HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-07-18 PC MINS MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
July 18j, -1960
An adjourned regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista
was held at 7:00 P-M, on the above date in the Council Chamber at Civic Center with
the following members present: Stevenson, Weakland, Stewart and Adams. Absent:
Members Guyer and Harmstead. Also present: Director of Planning Fretz and City
Attorney Kugler.
STATEMENT
The Secretary of the Planning Commission hereby states that she did. post within 24
hours of the adjournment, as provided by law, the order of the Planning Commission
for the adjourned meeting of`July 18, 1960.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Member Stevenson, seconded by Member Weakland and unanimously carried
that the minutes of the meeting of July ll, 1960, be approved, copies having been
mailed to each member.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
Chairman Stewart explained that the City Charter requires that at the first meeting
after the beginning of the fiscal year, the Commission reorganize by electing a
Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
It was moved by Member Adams, seconded by Member Stevenson and unanimously carried
that the matter be continued to the next meeting, when other members should be present.
VARIANCES
PUBLIC HEARING - Jadson, Inc. - "Ht' Street and Oaklawn Avenue and "G" Street and
Oaklawn Avenue - Use and Height
The application waa read requesting permission to maintain two signs advertising
the Vistan Apartments, both signs being of greater area than allowed and being
over 32 feet high. Planning Director Fretz submitted a plot plan showing location .
of the signs and stated that each sign is 8 x 20 feet in area. He stated that the
ordinance allows a total of 32 square feet for this type of sign.
This being the time and place_ as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing,
Mr. Elmer Sorrenson, speaking for Jadson, Inc.., stated that the signs were erected
during construction of the. Vistan Apartments, which they advertise, and that they
are not detrimental to the area. He stated that Jadson, Inc. is requesting use of
the signs for another six months because the apartments. have only a 50% occupancy
and the signs are needed to assist renting,
Chairman Stewart asked whether the signs were a permitted use at the time they were
erected. Member Adams ,stated that there have been several similar requests before
the Commission that were denied. The Commission discussed the use of large signs in
connection with new subdivisions and whether they conform to provisions of the Zoning
Ordinance, and directed that the matter of enforcement be placed on the agenda for
the next meeting. Mr. Sorrenson stated that signs are an effective media in advertising
new subdivisions and this should be considered if a study is made.
There being no further comment, the hearing was: closed.
Member Adams stated he cannot find any exceptional circumstances about the properties
to justify the granting of a variance. Planning Director Fretz stated that the sign
on "H" Street is located in a commercial zone and behind the setback line so that
approval is needed only for the area. He stated that the sign on "G" Street is within
the setback in an R-3 zone and needs approval of both the height and area.
It was moved by Member Adams and seconded by Member Stevenson that the application for
permission to maintain the two advertising signs be denied for the reason that evidence
indicating exceptional circumstances to justify the granting of the variance was not
presented. The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit:
AYES: Members Adams, Stevenson, Weakland and Stewart
NOES: none
ABSENT: Members Harmstead and Guyer
PUBLIC HEARING - David Lively and Andrew- Henry - Rear of 478 Second Avenue - Use Variance
The application was read requesting permission to use a portion of the R-1 lot at the
rear of 478 Second Avenue for a parking lot for multiple units at 215 t'HII Street.
Planning Director Fretz submitted a plot plan showing area for which the variance was
requested and showing existing buildings and parking spaces at 215 "I-F, Street.
This being the time and place as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing.
Mr. Henry stated that the design of the parking area provided at the rear of the
apartment buildings at 215 "H" Street is such that it is almost impossible for all
the parking spaces to be used. Chairman Stewart stated he feels more of the land
was used than should have been for the buildings. He stated that similar requests
have been denied on the premise that it would be an intrusion into residential areas.
Planning Director Fretz stated that the R-1 property on Second Avenue is very deep
and this might justify the use of the rear for parking. Chairman Stewart stated that
the property on Second Avenue is large enough for two R-1 lots and use of a portion of
it for other purposes would prohibit future lot split.
There being no further comment, the hearing was closed.
It was moved by Member Stevenson and seconded by Member Adams that the application for
permission to use the R-1 property for a parking area for the Meheli Apartments be
denied for the reason that there are no exceptional circumstances applicable to the
property. The motion carried by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Members Stevenson, Weakland, Stewart and Adams
NOES: none
ABSENT: Members Harmstead and Guyer
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PUBLIC HEARING - James D. Peters - 83 "L" Street - Height Variance
The application was read requesting approval of construction of a 5 foot fence
within the front yard setback along "L" Street. Planning Director Fretz submitted
a plot plan of the property.
This being the time and place as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing.
Mr. James Peters stated that when "L" Street was put through, it resulted in two
lots of very shallow depth and irregular shape. He stated that the west side of
the property, around which the 5 foot fence has already been constructed, is the only
place on the lot that can be used for a patio area and a fence is necessary for privacy.
