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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-03-16 PC MINS MINUTES OF ADJOURNED 14EETING OF THE PLANNING COM14ISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA. VISTA I CALIFORNIA Held March 16, 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: Wulff, Drew, Stewart and Smith. Absent: Members Longworth, Ramage and Poulter Also present: City Attorney Boyer, City Planner Wagner and Assistant to City Engineer, Wheeler. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting held- March 2, 1953: It was moved by 'Member Smith, seconded by Member Stewart and unanimously carried that the minutes be approved as mailed. Meeting held March 4, 1953: It was moved by Member Stewart, seconded by Member Smith, and unanimously carried, .that the minutes -be approved as mailed. ZONE VARIANCES (Held over from Meeting held March 2, 1953) f�•' C. J. Straughn, 562 National Avenue;- requested permission to extend 14-1 use 55 ft. into R-3 zone on west side of National Avenue to construct a motel and to U' allow units to be 10 feet from rear property line instead of required 15 feet. City Planner Wagner was requested, at the meeting held March 2, 1953, to ac- quire information as to any future plans for developments north of Straughn property. He reported that Hobart Homes did not desire to have an alley run through their property to terminate at National Avenue.. Also, owners of the property at "H" St. and-National Avenue plan to build a supermarket, drugstore and a-gas station at this point, indicating that an alley would run right through where they propose to erect the supermarket. Consieration of the Weinstock variance request for the proposed furniture warehouse was made at this time as well. The developers of this property are asking for 100% coverage (with no side or-rear yards) and, also, request permission to extend M-1 use 55 feet into R-3 zone on west side of National Avenue. Chairman Wulff indicated that 100% coverage, with 4 hour- fire wall protection, appears to be common practice in San Diego. Member Stewart pointed out that a great deal of valuable property would be .wasted if rear and side yards were required in commercial areas. It was moved by Member Stewart, seconded by Member Smith and unanimously carried, that the Straughn variance be granted to extend M-1 use 55 ft. into R-3 zone and to reduce the rear yard setback 10 feet for the reasons stated in the application. Max 17einstock, 568 National Avenue. It was moved by Member Smith, seconded by Member Stewart and unanimously carried, that the zone variance be- granted as well as 100% coverage of lot, with no rear yards required, for the reasons stated in the application. Mr. Keith Atherton, Attorney, representing Mr. Weinstock, indicated that the National Avenue Businessmen's Ass'n. estimates 4 to 1 parking is available on National Avenue. Larger organizations, such as Penney's and Sears would not consider anything less than acreage. Side yards, he added, for the block in which the Straughn and Weinstock properties are located are taken care of by the motels in the block. City Planner Wagner read a letter from Mr. Farris, President of the National Avenue Businessmen's- Ass'n., offering cooperation in planning development Of the west side of National Avenue. LETTERS Mr. Ed T. Maloney, realtor, representing Mr. G. M. Curnutt and Mr. Moore, . requested approva o a proposed 35 ft. side yard for lot adjacent to possible future extension -of west 1/2 of Smith St.. between Casselman and "D" Streets. City Planner Wagner explained that 'a street does not now exist at this point but runs as a dirt road only and, technically, the owners could set back 5 feet .from the property line. Two parcels havea small ea--ement but no record was-made of the dedication, although the road has been in public use for many years. Ac- cording to the ordinance if, as or when a new street might be considered at, this point, all the' other buildings in the block would be thrown out of line. Mr. Maloney stated that the front doore of the proposed dwelling would open onto what would be Smith Street but the steps lead to, "D" Street. Assistant to City Engineer Wheeler indicated that the City would have no parti- cular need for a street at this point, except for use for maintenance. City-Plan- ner Wagner added that the City is not now set-up to condemn property for a local street. Mr. Maloney pointed out that the only purpose in asking the Planning Com- mission's approval was at the suggestion of the building inspector, in order for him to .get a building permit. It was moved by h1ember Drew, seconded by'Member Stewart, and unanimously . carried, .that plans be approved and that the building inspector be informed that the request, as presented, was approved. Frank E. Dawson and George Peters. City Planner Wagner read a letter from Messrs. awson and eters indica frig that these owners would like to know where the proposed Landis Street would come through. - They feel that the pattern for the block -between "J" and "K" Streets and between 3rd and lith Avenues was somewhat set by Verde Park Nos. 3 and 5. City Planner Wagner presented a plot plan of the area in question, made up from the Assessor's map. Mr. Dawson explained that he was intending toask the Planning Commission for a variance to extend M-1 zone use for 125 ft. into R-3 zone, but first wanted to determine the status of street extension in the area. Chairman Wulff suggested that City Planner Wagner get some later data on the present position of the Methodist Church with regard to an easement, if any, that may exist on the church property and whether or not they plan to build any further school buildings along this strip,. which might possibly be an extension of Landis Avenue. San Diego Council of Registered Civi_lEr�n i�ne_ers and Licensed Land' Surveyors This letter, read by City Flamer Wagner, offered assistance in recommending any proposals for a new subdivision ordinance. Member Stewart felt that the Commission should first approve and ordinance and then consult these engineers. , Chairman Wulff suggested that City Planner Wagner send a letter of acknow- ledgement, together with a list 'of suggestions for possible amendments, for their advice. A new subdivision ordinance is planned but will take more study. Frank B. Durkee, State Director of Public Works, regarding Highway 395 Extension. City Planner Wagner read the letter and expressed surprise that the State Engineer