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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 1973-7079RESOLUTION NO. 7079 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADOPTING THE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, OCTOBER 1973 The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby resolve as follows: WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista has an adopted General Plan, and WHEREAS, Section 64302 (e) of the California Government Code requires that an Open Space Element be a part of all City and County General Plans, and WHEREAS, the City Planning Department contacted various state, regional, and local agencies for recommendations and input into the proposed Open Space Element, and WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission considered tYie proposed Open Space Element at a workshop meeting on September 19, 1973 and at a public hearing held on October 29, 1973, notices of which were given in the manner prescribed by law, and based upon said hearing has recom- mended that the City Council adopt said Open Space Element of the General Plan of the City of Chula Vista, October 1973, and WHEREAS, the City Council has heretofore held a public hearing on November 13, 1973 to consider said recommendation and has heard testimony relating to said General Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby adopt the Open Space Element of the General Plan of the City of Chula Vista, October 1973, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full. Presented by D. J. Pete on, irector of Planning ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the CITY COUNCIL VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this 13th day of November the following vote, to-wit: Approved as to form by // George D~ Lindberg, City Attorney AYES: Councilmen Hyde, Egdahl, Scott, Hobel, Hamilton NAYES: Councilmen None ABSENT: Councilmen None °-1 ATTEST f~ , ,,yLC4; ,~~/~ .~.C~ City Clerk c/` STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) 5s. CITY OF CHULA VISTA ) ~• C Mayor of the City of Chula Vista I, , City Clerk of the City of Chula Vista, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the above is a full, true and correct copy of Resolution No. , and that the same has not been amended or repealed. DATED of the CITY OF CHULA 1973 , by City Clerk ~_ •'t. .- '' ~, r,~ ~.- =-=-- -__ __-- =_ _- ,, ,; ---- ~i~' ,~-- ~~~i. ~ i ~-~_ ~"/ d~ ~' ~ . , ;~ AN ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN City of Chula Vista, Calif. OPEN SPACE ELEMENT OF THE CHULA VISTA GENERAL PLAN Prepared by the City Planning Department City of Chula Vista Oct., 1973 ~-)--~ _, r .1.~ ,. ~L' ~ ~~ 1. OPEN SPACE ELE~7ENT _ OF ThE CHULA VISTA GE"1ERAL PLAfd California Law Section 05302 (e) of the Government Code of the State of California and 65550 et seq. requires an Open Space Element in all City and County General Plans. Section G5563 provides that: "On or before December 31, 1973, every city and county shall prepare, adopt and submit to the Secretary of tt~e Resources Agency, a local open space plan for the comprehensive and long-range preservation and conservation of open space land within its jurisdiction." This report represents the Open Space Element of the Chula Vista General Plan. The report is divided into two sections: Section I is intended to provide the Planning Commission and City Council with the background for the Open Space Policy which is presented in Section II. The purpose of this Open Space Element is to identify those areas and resources that should be considered suitable for preservation and conservation as open space. Designation of privately otivned areas on the Open Space Element rnap does not imply that public acquisition will occur or that the areas so designated will not he allowed.to be developed. Rather, such designations identify existing and potential open space areas so that consideration can be given to their preservation. Such further consideration may occur at a time when funds become available for purchase, 4rhen more detailed information is desired as to precise boundaries o1 areas, or at the time a development proposal is made in an area shown on the Open ,Space Element map. SECTIOId I BACKGROUND INFOR^1ATION FOR OPEN SPACE ELEMENT ~ ? _, _3 i~;~~~;' 2. A. INTP,ODUCTIOrJ As the population of the City of Chula vista has increased from approximately 16,500 in 1950 to approximately 75,000 in 1973, open space has inevitably been lost. Additional open space will be lost as urbanization progresses eastward from San Diego Bay. It is recognized that some groups wish to bring a halt to the rush or urbanization and that others believe that restraints on growth would be damaging to the economic health of the community. The purpose of the Open Space Element of the ueneral Plan is neither to halt the conversion of open lands to urban uses nor to expedite such conversion. Rather, the purpose is to identify the open space resources presently existing in the area and to suggest that portions of those areas should be preserved. Preserva- tion may be justified for a number of reasons: 1. To divert development from hazardous areas such as earthquake fault zones, unstable soil areas, flood plains, areas of high fire risk, etc. 2. To provide open space for outdoor recreation. 3. To protect areas of historic, scenic or cultural value. 4. To protect areas necessary for the production of food or fiber. 