Sec. 30-632. - Uses permitted. — Fontana Zoning Code

Any use permitted in the underlying zone district shall be permitted in the utility corridor overlay district, provided except as provided in this section.

Sec. 30-633. - Development standards and design guidelines.

(a)

Standards dependent upon slope. The following table establishes the maximum number of residential units per lot, maximum amount of grading per lot, and special provisions.

Table No. 30-633 Development Standards and Design Guidelines
Average Slope of Lot (%)	Dwelling Units Allowed*	Maximum Lot Grading or Disturbance Allowed (%)	Special Provisions
10.0—14.9	1.75 x Lot Area in acres	75	Buildings and structures, to the greatest extent possible, shall be designed with special architectural and design techniques that minimize the extent of grading on the lot.
15.0—19.9	1.00 x Lot Area in acres	50	Buildings and structures shall be designed using techniques such as split-level foundations of greater than 18 inches, stem walls, stacking and clustering, so that they conform as much as is feasible to the natural topography and natural slope.
20.0—24.9	0.50 x Lot Area in acres	25	The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission, taking into account the professional advice of the City Engineer, that all adverse seismic safety and environmental impacts can be eliminated by the use of open space, observing large yard areas, the use of building structural techniques such as stepped foundations, and other similar design and/or construction techniques.
25.0 or greater	0.00 x Lot Area in acres	See Special Provisions	No buildings or structures shall be allowed except for fencing, low-water-use landscaping and irrigation systems. Portions of the lot with a slope of 25% or greater shall be maintained in a natural condition, without alteration of any sort, including, but not limited to, grading operations, unless the owner thereof submits an application for a grading permit accompanied with information that demonstrates that certain grading operations are necessary to protect other portions of the lot or adjacent lots from slope instability, fre hazards, seismic damage; and/or food/storm drainage.

Resulting fractions above 0.5 shall be rounded off to the next highest whole number.

(b)

Site design and architectural controls. The Director of Community Development shall require that the following architectural requirements are met:

(1)

Site design. The dimensions of a building must parallel to natural contour and shall be maximized in order to limit the amount of cutting and filling and to better fit the building to the natural terrain of the lot. Design of buildings shall be sensitive to the natural terrain, and the buildings shall be located so as to minimize necessary grading and preserve natural features. City policy requires that views of significant visual features, as seen from both within and outside a hillside area, be preserved. To further that policy, the following provisions shall be taken into consideration:

a.

Buildings and structures shall be oriented to allow and/or preserve view opportunities (view sheds). To this end, any person or persons applying for a building permit to construct, alter, enlarge or in anyway modify any structure shall demonstrate via a line of sight analysis that the construction, alteration, enlargement or modifications shall not in anyway restrict, block or alter the view shed from an existing residential structure. The line of site analysis shall be submitted concurrently with any application for development, alterations, expansion, etc., and is subject to review and approval by the Director of Community Development.

b.

Any significant public vista or view corridor as seen from a secondary, collector or major arterial right-of-way shall be protected;

c.

Development within the hillside overlay district lots shall utilize variable setbacks, multiple orientations and other site planning techniques to preserve open space, protect natural features and provide views to residents; and

d.

Development of prominent ridges is discouraged due to its potential harmful impact to significant public views and prominent ridgeline features. The City instead encourages development on those hillside areas that are a reasonable distance below prominent ridges in order to preserve and protect in their natural state.

(2)

Architectural controls. Each building or structure located within a hillside overlay district lot shall observe the following:

a.

No portion or architectural feature of a home shall exceed a height of 25 feet as measured from the natural grade at the point of measurement;

b.

All structures shall comply with the following:

1.

A building or structure shall be terraced to follow the slope of the pad.

2.

Appropriate architectural treatment shall be provided to all sides of each building or structure visible from adjacent properties, roadways, and public rightsof-way to ensure compatibility with adjacent uses.

3.

Exterior flood lighting for safety shall be shielded so as not to spill light on adjacent properties.

4.

Rooflines shall be accessible from at least two locations.

5.

Skirting of all support structures from view of any public right-of-way or adjoining property shall be required.

(c)

Retaining walls. Retaining walls associated with a building pad shall be located as follows:

(1)

Upslope (from a building or structure) walls shall not exceed four feet in height. Terraced retaining structures may be utilized when separated by a minimum of three feet and appropriate landscaping as approved by the Director of Community Development.

(2)

Down slope (from a building or structure) walls shall not exceed three feet in height. Where an additional retained portion of the lot is necessary due to unusual or extreme conditions, such as lot configuration, steep slope or road design, then the use of terraced retaining structures shall be considered on an individual lot basis. Terraced walls shall not exceed three feet in height and shall be separated by a minimum of three feet, with appropriate landscaping as approved by the Director of Community Development.

