HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1974/10/02 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Held Wednesday October 2, 1974
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California was held
on the above date beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Civic Center, 276
Fourth Avenue, with the following
Councilmen present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl
Councilmen absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Lindberg, Director of
Public Works Cole, Director of Planning Peterson, Director
of Parks and Recreation Hall, Police Chief Winters, Fire
Chief Smithey, Assistant City Manager Bourcier, Assistant
Director of Public Works Robens, Assistant Director of
Planning Pass, Traffic Engineer Sawyerr, Assistant City
Attorney Beam, Senior Planner Williams
The pledge of allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor Hamilton followed by a moment of
silent prayer.
PUBLIC HEARING - Mayor Hamilton opened the meeting noting the
CONSIDERATION OF A~ENDMENT rules that will be observed during the pro-
TO THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ceedings. He stated that the people wishing
PLAN AND SCHEDULE FOR THE to give testimony would not have to do so
450 ACRE PLAZA DEL REY under oath; however, any testimonies found to
COMPONENT OF EL RANCHO be erroneous or misleading by parties on either
DEL REY side of the issue will be subject to challenge
at the appropriate time.
The Plan before the Council tonight is the one
considered by the Planning Commission. The
staff, some weeks ago, prepared an alternate
Plan, and the developer has since made signif-
icant changes in the residential portions of
this Plan -- these alternates will not be con-
sidered this evening. However, in the conduct
of the hearing, if it is determined that the
elements of either the staff Plan or the mod-
ifications offered by the applicant might be
appropriately incorporated in an amendment to
the proposal as noted tonight, this could be
done and the Council may consider a modifica-
tion of the amended General Plan being offered
this evening.
City Attorney's comments City Attorney Lindberg discussed the legal
aspects of the public hearing. He stated that
the Director of Planning will show a slide
listing the findings that must be made by the
Council in approving whatever amendment it
chooses to approve for the existing P-C zone
General Development Plan and Schedule.
Mr. Lindberg commented that he was disappointed
that the Planning Commission concentrated so
heavily on a single element of this Plan
(Exhibit "C" [Plan]) -- the shopping center.
In modifying a General Development Plan, it is
important that all elements be thoroughly
explored. He asked all of the people testify-
ing tonight to offer testimony which would
enable the City Council to reach a conclusion
on each of the mandatory findings.
City Council Meeting 2 October 2, 1974
Director of Planning Mr. Peterson discussed the status of the Rancho
Jim Peterson del Rey Plan and what steps need to be taken
in the future. He detailed the Plan as filed
by the applicant, DLB Corporation, highlighting
the findings of the environmental impact report,
commenting on the significance of the proposal
to the City of Chula Vista, a summary of the
Planning Department's analysis of the proposal
for the residential and commercial.
Planning Exhibit "A" Planning Exhibit "A" covers 3,200 acres and is
the entire Rancho del Rey area. The uses al-
lowed in that Plan were adopted by the Council
in 1970.
Under consideration tonight is an amendment to
a portion of the Plan -- 450 acres. After
approval of a modification of the Plan by the
Council, the next step is the preparation of
a precise plan by the applicant which must be
approved by both the Planning Commission and
Council.
Planning Exhibit "C" This exhibit shows the Plaza del Rey Plan.
Phase 1 Phase 1 involves a portion of the regional
shopping center which contains approximately
750,000 square feet of floor area on 65 acres.
Phase 2 Phase 2 involves a mixture of single-family
homes and townhouses totaling 529 units on
82 acres.
Phase 3 Phase 3 is a recreational-commercial complex
of about 24 acres (House of Ice, tennis club,
motor hotel with 150 rooms, savings and loan
facility).
Phase 4 Phase 4 is detached single-family homes of
about 30 acres.
Phase 5 Phase 5 includes a K-6 school and park area.
Phase 6 Phase 6 is the 12-acre professional office and
recreational area (50,000-square-foot office
building, three theatres and a restaurant).
Phase 7 Phase 7 is the remainder of the shopping center
which would include 450,000 square feet on
about 21 acres.
Phase 8 Phase 8 is a church and private school area on about 7 acres,
Phase 9 Phase 9 is another townhouse area of 121 units
on 21 acres.
