TO: ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW FILE #25-A01 PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS OF THE ROBERTS CAMPUS EAST SPORTS BOWL AND ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPE, STREET, AND TUNNEL IMPROVEMENTS - APPLICANT: CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
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SUMMARY
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is requesting final approval for Phase 1 of the Roberts East Campus Sports Bowl, a 74-acre development located east of the CMC Campus. Phase 1 improvements cover approximately 35 acres with approximately 12 acres located in the City of Claremont and the balance being located in the City of Upland. The Claremont portion includes a surface parking lot, parking structure with small security office, pedestrian tunnel under Claremont Boulevard, a portion of the baseball field, a batting cage structure with three “cage” lanes, walking paths, perimeter landscaping, and street improvements.
The original plan for the East Campus sports complex was reviewed by the Architectural Commission and approved by the City Council in 2016. The approval also included a related Parcel Map, Development Agreement, and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). In 2023, CMC proposed a revised plan that was slightly less intense than the previous plan and included renaming the site Roberts Campus East (“East Campus”) and the athletic components of the Roberts Campus Sports Bowl (“Sports Bowl”). The cities of Upland, and Claremont have both approved the revised concept plan along with an Addendum to the Final EIR.
The Architectural Commission held a preliminary review of the revised concept plan on April 24, 2024 and provided comments to the applicant. These comments focused on the design of a proposed tunnel under Claremont Boulevard and the need to provide handicap-accessible access to all areas of the Sports Bowl complex. Changes to the plans were made to address that direction. Then on July 24, 2024, the Architectural and Preservation Commission approved the revisions to the concept plan and affirmed the updated environmental review, which allowed the applicant to finalize plans for the Sports Bowl in compliance with terms and conditions of the previously approved City entitlements as well as the requirements and revised Mitigation Measures of the FEIR and Addendum. The approved 2024 conceptual site plan splits the development into two phases. The bulk of the improvements are included in Phase 1, which occupies the southern half of the Project.
Since the July 2024 approval, CMC has finalized the design of the various project components and submitted detailed plans for Architectural and Preservation Commission review and approval. The plans are highly consistent with the approved concept plan, but include the following minor revisions.
• The height of the upper deck of the parking structure has been lowered several feet, decreasing the visibility of the structure and vehicles from surrounding streets.
• Revision of the south end of the parking structure to create a more efficient geometry that also creates an open landscaped area for passive enjoyment.
• Addition of an elevator and second stair in the parking structure to increase pedestrian access points and convenience.
• Revision of the only athletic structure located in Claremont from a concrete enclosed field house to an open design, similar to a covered patio, for batting cages.
The Architectural and Preservation Commission is now being asked to review the revisions and refinements to the plan and approve the final design for Phase 1 of the Sports Bowl project. Approval will allow the applicant to move forward to develop construction drawings and begin construction of the Phase 1 improvements in Claremont, subject to the requirements of related approvals including the CMC Master Plan, the East Campus Development Agreement, the subdivision maps associated with the East Campus Sports Bowl and the Robert Day Sciences Center.
Staff recommends approval of the Phase 1 Improvements for the Roberts East Campus Sports Bowl as they are consistent with the previously approved Revised Concept Plan and all associated documents and design approvals. The final design is attractive, well-conceived, creates a vastly superior layout, takes better advantage of the site’s topography to place the parking structure out of view from Claremont Boulevard, significantly decreases impermeable surfaces to allow more landscaping and improved stormwater catchment, and includes a vastly improved access plan that includes a pedestrian tunnel linking the project directly to the CMC Campus.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Architectural and Preservation Commission:
A. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PHASE 1 IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CLAREMONT COLLEGES EAST CAMPUS (NOW REFERRED TO AS THE ROBERTS CAMPUS EAST) TO PROVIDE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE EAST CAMPUS INTO A SPORTS COMPLEX CONSISTING OF ATHLETIC AND RECREATIONAL FIELDS, SUPPORT FACILITIES, PARKING, A PARKING STRUCTURE AND PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL UNDER CLAREMONT BOULEVARD (SPORTS BOWL) (FILE #23-A02); APPLICANT: CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE; and
B. Find that the proposed improvements are consistent with the previously certified Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH#2010021040) for the Claremont Colleges East Campus project and consistent with the Addendum to the FEIR associated with the 2024 revisions to the East Campus project pursuant to Section 21166 of the State Public Resources Code and Sections 15162 and 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Continue discussion of the item for additional information;
B. Approve the Project with revisions to the plan or revised conditions of approval; or
C. Recommend the Project not be approved and identify specific reasoning to support the negative recommendation.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The applicant is responsible for all costs associated with the City’s review of this project. The costs of City staff, City Attorney, and environmental consultant time spent on this project are charged against a deposit paid by the applicant.
