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HomeMy WebLinkAboutrda min 1977/08/04 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday August 4, 1977 A regular meeting of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Chula Vista, California was held on the above date, beginning at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following: MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Hyde, Members Scott, Egdah1, Cox Members Absent: Member Hobel STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Cole, Special Counsel Reed, City Attorney Lindberg, Community Development Director Desrochers, Community Development Coordinator Boyd 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Egdah1, seconded by Member Scott and unanimously carried by those present to approve the minutes of July 7, 1977 and July 14, 1977, copies having been sent to each member. 2. PRESENTATION OF BIKE ROUTE CONCEPT - CALTRANS Mr. Bob Kreuger and Mr. Richard Grob of CALTRANS made a presentation on the Bike Route concept which covers a 22-mi1e bikeway around South San Diego Bay, starting at the foot of Market Street in San Diego and ending near G10rietta Boulevard and Pomona Avenue in Coronado. Alternate A-1 would proceed south on Tidelands Avenue to Bay Boulevard in Chu1a Vista. Alternate A-2 would bypass the uncon- structed section of Tidelands Avenue from 32nd Street in National City and G Street in Chu1a Vista. It was moved by Member Scott, seconded by Member Cox,and'carried unanimously by those present that the report be accepted and that Alternate A-l (Tidelands Avenue alignment) be the indicated preference of the Agency. 3. RESOLUTION NO. 92 - CERTIFYING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Westec Services, Inc., prepared the EIR which involves the initial public im- provements which are proposed as part of the first phase of Bayfront redevelop- ment public improvements. This resolution certifies that EIR-77-4 has been prepared in accordance with CEQA and that the Agency will consider the document as it reaches a decision on the project. Offered by Member Egdahl, the reading of the text was waived by the unanimous consent of those present, passed and adopted by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Egdahl, Scott, Cox and Hyde Noes: None Absent: Member Hobel -1- .-.~ 4. RESOLUTION NO. 93 - APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AGENCY AND WESTEC SERVICES, INC., FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHASE I OF BAY FRONT REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR PRESENTATION TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION The time is now appropriate to present the City's Bayfront Redevelopment Plan for certification. In the past, Chula Vista has been a Pilot Project of the State and Regional Coastal Commissions and no entity has yet been through this process, so Chula Vista may be the first in the State. The objective is to have a completed document for the Coastal Commission staff delivered in October and to have hearings prior to the end of the calendar year. The utilization of a consultant will assist in reaching this goal. The cost of the first phase will not exceed $2,400. Offered by Member Hyde, the reading of the text was waived by the unanimous consent of those present, passed and adopted by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Members Hyde, Scott, Egdah1 and Cox Noes: None Absent: Member Hobe1 5. REPORT - SOUTHWEST MARINE/POOLE AND R.I.S.I. INDUSTRIES Southwest Marine occupies the former Rohr boat yard along G Street on Port District property and is considering expansion to the east, along G Street and at the corner of Quay and G Street, all on Port District property. They are presently requesting our support for Coastal Commission clearance for the Quay and G Street site. As they are asking for a one-year lease on the property, staff recommends support of the request. Poole Company facilities are located at the foot of F Street and are on a tem- porary use permit with the Redevelopment Agency. It is the Agency's intent that this facility could be relocated along the Sweetwater Channel at the time when Tidelands Avenue is completed. R.I.S.I. Industries recently took over the Cal General Building at 310 Bay Boule- vard. The firm manufactures package handling equipment and the use of a mobile office was authorized for a period not to exceed six months. It is anticipated that within this period, a permanent location will be determined. The company hopes to develop the entire parcel at Bay and F Street for its operation. It was moved by Member Cox, seconded by Member Scott, and unanimously carried by those present to accept the report. 6. REPORT - REQUEST FOR SITE PROPOSAL FOR JAPANESE AUTO PLANT Community Development Director Desrochers stated that he and Member Cox had at- tended a meeting in Supervisor Hamilton's office, along with the Mayor of National City and officials from the Port District. What they outlined in effect was a proposal to sponsor to the State of California, on behalf of both cities and the Port District, a joint site of 100 acres around the Sweetwater Channel for a proposed site for location of a Japanese automobile assembly facility. Seventy- seven acres would be in Chula Vista and the balance in National City on Port District property. The State of California has asked for responses by August 15. Tuesday evening, there will be a City Council resolution in relation to the proposal. -2- -,~"--_.._,._....