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HomeMy WebLinkAboutrda min 2003/07/29 CC & Port MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF TIlE CITY COUNCIL AND TIlE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF TIlE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND WITH TIlE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF TIlE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED PORT DISTRICT July 29, 2003 1:00 p.m. Special Meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City Of Chula Vista, meeting concurrently with the Board of Port Commissioners, San Diego Unified Port District, were called to order at 1:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Agency /Councilmembers: Chair/Mayor Padilla Davis, McCann, Salas, and Port Commissioners: Davis, Compton, Rios, Bixter, Spane, and Chair Van Deventer ABSENT: Agency/Authority/Councilmembers: Rindone (excused) Port Commissioners: Cushman ALSO PRESENT: Executive Director/City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett Assistant Executive Director Wilkins of the San Diego Unified Port District WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 1. Memorandum from Deputy Mayor Rindone requesting that his absence at this meeting be excused. Staff recommendation: The absence be excused. ACTION: Chair/Mayor Padilla moved to excuse the absence of Deputy Mayor Rindone. Councilmember Davis seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. BUSINESS 2. PRESENTATION ON PREUMINARY EXISTING CONDmONS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONSTRAINTS FINDINGS FOR TIlE CHULA VISTA BAYFRONT MASTER PLAN BY TIlE CONSULTANT TEAM Over the past four months, as part of its initial scope of work tasks, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) consultant team of Carrier johnson/cooper, Robertson & Partners has reviewed numerous background documents and held various meetings and interviews with Port and City staff, the public, and stakeholders in order to gather existing conditions, opportunities, and constraints data for the CVBMP. The consultant team will incorporate this data into a report that will be used as a framework for developing three draft master plan alternatives for the Chula Vista Bayfront. A summary BUSINESS (Continued) of their findings will be presented. Port, City staff and the consultant team anticipate returning to the joint CouncilJRedevelopment Agency and Port Board this fall to present three preliminary draft master plan alternatives. (Assistant City Manager Morris) Staff recommendation: requested at this time. Assistant Executive Port Director Wilkins introduced the information for presentation on the preliminary existing conditions, opportunities, and constraints findings for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan by the consultant team. No action by the City CouncilJRedevelopment Agency is Ralph Hicks, Director of Land Use Planning for the San Diego Port District gave a brief outline and history of objectives and goals of the master plan, with an estimated completion date of year 2005. He stated that the twenty-member Citizens Advisory Committee held its first of several citizen advisory committee meetings on July 28, 2003 that included discussions on joint planning, protection of natural resources, and land-trading for residential. Randy Morton, representing Cooper Robertson Son and Partners presented the Bayfront Master Plan, that included 1) San Diego Bay history; 2) ecology of the bay, including preserves, reserves, refuges, and natural systems issues; 3) regional transportation, including highway network, difficulties in moving east-west, the trolley system, the Coronado railway, and the bus system; 4) Chula Vista Bayfront, including bayfront places, regional and local perception; site, consisting of 336 acres of net land, 420 acres of total land, 60 acres of water, and 24 acres of streets; land use; four areas of the site comprising harbor district, bay front district (north area), most accessible district (east area), and ecologically sensitive south area; power plant issues, including air and water quality, visual impact, revenue; upland connections; existing leases and obstacles, including the highway; and relationship of F through I Streets, L Street, and Bay Boulevard, with the bayfront; 5) public realm, including open space, and parking. At 1:54 p.m., Port Chair Van Deventer offered public comment on the Bayfront Master Plan. Steve Castaneda stated that he was pleased with the Port planning process and public involvement. He added that the Port and the City need to look at all resources for public and private revenue-generating services, and to consider approaching this project the same method as the Port approached Seaport Village. Daniel Renard stated that if the waterfront disappears, there would be nothing left. He stressed the importance of preserving the ecology. Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II stated that she was pleased with the public process for land planning, and she commended the consultants for their good work in demonstrating their understanding of the region. She expressed the need for the Port and the City to look at the entire bayfront in a comprehensive manner. She requested that the Agency/Councilmembers consider a joint planning process of the two properties. Page 2 CounciVRDAlPort Commission Minutes 07/29/03 BUSINESS (Continued) Jim Peugh, representing the San Diego Audubon Society expressed the importance of looking at the best alternatives and real needs of the property, and buffering for shoreline habitats and similar marshes. He stated that each portion of land should be utilized for what it can do best. Allison Rolfe, representing San Diego Bay Keeper expressed the need for a long-term land use plan. She urged Council to direct staff to make joint planning happen, and she requested that there be four alternatives to the plan. She also suggested that focus be re-oriented from the eastern sector of the City, to the western region. Ed Kravitz, an advocate of the Coronado Branch Railroad, requested that the rail line be re- assessed for transportation services. Noheha Ramos, representing the Environmental Health Coalition requested Council's consideration to include the following groups as representatives on the Bayfront Citizen Advisory Committee: Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee (MAAC); and South Bay Greens. Laura Hunter, representing the Environmental Health Coalition believed that joint planning is essential in maximizing options. She spoke regarding land swaps and suggested that the City look at land swap options for Port properties. She also requested consideration by the Port and City to permit