ANALYSIS
Background
The original plans for the 74-acre East Campus were approved in 2016. In 2023, CMC submitted plans for the proposed revisions to both the City of Claremont and the City of Upland. Each city has discretionary approval power over the portion of the Project within its jurisdiction; however, the cities agreed that Upland would serve as Lead Agency on the CEQA review as the majority of the development occurs in its jurisdiction. After completing the necessary environmental review, cities of Upland and Claremont each approved their portions of the Revised Concept Plan for the project in 2024.
Because the previous approval was specified as “conceptual”, all significant components of the Project are subject to final review by the city in which they are located. This final design review by the Claremont Architectural and Preservation Commission pertains to all significant structures, off-site street improvements, fencing, tunnel, landscaping, and other site improvements located within the City of Claremont boundaries as described in the project plans for Phase 1 of the Roberts East Campus Sports Bowl (Attachment B).
The primary driver for the 2023 revision to the plans was larger than anticipated fundraising by CMC for their portion of the original project while the other participating institutions generally lacked the funds to develop their portions of the East Campus within the originally anticipated time frame. The property was previously owned by the Claremont University Consortium (CUC) but was purchased in its entirety by Claremont McKenna College (CMC), which previously was the intended owner of only forty-one acres of the East Campus. Consolidation of ownership into one entity (CMC), enabled a much more cohesive design, consolidation of parking into a two-level parking structure adjacent to a proposed pedestrian tunnel, and elimination of the hard court elements of the original plan. The revised concept plan is designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the notable firm that designed the CMC Robert Day Sciences Center now nearing completion immediately west across Claremont Boulevard from the Sports Bowl site.
Site and Zoning Summary:
The full East Campus site is bounded on the north by Foothill Boulevard, on the east by Monte Vista Avenue, on the south by Sixth Street/Arrow Route, and on the west by Claremont Boulevard. The Los Angeles/San Bernardino County line runs diagonally through the property from the southwest to the northeast with approximately thirty acres located in the City of Claremont and the remaining forty-five acres located in the City of Upland. The site is a former rock quarry more recently utilized as an inert landfill.
Existing Use of Property: Class III landfill - now being closed (Formerly a quarry site)
General Plan Designation: Claremont: Institutional
Upland: Institutional
Zoning: Claremont: Institution Educational (IE)
Upland: Public/Institution (PB/I)
Surrounding Land Uses:
North: Gas station, plant nursery, vacant
Northeast: Business park
Northwest: Gas station, retail commercial
East: Retail and service commercial, residential, groundwater recharge basin
Southeast: Rock and sand recycling
South: Retail commercial, residential
Southwest: CMC buildings and sports facilities
West: College student housing, sports fields, new academic sciences building
Project Description
The entire Sports Bowl project consists of 50,000 square feet of support buildings, bleachers, sports lighting, and 790 parking spaces, all of which were previously entitled by both Claremont and Upland. Both the original and revised plans have been designed to utilize the existing topography and landforms of the former quarry to minimize cut and fill operations, and take advantage of the natural grade elevations to develop athletic fields, lights, and spectator areas with reduced impacts to surrounding development. The revised project redesigned the grading plan to make better use of the terrain and to provide for a more robust stormwater catchment system; one that is integrated throughout the site as opposed to using a single, above-ground percolation basin. The revised Sports Bowl is planned to be developed in two phases, with Phase 1 being the southern half of the site and Phase 2 being the northern half of the site. The Phase 1 plans indicate Field locations and orientations that match the Revised Concept Plan and are consistent with best practices for collegiate athletic fields, while also taking advantage of mountain views.
The design consists of a singular theme applied throughout the complex. The design theme consists of gentle curvilinear forms rendered in natural grey concrete and light tan colors similar to local stone and decomposed granite. The grading of the slopes of the complex is intended to create the sense of an arroyo and blend with the natural environments of the surrounding foothills. Native landscaping is used extensively and includes a mix of sage scrub on the slopes and riparian species at the base of the slopes.
Off-site Improvements
The following off-site improvements are required to be constructed along the four streets adjacent to the site. The timing of these improvements is tied to conditions of approval and Development Agreements with the Cities of Claremont and Upland. These improvements include:
§ Foothill Boulevard: CMC is currently working with Upland to complete improvements along the Upland portion of the site to match the improvements completed on the Claremont portion of Foothill Boulevard.
