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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 2001/04/16 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION April 16, 2001 Mercy Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chair Cindy Burrascano called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE: MSC (T. Thomas/Bull) to excuse Commissioner Juan Diaz. Vote: (4-0) MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Cindy Burrascano, Vice-Chair Charles Bull, Commissioners Teresa Thomas, Steve Thomas and Pam Bensoussan (6:46) STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Duane Bazzel, Principal Planner Frank Herrera-A, Associate Planner Maria Muett, Associate Planner Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Philip Hinshaw, A.D. Hinshaw Associates Dan Irwin, DBL "D" FISH APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS Agenda Item #2 was taken out of order as a courtesy to the applicant who was present. 2. 15-01-08 - Vista Del Loro Subdivision (Nine Single-Family Dwellings) Mr. Philip Hinshaw (A.D. Hinshaw Associates, P.O. Box 13200, EI Cajon, CA 92022) indicated that the project site is located at the end of EI Loro Street and is surrounded by single-family residential. Commissioner Bensoussan arrived at 6:46 p.m. RCC Minutes - 2 - April 16, 2001 Mr. Hinshaw went on to say that the project site is a nine-lot subdivision that would be served by the extension of EI Loro Street. One thing unusual about the project is a retention basin that will be built for the runoff from the property to ensure that the storm drain is not overloaded. A drainage study was done and reviewed by the City Engineering Department and found to be adequate and met all City standards for runoff. A soil study was submitted. Also a truck traffic study because there were concerns about truck traffic on EI Lugar Street and EI Loro Street. The lot sizes range from 7,000 square feet to 10,969 square feet. The project is designed to be consistent with the City's General Plan, Montgomery Specific Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. The locator map (Exhibit A) is incorrect. The project does not front onto Fourth Avenue. Commissioner S. Thomas had concerns regarding the drainage, and Commissioner T. Thomas recommended that a monitor inspect the retention basin after construction. MSC (BulliS. Thomas) to accept staffs' recommendation for the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Diaz absent. 1. Otay Valley Regional Park Overview Mr. Frank Herrera-H (Associate Planner), assisted by Mr. Duane Bazzel (Principal Planner), gave an overview of the Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP) Concept Plan. The Otay River Valley is one of Chula Vista's great natural resources stretching over 11 miles from south San Diego Bay to the San Ysidro Mountains. That encompasses salt marsh, riparian habitat, gnatcatcher habitat and the Otay Lakes Reservoir to name a few environments. This is a multiple jurisdictional effort by the City, the County and the City of San Diego in developing the OVRP Concept Plan in cooperation with a citizen's advisory committee. The preliminary draft of the OVRP Concept Plan has received opinions from various community groups, park committee and through public forums. Joint staff has been working to ensure that residents and future generations will enjoy this resource. The Plan is a policy document that provides guidance in park plan acquisition and development. The Plan implements the park goals statement by establishing a boundary, protecting environmentally sensitive resources and providing opportunities for recreation and environmental education. The Plan does not preclude private development rights; however, it allows opportunities for private development with an implemented plan. The Concept Plan describes areas that are appropriate for recreational development and environmentally sensitive areas that should be preserved or restored. It provides the framework for a continuous trail system linking San Diego Bay to the Otay Lakes Reservoir and provides connection to other regional open space systems. It recommends staging areas and viewpoints and potential park areas RCC Minutes - 3 - April 16, 2001 requiring future study. To allow flexibility, the Plan is deliberately conceptual. Development of individual park areas or elements will require future detailed proposals. These could occur as funding becomes available. The orange areas on the plan signify potential active recreation. There are already notable commercial developments within the orange areas (i.e., Coors Amphitheatre, Knott's Soak City and golf/driving range and go-cart). These are needed to generate revenue for the park. Commissioner Bensoussan stated that, if too many of those types of operations are put in the regional park, it is not going to resemble a regional park. She also asked what would happen to the Western Salt Works on this Plan. Mr. Herrera-A indicated that the San Diego Port District has purchased the Western Salt Works and transferred it over to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a wildlife refuge. The Western Salt Works will continue operating for the next 5 years. MSC (Bensoussan/Bull) a recommendation to support the Plan with preserving most of it as true open space and curbing commercial recreational facilities as much as possible. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Diaz absent. 