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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 2003/03/03 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION March 3, 2003 Ken Lee Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chair Teresa Thomas at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE MSC (Reid/Chávez) to excuse Commissioner Pamela Bensoussan. Vote: (5-0) MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Teresa Thomas, Vice-Chair Doug Reid, Cornmissioners Juan Diaz, Stanley Jasek and John Chávez STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Marisa Lundstedt, Environrnental Projects Manager Frank Rivera, Deputy Director - Infrastructure Services Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Edgar Camerino, Rick Engineering Company Dennis Marcin, Helix Environmental Mike Komula, Pacific Noise Control APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 13, 2003 Chair Thomas stated that the last paragraph on page 1 refers to the concern she had expressed about the close proximity of residents to Otay Valley Regional Park; however, the last sentence that states: "She would like the Otay Valley Regional Park Preserve used as a reference" does not indicate what that means. Chair Thomas requested that the following phrase be added to the last sentence: "...for any reviews concerning fire hazard prevention and for fire hazard monitoring or inspections. And that, for the sake of information, would refer to any cognizant staff person or responsible body." MSC (Chávez/Reid) to approve the minutes of January 13, 2003 as arnended. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Bensoussan absent. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. RCC Minutes - 2 - March 3, 2003 NEW BUSINESS 1. 15-00-49 - 1-805/East Orange Avenue/Olympic Parkway Interchange Ms. Marisa Lundstedt (Environmental Projects Manager) reported that the project is proposed interchange and freeway improvements at the 805 and Orange Avenue interchange. The project has been considered as a capital improvement project within the City largely because traffic modeling from the build-out year of 2025 has shown that there is an impacted area at this interchange. Accident data within this area has also indicated the need for the proposed project improvements. There are seven main areas that are proposed for improvements within the project area which is basically the freeway over-crossing at East Orange Avenue/Olympic Parkway; the 1-805 East Orange/Olympic Parkway on and off (north and south) ramps; Olympic Parkway east of 1-805; Orange Avenue west of 1-805; the Southbound 1-805 off-ramp to Main Street/Auto Park Drive and portions of the freeway between the two on/off ramps. The environrnental document analyzes the impacts of this project and an alternative that calls for the widening of the East Orange Avenue/Olympic Parkway over-crossing. There is federal funding for this project so the document is a joint California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document. Several years have been spent coordinating with CalTrans on this project. Approximately 95% of the project is within CalTrans' right-of-way. For the rnost part, all of their standards and criteria have been incorporated into the document as well as the City's criteria. Mr. Dennis Marcin (Helix Environmental Planning, 8100 La Mesa Blvd., #150, La Mesa, CA 91941) reported that the document identified five potentially significant irnpacts. All the impacts would be reduced below the level of significance through mitigation measures. Mr. Marcin briefly described the five issue areas. · Biological resources · Geology/topography · Hydrology/water quality · Noise · Aesthetics Commission Comments Chair Thomas asked for a description of a berm versus a wall for noise attenuation. Mr. Frank Rivera (Deputy Director - Infrastructure Services) stated that a berm is a compacted mound of dirt that is landscaped to look like a gentle rolling hill in varying heights and lengths. Vice-Chair Reid noted that "visual simulations" were mentioned. He would like to see an example. He was shown the technical appendices to the environmental document that contains the simulations. RCC Minutes - 3 - March 3, 2003 Vice-Chair Reid noted that Barriers B7 and B14 would not be constructed due to homeowner opposition. Mr. Marcin stated that the situation has changed for Barrier B7 since the environrnental document was circulated for public review. The single homeowner at Barrier B7 has changed their mind. There are still more than 50% of the associated homeowners at Barrier B14 who do not want the wall; therefore, the wall is not proposed to be built. Chair Thomas asked if there was a financial assessment to the horneowners for the wall? Mr. Marcin stated that was not the reason homeowners did not want the wall. They wanted their views maintained. Commissioner Jasek asked if there were any existing bus stops on Olympic Parkway between 1-805 and Oleander? Mr. Rivera responded in the negative. Chair Thomas stated that, during the construction phase, there would be problems with traffic flow. She questioned how the traffic impacts would be mitigated during construction? Mr. Marcin indicated that there is not a mitigation measure because CalTrans and the City have standards for construction to require traffic control rneasures would mitigate these potential impacts. Mr. Marcin also noted that there is some discussion in the document of traffic control measures that will be used during construction to maintain traffic flows. Chair Thomas recommended a safety officer directing traffic during high peak hours. Ms. Lundstedt directed Chair Thomas' attention to the top of page 52 where the document addresses that issue. Mr. Rivera stated that, on the Traffic Safety Plan, there would be an agreement with the California Highway Patrol that will monitor traffic control, especially during special items of work. Chair Thomas noted that air quality was not directly mitigated. There needs to be dust control measures throughout construction. Ms. Lundstedt stated that dust control is part of CalTrans' and the City's standard procedures that will be implemented during construction. Mr. Marcin indicated