§ Claremont Boulevard: CMC and City of Claremont will complete improvements that will include Class 4 “protected” bicycle lanes, ladder-style crosswalks, and extended “bulbed-out corner plantings” to improve pedestrian safety along with additional landscaping and improved sidewalks. Currently, the design of the Ninth Street traffic signal and crosswalks is being completed and work will start soon. A concept plan for the protected bicycle lanes is completed, however, work on that portion of the street will not begin until the tunnel is completed.
§ Monte Vista Avenue: CMC will provide sidewalk, parkway landscaping, street trees where space allows, streetlights, perimeter fencing (where appropriate), island median landscaping, underground utilities, and corner monument signs.
§ Sixth Street/Arrow Route: CMC will eventually provide sidewalk, parkway landscaping, street trees, perimeter fencing, and underground utilities; however, that will not occur until the 8 acres of uncommitted land at the south end of the project is developed.
Relationship to CMC Master Plan
The CMC Master Plan was approved by the Claremont City Council in 2012 to provide a long-range guide for future improvements and expansion of the CMC campus over thirty years. It is independent of the East Campus Conceptual Plan, which was initiated by the Claremont University Consortium, not CMC. However, the CMC Master Plan does reference forty-one acres of the East Campus and designates the relocation of certain facilities from the main CMC campus to the East Campus.
As noted above, CMC has now purchased the entire East Campus site and plans to develop roughly the same level of facilities and parking as were previously included in the CMC Master Plan despite the increased amount of available land. There are, however, two minor projects that are not currently proposed in the Sports Bowl that are included in the Master Plan; an archery range and an Argentinian paddle tennis court. These are relatively small facilities that may still be constructed on the East Campus or perhaps moved to an alternative location on the main campus. Because the vast majority of the planned facilities are being implemented by the revised Conceptual Site Plan for the Roberts Campus East and Sports Bowl, staff finds that the proposed revisions are consistent with the CMC Master Plan.
A separate EIR was prepared and certified by the City for the 2012 CMC Master Plan. The Architectural Commission reviewed the Draft EIR for the CMC Master Plan and the CMC Master Plan document on January 11, 2011. During that review, members of the Architectural Commission unanimously voiced their support for the CMC Master Plan including the portion of the Master Plan incorporating a large portion of the East Campus.
Addendum to Final EIR for Project
An Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Claremont Colleges East Campus (State Clearinghouse Number 2010021040) has been prepared by Environmental Science Consultants (ESA) for the Cities of Upland and Claremont. The City of Upland is the Lead Agency in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), while the City of Claremont is a Responsible Agency. The City of Upland and the City of Claremont originally certified the Final EIR on May 23, 2016, and November 8, 2016, respectively. The Addendum to the Final EIR described the revisions to the 2016 Concept Plan, including the addition of the parking structure and pedestrian tunnel linking the parking structure and sports bowl to CMC’s main campus, evaluated the environmental impacts of the revised project and compared the impacts to those that were addressed in the Final EIR for the 2016 project. The Addendum to the Final EIR for the Revised Concept Plan was considered and accepted by the Architectural and Preservation Commission on July 24, 2024 and is available for review on the City’s website.
Prior to preparing the Addendum, ESA conducted ten impact specific analyses, which are listed as Appendices to the Addendum. The appendices include:
A. Air Quality and Health Risk Assumptions and Modeling Data
B. Biological Resources Documentation
C. Cultural Resources Assessment
D. Energy Assumptions and Modeling Data
E. Geotechnical Investigation Report
F. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assumptions and Modeling
G. Cable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Consistency Review
H. Preliminary Hydrology and Hydraulic Report
I. Noise Assumptions and Modeling
J. Transportation Impact Analysis
The Addendum found that additional analysis was necessary in the areas of:
• Air Quality - due to new Air Quality Management District requirements for construction health risk assessments regarding Diesel Particulate Matter;
• Transportation and Traffic - to address a new requirement to assess project on the basis of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), which was not yet a requirement at the time the original FEIR was drafted as well as to use current traffic counts and updated traffic forecasting information in the vicinity of the project to ensure no new thresholds of significance applied to the Revised Project;
• Energy - to apply new energy code requirements to the Revised Project; and
• Tribal Cultural Resources - which include new consultation requirements that had already been addressed through the response to comments portion of the FEIR.
