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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-09 Planning Commission MinutesCETY OF CHUB VIST Planning Commission REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA PLANNING COMMISSION Date: December 9, 2015 5:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL: Council Chambers Public Service Building A 275 Fourth Avenue Present: Commissioners Fragomeno, Fuentes, Gutierrez, and Chair Calvo Absent: Commissioners Anaya, Livag and Nava MOTIONS TO EXCUSE: Commissioners Anaya, Livag and Nava Motion: Calvo; Second: Gutierrez Vote: 4 -0 -3 -0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE OPENING STATEMENT: Chair Calvo gave the introductory remarks. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 9, 2015 Commissioner Fragomeno requested this approval be continued to the next meeting PUBLIC COMMENTS: Persons speaking during Public Comments may address the Board /Commission on any subject matter within the Board /Commission's jurisdiction that is not listed as on item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the Board /Commission from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if appropriate, the board /Commission may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the matter to staff. Comments are limited to three minutes. Chula Vista resident Dean Spooner spoke about the City having a "vision" when the UCSP was initiated and how he thinks they are deviating from it with the kind of development being planned now. Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 2015 Page -2- CONSENT ITEMS: The Planning Commission will enact the Consent Calendar staff recommendations by one motion, without discussion, unless a Planning Commissioner, a member of the public, or staff requests that the item be removed for discussion. If you wish to speak on this item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form (available in the Tabby) and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting. An item pulled from the Consent Calendar will be discussed immediately following the Consent Calendar. PUBLIC HEARINGS: The following item(s) have been advertised as public hearing(s) as required by law. if you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form (available in the lobby) and submit it to the Commission Secretary prior to the meeting. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: DR15 -0003; Consideration of a Design Review Permit to allow for the construction of an 87 -unit multi - family residential project on a 4.35 acre parcel in the Apartment Residential zone with Precise Plan modifying district (R -3 -P) located at 701 "D" Street. Applicant: City Ventures. Project Manager: Associate Planner Jeff Steichen Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution DR15 -0003 approving the project based on the findings and subject to the requirements contained in the PIanning Commission Resolution INTRODUCTION The Applicant submitted a Design Review Permit application to allow for an 87 -unit multi- family project on 4.35 -acre parcel within the Apartment Residential zone with Precise Plan modifying district (R -3 -P). The project requires approval by the Planning Commission. The project site is located at 701 "D" Street at the northwest corner of "D" Street and Woodlawn Avenue. The project site is comprised of one parcel (See Locator Map, Attachment 1). The proposed project is comprised of 87 townhomes in 15 three -story buildings, 186 parking spaces, common open space, along with a large centralized recreation area and pedestrian access to a future linear park. The project is separated from the Interstate 5 right -of -way by a 7 -foot high masonry wall along the western property line which would provide for both sound attenuation and privacy. A tentative parcel map (TPM 15 -0002) is also being processed for this project for condominium purposes for approval by the City Engineer. Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 2015 Page -3- BACKGROUND While the project site is vacant today, it previously housed the Jade Bay Mobile Lodge until its closure in 2006. Historically, the site was zoned R -3 (Apartment Residential), but in 1978 the City Council established the MHP (Exclusive Mobile home Park) Zone and that zone was subsequently applied to this property in 1980. In July 2008 the applicant requested to rezone the property from MHP to the original R -3 to allow for future development of a high density multi - family project. Because no project was proposed at that time, a "P" Precise Plan Modifying District was added to the zoning since there were site constraints that could inhibit a future development from the ability to meet all of the required development standards of the R -3 zone Associate Planner Jeff Steichen gave a presentation showing graphics of building design, elevation, architecture and landscaping features. Commissioner Questions to Staff Concerns of the Commission included: ® Questioned the number of multi - family units close to the project area. There are units on north and east -- not sure of number ® Parking: Parking looks tight. How many site plans did we do and is it to code? There were 3 generations of plans. ® What was the process of Public Notification? Notice of Application announced, technical studies and staff reviews, then Public Hearing Notice sent. ® Density This project is 20 units — code is 18 to 27 Ed Batchelder showed the Commission and audience the site plan and explained the zoning according to the General Plan. Some were originally in the UCSP, but were then removed as further studies done. There are also RF3 zoning in adjacent areas (duplexes, condos, multi- family). Explained the land use and zoning elements. This zoning has been in the area for some time and has not been changed. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: Mr. Jose Zepeda of 77 Woodland Avenue waived his time to Dean Spooner. Mr. Spooner thanked the Commission for allowing him extra time as he felt there is a lot to go over in this project. He had, at the beginning of the meeting, provided a 3 -page document of his concerns to the Commissioners. Mr. Spooner gave the Commission a sheet with 30 talking points which need to be addressed Is not against development —just wants better development Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 2015 Page -4- Among his concerns were: Project does not fit community plan for trolley corridor Not enough parking and access on Woodlawn — no place for large vehicles to park Large mobilehome park to south will have same problems Traffic will be increased Not enough open space Proposed park on D Street when it would be perfect ingress /egress and deliveries People won't park in garages, but will park on the street or in driveway A change of garages to car ports with deed restrictions No site corridors through the project No convenient pedestrian walkways leading south to shopping and services No encouragement to walk and leave your car at home Project has no social amenities — no clubhouse, swimming pool, gathering places No provision for on -site manage or meeting room for HOA meetings Views and ocean breezes lost to the whole street Thinks parking askew with the number of 4- bedroom units Alan Ridley, Chula Vista resident, addressed the following: Where is the nearest trolley station — so as to alleviate some of the parking (E St.) Cost of units — for sale or rent ($300,000 to $400,000 and they are for sale units) Position of the parking — suggested equal housing /pro - housing where parking is on the outside so the internal space is open and shared (City requirements currently are for a 2 -car garage for this project) PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: DELIBERATIONS: Q. Is there a provision in the HOA that residents have to use their garage for parking? What about large vehicles? A. Requirement in the HOA guidelines that residents must use garages for parking. Garages are 20x20 foot clear. Guest parking spaces are city standard 9x24. Q. Pedestrian friendly uses and "walkability" to the community. A. Front doors face outward. Intent is to engage community to walk. E St. trolley station less than % mile. Has a sidewalk system already built in. Q. Is there an elevation of the west side? Correct that 7 units have a view to the ocean? A. Showed the elevation with 7 units having a view. Discussed sound wall (put in due to sound studies) on west edge of property which will be 7 feet tall. Q. How would the developer describe the "style" of architecture? It is very different to what is there now so, can it be justified and will it fit in to the UCSP? A. Described as "modern- contemporary ". It is not included in the UCSP. Concentrated on mass scale and street orientation. When developing properties in an "urban Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 2015 Page -5- environment buildings are usually closer together. Showed an elevation that contained 5 separate looking units although they have uniting walls. Q. Where is sewer and storm drainage? A. Sewer — existing down D and will extend and tie in to Woodiawn. Far west end on D St. for storm drain. Q. How is the water treated? A. Bio- retention basins on site. Discussion of placement and shown on slides Q. Is the D Street space being used by this project as open space? A. No There was discussion about traffic and how it compares to what was there when the mobilehome park was there. Dave Kaplan, Traffic Engineer discussed the process of determining traffic patterns. There was concern that there was only one entrance into the project and questions regarding the proposed park on D Street. Ed Batchelder spoke as to how /why it was determined for a single entrance. It is a "visionary" idea for the park on D Street and has not been approved yet. It is solely an idea to "capture" the land for an amenity for the project at a later date. It is preserving a possible opportunity to allow future planning for a park. The City Council would have to approve the park — perhaps when the Park Master Plan is reviewed. It was suggested again that, because parking is limited, that the district could be struck for angled parking. It was asked if the project could be granted an easement for a second driveway. Batchelder advised that he thinks there was a proposal for a different access. Applicant said there was another access at one time. Currently there is additional bio- retention and storm drainage running through it. There was continued discussion and Batchelder said the Commission could request further study and /or make a condition in the motion regarding a second access point. MSC: Motion (Fragomeno /Gutierrez ) 4 -0 -3 -0 Motion carried with Commissioners Anaya, Livag and Nava absent OTHER BUSINESS 4. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Batchelder provided an update on the following: 1) Target site — updated by Scott Donaghe — finish June 2016 Aldi Market (Trader Joe type store) Party City Hobby Lobby 2) Winding Walk — Carina's gone — Via Lago is relocating within the center, CVS may still go in, but on a smaller scale. 3) Overview of DIF CFD for Western Chula Vista 4) Memo received regarding homelessness in Chula Vista Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 2015 Page -6- 5. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: There were none ADJOURNMENT: At 7:67 to the next regular Planning Commission Meeting on January 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. M(n6tes submitted by: Patricia Laughlin, Board Se'cietary Correction on minutes —word "another" changed to "different" in last paragraph before OTHER BUSINESS Minutes approved January 13, 2016 MSC: Calvo /Livag (5- 0 -1 -1) Anaya abstaining