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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2004/01/14 MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA January 14, 2004 4:30 P.M. Adjourned Regular Meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista were called to order at 4:44 p.m. at the John Lippitt Public Works Center, 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, California. On roll call, there were: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Davis, McCann, Rindone, Salas, and Mayor Padilla Planning Commissioners: Castañeda, Cortes, Felber, Hom (arrived at 5:15 p.m.), and O'Neill ABSENT: Planning Commissioner Madrid and Chair Hall ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Moore, City Manager Rowlands, and City Clerk Bigelow 1. REVIEW OF PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ALTERNATIVES TO BE TESTED Staff and RBF Consulting have been working to prepare a range of proposed General Plan land use and transportation alternatives for initial testing. State law requires that a range of alternatives be evaluated as part of the update process. The proposed alternatives are an outgrowth of the numerous public inputs and information gathered to date, including two rounds of community meetings in June and November 2003 to review and comment on proposed land use concepts, as well as work with the General Plan Steering Committee. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the alternatives proposed for testing within each of the major planning sub-areas (northwest, southwest and East/Otay Ranch). Staff recommendation: That the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the proposed alternatives be tested, and that the City Council direct staff to proceed with testing of the proposed alternatives. Planning & Building Director Sandoval presented the General Plan update status and initial land use alternatives. He explained that there are three land use alternatives within each of the three major sub-areas that, if approved by Council, would then be tested. Deputy Director of Planning Batchelder reported on the General Plan development to date, including Town Hall meetings, citizen committees, area-wide studies, proposed alternatives and testing, draft General Plan policy and elements, public hearings, land use, and transportation alternatives. He stated that the next steps would include plan alternatives and policy development and General Plan documents and hearings. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (Continued) Mitch Thompson, Chair of the General Plan Steering Committee, commented on the public hearings conducted in November 2003. He stated that adjustments may be made from the committee level as the proposed alternatives are finalized and added that impacts and testing are critical, particularly with increased density on the west side. Mr. Batchelder spoke regarding (1) planning influences, including regional factors consisting of shifts in development patterns, smart growthlSANDAG Regional Growth Management Strategy, the Regional Comprehensive Plan, and Transit First; and (2) local factors, consisting of Citywide connectivity, a jobs/housing balance, character and neighborhoods, facilities and services; and balancing interests and making choices. At 5:12 p.m., Councilmember Rindone and Deputy Mayor Salas announced that they would recuse themselves from consideration and voting on the northwest sub-area, since they each reside within 500 feet of the area. Additionally, Planning Commissioner O'Neill announced that he would recuse himself from the discussions on the northwest sub-area, since he owns commercial property on Broadway. Principal Planner Bazzel discussed the considerations and three alternatives for the northwest sub-area, including residential density, mixed use with housing, and mixed use with commercial. Commissioner Felber asked if the testing would include a mix and match of the different alternatives. Staffmember Bazzel responded that this would likely occur. Councilmember Davis asked about the projected density for Third Avenue. Director Sandoval replied that the idea is to generate density great enough to create vitality in the downtown area. Councilmember Davis said that higher density is essential to Third Avenue in order to produce the kinds of restaurants and businesses that are needed in the area. Councilmember McCann encouraged the idea of combining the highlights of each alternative. He discussed the importance of citizen access to the bayfront by way of improved east/west linkages. He also expressed the need for additional parkland to accommodate increased density and hoped that pocket parks could be placed within walking distance of high-density areas. With reference to St. Rose Church, he asked why the land use designation would be changed if there is an existing use that will be there for a long time. Director Sandoval replied that existing uses would not necessarily be changed, but changing the designation would create an opportunity for change. Mayor Padilla also emphasized the need to consider additional park designations. Commissioner Castaneda asked if there would be opportunities for high-density office space on H Street and expressed the need for flexibility in the various zones. Mr. Batchelder responded that the mix and match method should accommodate those needs. Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II, stated that while staff had indicated that the alternatives would reflect public input, no changes have been made to the alternatives as a result of the November 2003 workshops. Minutes of the City Council & Planning Commission Page 2 01/04/2004 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (Continued) Bill Tripp conveyed the need to maintain flexibility in order to provide opportunities for the building industry and to develop properties as needed, while also being cautious of foreclosing on opportunities to develop density to meet the housing needs of the community. Ian Gill discussed the need to factor in adequate density for the plan, stating that accommodations for 15,000 to 20,000 people are needed if the downtown is to be a vibrant core for the City. He also expressed the need to develop creative alternatives for large amounts of open space and encouraged the Council to consider increasing potential density with an eye to the future. Jim Pieri, representing Mountain West, stated that high density urban models for cities have replaced the suburban models. He believed that the General Plan should provide versatility to allow high-density development in the urban core because 12,000 units would be the minimum requirement to attract major restaurants to that area. With regard to parkland, Mr. Pieri stated that a feasibility study is underway to look at capping the freeway from E Street to H Street in order to create a 12-acre park. He also said that H Street must go vertical, and he encouraged the Council to envision higher buildings and higher density. Paul Nieto, a member of the Steering Committee, recommended that the City find ways to connect the east and the west along the Third Avenue and Broadway corridors. He commented on the need to create a continued sense of place in the City. Laura Hunter, representing the Environmental Health Coalition, spoke regarding the methods for testing and analyzing the bayfront properties. She objected to the way staff is currently planning to do this and requested that the issue remain open and that further options or alternatives be sought. Teresa Thomas, member of the City's Resource Conservation Commission, recommended that the testing data, as well as proposals for new projects, be