With inclusion of these new areas of analysis, the Addendum concluded that the Revised East Campus Project did not include substantial changes that require major revisions to the Final EIR due to the involvement of a new significant impact or a substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact; that there were no substantial changes in the circumstances under which the Revised Project is undertaken that would require major revisions to the Final EIR due to the involvement of a new significant impact or a substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact; and that no new information of substantial importance which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the Final EIR was certified. The minutes from the July 24, 2024, Architectural and Preservation Commission Meeting are Attachment E.
Minor Differences Between Approved Concept Plans and Proposed Final Plans
The Architectural Commission conducted a preliminary review of the proposed revisions to the East Campus Conceptual Site Plan on April 24, 2024 and approved the Conceptual Site Plan on July 24, 2024. Since that approval, the Applicant has continued to refine the plan and develop more detailed drawings of the project. The Phase 1 plans are highly consistent with the approved concept plan but include the some minor revisions. The following is a summary of a few noteworthy changes between the approved Concept Plans and the proposed final plans for the East Campus Sports Bowl.
1. Parking Structure Height: The height of the upper deck of the parking structure has been lowered several feet, decreasing the visibility of the structure and vehicles from surrounding streets. Previously, the lower level of parking was level (not sloped) and caused portions of the structure to be overly tall. The new design mirrors the existing slope adjacent to Claremont Boulevard on both the upper and lower parking levels eliminating this unnecessary height. This change allows cars parked on the upper level to be several feet lower than street grade; improving the views of the site and reinforcing the arroyo aesthetic and native/natural landscape intended by the project designers.
2. Parking Structure Geometry: The concept plan shows the southern quarter of the parking structure with a gentle curve tracking the rounded shape of the southern edge of the bowl. The final plans eliminate the curve; allowing for a far more efficient parking and circulation pattern in the garage without having a significant change to the Project. Landscaping will fill the space that is vacated by the change in foot print. The Applicant intends for this area to be landscaped in a manner that allows it to be used for passive enjoyment and small gatherings preceding events in the sports bowl.
3. Pedestrian Access: The plans add an elevator and second stair to the parking structure to increase pedestrian access points and convenience. Previously, the plans had one large stair connecting the pedestrian arcade on lower level to the upper level. Now two stairs will provide convenient access to the two sides of the upper deck as well as each of the two drive aisles. The elevator provides a welcome addition of accessibility to the site.
4. Field House / Storage Room Revision: The sole athletic structure located within the City of Claremont portion of the Sports Bowl will be a batting cage structure with a solid, flat roof matching the capsule shape (rectangle with rounded ends) of the other structures on the field level. This structure will have mesh sides to be open to the air but keep baseballs and bats safely contained within the batting cages.
Additional Details Provided in Final Plans
In addition to the above-described minor modifications to the Concept Plan, the following additional details have been incorporated to finalize the design of the project.
1. Perimeter Fencing: The design and location of the perimeter fencing has been finalized. New six-foot high fencing will be installed along the entire perimeter of the Phase 1 improvements. In Claremont, that means new fencing along Claremont Boulevard from Sixth Street to at least the northern end of the surface parking lot north of Ninth Street. The fence is a hardened metal mesh fence, painted black. The fencing is that same style as the wire mesh fences that line the Metrolink right of way in the Claremont Village. This type of fence is high quality, durable, and difficult to climb or cut. Tubular steel fencing will be used for the two vehicle entrances and adjacent pedestrian gates at Ninth Street and a point approximately 300 feet north of Sixth Street. Additional fencing plans have also been provided for gates to control access at vehicular entries and both ends of the pedestrian tunnel.
2. Lighting Details Provided: The applicant has added more detail regarding the design of the lighting for the project including parking lot lighting, pathway lighting, and sports field lighting. The sports field lighting is generally located in the City of Upland, but has notably been designed to be compliant with Dark Sky standards. While bright, the field lights are focused solely on the sports fields and minimized in terms of height and brightness, while still complying with NCAA sports requirements. All other lights comply with City requirements for warm white lighting with a color temperature rating of 3,000 Kelvin. Lighting in the pedestrian tunnel is provided by two continuous bar lights that downlight as well as wash the walls with light and provide walkway illumination levels of over 15 foot candles on the walking surface. For reference, this is approximately 10 times brighter than lighting levels in the Claremont Village. This level of brightness was intended to address commissioner and public concerns regarding safety for pedestrians passing through the tunnel/arcade area.
3. Plant Palettes: The plant palettes for the project have been updated primarily to add more color and visual interest along the major pedestrian pathways and landscaped areas between the fields and spectator areas. Larger shrubs are also being provided on the eastern slope (in Upland) to provide a native, low maintenance, chaparral aesthetic. Finally, the College has decided that artificial turf will be utilized on the sports fields. This is based on the intensive needs of the various sports programs and due to positive new developments in artificial turf techniques.
