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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-11 - Workshop Minutes - PC DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 1 of 8 A. 7:00 P.M. – CALL TO ORDER 7:55pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: Chairman Guglielmo ___x__ Vice Chairman Oaxaca ___x__ Commissioner Dopp ___x__ Commissioner Morales ___x__ Commissioner Williams ___x__ Additional Staff Present: Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney; Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner Anne McIntosh, Planning Director; Mike Smith, Principal Planner; Brian Sandona, Senior Civil Engineer; Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant. David Eoff, Sr. Planner. B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS This is the time and place for the general public to address the Historic Preservation Commission or Planning Commission on any item listed or not listed on the agenda. State law prohibits the Commission from addressing any issue not previously included on the Agenda. The Commission may receive testimony and set the matter for a subsequent meeting. Comments are to be limited to five minutes per individual or less, as deemed necessary by the Chair, depending upon the number of individual members of the audience. This is a professional business meeting and courtesy and decorum are expected. Please refrain from any debate between audience and speaker, making loud noises or engaging in any activity which might be disruptive to the decorum of the meeting. Chairman Guglielmo opened the public communications. Seeing none, closed. DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 2 of 8 C. DISCUSSION ITEMS PLANNING COMMISSION C1. Pre-Application Review DRC2019-00896 – Lewis Management Corporation – A request for a Pre-Application Review of a proposed mixed-use development of 643 for- rent apartments and 12,425 square-feet of commercial floor area on a vacant, 17.1-acre site consisting of six parcels within the Mixed Use Financial, Restaurants, Residential (MFC) District, Terra Vista, Planned Community, located at the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Milliken Avenue; APNs: 1077-422-51, -55, -98, and -99 and 1090-121-38, and -39. David Eoff, Sr. Planner, gave a presentation of the project site (copy on file). He stated tonight we will focus mostly on three-story walk ups but will be able to answer any questions you may have about the four-story wrap building with any concerns or comments. Commissioner Williams asked about the interior of the apartment, is it one long hall with just doors? David Eoff answered yes, essentially, it’s a long corridor. Mentioned that Brian Jacobson will discuss further in more detail after presentation. Commissioner Dopp asked about the four-story wrap with the residential units, will some of them be looking out at the parking lot interior? David Eoff replied no, there is a wall. They will not have any windows looking into the parking structure. There is a corridor separating the structure from the apartments. Mike Smith, Principal Planner, provided some background and contents how we arrived at this particular project and the City’s overall vision. Making sure we are providing a diverse housing options for the community. One way is to start looking at mixed-use development. Also, the proximity of this location (Foothill Blvd. and Milliken Ave.) within the City to get people to drive less so all the amenities are close by where they live whether it be a commercial or workplace destination. Expectations by the City is that the wrap building has to be part of this project. It cannot be separated or cannot be something that happens 20 years down the road or not at all. At some point be built along with this project in the future DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 3 of 8 so it operates as a unified development. This project will be a contributor to the City’s overall vision. Brian Jacobson, Vice President Lewis Mgmt. Corp., introduced his staff before giving his presentation. Addressing points of what they have done with regard to pedestrian safety, realigned and made sure to fill in some of the gaps with crosswalks and adding a wider sidewalk. Also, revised some of the parking, redesigning to add additional parking because they wanted to reduce some of the spaces along interior streets and replace with landscape. Also, changed to angled parking, formerly was per-particular head in parking. Chairman Guglielmo asked if they lost the fitness center? Brian Jacobson replied, at the base of the wrap building, the commercial spaces being too broken up at the Plaza. They significantly revised that. Discussed using a portion of that for the fitness amenity. Serving two purposes; 1) it helps address the challenges on the siding and 2) it also guarantees we will have activity in that commercial space along Foothill Blvd. with people working out and believe it will help the marketing factor in that space. Also, creating a little plaza area through landscaping elements to again make those entrances into the building more identifiable. They are pleased staff likes the architecture style they landed on. This modern farm, it’s around a lot now and very popular especially in mixed-use type settings. With regard to landscaping comments, it has been enhanced. Staff wanted landscaping to feel more urban, more paving, more plaza type feel at the corner. Rick and his team have started exploring ways to do that. They are hitting all of the key amenities that are market and demographic like and expected in a modern community. They intend to have a beautiful roof deck on the top of the four-story wrap building. By mixing the amenities, they are really encouraging folks, regardless which product they are living in, give them opportunity to interact with neighbors. Commissioner Williams asked regarding the parking, will there be breaks or will there be a long street of solid cars? Brian Jacobson replied, about every 4 stalls there is landscape and a tree at the end of it and drive-isle part. DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 4 of 8 Commissioner Morales asked about the four-story parking structure. It’s open on north side and looks like there’s grass. Are you able to fit in cypress trees similar to Victoria Gardens parking structure? Is it possible to fit in for visual? Brian Jacobson replied in the green area that is shown, it’s designed that way to keep the parking structure open in such a way it does not have to be mechanically ventilated. That really achieves two objectives; it’s less expensive and less difficult to maintain and it does draw light down into it. Commissioner Morales asked about the plaza area on Foothill Boulevard, is there going to be art work like Route 66 or a monument? Brian Jacobson replied we do have an art requirement. How they are going to meet that has not yet been defined. If that is an important element that the Commissioners would like to see, similar to the Resort where we designed the art pieces and became street furniture, we are certainly open to that. Commissioner Oaxaca asked, was there any consideration of taking the commercial portion and wrapping the corner and bring it up on Milliken at any extent? Brian Jacobson replied the primary concern and challenge is it’s just further and further from available parking. It makes the commercial space more attractive. It gives us flexibility when trying to occupy the commercial space. Commissioner Oaxaca stated he can tell that they already have some interface between the walk-up fronts and sidewalks and it would be nice when you are ready to get a more of a ground level or a 3D regiment and