FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. (MCN) 25-0088: Tentative Tract Map No. 25-0008 (TTM No. 20863), and Design Review No. 25-0037, a request to establish a condominium map for a multi-family residential development, and a request for site and architectural approval for construction of a new multi-family condominium complex development consisting of 108 townhome units, within eighteen (18) buildings, with associated site improvements, on approximately 6.7 acres located near the northwest corner of Baseline Avenue and Palmetto Avenue, identified as Assessor Parcel Numbers 0240-161-29, -33, -36, and -37), pursuant to the previously adopted FEIR for the Walnut Village Specific Plan (SCH No. 202305027).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information contained in the staff report and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2026-____, and
1. Determine that the project has been reviewed under a previous Final Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 202305027), pursuant to Section 15162 through 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 8.10 of the City of Fontana’s 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA and direct staff to file a Notice of Determination;
2. Approve Tentative Tract No. 25-0008 (TTM No. 20863); and
3. Approve Design Review (DRP) No. 25-0037.
APPLICANT:
Monte Vista Homes
P.O. Box 9559
Alta Loma, CA 91701
LOCATION:
The project site is located adjacent to the northwest corner of Baseline Avenue and Palmetto Avenue, (APNs: 0240-161-29, -33, -36, and -37).
REQUEST:
Tentative Tract Map No. 25-0008 (TTM No. 20863): A request to establish a condominium map for a multi-family residential development on approximately 6.7 acres.
Design Review No. 25-0037: A request for site and architectural approval for the construction of 108 new townhouse units, and associated site improvements on approximately 6.7 acres.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Cecily Session-Goins, Senior Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Land Use Table:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Site Area: Approximately 6.7 acres
B. Density:
Maximum: 12 to 24.0 units per acre
Proposed: 16.5 units per acre
C. Building Height: 29’-3”
D. Landscaping:
Required: 25,687 square feet (15 percent)
Proposed: 38,566 square feet (23 percent)
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, Monte Vista Homes, is requesting that the Planning Commission review and approve Tentative Tract Map No. 24-0008 (TTM 20863), a request to subdivide 6.7 acres for condominium purposes and review and approve Design Review No. 25-0037 to construct 108 townhome units within eighteen (18) two-story buildings for a total of 108 residential units, and associated site improvements on approximately 6.7 acres.
Tentative Tract Map No. 25-0008 (TTM No. 20863)
The project includes a tentative tract map for condominium purposes for a 108-unit multi-family development. The tentative tract map will also include lettered lots for open space and amenities that will be maintained by the homeowners’ association. The condominium map will allow the area associated with each unit to be sold to separate property owners.
Design Review No. 25-0037:
The applicant seeks site and architectural approval of a new 108 condominium unit complex to be located within eighteen (18) two-story buildings. The proposed units will be two, three, and four bedrooms, ranging in size from 935 to 1,703 square feet. The proposed units will be alley-loaded or front-loaded.
The applicant proposes two architectural styles for the condominium units. The Spanish style features an exterior light neutral color scheme with dark green accents, concrete S-roof tile, decorate clay pipes, arched openings, shutters and decorative rafter tails. The Cottage style features an exterior light brown color scheme with blue accents, flat concrete roof tiles, shutters, gridded windows, and horizontal siding. Both styles will feature decorative exterior lighting suitable for the architectural style; metal roll up garage doors and raised panel unit entry doors.
The variations to the building’s faces and varying roof lines and building heights will make the project architecturally pleasing. The project includes associated on and off-site improvements, including parking spaces, new landscaping, lighting, curb, gutter, sidewalks, and utilities related to the project. The proposed site is physically suitable in size and shape to support the development of the proposed residential development.
Amenities/Open Space:
The project features two amenity areas. The first amenity area is in the central portion of the site and includes a large open lawn area, playground equipment, and a shaded trellis with a picnic table and benches. An additional amenity area is in the northeastern portion of the site and features an open lawn area with benches and bike racks. The amenities will be offered for use and enjoyment by all project residents. In addition to the proposed amenities, each unit has adequate private open space directly accessible from their private unit.
Grading and Walls:
The project site is mostly vacant, undeveloped and relatively flat. There are two existing single-family dwellings that will be demolished as part of this project. The existing drainage pattern flows from the northwest to the southwest.
The project plans include a new six-foot-high masonry perimeter wall along the western property line of the project site. There is an existing block wall on the northern boundary of the project site that will remain. Due to the difference in grade between the parcels to the north and the project site, a retaining wall will be constructed within the project boundary adjacent to the northern project boundary. The project site is adjacent to two existing single-family dwellings at the northwest corner of Baseline Avenue and Palmetto Avenue. New combination retaining and screen walls a maximum of six feet in height are proposed along the property lines shared with the single-family dwellings at the corner of Baseline Avenue and Palmetto Avenue. The development will not have restricted access via gates. However, there will be an emergency vehicle access point within the project site adjacent to Melon Avenue, which will be secured with a six-foot-tall tubular steel gate.
Site Access/Circulation/Parking:
Vehicular and pedestrian access will occur via two driveways, one on Baseline Avenue and Palmetto Avenue. Additionally, as previously mentioned, an emergency vehicle access point will be at the terminus of Melon Avenue. The internal circulation has been reviewed by the Planning, Fire, Traffic, and Engineering Departments and found to be sufficient to support this type of use.
Environmental:
Pursuant to the previously adopted Final Environmental Impact Report for the Walnut Village Specific Plan (State Clearinghouse No. 202305027) and Section 15162 through 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and Section 8.10 of the City of Fontana’s 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, the Project would not result in (1) substantial changes that would require major revisions of the Walnut Village Specific Plan FEIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; (2) substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which the proposed project is developed that would require major revision of the Walnut Village Specific Plan FEIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of the previously identified significant effects; (3) new information of substantial importance that was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the Walnut Village Specific Plan FEIR documents were certified. No further action is required, and a Notice of Determination has been prepared.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Vicinity Map
Attachment No. 2 - Project Plans
Attachment No. 3 - Planning Commission Resolution, Findings & Conditions of Approval
Attachment No. 4 - Notice of Determination
Attachment No. 5 - Public Hearing Notice