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Home My WebLink About2012-09-12 PC MINS MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue September 12, 2012 Chula Vista, California CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL /MOTION TO EXCUSE: Members Present: Spethman, Calvo, Anaya, Moctezuma, Vinson, Liuag PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE: INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Spethman ORAL COMMUNICATION: No public input CONSENT ITEMS: None PUBGiC HEARINGS: i. Public Hearing: GPA 11-1; Amendment to the General Plan to change the existing designation of a 12.2 acre site from CR (Retail Commercial) to MUR (Mixed Use Residential); PCM 10-19: Consideration of amendments to the Eastlake III General Development Plan (GDP), Sectional Planning Area (SPA) Plan and associated regulatory documents and Planned Community District Regulations and Land Use District Map for 12.2 acres located on the north side of Olympic Parkway, between Olympic Vista Road and Wueste Road/Lake Crest Drive; and PCS 10-02; Consideration of a Tentative Subdivision Map known as the Lake Pointe Project, Chula Vista Tract 10-02 to subdivide approximately 12.2 acres into five lots for a condominium project consisting of 284 residential units, one commercial and one recreation building. For the record, each member of the Planning Commission disclosed that they met individually with the applicant and heard the presentation on the project. Background: Jeff Steichen, project manager, reported that Integral Communities is proposing to develop a mixed-use project consisting of 284 condominiums, 10,000 sf of retail commercial and 3,267 sf of community purpose facility on a 12..2 acre site. 1 The project will require amendments to the General Plan, the Eastlake III GDP, SPA Plan, District Regulations, Land Use District Map and associated regulatory documents, as well as a Tentative Subdivision Map to create five lots that will site 284 condominiums The project is subject to the consolidated permit processing provisions, and as with other projects, the City Council has final action on the amendments to the regulatory documents and Tentative Map, with review and recommendation from the Planning Commission. The project's design was reviewed by a member of the DRB and was also presented at a community meeting on March 2, 2012 At the community meeting, issues related to parking, visual impact and noise generated by trash collection were raised Additional comments in writing were received by staff subsequent to the meeting. Lance Wade, applicant, gave an overview of the project's history, stating that the vision for this area was conceived 25 years ago, with the Olympic Training Center being a focus and destination place for people to visit. They were approached by the Eastlake Company and asked to develop this last piece of property. He further stated that originally the concept plan consisted of 360 units with 3 story buildings across the project, with a 15 foot setback on the north property line that abuts the existing neighborhood Responding to the community needs, and after months of arduous reviews with City staff, the project was significantly modified and scaled back with a reduction of units to 284, garages for each unit, two and three story buildings, and a minimum setback of 55 feet and up to 80 feet between the project boundary and the closest building on the project site ~ Mr Wade introduced Allen Nevin, with The London Group, a leading real estate analyst in the State Mr ~ Nevin stated that there is an over-supply of vacant retail space in Eastlake, He pointed out that research indicates that a viable and sustainable commercial center must have a high number of average daily trips, i,e 40,000 to 50,000, which this site would not generate, therefore, the most appropriate development for this site would be residential. Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt: 1 GPA 11-01/PCM 10-19 recommending that the City Council consider the Addendum to FEIR 01-01 and approve General Plan Amendment and Eastlake III GDP/SPA Plan Amendment and ordinance for the amendment to the PC District Regulations; 2 PCA 10-02 recommending the City Council approve Tentative Subdivision Map; and 3 PCM 12-39 recommending that the Planning Commission waive the Residential Construction Tax for any low or moderate income units provided at the Lake Pointe development Public Hearing Opened. The following individuals spoke during public testimony and raised concern with project impacts on their neighborhood as it relates to overflow parking, traffic congestion, noise, blocked views/visual impacts, increase in crime, and impacts to schools, They strongly oppose the project and urged the Commission to deny the project. They are: Jason Rissman, Dave and Jessie Harris, Ana Quinonez Mantay, Peter Watry, Barney Reed, John Mantey, Dan Mundy, Ricardo ealvaneda, Mar Anthony Reyes, Justin Zielinski, Adrian Pearson, Ken Perea, Veronica Nuncio. 