It was noted that a 6 foot fence on the east property line is closer to the street than
this fence.
There being no further comment, the hearing was closed.-
Member Adams stated that even though the fence should not have been put up in violation
of .the ordinance, he felt the lot is a hard one to build on because of the size and
shape.
It was moved by Member Adams and seconded by Member Stevenson that the application for
permission to maintain a five foot fence, constructed within the setback, as presently
located at 83 "L" Street, be approved. Further, that action be based on the following
findings of fact:
1. There are exceptional circumstances about the property in that the lot
is irregularly shaped, and does not permit normal front, side and rear
yard spaces.
2, The. variance is necessary for preservation of a substantial property
right because the property owners will not be able to make full use
of their property for normal residential purposes.
.3. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to
adjacent properties or public welfare because there was apparently
no objection to the variance and because the fence will be considerably
above street level.
The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit:
AYES: . Members Adams, Stevenson, Weakland and Stewart
NOES: none
ABSENT: Members Harmstead and Guyer
PUBLIC HEARING - James. Evans - 130 First Avenue - Setback reduction
The application was read requesting reduction in front yard setback at 130 First
Avenue for purpose of constructing a duplexo Planning Director Fretz submitted a
plot plan showing location of proposed duplex3 stating that one half of the duplex
would be built at this time and the other half later.
This being the time and place as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing.
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Mr. Evans: spoke favoring' the variance and stating that First Avenue had been re-
aligned in the past, changing the shape of the lot.
There being no further comment, the hearing was closed.
It was moved by Member Stevenson and seconded ,by Member Adams that the request for
variance to allow reduction in front yard setback at 130 First Avenue be approved,
as shown on plot plan submitted. Further, that action be based on the following
findings of fact:
1. There are exceptional circumstances about the lot in that it is odd
shaped and the terrain is rough.
2. The variance is necessary-for preservation of a substantial property
right in that the lot cannot be used as it is zoned unless the variance
is granted.
3.1 The variance will not be materially detrimental to the area or to the
public welfare because no objections were received.
,The motion carried by the following vote, to frit:
AYES: Members Stevenson, Weakland, Stewart and Adams
NOES: none
ABSENT: Members Guyer and Harmstead
MISCELLANEOUS
Ordinance Providing for Service Stations in C-1 Zones
Planning Director Fretz submitted copies of the ordinance and explained proposed
amendments, He stated that the ordinance includes the following:
1. Allows for service stations in a C-1 zone with a conditional use permit.
2. Allows for automobile laundries in a C-2 zone with a conditional use permit.
�.3-. Excepts trailer parks from the C-1 or C-2 zones.
4- Sectionalizes sections 9, 10, 16 and 17-
5* Makea minor changes in text, allowing the planning staff to set dates
of public hearing rather than the Planning Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. 181 - Intention to Call Public Hearing on August 1, 1960 to
Consider Amendment to Zoning Ordinance
Offered by Member Stevenson, passed, adopted and approved by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Members Stevenson, Weakland, Stewart and Adams
NOES: - none
ABSENT: Members Harmstead and Guyer
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor PIcAllister spoke' complimenting the Commission on their service to the City.
Request for Extension of Time
A letter was read from Mr. Jack Lowell requesting an extension of time on a variance
granted for setback reduction at 581 and 585 "Et' Street. Mr. Fretz explained that the
variance was for an architectural projection to extend into the setback.
It was moved by Member Stevenson' seconded by Member Weakland and unanimously carried
that Mr. Lowell be granted a six months extension of time for the variance for setback
reduction at 581585 "E" Street.
Request for Exemption from Construction of Public Improvements;
I
A letter was.- read from David M. Sapp Construction Company requesting exemption_ from
construction of public improvements at the northwest corner of "C" Street and Highland
Avenue during construction of a commercial building. Engineering Department recommend-
ations for denial were read, Mr. Fretz explained that the commercial building will have
729000 square feet under roof and paved off-street parking of 350'000 square feet. He
stated that the building is being constructed on the north portion of the property,
leaving the southern portion along "C" Street unimproved at this time.
Mr. William Griffin of Sapp Construction Company., stated that pedestrian traffic is;
not expected in the area and feels sidewalks will not be beneficial. He stated that
the Engineering Department had requested paving to the centerline of "C" Street and
they propose to construct a curb to control surface drainage and not improve "C" at
this time. Chairman Stewart stated that the Engineering Department had reported no
impractical difficulties or dangerous or defective conditions exist to allow exemption
of construction of public improvements. Mr. Griffin questioned whether a bond could
be posted guaranteeing these improvements at a later date and requested that the matter
be continued to allow such a proposal to be considered.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Member Adams' seconded by Member Weakland and unanimously carried that
the meeting adjourn sine die.
Respectfully submitted,,
Audrey S�ehouse
Secretar