Phase 10 Phase 10 is the higher density area to the north
across "H" Street from the shopping center with
600 townhouses and apartments on about 49 acres.
There will also be about 132 acres of open space
occupied by slopes of which 44 acres would be
manufactured slopes and 88 natural slopes.
City Council Meeting 3 October 2, 1974
Rice Canyon will be filled to a depth of 30
to 40 feet and the proposal would involve mov-
ing of approximately five million cubic yards
of earth. It also has "H" Street improved to
almost freeway standards in some locations.
EIR Mr. Peterson briefly discussed the environ-
mental impact report submitted to the Council
in July.
Staff presentation to Director Peterson summarized the staff presen-
Planning Commission ration to the Planning Commission:
The high density area to the north of the
shopping center area and within that Street "B"
ring road area should be developed with a
variety of housing types perhaps involving some
townhouses, some garden apartments and some
medium-rise apartment towers. This development
should occur on land that is not uniformly
flat, but rolling in character.
The Hillside Ordinance should not apply to the
high-density area; but as you move north,
east and westward from the village area, the
intent if not the letter of the Hillside Ordi-
nance should begin to apply.
Director's recon~nendation Mr. Peterson added that '~it is my recommendation
regarding residential that the residential uses should be limited to
development 1,000 units rather than the 1~454 which are
proposed with the provision for an increase in
the number of units to 1,200 at the precise
plan stage."
Commercial area The Planning staff found it difficult to form
a recommendation partly because it is a policy
question -- the role of Chula Vista in the San
Diego urban region and the kind of city the
citizens want it to be 1S to 20 years from now.
The main issue is the size of the shopping cen-
ter. General Plan discusses 75 acres; the E1
Rancho del Rey set aside 80 acres with the
notation that only 50 acres should be developed
until growth factor in the area is established --
this plan was limited to 476,000 square feet;
Sports World was approved for a 70-acre center
containing 800,000 square feet.
Staff report to Planning The staff felt the center was too large based
Commission regarding on:
1. The applicant's market analysis assumed
that national spending habits applied to Chula
Vista; however it did not take into account
that 28 million dollars are spent each year
in two PX's (32nd Street, San Diego and
Imperial Beach exchanges).
2. The market analysis assumed that the trade
area would extend to Jamul, Spring Valley and
Lemon Grove and that the same percentage of
dollars spent on shoppers goods from Jamul as
from Chula Vista, and the same percentage from
Spring Valley and Lemon Grove as from National
City.
City Council Meeting 4 October 2, 1974
3. Impact of 1.2 million square foot shopping
center on the Broadway Shopping Center would
have a detrimental effect.
4. Urban design element -- a community and
center of this size is out of scale.
Planning Director's (The following is a transcript)
recommendations
"I want to emphasize that my recommendation
is what I think is right from a land use plan-
ning standpoint, and I recognize that there
are other viewpoints that perhaps Council
needs to consider of broader view than perhaps
simply a land use planning view. But my recom-
mendation is that you approve the Plan subject
to the following conditions and that you refer
it back to the Planning Commission for report
and recommendation:
1. The center should be reduced in size to
60 acres and in retail area to 600,000 square
feet.
2. The number of dwelling units would be re-
duced from 1,454 to 1,000 with a provision for
increasing that number up to 1,200 based on
the excellence of the Plan as submitted at
the precise plan stage.
3. The high-density area to the north of the
shopping center should be developed under a
village concept which would make use of a
varied topography and a variety of dwelling
types.
4. (I think this is also contained in the
Engineering Division's recommendations) relates
to the elimination of this street which stubs
out toward the Rice Canyon Area further to the
east. The fourth point in the recommendations
is that this street should be eliminated from
the Plan - that street is stubbed out toward
the main leg of Rice Canyon further to the
east. The reason for that is that if that
street is located there, I think it commits
Rice Canyon to urban development, and I'm not
sure that we're ready yet to make that commit-
ment since the overall E1 Rancho del Ray Plan
has been referred by you to the Planning Com-
mission. The Planning Commission has held
one hearing on this, but they have another
hearing coming up this month.
