At tonight's meeting (yes, it's Wednesday already!), the Planning Commission, acting as the Historic Preservation Commission, will take part in a workshop on implementing the historic preservation elements of the General Plan.

It will also discuss the technical and design issues surrounding a plan for Tesoro/Shell to build an automated car wash at the gas station on Base Line near Milliken. This could be a controversial project because when the gas station and a drive-thru restaurant was approved there, many residents in the adjacent condo development complained. This car wash proposal is currently in the pre-application process.

Tonight's meeting will take place in the Rains Room at City Hall, not the Council Chambers.
 

The city will lead a Business Disaster Recovery workshop to give small and mid-sized businesses tips on how to be up and running after a major disaster. The work shop is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers. The workshop is free but registration is required, so click here. Registration closes Sept. 27.

Visit the Redevelopment Agency website for more information about this workshop.

 

After a round of interviews with the candidates for City Council and mayor, the Rancho Cucamonga Professional Firefighters Association has announced its endorsement of Councilman Dennis Michael for mayor and Councilwoman Diane Williams for another term. With Michael, the fire union picks a former fire chief while steering away from another former firefighter and ex-mayor Bill Alexander. Union members are also staying clear from Councilman Rex Gutierrez, endorsing just two candidates for three open seats.

The San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association, another key campaign contributor, has announced its endorsement of Michael, Williams and former Councilman Chuck Buquet.   

Should Foothill Boulevard change its name to Route 66?

Ed Dietl of the Historical Preservation Association thinks so. Officially changing the name of the city's busiest street would bring in tourism dollars, he said.

"Some of the historic structures and pavement still exist along this section including the Garrett or Virgina Dare Winery, the Richfield Gas Station, the Sycamore Inn, Thomas Brothers Winery and the Klusman house to name a few," Dietl told the City Council last night. "These properties, plus all of the businesses along the Foothill corridor could benefit from the traffic and tourism that might be created just by a freeway sign saying "Historic Route 66, Rancho Cucamonga."

Dietl forgot to mention that "Get your kicks on Foothill Boulevard" just doesn't rhyme.

Last month, Councilwoman Diane Williams asked staff members to look into renaming Foothill to Route 66 and place it on a future agenda for discussion. She said with the Foothill widening project, which includes a Route 66 arch near Grove Avenue, scheduled to complete December 2011, now might be a good time to explore the idea of giving Foothill a new moniker.

The City Council last night gave the Planning Department direction to draft a social host ordinance for adoption at a later date. A social host ordinance would allow police to cite those who host parties that involve underage drinking. A couple of speakers during the public comment period backed such an ordinance including a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Inland Valley Drug Free Community Coalition. A first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 20. 

Mayoral candidate Robert Ledbetter says he is no longer running for Don Kurth's seat. Ledbetter said he is withdrawing from the race due to "family timing and some health issue." However, it is too late for Ledbetter to officially pull out. His name will still appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. Still in the race are Dennis Michael, Marc Steinorth and Bill Hanlon.