Corrected Staff Report Memo: 9/3/25 Item D5 Consent Calendar DATE: September 2, 2025 MEMORANDUM
Planning Department
TO: John R. Gillison, City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Nakamura, CNU-A, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Consideration of Reappointment of Planning Commissioners to Four-Year Terms (CITY)
REVISION:
Attached is a revised staff report for item D5 on the Consent Calendar highlighting a change in the recommendation to reflect the correct commissioners whose terms are ending and are interested in reappointment. Commissioner Bryan Dopp was mistakenly named as a Planning Commissioner up for reappointment instead of Commissioner James Daniels. Commissioner Dopp’s term does not end until December 31, 2027 and will continue to serve. Commissioner Daniels term ends on December 31, 2025 and has expressed interest in reappointment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the reappointment of current Planning Commissioners Al Boling, James Daniels and Tony Morales to four-year terms, effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Revised Staff Report
Attachment 1
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
INITIATED BY:
SUBJECT:
September 16, 2025
Mayor and Members of the City Council
John R. Gillison, City Manager
Jennifer Nakamura, CNU-A, Planning Director
Consideration of Reappointment of Planning Commissioners to Four- Year Terms (CITY)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the reappointment of current Planning Commissioners Al Boling, James Daniels and Tony Morales to four-year terms, effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.
BACKGROUND:
Planning Commissioners Boling, Daniels and Morales will be completing their current four-year term on the Planning Commission on December 31, 2025. Each commissioner is willing and committed to continue serving. Their reappointments are recommended based on their exemplary service and meaningful contributions to the planning process during their current terms.
ANALYSIS:
All three Commissioners have shown strong commitment to the Council’s mission, vision and core values and the long-term planning goals of the city. Their tenure on the Commission has been marked by consistent attendance, active participation in meetings, and a solid grasp of the City’s General Plan, zoning regulations, and broader planning principles.
Each Commissioner has shown a clear dedication to professional development by attending relevant training sessions and conferences, including Congress for the New Urbanism, California Chapter APA events, and League of California Cities sessions geared toward Planning Commissioners. This ongoing education ensures they remain informed on best practices and emerging trends in land use and urban planning.
In addition to their technical knowledge, the Commissioners have conducted themselves with professionalism and fairness, contributing to thoughtful, balanced decision-making on a wide range of development proposals and policy matters. Their respectful engagement with staff, applicants, fellow Commissioners, and the public has fostered trust and transparency in the Commission’s work. Their reappointment would preserve valuable institutional knowledge and support continuity in Commission operations as the city continues to manage important growth and development challenges.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
COUNCIL MISSION / VISION / VALUE(S) ADDRESSED:
This action addresses the City Council’s core values of intentionally embracing and anticipating our future. By reappointing these three Commissioners the City Council is reinforcing its dedication to long-term, strategic planning, ensuring that the Planning Commission remains equipped with individuals who understand the City’s development history and are committed to stewardship of the City’s vision.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
2025-09-03 – Regular Meeting: Correspondence received on Public Hearing Item G1 From: Kristin Berzins <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 10:43 AM To:
Planning, City <[email protected]> Subject:
DRC2025-00141. Zone admenment
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Dear Planning commision and city council, As residents in the immediate area we are very concerend about the zoning change. When we built our home it was zoned for estate homes and horse trails were required on each property. Now it appears that condos are being proposed on our street with commerical. This is detrementail to the home lifestyle we sought and why we chose this area. The traffic is already a nightmare in the area and adding higher density would add to that. Not to mention the crime that commercial building would bring by bringing people to the area. I am concerned that the city is only looking for more tax revenue and not keeping what was supposed to be a equestrian area intact. Out property values are alsmost certain to decline with this change.
Sincerely, Brian
Berzins
From: Richard Santucci <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 12:45 PM To:
Planning, City <[email protected]> Subject:
Zoning map amendment DRC2025-00141
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I live in Rolling Pasture Place and am concerned with the equestrian status. Will this change? Also, has there been an environmental impact study of the additional traffic and congestion, especially during school season? Finally, what precautions will be made to deter traffic from using our neighborhood as a short cut? Regards,
Richard Santucci
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From: Lisa N. Davis <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 2:34 PM
To: Planning, City <[email protected]>; Lisa Unger <[email protected]> Subject: East Ave and Wilson Zoning
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From Lisa Unger
To whom it may concern.
This building area has been an actual disaster from the begining. From Landslides on the corner of our entrance to mud in our homes, pools cars etc. To the Tune of thousands of dollars of repair.
