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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-09-17 PC MINS MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA September 17, 1962 The 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 the Civic Center with the following members present: Stevenson, Stewart, Comstock, Weakland, Willhite and Adams. Absent: Member Guyer. Also present: Planning Director Fretz, Assistant Planner Warren and City Attorney Duberg. STATEMENT The Secretary of the Commission hereby states that she did post within 24 hours of adjournment, as provided by law, the order of the Commission for the adjourned meeting of September 5 , 1962. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Comstock, seconded by Member Weakland and unanimously carried that the minutes of September 5 , 1962 be approved, copies having been mailed to each member. CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS PUBLIC HEARING (Cont 'd) - Friendship Assembly of God - 381 "D'' Street - Church Site Planning Director Fretz reviewed the application and the map showing the proposed location. Mr. J. B. Meyers , Pastor and the applicant, said they want the whole lot (420 x 150 feet) to be considered as the church site. Vice-Chairman Stewart said it looked like they still had the proposed church building on the narrow 60-foot strip and he disagreed with this location. Member Willhite said he wouldn't like to see the church in the back of the property as it would be hidden, because this is not a corner lot. There being no further comment, either for or against, the hearing was declared closed. A letter from Mr. Ralph Benger, 109 Fourth Avenue, was read in which he protested the site because of the traffic it would generate. The Commission discussed the area of the site and Mr. Stevenson stated they could condition the request on the rear 100-feet being included in the church site. Mr. Meyers said he would sell the church the whole. site, so that this would be under one ownership. The Commission then discussed the parking for the church. Mr. Adams said he felt the east side of the house was a good Place for a 20-foot driveway. Vice-Chairman Stewart thought the parking should be so laid out as to be most convenient for the -1- people. Member Comstock stated that if parking was not provided in front of the church, the people would park on the streets rather than around the back, and asked for the staff's comments on this. Planning Director Fretz said the plot plan was just submitted minutes before the meeting, and the staff had not had time to check it. He said he felt it was sketchy, and suggested that if the site were to be con- sidered favorably as a church site, that one of the conditions require that detailed plans be approved prior to any building permit being issued. Member Comstock asked the staff 's feeling on the adequacy of this church site - 320 x 150 feet. Mr. Fretz said for a small church, the staff feels it is satisfactory since it is over an acre in size. It was moved by Member Willhite and seconded by Member Adams that the conditional use permit for the Friendship Assembly of God, 381 "D" Street be approved and recommended to the City Council subject to the following conditions: (1) The entire site to be used as a church site - 150 foot frontage and 320 feet in depth. Evidence to be submitted at time building permit is requested showing that church either owns or is purchasing entire property. (2) Detailed plans must be submitted for Commission approval prior to building permit being issued. Further, action be based on the• following findings: (1) Granting this conditional use permit will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. (2) Characteristics of the use proposed are compatible with the type of use in the area because there is a church on the corner of Fourth and "D" Street previously approved. The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Willhite, Adams, Stewart, Comstock, Weakland and Stevenson NOES: None ABSENT: Member Guyer VARIANCES PUBLIC HEARING - Mrs. William C. Barry - 18 "F" Street - Area Requirements The application was read in which they request a variance from the area requirements. The applicant wishes to divide her property, containing 13 ,000 square feet, into two lots - one lot, "Lot All would have 6752.5 square feet and !'Lot B" would have 6747.5 square feet with a 17-foot frontage. Planning Director Fretz submitted a plot plan.of this proposed location This being the time and place as advertised , Chairman Stevenson opened the hearing. -2- Mrs. Barry, the applicant, stated that the property, as it now stands , is too big and difficult for her to maintain. The 17-foot easement would be sold with the second parcel - "Lot B." She has owned this property for six years, and thought she recently had it sold, but the people changed their minds because they too, thought the property was too big to maintain. Mr. Fred Stevens , 331 Rose View Place, Mr. Jack T. Wilson, 312 Hilltop Drive and Mr. George S. Wright, Corner of Hilltop and "F" Street, spoke in opposition, stating as their reasons: the lots would be too small and not in keeping with the neighborhood, as all the lots here are large. Vice-Chairman Stewart said the ordinance requires 7000 square feet of usable space, and the driveway, as it is proposed, does not add anything to the house; that in effect, the lot size is approximately 5200 square feet. Planning Director Fretz pointed out the three similar variances that were granted in this area - all on the south %side of "F" Street. He explained that these were rectangular building sites with square footages of 9,240 - 14,946 and 17,850. There being no further comment, either for or against, the hearing was declared closed. A letter from Harold B. and Augusta B. Starkey was read in which they protested the smaller lots , stating ;they have subdivided 6 lots in the area , all of standard size or more. Member Adams stated that the