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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/08/11 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPCCITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting August 11, 1993 Chairman McNiel called the Adjourned Meeting of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission to order at 8:00 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: Suzanne Chitiea, Larry McNiel, John Melcher, Peter Tolstoy, Wendy Vallette ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Buller, City Planner; Dan Coleman, Principal Planner; Nancy Fong, Senior Planner; Dan James, Senior Civil Engineer; Steve Ross, Assistant Planner , , , , NEW BUSINESS Ae DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 93-13 - WESTERN PROPERTIES - The design review of elevations for Buildings X and Y within the Terra Vista Town Center, located at the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Haven Avenue - APN: 1077-421-70. Nancy Fong, Senior Planner, presented the staff report. Richard Mager, Western Properties, introduced their team to the Commissioners. He stated there is no foreseeable prospect for bank or office uses in Buildings X and Y. He said they have decided to go with retail uses. Brian Kojos, the Staubach Company, explained the concept of Leaps and Bounds as an indoor family play center geared toward children up to 9 years old. Mr. Mager stated that Leaps and Bounds is different from Fundazzle in that the parents have to stay in the building with the children. Brad Buller, City Planner, reminded the Commissioners that the focus of tonight's workshop was to review the design for the two buildings. Chairman McNiel commended the superb design of the center. He felt that the proposed elevations for Buildings X and Y fall short of the design excellence. He thought the design of the two buildings is too simple and looks like typical in-line retail shops. He commented that the corner is very important and the architecture should be of significance. Commissioners Chitiea and Melcher expressed concerns with the reduced view corridor into the center. Tom Bond, Architects Pacifica, architect for Western Properties, stated that it is unrealistic to expect a wide view corridor into the center. He explained the function and design of the two buildings. Commissioner Melcher remarked that despite what drives the architecture, the design of the building should not be compromised. He thought the two buildings at this corner should have architectural treatment that project them as the crown jewel of the center. Mr. Mager interjected that because of economic conditions, it is not financially feasible to build two-story office buildings. He disclosed that the rent has dropped from to $2.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Commissioner Melcher responded that he is not unsympathetic to market situations; however, he felt this type of use may not be appropriate at this corner. Mr. Mager felt this type of use would bring pedestrian activities into the plaza area. Commissioner Vallette suggested that the box-like design of Building Y have more movement. Gary Baker, BSW International, architect representing Leaps and Bounds replied that the floor plan cannot be modified because it is tied to the function of the plan. Mr. Buller suggested the Commission first determine if one-story buildings are acceptable. He said if the Commission felt one-story buildings are acceptable, it could then move on to provide direction to the applicant for addressing the other architectural design elements of the buildings. Commissioner Vallette remarked the one-story is not too overpowering and may allow more visibility into the center. However, she felt the design needs to capture the same sophisticated design as shown in the approved elevations. Commissioner Tolstoy agreed one-story is acceptable; however, he felt the design is too different from the original concept and lacking in architectural excellence. He expressed his concern with orienting the back side of one of the buildings to face Haven Avenue. Commissioner Melcher agreed one-story buildings would be acceptable but he felt the proposed architecture is poor. Commissioner Chitiea stated she would accept one-story buildings with quality design. Chairman McNiel added that he would accept single story only if the buildings are designed as the jewel of the center. PC Adjourned Minutes -2- August ll, 1993 The Commission directed the applicant to forward revised designs to staff by August 18 in order to schedule a workshop following the regular Commission meeting of August 25, 1993. DESIGN REVIEW FOR TRACT 13316 - L. D. KING - The review of alternative grading schemes for compliance with the Hillside Development Ordinance for a recorded tract map consisting of 123 lots on 84 acres of land in the Very Low Residential District (less than 2 dwelling units per acre), located on the east side of Archibald Avenue, north of Carrari Street - APN: 210-071-14, 37, and 45. Brad Buller, City Planner, gave a brief introduction to the project and stated the purpose of the workshop. Steve Ross, Assistant Planner, gave a presentation describing the location of the site and the project's background and its relationship to the Hillside Development Ordinance. He stated the purpose of the workshop was to determine to what extent the Commission expects the applicant to comply with the Hillside Development Ordinance. He said specifically the Commission's purpose was to review the proposed grading alternatives and give the applicant a direction to proceed with the application. Commissioner Tolstoy related that a peach orchard had previously been located at the site. David Buxbaum, representing Chino Valley Bank, stated the project was acquired through foreclosure by the bank. He said the bank's goal is to develop the tract so that it can be sold to a builder. He indicated the bank will install the storm drain system, mass grade the site, and install the streets and related infrastructure. Carla Berard, representing L. D. King, described the alternative grading concepts that were before the Commission for review. Commissioner Vallette said she worried that the lots would be sold to individual buyers for the construction of custom homes. She felt there should be some architectural conformity. Mr. Buxbaum stated the bank had filed a letter with the City Engineer stated it did not intend to have the project built with custom homes, but wanted to sell the whole project to a developer. Mr. Bullet stated the bank could sell the project to a builder with the requirement that certain architectural criteria be met relating to a uniform design theme with sensitivity to the Hillside Ordinance. Commissioner Melcher added the bank could have an architect establish a design envelope for the prospective homes. He felt an architect would also be worth consulting regarding the amount of grade which could be accommodated in a house design. PC Adjourned Minutes -3- August 11, 1993 Commissioner Chitiea felt the equestrian uses must be accommodated wherever possible through the tract. She requested that 24 foot by 24 foot corral areas with access to the local feeder trails be provided wherever possible, even if additional grading is necessary, per Planning Commission Resolution No 88-226. Mr. Buller suggested that the project could be graded more sensitively with grading concepts for future equestrian use provided to new homeowners, rather than grading all possible lots for equestrian uses. Commissioner Tolstoy agreed with Commissioner Chitiea that the project should be graded with the intent to make as many lots as possible available for equestrian use. He acknowledged that some lots may not feasibly be used for equestrian use because of the amount of grading which would be necessary. He suggested the grading policy should be interpreted flexibly with regard to the project. He stated he was familiar with the site and observed that many of the property owners now in the area are not the same as those who lived there when the project last had a public hearing. He suggested that the applicant conduct a neighborhood meeting with owners of the adjacent properties. He also recalled the Commission's concerns about the concrete channel which drains at the south end of the site. He said the channel is to be designed in a "naturalized" manner to reduce its visual impact. Commissioner Melcher suggested that the bank choose an architect with experience in designing slab-on-grade production housing as well as hillside developments. In conclusion, the Commission directed the applicant to provide horse corrals with access to local feeder trails consistent with Planning Commission Resolution No. 88-226 wherever possible. Compliance with the grading standards of the Hillside Development Ordinance was deemed a secondary concern. In addition, the applicant was directed to develop some type of architectural guidelines for the development of homes by a future builder. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brad Bullet Secretary PC Adjourned Minutes -4- August 11, 1993