that the resident engineer running the project on the ground would be a City employee. Chair Thomas asked for a motion that would include the recommendation that the traffic safety and management monitoring be carried out during the construction period with the facilitation of fla9gers and any other safety officer that is needed. MSC (Thomas/Reid) that the Ree determined that the Initial Study is adequate and the Negative Declaration be adopted with a recommendation to the City Council that there be additional oversight for safety durin9 the period of construction for traffic safety, especially at the interchanges. Vote: (5-0-0- 1) with Bensoussan absent. RCC Minutes -4- March 3, 2003 2. Report on Initiating Consideration of Historic Designation for Friendship Park Ms. Ponseggi indicated that this was a response to a public comment that was made at the December 2, 2002 RCC meeting. Staff believed that, from the comments that were made, the member of the public was looking for some additional protection for Friendship Park in light of the recent landscaping changes that had been proposed. To be listed on the local register, the RCC must make a recommendation to the City Council to determine that the site meets the local criteria for designation. The issue here is what is really meant by a "site" for the purposes of the City's ordinance. According to the California Register of Historic Resources, a historic site may be a location where a significant event occurred, prehistoric or historic occupation or activity took place, or where a building or structure was once located and the location retains value regardless of the value of the subsequent structure. To date, the City has not had a location listed on the Chula Vista List of Historic Sites. It is not clear, at this time, as to whether or not such a designation would be supported by the current criteria. It is very likely that some of the recommendations that will come out of the Ad hoc committee on Historic Preservation would address how such sites could be designated. Staff Recommendation: That the RCC file this report and wait until such time that the City has a program that takes into account this type of listing since, right now, the City's code is not clear on how to address listing of such sites. Commission Comments Chair Thomas recommended that the RCC table this report because the person who requested designation was not present. Also, the City does have past precedence of a location being designated as a historic site. At the southwest corner of Palomar Street and Broadway is a monument that designates that site as the site of the original Japanese/American parochial school. Ms. Ponseggi stated that staff was not saying Friendship Park should not be designated. What staff was saying is that the current criteria in the ordinance do not recognize doing that. Staff is asking that the RCC wait until the Historic Preservation Committee finishes work and see what comes out of that. MS (Thomas/Chávez) to table this item until the June 16, 2003 RCC meeting. Discussion Commissioner Chávez thought the interested party should at least be advised of the progress because they raised the question and apparently had an ongoing issue. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that Commissioner Bensoussan has advised them. Commissioner Chávez would like them advised of what the RCC did at this meeting so they would not think the RCC had not been responsive. Ms. Ponseggi responded in the affirmative. RCC Minutes - 5 - March 3, 2003 Commissioner Chávez asked if the RCC could direct staff to report back in June about where that stands? Ms. Ponseggi stated that she would feel more comfortable if the RCC directed staff to come back when the Committee completed the Strategic Plan. Chair Thomas proposed that the RCC ask the Historic Preservation Committee to make a status report in June. Ms. Ponseggi stated that was not appropriate for that particular Comrnittee to do. The RCC has a representative (Charlie Bull) who sits on that Committee who at any time during oral presentations can come and let the RCC know what is going on. Or the Heritage Board Museum representative (Commissioner Bensoussan) could give a presentation at any time as to what their status is. Motion was withdrawn with the approval of the second. By consensus, the report was filed. INFORMATION ITEM 3. City Council Agenda Statement for the Revised Right-of-Way Improvement Plan for the Right-of-Way Improvements on Fourth Avenue and "F" Street in Conjunction with the New Police Facility Ms. Ponseggi stated that this was strictly for information purposes. This Council Agenda Statement went forward to the City Council for their action on the revised improvement plans for Friendship Park. The Council has already taken action to approve; the RCC need not take any action. Chair Thomas thanked staff for putting together the focus group to re-Iook at that project. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS: Ms. Ponseggi reminded the Cornmissioners that on March 10, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. in the Ken Lee Building Conference Room will be the Environmental & Open Space Subcommittee meeting. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Thomas asked about the status of getting a seventh person on the RCC. Ms. Ponseggi stated that the Mayor is aware of the vacancy. He is going through all the vacancies on Commissions right now. Chair Thomas stated that she has still not received the MSCP Implementation Ordinances that she requested several meetings ago. Chair Thomas would like to include on the next RCC agenda the Environmentalist and Historical Preservationist Awards. Ms. Ponseggi stated that there is a press release that will be put out in the next day or two. It is requesting that nominees be submitted to her. That will be put on the RCC agenda for April 7, 2003. RCC Minutes - 6 - March 3, 2003 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, March 17,2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ken Lee Building Conference Room, 430 "F" Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Prepared by: ~/a-j a~L-> Lin Bond Recording Secretary (A:\lIbIRCC#3\RCC030303Mins.doc)