had based his estimate of the cost of rights of way on the very preliminary sketch that had been mailed to him. Member Drew pointed out that the State may have misconstrued the meaning as to a State Highway to the east. City Planner Wagner said he contacted Mayor Nagle of E1 Cajon on the matter of an extension of Highway 395; that city is in favor of helping us if we can help them to acquire a County road from El Cajon. City Planner --Wagner attended the County Planning Commission meeting, and the idea was favorably received. Last week he also attended the City of San Diego Planning Commission meeting, and a motion was there passed requesting the City Planning staff to find a possible route for the proposed road through Murphy Canyon and south to the County area. Planner Wagner also went before the National City Planning -Commission, and all groups are studying the resolution. He indicated that Euclid Avenue, it was believed,- would not meet Freeway standards, as it later be- comes 54th Street. Member Drew expressed the belief that, until a brand new road is constructed, nothing will ever be accomplished. Another agency, City Planner Wagner informed the Commission, who will aid in this matter is the Border Station, Gate No. 1, at. San Ysidro. Mr. Pollock, Acting Customs Official, submitted proposals to Washington to provide an 80-ft. one-way road going south and, if the other 100 feet' could be retained, it might be used for Highway 101 for through traffic north. City Planner/Wagner was invited to attend a meeting with Ed Wallace of the State Highway Department to discuss the plan. Chairman Wulff commended City Planner Wagner for following through on these various projects, as none of the Planning Commission members can take the time to do so. MEMBER DREW'S REPORT - Central Business District Member Drew indicated that the TETT Street School might some day be available for Civic Center expansion and prpvide for possible extension of. side streets. He pointed out, on a map, the large number of disconnected streets in Chula Vista and their poor setup for central business districts -- everything channels into Third Avenue as a result. Member Drew advocates the extension of Del Mar from "G" to IIKn Streets. Chairman Wulff brought up the general complaint of owners of property on Landis Street that, since zoning was changed to C-2 there, property values have risen too high for people to purchase the residences. He said, too, he was loath to leave the -3= report each time it's brough up with just a "thank you" to Member Drew for his re- search and efforts in this matter, but time does not permit further consideration at the regular meetings. Member Stewart feels that the subject needs some action, but the action needed is that the group should get right at it and clear up the whole matter. This also applies to many other things, but it seems that these subjects are always reached just when it's time to go home. He suggested extra meetings be held until they get caught up. Member Drew added that business district plans should also be set up for the.- "-K" Street and National Avenue, etc. areas. City Planner Wagner suggested that discussions of this type would be best for committees -- that perhaps 3 members might be commissioned to work on these.matters in the daytime. TOMPKINS SIGN MATTER City Attorney Boyer pointed out- that when a variance is granted for business use in a residential zone, it is natural for the owner to assume that signs per- taining to the business would be permissible unless specifically restricted in the variance. It was moved by Member Smith that permission .be granted to allow the signs. City Planner Wagner read the two previous'applications. for variances approved for this property for Fir. Tompkins -- one for the building and business and one for the neon sign. Chairman Wulff brought out the fact that the Commission is negligent in word- ing when granting variances by omitting limitations and restrictions. The motion was amended by Member Smith to prohibit granting any further variancesfor Tompkins for this property, seconded by Member Stewart and unanimously carried. REPORT OF ACTION AT PROTEST OF SWEETWATER. SPRINGS SUBDIVISION City Planner Wagner described the meeting at which -representing Chula Vista were Mayor Riesland, Attorney Boyer; Fred,Stafford, Al Poulter and Himself. Mr. DeWitt Higgs, attorney for the California Water and, Telephone Company, suggested that the Region #9 Water Pollution Control Board might, in addition to .setting up requirements for effluent, leave the power to act on the location of any treatment plant. It was decided by the board to postpone the approval of effluent requirements until a check of the powers of the board is made. REPORT OF ANNEXATIONS City Planner Wagner stated that his report that was circulated to all members of the Council and Commission was intended to aid in the study of annexation fees, if any. Chairman Wulff suggested the report be studied by a committee. REPORT FOR SUBMISSION TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY PLANNING CONGRESS City Planner Wagner distributed copies of his report on Commission activities -4- r - for the year 1952 to be presented to the San Diego County.Planni.ng Congress at its dinner meeting Thursday, March 19, 1953, and .aske_d for_suggestions as to its improvement. As there- were none, -the, report was ordered-presented to- the- - Congress. REPORT ON PLANNING COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEES City Planner Wagner stated that he felt that if sub-committees could meet with;him during the daytime prior to the Planning Commission meetings and go over the details of zone variances, subdivision maps, and other matters by taking field trips with him that these sub-committees could recommend to the other members and thereby cut down the length of time consumed in discussion of these matters. Chair- man Wulff agreed to take the matter under advisement. DISCUSSION OF PLANNING SET UP A lengthy discussion on some of the problems of the Planning'Commission and of the Planner followed and just prior to adjournment, Chairman Wulff appointed the following committees: Annexation Study - John Smith, Chairman, Al Poulter, Member; kviember Drew's Central Business District Study - William Drew, Chairman, Kyle Stewart and Fred Longworth, members. - It was moved by Member Smith, seconded by Member Stewart and unanimously carried that the meeting adjourn sine die at 11:50 P.M. Lu ille L. Leonard, Secretary