- .. ,- ~_. _.n. ___....____.___ Member Egdah1 moved that the feasibility of such a proposal be explored by the staff with the Supervisor's office, the Port District and National City. Member Hyde commented that committing as much as 77 acres of the D Street fill to heavy industry type operations or heavy and light industry operations would place the Bayfront Plan in jeopardy and he would like in this report for the staff to speak directly to that, including with it comments from Gruen Gruen + Associates regarding what effect a change of our Bayfront Plan for devotion of that much of the D Street fill area to industrial operations would do to the Bayfront Plan. Member Scott remarked that when he was Chairman of the Redevelopment Agency, with thought that a Japanese manufacturing/automobile plant might come here, Gruens were contacted. At that time, comment was such that they thought it could be handled in such a way that it would not affect our plans. He felt that, for the benefit of the Agency, perhaps we should have the Gruens discuss this, plus whether or not the plan we have down there now is feasible. Member Cox commented that, as he was going to be on vacation, he wanted to take this opportunity to give some of his thoughts on the meeting he attended with Supervisor Hamilton's staff. As neither National City nor Chu1a Vista has the necessary acreage required, he felt it was obvious that only together can anyone in the South Bay area get the Japanese plant. He mentioned that many things have held us up regarding Tidelands Avenue, widening of 1-5, Route 54, etc., and we are not going to get any of them resolved unless we can start putting them all together. He stated that is one thing that this project could do to bring some of our plans to fruition. Member Hyde pointed out that this evening the Agency heard the remark that the complications of completion of Tidelands Avenue are very, very real and very formidable and he thought that the obstacles to industrial development in that area were recited at some substantial length less than a month ago by the Director of Public Works and are not to be ignored either. Member Cox remarked that he thought a lot of the problems were man-made problems. Director Desrochers added that he thought the staff would wholeheartedly recom- mend that if this proposal is considered, we have design control over the facili- ties that would be installed on the site. One of the things recommended pre- viously by the Gruens was that an automobile assembly manufacturing plant can be designed in many ways to look like a university campus or designed very poorly with belching smokestacks, etc. Another factor is that the State of California would be supporting any Japanese site proposal and most of our obstacles on the D Street fill and Tidelands Avenue have to do with the State of California and the Coastal Commission. He further stated that it is suggested for next week that an outline of the characteristics of the site be submitted to Supervisor Hamilton's office. Mr. Smith, on behalf of that office, would put that information together with the National City information and there will be a draft to be handed to the members in advance, showing what will be submitted to Mr. Silberman and the State of California. Member Egdah1 commented that the motion calls for the exploration of the feasi- bility of such a project and a report of that discussion and the feasibility would be brought back to the Agency. -3- - -~--".. _ ___'~'_"__'__"____-r-"'__~________'____ Director Desrochers stated that the State of California has requested replies by August 15. Member Egdah1 then suggested that a special Agency meeting be held between now and then so we can get the report. Director Desrochers asked what kind of report the Agency is looking for and he would see if he could provide the information. Member Hyde stated that one of the things he is concerned about is whether or not something of this nature is going to necessitate a change in the Bayfront Plan. If it is, he thinks a public hearing should be held on the matter. Member Scott commented that if it is going to take public input in order to get something going between now and August 15, we ought to forget it. We have only from now until August 13 or 14 to do something. On the other hand, we would have to decide whether we want to take the chance or not and we have to do it before August 15. He suggested that all of the members can have a telephonic discussion with the Gruens sometime this week or next week and get that obstacle out of the way. Member Hyde commented that if a major substantive change is made on the slim hope of getting something of this nature and this causes scuttling of the Bay- front Plan, it is not acceptable to him. He expressed his concern about what he thought is a fast action to get in a report in time for the August 15 sub- mission to Mr. Silberman and the impact of that upon getting