HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1999/02/24 MINUTES OF THE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Council Chambers
7:00 p.m. Public Services Building
Wednesday, February 24, 1999 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista
ROLL CALL/MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Chair Willett, Commissioners Hail, Thomas and O'Neill
Absent:
Staff Present:
Commissioners Ray and Tarantino
Jim Sandoval, Assistant Director of Planning and Building
Martin Miller, Associate Planner
Jeff Steichen, Associate Planner
Maria Muett, Assistant Planner
Ann Moore, Assistant City Attorney
Elizabeth Hull, Deputy City Attorney
MSC (Willett/Thomas) to excuse Commissioners Ray and Tarantino. Motion carried.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Willett
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 3, 1999
MSC (Hall/Thomas) to approve minutes of February 3, 1999 as submitted. Motion carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. PUBLIC HEARING:
PCM-95-01B; Amending the Otay Ranch SPA One Public Facilities
Financing Plan to expedite Olympic Parkway Construction.
MSC (O'Neill/Hall) (4-0-2) to continue this item to March 10, 1999. Motion carried.
2. PUBLIC HEARING:
PCC 99-06; Request to construct a gasoline fueling facility at Costco
Warehouse at 1144 Broadway - Costco Wholesale.
Background: Jeff Steichen reported that the proposal consists of a six dual-pump gasoline facility
to be located in front of the existing Costco Warehouse facility located at the northwest corner
of Broadway and Oxford Street. On December 16, 1998, the Planning Commission held a
public hearing on this item and based upon public input and Commission discussion, the item
was continued in order to allow the applicant to address concerns with: 1) feasibility of relocating
the facility to the rear of the Costco Warehouse, and 2) re-evaluate the parking and vehicle
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - February 24, 1999
queuing analysis.
At the Commission's request, the applicant and staff reviewed t~vo alternative locations at the rear
of the existing warehouse. Staff has reviewed both scenarios under Option 1 and 2 and has
determined that neither one is advisable. Option 1 has the potential for conflicts between
customer ingress into the facility as well as on-site turning movements required to exit the facility.
Option 2 is not viable because it would greatly impact the existing loading dock area.
A third option, proposed by the applicant, was to relocate approximately 30 feet to the west the
existing driveway off of Oxford Street, in order to allow for one additional car length in the
queue. This option would result in an additional loss of 12 parking spaces.
The initial traffic analysis conducted at the Rancho Del Rey facilitate in May 1998 indicated a
maximum queue of 5 vehicles at one pump during peak hours. Subsequently, a queue analysis
conducted on January 7 & 9, 1999 indicated a maximum of ? vehicles per pump. Staff concurs
with the applicant that the Broadway facility will have substantially less vehicle volume than
what exists at the Rancho Del Rey facility for two reasons. One, the traffic volume on East H
Street is substantially higher than on Broadway, and secondly, there are more fueling facilities
in the surrounding area of the Broadway Costco Warehouse than there are on East H Street.
Staff recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt the Negative Declaration prepared
for IS 99-03 and adopt Resolution PCC 99-06 conditionally approving the proposed fueling
facility at the original site.
Commission Discussion:
Commissioner O'Neill stated he did not concur with staff's assessment that since there are more
service stations along Broadway that it will decrease the traffic at this facility, which might be true
if it were a non-member service station, like ARCO. This facility is a destination-oriented facility,
because it will be patronized by those who are already shopping at the warehouse.
Commissioner Thomas asked for clarification on the statement referencing other fueling facilities
along Broadway.
Ralph Leyva, Traffic Engineer, stated that he did not have a diagram that showed those locations,
but his recollection is that there are a few along Broadway.
Commissioner Thomas stated that the closest facility north of Costco Warehouse is a Texaco
station located on Broadway and L Street, and to the west, is an ARCO AM/PM on Palomar and
I-5. The proposed facility would be the first fueling facility located on Broadway coming from
the south.
Commissioner Thomas asked how the reduction of an additional 12 parking spaces under Option
3 would impact the overall parking requirements.
Mr. Steichen responded that even with the reduction in spaces the project meets the Citywide
parking requirements, however, since parking was a concern, staff does not support Option 3,
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - February 24, 1999
and felt that the original proposal could support the six vehicle queuing.