(d)

Guidelines in general. The following general guidelines are intended to assist those persons attempting to obtain development permits for hillside overlay district lots:

(1)

The form, mass and profile of the individual buildings, structures and architectural features should be designed to blend with the natural terrain and preserve the character and profile of the natural slope. Some techniques that may be considered include:

a.

Split pads, stepped footings and grade separations to permit the structure to step up the natural slope;

b.

Detaching parts of a dwelling such as a garage; and

c.

Avoidance of the use of gable ends on downhill elevations. The slope of the roof should be oriented in the same direction as the natural slope and should not exceed natural slope contour by more than 20 percent.

(2)

Excessive cantilevers on downhill elevations shall be avoided. The Planning Commission shall review on a case-by-case basis all proposed development incorporating a cantilevered structure, based upon a recommendation by the Director of Community Development.

(3)

The utilization of below grade rooms to reduce effective bulk and to provide energy efficient and environmentally desirable spaces. However, the visible area of the building shall be minimized through a combined use of regrading and landscaping techniques.

(4)

The use of roofs, on lower levels for decking shall be encouraged.

(5)

Building materials and color schemes should blend with the natural landscape of earth tones and natural, native vegetation growth.

(e)

Fencing. Walls and fences shall be approved on the fencing and landscaping plan if they are within the height limits applicable to walls and fences in this section and the R-1 zoning district. Wood fences shall not be permitted within any hillside overlay district. Walls and/or fences shall be constructed of masonry, decorative block, river rock or similar material as approved by the Director of Community Development.

(f)

Special regulations relative to domestic animals. The development of hillside areas for residential purposes may pose a threat to domestic animals which are kept out of doors, including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and other domestic animals normally associated with single family residences. Hillside areas are home to several predatory species of animals such as coyotes, mountain lions, snakes and other such animals that prey on domestic animals kept as pets or for recreational uses. Therefore, the City encourages that owners of domesticated animals provide all reasonable protection to such animals in the event that they are allowed or kept out of doors and, therefore, subject to predatory animals that inhabit hillside areas.

(g)

Fire protection/suppression. Any development within a hillside overlay district shall comply with all applicable regulations of the Fontana Fire District and fire hazard overlay district.

Sec. 30-634. - Reserved.

DIVISION 5. - AUTO CENTER OVERLAY DISTRICT

Sec. 30-635. - Description of auto center overlay district boundary.

The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District is defined by those boundaries identified in the overlay district map (Figure 1). The project area is divided into four separate planning areas. Planning area 1 contains approximately 81.5 gross acres and is generally located adjacent to the south side of the 210 Foothill Freeway, along both sides of South Highland Avenue, between Sierra Avenue on the East and Citrus Avenue on the West. Planning area 2 contains approximately 11.5 gross acres and includes the existing shopping center on the northeast corner of Sierra Avenue and South Highland Avenue, adjacent to the 210 Foothill Freeway, within the Walnut Village Specific Plan Area. Planning area 3 contains approximately 25 gross acres and is located between Citrus Avenue and Oleander Avenue, south of South Highland Avenue. Planning area 4 contains approximately 6.5 gross acres and is located at the northwest corner of Sierra Avenue and South Highland Avenue.

(Ord. No. 1955, § 4(Exh. A), 9-10-24)

Sec. 30-636. - Purpose and intent.

(a)

The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District is intended to reserve certain specified properties for certain types of uses within the four planning areas. Planning area 1 is reserved primarily for automobile retail sales, service and related uses. Planning area 2 is reserved primarily for gas stations and restaurants. Planning area 3 allows all uses within both planning areas 1 and 2. Planning area 4 allows new vehicle dealerships and a variety of conditionally permitted uses that are complimentary to the adjacent planning area 1.

The overlay district promotes the development of a coordinated and well-planned "auto center." It would consist primarily of new car and truck dealerships, many of which would have direct frontage along the south side of the 210 Freeway.

Planning area 2, located within the Walnut Village Specific Plan Area would contain gas stations, a car wash, food court, restaurants, drive-through fast food and other related commercial uses needed to support the auto center.

These four planning areas will have unique design features that enhance the major gateways into the northern part of Fontana from the 210 Freeway. This includes:

Architectural styles that complement adjacent developing areas;
A defined landscape plant palette along the public rights-of-way and required setback areas;
Coordinated auto display areas along South Highland Avenue, Sierra Avenue and Citrus Avenue;
A common design theme for certain signage, hardscape treatments, lighting and water features;
Edge treatments along the 210 Freeway frontage that present a positive image for the City; and

• Enhanced corner statements at Sierra Avenue and South Highland Avenue, Citrus Avenue and South Highland Avenue, and the 210 Freeway and Sierra Avenue.