3. IS-01-025 - Fourth Avenue & James Court Tentative Parcel Map (Lot Split) Ms. Maria Muett (Associate Planner) indicated that the project site consists of a 0.35-acre parcel. The site contains one existing home. The applicant is proposing to divide this parcel into two legal parcels. An administrative variance is required to allow the following: a) the reduction in the lot size of Parcel 1 and Parcel 2, b) reduce the rear yard setback on Parcel 1, c) trade the locations of the exterior and interior side yard setbacks on Parcel 2, and d) reduce the rear yard setback on Parcel 2. The applicant will be required to install curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements along James Court. The proposed Tentative Parcel Map will not conflict with the General Plan designation. Staff recommends certification of the Negative Declaration. It has been determined that the proposed project will not have a significant environmental effect. MSC (Bull/T. Thomas) to accept staffs' recommendation. Vote: (5- 0-0-1) with Diaz absent. 4. IS-01-034 - 498 Moss Street (Lot Split) Ms. Muett indicated that this is an in-fill project that currently contains one single- family residence and two small accessory structures. The Tentative Parcel Map indicates that the project will be divided into three parcels. The existing single- family residence will be relocated to Parcel 1 in order to comply with setback RCC Minutes -4- April 16, 2001 requirements, and the two accessory structures will be demolished. The applicant will be required to install curb, gutter and sidewalk on Moss Street. Due to the demolition of the two accessory structures, staff is proposing the mitigation measures for air quality and hazards. This project will have less than significant impact as a result of the mitigation measure. Staff recommends certification of the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Commissioner T. Thomas suggested that "lead" be added to the environmental checklist. MSC (Bull/S. Thomas) to approve staffs' recommendation. Vote: (5- 0-0-1) with Diaz absent. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS 5. Policies and Procedures Ms. Ponseggi stated that staff met with Ms. Ann Moore (Senior Assistant City Attorney) on April 6, 2001 to receive guidance and clarification regarding the following questions: Q: Can a member put an item on the agenda? A: If you as a Commission want to put something on the agenda, you bring it up under 'Commissioner Comments'. It is not discussed at all. It is placed on the next agenda. At that time, you have the discussion about whether to put it on the agenda and then it takes a majority vote to do it. Q: Can a member invite someone to give a presentation before the Commission? A: Same as previous answer. Q: What is the protocol when a member wishes to distribute massive amounts of informational material to the Commissioners? A: That information will go to Ms. Ponseggi. She will put a cover memo on it telling the Commission whom it is coming from. She will make copies of the information and distribute it to the Commission. Or the Commissioner can make copies of the information and distribute it his or herself. Q: Can an attachment be part of the minutes? RCC Minutes - 5 - April 16, 2001 A: An attachment can only be made part of the minutes if it is passed out to the Commission and the public at the time the presentation is made. Q: Are the Commissioners allowed to go on field trips? A: You can go on a field trip by calling a special meeting provided it is entirely within the jurisdiction of the City of Chula Vista. You may not hold any meetings outside the City of Chula Vista. Also, you cannot hold a public meeting if access to the meeting is limited. Ms. Ponseggi stated that Ms. Moore would be writing a memo to the RCC regarding the Brown Act. Also, Ms. Moore will probably be attending a meeting in the next couple of months to observe. Ms. Ponseggi encouraged the Commissioners to attend the Planning Commission workshop on April 18, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. regarding traffic/sewer because of the EIRs that are coming before the RCC. She would notify the Commissioners when the City Council workshop is to be held regarding energy. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair Burrascano stated that she would attempt not to miss more meetings. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS 6. Draft Letter to City Council Regarding the Coronado Belt Line Railroad Right-of-Way Historic Designation (Commissioner Bensoussan) Ms. Ponseggi stated that, after Commissioner Bensoussan has made the revisions and finalized the letter, Commissioner Bensoussan should submit the letter to her, and she will make the arrangements to get the letter onto the City Council agenda under 'Boards and Commissions Report'. Commissioner Bensoussan presented the above-mentioned draft letter to the RCC. MSC (Burrascano/T. Thomas) recommended approval of the draft letter with the following revisions: Second paragraph, second sentence: "As such, the Commission voted unanimously on April 2 to recommend supporting listing of the Belt Line......" Second paragraph, fourth sentence: "....of the Coronado Belt Line or impodo prevent any future development of the...." RCC Minutes - 6 - April 16, 2001 Second paragraph, last sentence: ".. ..presentation citing the qualifying criteria under CEQ/\ guidelines is attached." Last paragraph, second sentence: ".. ..State Historic Register will not impeded prevent possible and future development.... " Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Diaz absent. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Burrascano adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, April 30, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Building Conference Room, 430 'F' Street, Chula Vista, CA. Prepared by: ¿ /~~ //ê/ a·,< /£--- Lin a Bond Recording Secretary (A:\lIb\RCC#1 \RCC041601 MI NS.doc)