Public Hearing opened 8:15
Bruce Creager, 18215 72"4 Avenue, Kent, WA, representing Costco Warehouse introduced Jesse
Sanchez, Costco Warehouse Manager and John Boreman, Traffic Consultant with Linscott, Law,
Greenspan who prepared the traffic impact analysis. Mr. Creager stated that staff has accurately
conveyed the additional information that they have submitted. In response to Commissioner
Thomas' question regarding other fueling facilities in the vicinity; they are
the ARCO station on Palomar and I-5
the Union 76 station, the Texaco station, and the Citgo fueling facility with the
7-Eleven store at the intersection of L Street and Broadway
a liquor store that has a couple of pumps on J Street
a car wash with a fueling facility further north on H Street and Broadway, and
a Chevron station and another ARCO to the west on H Street and I-5.
With respect to the truck turning radius and the amount of cars that are parked in the parking field
directly adjacent to Broadway, Linscott, Law, Greenspan while conducting the traffic analysis did
count the number of stalls that were occupied during the peak hours of operation, and concluded
that for that area, out of 196 parking stalls, half of them were occupied.
Public Hearing closed 8.'25
Commissioner O'Neill stated that his inclination is to go with the applicant's expertise, and as
a Conditional Use Permit, staff would have the ability to conduct as many periodic site visits as
they want in order to ensure that a problem with traffic and/or parking is not being created.
Commissioner Hall supports Commissioner O'Neill's statement and offered the following motion.
MSC (Hall/O'Neill) that the Planning Commission adopt the Negative Declaration prepared for
IS-99-03 and adopt Resolution PCC 99-06 conditionally approving the proposed fueling facility.
Amendment to the motion offered by Commissioner Thomas as follows:
That the project be approved with a condition that the first Oxford Street entrance be closed
off thereby facilitating an 8-car stacking capacity and that a gas station attendant be
designated.
The maker and second of the original motion did not concur with the amended motion and
offered a revision to the original motion to include directing staff to conduct yearly or bi-yearly
site visits.
Motion failed (3-1-2-0).
There being a required 4 votes in order to take action, the Commission offered the following
motion.
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - February 24, 1999
MSC (Thomas/O'Neill) (4-0-2-0) that the Planning Commission adopt the Negative Declaration
prepared for IS-99-03 and adopt Resolution PCC 99-06 approving the proposed fueling facility
conditioned upon relocating further west the first driveway on Oxford Street which will
provide additional space for queuing 7-8 vehicles and designating a gasoline attendant. Motion
carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARING:
PCC-99-18; Proposal to install, operate and maintain a 45-foot high
monopole, housing 12 panel antennas and equipment building on the
Eastlake High School Sports Field - Nextel Communications.
Background: Maria Muett, Assistant Planner reported that the project consists of a 45 foot
monopole and a 350 sf storage and equipment building to be located on the Eastlake High
School sport field and track. As requested by the school district, the new enclosure will provide
150 sf for school storage use and the remaining 200 sf will accommodate the equipment
supporting the cellular facility system.
The applicant could not co-locate on the existing GTE facility attached to the Performing Arts
building because the height of the building did not serve Nextel's needs, interference with the
GTE facility, and the School District preferred another location for the Nextel facility.
Staff recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCC-99-18
recommending that the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit based Council
Resolution and conditions and findings contained therein.
Public Hearing Opened 8:50.
Steve Laub, JM Consulting Group, 6665 Convoy Ct., San Diego representing Nextel
Communication, stated the applicant chose this location, next to the sports field, so that it would
be removed from the classrooms and it would blend in with existing light standards.
The goals is to try to fill in some existing gaps in the coverage of that area, particularly in Eastlake
and future SR-125. In addition, several federal law enforcement agencies are Nextel users and
there have been many requests to have better coverage in that area.
Public Hearing Closed 8:55.
MSC (Thomas/Hall) (4-0-2-0) that the Planning Commission approve PCC-99-18, a proposal to
install, operate and maintain a 45-foot high monopole, housing 12 panel antennas and
equipment building on the Eastlake High School Sports Field. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Minutes - 5 - February 24, 1999
4. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of the following applications filed by the Otay Water
District for 509 unincorporated acres located at the northern
terminus of Hunte Parkway:
1. PCZ-99-01 - Prezone to A-8, Agricultural; and
2. PCC-99-16 - Conditional Use Permit 1o establish an 18-hole
championship golf course and associated facilities.
MSC (O'Neill/Hall) (4-0-2) to continue this item to March 10, 1999. Motion carried.