a certification of our Bayfront Plan from the Coastal Commission, is incomprehensible. He felt that this would be a demonstration of a lack of faith in the project and our willingness to make serious changes in it would be most unfortunate. Member Cox recalled that, with the original Bayfront Plan, the D Street fill was considered to be needing a very minor sort of restratification. Now that is going to be a major undertaking. Whatever goes in there is going to have to justify the horrendous expense and whatever goes in there, the developer is going to have to put out to begin the project. That alone is enough to cause us to sit back and see whether our original plan was well thought out, knowing what we know now, compared to 1974. Certainly industrial development is one thing that we've been talking about in Chula Vista. Member Scott asked Director Desrochers if anyone ever expressed the feeling, speaking especially about the Gruens, that perhaps, because of the fill, our present plan may not be as economically feasible as we thought in 1974. Director Desrochers replied that the Gruen report states that development should be last because it is going to require the most public expense and the tax incre- ment will be needed to improve the area to reconstitute the soil so that it will be acceptable for development In answer to Member Scott's question asking him if he has ever talked about the whole development not being feasible because of the financial factors, markets, etc., Director Desrochers replied in the negative and explained that the report completed last winter expresses economic viability. -4- ---"-"_"._-0' -------~------------- Upon being asked by Member Scott if any parties have demonstrated what would be considered bona fide interests in the development of the Bayfront Plan as pre- sently drawn, Director Desrochers replied that we have parties interested in portions of the project and one very credible party is interested in the entire project. Recently, discussing the possibility that the Agency might be seeking the Japanese auto industry on the D Street fill did not seem to deter them from the balance of the project. The party is a developer, and there are many others. There have not yet been too many expressions of interest in hotel use. Chairman Hyde called for the motion. Member Egdah1 first questioned staff on the possibility of staff meeting with National City, the Supervisor's office, and the Port District for the purpose of looking at the feasibility of such a project. Director Desrochers replied that such a meeting has already been held. The next step would be, if the Agency approves, for our information to go to Supervisor Hamilton's office and that information can be combined with National City's and be brought back to the Members in a draft at the next City Council meeting. It would indicate that we support it, even in the absence of anything more than was heard here tonight. Member Egdah1 asked exactly what it would mean if the Agency should move tonight and adopt a motion that would say to go forward at this point. Would we be turn- ing over 77 acres of the Bayfront to Supervisor Hamilton? Director Desrochers replied that would not be the case, that there is a lot to go through and what the State has tried to do is to select and look at several sites that would be feasible for the Japanese plant. This would not be much more than an expression of the City to sit down and discuss the matter with the appropriate officials if they think the site is acceptable and can be developed on our terms. Mr. Greg Smith, Administrative Aid to Supervisor Hamilton, stated that basically, this is,just an expression of interest on the part of the City of National City and the City of Chu1a Vista for a possibility of locating a Japanese automobile assembly/manufacturing concern in this area. Basically, National City submitted a proposal in May and June which included a 35-acre site approximately along the Sweetwater Channel, plus the crane area. This is another chance, due to a notice from the Governor's office for a second-round application for such a proposal, and based on the requirements of 100 acres, or plus, deep water access, and rail access, this is really the only site having those qualifications in the San Diego region. In discussions with the Port District, it was felt that a joint proposal of National City and Chu1a Vista would have the best opportunity for suc- cess. Basically, the proposal in question would tentatively include the D Street fill area and the National City site. On the particular proposal being considered by the Agency, this tells the State we are interested in exploring the possibility of this area. It was moved by Member Egdah1 and seconded by Member Scott that we move forward at this time to further the possibility of a Japanese auto plant site, with the motion clearly implying that this is not a commitment to such a use, pending further information. Member Hyde, speaking against the motion, wanted to clarify if we are talking about the entire D Street fill - the entire 90 acres. -5- -..