FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 24-0031: Design Review No. 06-00045 (R2) - A request to revise the previously approved Design Review to make modifications to the existing Rock Honda Auto Dealership building facade on an approximately 10.4-acre, pursuant to a Categorical Exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information contained in this staff report and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval; staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2024-____; and,
1. Determine that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section No. 15301 (Class No. 1) of the California Environmental Quality Act, 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; and,
2. Approve Design Review No. 06-00045-R2
APPLICANT:
Zachary Walrod
Lithia Real Estate Inc.,
150 N. Bartlett St
Medford, OR 97501
LOCATION:
16570 South Highland Avenue (APNs: 0240-061-35).
REQUEST:
Design Review No. 06-00045(R2) - A request to modify the previously approved elevations to upgrade the façade for Rock Honda.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Angelica Martinez, Assistant Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A. Land Use Table:
|
|
General Plan |
Zoning/Specific Plan |
Existing Use |
|
Site |
General Commercial (C-G) |
General Commercial (C-2) |
Auto Dealership |
|
North |
General Commercial (C-G) |
General Commercial (C-2) |
210/Foothill Freeway |
|
South |
General Commercial (C-G) |
General Commercial (C-2) |
Vacant |
|
East |
General Commercial (C-G) |
General Commercial (C-2) |
Auto Dealership (Rotolo Chevrolet) |
|
West |
General Commercial (C-G) |
General Commercial (C-2) |
Auto Dealership (Nissan) |
B. Previous Approvals/Special Circumstances:
• The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District was approved by the City Council in April of 2004.
• Design Review (DR) No. 06-045 was approved by the Planning Commission on August 19, 2008, to construct a 71,441 square foot auto dealership.
• Design Review (DR) No. 06-045R1 was approved by the Planning Commission on May 4, 2010, to reduce the auto dealership to 58,356 square feet.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Acreage Analysis:
The project site is approximately 10.4 adjusted gross acres in size.
B. Existing Building Analysis: Previously Approved
Show Room: 19,919 square feet
Service Area: 30,295 square feet
Covered Service Drive 4,804 square feet
Carwash: 3,338 square feet (inside service center)
Total: 58,356 square feet
C. Parking:
Parking requirements for the new auto dealership area is as follows:
Show Room: 1 space per 300 square feet of floor area
Service Area: 1 space per 300 square feet of floor area
Outdoor Display: 1 space per 2,500 square feet of display area
Employees: 1 space per employee on the maximum shift
Proposed Parking: Previously Approved
Show Room: 67 spaces
Service Area: 101 spaces
Outdoor Display: 54 spaces
Employees: 55 spaces
----------------
Total Parking Required 277 spaces
Total Parking Provided: 915 spaces
D. Building Height: Previously Approved
Permitted: 60 feet
Proposed: 29 feet, 2 inches
E. Lot Coverage: Previously Approved
Permitted: 50%
Proposed: 12%
F. Auto Center Overlay
Landscape:
Required: 8% landscape
7% decorative hardscape
Total: 15% Landscaping
Proposed: Previously Approved
8% landscape
7% decorative hardscape
Total: 15% Landscaping
G. Setback Analysis:
Required building setback:
Front: 15 feet (Primary Highway)
Rear: 0 feet abutting Commercial Zone property
Sides: 10 feet abutting (Collector Street)
0 feet abutting Commercial Zone property
Proposed building setback:
Previously Approved
Front: 183 feet
Rear: 133 feet
Sides: 192 feet
210 feet
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, Lithia Real Estate, Inc., is requesting that the Planning Commission review and approve modifications to the existing Rock Honda Auto Dealership building facade.
Design Review (DRP) No. 06-0045(R2):
The proposed revisions include a redesign of the exterior façade consistent with the current brand image. The revised project will maintain the square footages, parking, height, and setbacks of the existing structure. The existing used- Showroom, Sales Office, Customer Lounge, Parts Storage, Service Bays, on-site vehicular display will remain. The redesign will include a three-tiered white overhead over the main entrance additional storefront windows, and blue columns to provide better framing of the main entrance and to provide additional plane break between the service canopy and showroom. A blue frame will be provided on the bottom edge of the Service Canopy. The purpose of the redesign is to update the existing dealership to provide a refined customer experience and create a modern and sleek design that is aesthetically pleasing to the surrounding area.
The applicant proposes a Modern contemporary architectural style. The architectural features for the proposed buildings will feature an overhead canopy above the entrance, with two blue columns on each side of the main entrance. The color palette will remain the same as the existing exterior.
Site Access, Circulation/Parking
Access to and from the project site will be provided via South Highland Avenue and Cypress Avenue. The project is required to provide a minimum of 277 parking spaces, the applicant is providing a total of 915 parking spaces. The project will include Electric Vehicle (“EV”) spaces and ADA spaces with necessary path of travel for pedestrians.
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. 15301 (Class 1, Existing Facilities). The project site meets the CEQA requirement for a Class 1 exemption as the project is an existing auto dealership, and the project scope includes interior and exterior alterations that involve negligible or no expansion of use.
MOTION:
Approve Staff’s recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Vicinity Map
2. Plans
3. Planning Commission Resolution, Findings, and Conditions of Approval
4. Notice of Exemption
5. Public Hearing Notice