In conclusion, Mr. Mayor, I think -- I feel,
myself that this recommendation is somewhat
idealistic. It is based on the judgments of
myself and the staff, after reviewing this
proposal for some time, but as I indicated
earlier I think there is a basis for perhaps
reviewing this proposal from a broader per-
spective in terms of overall City policy or
economic considerations not just focusing in
on the land use picture. And you may well find
that approval of a larger center than I have
recommended would be in order. If a larger
center is constructed in phases, depending
City Council Meeting 5 October 2, 1974
perhaps on the size of the first phase, but
with no con~nitments to the City toward approval
of a second or third phase, I think we would
have at least the opportunity to determine what
the effect of the first phase is, say on the
Broadway Shopping Center, on traffic, on air
pollution -- those kinds of considerations.
I'm offering you estimates of what I think it
would be like. There may be a way that if con-
struction proceeds in phases, we can actually
determine in the future what the impact would
be.
I have met with the applicant several times
this week and I believe he is considering
modification to his proposal that I think can
perhaps be considered as a practical accom-
modation between what I have offered as perhaps
an ideal recommendation and between what the
applicant has originally requested."
Planning Exhibit "E" Exhibit "E" was displayed showing the mandatory
findings.
Exhibits admitted City Attorney Lindberg noted that the exhibits
into record are marked and all visual material presented
should he marked and admitted into the record
by the Council at the appropriate time.
Council discussion Councilman Hyde questioned the need for an
eight-lane street if the Planning Director's
recommendation of a 600,000-square-foot shopping
center is approved; Councilman Hobel questioned
the application of the Hillside Ordinance to
the various elements of the Plan; and discus-
sion ensued on the market research analysis.
Director of Public Works Mr. Cole gave a brief overview of the Public
Lane Cole Works' findings relating to the road system,
traffic consideration, utilities, water, sewer,
gas and electric, storm drainage systems,
grading, suggested revisions and what this
economic inl0act would be on the Public Works
Department.
Engineering conditions of approval relate to
the three stages of development and have been
prepared on the information furnished by the
developer and presented in the EIR. The
specific Plaza del Roy site under considera-
tion was not evaluated as an isolated entity --
it was viewed as a total development concept.
Mr. Cole noted the importance of the future
developments to the east on the Plaza del Roy
site. The impact is especially critical in
relationship to network of sewer and street
systems.
(A copy of the Engineering recommendations is
on file in the office of the City Clerk --
Memo dated 9-2?-?4.)
Improvements to the area The area will be served by sewer down the Rice
Canyon area to the Spring Valley trunk sewer --
gravity sewer. The project is within the Otay
Municipal Water District. Gas, electric and
City Council Meeting 6 October 2, 1974
cable TV will be underground and standard City
street lights will be required. There will
be a major storm drainage system. The grad-
ing will be done in accordance with the Grading
Ordinance and under the control of licensed
engineers. Landscaping and soil erosion
planting is required.
Suggested revision Director Cole stated that his department's
suggested major revision includes moving the
intersection of the north loop street on
Plan B of the Planning Exhibit "C", so that
it intersects with Street "B" and "A" intersects
at the same point on "H" Street. This inter-
section would then be developed as a full
interchange.
The Engineering Department recommends that the
north half of "H" Street be extended to the
existing E1 Rancho del Rey development of
"H" Street in the first phase instead of later
on in the development.
They also feel the stub street heading out to
Rice Canyon should not be made.
In addition, where Lynwood Drive is extended
over to Bonita Road, Glen Abbey Boulevard
should be cul-de-saced in an appropriate way
and an additional road connected from Glen
Abbey Boulevard over to Bonita Road.
Economic impact on Mr. Cole added that the economic impact on
Public Works Department his department for a six-year period (1976 -
1981) was determined by prorating the cost of
maintenance throughout the City and came to
$184,000.
The City's participation in "H" Street for the
total project would be $380,000 --this in-
cludes the two center lanes and half the
landscaped median improvements.
Mr. Cole further added that if the improve-
ments and revisions recommended by his depart-
ment (memo dated September 27, 1974) are
carried out in the development of Plaza del
Rey, the public facilities will function
satisfactorily and can be maintained at
normal cost.
