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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/08/27 - Minutes - PC-HPC CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting August 27, 1997 Chairman Barker called the Regular Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber at Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Chairman Barker then led in the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: PRESENT: David Barker, Rich Macias, Larry McNiel, Peter Tolstoy ABSENT: William Bethel STAFF PRESENT: Miki Bratt, Associate Planner; Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner;, Michael Estrada, Deputy City Attorney; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad Buller, City Planner, announced there would be a field trip departing Starbucks on Saturday, September 6, 1997, at 9:00 a.m. regarding Pre-Application Review 97-05. He indicated that Lewis Homes had extended an invitation to hold another field trip if some Commissioners could not attend on September 6. Mr. Bullet observed that the Joint City Council/Planning Commission Signage Task Force would have a field tdp on September 12, 1997, departing City Hall at 12:00 noon to view Rancho Cucamonga commercial signs. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, carried 3-0-1-1 (Bethel absent, McNiel abstain), to approve the minutes of August 13, 1997. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 97-13 - WOHL/RANCHO PARTNERS - A request to develop a master plan for a retail shopping center consisting of design review for 116,394 square feet of leasable space on 11.75 acres of land under the Community Commercial designation of the Industrial Area Specific Plan (Subarea 7), located between Spruce and Elm Avenues on the south side of Foothill Boulevard - APN: 208-352-63 through 69. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 15044 - WOHL/RANCHO PARTNERS - A subdivision of 11.75 acres of land into 11 pamels in the Community Commercial designation of the Industrial Area Specific Plan (Subarea 7), located between Spruce and Elm Avenues on the south side of Foothill Boulevard - APN: 208-352-63 through 69. Brad Buller, City Planner, observed that the applicant was not present. He asked if the Commission wished to move on to Item C on the agenda. It was the consensus of the Commission to move to Item C. C. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 15027 - ANDERSON - A subdivision of 2.45 acres of land into 4 parcels in the Very Low Residential District (less than 2 dwelling units per acre), located on the north side of Vicara Drive approximately 287 feet east of the intersection of Sapphire Avenue - APN: 1061-141-05. Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer, presented the staff report. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing. Eugene Rich IIIsley, Sr., 8375 Vicara Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, asked when construction would start and end and what inconveniences there would be for neighbors during construction. Brad Bullet, City Planner, stated that the action before the Commission was only for a division of land and no development plans had been submitted. Don Anderson, applicant, 5341 Carol Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he intends to develop the property with the required street improvements and utilities. He said he plans to build residences, one house at a time, depending upon sales. He indicated that if the houses don't sell, he would sell the individual lots. Chairman Barker asked if he had a time line for the first project. Mr. Anderson replied that it depends upon the time needed to process the loan and permits and he intends to begin as soon as he clears those hurdles. Chris Real, 8327 La Senda Road, Rancho Cucamonga, stated he would like to view the proposed construction plans as his property borders the project. He asked the procedure to see the plans. Chairman Barker suggested he contact the developer. Mr. Bullet explained that the plans would not be subject to Planning Commission design review if the houses are built one at a time. He said they would go through the development review process with planning and building staff. He, therefore, thought it would be best for the residents to talk directly with the developer. Dan Coleman, Principal Planner, observed that the houses be built in accordance with the Hillside Development Ordinance and that the plans will be public record. Hearing no further testimony, Chairman Barker closed the public hearing. Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Macias, to issue an environmental Notice of Exemption and to adopt the resolution approving Parcel Map 15027. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BARKER, MAClAS, MCNIEL, TOLSTOY NOES: NONE ABSENT: BETHEL - carried Planning Commission Minutes -2- August 27, 1997 A. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 97-13 - WOHL/RANCHO PARTNERS B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 15044 - WOHL/RANCHO PARTNERS Miki Bratt, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Barker recalled there had been a Planning Commission workshop regarding the project and he asked if all the issues discussed at the workshop had been addressed. Ms. Bratt responded affirmatively. Commissioner Tolstoy stated he realized that some plans had been developed months ago. He asked if the plans on the wall reflect what had been asked for and if there was not to be decorative driveway entries on Eucalyptus Avenue. Brad Buller, City Planner, responded that the ptans reflects what the Design Review Committee had seen up to this point. He did not recall any direction being given to provide decorative entries along Eucalyptus Avenue. Commissioner Tolstoy felt the same type of ddveway should be reflected