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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-06-01 PC MINS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA June 1, 1959 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista was held on the above date at 7:30 P.M.,- in the Council Chamber at Civic Center, with the following members present: Sparling, Calkins, Harmstead, Adams and Guyer. Absent: Chairman Stewart and Member Stevenson. Also present: Director of Planning Fretz, City Attorney Kugler and Principal Engineer Harshman, Vice-:Chairman Sparling presided over the meeting in Chairman Stewart's absence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES_: Member Adams: pointed out the following correction: On page 3, the roll call vote. in the matter of the Paxton variance, to, read "NOES.: Members: Adams' Stevenson, Sparling and Stewart.'= It was:moved by Member Adams, seconded by Member Calkins and carried that the minutes of the meeting of May 18, 1959, be approved as corrected. COMMUNICATIONS Widening of Landis and Church Avenues; - Chamber of Commerce Letters were read from the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Off-street Parking Committee, recommending to the. City Council that Landis and Church Avenues, between «E" and "F", be widened and that a 15 foot setback would be ideal. Director of Planning Fretz. reviewed the matter, stating that in an attempt to maintain uniformity in commercial zones, the Commission had recommended to the City Council that the 10 foot setback be reduced to 5 feet. Mr. Fretz stated that some commercial zones have zero setbacks but that it was felt Landis and Church should maintain 5 feet because of' their narrows ness. He explained the legal procedure by which cities may maintain right-ofsway for street widening purposes, stating that it is not sound practice to do this through building line provisions, as is now the practice. Hestatedthat it is hoped this provision in the Zoning Ordinance may be corrected soon. It was moved by Member Harmstead, seconded by Member Guyer and unanimously carried that the Planning Commission suggest to the Downtown Parking Committee that they reconsider their recommendation for street widening for Landis and Church Avenues, in view of the following: If the Planning Commission's recommendation to City Council to reduce the building line to 5 feet is followed, the space between the edge of the curb and the front of buildings will be lessened considerably. This would reduce the site-distance for automobiles on Davidson, approaching Landis, and create a dangerous situation. Mr. Gene Gosch, speaking for the Downtown Parking Committee, stated that the committee, in recommendinga street-widening program., was looking ahead for 'the future development of the area and they feel that a 15 foot setback along these streets. is appropriate. r � REZONING PUBLIC HEARING - Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Director of Planning Fretz reviewed the major proposed revisions to the Zoning Ordinance, as listed below, stating that they will remedy some of the existing pro- visions of the Zoning Ordinance that appear to be difficult to work with and which have been brought to the attention of the Commission most often on applications for variance. He stated that copies of the proposed ordinance were submitted to the Board of Realtors for study and recommendation. 1. Establishes a "Conditional Use Permit" procedure as a part of the Zoning Ordinance. 2. Amends rear yard requirements for residential lots which will allow development of property in conformity with todays standards as well as assure proper open space on lots. 3. Upgrades minimum lot area in R-2 and R-3 zones to 7000 square feet and establishes minimum floor areas per dwelling units permitted. 4. Allows public utility buildings and uses in residential areas under "Conditional Use Permit" procedure. 5. Eliminates two single dwellings as a permitted R-2 use. 6. Allows_ professional and business offices, trailer parks and parking lots in the R-3 zone under "Conditional Use Permit" procedure. Establishes off-street parking requirements in conjunction with conditional uses. This being the time and place as advertised, Vice-Chairman Sparling opened the public hearing. Comments were heard from Mrs. Edward Williams, 276 Whitney and Mrs. Samuel Kodish, 52 Shasta. There being no further comments, the hearing was closed. RESOLUTIO14 NO. 123 - Recommending to City Council the Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance Offered by Member Adams, passed, adopted and approved, by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Member Adams, Guyer, Calkins, Sparling and Harmstead NOES: none ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson Precise Zoning - Russell Haas Industrial Park Annexation Director.of Planning Fretz submitted the