Council discussion Questions followed by the Council pertaining
to the amount of earth moved in creating the
"H" Street-Interstate 805 interchange; whether
the road system proposed is adequate to handle
the traffic generated within the area itself;
adequacy of the City road system in the vicin-
ity of the proposed center and the amount of
traffic that will be generated by the shopping
center itself.
RECESS A recess was called at 8:13 p.m. and the meet-
ing reconvened at 8:26 p.m.
City Council Meeting 7 October 2, 1974
William Robens, Assistant Mr. Robens submitted the following Engineering
Director of Public Works exhibits into evidence:
Engineering Exhibit "A" This exhibit details the location of the water,
sewer and drainage facilities within the Plaza
del Rey area. The sewer will be constructed
off-site. The main drainage channel will be
concrete-lined located southerly of the loop
road south of "H" Street.
Engineering Exhibit "B" Exhibit "B" shows the circulation network re-
quired for Phase I development (7SO,000-square-
foot shopping center construction). The de-
veloper will construct eight lanes on "H" Street
from the interchange of 1-805 easterly to the
intersection of the first loop roads. This
is actually six lanes with the other two
lanes being weaving lanes on and off "H" Street.
From the intersection with the loop roads, the
applicant has proposed four lanes on "H" Street
to a point which is the intersection with the
north-south collector road from Telegraph
Canyon Road. A new road will be constructed
from Telegraph Canyon Road (Street No. 5).
Engineering requirements call for six lanes
instead of four lanes along "H" Street east of
the intersection with the loop roads to the
intersection with Street No. 5.
City participation Mr. Roberts stated that it would be Engineering's
recommendation that the City participate in
the construction by constructing the fifth and
sixth lanes and paying for one-half of the
median island costs -- this is throughout the
Plaza del Rey development.
The developer also proposed to construct what
is shown as Street No. 2 of this exhibit, south
of the regional shopping center. Engineering
has required that this road be four through
lanes plus a left-turn median lane throughout
its entire length.
The developer will construct an interchange at
"H" Street and the west end of Street No. 2.
A traffic signal will also be constructed at
the eastbound off-ramp from "H" Street with
Street No. 2.
Engineering also recommends that a traffic sig-
nal be constructed at the easterly terminus of
Street No. 2 with "H" Street.
Council's comments Councilman Hyde noted that the cross street
between Telegraph Canyon Road and "H" Street
above "J" Street would have a grade separation --
this was a requirement of the Council so that
no traffic would be allowed to flow on or off
"J" Street.
Engineering Exhibit "C" Exhibit "C" details the proposed improvement
construction for Phase 2 which is the residen-
tial construction north of "H" Street.
Mr. Roberts explained the developer's proposal
of the road from Lynwood Drive to Bonita Road.
Engineering requires that Lynwood Drive be
four lanes with a divider, and that Street
No. S be four lanes without a center divider.
City Council Meeting 8 October 2, 1974
Another Engineering requirement is that Glen
Abbey Boulevard terminate in a cul-de-sac at
the westerly end and construction of a road
from Glen Abbey Boulevard to Bonita Road which
would provide the same loop service to the
residents of Glen Abbey Boulevard.
Engineering Exhibit "D" This exhibit covers Phase 3 which is the ulti-
mate construction of the proposed shopping
center -- 1.2 million square feet. This phase
completes "H" Street between Street No. 5 and
the westerly boundary of E1 Rancho del Rey.
An Engineering recommendation for this phase
would be the construction of an interchange
at the intersection of the southerly loop road
street with "H" Street. At this time, "H"
Street will be carrying in excess of 60,000
vehicles a day. Additionally, there should
be a traffic signal at the intersection of
Street No. 4 and the north-south road that
connects to this street.
Engineering Exhibit "E" This exhibit shows the recommended revision to
the street network by Engineering which pro-
vides for a full loop for Street No. 2 and
No. 3 -- Engineering still recommends an inter-
change at that point.
Council questions Questions centered around the four lane road
from Lynwood Drive to Glen Abbey Boulevard
rationale for the extension of the street from
"H" Street to Telegraph Canyon Road, and align-
ment and elevation of Telegraph Canyon Road
in that area.
