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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 2001/12/03 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION December 3, 2001 Mercy Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chair Charles Bull at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE MSC (Thomas/Reid) to excuse Commissioners Juan Diaz and Cindy Burrascano. Vote: (4-0) MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Charles Bull, Vice-Chair Doug Reid, Commissioners Teresa Thomas, Pamela Bensoussan and Juan Diaz (6:38) STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Maria Muett, Associate Planner Lynnette Lopez, Associate Planner Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: David Adams, West Auto Wreckers David Street, West Auto Wreckers Daniel L. Street, West Auto Wreckers Danny L. Street, West Auto Wreckers Carlene Scott Elizabeth A. Galligan, 466 'E' Street Glenda de Vaney, 200 'K' Street Gloria Trumble, 665 Del Mar Avenue Ismael Ochoa, 640 Fifth Avenue Juan Carlos Fox, 344 Hilltop Drive Joyce Green, 279 'J' Street Imozelle McVeigh, 644 Second Avenue Jim McVeigh, 644 Second Avenue John Parks, 124 Hilltop Drive Nick Gistaro, 21 'F' Street Frank Roseman, Chula Vista Historic Museum Corinne McCall, 642 Second Avenue James McKnight, 224 Fig Avenue Veronica Lugo, 224 Fig Avenue APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 1 and November 5,2001 The appropriate Commissioners were not present to approve the minutes of October 1 and November 5, 2001. RCC Minutes - 2 - December 3. 2001 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. If there were no objection, Chair Bull suggested that NEW BUSINESS be taken out of order since the remainder of the agenda was historic designations. NEW BUSINESS 3. IS-01-050 - West Auto Wreckers, 2365 Main Street Ms. Maria Muett (Associate Planner) displayed a locator map of the project, which was inadvertently omitted from the package that was sent to the Commissioners. The 3-acre site is developed by West Auto Wreckers, which operates as an auto wrecking and salvage yard. The goal of the proposed project is to construct a 9,000 square foot one-story prefabricated steel warehouse that will be used to house dismantled auto parts that are currently being stored outside. The following on-site improvements are proposed: additional parking, landscape treatments, lighting and fence replacement. The applicant will be required to maintain curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements along Main Street and full cul-de-sac improvements will be required along Faivre Street. A Soils Report was inconclusive regarding the potential for hydrocarbon contamination in the soil and did recommend mitigation of covering the soil with concrete (foundation of proposed warehouse) or removing the soil. Because the site is within the 1 OO-year floodplain, the floor elevation of the proposed warehouse would be raised 1 foot above the floodplain. According to the Drainage Study, the proposed project would not create a significant change in the drainage path. The site is mainly unpaved and there is a depression at the south end of the site that would detain runoff. The Commissioners did not have any concerns with the proposed project but did ask for clarification regarding the catch basins, floodplain, diesel oils, dust control, esthetics and borings, which were explained to their satisfaction by Ms. Muett and Mr. David Adams (West Auto Wreckers, 2365 Main Street, Chula Vista, CA 91912). MSC (Thomas/Reid) that the RCC determine that the Initial Study is adequate and the Mitigated Negative Declaration be adopted. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Burrascano absent. OLD BUSINESS 1. Historic Designation, 279 'J' Street (Victor Day House) Ms. Lynnette Lopez (Associate Planner) indicated that staff received an application on October 25, 2001 from Ms. Green requesting that the Victor Day House be considered for historic designation. Ms. Green is the granddaughter of Victor & Gwendoline Day, the original owner. Ms. Green has requested designation for the following reasons: it is a 1920s style bungalow and retains some of its original design and materials. Contractor Arthur Done constructed the house in 1924. This house may meet Criteria #4 for distinguishing architecture. Staff requests that the RCC Minutes - 3 - December 3. 2001 Commission specifically address the vinyl windows and the addition of the enclosed porch in their deliberations. Ms. Green has also applied for the Mills Act. With that savings she intends to restore the house back to its original splendor. She would also change the windows to the original era. Ms. Joyce Green (Owner, 279 'J'Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910) indicated that the enclosed porch is pretty much original to the house. Commissioner Bensoussan did not think the porch represented any major impact since you cannot see it from the front, but she seriously objected to the vinyl windows. She felt the RCC would be sending the wrong message if they recommended designation of this house with the windows as they are unless the RCC tied it to some kind of condition. Ms. Lopez indicated that the Commission could make a recommendation on the Mills Act Contract by putting an actual timeframe for changing the windows or send it forward to