2 The following individual spoke during public testimony in support of the project and urged the Commission to recommend approval of the project. They are: Cesar Padilla, Lisa Cohen, Public Hearing Closed. Commission Discussion: Cmr Vinson stated he's generally not supportive of changing commercial zoning to residential, however, he recognizes that this site has been untouched for almost 30 years and sometimes the best intended visions are changed with time and circumstances beyond our control, like a recession. Furthermore, he believes the applicant has done his due diligence in working with staff and the community to mitigate concerns and scaling down the project, therefore, he will support and recommend approval of the project, Cmr. Liuag stated this is a unique piece of real estate and the proposed project is short-sighted and underestimates the potential for this site. He believes that with the right retailers, a commercial site has a chance of surviving, He is not opposed to having some residential on a smaller scale with lowered heights, and would like to see 40% to 50% of the site be commercial Lastly, because of such strong opposition from the residents, he cannot support the project. Cmr. Anaya commended the developer for his outreach and compromises that he made, however, he concurs with Cmr. Liuag's comments with respect to underestimating the potential for this site and because of strong opposition from the community, he too cannot support the project, Cmr. Moctezuma stated that some of the concerns are extremely valid; one of the most compelling being the vision for that area Others, like blocked views, are not, because that area was never designated as open space.. Also compelling, are the property rights to develop a piece of land; how long should a property owner have to wait before they can develop their land, She would like to see the project preserve an element of the Olympic Training Center and be an Olympic-serving site Therefore, she will support making a recommendation to approve the project Cmr. Calvo stated she is understanding of the residents' concerns, This is a great piece of property and ideally something other than commercial or residential should have been sited there However, when developing land, analysis and studies are conducted to come up with a conclusion of what's the best option for the property, She also feels that more commercial is not appropriate and as studies indicate, it's destined to fail, She believes the property owner has a right to develop the land and will vote in favor of recommending approval of the project. Cmr Spethman stated that this site is not a destination point unless you are going to the Olympic Training Center or are lost He stated that he worked on the General Plan Update and shared the vision of a hotel and resort/convention center in this pristine piece of land, but unfortunately the recession hit The proposed project would not have been his first choice for this site, but agrees that a commercial center is not viable and having a vacant commercial center is not an option; the owner has property rights to develop. He will be supporting a recommendation to approve the project. 3 MSC (Vinson/Moctezuma)(4-2-0-0) that the Planning Commission adopt resolutions: 1. GPA 11-01/PCM 10-19 recommending that the City Council consider the Addendum to FEIR 01-03 and approve General Plan Amendment and Eastlake III GDP/SPA Plan Amendment and ordinance for the amendment to the PC District Regulations; 2. PCA 10-02 recommending the City Council approve Tentative Subdivision Map; and 3.. PCM 12-39 recommending that the Planning Commission waive the Residential Construction Tax for any low or moderate income units provided at the Lake Pointe development. Motion carried with Cmrs, Liuag and Anaya voting against it. 2. Action Item: Appointment of new Chair and Vice Chair for FY 2012-13.. MSC (Vinson/Liuag)(5-0-1-0) nominating Lisa Moctezuma as Chair of the Planning Commission. Motion carried with Cmr Moctezuma abstaining.. MSC (Vinson/Liuag)(5-0-1-0) nominating Yolanda Calvo as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. Motion carried with Cmr. Calvo abstaining.. Director's Comments: Director Halbert reported that the California Coastal Commission approved the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, Commission Comments: Cmr Vinson commended Chair Spethman for his leadership and excellent service as the Planning Commission Chair for FY 2011-12 Meetin Ad'ourned: To a regular meeting on September 26, 2012 g J Respectfully Submitted, Wiz. Diana Vargas Secretary to the Planning mission 4