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Home My WebLink AboutRCC MIN 2001/04/02 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION April 2, 2001 DRAFT Mercy Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Commissioner Teresa Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE: Motion to excuse Chair Cindy Burrascano and Vice-Chair Charles Bull was not executed. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Teresa Thomas, Steve Thomas, Juan Diaz and Pam Bensoussan STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Brian Hunter, Planning & Environmental Manager Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Alex Bevil, Historical Consultant Chalmers Kerr, San Diego Railroad Museum Bruce Semelsberger, San Diego Railroad Museum James McVeigh, 644 Second Avenue Steven Veach, 657 20th Street, San Diego Louise Torio, 657 20th Street, San Diego APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 5, 2001 Approval of the March 5, 2001 minutes was postponed until after the presentation. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. OLD BUSINESS 1. Presentation by Alex Bevil regarding the Coronado Branch Railway Line Mr. Alex Bevil (historical consultant) gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Coronado Railroad Belt Line. He presented the interrelationship between the historic use of a transportation network and its association with the Coronado Railroad Belt Line. The existing physical remains of the Belt Line is a 7.5-mile railroad right-of-way between National City, south through Chula Vista, Imperial Beach to the base of the Silver Strand. The San Diego Save Our Heritage organization hired him to investigate the history of the Coronado Belt Line: 1) to determine the right-of-way's historic significance, and 2) its eligibility under CEQA. He described the CEQA criteria for historical designation. RCC Minutes - 2 - DRAFT April 2, 2001 Mr. Bevil indicated that members of the State Resources Board would be coming down to tour the line on May 16, 2001 at 1 :00 p.m. He invited the RCC members to participate. Ms. Marilyn Ponseggi (Environmental Review Coordinator) indicated that RCC could not hold a meeting out of the City. She further clarified that the City Council has taken action not to support retaining the right-of-way without asking the RCC to look into it, and the right-of-way is not entirely within the City. She needed to check with the City Attorney to find out exactly how to handle this because the Brown Act regulates RCC activities. Mr. Bevil stated that the railroad is one of the earliest independent interurban short steam rail lines in San Diego County. Its original 20.3-mile route provided direct steam freight and limited passenger rail service to the resort community of Coronado and downtown San Diego. According to Mr. Bevil, it has a period of historic significance from 1888 to 1950 where it was the major contributor to the economic development of Coronado including National City, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach. Mr. Bevil further stated that it is significant also through its various corporate lives. The line provided convenience for the transfer of bulk agricultural and industrial raw materials. It was also a critical hauler of strategic material during both World Wars. According to Mr. Bevil, with limited use today, the surviving 7.5-mile right-of-way from National City south to Imperial Beach continues to retain historical significance. Commissioner Bensoussan proposed that the RCC vote to write a letter of support for designation of the railroad right-of-way as a State historical resource. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that the RCC could recommend that the City Council support the action since the RCC is a recommending body to the City Council. Mr. Brian Hunter (Planning & Environmental Manager) stated that in 1986, the City sent an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the State of California stating that the City was planning on developing the Bayfront. At that time, the City did not receive any comments from the State that. there was any issue with that development, which included removing the railroad tracks. In 1992, the City redid that EIR and again sent it to the State. Again, there was no comment. Neither of the previous EIRs identified the right-of-way as a significant historic resource. In 1999. MTDB (owner of the line) looked at the potential abandonment of that railway line. Mr. Hunter read portions of a letter that Councilman Jerry Rindone had written to Mr. Jack O'Lexey, dated February 7, 2001. "The City has taken the position that the Coronado Branch Line should be abandoned in order to complete the long-planned bicycle path that will circle San Diego Bay. You should also be aware that the Metropolitan Transportation Development Board (MTDB) took formal action to abandon DRAFT RCC Minutes - 3 - April 2, 2001 the line on August 12, 1999 and recently reaffirmed their decision. In addition, the San Diego Unified Port District has also called for the line to be abandoned in order to facilitate redevelopment of the B.F. Goodrich campus. " Councilman Rindone is the City's representative to MTDB. Commissioner Bensoussan stated that she spoke with Diane White of MTDB that day at which time Ms. White confirmed MTDB has not formally abandoned the rail line. Commissioner Bensoussan read portions of an agenda, etc. about studies that are going on. 'The Port of San Diego has appointed three of its members to the Metropolitan Freight Rail Committee. They will be participating with the MTDB Board members. Thefirst meeting of the Committee is set for March 7, 2001. Mr. Linburr and I have met with City Managers of National City and Chula Vista and will meet with the City Manager of Imperial Beach and ports south to get a better understanding of the issues in each of those jurisdictions relative to the Coronado Branch Line and the various plans for development on the line. We are continuing to have a dialogue with Rail America and the San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad relative to the legal and financial issues involved in the formal abandonment and the central processes of discontinuing its service. We will continue to report back periodically through the Board on our progress in these matters." She felt it was within the scope of RCC to determine if things in Chula Vista have historic significance and to ask the City Council to look at the questions supporting historic designation. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that making a recommendation such as that to the City Council is within RCC authority. The RCC could designate a member to go to a City Council meeting under 'Oral Communications' and let them know what your thoughts are on this, and ask them if they would like to put it on the agenda for consideration. The RCC could also send the City Council a letter. MSC (Bensoussan/S. Thomas) to support historic designation on the California Historical Register of the Coronado Belt Line Railroad right-of-way and direct Commissioner Bensoussan, on behalf of the Resource Conservation Commission, to draft a letter to the City Council stating so, to be considered by the RCC at their next meeting. Vote: (4-0-0-2) with Burrascano and Bull absent. Commissioner T. Thomas requested that Mr. Bevil's presentation be attached to the minutes. Ms. Ponseggi advised against that. The RCC might be better off to make it an attachment to your letter to the City Council, which would make sure that they see it. Mr. Bevil indicated that he would send the presentation to Commissioner Bensoussan. MSC (Bensoussan/S. Thomas) to amend the motion to include Mr. Bevil's presentation as an attachment to the draft letter. Vote: (4-0- 0-2) with Burrascano and Bull absent. RCC Minutes - 4 - DRAFT April 2, 2001 NEW BUSINESS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Cont'd) MSC (Bensoussan/S. Thomas) to approve the March 5, 2001 minutes as submitted. Vote: (4-0-0-2) with Burrascano and Bull absent. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS: Ms. Ponseggi announced that the annual Awards Banquet would take place on Thursday, May 17, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. at the San Diego Country Club. The Commissioners will be receiving invitations. Staff will be forwarding all of the information as to RCC's two nominations and why on to the Mayor's office so that those presentations will be made at the banquet. CHAIR COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Bensoussan indicated that RCC forgot to address the question of the train ride tour. Ms. Ponseggi again cautioned the Commissioners. Commissioner T. Thomas asked if staff was still getting the response on the Mills Act? Ms. Ponseggi indicated that the staff member who is preparing it is well aware of the fact that the Commission wants to look at it before it goes. Commissioner Bensoussan handed out informational packets regarding the Mills Act. Commissioner Bensoussan distributed pamphlets regarding the Historical Home Tour on May 12, 2001. Any Commissioners and City employees who wish to go are compo Ms. Ponseggi asked for and was given extra pamphlets to be placed on the Planning and Mercy Building counters. An e-mail would be sent to Planning Department staff regarding the tour. Ms. Ponseggi will keep a list of names and pass it on to Commissioner Bensoussan. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner T. Thomas adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, April 16, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Building Conference Room, 430 'F' Street, Chula Vista, CA. Prepared by: --; ¿ 1~ ¿;/d/ ~-£ /L____ Li da Bond Recording Secretary