what that interface looks like. Brian Jacobson replied, this edge is from a constructability stand point, it’s the most challenging because there is a pretty good grade fall. They will be working more closely to figure out the best way to accommodate that grade change, how to create attractive landscaping slopping and walkways. Once they define that better, they will be able to create sections and give an ideal during the DRC process of what this will look like. Commissioner Dopp thanked the Lewis Homes and team for putting together and taking a lot of time to deliberate about the thought they put into a project like this. Mentioned the roof DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 5 of 8 deck can potentially provide that extra element for recreation. Suggested to maybe look at different color palates other than white. Brian Jacobson mentioned that they have a lot of exploration and additional work to do on refining what the buildings will look like. Commissioner Dopp continued stating that he is concerned with the scope of this size about traffic pattern, not walkability but vehicles from a peek standpoint you may have too many people leaving the parking unit at the same time with 650 units that maybe 800 different cars leaving this project at some point, you might end up with an issue. Brian Jacobson stated they will be doing a significant analysis on all sorts of issues, as this gets further along. Traffic is a big concern. They will do an extensive analysis on the traffic related issues. Mentioned the parking garage has two exits and entrees which will facilitate during high traffic time. Randall Lewis added, they are getting a lot of healthcare workers. People working swing/ night shift and with all of their projects, they encourage homebased businesses and telecommuters. Commissioner Dopp lastly regarding the interior walkway for a lot of these units, he encourages maybe turn a least a couple of units where you have the doors facing the walkway/ exterior on Church Street facing the North or main three block facing the South to allow extra opportunities for interaction and people to get out rather than being confined to an open space. Commissioner Williams asked about accommodation for handicap accessibility? Brian Jacobson answered that all the ground floor units on the three story walk up/ground buildings are required to be accessible to their front door and are elevator served. Commissioner Williams stated she is pleased to know they have smaller units for lower rent and asked what is the average unit size? Brian Jacobson answered, the overall average unit size on both product types are 792 sq. ft. Studios range 513 – 600 sq. ft. The average in the ground walk up building is 715 sq. ft. DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 6 of 8 Chairman Guglielmo stated this is a completely different layout and believes they went the extra mile to cater to the new plan of the City. The new innovation and urban style living. Commented they listened to the City and made a ton of great additions and modifications. Asked the question about the front entry/ loop area if it will that be a dedicated uber lift type pickup area? If so, he likes the idea. Brian Jacobson answered they have not defined the ride/ pickup location yet but stated they do incorporate those in all their communities now. Commissioner Williams stated that regarding the Senior’s and subsidized housing. Commented that something like this looks like a fun place to live and they can accommodate nicely and she likes the idea of having smaller units. As a recap Mike Smith, Principal Planner summarized the comments for the purpose of staff to work with the applicants, so we all are hearing the same thing: • General consensus - Commissioners are all fine with the Architecture • Concern was the color white – look into something different • Applicants alone - come back to PC slightly refined • Parking/ traffic will all be analyzed • Integration of the Arts – Route 66 - Randall Lewis asked, does it have to be Rt. 66? Commissioners said no. - Chairman Guglielmo mentioned to give them more leeway on choosing their own style. - Randall Lewis stated they have a brand but just don’t know what it is yet. Something that will speak to customers and what they will relate to. Stated that the City might be ready for something new. F. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Dopp, second by Commissioner Williams to adjourn the meeting; carried 5-0-0. Adjourned at 9:10pm DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 7 of 8 If you need special assistance or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. I, Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, or my designee, hereby certify that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on December 5, 2019, seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting per Government Code 54954.2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive. NFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION The Planning Commission encourages free expression of all points of view. To allow all persons to speak, given the length of the agenda, please keep your remarks brief. If others have already expressed your position, you may simply indicate that you agree with a previous speaker. If appropriate, a spokesperson may present the views of your entire group. To encourage all views and promote courtesy to others, the audience should refrain from clapping, booing or shouts of approval or disagreement from the audience. The public may address the Planning Commission on any agenda item. To address the Planning Commission, please come forward to the podium located at the center of the staff table. State your name for the record and speak into the microphone. After speaking, please sign in on the clipboard located next to the speaker’s podium. It is important to list your name, address and the agenda item letter your comments refer to. Comments are generally limited to 5 minutes per individual. If you wish to speak concerning an item not on the agenda, you may do so under “Public Comments.” There is opportunity to speak under this section prior to the end of the agenda. Any handouts for the Planning Commission should be given to the Planning Commission Secretary for distribution to the Commissioners. A copy of any such materials should also be provided to the Secretary to be used for the official public record. All requests for items to be placed on a Planning Commission agenda must be in writing. Requests for scheduling agenda items will be at the discretion of the Commission and the Planning Director. DECEMBER 11, 2019 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA MINUTES RAINS ROOM RANCHO CUCAMONGA CIVIC CENTER 10500 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA Page 8 of 8 AVAILABILITY OF STAFF REPORTS Copies of the staff reports or other documentation to each agenda item are on file in the offices of the Planning Department, City Hall, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730. These documents are available for public inspections during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for legal City holidays. APPEALS Any interested party who disagrees with the City Planning Commission decision may appeal the Commission’s decision to the City Council within 10 calendar days. Any appeal filed must be directed to the City Clerk’s Office and must be accompanied by a fee of $3,114 for all decisions of the Commission. (Fees are established and governed by the City Council). Please turn off all cell phones while the meeting is in session. Copies of the Planning Commission agendas, staff reports and minutes can be found at www.CityofRC.us.