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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/04/14 - Workshop Minutes - PC-HPCCITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Adjourned Meeting April 14, 1993 Chairman McNiel 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 De Anza 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 Plannerl Dan Coleman, Principal Planner~ Larr~ Henderson, Principal Plannert Dan James, Senior Civil Engineers Beverly'Nissen, Associate Planner , , , , PRE-APPLICATION REVIEW 93-04 - RODRIGUEZ - Review of site plan for a proposed grocery store, existing historic structure, and related pads on approximately 10 acres at the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue - APN= 207-211-05, 12, 13, 14, 15, 38, and 40. An introduction to the project was provided by the applicant, Gil Rodriguez. He explained that the proposed grocery store would most likely not be built because of the approval of the Smith's Food and Drug Store on the northwest corner of Vineyard Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. He did state, however, that they still desired comments on the plan from the Con~nissioners in the event that another user expressed interest in the project site. Mr. Rodriguez indicated that at this point, they are anxious to utilize the Klusman House as an office building and want to proceed with this before going forward with the entire conditional use permit for the corner. He explained that they are interested in pursuing the 5,000 square foot proposed building fronting on Foothill Boulevard as part of Phase I. He indicated this building would be utilized as a delicatessen and specialty food store. Staff presented the main points regarding the site plan to the Commissioners, who then made their comments. Commissioner Melcher felt the site plan is beautiful, however, probably not workable because of the lack of visibility from Foothill Boulevard to the main tenant. He thought the Klusman House should have a more enhanced setting to the south which would create a more appealing sense of entry into the building. He also felt that the parking along the west side of the main building would be virtually worthless. Commissioner Vallette stated that she would support moving the building back if it could make the proposed site plan more workable. She felt there are other options for the major tenant besides a market, such as a theater. Commissioner Tolstoy stated the designer did a nice job on the site plan but he was concerned with the lack of visibility from Foothill Boulevard. He felt that the site plan should be opened up to increase visibility. He felt that relocating the free-standing building from Foothill Boulevard to Vineyard Avenue might solve the problem. He also felt the parking along the rear could provide a buffer to the residential area to the south, but would probably not be used. He cited the example of the NuWest center at the southeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Hellman Avenue as a similar condition. Commissioner Chitlea said the project was very innovative, but she voiced concerns regarding the lack of view corridors into the center. She thought perhaps one of the buildings along Foothill Boulevard could be shifted to Vineyard Avenue to provide greater visibility. She liked the pedestrian connection from the corner to the main building. She felt a buffer of some sort is needed on the south side of the project. She thought the parking along the west side of the project site could be workable if additional connections to the front of the site are provided. Chairman McNiel stated that the front of the building is more oriented towards Vineyard Avenue and that he did not have a problem with visibility of the structure to Foothill Boulevard. He liked the innovative concept of the site plan and thought it might be able to work with another tenant rather than a grocery store. He thought the Klusman House needs a better setting along the south side. He indicated that he would support a reduction in parking spaces if it would provide additional area to upgrade the back of the house. Bob Schmidt, Historic Preservation Commissioner, indicated he was participating in this workshop as an observer and remarked that he was pleased with the project and agreed that the rear of the Klusman House would be addressed. Mr. Rodriguez concluded by indicating that he felt in the past, anchor tenants would drive retail sites, but that is not the case in today's market. He felt all tenants are of equal value and that high visibility of the anchor tenant is not an absolute necessity. He observed that a traffic/view study was conducted from both Foothill Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue indicating that visibility was not a problem. He felt that rear parking was acceptable since there is a connection to the front of the site. (Staff noted earlier in the presentation that the site is deficient in the number of parking stalls provided.) He indicated that employee parking is proposed for the rear of the site. Mr. Rodriguez was informed that he could proceed with the utilization of the Klusman House as an office building by processing a Minor DeveloA~nent Review. The Con~nission concluded that the concerns noted and the technical issues mentioned by staff need to be addressed. P C Workshop Minutes -2- April 14, 1993 ***** ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brad Bullet Secretary P C Workshop Minutes -3- April 14, 1993