HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-04-20 PC MINS MINUTES OF ADJOURNED MEETING OF
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Held April 20, 1953
The Planning Commission met in the Council Chamber at the Civic Center on
the above date at 7:30 P.M. with, the following members present: Poulter, Long-
worth, Ramage, Drew and Stewart. Member Poulter acted as Chairman in Chairman
Wulff's absence.
ABSENT: Members Wulff and Smith
Also Present: City Attorney Boyer and City Planner Wagner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Meeting held April 6, 1953. Chairman Poulter commented on the item, 11MASTER
STREET PLAN.. ..with the exception of IJI Street:..". One solution he felt which
was considered favorably by the Commission was to swing traffic southerly into Otay
and Tijuana Valley, rather than to come into Chula Vista. 11L" Street, it appeared,
would be satisfactory for local traffic but not for truck traffic.
Member Stewart said he felt that 85% of the traffic will come into Chula Vista
anyway and the balance, only, will goon to the Freeway. Autoists, he said, who
want to go south could use U.S. 395 when it goes through.
Member Longworth added that nothing definite was planned -- all was dis-
cussion of this item at the April 6- meeting.
It was moved by Member Drew, seconded by Member Stewart, and carried, that
the minutes be approved.
) APPEAL OF SAFEWAY ZONE VARIANCE
City Planner Wagner read the appeal of Johnson, Tyson and Lynds and J.N.
�h
Williams. He also showed the Planning Commission a sketch of the proposed plan
for the new parking lot for which ,the zone variance was requested. Member Ramage
pointed out that, at the present time, the area is land locked.
Mrs. F. Smith, present in the audience, offered the information that, for over
30 years she and Mr. Smith owned the property from the new dedicated portion of
Church Street 305 feet to where Del Mar would be, if opened. They now own a strip
330 x 305 feet. She stated she knows of no proposed street to adjoin the proposed
parking lot. She and Mr. Smith had a map made- in 1919 but had it removed from the
files some time later. Mrs. Smith said she did not know the source of the idea that
A street would come through at that point.
Mrs. Smith also stated that the expression of Johnson, Tyson and Lynds that
they would be deprived of access to their land is to be' deprived of something they
never had.
City Planner Wagner stated that the action in the past has been to prepare
a resolution to be 'submitted to the City Council -- in this case to come before
them May 12, 1953•
l
Member Drew said it would have been much better if Johnson, Tyson and
Lynds had drawn up a plan for their appeal instead of falling back on legal
data. . He brought out that the mistaken impression generally is that all
property owners within 300 feet should be notified -- the fact is that anybody
in Chula Vista has a right to be heard. He felt, however, that more consideration
should have been given.the representative of Johnson, Tyson and Lynds at the April
6, 1953, meeting.
City Attorney Boyer stated that, if the Council adopts the resolution, there
will be another hearing and all parties again will be notified.
Member Ramage recalled that, on an earlier occasion the Planning Commission
did figure out 'a plan to overcome land locked property for a subdivider.
City Attorney Boyer said he did not think the- matter could be legally heard
again by the Planning Commission, in view of the fact that no one opposed the
matter at the hearing, and the Planning Commission cannot rescind the motion.
City Planner Wagner read the- notes he had jotted down in answer to some of
the points brought up in the appeal .and then -read the resolution drawn up by
Attorney Boyer. He added that, if Church Street were not improved within six
months, the variance becomes null and void.
It was moved by Member Stewart, seconded by Member Longworth, that Resolution
No. 29 be adopted, and carried, by the -following vote to wit:
AYES: Members Poulter, Longworth, Drew, Ramage and. Stewart
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Members Wulff and Smith
LETTERS
City Planner Wagner read a letter from the San Diego County Planning Depart-
ment, stating that no request for permit to construct a sewage disposal plant has yet
been made by the developers of property-in the vicinity of Sweetwater Springs. Chair-
man Poulter pointed out that no request to the County Planning Commission is ne-
cessary; evidently the Commission just wanted to acknowledge receipt of Resolution
"No. 27.
Chairman Poulter stated that the Commission owes a debt of gratitude to City
Planner Wagnerfor the fine report he made on the meeting he attended on this matter.
City Planner Wagner also read a letter from the Chula. Vista Jr. Women's Club
in which they request -that requirements for tree planting be p1_a_c_e7 in the revised
subdivision ordinance.
City Attorney Boyer indicated that it is not necessary to .wait until a new
subdivision ordinance is drawn_ up -- as other subdivision improvements are sug-
gested and carried out by subdividers. (He mentioned, as examples, street name
signs, plant mix for roadways, etc.)
Member Drew .felt that some argument might ensue as to placement, etc. as to
what specifications should be for trees in subdivisions.
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City Attorney Boyer stated that an alternate choice might be to make
recommendation to the City Council. All subdivision improvements are flexible
and if the Planning Commission finds it wiser not to take_ action at this time,
it need not do so. "
Vice Chairman Poulter pointed out that this matter raises a maintenance
problem also -- particularly if lots should be sold without -buildings on them.
It was his suggestion- that more thought be- given to the matter and action taken
later.
City Planner Wagner added that he could file the letter with notes.on the
new subdivision ordinance.
Vice Chairman Poulter asked that City Planner Wagner check with other cities
of comparable size to determine what they are doing on these matters.
Member Stewart pointed out that the letter should be acknowledged.
Member Drew stated that the matter should be referred to whatever group works
on the subdivision ordinance and is authorized to draw it up.
