For the Planning Commission Meeting of September 18, 2024
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commissioners
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director
REVIEWED: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
FROM: Daniel Rosas, Senior Planner
Title
Conditional Development Permit No. 2023-0015: A request to establish a used car dealership within an existing commercial office located at 162 W Foothill Boulevard (APN: 0127-591-27) within the Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) land use district of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan. This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2023-0030).
Precise Plan of Design No. 2024-0013: A request to modify an existing commercial property to facilitate a used auto sales operation including a new trash enclosure, additional paving, striping and accessibility improvements located at 162 W Foothill Boulevard (APN: 0127-591-27) within the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan.
Body
APPLICANT:
Jose A. Ledesma, 162 W Foothill Boulevard, Rialto, CA 92376
LOCATION:
The project site consists of one (1) parcel of land (APN: 0127-591-27) on the north side of Foothill Boulevard approximately 360 feet west of Riverside Avenue within the Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) land use district of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, as shown on the attached location map Exhibit A.
BACKGROUND:
Surrounding General Plan Land Use Designations
|
Location |
General Plan Designations |
|
Site |
Specific Plan (Foothill Boulevard SP) |
|
North |
Residential 6 |
|
East |
Specific Plan (Foothill Boulevard SP) |
|
South |
Specific Plan (Foothill Boulevard SP) |
|
West |
Specific Plan (Foothill Boulevard SP) |
Surrounding Zoning Designations
|
Location |
Zoning or Specific Plan Land Use Designations |
|
Site |
Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) |
|
North |
Single Family Residential (R-1C) |
|
East |
Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) |
|
South |
Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) |
|
West |
Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) |
Site Characteristics
The project site is comprised of one (1) parcel of land approximately 15,628 square feet (0.36 gross acres) in size with approximate dimensions of 156 feet (north-south) by 100 feet (east-west). The project site is bound on the south by Foothill Boulevard.
Surrounding Area
North of the project site is an existing single-family residence. To the east of the project site is an existing 1,200 square foot restaurant. To the west of the project site is a Wells Fargo Bank institution. To the south of the project site, across Foothill Boulevard, is additional retail properties including a medical clinic, barber studio, florist and parking lot.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The applicant, Jose A. Ledesma, proposes to utilize the existing commercial office to operate a used car dealership on the project site. Proposed site improvements include a new trash enclosure, additional paving, striping and accessibility improvements to facilitate the car sales operation.
Site Design
As shown on the site plan (Exhibit B), the applicant proposes to install accessible path of travel ramp improvements, additional paving with striping, and a new trash enclosure. The project site has existing driveways on Foothill Boulevard that provide access to on-site circulation connecting to on-site parking spaces for customers, employees and 10 spaces for display of auto for sale.
Parking
The existing office building is 1,408 square feet in size which requires 6 auto parking spaces (1,408/250=5.6). In compliance with Chapter 18.58 (Off-Street Parking) of the Rialto Municipal Code, the proposed project provides 6 auto parking space on-site for employee and customers as well as ten (10) addition parking spaces for purposes of auto sales display.
Landscaping
The landscape coverage for the project is 8.7 percent, which exceeds the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan requirement. This includes the perimeter landscape planters and planter near the base of the office building.
Existing Building
The applicant proposes to use the existing commercial building (Exhibit C) for the administrative offices of the used car sales operation. The site was formerly operated as a State Farm Insurance office from 2016 through 2019 after which time became vacant. No changes to the existing building are proposed except for handicapped accessible improvements such as ramp, any required handrails, and any related signage posting and striping.
Land Use Compatibility
The project is consistent with the proposed Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) land use district, the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan, and is compatible with land uses adjacent to the project site. The Project will facilitate the operation of a new business that will occupy the existing vacant office and revive the blighted property. No adverse impacts to the surrounding area are anticipated with the successful implementation of the conditions of approval included in the resolutions of approval. As such, the project will be a benefit to the community and an improvement to the surrounding area.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The General Plan land use designation of the site is Specific Plan. This designation requires the underlying Specific Plan to establish distinct land use designations within the Specific Plan itself. The Land Use Plan of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan indicates that the land use designation for the project site is Commercial Pedestrian (C-P) which allows for auto sales land use subject to the Planning Commission approval of a conditional development permit. Furthermore, the project is consistent with the following goals of the Land Use Element and Economic Development Element of the Rialto General Plan:
Goal 2-19: Encourage neighborhood preservation, stabilization, and property maintenance.
Goal 3-1: Strengthen and diversify the economic base and employment opportunities and maintain a positive business climate.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
California Environmental Quality Act
The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2023-0030). Class 1 allows for the exemption of a project that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing facilities involving negligible expansion of use.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Staff prepared a public hearing notice for the proposed project that was published in the San Bernardino Sun newspaper as required by State law, posted copies of the public hearing notice outside the Council Chambers and the Project Site, and mailed public hearing notices to all property owners within 660 feet of the project site.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Division recommends that the Planning Commission:
1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities, of the CEQA Guidelines and direct Staff to file the Notice of Exemption with County of San Bernardino; and,
2. Adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit D) to approve Conditional Development Permit No. 2023-0015, subject to the findings and conditions therein; and,
3. Adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit E) to approve Precise Plan of Design No. 2024-0013, subject to the findings and conditions therein.