Committee recommended a workshop with the Planning Commission. Mr. Bullet identified the location of the site and the surrounding uses. He presented an overview of the current Victoda Plan, the proposal presented to the Design Review Committee, and the Committee's concerns. He stated the applicant has been working with staff to develop alternative land use and circulation concepts, which were posted on the display board. He said the applicant would describe the concepts. Cad Morabito, William Lyon Homes, introduced himself and members of the development team, Stan Morse and Larry Ryan. Mr. Morabito stated that in attempts to mitigate the conflicts between the residential and commercial land uses, the team decided to explore a plan which eliminates the lO-acre commercial site altogether (a plan showing all Low-Medium residential south of Highland). He presented two versions of this concept, having slight changes in the cul-de-sac arrangements along the loop roads. He said once this concept was drawn, William Lyon Homes, being a residential builder, became more interested in seeing if this plan has merit with the City. Mr. Morabito presented the second and third concepts, both of which include Low-Medium residential for the lower two-thirds of the site and a commercial component across the upper third of the site (no residential abutting the freeway). One concept indicated single family homes that rear-on the commercial site; the other concept indicated a mixture of lots that side-on and rear-on to the commercial site. Rebecca Van Buren, Associate Planner, stated the first concept which eliminates the commercial area obviously eliminates those land use conflicts, and the new street design addresses staff concerns. She suggested that if the Planning Commission had objections to eliminating the commercial area, it would be helpful to know at this time. She said the other two concepts retain the commercial area and would include a slope between residential and commercial, which would be maximized to enhance the buffer. Ms. Van Buren requested clarification on whether there is a preference for homes to side-on or rear-on, noting there are different advantages to each; i.e., side-on allows fewer lots to be impacted by the commercial while rear-on may allow greater slopes. Mr. Bullet outlined the location of other commercial sites along the future freeway corridor. Commissioner Macias thought the concepts presented showed great progress since the proposal he saw at the Design Review Committee. He felt the commercial area should be retained. Commissioner Tolstoy said there is an opportunity to use the commercial area to buffer the residential neighborhood from the freeway. He did not like placing houses against the freeway. He expressed concern with the long, narrow shape of the commercial area, and questioned if the backs of the commercial buildings will be facing residential, leading to possible noise/loading problems. He advised the developer to make the size and shape of the commercial area dght from the beginning and avoid conflicts such as the loading problems. Commissioner Mannedno stated he preferred the concept with a combination of side and rear-on residential to commercial, PC Adjourned Minutes o3- January 13, 1999 Commissioner Stewart agreed the comrnercial area should be retained. She advised the developer to take a close look at loading noise issues and look carefully at slopes and grades between uses. Commissioner McNiel expressed concerns with the natural short-cuts through the tract by unwanted traffic. He agreed with Commissioner Mannedno regarding the combination of side-on and rear-on residential to commercial and thought technical issues could be worked out. He felt the commercial center should be retained. Mr. Bullet noted that this may be the first commercial site with the opportunity to look towards the future freeway; however, the issues of loading and noise must be addressed. Mr. Bullet concluded there is a preference to retain the commercial area and proceed with the Committee Review process. Mr. Morabito thanked the Commission for its time and comments. C. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 98-11 - CATELLUS - The proposed master plan for the development of"Rancho Cucamonga Corporate Park," a 140 acre commercial and industrial complex in the Industrial Park (Subarea 7) and General Industrial (Subarea 8) Districts of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and including a shopping center anchored by a home improvement store, to be located on Milliken Avenue between Foothill Boulevard and Arrow Route - APN: 229-011-25, 31, and 32. Brad Bullet, City Planner, explained the purpose and goals of the Pre-Application Review process and indicated that due to complexity of the project, extra time would be provided for the meeting. Pamela Steele, the applicant's planner, introduced the Catellus development team, reviewed the basic aspects of the master plan, and outlined what they hoped to accomplish at the meeting. Charles McPhee, Catellus representative, reviewed the anticipated land uses and the nature of how Catellus develops land. Chades, Lamb, the project landscape architect, reviewed the landscape and street scape design intent to unify the master planned development. Dennis Hill, project architect, reviewed the integration and mix of architectural design features throughout the project. Don Winn, Lowe's representative, bdefly described the Lowe's style of business, operation, and size requirements. Brent Le Count, Associate Planner, indicated that staff's comments would be presented in accordance with the outline provided by the applicant. He observed that locating the district boundary between Subareas 7 and 8 along the proposed public street is consistent with the flexibility built into the Industrial Area Specific Plan and makes good planning sense. Given that land uses within the northeast comer of the master plan area are the least defined, he asked the Commission preference on how development in this area relate to Masi Plaza, Foothill Boulevard, and the Lowe's buildings. He observed that loading areas for the Lowe's project and rail spur served industrial buildings should be carefully treated given the proximity to Milliken Avenue. He questioned how the large industrial building at the southeast comer of the master plan relates to PC Adjourned Minutes -4- January 13, 1999 the Quakes Stadium~ Mr. Le Count indicated that staff is supportive of having the buildings designed to respect their usage rather than attempting to convey an industrial flair. He suggested hard scape, street scape, and landscape elements could unify the planning area. He thought industrial buildings fronting Milliken Avenue should have significantly upgraded architecture. He observed that the intersection of Milliken Avenue and Foothill Boulevard is a designated Activity Center per the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan (FBSP) and the master plan design for the intersection is different from the FBSP design. He suggested the master plan should include a design for the north side of the intersection since what's done on the south will establish a theme for the north. He remarked that industrial buildings to the south will create a draw for large container truck traffic through the northeast comer