The use of the development standards and design guidelines contained herein are intended to foster the following objectives for development within the overlay district:

(1)

Encourage the consolidation of automobile dealerships into an "auto center" that encourages shopping at multiple, adjacent dealerships.

(2)

Provide for adequate circulation that allows safe and easy access from the adjacent 210 Freeway, Sierra Avenue and Citrus Avenue, on to South Highland Avenue.

(3)

Provide development standards that set forth requirements for high quality site planning and design, architecture, landscaping, hardscape, lighting and water features, that results in a sense of quality and vitality in northern Fontana.

(4)

Provide for appropriate signage designed to meet the identification and advertising needs of the automobile dealerships and other allowed uses within the overlay district, while presenting a coordinated design theme that is pleasing to the public.

(5)

Provide minimum development standards to which all construction within the overlay district must adhere.

(6)

Ensure adequate protection for existing adjacent residential uses in Walnut Village Specific Plan and east of Citrus Avenue.

(b)

All projects within the four planning areas involving new construction are required to be in compliance with the development standards and design guidelines set forth within the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District. The design guidelines are intended to provide direction to developers within the overlay district to encourage the orderly and harmonious design of structures, landscaping, hardscape, signage, lighting, water features, walls, fences and accessory structures. The guidelines establish a standard for design quality while maintaining flexibility for individual expression and imaginative design solutions.

Sec. 30-637. - Definitions.

All words and phrases used in the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District shall have the same meaning as contained within the Fontana Municipal Code, unless the context requires clarification from City staff and/or elected and appointed officials.

Sec. 30-638. - Fontana auto center overlay district project area boundary.

The map entitled "Fontana Auto Center Overlay District" is adopted as a part of this overlay district (Figure 1) and defines the boundaries of the four planning areas.

Sec. 30-639. - Authority and requirements.

The Fontana Auto Center Overlay District shall be applied to those properties located within the overlay district area, in addition to the land use regulations set forth in Chapter 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code. This overlay district modifies certain regulations contained in Chapter 30 of the Code, as enumerated herein. If there is a conflict with Chapter 30, the overlay district shall prevail.

Figure 1. Fontana Auto Center Overlay District Planning Area Boundaries Map

==> picture [235 x 336] intentionally omitted <==

(Ord. No. 1880, § 6(Exh. A), 1-25-22; Ord. No. 1909, § 4(Exh. A), 12-13-22; Ord. No. 1955, § 4(Exh. A), 9-10-24; Ord. No. 1880, § 6(Exh. A), 1-25-22)

Sec. 30-640. - Permitted uses.

The overlay district permits only the following land uses.

(1)

Planning area 1—Auto center.

Principal uses.

1.

New vehicle dealerships oriented primarily toward the sale of new passenger vehicles and light-to-medium weight trucks [less than 22,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW)].

b.

Accessory uses. As an integral part of, but accessory to the operation of a new vehicle dealership, the following uses shall be permitted subject to approval through the design review process:

1.

Vehicle parts and accessories supply and sales as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

2.

Vehicle service and repair as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

3.

Used vehicle sales as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

4.

Vehicle leasing and rentals as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

5.

Utility infrastructure.

6.

Other accessory uses as determined by the Director of Planning to be substantially compatible with the principal permitted use of new vehicle dealerships.

Conditionally permitted uses.

1.

3.

Sit-down fast food restaurant (excludes drive-thrus).

2.

Vehicle service and repair as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

3.

Used vehicle sales as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

4.

Vehicle leasing and rentals as an integral, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

5.

Carwash, but secondary part of operating a new vehicle sales facility.

6.

Other accessory uses as determined by the Director of Planning to be substantially compatible with the principal permitted use of new vehicle dealerships.

Conditionally permitted uses.

1.

Sit-down restaurant.

2.

Hotel.

3.

Specialty vehicle sales, including recreational vehicles and motorcycles.

4.

Automobile, passenger van, and pick-up truck rated one-ton or less (carrying weight) rental.

5.

Other retail uses as determined by the Director of Planning to be substantially compatible with the principal permitted use of new vehicle dealerships.

Prohibited uses.

1.

Any use of land not specifically identified in this overlay for planning area 4 is expressly prohibited from the Fontana Auto Center Overlay District.

2.

Any use not fully enclosed within a building except vehicle sales, display and storage areas.

3.

(Ord. No. 1880, § 6(Exh. A), 1-25-22)