owner has a problem with the large lot, but felt that Commission would be setting a precedent if they granted this variance. It was moved by Member Comstock and seconded by Member Weakland that the application of Mrs. William C. Barry, 18 "F" Street for area requirement variance to divide her property into two building sites be denied. No exceptional circumstances could be found which would warrant granting such a variance, inasmuch as other variances granted in the neighborhood for lots having less than 50-feet frontage are in excess of 7000 square feet as required by ordinance. Further, that action be based on the following: (1) As to the preservation of the substantial property right of the applicant - there are other lots having a similar square footage in the same area. (2) As to the variance being materially detrimental to the public welfare - granting the variance on this lot would create two lots which would be incompatible with lots in the area which are generally much larger than the 7000 square feet minimum allowed by Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Comstock, Weakland, Stevenson, Willhite, Adams and Stewart NOES: None ABSENT: Member Guyer COMMUNICATIONS Written - Sigma Delta Chi Meeting - September 29, 1962 - "Ralph M. Brown Act" Planning Director Fretz reviewed the letter received stating the meeting was to be held on September 29, in the Palm Room of the U. S. Grant Hotel ; the Hon. Ralph Brown, -3- Justice, Fifth Appellate District Court of Appeal , Fresno, was to be the main speaker. The meeting concerned the controversial and often-misinterpreted Ralph M. Brown Act, the California anti-secrecy legislation. Any member desiring to attend was asked to contact the Planning Office so that reservations could be made. Monthly Meeting - League of California Cities - September 21 , 1962 Planning Director Fretz told the Commission that the City of Carlsbad was host for this meeting. It will be held at the Atlas Room of the Town and Country Motel at 7:30 on Friday evening, September 21 , 1962 and any Commissioner who can possibly attend are asked to get in touch with the Planning Office in order that reservations can be made. Oral M. Bagnell - Interpretation of Previous Variance Planning Director showed the Commission the new plot plan that Madalon Bagnell brought in for her property on Fourth Avenue and "K" Street. The plot plan pre- viously approved called for 10 units. The applicant is asking for permission to revise the plot plan. Member Comstock said he felt the applicant should get another variance. Member Stewart agreed since the original variance was granted on another plan; however, he felt the fee could be waived. Member -Willhite said he liked these plans better than the previous one, but felt the applicant should get another variance. City Attorney Duberg stated that it would be necessary for the applicant to have another variance, and that it was up to the Commission, if they wanted the fee waived. It was moved by Vice-Chairman Stewart, seconded by Member Comstock and unanimously carried that Madalon Bagnell , 819 Fourth Avenue, be asked to make out an amended application; that it be set for public hearing and that the fee be waived. STREETS AND HIGHWAYS Deferral of Public Improvements - 267 East Oxford Street A letter from the Southern California District of the Lutheran Church was read in which they ask permission to improve only that portion - the west 265 feet on which their present development is proceeding. They are willing and ready to dedicate the entire frontage. A letter from the Engineering Department was read in which they recommend that improvements be installed for 330 feet to correspond with the existing improvements on the southerly side of East Oxford, and that the requirements for the improvements for the remainder of the street be waived. Planning Director Fretz said he felt Lt would set a precedent to require the applicant to improve the additional amount since he .will not be using it. The Commission discussed the matter of having this surveyed and the church property shown separately. Vice-Chairman Stewart suggested that this matter be held until the next regular -4- meeting and the staff check with the applicant as to the feasibility of how the property could be divided. MISCELLANEOUS Vice-Chairman Stewart brought up the problem of people converting their garages into family rooms , and then parking their cars in the setback. He said he feels the building inspectors should be given the job of watching out for this when they are out on their rounds. Planning Director Fretz said this has come up before. About two years ago, the ordinance was amended to require people converting their garages into rooms to have two off-street parking spaces , one in a garage or carport. City Attorney stated that this should be a job for the police and the Building In- spection Department and that they should clear it with his office before going out to enforce the violation. Chairman Stevenson brought up the matter of publishing informative articles in the newspaper about zoning and building regulations. Vice-Chairman Stewart questioned whether the new master plan would leave the church site in the same category as the present zoning. He felt that we should have high standards in our ordinance whereby the Commission could accept this with the least amount of hostility to individuals and groups , that at present, he remarked that there were too many appeals going to the Council . Planning Director Fretz told the Commission they could help out on this problem by working with their subcommittee members and getting their feelings on the issues. Member Willhite agreed saying the action should come from the committees-themselves and not just from the Commission. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Member Weakland, seconded by Member Adams and unanimously carried that the meeting adjourn sine die. Respectfully submitted, i dennie7M. Fulasz Secretary