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Home My WebLink About2017-08-23 PC MinutesCITY OF CHUTA VISTA REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA August 23, 2017 Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA CALL TO ORDER At 6:01 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Anaya, Burroughs, Milburn, Zaker & Chair Gutierrez MEMBERS ABSENT: Calvo & Nava OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Principal Planner Steve Power; Economic Development Director Eric Crockett; Deputy City Attorney Michael Shirey, Applicants Ian Gill (Silvergate) and Nick Lee (Baldwin) with various team members and approximately 20 residents MOTION TO EXCUSE Commissioner Nava made by Anaya; seconded by Burroughs Vote: 5-0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE OPENING STATEMENT 1 Approval of Minutes August 9, 2017 PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Gutierrez MSC: Zaker/Milburn Vote: 5-0-0 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 an 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. PUBLIC HEARINGS The following item(s) have been advertised as public hearing(s) as required by law. If you would like to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting. Planning Commission Minutes August 23, 2017 Page 12 2 PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Design Review Permit (DR17-0004) to construct a 3 -story, 80 -unit residential condominiums project for individual ownership with two -car garages, common recreation areas, and associated open space on a 5.81 acre site located in the Otay Ranch Freeway Commercial North, Neighborhood FC -2, Planned Community District Freeway Commercial Multi -Family Residential zone (RM). Applicant: Baldwin & Sons Project Manager: Caroline Young, Senior Planner Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission recommend adoption of Resolution DR17-0004 approving the proposed project, based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. Presentation by Sr. Planner Caroline Young to include slides of location map, site plan, elevations, architecture, 3-D renderings and inclusion of amenities and open space areas. Questions to Staff: Opened Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing There were none There were no speakers COMMISSION DELIBERATIONS Concerns that were addressed included: • Affordable Housing goals • Open space areas — how achieved? • Parking ratios and where parking is provided • Street parking—within walking distance? Commissioners like the design and the fact that there are back yards. They also liked that public transportation is available and the way the development of the area is progressing. ACTION: Motion to approve made by Anaya; Seconded by Burroughs VOTE: 5-0-0 with Calvo and Nava absent Planning Commission Minutes August 23, 2017 Page 13 3 PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Design Review Permit DR16-0037 to redevelop the site at 230 Church with a 4 -story, 29 -unit residential efficiency apartment project with 24 on-site and 23 off-site parking spaces, landscaped areas, and the associated access and circulation improvements Applicant: Silvergate Development Project Manager: Miguel Tapia, Senior Planner Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission approve the Design Review Permit resolutions to develop the subject site with the proposed Project, subject to the conditions listed in the resolutions. Senior Planner Miguel Tapia gave a slide presentation that included information regarding the location, site map, views to the north/south/east/west, landscaping to be included on each floor, balconies, a description of the architecture, land use and zoning information, along with parking and fagade components. He also addressed letters from Michael Green and Allan Kuebler (Mr. Kuebler's was received the afternoon of August 23rd prior to the Planning Commission meeting) regarding adequate parking and ingress/egress from the parking area. Questions to staff: • Spaces in existing lot to be lost — was that factored in to equation — who currently has access to those parking spaces? • What public transportation is available nearby? • For sale or rent units? PUBLIC HEARING OPENED • Peter Watry — representing Crossroads II — spoke against the project due to the parking problems • Michael Green — resident/business owner — liked the project, but was not in favor of it because of the parking issues and accessibility of the project. • Ian Gill — representing Silvergate Development — spoke in favor of the project and addressed the establishment of the Downtown Parking District for future parking needs. • Keegan McNamara — real estate developer/investor spoke in favor of the project and noted the new "millennial" demographics and future downtown development. • Janet Goff — resident/business owner was in favor of the project, but against the parking availability and the way the apartments will be accessed. She also took exception to the staff report that said the architecture "fits within the architectural styles of the existing buildings along Church Avenue and Third Avenue". PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED Planning Commission Minutes August 23, 2017 Page 14 COMMISSIONER DELIBERATIONS— CONCERNS INCLUDED (ALL OF WHICH WERE ADDRESSED) • Would the renters be charged parking — have parking permits — how handled? • Parking spaces assigned or first come/first serve? Could there be diagonal parking? Economic Development Director Eric Crockett explained the future parking structures and how the Parking Management Study would be updated. Prior to any of these projects coming on-line the City will have adequate parking in line. Parallel parking will be addressed in the study. • Can you see into the parking garage, is it a translucent material? Concerned with the safety of the garage being accessed solely from the alley. There is a translucent aspect, but there is an air -gap, although obscured, and you can see completely through the parking structure for security. Also has metal/mesh inserts. • Why are 1 -bedroom apts being developed vs 2 or 3 bedrooms? Beginning of urbanization of Third Avenue to a walkable neighborhood — some couples have only 1 car and use Urber, Lyft or other transportation trends. Not having to bear the cost of additional parking will make the cost more affordable in the area. • What is the expected rent? 1 -bedrooms approximately $1,500 to $1,650 3 -bedrooms approximately $2,100 to $2,300 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Milborn: Glad to see a parking study was done, but thinks that with all the new businesses opening, there may be short-term parking issues. He shares the dream for urbanization and a walkable community. Gutierrez: Appreciates the design with new materials that make it unique. With the transformation of Third Avenue, he thinks the parking will be addressed when the future vision is developed. Over the next 5-10 years it will continue to grow and the goal of enhancing Third Avenue will benefit those who live and work there. Anaya: With his "non -filtered" comments — he does not agree with the design element. His parking issues were relieved by Mr. Crockett's comments. In looking at the Third Avenue transformation, he thinks that rapid transit, Uber and Lyft will change the dependency on cars. He is inclined to support the project for the future revitalization of Third Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes August 23, 2017 Page (5 Zaker: Commended Crockett's parking plan. Looked at the economic impact — hearing from the businesses that it is competitive and they need more customers. Urbanizing Third Avenue, although a little uncomfortable at first, will bring a lot of value to the businesses and increase property values. ACTION: Motion to approve by Zaker; Second by Gutierrez VOTE: 5-0-0 OTHER BUSINESS 4 ELECTION OF CHAIR FOR F/Y 2017-2018 (JULY 2017 TO JUNE 2018) Motion to continue current Chair/Vice Chair made by Anaya; Seconded by Zaker Vote: 5-0-0 5 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS There were none 6 COMMISSIONERS'/BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS There were none ADJOURNMENT at 7:41 p.m. to the regular meeting on September 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 276 Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista, California. Mi u t e s submitted by: G Patricia Laughlin Board Secretary Minutes approved 10/25/2017 MSC: Zaker/Milburn Motion passed: 5-0-0 Anaya and Gutierrez absent