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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-09-28 PC MINS MMTUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Monday, September 28, 1953 The City Planning Commission met on the above date at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber at Civic Center with the following Members present: Stewart, Poulter, Mohrp Farris, Drew, Smith. Absent: Member Longworth. Also Present: Chief Administrative Officer Floyd, Office Engineer Harshmang City Planner Fred Wagner* DISCUSSION - First Avenue Extension. City Planner Wagner read a petition from the residents of First Avenue, ap- proximately 75 of whom were present, protesting First Avenue Extension to the east. The petition was signed by nearly 700 residents. Mr'. Law, President of the First Avenue Association, stated that the officers and members had agreed as an Association, to turn the discussion over to Attorney Davies who is representing the group. Mr. Davies stated that the petition had been signed over a short period of time by dame 700 residents, said residents unanimously objecting to making First Avenue a through street. The residents are anxious to request that the Commission disap- prove any action heretofore taken in making First Avenue northerly and southerly of the City limits into a through street. They feel that it is not only untimely but dangerous to have a through roadway bisect an area within a distance of three miles$ since the latest trend is to go around municipalities. Mr. Davies further stated that the Association is definitely opposed to such a plan, and proposes to take any action necessary, legal or otherwise, in opposing it. Member Smith statedthat, in his opinion, the Planning Commissionts intention was not to make a 'through artery by way of First Avenue, but to have a connection to the east in that general vicinity. City Planner Wagner distributed to the Commission copies of a report he had previously made on the proposed First Avenue extension, and read said report to the audience. Member Dreg stated that the outlet to the north via a continuation of First Avenue is'a real necessity to the City. He further stated that the matter of con- tinuing First Avenue to the south was brought up by the Planning Commission of National City, because unless a continuous route -is shown north to south in the Master Plan, it would be impossible for National City to obtain State Gas Tax Funds to help in the construction of such a through route. However, there is now some question as to whether or not National City will be able to get the needed funds from the State so that there may be no need of a southerly extension of First Avenue at this time. City Planner Wagner stated that National City assumed they would be able to get additional Gas Tax funds out of the l2 cents gas tax increase to purchase rights- of-way, and after sending a representative to Sacramento, were refused, as gas tax monies go to counties rather than cities under the 12 cents gas tax increase. Member Drew asked Mr. Davies if the principal objection to the First Avenue ex- tension was because it would bring in a large amount of traffic from the south. Mr. Davies stated in reply that a through route would mean more and faster traffic, whether from north or south, and the situation would become much too hazardous. Mr. Inglett asked why the present through streets could not be used instead of extending First Avenue and jeopardizing properties and schools. Member Farris stated that, in his opinion, First Avenue would-still have a traffic problem no matter what is done. Member Mohr asked why the Commission could not forget Route "A" and use Route "B". He stated that, in his opinion, Route "B" would achieve the same goal as Route "A" and better solve the traffic problem. (These routes are shown on map entitled "Three Point .Highway Improvement Plan" approved by National City and Chula Vista). Member Farris stated that' in his opinion, both Routes ttAtt and itBtt will be greatly needed.$ as well as other routes leading out of the City in the near future. Chairman Stewart requested Mr. Wagner to contact the Highway Development Assoc. to ascertain at what time the proposed extension of Highway 395 could be made pos- sible. Mr. L. T. Griffiths asked why a route could not be made to the east through undeveloped areas and not jeopardize the present established homes of residents. , In conclusion, Mr. 'Davies stated that any assistance possible will be given to Routes "B" and "C",$ but that Route "An is strongly objected to. DISCUSSION - Bonita Street Realignment. Mr. Dil7ion, representing the Bonita Ste property owners' stated that the views presented by the First Avenue group were practically the same views of the Bonita Street residents. He further stated that a recent traffic count taken by the County in March, 1953 shored that roughly 44000 cars a day were using Bonita Street: and that if the proposed plan is adopted' it would mean a substantial increase in traffic' which is most undesirable. Mr. Algert stated that, in his opinion, it would be better to protect undeveloped portions of Bonita Street now with increased setbacks. Mr. F. 1. Kinney stated that, in his opinion, the Master Street Plan should be discarded entirely. Mr. N. H. Derri.g stated that, in his opinion, the through highways should be kept outside the City. Mr. Wagner distributed to the Commission copies of a cost estimate on properties involved in the First Avenue and Bonita Street developments. Mr. John Malloy asked-if an area was not developed and a Master Plan was in effect, could said Master Plan stop further development of subdivisions. Chairman Stewart stated in reply that most certainly any subdivider would have to adhere to a Master Plan, that being one of its important functions. Mr. Derrig asked why Bonita Street needs to be changed or realigned. -2. Mr, Peter Shore stated that the Planning Commission's thinking is too much toward the future and the outlying areas. In his opinion' the Commission should consider Chula