proposed precise Zoning Map for Russell Haas Industrial Park Annexation, explaining that it is the same as that approved for interim zoning under the new Prezoning Ordinance. It was moved by Member Calkins' seconded by Member Harmstead and unanimously carried that a hearing be set on June 15, 1959, for consideration of M-1 and R'-1, precise zoning, as shown on map submitted. Interim Zoning - Palomar Annexation 'Director of Planning Fretz presented a map showing proposed interim zoning of the Palomar Annexation. and stated that the proposed zoning is based on land use and requests by property ownerse 2 - It was moved by Member Guyer, seconded by Member Calkins and unanimously carried that a hearing be set on June 15,1959, for consideration of interim R-3 and C-2 zoning for the Palomar Annexation. VARIANCES PUBLIC HEARING - Rosalie C. Volck - 134 and 136 Madison The application was read requesting permission to park automobiles within the setback along Madison Avenue. Director of Planning Fretz presented a plot plan showing location of recently constructed duplex, off-street parking now being used and location within the setback of off-street parking area applicant desires to use. This being the time and place as advertised, Vice-Chairman Sparling opened the hearing. A letter was read from the Chief Building Inspector to the effect that the plans for the duplex were corrected upon issuance of a building permit, showing that off-street parking could not be provided within the setback.. Mr. Dale Gardner, speaking for the applicant, stated that the timing on the application for building permit was such that the ordinance prohibiting parking within setbacks was en- acted after plans had been submitted for checking and that the applicant had blacktopped , the area for parking without realizing it could not be used. He stated that the plans on the job were not marked indicating the area could not be used, and that he feels the applicant and the Building Department are in error and that the variance should be approved to correct the error. Mrs. Edward Williams, 276 Whitney spoke favoring the provision of off-street parking. There being no further comment; the hearing was closedv Member Adams stated that the ordinance does not provide use of the variance to correct errors and that in his opinion the property does not suffer any hardship making the granting of a variance necessary. It was moved by Member Adams and seconded by Member Guyer, that the application allowing off-street pakking within the setback along 134 and 136 Madison be denied for the reason that there are no exceptional circumstances which make it legal for the Commission to grant the variance. The motion failed to carry by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Adams, Guyer, Sparling NOES: Members Calkins and Harmstead ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson City Attorney Kugler stated that the vote constituted no action in that the City Charter requires a majority of four votes to take any action. It was raved by Member Calkins and seconded by Member Harmstead that the variance-be granted based on the follovi ng findings of fact:: 1. That an error had been made and unless relief is given through a variance, .the applicant will be required to to ar out the blacktopping. The motion failed to carry by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Calkins and Harmstead NOES: Members Sparling, Adams and Guyer ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson - 3 - i PUBLIC HEARING " Louis and Dorothy Rudolph - 299 Sea Vale The application was read requesting reduction in setback from 25 feet to zero along Third Avenue, adjacent to 299 Sea Vale, for the purpose of constructing a six foot fence. Director of Planning Fretz presented a plot plan of the property showing location of a swimming pool constructed within the setback and the unimproved Third Avenue. It was noted that the Planning Commission had previously recommended to the City Council that this portion of Third Avenue be vacated, inasmuch as it appears unlikely it will be improved. This being the time and place as advertised, Vice-Chairman Sparling opened the hearing. Mrs. Rudolph presented a list of property owners appr6ving the granting of the variance and a letter was read from Mrs. Frances Payton, 222 Sea Vale, approving the granting of the variance. Mr. R. D. Evans, 271 Sea Vale, stated that the variance should be granted so that a fence could be constructed around the pool for protection of neigh- borhood children. It was moved by Member Harmstead and seconded by Member Calkins that the request be granted for reduction in setback along Third Avenue adjacent to this property, from . 25 feet to zero for the purpose of construction of a six foot fence; further, that the action be based on the following findings of fact: 1. That the pool, without a fence, presents a hazardous condition. 