FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 22-007, Administrative Site Plan No. 22-003 for two (2) multi-tenant buildings totaling approximately 10,349 square feet, pursuant to a previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Northgate shopping center (MCN No. 20-016) project and directing staff to file a Notice of Determination.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information in the staff report and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval; staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC No. 2024____, and
1. Find that the project has been reviewed under a previously approved Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to Section 15162 through 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 8-10 of Fontana’s 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA and that none of the exceptions in CEQA Section 15162 apply here, and direct staff to file a Notice of Determination; and
2. Approve Administrative Site Plan No. 22-003
APPLICANT:
Sierra San Bernardino Partners, LLC.
31791 Los Rios Street
San Capistrano, CA 92675
LOCATION:
The project site is located at 9664 Sierra Avenue (APN: 0193-251-46).
REQUEST:
Administrative Site Plan (ASP) No. 22-003 - A request for site and architectural approval of two (2) multi-tenant unit buildings totaling approximately 10,349 square feet with associated site improvements.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Alexia De La Torre, Assistant Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Land Use Designation:
|
|
General Plan |
Zoning/Specific Plan |
Existing Land Use |
|
Site |
Walkable Mixed Use (WMXU-1) |
Form Based Code; Sierra Gateway District |
Vacant |
|
North |
Walkable Mixed Use (WMXU-1) |
Form Based Code; Sierra Gateway District |
Apartments & Tire Center |
|
South |
Walkable Mixed Use (WMXU-1) |
Form Based Code; Sierra Gateway District |
Townhomes & Commercial |
|
East |
Walkable Mixed Use (WMXU-1) |
Form Based Code; Sierra Gateway District |
General Commercial Uses/shopping center |
|
West |
Walkable Mixed Use (WMXU-1) |
Form Based Code; Multi-Family District |
Condominiums |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Site Area: Pad 3 - Approximately 1.17 adjusted gross acres
Northgate Shopping Center - 7.04 adjusted gross acres
B. Building Analysis:
Building #3 4,156 square feet
Building #4 6,193 square feet
C. Parking Analysis:
Vehicle Spaces Required 58 with reductions allowed*
Vehicle Spaces Provided 42
D. Open Space
Minimum Required: 5 percent
Proposed: 19 percent
E. Frontage Coverage:
Minimum Required: 50 percent
Proposed: 40%**
*The Northgate shopping center has a reciprocal use agreement. The shopping center is required to have 217 spaces including all the pad developments, and they are providing 324 spaces in total. In addition, Section 30-391 allows for parking reductions for zoning districts in the Form Based Code. The code allows for a maximum of 20% parking reduction if the project is within a ¼ mile of a bus stop and within a significant area of employment.
**Section No. 30-367 states that when the development project is 5 acres or more in size and does not include any residential uses, frontage coverage can be reduced to 25% at the discretion of the Planning Commission if it can be determined that the reduced frontage benefits public safety. The applicant is providing a 40% frontage coverage to provide ample area for the outdoor seating area which not only provides an attractive space for pedestrians, but also provides natural surveillance between the two multi-tenant buildings. The outdoor seating space eliminates dead space between the buildings by incorporating an amenity area and pedestrian space with clear lines of sight that maximizes visibility of people-ultimately benefiting public safety.
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, Sierra San Bernardino Partners, LLC, is requesting that the Planning Commission approve Administrative Site Plan Review No. 22-003. The original approval of the Northgate shopping center is under MCN No. 20-016, which included a condition requiring that all future entitlement applications within the center be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.
Architectural Site Plan Review No. 22-003:
The development will construct two (2) new multi-tenant buildings on existing pads. Building number one will be approximately 4,156 square feet, and building number two will be approximately 6,193 square feet. An open space patio area of approximately 9,598 square feet will be located between the two buildings. The patio area will have perimeter screening and railing along with architectural features including a central water feature, a wooden stage, a fire-pit, and dining/café tables and seating areas.
The architectural features for the proposed new buildings feature Spanish architecture with an exterior color palette of a neutral color scheme, aluminum bronzed textured wall sconces, clay tile roof and aluminum bronze framed windows. The decorative ceramic Spanish tiles, variations to the building face and tower elements at a maximum of 37 feet. The design will make the project architecturally pleasing and be consistent with the surrounding area.
Associated on-site improvements include landscaping, decorative pavers at driveways, and bicycle and vehicle parking as part of the development project.
Grading / Walls:
The two pad sites have been previously graded and will not be substantially altered with the development of the two buildings. Perimeter screening between Sierra Avenue and the open seating area will incorporate a CMU wall with a white stucco finish at approximately 6’ in height along with landscaping.
Site Access / Circulation / Parking:
Access to the overall center is provided from both Sierra and San Bernardino Avenue. Parking for the two buildings is provided along the westerly sides, adjacent to the buildings.
The project site is physically suitable in size and shape to support the development of the proposed commercial project. Applicable building codes, and fire codes and standards will be met and will make for a safe, attractive, and well-designed project. The project design incorporates safety measures for automobiles and pedestrians in the area.
Environmental:
An Initial Study (IS)/Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program was previously approved for the Northgate shopping center (MCN No. 20-016) project October 27, 2020 pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, and none of the exceptions in CEQA Section 15162 apply here. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program can be found at <https://fonopengislayers.fontana.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=1782528&dbid=0&repo=FontanaRecords&cr=1>.
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 Determination
5. Public Hearing Notice