Vista first. Mr. Lawton stated that he would fight any move to condemn his and other fronting properties. Member Drew stated that in his long-experience on the Planning Commission that each time a Master Plan has come up the same situation existed which is in existence at this meeting' no one wanted to have his property involved, .and for that reason the City now has the present traffic problem. Chairman Stewart asked if there were any further questions or statements. There being none.,- the discussion was declared closed. DISCUSSION - National Avenue Zoning. Chairman Stewart requested City Planner Wagner to review for the Commission the progress to date on the proposed rezoning and Mr. Wagner complied. He stated that he had attended two meetings, sponsored by the Association and that a vote was tahan showing of the 48 persons at the second meeting', 22 favored the present M-1 zoning, while 20 favored a C-2 and 6 favored modified C-2. Mr. Wagner recommended that the Commission consider. a C-3 zone which would guarantee continued use of existing businesses and provide for uses considered somewhat objectionable to be located elsewhere in the other designated M-1 zones. Mr. Finwall stated that most of the people who voted to retain an M-1 zone did so' through a misunderstanding, and that most of them would favor a modified C-2 zone. Mr. Koester stated that the Association is trying to do what is best for the businessmen and property owners on National Avenue. The officers of the Association would like to see the street changed to a more commercialized zone. He further stated that in his opinion the majority of the people would favor a modified C-2 zone. Member Drew stated that it might be well to divide National Avenue into three parts, and'segregate the types of businesses.. Member Mohr stated that he would be desirous of having the Commission make a recommendation for C-3 use, eliminating the objectionable M-1 uses. It was moved by.Member Smith$ seconded by Member Farris and unanimously carried, that the City Planner be directed to work out an acceptable C-3 zone for National Avenue to present to the Commission and also the National Avenue Business- men's Association as soon as possible. Mr. James Huggett, representing the firm of Foster and Kleiser Advertising Co. was present and stated that.he felt the proposed rezoning was aimed at billboards and that they advertise articles for sale on National Avenue and were desirous of working out an agreeable arrangement with the Commission. DISCUSSION - Future Commercial and Industrial Zones. Chairman Stewart invited comments from Member Drew on his proposals for the expansion of the central business district. Mr. Drew read a copy of a report by a special sub-committee consisting of Members Stewart, Longworth and Drew which included proposed new commercial zones, off-straet parking lots' new street openings and expansion of park lands. City Planner Wagner requested the Commission to consider the placement of some R-C (restricted commercial) zones at the northeast and southeast corners of the City. Members agreed to think the proposal over. Member Drew reviewed-his recommendations for M-3 zoning in the Tidelands area, City Planner Wagner stated that he had talked to Assemblyman Cloyed about the possibility of realigning the pierhead and bulkhead lines to add approximately 150 to 200 acres in the tidelands and that such a plan appeared feasible. It was moved by Member Farris$ seconded by Member Mohr and unanimously carried, that the Planning Commission recommend that the Harbor Commission be permitted to obtain the services of a qualifies expert to prepare studies for the ultimate development of the Tidelands area to aid in the completion of the Planning Com- mission's ommission's studies of zoning for the area. DISCUSSION - Proposed New Zone Plan and Ordinance. The discussion was .general in character due to the lateness of the hour. REQUEST - Of National City for Affirmative Action on Their Proposed Annexation. City Planner Wagner informed.the Commission that a letter from B. J. Geautereaux, City Manager of National City, requesting the Cities' approval of their proposed an- nexations had arrived too ]ate for the agenda. However, the Commission agreed to discuss the matter and it was moved by.Member Drew, seconded by Member Farris and unanimously carried, that. the Commission recommends the approval by the, City Council of the proposed annexation to National City of a portion of Olivewood Housing Pro3ect shown on a map as Exhibit "A" and the -Commission further recommends that both cities work togetherf toward the establishment of a common boundary line agree- able to both cities to be located in Sweetwater Valley. LETTM. - From Glenn A. Rick, Planning Director of the City of San Diego. The City Planner read Mr. Rick's letter., which stated that the matter of the Chula Vista - National City sponsored three-point highway improvement program would be before the San Diego City Planning Commission on 17ednesday3 October 7, 1953. LIBRARY PLAN The Dity Planner informed the Commission that a check of a title company had failed to reveal the existence of an unknown contract be-trveen the City and the Chula Vista School District signed in 1916, which states in part that if the City ceases to use any portion of the library property for civic purposes, it must revert to the school board. The contract was discovered in an old folder on file in the -4- City Clerk's vault just recently. Member Drew wondered if. the present school board could legally release the City from the terms of the contract and suggested that City Attorney Boyer be requested to explore the matter'further. The 'City Planner then showed the Commission a petition signed by over 300 persons requesting the City Council to retain all of the library property and dedicate it as a public park: The matter was laid over for further study. ADJOITMWNT It was moved by Member Farris, seconded by Member Drew, and unanimously carried, that the meeting adjourn, sine die, at 13:55 P.M. J . Steele, Secretar7