Emerson Hall Mr. Hall remarked that the Plan proposed does
Director of Parks & Recreation follow certain guidelines set forth by the
Council particularly on the school-park con-
cept. As covered in the environmental impact
report, this will be derived in the precise
plan. The park will be developed in 1976 and
as the population increases more acreage will
be needed in this area.
In answer to Council's inquiry, Mr. Hall noted
the location of the equestrian and bike paths.
Fire Chief William Smithey Chief Smithey explained that fire protection
for the area has been viewed as it would have
an impact on the total fire protection delivery
system for the City. The prime consideration
here was the geographic considerations with
the existing fire stations and the access from
those stations to the project. Chief Smithey
noted the number of miles from the existing
stations, and concurred with Engineering rec-
ommendations for egress and access into this
development. He asked that a one-acre site
be made available for a fire station in this
facility (as proposed in the Plan). The sta-
tion must be completed shortly after the com-
pletion of the first phase of development.
The cost of the station would be $140,000
(3500 square feet). Chief Smithey added that
the first year cost would be approximately
City Council Meeting 9 October 2, 1974
$500,000 including capital outlay manpower.
The second year it would run $270,000. This
is assuming the land will be donated by the
developer.
Chief of Police Winters Chief Winters stated there will be no special
or unusual police problems relating to this
development. In estimating costs, a rule of
thumb estimate of 1.3 policemen to every 1,000
inhabitants is used. When the project is com-
pleted, there will be need for patrol coverage.
In answer to Councilman Hyde's query, Chief
Winters remarked that the main police problem
with the anticipated 60,000 car per day projec-
tion would be traffic accidents.
City Manager's recommendations Mr. Thomson made the following recommendations:
(The following is a transcript of his testimony.)
"In the area of the regional shopping center,
I would recommend Phase ] as proposed -- 7S0,000
square feet.
In regard to Phase 2 -- the additional 450,000 --
I would recommend a go-ahead on this be permitted
only subject to an updated traffic analysis and
a market analysis, because many things could
occur in that interval, and I'd hate to see us
tied to the growth in any automatic fashion.
As far as the professional and recreational area,
the commercial --I'd recommend approval pending
the precise plan review that'll occur. I think
there will be adequate control at that time.
In the residential, basically in response to
the concerns of the Planner, I recommend that
we pursue a range as provided for in the Zoning
Ordinance, and I would recommend a range with
a minimum of 1,000 to a maximum of 1,200 units.
Again, this is similar to one of the comments
provided by the Planning Director, and again
needs to be subject to precise plan that has
been discussed.
I support and recommend the conditions stipu-
lated by our Public Works Engineer and Depart-
ment; however, if Council would choose to reduce
the residential density as I recommend, I would
understand; I would suggest that the Engineer-
ing conditions be modified in balance to that."
City Attorney's comments Mr. Lindberg referred to the environmental
impact report approved by the Planning Commis-
sion and noted that the £ouncil must certify
to this report. Ne referred to Planning
Exhibit "E" -- mandatory findings and asked
they be projected for audience viewing. Mr.
Lindberg asked that all written and oral re-
ports be incorporated into the record of the
public hearing along with the exhibits from
the Planning Department and Engineering
Division.
Motion to admit exhibits It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by
Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that
City Council Meeting 10 October 2, 1974
the recommendations by the City Attorney be
accepted -- that all of the papers sent to the
Council, all of the exhibits projected, all of
the staff comments, be entered into the record
of the public hearing.
RECESS A recess was called at 9:18 p.m. and the meet-
ing reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
Detrimental highlights Mr. Peterson summarized the highlights as
of EIR follows:
1. In regard to alteration of the landform,
it will be irreversibly altered; the visual
effect of this grading can be reduced but the
basic impact cannot be mitigated.
2. A different alignment for "H" Street would
reduce the amount of grading and according to
the Hillside Grading standards would result in
far less grading and retention of more open
space.
3. In regard to flora and fauna, the site con-
tains several biological resources -- the proj-
ect would result in the elimination of a portion
of these resources.
4. No adverse effects on history and archeology.
S. Palaeontology -- there are various fossils
on the site and it would result in a loss of
these resources by the grading on the site.