residential on Port property. David DiDonato stated that a successful project is one that must appeal to a wide variety of people. He expressed the need for joint planning of the entire Chula Vista bayfront. He urged Council and the Port to seek comprehensive planning and facilitation of residential properties on the bayfront. Bruce Coons, representing Save Our Heritage organization spoke in support of a joint planning process. He felt that three alternatives for the bayfront development area not sufficient. He added that the Coronado Railroad could be a valuable resource for the City. Michael Conetta, a sailboat resident on the bayfront expressed concern regarding the development plan, stating that he believed that the Port has its own vital interests for the bayfront development, and he felt that Chula Vista could achieve the bayfront plan on its own. He felt that public interest and public policies should be considered. Brett Davis stated that it was vital that the south bay look at opportunities and potential for the City. He spoke in support of the plans as presented, and added that it was very positive for the City. Paul Moretto, representing Cyrano Designs Inc., believed that his project design is appropriate for consideration in the bayfront plan. Lupita Jimenez, representing South Bay Greens requested that the mid-bayfront be included in the Port Commission plans. She stated that all alternatives and options for the plan should be Page 3 CounciVRDAlPort Commission Minutes 07/29/03 BUSINESS (Continued) analyzed. She expressed concern regarding the future location of the South Bay power plant, and asked that a public workshop be conducted to take the necessary action for the removal of the plant. Alexandra Hart, representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 569 stated that development of the bayfront must ensure good paying jobs for future workers. She spoke in support of a joint use planning process, and suggested that a public workshop be conducted regarding the future of the South Bay power plant. Judy Cascales, a local resident, believed that the bayfront should be developed as one entity. She expressed concern regarding health hazards associated with the power plant, and she requested that a public workshop be scheduled to discuss the issue. Theresa Acerro stated that the number one priority is the preservation and enhancement of ecological resources. She added that a joint planning process is essential for the bayfront development. Bryan Pennington spoke of the need to focus on visitors to the City, and he stated that how they are treated depends upon how long they will stay. He also spoke regarding problems he is experiencing regarding parking of his boat and recreational vehicle in the City. There was no further public comment. Agency/Councilmember McCann spoke regarding public access and mobility issues from the east side to the west side of the City, expressing the need for increased public transportation. He stated that he would like to see all roads lead to Chula Vista in the future. He briefly discussed the importance of open space and parks, and for a pedestrian friendly environment. He stated that the economic development of the City would present a tremendous opportunity for Chula Vista to boast a world-class convention center, and to work together with the City of San Diego to achieve jobs and revenue sources. He also addressed the need to take a look at a signature landmark for the bayfront and City. Agency/Councilmember Davis stated that it was important to address the feasibility of deeper water in the southern portion of the San Diego Bay. She stated that the issues regarding the power plant should be discussed at a separate workshop. She expressed pleasure with the direction the plan is moving, and she congratulated all those involved in the project. Agency/Councilmember Salas remarked that the existing power plant is an impediment. She spoke about the necessity for a joint mid-bayfront and Port property joint planning process. She also expressed the need to look at land swap options. She communicated that there is only one opportunity to develop the bayfront, and it must therefore be done correctly. She urged Council to look at what can be done to ensure joint bayfront planning, and any fiscal consequences of tearing down Port property, and the type of development that would replace it. She suggested consideration by Council, to include MAAC as participants in the Bayfront Citizens Advisory Committee. Chair/Mayor Padilla spoke in favor of a joint planning process, but also recognized the various obstacles associated with the process, namely that the properties are separately held; approval and regulatory schemes that govern the properties; involvement by the owner of the private Page 4 Council/RDAlPort Commission Minutes 07/29/03 BUSINESS (Continued) property in the planning process. He expressed the need for a greater degree of cooperation and planning between the two properties. He stated that land swap options ought to be CQnsidered. He cautioned against adding too many groups to the Bayfront Citizens Advisory Committee. He supported a separate public meeting regarding the power plant matter. Port Commissioner Rios addressed the need to consider the interests of senior members of the community in the planning process. Port Commissioner Compton thanked all those in attendance at the meeting, and he stated that the role of the Port is to promote the good of all regions. Port Chair Van Deventer stated that the goal of the Port is to ensure outreach to all communities. Regarding the power plant, he stated that although the Port and City are working towards the removal of the power plant from the bayfront, he pointed out that there are conditions associated with its removal that has a financial bearing on the City. He stated the need for cooperative efforts between the Port and the City for development of the bayfront project. He also suggested that a future public meeting regarding the bayfront be conducted in the evening. At 3:09 p.m., Port Chair Van Deventer announced that the presentation of the Bayfront Master Plan was concluded. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. Chair/Mayor Padilla requested that a facsimile letter received by the City Council Office on July 29, 2003, from the Center on Policy Initiatives, be included for the record. ADJOURNMENT At 3:10 p.m., Chair/Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting to a Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency on August 19, 2003, at 6:00 p.m., immediately following the City Council Meeting in the Council Chambers. Lorraine Bennett, Deputy City Clerk Page 5 CounciVRDAlPort Commission Minutes 07/29/03