5. PUBLIC HEARING:
PCC-99-26 - Request to construct, operate and maintain five 75 foot
high monopole type AM transmission antenna on property owned by
the Otay Water District west of Eastlake High School. Pacific Spanish
Network, Inc. a.k.a. KURS 1040 AM, San Diego.
Background: Martin Miller, Associate Planner, reported that the applicant is proposing to
construct, operate and maintain five 75 feet high monopole-type AM transmission antennas on
6.34 acres of a larger 11 acre site which is owned by the Otay Water District.
The site is approximately 575 to 625 feet above sea level and was once part of the Otay Ranch
but was given to OWD for use as a reservoir. OWD may construct a water reservoir on the same
parcel just east of the area, however, those plans are still pending and may not come to fruition.
Each antenna will be surrounded by an 8 foot high chain link fence and landscaping, and a 6 foot
high chain link fence will be installed around the perimeter of the 6.34 acre lease area and
landscaping will be planted on the property.
In order to address any negative visual impacts, the applicant is proposing landscaping along the
property lines that abut the residential areas as well as around each tower. The proposed
landscaping consisting of various types of eucalyptus, oak, sycamore and olive trees, is consistent
with the Otay Ranch landscaping standards.
Staff had concern with the potential interference with emergency response radios, however, upon
investigation, the Fire Department and Public Works Department concluded the AM radio
transmissions would not interfere with the radios in emergency vehicles. In addition, both school
districts confirmed there would not be any interference with their communications.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council approval
of PCC-99-26, a request to construct, operate and maintain five 75 foot high monopole-type AM
transmission antenna on property owned by the Otay Water District.
Planning Commission Minutes - § - February 24, 1999
Public Hearing Opened 7:50
Greg Sandoval, Vice President of the Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Trustees,
1193 Camino Biscay~ Chula Vista, CA 91910, stated that the project has been reviewed by Mr.
Andy Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Planning for the District and determined there is no
conflict with the District. Mr. Sandoval and the district wholeheartedly supports this project and
applauds the applicant for his contribution and commitment to this community.
Marco Cortes, 1196 4t" Avenue, Chula Vista, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
expressed support for this proiect and appreciation to KURS for its support to the Chamber and
this community.
Joe Cordero, 1651 Quiet Hill Drive, Oceanside, CA, Chairman of the Board of the Chicano
Federation, stated that the Federation has been in existence in San Diego for over 30 years and
is a Civil Rights organization that provides social, senior, and housing services to name a few.
KURS provides a vital service to the Latino community in disseminating public service
announcements on local issues and expressed wholehearted support for this project.
Roberta Sistos, 401 West A Street, San Diego, CA, member of the National Hispanic Media
Coalition, expressed wholehearted support for the project and encouraged the Commission to
approve the project.
For the the record, the following members of the public wished to express their support of the
project, but waived the right to speak before the Commission:
Marco Antonio Romero, Rene Mora, Leo Conde, Leopoldo Valencia, Irma Conde, Ruben Perez,
Juan Medina, Ismael Leyva, Rafael Toledo, Angel Verenas.
Public Hearing closed 8:00.
MSC (Thomas/O'Neill) (4-0-2) to recommend to the City Council approval of PCC-99-26, a
request to construct, operate and maintain five 75 foot high monopole-type AM transmission
antenna on property owned by the Otay Water District. Motion carried.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
J i m Sandoval, Assistant Director of Planning reviewed the calendar for upcoming meetings in March,
stating there will be regular Planning Commission meetings on March 10 and 24, and a workshop on
March 17 on the Code Enforcement Program.
Mr. Sandoval further stated that the budget allows for three commissioners to attend the Planner's
Institute in Monterey on March 24 thru 26, 1999. Chair Willett and Commissioner Thomas expressed
a desire to attend and Commissioner Ray will be contacted to verify his availability.
Planning Commission Minutes - ? - February 24., 1999
Lastly, Mr. Sandoval passed on the Mayor's comments made at the State of the City Address in which
she highly praised the planning effort that goes on in the community, which the Planning Commission
plays a leading role.
COMMISSION ERS COMMENTS:
Commissioner O'Neill asked for clarification from the Assistant City Attorney as to what would have
been the outcome had the Commission failed to approve a motion to continue an item by a 3 to 1 vote.
Ann Moore, Assistant City Attorney responded that had that happened, there technically would have
been no action on the motion to continue the item to the next Planning Commission meeting,
therefore, the item would automatically be continued to the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT at 9:00 p.m. to the Planning Commission meeting of March 1 O, 1999.
Diana Vargas, Secretary to PIk~hning Commission