5. To preserve areas in order to give shape and meaning to the urban form in order to avoid the uninterrupted sprawl of urban development across the landscape. B. IPJVEfdTOpY OF EXISTING OPEN SPACE AREAS Substantial open spaces now exist within the planning area. As urbanization continues and large privately owned open areas are converted to urban use, existing publicly owned open space will become more precious and new permanent open spaces must be acquired as adjacent lands develop. Significant existing open spaces include: 3. 1. City Parks 213 acres 2. Regional Parks 22 acres 3. Golf Courses 270 acres 4. Publicly orrrned water areas 2,910 acres 5. Major utility easer~~ents 320 acres 6. Schools 620 acres 7. Cemeteries 120 acres 8. Salt marsh and mudflats 170 acres 9. Civic Center 16 acres 10. Other privately owned open space 10,850 acres Total 15,511 acres As privately owned open areas develop, additional land will be set aside as permanent publicly owned open space for schools and parks. C. PRIVATELY 0l~1NED AREAS TO QE PP.ESERUED The only major open spaces in private ownership that can be considered permanent are Glen Abbey Cemetery and the San Diego Gas A Electric easement. However, as the eastern portion of the city develoFs, privately owned recreational open space will be developed in Planned Unit Developments and in the areas zoned Planned Community. Additionally, the adoption of a Hillside Modifying District, together with severe topographic conditions, will cause some areas to be retained as permanent open space. No attempt has been made to identify all of these future open areas although the Open Space Element map does show some such areas in locations where studies have been done. At such time as additional studies are completed, the Open Space Element map will be amended to show those areas now devoted to agriculture or other open space use which are most worthy or capable of being preserved. 4. D. INTERIPI OPEN SPACE The Inventory of Existing Open Space Areas (part B of the Open Space Element) and the Open Space Element Map show approximately 10,850 acres of open space in the eastern portion of the planning area. This area is currently shown on the General Plan as Agriculture and Reserve. As the General Plan designation indicates, this area is currently in agricultural use and in reserve for future urban development. This area Hrill be the subject of further study to determine locations or sub-areas which should be afforded more permanent protection. E. FUNCTIONS OF OPEN SPACE State law sets forth four basic reasons for the preservation of open space as follows: 1. For the preservation of natural resources. 2. For the managed nroductian of resources. 3. For outdoor recreation. 4. For the public health and safety. The open spaces on the Chula Vista Open Space Element ~4ap fall into one or more of these categories as shown on the matrix following. -~'-> - / / `~/~- ~ / 1~ 5. Types of Open Spaces Categorized by the Reasons for their Preservation According to State Law Types of Open Space Reason for Preservation Managed Public Preservation Production Outdoor Health & of Resources of Resources Recreation Safet Publicly Owned Schools X Parks X Golf Course X J Street Mari na X Civic Center X X Area around Lakes X X X Private Golf Course X P.U.U. Areas X Cemetery SDG&E Easement X X Proposed Sports l~Jorl d Va 11 ey Area s X X Steep Slopes X tJiarchlanric X ReyionalvParks ' X ' Otay River Valley X X X Interim Open Space Agricultural Reserve X X In addition to the reasons for preservation of open space as set forth in State Law, local reasons exist for the preservation of certain areas. The open spaces in the Otay River Valley and the Sweetwater River Valley begin to define the Chula Vista area. Steep slopes left as open space provide shape to the internal form of the city, separating and delineating different neighborhoods, and in some instances, acting as buffers between different land uses. ~ %L- ~~~ SECTION II OPEPJ SPACE POLICY /- -> .- L , -~~; -~ 6. A. LPJTRODIiCTION ~ ' Although it is r°ecognized that many existing privately owned open spaces will be lost as urbanization continues in tine Chula Vista area, adoption and implementa- tion of the following objectives and policies will provide a reasonable open space system consistent with the city's ability to fund the program and with individual property rights. B. OBJECTIVES 1. To preserve as open space those areas needed to protect the public health, safety and welfare, such as: flood plains, unstable soil areas, and areas subject to geologic hazards. 2. To maintain as open space those areas which are necessary to preserve natural resources, such as: highly productive agricultural lands, suitably located mineral deposits, beaches, marshes, vistas, and areas of significant vegetation. 3. To preserve open space for outdoor recreation and educational activities, ciNrti ~S: ni~hiir narl~c trailc ~n4 nriyato nip}ring ro~roatinn arc~ac ... r w ., .., , .. ~ ~ _ 4. To preserve open space to provide comriunity identity, efficiency, and amenities, such as land to shape urban form and land to buffer conflicting land uses. C. POLICIES 1. Areas of unstable soils, areas near earthquake faults, and areas in flood plains shall be retained in open space uses to minimize loss of life and property. 