FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case (MCN) No. 23-012: Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 23-001, Variance (VAR) No. 24-001, and Administrative Site Plan (ASP) No. 23-005 - A request for the site and architectural review to construct two (2) new automotive repair buildings of approximately 8,070 square feet total, a CUP to establish an auto repair facility, and a variance to reduce the size of end of aisle planters from 5’ to 1’-10” and from 5’ to 0’ within the parking lot area on an existing parcel of approximately 0.76-acre site located at 15086 Foothill Boulevard, pursuant to a Categorical Exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15332.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information contained in this staff report and subject to the attached Conditions of Approval, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC No. 2024____, and
1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section No. 15332 (Class No. 32 Infill Development Projects), and Section No. 3.22 (Categorical Exemption) of the Local 2019 Guidelines for Implementing the CEQA, and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption;
2. Approve Conditional Use Permit No. 23-001;
3. Approve Variance No. 24-001; and
4. Approve Administrative Site Plan No. 23-005.
APPLICANT:
John Miramontes
Logos Architecture
969 Village Oaks Drive, Suite#204
Covina, CA 91724
LOCATION:
The project site is located at 15086 Foothill Boulevard, (APN: 0111-015-12)
REQUEST:
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 23-001 - A request to establishment of an automotive repair facility within the project site.
Variance (VAR) No. 24-001 - A request to reduce the size of end of aisle landscape planters from 5’ to 1’-10” and from 5’ to 0’ within the parking area.
Administrative Site Plan (ASP) No. 23-005 - A request for site and architectural review of two (2) automotive repair facility buildings, totaling 8,070 square feet and associated site improvements on an approximately 0.76-acre lot.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Alexia Barberena, Associate Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Land Use Table:
|
|
General Plan |
Zoning/Specific Plan |
Existing Use |
|
Site |
General Commercial (C-G) |
Commercial Light Industrial (CLI) West End Specific Plan |
Vacant |
|
North |
General Commercial (C-G) |
Commercial Light Industrial (CLI) West End Specific Plan |
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) |
|
South |
Multi-Family High Residential (R-MFH) |
Multi-family High Density Residential (R-5) |
Foothill Blvd/vacant lot |
|
East |
Multi-Family High Residential (R-MFH) |
Multi-family High Density Residential (R-5) |
RV, Motor Homes |
|
West |
General Commercial (C-G) |
Commercial Light Industrial (CLI) West End Specific Plan |
Commercial business |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Site Area: Approximately 0.76 acres
B. Site Coverage
Maximum 50 percent
Provided 24 percent
C. Building Analysis:
Office Approximately 2,520 square feet
Auto Shop Approximately 5,550 square feet
Total 8,070 square feet
D. Parking Analysis:
Vehicle Spaces Required: 33 spaces
Proposed: 33 spaces
E. Landscaping:
Minimum Required: 15 percent 4,965 square feet
Proposed: 31 percent 10,182 square feet
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, John Miramontes, is requesting that the Planning Commission review and approve Conditional Use Permit No. 23-001, Variance No. 24-001, and Administrative Site Plan No. 23-005 for the development of two (2) automotive repair facility buildings totaling 8,070 square feet including associated site improvements on a 0.76-acre lot, located at 15086 Foothill Boulevard.
Conditional Use Permit No. 23-001
The Project includes a request to allow the establishment of an automotive service center use within the West End Specific Plan. The automotive service center use is permitted with a conditional use permit. The proposed use meets the minimum development standards of the specific plan and the development code with the approval of the variance. Additionally, the project has been conditioned (Attachment No. 2) to disallow the storage vehicles under repair outside the buildings or to conduct repair outside the buildings.
Variance No. 24-001
The Project includes a request to reduce required width of the end of aisle landscape planters from 5’ to 1’-10” and from 5’ to 0’ within the parking lot area of the project site. The applicant is required to provide a 15 percent landscaped area for the project site, however, the applicant is providing 31 percent of landscaped area within the project site which exceeds the minimum. While the applicant meets the minimum landscape percentage, they are requesting to reduce the end of aisle planters that are required to be placed at the ends of each parking row. Specifically, there are four (4) end of aisle landscape planters being reduced from 5’ to 0’, and one (1) landscape planter being reduced from 5’ to 1’-10”. As mentioned, this is for the landscape planters within the parking lot area that is not visible from the right-of-way.
Administrative Site Plan No. 21-032
The Project will construct two (2) new automotive center buildings, totaling of 8,070 square feet, with associated on and off-site improvements. The architectural features for the proposed buildings will feature an exterior color palette in a gray-blue color scheme, stucco coated exterior, metal grill accent, and aluminum bronze framed windows. The variations to the building face, varying rooflines, and tower elements at maximum 33 feet 10 inches in height, will make the project architecturally pleasing and be consistent with the surrounding area.
The project site is physically suitable in size and shape to support the development of the proposed commercial project and surrounding uses are also commercial. Applicable building codes, zoning codes, and fire codes and standards will be met and make for a safe, attractive, and well-designed project. The project design incorporates safety measures for automobiles and pedestrians in the area.
Grading/Walls:
The topography of the Project Site is relatively flat. The existing drainage pattern flows south; the proposed drainage pattern will direct the water to the southwest. The project will construct an eight (8) foot high CMU block wall along the north and west sides of the Project Site, and a six (6) foot high wrought iron fence along Hemlock Avenue (east side).
Site Access/Circulation/Parking:
Vehicle and truck access to the Project Site is provided by a driveway along Hemlock Avenue with an interior rolling gate. The Project Site will consist of two auto repair buildings for potentially two different tenants. The site meets the minimum parking requirements for the two separate buildings. The internal circulation has been reviewed by Planning, Fire, Traffic, and Engineering. The internal circulation is sufficient to support this type of use.
Environmental:
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section No. 3.22 (Categorical Exemption) of the City of Fontana’s 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, staff has determined that the proposed Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section No. 15332 as a Class 32, In-Fill Development Project. The project site is considered Infill Development and meets the CEQA requirements of Infill: (1) The Project is consistent with the General Commercial (C-G) designation of the General Plan and the Commercial Light Industrial (CLI) of the West End Specific Plan; (2) The Project Site is less than five (5) acres; (3) The Project Site is vacant and is not within any known sensitive or threatened habitat area; (4) The Project will not have any significant effects related to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (5) There are adequate public services for the development of the proposed residential project. None of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to the Project.
MOTION:
Approve Staff’s recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Plan Set
3. Planning Commission Resolution, Findings, and Conditions of Approval
4. Notice of Exemption
5. Public Hearing Notice