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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 2001/10/15 ,"- - MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION October 15, 2001 Mercy Building Conference Room 430 "F" Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chair Charles Bull at 6:38 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE MSc (Thomas/Burrascano) to excuse Vice-Chair Doug Reid. Vote: (4-0-0- 1) with Commissioner Bensoussan absent. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Charles Bull, Commissioners Teresa Thomas, Juan Diaz, Cindy Burrascano and Pamela Bensoussan (6:41) STAFF PRESENT: Lynnette Lopez, Associate Planner Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Phil Schanberger, TNT & Associates, Inc. Philip Hinshaw, A.D. Hinshaw & Associates Frank M. Roseman, Chula Vista Heritage Museum Veronica Lugo, 224 Fig Street Ethel M. Carter, 181 Madrona Street APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 17, 2001 Chair Bull stated that, hearing no objections, the minutes of September 17,2001 stand approved. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS 1. IS-00-036 - Pacifica Mart, 4430 Main Street Mr. Philip Hinshaw (AD. Hinshaw Associates, P.O. Box 13200, EI Cajon, CA 92022) reported that this is an existing service station located on the south side of Main Street west of 1-805 that dispenses gasoline and diesel fuel. The proposed project is to move two diesel pumps from their present location (fuel island in front of the ,"- - RCC Minutes - 2 - October 15, 2001 station) to another location (east side of the station) and add a third diesel pump. This will provide better on-site circulation for the semi-trailer trucks and avoid stacking on Main Street. The existing diesel fuel pumps would be converted to gasoline pumps. There will be no new fuel tanks or fuel tanks abandoned as part of this project. The line from the existing diesel tank to the pumps will be extended to the new pumps. There is a partially unpaved area where the diesel pumps are going to be relocated. The proposed project includes paving this area. Initial runoff from the new paved area may result in a significant impact unless mitigated to a level of less than significant. Mr. Hinshaw reviewed the mitigation measures necessary to avoid significant impacts. The building that exists on the site will remain the same on the exterior. There will be changes to the canopy and exterior signage. Commissioner Thomas asked if there would be counter pressure systems used to reduce excess diesel fumes into the air. Mr. Phil Schanberger (TNT & Associates, Inc., 9089 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92123) stated that there are no Air Pollution Control District (APCD) regulations on diesel; therefore, there is no vapor capture system. When the APCD does enact it, they will put a deadline on every site to comply by a certain date or face penalties. Commissioner Diaz asked the applicant if they were using the new green diesel. Mr. Schanberger did not know. MSC (Diaz/Burrascano) to accept the report. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Reid absent. 2. Request for Designation of the Claude Conkling House, 58 San Miguel Drive Ms. Lynnette Tessitore-Lopez (Associate Planner) reported that this house was included in the Chula Vista Historic Resources Inventory but was not included in the official list of historic sites. This Spanish Hacienda mansion style house was built in 1929 and appears to retain integrity of the original design and materials. The house appears to meet Criteria #4 and #6 for historic designation. Ms. Tessitore-Lopez described several interesting features that contribute to its architectural character. Commissioner Bensoussan indicated that the house retains a lot of the characteristics inside. She strongly encouraged designation, but wanted to go further and recommend a historic permit. Houses like this are important because there are so few of them, and this one is a wonderful example. Ms. Marilyn Ponseggi (Environmental Review Coordinator) stated that staff has found through research that the program has always been voluntary, and there has never been a designation or a historic site permit placed on a property without the owners' permission. Staff will be asking the City Council for policy direction as to whether or not they wish to continue the program in the voluntary nature it has ! - RCC Minutes - 3- October 15. 2001 always been or whether they want to take historic preservation in the City to a higher level and start imposing this on properties that the owners may not be in agreement. Ms. Ponseggi recommended that, if the RCC is going to seriously consider recommending to the Council that they put the historic site permit on this property, that the RCC continue this to the next meeting. Let staff urge the property owners to be here because the RCC really needs to have some interaction with the property owners and understand what their feelings would be on that before the RCC makes that recommendation to City Council. The code calls for the RCC making a designation and also considering whether or not to make that recommendation. Commissioner Bensoussan indicated that the staff report does not specify which designation the property owners are after. Their goals to preserve the house are made very adamantly in their application, so she didn't think it would counter the spirit of what they are attempting to do. She didn't think the code said anything about it being a voluntary program. Ms. ponseggi indicated that it has been an unofficial policy for the City that it be a voluntary program. Staff should include in the report if the property owners were or were not in agreement. MSC (Bensoussan/Diaz) to designate the house with a simple designation. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Reid absent. MSC (Bensoussan/Diaz) to designate the house with a historic permit. Vote: (4-1-0-1) with Burrascano opposed and Reid absent. Chair Bull felt it should be noted that the property owners were not present to comment on these actions. 3. Request for Designation of the George Steese House, 224 Fig Street Ms. Tessitore-Lopez reported that this house was included in the Chula Vista Historic Resources Inventory but was not included in the official list of historic sites. The house was built in 1929 and is an example of the Tudor style in modern form, which retains integrity of design and materials. The house has several interesting features of the Tudor style that contribute to its architectural character. Although it cannot be determined if the house is linked to a historic personage, it appears to meet Criteria #4 and #6. Ms. Veronica Lugo (Owner, 224 Fig Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910) stated that a lot of the interior of the house is original. She would like the house researched. MSC (Bensoussan/Thomas) for historic designation. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Reid absent. Commissioner Diaz left the meeting at 7:35 p.m. ,..- - RCC Minutes -4- October 15. 2001 Commissioner Bensoussan asked Ms. Lugo if she understood about historic permits. Ms. Lugo responded in the negative. Chair Bull suggested that staff make the historic permit material available to owners. Ms. Lugo was not aware that it was two separate items. She is interested in the Mills Act. She was not aware of the requirements under a permit. Ms. Tessitore-Lopez stated that she would send that information to her. Commissioner Bensoussan stated for the record that the code needs revising. It affords no real direction. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that the General Plan that is being updated needs to have very strong policies regarding historic preservation in order for staff to have a code that has real teeth in it. All of the land use regulations stem from the General Plan, and if the General Plan is silent on something, it makes it that much more difficult to adopt ordinances because staff does not have a policy direction. The City does not have a historic preservation code now. What the policy says is: "other duties of the RCC". 4. Request for Designation of the Almond Pickering House, 181 Madrona Street Ms. Tessitore-Lopez reported that this house is part of the Chula Vista Historic Resources Inventory but not included in the official list of historic sites. The house was built in 1929 and is a late version bungalow with a hint of Colonial Revival. The house may meet Criteria #4 and #6. However, the additions of a carport and brick façade are features that are not found in this type of architecture and may compromise the historic integrity of the structure. Staff requests that the Commission specifically address the carport and brick façade to determine the impact of these features with respect to the criteria for designation. Commissioner Bensoussan noted that the staff report under BACKGROUND was incorrect. The house is 'east' of Second Avenue and 'west' of Elm Avenue. She had looked at the house, and the brick seems more ominous in the photograph than it does in person. The carport is actually a design feature that was used in a lot of houses at the beginning of the century except this is a modern version. She would recommend that the owner make a few changes to give it a more authentic look. Chair Bull stated that the question the RCC has to decide, eyen if the house did not have the brick work and carport which definitely detracts from its original nature, is to what extent the RCC is going to list California bungalows because there are so many of them. Ms. Ethel M. Carter (Secondary Owner, 181 Madrona Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910) stated that they have already started taking the bricks down. co' RCC Minutes - 5 - October 15, 2001 Commissioner Bensoussan had an alternate point of view to present since she has lived in the historic core of Chula Vista for a number of years. It is precisely these charming little bungalows that give the neighborhood its integrity. What they do in San Diego is designate a District and ask the owners of all the houses that are contributing to that district be part of what makes it a historic designation. So in that context, this is a wonderful street. The owner has shown in her report that she wants to contribute to the preservation of that street. That is one of those streets in Chula Vista that is really quite well preserved. If you go down other streets in Chula Vista, you see one after another of these bungalows stuccoed over. Commissioner Bensoussan thought it would behoove the RCC to designate as many of these bungalows as possible. She thought it was important not to say: "because there are a lot of them, we don't need to pay any attention to this one". They are rapidly disappearing. Chair Bull stated that Commissioner Bensoussans' point about the district was probably the only bases on which he could support. The RCC needs to know to some extent where those areas are. Ms. Tessitore-Lopez stated that staff is currently working on historic designation and inventory mapping with GIS. In the future, she would be able to show the relationship to other historic homes, ones that were designated and ones that were included in the inventory. Commissioner Burrascano stated that she could not recommend designation with the brick on the house. MSC (Thomas/Bensoussan) to declare this as a historical designation with the understanding that the contemporary bricks are removed prior to it going to City Council for consideration. Vote: (4-0-0-2) with Reid and Diaz absent. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS: None. CHAIR COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Burrascano would like to see the Otay Water District golf course burrowing owl monitoring report. She is having a hard time determining if the mitigations that were required for burrowing owls are successful or not. The cases that she knows of do not work. Ms. ponseggi suggested that Commissioner Burrascano contact the Otay Water District directly about their burrowing owl relocation program; however, what she has been advised by the City's biological monitor for Rolling Hills Ranch is that the joint relocation program (Rolling Hills Ranch/Otay Water District) has been successful. Ms. Ponseggi stated that she would follow-up on the latest monitoring report to verify the current condition of the monitoring program. f - RCC Minutes - 6- October 15. 2001 Commissioner Thomas stated that the RCC should find out the actual preliminary staff requirements for a solid waste management plan before these projects come to RCC. She would again like to request that information from Michael Meacham. Ms. Ponseggi indicated that Ms. Maria Muett (Associate Planner) is researching the question about the solid waste management plan. Every project that goes through the Planning Department is routed to Mr. Meacham. Ms. Muett is working with Mr. Meacham on coming up with a standard mitigation measure similar to what staff has come up with for lead paint and asbestos. Staff can certainly ask Mr. Meacham to come back to RCC and make a presentation as well. Commissioner Thomas stated that several of her students told her that, while driving by the 'H' Street and Third Avenue project, dust falls down on their cars. If it's falling on cars, it's falling on peoples' heads. The screen is not enough to hold back the dust. This means that there is not the required monitoring. Ms. Ponseggi stated that she would call Brian Hunter in Community Development and let him know that there is a concern. Commissioner Thomas wanted to know who monitors service stations for leaks. Ms. Ponseggi stated that County Environmental Health inspects gas stations. Commissioner Thomas would like the California Preservation Awards on an agenda before the end of the year. Ms. Tessitore-Lopez stated that she would look in to getting the application. Commissioner Bensoussan stated that she will be out of town for the November 5, 2001 RCC meeting. Commissioner Bensoussan would like Ms. Ponseggi to let her know when she had more information on the Henry Fischer House. Commissioner Bensoussan would like to be placed on a list to be notified of any City Council agendas that have to do with topics regarding historical. Ms. Tessitore-Lopez stated that she would notify Commissioner Bensoussan of any items going to City Council. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Bull adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, November 5, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Building Conference Room, 430 'F' Street, Chula Vista, CA. Prepared by: ,~/~r:;;¡?£~ L' da Bond Recording Secretary (A:\lIb\RCC#1\RCC1 01501 MI NS.doc)