as is proposed for Foothill Boulevard. He hoped the property to the south of Eucalyptus Avenue will be developed and felt that development should face an attractive entry to this project. Chairman Barker agreed because of the closeness. He felt there should not be a back to this project. Commissioner Tolstoy observed that when the project was first proposed, the developer spoke in rosy terms of the tenants he had lined up. He was disappointed that the next phase will only provide a parking lot, driveway, and a pad building, with only another pad building and more parking lot on the following phase. Chairman Barker opened the public hearing. Peter Desforges, Wohl Investment Company, 2404 Michelson, Suite 170, Irvine, requested approval. Commissioner McNiel asked if the redesign reflected everything that had been discussed at the workshop. He indicated he did not see a remarkable difference from original proposals. Tom Bond, Architects Pacifica, Ltd., 17711-B Mitchell North, Irvine, stated the design represents the cumulative comments of all the Commissioners. He felt they had addressed all comments. Commissioner McNiel asked if what was shown is what could be expected on the property. Mr. Bond responded that was correct in general terms; however, any user may make massing changes. Commissioner Tolstoy asked if there had been any comments regarding growing vines on the trellises on the entries. Mr. Bond responded there had not. Commissioner Tolstoy felt vines would soften the area and said he thought the vines at Terra Vista present a superior look compared to the trellis by Mervyn's where there are no vines. Planning Commission Minutes -3- August 27, 1997 Mr. Bond indicated there is a planter area adjacent to each major building and he felt it would be acceptable to plant appropriate vines. He commented that trumpet vines were used in Terra Vista. Commissioner Tolstoy felt trumpet vines would be a good solution. Mr. Bond reported that there had been suggestions made at the workshop to straighten the edges and add a cornice to the wall of Major 2. He said they did not feel the changes added to the building, so they instead created a downsized version of what is depicted on Majors I and 4 pushing the wall back into the building to create a three-dimensional facade, adding a small trellis element, and incorporating a soft curve into the storefront niche. Chairman Barker agreed there is more consistency of design and balance in the current plans. Mr. Bond indicated they had created the strip elevation so the Commission could see the ups and downs. Commissioner McNiel stated that one of the things the City tries to achieve through the Design Review process is for buildings to have a sense of timelessness, as opposed to being trendy. He therefore objected to teal. Mr. Bond indicated the color is sky blue, similar to the decorative light poles. Commissioner McNiel felt there should be a better method to articulate the building than the arrow slots. Mr. Bond indicated they had started out with beams protruding and had then progressed to using the arrow slots. Commissioner McNiel felt the rafters would be better. He thought the appearance of the arrow slots to be basic architecture and felt Foothill Boulevard deserves better. Mr. Desforges stated the slots will not give an appearance of an inset dark window. He said they are not deeply recessed, and are only recessed 8 to 10 inches. He stated the lighter color will be seen. Mr. Bond commented the idea was to create an opportunity for color. Commissioner McNiel felt the look could be improved. Commissioner Macias stated he was comfortable with the design as presented. Commissioner Tolstoy stated he understood Commissioner McNiel's feelings, but he recommended the Commission move forward. Motion: Moved by Tolstoy, seconded by Macias, to issue a Negative Declaration and adopt the resolution approving Conditional Use Permit 97-13 with modifications to include decorative paving on all drive approaches and to plant climbing vines in conjunction with the trellis elements to the satisfaction of the City Planner. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: BARKER, MACIAS, TOLSTOY NOES: MCNIEL ABSENT: BETHEL Planning Commission Minutes -4- August 27, 1997 PUBLIC COMMENTS _ Basem Zayer, 10400 Arrow Highway, Rancho Cucamonga, stated there is a lot of beautiful development being approved in the City. However, he felt tenants are being ripped off by management companies who are from out of town. He asked if the Commission could check the developers, or if that was not a concern of the Commission. Chairman Barker and Commissioner McNiel stated the concern is beyond the realm of authority of the Commission as the problem appears to be a legal feud between the tenant and the management company and/or the owner. Brad Buller, City Planner, suggested that Mr. Zayer contact the Chamber of Commerce because it tdes to help businesses. He stated the Commission deals with development design, not negotiations of leases, etc. Mr. Zayer said he wanted to address what is going on. He felt it is a nation-wide problem. COMMISSION BUSINESS Commissioner Tolstoy questioned when the discussion of Foothill Boulevard Activity Centers would be placed on the agenda. It was the consensus of the Commission that the item be placed on the first agenda in October. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Moved by McNiel, seconded by Macias, carried 4-0-1 (Bethel absent) to adjourn. 7:45 p.m. - The Planning Commission adjourned to 9:00 a.m., September 6, 1997, for a field trip leaving Stad3ucks Coffee, 11090 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga, regarding Pre-Application Review 97-05. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Planning Commission Minutes -5- August 27, 1997