HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-25 PC MINS MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Public Services Building
Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue
Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Chula Vista, California
CALL TO ORDER:
Members Present: Madrid, Felber, Bensoussan, Nordstrom, Tripp
Member(s) Absent: Hom
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 16, 2005.
MSC (Madrid/Felber) (5-0-1-0) to approve minutes as
submitted with noted corrections, Motion carried.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Madrid.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA 06-01; Proposal to amend the Chula Vista
Municipal Code (CVMC) to regulate the brewing and
distilling of liquors in the Limited Industrial (I-L)
Zone. Applicant: City of Chula Vista„
Background: John Schmitz reported that this item is before the Commission as a ~
result of two individuals who applied for a business license seeking to operate a small
brewing facility at 779 Anita Street„ Subsequently, the business license was denied
because the Municipal Code currently prohibits the brewing or distilling of liquors within
the I-L Zone.
Staff determined that with a minor adjustment to the Zoning Ordinance, the
establishment of micro-breweries would facilitate "home-grown" businesses and would
be a worthy economic development effort,
The two-part amendment involves first, amending Section 19,44,050(9), prohibiting
brewing or distilling of liquors except those requiring a Type 23 ABC license. Type 23
licenses allow small micro-breweries that typically produce specialty beers with the
option of having a small restaurant or pub and cannot exceed more than 60,000 barrels
of beer per year.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - January 25, 2006
6:21:02 PM At such time that the ordinance amendment is approved, the applicants intend to
submit a Conditional Use Permit application.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission recommends to the City
Cuuncil the adoption of the ordinance adding Section 19.44 040Q and amending
Section 19.44,050 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code to conditionally allow the brewing
and distilling of liquors within the Limited Industrial Zones of the City of Chula Vista.
Commission Questions /Comments:
Cmr. Bensoussan asked:
• What defines a micro vs. macro brewery,
¦ Is 779 Anita Street within the Redevelopment Area; if so, would the Planning
Commission be excluded from the review process and would it be done by the
CVRC; and
¦ Does the applicant intend to include a pub in his proposal
John Schmitz responded that the ABC Board defines a microbrewery as one that
produces less than 60,000 barrel per year. Karl Strauss, for example, has an annual
output of approximately 15,000 barrels.
Mr Schmitz further stated that the site is not within the Redevelopment Area, but if it ~
were, the CVRC would review the Conditional Use Permit and make a recommendation
to the RDA,
Mr Schmitz stated that the 779 Anita St. site would be the production facility, that i
would supply the restaurant/pubs that are planned in the future ii
i
Cmr. Tripp inquired if the Planning Commission would have the ability to condition the
CUP, and if so, would it be limited to land use matters and not something that is under
the purview of the ABC Board,
Mr. Schmitz responded that if the Commission can make the findings that this use does
not violate the General Plan requirements, is not detrimental to surrounding land uses, ~
you can craft any Condition of Approval you deem appropriate to help meet those
standards..
Cmr. Tripp pointed out that the ABC Board has authority for regulating ABC permits,
therefore, as a recommendation to staff, perhaps it would be helpful to the Planning
Commission to receive training on what is the scope of the Planning Commission's
authority relative to these types of uses that are also regulated by the ABC Board,
John Mullen further clarified that the City is preempted from regulating the distribution
and sale of alcohol, however, it still has land use authority for the Conditional Use
Permit process
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - January 25, 2006
6:31:42 PM PUBLIC HEARING OPENED.
Doug Chase, 2322 Spanish Bay Road, future applicant, stated he was available to
answer questions,.
Cmr. Bensoussan asked what was the anticipated production and whether they plan
to establish apub/restaurant..
Mr. Chase responded that their plans are to open three restaurants within afive-year
period. The locations they are considering is east Chula Vista, downtown Chula Vista,
the Gaslamp District and possibly one in Coronado As mentioned earlier, the Anita
Street site would be for manufacturing and distribution„ In terms of production, an
average brew-pub produces approximately 700 barrel per year Mr. Chase and partner
would be extremely pleased if they produced 1,000 barrels for each of their restaurant,.
Cmr. Nordstrom inquired if there are any plans to sell at local supermarkets, or would
their production be solely for the restaurants,
Mr Chase responded that it would be strictly for the restaurants because the nature of
the beer distribution business is very challenging and complex,.
6:35:53 PM PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
Cmr. Nordstrom congratulated Mr. Chase, bid him the best of luck in his future
business endeavors and stated that this is the type of business we need in the City; a
home-grown product sold in local restaurants.
6:36:07 PM MSC (Felber/Nordstrom) (5-0-1-0) that the Planning Commission recommends to
the City Council the adoption of the ordinance adding Section 19.44.040Q and !
amending Section 19.44.050 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code to conditionally !
allow the brewing and distilling of liquors within the Limited Industrial Zones of !
the City of Chula Vista Motion carried.
{
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: !
Jim Hare informed the Commission of the repositioning of personnel in the Planning and
Building Department, placing him as the Assistant Planning Director and stated he looked
forward to working with the Planning Commission.
Mr Hare gave an update on recent items that have gone before the City Council.
Commission Business:
Cmr Bensoussan stated that the joint meeting between the Housing Advisory
Commission and the Planning Commission was very productive and the minutes reflect
the many good comments made by both commissions and the public. Ms. Bensoussan
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - January 25, 2006
inquired if the content of the minutes will be relayed to the City Council in some form or
another..
Jim Hare stated that very shortly there will be City Council workshop on the Housing
Element and the comments and information gathered at the earlier joint workshop will most
definitely be reflected in staffs report.
Cmr. Bensoussan stated that if there is interest from the Planning Commission, she
would like to see on a future agenda for discussion purposes an item to make a formal
recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council to get a move on the
public review process for the CVRC.
Cmr. Tripp stated he's not certain that the Planning Commission needs to weigh in on a
public review process that would be held at a public hearing, given that the RDA would
hold a public hearing and Council members are all members of the RDA and they would
form a public review process independent of the Planning Commission..
46:53 PM Meeting adjourned.
P
~~8''l.
Prepared by: Diana Va as
Secretary to the Planni Commission