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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-11 PC MINS SCANNED t ; MINUTES OF THE 3 _. PLANNING COMMISSION ftp OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA,CALIFORNIA Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue January 11,2012 Chula Vista,California CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE: Members Present: Spethman, Calvo, Anaya, Moctezuma,Vinson, Felber, Livag PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE: INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Spethman 6:10:09 PM ORAL COMMUNICATION: No public input CONSENT ITEMS: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: ( 1. Public Hearing: PCZ 11-01; Consideration of a Rezone to change the zone from Single- Family Residential (111) Zone to a One and Two-Family Residential (112) Zone. The site is located to the rear of the Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market at the corner of Third Avenue and J Street. Applicant: Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market. Background: Caroline Young reported that the applicant would like to add an additional parking lot at the rear of the Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market to provide parking beyond that required by the Urban Core Specific Plan. The subject parcels are surrounded by single-family homes and are landlocked. Since the R-1 zone does not allow parking lots, the applicant is proposing a zone change on two parcels to R-2, which allows a parking lot through the issuance of a CUP. Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCZ 11-01 recommending, that the City Council approve the zone change from R1 to R2 zone based on the findings and subject to Conditions of Approval. Commission Comments: Cmr. Spethman expressed some concern with the project being located next to single-family residences and asked if the project had gone through the Design Review Board where issues such as noise and lighting attenuation, hours of operation, delivery schedule and such are addressed. Ms. Young responded that the building size is below the threshold requiring DRB approval, therefore, the project was approved by the Zoning Administrator. However, early in the process Planning Commission Minutes -2 - January 11, 2012 they applied for a Design Review Permit. At the time, the Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) reviewed the project and held a couple of neighborhood meetings where the residents expressed overwhelming support for the project; in particular for security reasons, having a well-lit parking lot with fencing,which would deter transients from congregating there. Public Hearing Opened: 6:26:19 PM Mark Bergman representing Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market stated he was available to answer questions. MSC (Felber/Moctezuma) (7-0) that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCZ 11-01 recommending that the City Council approve the zone change from R1 to R2 zone based on the findings and subject to Conditions of Approval. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Public Hearing: GPA 12-01; Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista recommending to the City of Chula Vista City Council to amend certain sections of the Chula Vista General Plan Land Use and Transportation Element and Environmental Element regarding Healthy Communities. Background: Diem Do reported that Chula Vista was one of nine cities receiving a Healthy Community Planning Grant from SANDAG and was one of four cities awarded the highest amount of $75,000. The purpose of the grant is to promote public health principles at the local level through the establishment of policies and goals promoting access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity. To achieve this, staff is proposing amendments to the Land Use and Transportation Element and the Environmental Element of the General Plan. Ms. Do presented health statistics for the South County region citing findings from a study conducted by the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency Public Health Services. In response, the City prepared to do two things; 1.) integrate Healthy Communities language into the General Plan, and 2.) implement a new program called Cilantro to Stores, which kicked off in December 2011. Marilyn Ponseggi summarized the language proposed in the amendments to the General Plan. Commission Comments: 6:44:30 PM Cmr. Felber asked what considerations were given in picking the stores, particularly liquor stores, to participate in the Cilantro program and what has been their success. Ms. Do stated that the vast majority of neighborhoods in the west side of Chula Vista only have access in close proximity to convenient and liquor stores. After some consideration was given, it was determined that the benefits to the community of providing access to fresh produce out- weighed the fact that they also sell liquor. L Planning Commission Minutes -3- January 11, 2012 Cmr. Felber expressed reservation with the legality of establishing policy that's not enforceable such as objective in LUT 34a which deals with restricting the concentrations of unhealthy food providers within certain underserved neighborhoods. Marilyn Ponseggi stated that what's being proposed is a General Plan Amendment that would provide the policy to move forward with formulating future zoning. Attorney Shirey added that when the time comes, the nuts and bolts of the implementation language of such a policy would be thoroughly looked at, ensuring that it will be enforceable. Mr. Halbert added that the policy is asking the City Council if they even want us to look at and evaluate the potential for limiting unhealthy food providers. Cmr. Felber requested further elaboration on LUT 34c.4 with respect to creating incentives to encourage restaurants to use locally grown produce. Ms. Diem stated that the benefits to buying local-grown produce are numerous, i.e. maximizing nutritional value by consuming produce that's in season; shorter transportation distances; supporting our local agriculture helps boost our local economy. The incentive aspect is another one of those implementation questions that hasn't yet been fully explored, but an example might be to market a business that uses local-grown produce. Cmr. Felber also requested further clarification on how Objective E6.a.1. regarding smoke-free space at all workplace and multi-unit housing would be enforced. Ms. Do stated that they were thinking along the lines of where the City might be providing funding to a large multi-family affordable housing project; consideration could be given to designating some units as non-smoking units. 