area. He recommend significant restudy of Lowe's architecture, because he felt it appears to be a hybridization of industrial and retail architecture resulting in something that fits into neither category. He suggested relocating the garden center to the east side of building, or at a minimum, designing it to be completely architecturally integrated with the building. He observed that signature architecture for pad restaurant buildings is acceptable and consistent with Mimi's Caf(~ and Applebee's architecture; however, if a fast food drive-thru user is anticipated, that should be shown now with the master plan. He remarked that the main ddve aisle entry to the Lowe's center has no formal defined focal point destination. Commissioner Mannedno felt that the Lowe's building should not be designed with an industrial flair, that it should be designed to be what it is. He thought the eventual land uses for the northeast comer area should not be totally left to market demand but should be nailed down as much as possible now. He favored having the rail spur served building within the industrial portion even if it means having truck loading fronting Milliken Avenue. He also preferred commercial development on Foothill Boulevard instead of industrial. Commissioner Macias echoed Commissioner Mannerino's comment about commercial uses being appropriate along Foothill Boulevard. He expressed concerns about circulation and that the main entrance to Lowe's center should have a formal destination/entry statement. He said the design should avoid long stretches of uninterrupted building walls for industrial buildings fronting Milliken Avenue. He expressed concern with how the project relates to Quakes Stadium, given that a large industrial building is shown designated with truck loading along the east side. Commissioner Stewart indicated that she does not wish to see significant areas of parking fronting onto Foothill Boulevard. She concurred regarding entry points to the Lowe's center and said the main entry should be enhanced. She preferred the garden center be relocated so it would be less prominent relative to street frontages. She did not favor the use of perforated metal features as a building matedal for the Lowe's building or garden center. She preferred a softer design for the Activity Center at Foothill Boulevard and Milliken Avenue as opposed to a more urban, formal treatment. She thought employee eating areas, benches, bus shelters, and other pedestrian- friendly amenities should be used extensively to facilitate usage of the project at a pedestrian level. Commissioner Tolstoy supported locating the subarea district boundary along the proposed public street. He commented that retail uses along Foothill Boulevard are appropriate, as are signature pad buildings. He suggested that the Lowe's project be carefully designed to facilitate customer exiting for customers purchasing large and bulky items such as lumber, similar to the way Home Depot at Rochester Avenue and Foothill Boulevard is designed. He preferred that rail served buildings be located in the industrial portion with truck loading fronting Milliken Avenue if the loading areas are effectively screened. He thought parking along Foothill Boulevard is acceptable so long as berming and landscaping provide an adequate buffer. He favored retail uses for buildings in the northeast comer area if the market will bear it, He felt the large building in the PC Adjourned Minutes -5- January 13, 1999 southeast comer area can be buffered from the Quakes Stadium. He thought it may be best to relocate the garden center to be less visually prominent relative to street frontages; otherwise, significant screening and design features will be necessary. Chairman McNiel asked about anticipated uses for the northeast comer area. Mr. McPhee responded frankly that they are just not sure, that retail may not be feasible given the retail drain caused by the Mills project. He s;aid that he has lined up interested industrial users for the buildings to the south but that he has riot yet seen a retail or office interest in the northeast comer area buildings. He said the intent is; to simply demonstrate potential building massing in the northeast area of the plan. Commissioner Tolstoy interjected that he would not wish to see development proposals come in for review in a piecemeal fashion. He also stressed the need for including public art wherever possible. Chairman McNiel indicated that the Lowe's building should not be designed with an industrial flair, that it's design should be consistent with its retail use. He stated retail development along Foothill Boulevard should be designed to be user friendly, warm, and comfortable and restaurants are encouraged. He concurred that the subarea boundary should be located along the proposed street. He commented that landscaping along the Milliken Avenue corridor should be as lush as possible. He felt the Foothill Boulevard/Milliken Avenue intersection street scape design should not have to follow the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan Activity Center concept and felt the pedestrian aspect of the Activity Center isn't apprepdate, He cautioned the applicant to be sensitive to the inter~ace between the proposed area and Masi Plaza and Quakes Stadium to the east. Chairman McNiel felt the master plan is a great idea and he welcomed Lowe's to the City. Mr. Bullet asked for clarification on how the Commission felt about having a north-south connection through the northeast comer area, per Engineering recommendations, given potential for truck traffic through the area. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, indicated that a connection could occur between the proposed cul-de-sac and Arrow Route instead of Foothill Boulevard. He said that the cul-de-sac exceeds 600 feet in length and therefore does not meet Fire Safety access requirements. Chairman McNiel indicated that he would not wish to see large container truck traffic through the northeast comer area of the plan. The other Commissioners agreed. Mr. Bullet asked the Commission whether they would be in favor of allowing this master plan to proceed forward and only show access points for the northeast corner of the project; thus deferring Planning Commission review of building location, size, shape, uses, and architecture to a later date. Commissioner Tolstoy indicated he would not object to such an approach so long as an architectural pallet for the area is defined. Mr. Bullet summarized the meeting: highlighting previous issues raised by Mr. Le Count and noted that there appeared to be consensus that signature architecture is acceptable for the pad buildings with the Lowe's center; only one median island break will be allowed on Foothill Boulevard; having the distdct boundary happen along the proposed public street is acceptable; the industrial portion of the master plan is to remain flexible in terms of specific building size, shape, and location; and PC Adjourned Minutes -6- January 13, 1999 finally, that an Industrial Area Specific Plan text amendment will be necessary to accommodate the Lowe's project. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT Motion: The Planning Commission adjoumed at 12:25 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary PC Adjo[Jmed Minutes -7- January 13, 1999