As of yesterday the wind was blowing gently and the dust was blowing profusely. This has been an inconsiderate construction site from day one and shame on the city for allowing this.
Our next issue is the danger of trying to get out of our development. It is impossible especially 1 hour prior to school starting and up to 1 hr later. Cars are making u turns on our street we have children walking and riding bikes to school and it is dangerous.
Once these homes/condos are built the traffic will be even more of a danger. We have requested traffic lights to exit our street safely, We would also ask the city to install gates on the north entrance of our street and on East Ave entrance to our homes on Philly.
We again, beg for a traffic light and to be considered having the builder or city install the 2 gates to protect our area.
Thank you ,
Lisa and Jeff Unger
Lisa N. Davis
Director of Patient Education
Unger Primary Care Concierge
9220 Haven Ave Suite #230
Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. 91730
Office: 951-255-5575 Fax:909-
899-5012
website: ungerprimarycare.com
From: Latrevia Palacios <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 2:01 PM
To: Planning, City <[email protected]>
Subject: Opposition to Rezoning and Proposed Development – DRC2025-000141 / Tract 20791 You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email is from outside our Corporate network. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and can confirm the content is safe.
Opposition to Rezoning and Proposed Development – DRC2025-000141 / Tract 20791 Dear City Council Members and Planning Department,
I am writing to formally oppose the proposed Zoning Map Amendment (DRC2025-000141) and related Notice of Filing (Tract 20791) that seeks to rezone approximately 150.79 acres within Tracts 16072-1, 16072-2, and 16072-3 from Neighborhood Estate (NE-2) to Low Residential (L).
1. Inconsistency with Comprehensive Plan: The City’s Comprehensive Plan and long-standing zoning policies emphasize the protection of existing neighborhood character, the preservation of estate-zoned properties, and the safeguarding of scenic corridors. NE-2 zoning was put in place to ensure low-density, estate-style living consistent with the surrounding community. Reverting to “L” undermines these policies and sets a precedent for dismantling carefully planned land use protections.
2. Direct Impact on Surrounding NE-2 Properties: Owners of adjacent NE-2 parcels invested in their properties with the reasonable expectation of quiet enjoyment, larger lots, and stable property values.
Rezoning to allow higher-density development and mixed commercial use (as identified in the Notice of Filing: 73 condominium units and 16 commercial spaces) would directly diminish these values and compromise the estate character.
3. Traffic and Safety Concerns: The rezoning would bring significantly increased traffic onto local roads not designed for higher volumes associated with multifamily or mixed-use developments. This is particularly concerning near the residential streets bordering the subject parcels, where congestion will affect families, pedestrians, cyclists, and school traffic. Of which, we already have 2 schools in addition to the school district offices all located on East Ave.
4. Loss of Scenic Views and Community Enjoyment: The subject parcels sit along a highly visible corridor with mountain views that define Rancho Cucamonga’s identity. The proposed condominium and commercial development will obstruct these views, negatively affecting the quality of life for nearby residents. Blocking mountain views not only harms enjoyment but also erodes the long-term property values of adjacent homes.
5. Conflict with Prior Approvals: The public notice states that the proposed change is intended to align with a “previously approved 359-lot single-family subdivision.” However, this is misleading.
That prior approval was under a single-family residential context consistent with estate zoning—not a dense mix of condos and commercial spaces. Expanding the entitlement to commercial and multifamily uses is inconsistent with both the intent and the promises made to surrounding property owners.
6. Legal and Procedural Issues: California planning law requires rezoning decisions to remain consistent with the City’s General Plan. Introducing commercial and multifamily use on land previously designated for estate and low-density single-family housing contradicts the plan’s stated land use goals. The City risks legal challenges by approving rezoning that lacks both demonstrated need and compatibility with established zoning districts.
7. Notice of Filing and Applicant Proposal: The Notice of Filing on Tract 20791 clearly indicates development plans by Vigorous W Rancho LLC for 73 condominium units and 16 commercial spaces. This is a dramatic shift from the NE-2 estate vision, and it will disproportionately burden adjacent residents with traffic, noise, blocked views, and depressed property values.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the City Council and Planning Commission to deny the rezoning request and reject the associated development proposal. Preserving the NE-2 designation is vital to maintaining Rancho Cucamonga’s community character, protecting property values, and upholding the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for prioritizing the long-term interests of current residents.
PS. We are not alone in our opinion, as the entirety of our community shares this concern.
Sincerely,
Mario and Latrevia Palacios
[email protected] and [email protected] Latrevia Palacios, MBA, REALTOR®
California Real Estate Broker Email:
[email protected] Direct/Text:
909.728.1061
DRE: 01476008