TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HYE JIN LEE, PE, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT
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Final Acceptance of Public Improvements for Tract Map No. 18982, located near the Northwest Corner of Francis and Central Avenues.
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RECOMMENDATION
1) Accept public improvements as complete for Tract Map No. 18982; 2) authorize release of the performance bond and initiate the warranty bond; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City.
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FISCAL IMPACT
There are sufficient funds included in the City’s Operating Budget to support the ongoing maintenance activities related to the public improvements being accepted.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES
The recommendation detailed above further the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
• Positive City Image
• Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
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BACKGROUND
On July 20, 2015, the Chino Planning Commission approved a site approval, special conditional use permit, and tentative Tract Map No. 18982 (TTM-18982), for a residential development known as Montecito Place consisting of 113 single-family homes on 12.75 acres of land located near the northwest corner of Francis Avenue and Central Avenue in the northern portion of the City (Exhibit A).
The original developer was MBK Homes. The Engineering Conditions of Approval (COA) for TTM-18982 required the developer to design and construct certain public improvements along the property frontage on Central and Francis Avenues, including, but not limited to, curb and gutter, sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, street pavement, a new traffic signal, wet utilities, and other related infrastructure necessary to support the development. The public improvements completed by the developer necessitated the execution of a Public Improvement Agreement and posting securities that the City Council approved on August 16, 2016 (Exhibit B). It should be noted that the costs associated with the design and construction of the required public improvements are completely offset by the applicant. There is no direct fiscal impact on the City.
In late 2015, the project was acquired by D.R. Horton while final engineering design review was ongoing with the City. Construction of the residential development occurred between April 2016 and early 2019. Near the end of construction, City staff identified deficiencies related to accessibility compliance for certain sidewalk and curb ramp improvements. These deficiencies were documented in an accessibility survey report prepared in May 2019.
At that time, the project was nearing completion, pending correction of punch list items associated with the required public improvements. Following completion of construction activities, there was a prolonged period of limited coordination between the City and the developer. This delay was attributed to multiple factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, City staff turnover, and changes in the developer’s consultant team.
City staff re-established coordination with the developer in early 2023, and efforts subsequently focused on addressing outstanding punch list items necessary to complete project closeout. The most significant remaining work involved the redesign and reconstruction of curb ramps and adjacent improvements at the northwest and southwest corners of Central Avenue and Mariner Lane, which serves as the primary entrance to the neighborhood.
These improvements addressed non-compliant running cross slopes at curb ramps, as well as insufficient clear space at pedestrian push button locations associated with the traffic signal improvements. During this process, City staff and the developer engaged in extensive coordination regarding applicable design standards. While the City was in the process of updating internal accessibility guidance, it was ultimately determined that the improvements would be evaluated based on the standards in effect at the time of original permit issuance in 2016.
The required curb ramp reconstruction was completed in early 2025. Since completion of these improvements, the City has not received any related concerns regarding accessibility at the project site.
The public improvements for this project were completed in accordance with the approved plans and to the satisfaction of Public Works staff. The project was also presented to the Streets/Infrastructure Committee on March 23, 2026, where the Committee expressed support for forwarding the item to the City Council for consideration of formal acceptance of the public improvements.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
The public improvements being accepted by the City of Chino, as described above, are included as shown on Exhibit C. The public improvements completed have been constructed in compliance with the City’s standards/specifications, including accessibility requirements, and to the satisfaction of the Public Works Inspector. All public improvements that were part of the COA for this project were fully funded by the developer.
Security for a one-year warranty period has been submitted to the City. Under the warranty bond obligation, the developer will correct any defects found within one year of the City Council’s acceptance of the Project. Also, upon completion and final acceptance, the public improvements shall become the sole exclusive property of the City to operate and maintain.
Attachments: Exhibit A - Vicinity Map
Exhibit B - Public Improvement Agreement
Exhibit C - Public Improvements Atlas