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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/04/22 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPC CiTY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA · PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting ~ April 22, 1998 Chairman Barker called the Adjourned 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: David Barker, Larry McNiel, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: William Bethel, Rich Macias STAFF PRESENT: Brad Bullet, City Planner; Elline Garcia, Associate Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Brent Le Count, Associate Planner OLD BUSINESS A. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 98-02 - HMC GROUP - A request to construct two 10,000 square foot dental office buildings on 2 acres of land in the Haven Avenue Overlay of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, located on the east side of Haven Avenue north of Jersey Boulevard - APN: 209-491-08. Brad Bullet, City Planner, explained the purpose and goals of the Pre-Application Review process. Paul Lentz, Architect, indicated that the design has been refined since the last meeting in January 1998 based upon comments from the previous meeting (PAR 97-07) and from staff. He reported the palm trees within the streetscape setback to the north are proposed to be continued southerly along the front of the proposed buildings. He stated a high quality architectural design is proposed. Milford Harrison, representative for Hospitality Dental Associates, indicated that the current facilities occupied by the dental practice are not sufficient to meet their needs and expansion/relocation to new facilities is needed. He stated that dental office buildings tend to operate most effectively when they are one story rather than multi story. Brent Le Count, Associate Plann. er, commented on the obvious high architectural quality of the proposal and compared the design documents to the City Hall building. He indicated that the only component of other high quality developments along Haven Avenue that is missing in the proposed design is provision of a significantly deep landscape setback along Haven Avenue. Commissioner McNiel felt that the project would set a precedent for one story office development within the Haven Avenue Overlay. He supported the single story so long as the precedent set includes the highest quality of design possible. He expressed concern that only the front elevations will have such high quality architectural elements and the remainder of the building will be blank stucco walls. Mr. Lentz clarified that brick veneer is proposed for three sides with the rear of the buildings being stucco. Commissioner McNiel reiterated that brick should be used extensively if not throughout the buildings and that the overall design needs to be. as good as it can get. Commissioner Tolstoy.thought a one story building should Iook~"like a one story building rather than taking on an artificial two story appearance. He felt that while multi story development within the Haven Avenue Oveday may have been considered desirable 20 years ago, things are now different and perhaps the time is right to explore a more garden-like style. He emphasized the need for significant landscaping, far more than what is being proposed. He also emphasized the value of water features and public art. Commissioner Barker expressed concem for the precedent setting nature of the proposal. He agreed the proposed architecture is of a very high quality, but he feared the one story proposal will erode away at the original intent for the Haven Avenue Overlay. He pointed out that many other developers have had to conform to the multi-story requirement and he saw no reason why this project should be an exception. He did not feel trees should be used to hide a building but instead should be used to complement it. He did not think a one story development on the parcel is workable. Mr. Bullet summarized the Commissioners' comments. He said that in light of this meeting and the previous meeting in January, it appears that two of the five Commissioners are opposed to single -' - story develepment and three are at least open to considering single story so long as it is designed correctly including provision of significant landscaping. NEW BUSINESS B. PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 98-03 - MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL - Consideration of a three-story senior assisted living facility with 164 beds, located on 5.4 acres of land at the southeast corner of Haven Avenue and Church Street - APN: 1077-421-10 and 33. Brad Buller, City Planner introduced the project. Mike Thomas, Marriott International, gave a brief introduction regarding Marriott projects on a national basis. He indicated that there are 15,000 residents of Marriott senior projects nationally, with such local projects being built in the cities of Rancho Mirage and San Juan Capistrano. Elline Garcia, Associate Planner, outlined several critical issues related to the project. These included the necessity of master-planning the remainder of the site, with special attention paid to the integration of this project with the existing neighborhood and future office-type uses. She indicated that staff is generally supportive of the architecture as presented. Chairman Barker expressed concern regarding the remainder parcel shown on the site plan; however, was complimentary towards the project as a whole. Commissioner Tolstoy felt that this type of project would be good for the City; however, he expressed concern over what would be done with the rest of the property. He asked if there would be enough area left for an office park? Commissioner McNiel complimented the architecture and expressed the opinion that the project would provide a needed service to the City and is a good idea. Chairman Barker felt that the location of the project is ideal, but asked the architect to be mindful not to copy the project directly across the street. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- April 22, 1998 Commissioner Tolstoy felt that the project displays quality and reminded him of a hotel. -Mr. Bullet summarized theCommissioners' comments. He indicated the Planning Commission generally agreed that the project contains the necessary elements to be successful. He said the Commission expressed the opinion that the project presented a good site planning effort, coupled with excellent architecture. He stated master planning the site is the major issue along with how the proposed project will be integrated with any future proposals. He said the master planning efforl should be punctuated with the establishment of an architectural vocabulary as well as the incorporation of circulation issues. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. ADJOURNMENT -' -The Planning-Commission adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Secretary PC Adjourned Minutes -3- April 22, 1998