28 That the fence will be along a street not expected to be improved and away from other dwelling units. 3. The variance' based on the above, is necessary for preservation of a sub- stantial property right and will not affect the surrounding area. The motion carried by the following vote, to-Tait: AYES: Members Harmstead, Adams, Guyer, Calkins and Sparling NOES: none ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson STREETS AND HIGWAYS Street Name Change - Country Club Drive to HKI' Street Director of Planning Fretz reviewed the matter, stating that the Council has approved a street name change for a portion of Country Club Drive west of First Avenue and that because of protests registered by adjacent property owners, had requested the Planning Commission to make a recommendation as to whether the street should be called "K01 Street or Country Club Drive. Protesting the change of name were Mr. Earl Lee, 102 Country Club Drive' Mr. H. LeMere, 100 Country Club Drive, Mr. Lafon McKenzie, 106 Country Club Drive, Mrs.' McKenzie, 14rs. John Street, 112 Country Club Drive and Mrs. LeMere. It was moved by Member Adams and seconded by Member Harmstead that the, Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the name Country Club' e retained for the street in question for the reason that it would inconvenience the property owners - 4p considerably to affect the name change, and because of the possibility. that "K" Street R will be put through from First Avenue. It was moved by Member Calkins, and seconded by Member Guyer that the motion be amended by adding that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the city acquire the property necessary to put t'K" Street through. The motion and amendment carried unanimously. Shasta Street - Extension to Hilltop . Director of� Planning Fretz reviewed a request from the administration to determine whether or not the Planning Commission feels that Shasta Street should be extended ° east to Hilltop Drive from the Hilltop Glen Subdivision. He stated that the sub., division map for Hilltop Glen had been approved with a temporary turn�-areund within the right-of-way of Shasta3 expecting that it would be extended to Hilltop. Principal Engineer Harshman said that the original plans were to have the street extended but. that he was not prepared to state whether or not it would be necessary for circulation of traffic. He stated that the temporary turn-around is not satisfactory as a permanent improvement. Mr. Fretz stated that the owner of the property between the end of' Shasta and Hilltop is developing his property and that consideration should be given to the question of whether or not the street should be extended. Mrs. Samuel Kodish' 52 Shasta, spoke, stating that she and the other residents would prefer the street to remain as is, because of the saf6tiy given to the children of the area. It was moved by Member Guyer and seconded by Member Calkins -that the Commission recommend that Shasta Street not be extended to Hilltop Drive. The motion failed to carry by 'the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Calkins and Guyer NOES: Members Sparling, Harmstead and Adams ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson It was moved by Member Adams and seconded by Member Harmstead that the Planning Commission recommend to City Council that Shasta Street be extended through to Hilltop from Hilltop Glen Subdivision. The motion failed to carry by the following vote, to fait: AYES: Members Adams, Sparling and Harmstead NOES', Members Guyer and Calkins ABSENT: Members Stewart and Stevenson Council Suggestion on Lot Size. The Commission discussed the suggestion of the City Council that provision be made for larger lots than now required in our R-1 zones. It was noted that larger lots might bring about more desirable development but that cost of improvements for Sub- division of hilly areas is such that it m;-ight.prohibit development. Director of Planning Fretz informed the Commission that the City Council had questioned what could be done about the minimum size of houses being built in newly annexed lands. He said that a city should. adopt standards which would help create the character of development desired by that city. He added that one way to increase the size of house is to increase lot size as topography gets steeper. Member Sparling, speaking on his own as a developer and quoting his experience, said that the city should be very careful in adopting standards which.would make it - 5 � difficult for subdividers to break even. Member Adams suggested that it might be desirable to make provision now in the ordinance for a zone requiring larger lot area for use if the occasion arises. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned to June 15, 1959. Respectfully submitted' X, Audrey S nehouse Secretary r