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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 2002/06/03 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION June 3, 2002 Mercy Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chair Charles Bull at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE MSC (Diaz/Bensoussan) to excuse Commissioners Cindy Burrascano and Teresa Thomas. Vote: (5-0) MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Charles Bull, Vice-Chair Doug Reid, Commissioners Juan Diaz, Pamela Sensoussan and Stanley Jasek STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Mary Ladiana, Environmental Projects Manager Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Nancy Ruiz, 475 "E" Street Frank M. Roseman, 66 Montebello Street Laura Guerra, 840 First Avenue Alberto Guerra, 840 First Avenue APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 15, 29 and May 13, 2002 The minutes of April 15, 2002 were continued to the next meeting, as the appropriate Commissioners were not present. MSC (Reid/Jasek) to approve the April 29, 2002 minutes as submitted. Vote: (4- 0-1-2) with Diaz abstaining and Burrascano and Thomas absent. MSC (Reid/Jasek) to approve the minutes of May 13, 2002 as submitted. Vote: 4-0-1-2) with Bull abstaining and Burrascano and Thomas absent. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. RCC Minutes - 2 - June 3. 2002 NEW BUSINESS 1. Update on Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) Grant Ms. Mary Ladiana (Environmental Projects Manager) indicated that the City applied for and was awarded a State grant in August 2001 to do baseline biological surveys within the central City preserve management areas, which are the canyon systems around Rancho del Rey, Bonita Long Canyon and Sunbow. The entire grant request of approximately $228,000 was awarded. From September through January 2002, the City worked with California Fish & Game in developing a detailed scope-of-work to survey 1,350 acres. Because there are four distinct areas, four management plans will be prepared. These will determine what kind of management measures will need to be done within those open space areas. After the scope-of-work was finalized, a Request for Proposals was sent out. Five proposals were submitted with RECON Environmental being selected. Ms. Ladiana distributed a map showing the four management plan areas: (1) Rancho del Rey I, II and III and the Terra Nova Open Space System, (2) Rancho del Rey III, (3) Sunbow, and (4) Bonita Long Canyon. The City also had to enter into a contract with the State for them to give the City the money to do this work. The grant is time sensitive. The money has to be spent by February of 2004. Because.some of the species are dependent, you can only survey during certain times of the year. Staff is losing time right now, so we are hoping to do some of the footwork this spring and then follow up with more detailed surveys next spring. Ms. Marilyn Ponseggi (Environmental Review Coordinator) explained that an important thing to remember with this grant is that these areas that are being looked at are the areas that are the established canyons that were mitigation from a variety of projects, and the City does not have the funding in place to do the area specific management plans. The City was looking at having to do one area a year or less over the next several years of the budget because it was going to be coming out of the General Fund. That is why getting the grant funding was so crucial. It was a real endorsement from the State that they were supporting the City in its efforts as far as the MSCP and where the City was headed. Commissioner Bensoussan asked if there were preserves in the major development areas. Ms. Ladiana stated that each major development (i.e., San Miguel Ranch, Otay Ranch, etc.) has its own management plan. 2. Historic Designation, 475 "E" Street (William Drew House) Ms. Ponseggi stated that the representative of the applicant was present to answer questions. Staff feels that the house should be designated under Criteria #4 (significant architecture) and Criteria #6 (retains integrity of design and materials). RCC Minutes - 3 - June 3. 2002 Commission Bensoussan asked if the applicant would be applying for the Mills Act Contract. Ms. Nancy Ruiz (Resident, 475 "E" Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910) responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Bensoussan questioned the integrity of the apartment units. She recommended replacing the aluminum window screens on the house if the applicant should apply for the Mills Act. MSC (Bensoussan/Jasek) to recommend historic designation. Vote: (5-0-0-2) with Burrascano and Thomas absent. 3. Historic Designation, 840 First Avenue (Mary Drew House) Ms. Ponseggi indicated that this home was on the historic tour. The owners are in the process of restoring it. They were present at the meeting to answer questions. Commissioner Bensoussan wanted to make a point of including the garage because it is very rare to find a garage like this in tact. It is a very integral part of the structure and architect. MSC (Bensoussan/Diaz) to recommend historic designation. Vote: (5-0-0-2) with Burrascano and Thomas absent. Commissioner Bensoussan indicated that there is a relationship between this house and the house at 475 "E" Street. Mary Drew lived in the "E" Street house. Then, a few years after her husband died, she bought this house. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS Ms. Ponseggi wanted to make sure that the Commissioners knew that the awards banquet is Thursday, June 27,2002. They should be getting invitations. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that she and Jim Sandoval (Assistant Planning Director) have been talking to the Clerk and Mayor's office. They are aware that Cindy Burrascano's term is up. A couple applications have come in, and staff anticipates someone will be appointed in July. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair Bull talked about the kick-off for the historic home tour where he announced the Historic Preservationists of the year. It was well attended, and the recipients (Nancy and John Parks) were rather surprised. RCC Minutes - 4 - June 3. 2002 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Reid stated that, in doing the research back in 1985 of historic sites in the 700-800 blocks of First Avenue, it was discovered that there were a lot of connections between that particular neighborhood, the Country Club and Hollywood. Stars would come to vacation and stay at houses, or, in some cases, they owned houses in that area. At the time, staff did not have the resources to pursue that connection. He thought it would be good to proceed with that now. The Country Club may have records of membership, attendees, guest members, etc. that date back then. Commissioner Reid noted that Tarzan's Boy (Johnny Sheffield) lives in that neighborhood. Ms. Ponseggi suggested to Commissioner Bensoussan and Mr. Frank Roseman that a historic tour of those homes might be a possibility. Commissioner Bensoussan stated that about 50 people attended the Mills Act workshop on the Thursday following the historic tour. Many of them are very keenly interested in getting designated and the Mills Act. ADJOURNMENT MSC (Reid/Jasek) to adjourn the meeting. Vote: (5-0-0-2) with Burrascano and Thomas absent. Chair Bull adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, June 17, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Building Conference Room, 430 "F" Street, Chula Vista, CA. Prepared by: ~;/a./Wh<~ Lin a Bond Recording Secretary (A:\lIb\RCC#2\RCC060302Mins.doc)