2. The Sweetwater ~~larsh, adjoining mudflats and shallow water areas, as shown in the San Diego Unified Port District P~taster Plan and the Chula Vista Bayfront Study shall be preserved as open space for their value as a wildlife habitat, their contribution as a major food source for fish and fowl, and for the protection of the quality of the water in San Diego Bay. 3. Areas of unique scenic, cultural and historic value should be preserved. 4. P~9ajor ground water recharge areas sf~ould be preserved in open space uses. ~1 _ _ "/ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ 7. 5. Highly productive agricultural lands should be retained as open space, through use of the Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) and such other means as may become available. 6. Additional open space for outdoor recreation use shall be acquired as vacant land develops, through the dediction and/or in lieu fee requirements of the Park Land Dedication Ordinance. 7. As the presently urbanized areas of the city are redeveloped, additional open space for outdoor recreation should be acquired. 8. Development and retention of private open space for outdoor recreation shall be encouraged. 9. The City shall strive to preserve open space areas to give shape and meaning to the urban form, to provide visual and psychological relief from the stresses and strains of urban life and to replenish oxygen consumed by the paraphernalia of urban living. 10. As hill lands develop, canyons and steep slope areas shall be preserved as open space to the maximum extent feasible, thereby providing a natural buffer and definition to developed areas. 11. The City will endeavor to develop a system of hiking, riding, and bicycling trails (in areas such as the SDG&E power line easements) to serve as links between major open spaces and recreational areas, to make them readily accessible from all parts of the community. 12. As development of the Chula Vista Bayfront occurs, public use and enjoy- ment of shoreline areas should be promoted and protected. Public pedestrian access should be provided along the edges of the Sweetwater River ~~larsh, with the understanding that an occasional use requiring waterfront access may not tolerate interruption by pedestrians or bicyclists. 13. The efforts of the San Diego Unified Port District to encourage the utilization of areas in the South Bay for aquiculture will be supported by the City of Chula Vista. ~.---- ~ ~ ~; ,-~; II• D. IMPLE~1ENTtITION PROu{;Af1 Existing fZe~culations: 1. Zoning Ordinance setback requirements will be used to preserve some minimal privately owned usable open space in built up areas of the city. 2. The Planned Unit Development zone will be used to provide private and common open space in private developments. 3. The Precise Plan t•1odifying District will be used to reserve open space in those areas where such reservations are particularly appropriate and where it is determined that application of standard zoning ordance yard and setback requirements would not adequately protect the public health, safety and general welfare. 4. Floodway Zoning (F-1} is applied in those areas subject to floods and inundation. 5. The Planned Community lane, which requires aop•roval of a general development plan and schedule by the City and which must delineate, any public uses, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, open space and undisturbed natural land ." will be used to permit the City to work with private developers to prepare plans that will result in meaningful open space preservation. 6. Ordinance No. 1492 which requires that every subdivider shall, for the purpose of providing park and recreational facilities directly benefiting and serving residents of the regulated subdivision, dedicate a portion of the land or, in lieu thereof, pay a fee for each dwelling unit in the subdivision ." will be used in all newly developing areas to provide public parks. 7. The Residential Construction Tax as set forth in Ordinance No. 1491 can be used to acquire open space throughout the city. %~ ~ ' `/ 9. 8. Special Open Space Districts may be formed pursuant to Ordinance Flo. 1400 ". to provide a means whereby the City may form open space districts within -rrhich property may be assessed to pay the costs and expenses of acquisition development and maintenance of open spaces." Future Actions 1. The proposed Fillside Modifying District and Hillside Development Policy would limit residential densities and the amount of grading in hillside areas and provide substantial areas of natural open space. 2. As study is completed on the Seismic Safety Element, modifications to the Open Space Element will be proposed in order to establish setbacks from earthquake fault zones. 3. The Park Element of the General Plan will be revised and will designate additional open soace for outdoor recreation. ,~ ~ ~ ' n~ J 6EHERAI PLAN Op~a ~pp[~~ ~Q~G~~a~ Chula Yista, California MPaI,NP _- I - _'- _ - - ~~ ;~, __' __ _ _P P _- -..~P - . rir - LAKE) W1~ - lERVOIR ~= ~•',.:;;;~!~~;'r,, ,;;:' ~y*~'" PUBLICLY OWNED OPEN SPACE ~•'' ~',;fi'• ~~'' ~!%`` .SCHOOLS '•:~' ^' ~' ,t PARKS ~a'.r,,~`•~•'I:' GOLF COURSE ,,;i;:;:;•' J STREET MARINA _ CIVIC CENTER AREA AROUND LAKES _ _ :_= - ® PRIVATELY OWNED PERMANENT OPEN SPACE _ _ GOLF COURSE - PUD AREAS _ - .-- CEMETERY - '-_ SDGE EASEMENT ' '`~ - - f - _ ~ PROPOSED OPEN SPACE )-,`c',.'_-= ~ ~ SPOP.TS WORLD VALLEY AREAS - _ _-: STEEP SLOPES = MARSHLANDS - REGIONAL PARKS OTAY RIVER VALLEY ~ ®INTERIM OPEN SPACE _- _- AGRICULTURAL PRESERVE ~'~[ UPPER ~, / A .~ .~Y'! ''1 W p O - ~ f:.;~~i p "~ - - AO tik ; . ~y !'\ - 'a:~'~. 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