4. North Field House Relocated: The largest of the sports related structures, located near the middle of the site between the baseball and softball press boxes, has been relocated south approximately 150 feet; closer to the football/ track and field stadium. This is done to allow the previous spot be used as a gathering space for spectators to relax picnic and possibly to host food trucks and snack stands. This structure is located in the City of Upland.
Basis for Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Architectural and Preservation Commission support approval of the project as it is consistent with the previously approved Conceptual Site Plan and represents a high quality design that is far superior to the originally approved site plan. The project demonstrates excellence in design for athletic facilities in terms of site organization, field orientation, structure design quality, landscape design quality, pedestrian access, stormwater catchment, and proximity of the parking to convenient access to the main campuses located west of Claremont Boulevard. The draft approval resolution (Attachment A) describes in detail how the Phase 1 improvements are in conformity with the City’s development regulations, and General Plan as they are consistent with the applicable review criteria of Claremont Municipal Code Section 16.300.060.
CEQA REVIEW
A Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the original East Campus project (State Clearing House (SCH) #2010021040) was certified on May 23, 2016, by the Upland City Council, acting as Lead Agency. The FEIR analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the East Campus project and determined that, with the implementation of the mitigation measures contained in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), all identified impacts project could be mitigated to below levels of significance, except for noise impacts to surrounding uses and the project site within the City of Upland, caused by increases in traffic generated noise and operation noise in the City of Upland. Noise impacts in the City of Claremont were determined to be less than significant. A Statement of Overriding Considerations, also adopted by the Upland City Council on May 23, 2016, found that the social, economic, and environmental benefits of the project outweighed the identified potential significant and unavoidable impacts of the project. The Claremont City Council, acting as a Responsible Agency, adopted the City of Upland’s Statement of Overriding Considerations, the FEIR, and associated MMRP on November 8, 2016. The adopted MMRP includes all feasible mitigations to reduce potential impacts from the Project as required by Public Resources Code Section 20181.6.
To address the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it pertains to the 2024 revisions to the original Conceptual Site Plan, the applicant worked with both the City of Upland and City of Claremont to determine the appropriate approach to analyze the changes. Ten separate technical studies were completed and reviewed by each City. This process resulted in a determination that an Addendum to the previously certified FEIR for the Revised Conceptual Site Plan was appropriate.
An Addendum to the FEIR (SCH#2010021040) was prepared by Environmental Science Consultants (ESA) for the Cities of Upland and Claremont pursuant to CEQA (Title 14, Sections 15162 and 15164) as the minor changes included within the Proposed Project will not involve new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase of the severity of significant effects already identified in the certified FEIR, Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program adopted in 2016. The Revised Project includes minor modifications to the previously approved Conceptual Site Plan, which constitute minor changes as they do not modify the type of uses, increase density or intensity, create new or increased environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated, or result in health and safety violations. As analyzed in the Addendum, the Cities of Upland and Claremont found that the Revised Concept Plan will not result in any new or substantially more severe environmental impacts, and thus does not require a subsequent or supplemental EIR. Because the final design for the Phase 1 Improvements for the Roberts East Campus Sports Bowl, including the addition of the pedestrian tunnel and parking structure, are fully consistent with the Revised Concept Plan as analyzed in the FEIR and Addendum to the FEIR, no additional environmental review is required at this time.
The Addendum (without Appendices) and revised MMRP for the Project are Attachments C and D respectively. The certified FEIR, and all Appendices to the Addendum are available on the City’s Website at: www.claremontca.gov/Business-Development/Planning-and-Land-Use/Environmental-Quality-Act-Documents
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
Notice of this design review was sent to all property owners located within 500 feet of the project site on Thursday, May 1, 2025. On May 14, 2025, the APC continued the item to their May 28, 2025. Because the item was continued to a specific date, no additional notification is required; however, the agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a paper copy, please contact Pearl Juarez at pjuarez@claremontca.gov.
The previously approved Conceptual Site Plan, final design plans, FEIR, FEIR Addendum, MMRP and supporting documents for the project are available for public review on the City website. Hard copies of these documents can be made available, with advance notice, at the Planning Division counter at City Hall.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Christopher Veirs
Community Development Director Principal Planner
Attachments:
A - Resolution Approving Architectural and Site Plan Review File #25-A01
B - Project Plans and Related Drawings
C - Addendum to the East Campus FEIR (without Appendices)
D - Revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)
E - Minutes from July 24, 2024, Architectural and Preservation Commission Meeting