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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2004/03/30 RDA & Port MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA CONCURRENT WITH A MEETING OFTHE BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED PORT DISTRICT March 30, 2004 4:00 p.m. Adjourned Regular Meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Chula Vista, concurrent with a meeting of the San Diego Unified Port District Board of Commissioners, were called to order at 4:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Agency /Councilmembers: Davis, McCann, Rindone, Salas, and Chair/Mayor Padilla Port Commissioners: Hall (Vice Chairperson), Spane, Cushman, Rios, Van Deventer ABSENT: Agency /Councilmembers: None Port Commissioners: Bixler, Davis (Chairperson) ALSO PRESENT: Executive Director/City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett ORALCOM~CATIONS Nohella Ramos, representing the Environmental Health Coalition, recognized two of the youth organizers of the coalition who placed second and third in a recent countywide science fair. ACTION ITEMS 1. PRESENTATION BY CONSULTANT TEAM ON THE MARKET STUDY FINDINGS AND PREUMINARY CONCEPTS FOR THE CHULA VISTA BA YFRONT MASTER PLAN The one-year master planning process is entering its final phase. The purpose of the meeting was for the consultant team to present a market study identifying potential land uses that could be supported by current and/or future market demands and preliminary planning concepts for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) based on market study fmdings, public input received to date, and the team's preliminary planning framework. Additional Citizen Advisory Committee meetings and public workshops will be held in order to develop three master plan alternatives prior to the next joint meeting of the Board of Port Commissioners and City Council/Redevelopment Agency, anticipated for late May. All three plans will be analyzed in an Environmental Impact Report, and one preferred plan will be carried forward to the State Lands Commission and California Coastal Commission for fmal approval. (Director of Community Development) ACTION ITEMS (Continued) Director of Community Development Madigan stated that the City is making substantial progress towards an exciting mid-bayfront master planning effort. She spoke about the three integrated principals of the planning process and the application of superior planning and design standards, the use of solid financial information, a sound understanding of the market, and an extensive public outreach program. Ralph Hicks, Director of Land Use Planning with the Port District, provided an update on the various meetings and workshops attended by citizens. He added that the Duke Power Plant working group has concluded their work and will be submitting a report within the next few weeks. Lynn Sedway, representing the Sedway Group/CBRE Consulting, presented the economic and market overview for the bayfront and conclusions of the market study. Randy Morton, architect representing Cooper, Robertson and Partners, discussed various principals and development programs for the bayfront plan that included creating one Chula Vista bayfront, celebrating the serenity and Hispanic culture of the bayfront setting, extending Chula Vista all the way to the bayfront, taking advantage of the deep water at the harbor to create an active boating waterfront, creating a bayfront park system that marries ecological habitats and the recreational needs of the community, and reinforcing a sense of place at the bayfront. He also discussed the site summaries for the various areas. Commissioner Spane asked the estimated overall cost of the project. Mr. Morton replied that the cost consultant is in the process of preparing a cost estimate. Commissioner Rios questioned the process for narrowing the various options. Mr. Morton suggested consideration of obtaining public interest, following instincts, and key issues that should be evaluated for a criteria. Commissioner Van Deventer was concerned about the timeframe for completion of the plan, and he expressed the need for the plan to be completed on time. Mr. Morton responded that all the legal agreements and related issues are currently being examined, and the actual plans are anticipated to be put on paper within the next two weeks. Chair/Mayor Padilla clarified that no "project" has been established and that the City is continuing its process of obtaining public input and a collaborative process both at the policy and staff levels. He urged the Port District to be open-minded about the Chula Vista Bayfront. He also asked that there be no assumptions made that some of the plans are not doable and to avoid having low expectations about the plan. Commissioner Cushman encouraged the removal of the Duke Power Plant. Agency/Councilmember Salas expressed the need to strike a balance, to build on incremental successes, and to be open to plans that are presented. Agency/Councilmember Rindone referenced the May 25, 2004 timeframe for the selection of one preferred plan, expressing his concern about making a selection within the timeframe and the limiting of input by the specified date. He expressed the need to look at access to the waterfront that would create a unique regional attraction. Mr. Hicks responded that the joint Council, Redevelopment Agency, and Port would be asked to approve three plans that will be analyzed to an equal level. He stated that staff feels confident that they will receive significant public comment prior to May 25, 2004. Page 2 CounciVRDNPort Minutes 03/30/04 --------- ACTION ITEMS (Continued) The following individuals addressed the CouncillBoard with varying viewpoints regarding the Bayfront Master Plan: Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II; Alexander Hart, representing IBEW, Local 569; Daniel Mazhain; Teresa Thomas; Karen McElliot, representing the Chula Vista Marina and R.V. Resort; Theresa Acerro. At 5:57 p.m., Commissioner Hall adjourned the Joint Port Commission/City Council/Redevelopment Agency meeting and announced a recess of the Joint City Council and Redevelopment Agency meeting. The Joint City Council and Redevelopment Agency meeting reconvened at 6:14 p.m., with all members present. Chair/Mayor Padilla continued soliciting comments from the following members of the public: Nick Aguilar, representing the San Diego County Board of Education; Yasmin Vargas and Christina Gonzales, representing the Environmental Health Coalition; Allison Rolfe, representing San Diego Baykeeper; Lee Kaercher; Judy Cascales; Laura Hunter, representing the Environmental Health Coalition; Jose Maretto; and JoAnn Springer. Several speakers expressed concern regarding residential units for the plan and their potential impact on the already over- crowded local schools. Additionally, the Council was encouraged to place emphasis on open space, protection of wildlife, removal of the Duke Power Plant, and undergrounding overhead lines. Agency/Councilmember McCann thanked all those involved in the process for their spirit of cooperation. He also recognized the Mayor and the Port District for their leadership in the process. He stated that the citizens deserve the best, and he expressed the need to ensure signature parks, public access, opportunities for jobs and revenues, and the unification of the east and west regions of the City. Agency/Councilmember Salas encouraged continued mutual understanding between all parties involved in the plan. Agency/Councilmember Rindone commented that the bottom line of the plan would be access to the bayfront, and he spoke in support of having flexibility in the vision of the Bayfront. Chair/Mayor Padilla thanked all those members of the public who have taken the time to participate in the planning process. ADJOURNMENT At 6:50 p.m., Chair/Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meetings of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency on March 4, 2003, at 4:00 p.m. ~ Lorraine Bennett, Deputy City Clerk Page 3 CouuciVRDNPort Minutes 03/30/04