placed on the Internet for public review. She also commented on the need for improved paper media coverage in the City, more responsive and effective 24-hour hotlines, and provisions for endangered habitat and flora and fauna resources. Susan Lazaro stated that Third Avenue has a small city ambiance, and she believed that creating a higher density would alter that character. She also communicated the importance of providing parkland and real open space for the western region of the City. Pamela Bensoussan, representing the Heritage Museum, believed that it was important to preserve a sense of place, particularly in the area of Third Avenue between E and G Streets. She suggested that high density be created further to the west. Ms. Stone expressed the need to look at water infrastructure to accommodate increased density. She also believed that a large portion of the bayfront should be dedicated to parkland. Sharon Floyd expressed the need to clean up the City limit lines between Chula Vista and National City. She stated that Fourth Avenue is a historic entrance to the City that should be restored as an entrance and also suggested bringing back some lemon trees. Minutes of the City Council & Planning Commission Page 3 01/04/2004 ------ GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (Continued) At 6:26 p.m., Mayor Padilla declared a brief recess. The meeting reconvened at 6:41 p.m., with all Councilmembers present and with Planning Commissioner Madrid and Chair Hall absent. Principal Planner Rosaler presented the East/Otay Ranch sub-area considerations, including an expanded transit network, new town centers, landfill buffers, increased multi-family housing, the Multiple Species Conservation Plan, a regional technology park/employment, and the Eastern Urban Center relationship to the Regional Transportation Plan and university site. Director Sandoval presented a brief overview of the university site, stating the need for flexibility on the land use designation. Mr. Rosaler presented the three alternative plans. Commissioner Felber spoke regarding the university site, stating that it was important not to preclude consideration of a university because a site has not yet been established. Director Sandoval responded that staff would be working closely with the consultant, the Council, and the public to research and determine the appropriate type and feasibility of a university. Commissioner Hom spoke in favor of Alternative Three for Otay Ranch 7. Commissioner O'Neill suggested that the Council keep an open mind on complementary uses for a university site. Patricia Aguilar commented that all the alternatives as presented reflect encroachments on the university site, and she suggested that one alternative show the university site intact, as illustrated in the current plan. Joann Springer expressed concern about increased density and its effects on traffic. She also asked the source of water resources to accommodate the increased density and stated that natural resources need to be preserved. Teresa Thomas asked the Council to consider a biotechnology manufacturing site in the plan. Lupita Jiminez asked the Council to preserve some of the original acreage set aside for a university site. She also asked when the public could expect to hear from the consultants on specific plans. Director Sandoval replied that information should be forthcoming by fall of 2004. Simon Malk, representing Home Federal Corporation, spoke in support of Alternative Two, as he believed that it best addressed the goals and objectives of the General Development Plan to implement a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly plan with a villages concept that reduces automotive dependency, consolidates open space, promotes social interaction, and creates a strong sense of community and identity for Otay Ranch. Regarding the university site, he stated that no university land is being lost under their proposal. Minutes of the City Council & Planning Commission Page 4 01/04/2004 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (Continued) David Shepard, representing Chula Vista National Little League, favored a plan in the southwest portion of the City that would decrease the number of thrift shops and cheap hotels, increase the number of parks, and improve the number of owner-occupied properties and overall quality of life for its residents. He stated that these residents should be benefactors of a sports complex comparable to the one in Otay Ranch, and he asked the Council to address the southwest portion of the City with the same enthusiasm as that of Otay Ranch. Dave Gatsky, representing McMillin Company, stated that the alternative plans vary drastically from the existing, award-winning plan, and he asked staff to work collaboratively and cooperatively with landowners to develop a viable option. Ranie Hunter, representing Otay Ranch Company, stated that the company has been working closely with staff regarding land-use issues and is excited about the opportunity to provide a number of community resources, including a town center, commercial and retail for Village Two, an additional arterial, being the extension of Heritage Road, a 70-acre community park to serve Otay Ranch, and a 173-acre industrial business park in Village Three. Frank Ormand, a member of the Otay Valley Regional Park Citizens Advisory Committee, expressed concern about severing access to community parks. He also suggested that a certain percentage of the commercial property proposed for the area be required to be sold to individuals, and not retained by developers for leases and rentals, which he believed would create diversity in the community. Commissioner Castaneda stated that commercial and small business opportunities are lacking in the eastern region of the City. Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II, explained that the group supports growth and redevelopment in the City, with the caveat that it occurs with sufficient infrastructure to serve the development and that the quality of life for residents on the west side be preserved as growth takes place. She commented that nothing has been presented regarding Citywide issues, such as gateways into the City, a landmark park, and a greenbelt. She urged the Council not to adopt alternatives that place non-recreation uses in greenbelt areas, and she suggested that the Council hear the data collected from the extensive workshops held in November 2003 prior to directing staff to proceed with testing the alternatives. Chris Lewis, representing the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce and Urban Development Committee, conveyed the need to focus on the western regions of the City. He believed that high-density housing must be placed in the urban core, not between Interstate 5 and Broadway. He also stated the need to attract the community to shop and work downtown. Deputy Mayor Salas expressed the need to look at all the alternatives, to not be afraid of changing the densities and plans that were first implemented, and to consider densities that will support businesses. Mayor Padilla stated that focus should be placed on providing additional industrial designations. There was no action taken by the City Councilor Planning Commission. Minutes of the City Council & Planning Commission Page 5 01/04/2004 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. ADJOURNMENT At 7:55 p.m., Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of the City Council on January 27, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. -:::::::::rw. { ¿LLJ ~ g:.J.jo}----" Susan Bigelow, CMC, City Clerk Minutes of the City Council & Planning Commission Page 6 01/04/2004