City Council specifically noting that was an item. Ms. Lopez would be going out to check on those improvements. Ms. Marilyn ponseggi (Environmental Review Coordinator) suggested two actions the RCC could take: 1) recommend against the designation because of the vinyl windows, or 2) tie it to the Mills Act and put the designation and tie it to a specific time period within the time that the Mills Act Contract is approved. Chair Bull thought that a mitigating factor should be the fact that the house has continuously remained in the family. MSC (Thomas/Reid) to approve for historic designation and recommend for a Mills Act Agreement with a condition in the Agreement that the windows would be replaced by the end of 2005. Amend motion to add that no historic site sign will be placed on the house until the windows are replaced. This was agreed to by the motion maker and second. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Burrascano absent. 2. Historic Designation, 466 'E' Street (George Sample House) Ms. Lopez indicated that the owner, Ms. Elizabeth Galligan, has requested designation based upon the distinguishing architecture character, the house is over 69 years old and retains many of its original features, and it is a unique subtype of Tudor style architecture. The house was built in 1929 for George A. Sample. The City of Chula Vista Historic Resources Inventory of 1985 states that it appears that there was an addition to the rear of the house. Staff has determined and confirmed with the current owner that this was misinformation as there was never an addition made to this house. The house appears the meet Criteria #4 and #6. Commissioner Reid asked if the owner had applied for the Mills Act. Ms. Lopez stated that Ms. Galligan does not wish to apply for the Mills Act Agreement. RCC Minutes -4- December 3.2001 MSC (Bensoussan/Thomas) to approve for historic designation. Vote: (5-0-0- 1) with Burrascano absent. Chair Bull recommended that it be noted on the Historic Inventory that the back of the house is not an addition. Ms. Ponseggi stated that staff would do that. NEW BUSINESS (cont'd) 4. Mills Act Contracts for: 311 'D' Street: The Frank Damren House 21 'F' Street: The Starkey House 279 'J' Street: The Victor Day House 200 'K' Street, The Edmund Russ House 665 Del Mar Avenue: "EI Nido" The Mary Miller House 224 Fig Avenue: The George Steese House 124 Hilltop Drive: The Leo Christy House 344 Hilltop Drive: The Dupree-Gould House 614 Second Avenue: The Nadine Davies House 616 Second Avenue: The Greg Rogers House 642 Second Avenue: The Garrettson-Frank House 644 Second Avenue: The Jennie MacDonald House 640 Fifth Avenue: The Stafford House Ms. Lopez stated that each Mills Act Agreement has an attachment that each homeowner, in discussion with staff, completed as to what their intensions are with their Mills Act savings. Ms. Ponseggi suggested that, if the Commission determines to take these as a package, they need to pull out 614 and 616 Second Avenue and act on them separately because Commissioner Bensoussan is the owner and cannot vote on those. Also take out 279 'J' Street as that house was voted on earlier. Ms. Lopez indicated that, upon recommendation by the RCC, the contracts would be forwarded to City Council for consideration and authorization for the Mayor to sign the contracts, which will then be forwarded to the County Assessors office making the properties available for tax credit in the 2003 tax year. The contracts must be notarized before being forwarded to the County. Each homeowner has voluntarily applied to participate in the Mills Act program thus indicating their commitment to preserve the historic character of their home. Staff Recommendation: That the RCC make a recommendation to Council to approve each of these Mills Act Contracts. Commissioner Bensoussan stressed for the record that her interpretation of the Mills Act Contract does not allow for improvements to include things like vinyl or aluminum windows. RCC Minutes - 5 - December 3. 2001 MSC (Thomas/Reid) to recommend all the homes for the Mills Act except 279 'J' Street, 614 and 616 Second Avenue. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Burrascano absent. MSC (Diaz/Reid) to recommend 614 and 616 Second Avenue for the Mills Act. Vote: (4-0-1-1) with Bensoussan abstaining and Burrascano absent. 5. Meeting Schedule for 2002 Ms. Ponseggi stated that the RCC meetings are scheduled based on Planning Commission meetings; therefore, the next RCC meeting is not until January 14, 2002. That is a long time between meetings, so it is possible that the Commissioners may get a call to have a special meeting the week before that date. MSC (Reid/Diaz) to accept the 2002 RCC meeting schedule. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Burrascano absent. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS 6. Planning Commission Workshop on December 5, 2001 Regarding Transit First Program and Water Conservation Program The Commissioners indicated that they did not receive the Planning Commission agenda and memo regarding the joint Planning Commission/RCC workshop. Since the copier was down, Ms. Ponseggi stated that the items would be e-mailed to them the next day. The RCC needs to adjourn to this special meeting. Ms. Ponseggi reported that the house on San Miguel Drive would be coming back to the RCC at their first meeting in January. The RCC recommended a historic site permit, and the owner withdrew their application the next day. The City Attorney has advised staff that because it had come to the RCC with a recommendation, staff cannot just drop it and not take it forward even though the owner has requested staff do that. Also the house on Madrona Street will be coming back at the first RCC meeting in January. The owner has withdrawn their application, but the RCC will be advised of new information and asked whether they still want to recommend designation based on the new information. CHAIR COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS 7. Governor's Historic Preservation Award Recommendation MSC (Thomas/Diaz) that the RCC recommend the Chula Vista Heritage Museum with the recognition of the City of Chula Vista for the State Historic Preservation Award. Vote: (4-0-1-1) with Bensoussan abstaining and Burrascano absent. RCC Minutes - 6 - December 3. 2001 Commissioner Thomas indicated that she would be happy to do the paperwork and put the package together. Commissioner Bensoussan wanted to know what the process would be to put historic preservation language in the City Code that makes sense. We are all in agreement that the ordinance is inadequate and that the designations don't make sense. Ms. Ponseggi stated that the problem is that the General Plan has no policies in it about historic preservation. The General Plan is the policy guideline for the City. The General Plan is currently being updated and will most definitely include historic preservation policies. Commissioner Sensoussan asked if the RCC could get the ball rolling (on the record) by making a recommendation on the inadequacy in terms of the present code. Ms. Ponseggi stated that what she could do in the next couple of months is bring the General Plan Manager in to give the RCC an update. Commissioner Diaz invited his fellow Commissioners and City staff to the 20th anniversary of his business on Friday, December 14, 2001, starting at noon. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (cont'd) - November 5,2001 Commissioner Bensoussan requested a copy of the 2002 Preservation Design Awards information Ms. Ponseggi had distributed at the November 5, 2001 meeting. Ms. Ponseggi stated that Ms. Lopez would mail that information to her the next day. Chair Bull stated that, if there are no objections to the November 5, 2001 minutes, they stand approved. COMMMISSIONER COMMENTS (Cont'd) Commissioner Thomas wanted to talk about the wall behind the MAAC project and what could be done about it. Almost the whole area of the back parking lot is a 2-foot wall, not an 8-foot wall. There has to be a creative solution to mitigate the noise. Commissioner Thomas stated that she brought up the point that there should be a wall in that spot because the homes are right adjacent to the property. She was told that she was mistaken that there was, indeed, already a big wall and so she just accepted that. Then she rechecked, and it is, in fact, a 2-foot wall. She pointed out on the site plan where there is 13 or 14 feet of low wall. Ms. ponseggi stated that that is the setback where a high wall is not permitted. If a 6-foot wall is put up there, you can't see past the wall. It's a site access issue. Commissioner Thomas indicated that there is no mitigation for the noise such as the movement of the packing and unpacking of trucks. Plus, the applicant said they were going to be using that as a working site for a certain period during the year. Chair Bull stated that there is nothing the RCC can do because the Commission has already approved the project. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that not only has the Negative Declaration RCC Minutes - 7 - December 3. 2001 been adopted, but also the project has been approved and has gone all the way through the process. Commissioner Thomas stated that there is a principle if you approve something on the bases of false information. If the project was approved with the understanding that there was a 6-foot wall, then there should be a 6-foot wall. Ms. Ponseggi thought there might have been a misunderstanding. Chair Bull stated that, in the future, the RCC needs to make sure that in a motion that a distinctive mitigation measure needs to be included. Commissioner Thomas wondered if that meant that if somebody does make a mistake and tells you something is already okay then you just have to go by their mistakes. There is no way of remedying that in the future. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that the plan has not changed. In the future, staff will make a point of letting the RCC know if a wall does not go all the way down to the street. Commissioner Bensoussan wanted to thank Ms. Lopez for a valiant effort on putting the Mills Act applications together. She did a great job. MSC (Thomas/Bensoussan) to adjourn to the joint workshop on December 5, 2001. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Burrascano absent. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:15 p.m. to a special joint workshop with the Planning Commission on Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 2 and 3, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA. Prepared by: ~ ,/..z-/ ~-x ¿.L---- Linda Bond Recording Secretary (A:lllbIRCC#1 \RCC120301 MINS.doc)