HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1973/11/07 MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Held Wednesday November 7, 1973
A joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Human Relations Commission
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
Planning Commissioners present: Co~nissioners Macevicz, Rice, Chandler, Rudolph,
Swanson, Wilson, Whitten
Human Relations Commissioners present: Commissioners Billings, Reid, Taylor, Pasqua
Staff present: City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Lindberg,
Director of Planning Peterson, Senior Planner
Williams
Mayor Hamilton called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
PURPOSE OF MEETING City Manager Thomson explained that the purpose
of the meeting was to discuss the Housing Ele-
ment of the General Plan. He referred to the
document prepared by the staff indicating that
this group must first identify the problem,
decide what the goal is for housing elements
in the community, and have an awareness of the
conditions to be reviewed.
Director of Planning Peterson Mr. Peterson reviewed the draft of the housing
situation prepared by the staff (Par{ I) stating
that the statistics are based on the 1970 cen-
sus. He declared that the primary role of this
meeting should be to fulfill the housing needs
of the low-income families. Mr. Peterson added
that this group could determine whether a
housing action program for the city could be
applicable throughout the entire city or whether
one program could be formulated for undeveloped
portions of the city and another program for
those portions already largely developed.
Mr. Peterson brought up the question of land
use standards and questioned whether these
standards should be reduced in order to accom-
modate low-cost housing.
Commissioner Rice Commissioner Rice commented that most of the
things that contribute to low-cost housing are
things beyond the ability of the city to con-
trol. He felt one of the main questions to
consider is the means of accomplishing this
task.
Commissioner Macevicz Commissioner Macevicz discussed the cost of
the land, especially in the area around Otay
Lakes Road. He felt that if the developer
were to provide low-cost homes in this area,
it would have to be on very small lots; how-
ever, based on statistical reports, low-income
people tend to have very large families and a
three or four-bedroom home would have to be
built on a small lot leaving little or no yard.
Joint Council Meeting 2 November 7, 1973
Councilman Scott Councilman Scott declared there was no way to
provide iow-cost homes without a Government-
subsidized program.
Councilman Hyde Councilman Hyde remarked that the goal needs
to be defined first - is the group talking
about private home ownerships for low-income
families (less than $5,000 a year) or to pro-
vide them with decent dwelling. He indicated
that striving for home ownership for the low-
income families was simply not practicable
and the goal should be to provide good, decent
standard dwelling which would be subsidized,
and the maintenance of the properties be the
responsibility of the owner and not the
occupants.
Mixed units A discussion followed on providing low-income
dwellings in areas of middle and upper-income
groups.
Commissioner Rudolph Commissioner Rudolph cited the current need
for low-income units in the planning area,
noting that the report showed a substantial
oversupply of middle-income housing.
Mayor Hamilton Mayor Hamilton commented that the group should
be charged with identifying the categories of
the housing needs: young marrieds who are
raising a family; retired people, elderly
(over 65) for which there is a possibility
that the City could freeze the tax rate; the
military; large families, etc.
Commissioner Reid Co~nissioner Reid stated it was her under-
standing that the city is mandated by State
law to provide a housing element which allows
for housing for all economic segments of the
community. There is now the need to deter-
mine what subsidies are available; what pro-
grams they can now look for to improvise the
action programs they are now charged with.
Commissioner Rudolph Commissioner Rudolph read from a lengthy
report (copy on file in City Clerk's office)
concerning her thoughts on Part I and em-
phasized urgency and effectiveness on begin-
ning Part II of the program.
Discussion of Part II The commissioners discussed their role in
effecting Part II of the housing situation in
this city. A suggestion was made by Commis-
sioner Rudolph to refer this to a study group.
Councilman Hyde and Director of Planning
Peterson spoke against forming another study
group, indicating that the staff's study was
quite comprehensive.
Mayor Hamilton commented on the vacant land
on the outskirts of the city stating that
thought should be given to the areas in the
city that change in character (through re-
zoning, redevelopment, etc.) and how they
can maintain people living in the corridor
city rather than forcing them to these outer
Joint Council Meeting 3 November 7, 1973
Commissioner Whitten Commissioner Whitten commented on an earlier
discussion whereby a suggestion was made that
a developer could be required to provide a
certain percentage of low-income housing. He
felt that the developer should be given the
direction as to where he can obtain this
subsidy.
San Diego Housing Authority Councilman Hyde asked about the status of the
San Diego Housing Authority, and questioned
whether consideration should be given to form-
ing a housing authority in this city.
Transportation Commissioner Rice felt there should be some
type of subsidized transportation included in
this element.
Draft of Part II Commissioner Taylor indicated there was plenty
of expertise in this group which could "put
ideas on the table" for Part II of the housing
element. One of the questions to be answered
is: What do they want to do? If the group
feels that something should be done, then a
way will be found to do it in spite of the
tight money market.
Motion for staff study It was moved by Mayor Hamilton and seconded by
Councilman Hyde that the staff take into con-
sideration the comments made here tonight and
give a plan of action for the drafting of the
second part of the housing element to be pre-
sented to this group, and make recommendations
for its implementation - whether this includes
a group to study it, whether this group will
undertake it, or whether it will be the staff,
is a decision this group will have to make.
Discussion of motion Discussion ensued as to the staff's direction.
Mayor Hamilton explained that he wanted to
"get this on the road" - have the staff define
the elements which this group should address
itself to regarding the housing element in
Chula Vista.
Motion amended It was moved by Councilman Scott that an ad
hoc committee be formed as proposed by Council-
man Hyde (members of Planning Commission, Human
Relations Commission and staff).
The amendment was seconded by Councilman Hyde.
Speaking against amendment Councilman Hobel spoke against forming the ad
hoc committee. Mayor Hamilton agreed, stating
he did not want one formed until or unless the
staff recommended it in their study.
Staff direction Senior Planner Williams noted the following
areas to be studied: (1) what programs are
available; (2) which problems are this city's;
(3) which problems can they solve. Mr. Williams
said the staff will take these questions and
come back with a report to this group.
Amendment withdrawn Councilman Scott withdrew his amendment to the
motion calling for an ad hoc committee.
Councilman Hyde agreed to the second.
Joint Council Meeting 4 November 7, 1973
Time limit Mayor Hamilton stated that this report is due
in six weeks (December 19, 1973). The staff
is to come back to the Council in three weeks
(by November 28) if that is not a realistic
time table.
Motion carried The motion for the staff study, due in six
weeks, carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjou~ed the meeting at 8:50
p.m.
,'~ ." City'Clerk ~f