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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-08-21 PC MINS MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA August 21 , 1961 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, Comstock, Weakland, Stewart, Adams and Guyer. Ab- sent: none. Also present: Director of Planning Fretz, City Attorney Duberg and Princi- pal Engineer Harshman. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Adams, seconded by Member Guyer and unanimously carried that the minutes of the meeting of August 7, 1961 , be approved, copies having been mailed to each member. AMENDMENTS PUBLIC HEARING - Nurseries in C-1 Zones , Warehousing in C-2 Zones , Contractor 's Storage Yard in C.-2 Zones , etc. Planning Director- Fretz outlined the proposed ordinance amendment and discussed reasons for change. In reference to allowing nurseries in C-1 zones , Member Weakland questioned restriction that fertilizers must be kept in bags in an enclosed building, stating that some fertilizer is kept in bottles and would create no unpleasantness if left outside in rain. The Com- mission discussed nurseries in a C-2 zone, now permitted, as opposed to nurseries allowed in a C-1 zone with a conditional use permit and agreed that nurseries in a C-1 zone should be more restricted. The proposed amendment was changed pertaining to nurseries to read "All fertilizers , chemicals and similar- materials shall be kept in an enclosed building." This being the time and place as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing. There being no comment, either for or against, the hearing was closed. Member Stevenson stated he has no objections to any of the proposed amendments , but asked whether an amendment restricting R-1 development in R-2 zones , R-2 development in R-3 zones, etc. , could be included in this ordinance. Planning Director Fretz stated that such a change should be studied and City Attorney Duberg stated that this amendment has been advertised and such an addition would require a new advertisement and hearing. Mem- ber Adams and Weakland agreed with the proposed changes. RESOLUTION NO. 214 - Recommending to City Council Amendment of Zoning Ordinance to Provide for Nurseriesin C-1 Zones , Warehousing in .0-2 Zones , etc. Offered by Member Adams, passed, adopted and approved by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Adams , Guyer, Stevenson, Comstock, Weakland and Stewart NOES: none ABSENT: none CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS PUBLIC HEARING - Orthodox Presbyterian Church - 626 Hilltop Drive - 1 - i ` The application was read requesting permission to use the dwelling on the property at 626 Hilltop Drive, temporarily, for church activities. Planning Director Fretz submitted a plot plan of the property and explained that off-street parking proposed will meet ordinance requirements , providing parking for a- maximum congregation of 40 persons. He stated that such a parking arrangement could not be approved for a new building, but that this is a small congregation and satisfactory parking arrangements could be wo'r' ked out. This being the time and place as advertised, Chairman Stewart opened the hearing. Mr. Baucam, representing the congregation, stated that they have purchased land to build a new church building and will proceed as soon as water is available. He stated that a permit to use the dwelling for one year should be ample time to complete construction of the church. Member Adams asked whether the house will be lived in while it is used for church purposes. Mr. Baucam stated that a member of the congregation lives in the house and will continue to live there; that only the living room of the house will be used and in nice weather, the patio. He stated that the owner of the house - Mrs. Weston - had contacted adjacent property owners and did not get any objections to the proposed use. Member Stevenson asked what hours the services would be held, and Mr. Baucam stated that there would be two services on Sunday and one mid-week service; that the evening services would be over by 8:00 P.M. Protests were heard from Mr. James Gary, 642 Hilltop Drive; Mr. John Shedel , 447 Hilltop Drive and Mrs. Eugene Schubert, 641 Hilltop Drive, because of possibility of increase in noise and traffic. Mr. Jack Blair, 635 Vista Way, adjacent to the rear of the property, stated use of his rear yard would be affected by the activities held on the patio, but he would not object if all the services ended by 8:30 P.M. There being no further comment, the hearing was closed. Member Guyer stated that the permit should not be for longer than one year. Member Comstock stated that he objects to using a residence for .church purposes in a residential neighbor- hood. He stated that he feels this is going beyond the scope and intent of the conditional use permitfor churches in R-1 zones; that he believes when churches select a vacant building site in an R-1 zone and requests a permit, it is one thing, but using a residence for church purposes is not good planning practice. Planning Director Fretz stated that before churches were required to apply for a conditional use permit, they had only to get approval of the site from the Planning Commission, with no opportunity for a public hearing before the Commission and no standards to guide the Com- mission 's action. He agreed that the Commission must be careful in approving such requests but that this congregation does have land purchased and are only waiting water service to start building. He stated that in this case the building will be used for church purposes only for two Sunday services and one mid-week service and other than that will have as much .a residential character as any other home in the neighborhood. Member Adams stated he is concerned with the number of requests that have been submitted for churches to locate temporarily in a dwelling and that it is an imposition upon a residential neighborhood. Member Weakland stated he doesn ' t think it fair to the neighborhood when churches hold ser- vices in private residences although he doesn 't object to allowing temporary use of a private residence. It was moved by Member Guyer, and seconded by Member Stevenson that 'the Planning Commission recommend to City Council approval of a conditional use permit to allow temporary use of a private residence at 626 Hilltop Drive for church activities, pending construction of a church building, subject to the following conditions: 1 . To be used for church purposes for a 9-month period. 2 - 2. Routine meetings not last later than 8:30 P.M. 3. No alterations be made to the house to provide additional space. Furth r that action be based on the following findings: 1 . The proposed use will not involve damage, noise, smoke, odor, dust, contamin- ation or danger of explosion. The use will not create additional traffic hazard. 2. The house will still be maintained as a home and thus will remain compatible with adjacent uses. ' The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members: Guyer, Stevenson, Comstock, Weakland, Stewart and Adams NOES: none ABSENT: none SUBDIVISIONS Mark Hill #1 - Final Map Planning Director Fretz submitted the final map of Unit #1 of Mark Hill Subdivision and'- read Engineering Department recommendations. It was moved by Member Stevenson, seconded by Member Guyer and unanimously carried that the- final map of Unit #1 of Mark Hill Subdivision be approved and recommended to City Council , subject to the following conditions: 1 . That the final map be approved pending execution of the ownership and title company certificates. 