MASTER STREET PLAN
City Planner Wagner stated that the discussion of aerial topo maps are tied
up with the Planning Commission budget.
Chairman Poulter offered the in that the Army, is now flying topo's
which are available with few clearances.
City Planner Wagner said that the Planning Commission went over the Master
Street plan at the last meeting, and now he would like a day set for the first
public hearing. He suggested taking up one or two streets at a time, as so many
people are involved. City Planner Wagner added he would like to see a committee
appointed to make any corrections before the public hearings.
Member Drew stated that-, since there are several plans, each should,be given
careful study, the ground viewed and then Engineering Department help sought.
City Planner Wagner said that Engineering help is needed soon. He added
that, with regard to "Ll, Street, the Commission took decisive action in that it
gave the Episcopal Church assurance, when they requested clarification on whether or
not '"L" Street was to be used. On December 28, 1952, field trip, the Commission agreed
that "L" Street should not proceed in a northeasterly direction but rather an
easterly direction along the present "L" Street, closed. Further, the Commission
suggested that the roadway be moved 110 feet north.of the Country Club.
Member Drew added that the Commission did definitely agree to eliminate the
route up the draw.
Member Ramage inquired about the width of the strip between J.D. Peter's
house and the Country Club parking lot; he didn't think it was wide enough.
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Member Longworth recalled J.D. Peter's suggestion for the use of "J" Street
across the Freeway. City Planner Wagner replied that the Hon. Ralph Cloyed said
he had heard from Mr. Peters on this matter but no further word had been received
from anyone else. He indicated he would back it up. "J" Street was built for
heavy traffic and trucks, altho' ,L" Street is on the State Highway Budget for an
overpass. City Planner Wagner added that there is much subdivisable land east of
the proposed 395 Highway and "J" Street should remain on the plan.
Bonita Street Extension
City Planner Wagner presented sketches -of the assessment maps covering those
properties involved in the Master Street Plan; he said properties total approximately
$17.,000 in assessed values. He also said that if Bonita Street were brought in on a
low grade at "E" Street, it would be very poor planning.
Member Longworth edded that, in either case, there would be a problem of grade.
Present in the audience were a. number of interested property owners.
Mr. Dillon (from the audience) stated that lower priced property was avail-
able and they could be more easily moved than the larger residences. At this
point approximately eight interested spectators came forward to protest, any route
that woiild affect their respective properties.
City Planner Wagner stated that, in order to acquire State Gas Tax funds for
the project, a 500 ft. centerline radius must be provided.
Chairman Poulter thanked the audience for their suggestions and advised them
that the Planning Commission had not..as yet.received grades, and other data from
the Engineering Department.
First Avenue to State College
City Planner Wagner stated that traffic is increasing on First Avenue.
It was moved by Member Longworth, seconded by Member Ramage, and carried, that
the plan as prepared by City Planner Wagner be approved with the idea in mind that
the Engineering Department run centerlines on First and Bonita, Roads routed through
Bonita Park and also on "Ln Street.
Member Drew clarified this to also include study on Bonita Road and possibly
the curvature at a point between Hilltop and First Avenue and going off north and
intersecting "Ell Street, possibly to Minot Avenue or somewhere this side of the
ditch.
1. Study the proposed map.
2. Study of an alternate route but cutting corners and property at the
northeast corner of Bonita Street and First Avenue and at the southwest
corner of "E" Street and First Avenue.
3. Bonita Road, passing through Bonita Park.
Member Drew added that reservation for 10. 0 ft. street should be made at the
Country Club.
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DISCUSSION OF AERIAL TOPO MAPS
City Planner Wagner read a letter- received from the Engineering Service
Corporation, Los Angeles; quoting prices for aerial topols and what a ,price
of $2'1000.00.would cover.
City Attorney Boyer left the meeting at this time.
LETTER FROM STATE DIVISION OF HOUSING ,
City Planner Wagner read the letter from the=State Division of Housing re-
questing protests on proposed bills to lower housing and trailer park standards.
Members Drew and Ramage suggested that City Planner Wagner answer the letter.
City Planner Wagner reported. that he attended an:'interesti.ng assembly
session which proved-one thing very definitely:' Committee work is of tremendous
value and that's the way final action is taken -- without long discussions on
the floor- of the Assembly and the Senate.
Assemblyman Ralph Cloyed indicated 'he- was all for the395 Extension and
City Planner W gner supplied him with a set of the resolutions passed by the
City Council and Planning Commission of Chula Vista, the South Bay Chamber of.
Commerce, the Harborside Civic Association and the San Diego Highway Development
Association, together with maps of the proposed route. Assemblyman Frank Luckel
indicated he would work with the Hon. Ralph .Cloyed on the matter as did Assembly=
man Edwin Bulen and Senator Fred Kraft. ,
City Planner Wagner also reported that he attended a meeting with Governor
Warren. When City Planner Wagner pointed out that almost 31000,000 cars cross
the border yearly and over 101000,000 people come from all over the state, -the
Governor expressed surprise, considering there are 5,700,000 registered vehicles
in the State and 3,000,000 of them found, their -way down to the border.
City Planner Wagner stated that he was -glad of the opportunity to meet and
discuss problems with so many men on the train and the contact during the whole .
trip was excellent..
It was moved by Member Ramage, seconded-by Member Longworth, and carried, that
the meeting adjourn at 10:25 p,m.
o
u'cilie is Leonard, Secretary.