6. Drainage and Flood Control -- no significant
increase in the run-off; however, the long-
range cumulative development in Rice Canyon and
Sweetwater drainage basins will significantly
increase run-off and limit the options for flood
plain management and protection in the lower
Sweetwater Valley.
7. Climate -- the creation of a heat island
will irreversibly alter the micro-climate of
the project setting.
8. Air Quality -- the quality of air in Chula
Vista will be downgraded by two functions:
a. A reassignment of regional traffic to
the South Bay area shifting a significant
amount of air pollution of this portion of
the air basin.
b. The auto trips unique to the regional
center, other commercial development and
residential uses will add to the current
level of pollution.
9. Noise -- this will be from traffic primarily.
Noise levels which are normally unacceptable
will extend to certain distances of rights-of-
way. (Mr. Peterson cited the distances involved.)
10. Water Quality -- the increased pollution
level due to parking lot run-off and inadequate
sewerage treatment will decrease water quality.
City Council Meeting 11 October 2, 1974
11. Economics -- the cost revenue analysis
identifies significant beneficial economic
impact to both the City of Chula Vista and the
school district.
12. The project will increase utility con-
sumption and generation.
Included in the record It was moved by Councilman Hyde, seconded by
Councilman Egdahl and unanimously carried that
the Planning Director's comments be inserted
into the record.
Request regarding Miss Esther Lassman, Rogan Road, Chula Vista,
continuation of remarked that should it become necessary to
public hearing continue the hearing tonight, she would re-
quest that it be continued to the next regular
Council meeting (Tuesday, October 8, 1974).
She said that several of the people attending
tonight that wish to present testimony could
not be here tomorrow.
Motion for continuance It was moved by Councilman Hyde and seconded
by Councilman Egdahl that if the public hear-
ing must be continued beyond tonight, that it
be continued to the Council's next regular
scheduled meeting.
Discussion of motion Council's comments followed as to the issue
being a major one and the need for a separate
meeting; the continuity of continuing the
meeting from one day to the next; and the fact
that people who could not attend tomorrow give
their testimony tonight.
City Attorney Lindberg stated this would be
legal.
Donald Worley, Attorney Mr. Worley commented that he was representing
the DLB Corporation and said they would be
happy to yield the floor at this time to those
people wishing to give testimony tonight.
Motion withdrawn Councilman Hyde withdrew the motion; Councilman
Egdahl withdrew the second.
Public hearing opened This being the time and place as advertised,
Mayor Hamilton opened the public hearing.
Carroll Sweet, Vice-President Mr. Sweet referred to his written report to
Real Estate Research Corporation the Council in which he reviewed the salient
issues of the market study he made for Plaza
del Rey Center. He discussed the methodology
used in making the study in which they used
eight county areas to comprise the market area,
they projected the growth of each of these
areas separately and projected income charac-
teristics separately based on 1970 census data.
From this they developed an estimate of gross
income for each of these areas in 1976 and
1980.
Mr. Sweet discussed the reasons people go into
shopping centers and the trend of today's
market -- to have three or four major depart-
ment stores -- cumulative attraction. He
City Council Meeting 12 October 2, 1974
stressed the need for a regional center noting
the areas the center will draw from (Jamul,
Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, National City).
Mr. Sweet mentioned that he did the market
analysis for the Gersten Company in 1969, which
did not determine a market area or detailed
analysis of growth. Ne reviewed the money
spent by residents of the market area annually
for shoppers goods stating that by the year
1976, there would be enough demand in this
area to support the Plaza del Rey shopping
center of a million square feet.
Mr. Sweet added that their recommendations are
that the first phase of development be for
750,000 square feet with three department stores.
If there is a need for expansion, it will be
evident by 1980.
Speaking against proposal Speaking against the proposal were: Patricia
Vallinsky, 93 East Shasta Street; Martha ¥ickers,
626 Mission Court; Edmund C. Benshop, 671 Floyd
Avenue; Carole Smith, 87 "F" Street; Joy
Sheresh, 688 Robert Avenue; Wayne Reed, 107
Murray Street; George Early, 661 Gilbert Place;
Kathryn Moore, 1134 Tobias Drive.