7:00:54 PM Cmr. Calvo pointed out that LUT 8 that was in the staff report was not included in the Resolution; secondly, she also recommended changing the language in LUT 23. to read, "....address the maximum walking distance to access daily retail needs AND OR transit.", thereby offering a couple options. COMMISSION COMMENTS: 7:09:15 PM Cmr. Moctezuma expressed enthusiastic support to include language in the General Plan addressing objectives aiming at raising awareness and promoting a strong, healthy community, similar to the Quality of Life goals contained in the Growth Management Ordinance. Cmr.Vinson stated he doesn't believe the proposal warrants an amendment to the General Plan, and from a philosophical standpoint, in his opinion,the $75,000 could have been better spent. Cmr. Livag echoed Cmr. Moctezuma's sentiments and stated that this is more directional and not implementation. The only recommendation he would make would be to remove the negative statistics from the resolution, which is the permanent public record, and more appropriate for the staff report as informational. Planning Commission Minutes -4- January 11, 2012 Cmr.Anaya stated he grew up in a neighborhood where access to a full-service supermarkets was not available and all they had were corner liquor/convenience stores. He believes this endeavor is a step in the right direction and applauds the Cilantro program as a means by which to raise the awareness and offer more choices, where there previously were none. Cmr. Felber stated that some of his concerns are placated by the choice of words i.e. encourage, educate, promote; instead of mandate, require, which he couldn't have supported . Policy-makers need to be mindful to not limit free enterprise and people's ability to operate their businesses the way they want. Cmr. Livag stated he shares Cmr. Felber's sentiments, however, he believes that sometimes we need a strong policies to get us in the right direction, and it's important to have choices, but sometimes only bad choices are afforded because of bad policies. Public Hearing Opened and Closed. 7:21:12 PM MSC (Luiag/Moctezuma) (5-2-0-0)that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council with the following changes to the resolutions to have the language be consistent with each other; • Remove the negative stats taken from the health study conducted by the County Health Dept. • Add LUT 8 to City Council Resolution • Change LUT 23.1.a. in the Planning Commission resolution to read "...access to daily retain needs OR nearest transit stops." • Remove the sentence under 7.16 that reads"There is a growing awareness of the need for Health Communities." The Planning Commission also made a recommendation that staff add a recital to the City Council Resolution using language with a more positive approach to promoting healthier eating choices. Motion carried with Cmrs. Spethman and Vinson voting against the motion. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Consideration of amendments to the Otay Ranch General Development Plan (PCM 11-05); 2. Consideration of amendments to the Village 2 Sectional Planning Area Plan (PCM 11-06) including Planned Community District Regulations, and Design Plan to reflect the redistribution of 113 units/lots within Village 2. The project also includes addenda to the existing EIR and Public Facilities Finance Plan; 3. Consideration of a Tentative Map(PCS 11-02)for neighborhood R-46; 4. Consideration of a Tentative Map (PCS 11-03) for neighborhoods R-20, R- 23, R-24, R-25a, R-25b,and R-27; S. Consideration of a Tentative Map (PCS 11-04)for neighborhood R-6; and 6. Consideration of a Tentative Map (PCS 11-05) for neighborhoods R-8 and R-9b. Cmr. Calvo recused herself from the dais and deliberation on this item due to a potential conflict of interest related to her employment/client relation. Planning Commission Minutes - 5 - January 11, 2012 Background:Stan Donn presented an overview of the proposed amendments to the Otay Ranch GDP and Village 2 SPA Plan and associated regulatory documents in order to reallocate 113 previously approved residential units/lots in Otay Ranch Village 2 of Montecito. Mr. Donn reported that neighborhoods R-6, 8a, and 9b of Village 2 North were graded and had partial utilities installed in 2006. Due to the significant economic downturn, the build-out of these parcels was not completed. Based on current market conditions, the product-types originally anticipated are no long economically viable. In order to realign these neighborhoods with current marketplace conditions, the applicant is proposing detached homes on lots that are smaller in size and slightly higher in density than originally proposed. Steven Haase of Baldwin and Sons presented an overview of his proposal. Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCM 1105/06, PCS 11-02, 11-03, 11-04, 11-05 recommending that the City Council: • consider the Addendum to to FEIR 02-02 • approve a resolution to amend the Otay Ranch GDP and the Otay Ranch Village 2 SPA Plan for the reallocation of the 113 units within Village 2, • approve an ordinance to amend the private usable open space requirements for small lots detached single family units in the RM 1 zone; and • approve four resolutions for each of the Tentative Maps associated with the unit reallocation and subject to the conditions that are contained within the resolutions and ordinance. Public Hearing Opened and Closed. 8:20:40 PM IVISC(Felber/Moctezuma)(6-0-1-0)that the Planning Commission adopt PCM 1105/06, PCS 11-02, 11- 03, 11-04, 11-05 recommending that the City Council: • consider the Addendum to to FEIR 02-02 • approve a resolution to amend the Otay Ranch GDP and the Otay Ranch Village 2 SPA Plan for the reallocation of the 113 units within Village 2, • approve an ordinance to amend the private usable open space requirements for small lots detached single family units in the RM 1 zone; and • approve four resolutions for each of the Tentative Maps associated with the unit reallocation and subject to the conditions that are contained within the resolutions and ordinance. Motion carried with Cmr. Calvo abstaining. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Gary Halbert gave an update on AB 26,the State legislation that dissolved all Redevelopment Agencies effective February 1, 2012 and replaces them with Successor Agencies. Mr. Halbert further indicated that with the elimination of the CVRC,the Planning Commission would now be considering those projects that are within redevelopment project areas. Planning Commission Minutes - 6- January 11, 2012 COMMISSION COMMENTS: ��- Chair Spethman asked for clarification on the protocol for the amount of time allowed to an applicant to address the Commission. Staff reaffirmed that as a courtesy,the applicant is allowed to address the Commission or make a short presentation on his project, however, it's within the Chair's purview to limit the time to a duration that's deemed reasonable. Submitted by: Diana Vargas,Secretary to th Planning Commission