For the Planning Commission Meeting of March 20, 2024
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commissioners
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director
REVIEWED BY: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
FROM: Daniel Casey, Principal Planner
Title
Continued public hearing from the February 7, 2024 Planning Commission meeting:
(Master Case (MC) No. 2019-0065) General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 2019-0006, Zone Change (ZC) No. 2019-0004, & Precise Plan of Design (PPD) No. 2022-0019: A request to change the general plan land use designation of approximately 1.55 acres of land (APN: 0132-021-18) located at the southeast corner of Randall Avenue and Lilac Avenue ("Site") from Residential 2 with an Animal Overlay to Community Commercial, a request to change the zoning designation of the Site from Agricultural (A-1) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-1), and a request to allow the development of one (1) 8,840 square foot multi-tenant commercial building and one (1) 9,966 square foot multi-tenant commercial building on the Site. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2022-0020) has been prepared for consideration in conjunction with the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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APPLICANT:
Gevork Consulting Engineering, 285 E. Imperial Highway, Suite 208, Fullerton, CA 93835
LOCATION:
The project site consists of one (1) parcel of land located at the southeast corner of Randall Avenue and Lilac Avenue (APN: 0132-021-18) (Refer to the attached Location Map (Exhibit A)).
BACKGROUND:
On February 7, 2024, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on General Plan Amendment No. 2019-0006, Zone Change No. 2019-0004, Precise Plan of Design No. 2022-0019, and the associated Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2022-0020). At the request of Mayor Deborah Robertson, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 (2 vacancies) to continue the public hearing open to March 20, 2024, and directed Planning staff to schedule and conduct a Neighborhood Meeting for the project in advance of returning to the Planning Commission. The agenda report from the February 7, 2024, Planning Commission meeting is attached as Exhibit B.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Neighborhood Meeting
On February 29, 2024, the Planning Division held a neighborhood meeting regarding the project. The meeting took place at Simpson Elementary School located at 1050 S. Lilac Avenue. Staff mailed flyers in English and Spanish to all property owners within 660 feet of the project site. The flyer, attendance sheet, and comment cards received are included as Exhibit C. The main issues discussed centered on the applicability of the zone change request, traffic generated by project, the installation of perimeter walls, and security concerns. Staff addressed the comments at the meeting with the following information:
1. Applicability of the Zone Change: The applicant's request consists of changing the zoning of his property from Agricultural (A-1) to Neighborhood Commercial. Some attendees expressed concerns about the applicant's request changing the zoning designation of their respective properties. The applicant's request does not involve changing the zoning designation of any other property.
2. Traffic generated by the Project: A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) was prepared for the project and discussed at the February 7, 2024, Planning Commission meeting. The TIA concluded that the project would generate approximately 715 daily vehicle trips at full occupancy and that all nearby intersections and roadway segments will operate at an acceptable Level of Service (LOS) C or better upon completion and occupancy of the project.
3. Installation of Perimeter Walls: The applicant will install a new block wall around the perimeter of the project site with a minimum height of six (6) feet as measured from the finished grade of the project site. Furthermore, each area of wall will be adjacent to a landscape planter planted with shrubs to restrict access to the walls.
4. Security Concerns: The project will include the installation of security measures, such as, security lighting, surveillance cameras, and burglary alarms.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Public hearing notices for the February 7, 2024, Planning Commission meeting were published in the San Bernardino Sun newspaper, posted outside the Council Chambers, and mailed to all property owners within 660 feet of the project site, as required by State law. On February 7, 2024, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing open to a date certain (March 20, 2024) and therefore no additional notice was required. Additionally, attendees of the Neighborhood Meeting were verbally informed by staff that the project would return to the Planning Commission on March 20, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Division recommends that the Planning Commission:
1. Adopt a Resolution (Exhibit D) forwarding to the City Council a recommendation to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2022-0020) prepared for the proposed project, and authorize staff to file the attached Notice of Determination with the Clerk of the Board of San Bernardino County; and
2. Adopt a resolution (Exhibit E) forwarding to the City Council a recommendation to approve General Plan Amendment No. 2019-0006, subject to the findings and conditions therein; and
3. Adopt a resolution (Exhibit F) forwarding to the City Council a recommendation to approve Zone Change No. 2019-0004, subject to the findings and conditions therein; and
4. Adopt a resolution (Exhibit G) forwarding to the City Council a recommendation to approve Precise Plan of Design No. 2022-0019, subject to the finding and conditions therein.