2. . That the subdivider provide a quit-claim deed from the California Water and Telephone Company to the City of Chula Vista for that portion of 15-foot easement shown in Book 7729, Page 137, Official Records , within that portion of street offered for dedication and that easement described in said official records be shown on the final map. COMMUNICATIONS Oral Member Comstock read an article from the newspaper quoting a statement made to the City Council to the effect that all members of the Planning Commission hadnDt made a field trip and a study in connection with a request for zone change for property at 381 "DI' Street, and that consequently the application was denied. Member Comstock stated he feels such a statement should be corrected. Chairman Stewart stated that the paper had printed a retraction in a column on the editorial page, but that he feels it should have been printed as a news item, not in a column. Member Comstock stated that he resented the implication that the Commission members had not taken the time or trouble to visit the site and note its problems. He stated that he had been unable to make the field trip with the other members , but had visited the site himself. City Attorney Duberg stated that he believes the appeal containing this statement, has s - 3 - given the Council the impression that the Commission did not make a field trip. Member Adams stated he believes a statement by the Planning Director during the public hearing will clear the record. Member Comstock moved that a communication be forwarded to the City Counciladvising that the statement in the Star-News on August 17, quoting the statement made by Mr. Culnan in the appeal , was in error and that each member had made a field trip to 381 "D" Street and was familiar with the character of the property. The appeal was read and the statement quoted by the newspaper noted. Member Adams stated he feels reference should not be made to the newspaper in that they only quoted what had appeared in the appeal . Member Comstock withdrew themotion. Member Comstock and Chairman Stewart agreed that the correction should be a matter of record. It was moved by Member Comstock and seconded by Member Adams that the Planning Director forward a communication to the City Council correcting the impression and written appeal by Mr. Ed Culnan representing Mrs. Farrell , to the effect that the Commission did study the property at 381 "D" Street and did make a field trip, either in a body or individually, and studied the problems relative to the land. The motion carried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS Permission to Locate Sign - Faith Freewill Baptist Church - Southeast Corner Fifth and "C" A letter was read from the Faith Freewill Baptist Church requesting permission to construct a sign on thesoutheast corner of Fifth and "C" Street directing persons to the services held in the American Legion Hall . Chairman Stewart stated that if one sign is permitted on public property, it will be hard to refuse the next request. Members' Comstock and Adams agreed. Mr. Jeff Butler, pastor of the church, stated they felt the sign would be helpful , but they do not wish to impose. Chairman Stewart stated he believes that signs on public property should be restricted to those necessary for traffic and asked whether the church had thought of constructing it on the American Legion property. Member Adams stated he feels that it would set a precedent and this is the most important thing about the request. It was moved by Member Stevenson, seconded by Member Adams and unanimously carried that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the request in that it would set a bad precedent and that, in general , public rights-of-way- should only be used for signs pertaining to traffic control . San Diego County Planning Congress - Quarterly meeting - August 28, 1961 Reservations were made for the meeting to be held on August 28, 1961 . San Diego County Planning Congress - Flood Control Criteria Planning Director Fretz explained that this is actually a report to the Board of Supervisors from the Flood Control Section of the County Department of Public Works attempting to es- tablish a storm-frequency upon which to base improvements in subdivisions located in flood plains. He stated that this would be effective only in unincorporated areas but it is hoped that the incorporated cities will follow it. Chairman Stewart stated that the criteria should be kept for reference. - 4 - F, . San Diego County Planning Congress - Report on Industry A letter was read, prepared as directed by the Planning Commission, giving Chula Vista 's choice of alternates ' in Part 1 and Part 2 of the preliminary statements of the County regional planning program. It was moved by Member Guyer, seconded- by Member Stevenson and unanimously carried that the letter be approved,, as read', and forwarded to the San Diego County Planning Congress. Fallout Shelters Planning Director Fretz stated that the Zoning Ordinance prohibits construction of buildings within the front yard setback and a fallout shelter is considered a building. He stated that in many instances it is not possible to get excavating equipment into rear yards so property owners have been requesting building permits for shelters in the front yard. He asked the Commission their feelings with regard to amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow shelters within the setback. The Commission discussed the various methods of locating fallout shelters and the type of entrances to them. They concurred that there should be a height limit to the shelters above ground and the shelters should be as far away as possible from the street. It was moved by Member Guyer, seconded by Member Comstock and unanimously carried that the Planning Director make a study of recommended requirements for shelters in front yards , for the next meeting Otay Gardens Subdivision Member Adams asked the Commission 's thoughts on requiring planting of a median strip on Otay Lakes Road adjacent to the proposed shopping center, as, discussed in a newspaper article. The Commission discussed the matter and concurred that they preferred planting along with a masonry wall at the time the shopping center is developed. Chairman Stewart stated that the tentative map has already been approved with a maximum 64-foot travel-way, which would not accomodate a median strip. RESOLUTION NO. 215 - Cancelling Regular Meeting of September 4, 1961 - A Legal Holiday, and Calling Meeting on September 6, 1961 Offered by Member Guyer, passed, adopted and approved by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members: Guyer, Comstock, Stevenson, Weakland, Stewart and Adams NOES: none ABSENT: none ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Member Weakland, seconded by Member Comstock and unanimously carried that the meeting adjourn, sine die. Respectfully submitted, Audrey Ston house, Secretary Chula Vista Planning Commission