Their reasons were as follows: (1) project will
promote smog~ air pollution and noise; (2) con-
sider the residents and oppose the plan as it
will detract from the environment; (3) should
not be a shopping center there at all; (4) air
quality should be given great consideration;
(5) development would be a completely unaccept-
able condition; (6) compared to building a
"Chicago" area in Chula Vista; (7) the public
will is not for a shopping center; (8) people
turned down the Sports World complex last year
and have indicated they are against massive
growth of any kind in that area; (9) questioned
the type and names of the stores going into the
center; (10) rapid over-population and over-
commercialization bring on higher crime rate,
poor education, fewer and mediocre services
and transient qualities not experienced by
Chula Vistans; (11) cost of taxpayer in the
community for new homes; (12) the 1,400 homes
proposed by Dr. Bloom would cost the City
$28 million over the life of these homes;
(13) if Dr. Bloom built his original 5,000
homes, it would cost the City over $100 million;
(14) the 1.2 million-square-foot center will
draw its customers from a six-mile radius;
(15) it is apparent that there is a race for
a shopping center and a race against the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency ruling -- races
and good planning do not go hand and hand;
(16) Mr. Maynard of National City stated that
their proposed Bonita Plaza would never be
able to qualify under the EPA ruling effective
January 1, 1975 -- Dr. Bloom's meets the same
test; (17) consider the overcrowded school
factor; (18) strive for quality instead of
quantity; (19) traffic has increased on the
City streets to such a degree now that it is
dangerous to permit children to ride their
City Council Meeting 13 October 2, 1974
bikes; (20) noted the wild life that would be
destroyed; (21) preserve the area for our
children to explore and enjoy; (22) apply the
Hillside Ordinance to both the shopping center
and residential; (23) the location of the shop-
ping center is appropriate, however the area
is too large; (24) as proposed, it would be a
detriment to Third Avenue and the Broadway
Center; (25) take care in approving the precise
plan and have an architectural review board;
(26) give consideration to the pedestrian and
place the parking underground; (27) housing
and shops should be placed together so an
attempt is made for enjoyment and relaxation;
(28) the City should run some type of trans-
portation to the center from the Chula Vista
Shopping Center.
Council's comments Councilman Scott answered Mrs. Carole Smith's
allegation concerning pressure put on the
Planning Commission to make a decision. He
stated for the record that the City Council
did not assert any pressure on the Commission
whatsoever. Also, there is no race between
this City and National City for a shopping
center or a race to get this project through
prior to January 1, 1975 because of EPA rulings
(which rulings have now been continued to June
1975).
Rex Young Mr. Young stated he is vice-president of his
3422 East Pasadena Avenue firm's operations in western United States --
Phoenix, Arizona development of new shopping centers and man-
agement of their existing centers. Mr. Young
reviewed the background of a shopping center
up to today's multidepartment store tendencies --
super regionals.
Mr. Young showed a rendering of a shopping
center they are constructing in Tempe, Arizona
consisting of 1,000,000 square feet. The City
of Tempe designed the bike path and the land-
scaping for the center. This is an example
of how their firm works with cities in devel-
oping commercial areas.
Mr. Young stated it was quite important in a
shopping center to provide what is called a
cumulative attraction -- where you have four
major tenancies within a complex.
In answer to Council's questions, Mr. Young
explained that a broad spectrum of different
type stores is needed in a shopping center --
that would appeal to everyone. The demographics
of the area fit the criteria of the demographics
of the department store.
Mr. Young added that the location of the pro-
posed shopping center in National City has
many problems and Chula Vista by far has a much
better location. Accessibility is important
and egress and ingress for the National City
site is suspect -- it is a maze. In Chula
Vista, the accessibility of this center is
excellent with a plus factor of having a
growth factor.
City Council Meeting 14 October 2, 1974
Recommendations to be Councilman Hyde asked that a copy of the City
made available Manager's and Planning Director's recommenda-
tions be delivered to the Council at least
one hour prior to tomorrow night's meeting.
Exchange figures Director Peterson stated that the 28 million
dollar figure used by the Planning staff in
regard to Navy Exchanges applied to two ex-
changes: 32nd Street, San Diego and Imperial
Beach.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 11:25
p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 3, 1974
in the Council Chamber.