- Director Desrochers explained it is roughly 80 acres when we are talking about th.e fill. Anyth.ing beyond that is ecologically too sensitive for development. We are, in effect, re.all,ytalking aoout the whole fill. Member Hyde remarked that he thinks we have come to a crossroads as to whether or not we are committed, despite obstacles like the problems of the D Street fill, to a tourist-oriented recreational development of the Bayfront, or whether we are going to opt for a totally different pattern which calls for heavy industrial development there. He further remarked that an automobile assembly plant can be anywhere, but oayfront like this cannot be found anywhere in the State and if we indicate we are going this route, we are truly abandoning our commitment to what is going to oenefit the community of Chu1a Vista in the long run, over the years. We are grasping at something that appears possibly more immediate against some- thing we think is really good for the community, but may be harder and more diffi- cult to get. Member Scott indicated that he is voting for this because he thinks it is in the best interest of the City and he would not vote for it if he had not talked to the Gruens who said it would be compatible with the plan we have. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-1 with Chairman Hyde voting "No". It was moved by Member Scott and seconded by Member Cox that, before August 15, a meeting be held with the Gruens down here to discuss this, or a telephonic con- ference with them, and this meeting be at a time convenient with the Gruens and the Redevelopment Agency, indicating that some of the fears expressed tonight might be changed by this discussion. Chairman Hyde suggested the Redevelopment Agency be scheduled either before or after the Council meeting on August 9. Director Desrochers suggested that if the Gruens could not come here, perhaps he could arrange for a telephonic conference at the time of the Council Conference. He pointed out that the resolution would be presented at the Council Conference rather than on Tuesday evening. The motion was unanimously approved by those present. 7. REPORT ON MEETING OF PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS The major points discussed with property owners and tenants within the La Jolla/ Collins Development site were: 1) The Agency has not yet signed a Disposition and Development Agreement with the La Jolla/Collins Development corporations; 2) The Agency has approved contracts for appraisal services in the site area, to begin in August and be",cÐmpleted November 1, 1977; 3) After an agreement has been reached with the property owner, the Agency will allow at least 90 days for the owners/tenants to relocate. There will be no relocation activity before at least February 1, 1978; 4) The Agency will contract with the City of San Diego for assistance in the relocation of property owners and "tenants. Each person relocating will be contacted and fully informed of the relocation rights of their particular situation; and 5) The relocation laws and processes were ex- plained in general to the property owners and tenants and copies of the Real Estate Acquisition and Relocation Policy, recently adopted by the Redevelopment Agency, will be distributed to them by the Community Development Department. Those attending the meeting appeared anxious to have the development question settled and City staff stated meetings would be held to keep them informed of development. -6- --,_.~-,._- .-." --- -----------,-.-.----..-.-- It was moved by Member Hyde, seconded by Member E9dahl and passed unanimously by those present th.at the report be accepted.' . Member Hyde commented that he wished he had been invited to this meeting. Staff responded that notices were sent to the City Clerk's office for distribution to Agency members. 8. REPORT - LA JOLLA/COLLINS NEGOTIATIONS It was moved by Member Egdah1, seconded by Member Scott and passed unanimously by those present that the Agency go into Executive session regarding litigation matters at this time, 8:00 P. M. The meeting reconvened at 8:35 P. M. The Agency has the option of terminating the Negotiation Agreement with La Jo11al Collins or continuing the Negotiation Agreement process for another 90 days (until November). The Project Area Committee reviewed and discussed this matter and voted unanimously to support continuing the process. Mr. Collins stated that if the negotiations with his firm are continued for another 90 days, it would enable them to help firm up some major leases and, hopefully, they would get information on existing buildings and leases to allow certain ten- ants to remain where they are, consistent with the plan. Also, they will invite owner participation. He assured the members that he would keep staff and the Gruens informed on progress. It was moved by Member Cox, seconded by Member Scott and unanimously approved by those present that the W8~gti¡tig~-A9~iimi~t be continued for another gO days. negoti'atLons - corrected upon approval at mtg. 9-1-77 9. REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE The problems associated with landscape maintenance have been discussed with the Project Area Committee and the Town Centre Business and Professional Association. Both of these groups lend their full support to the City's efforts in the enforce- ment of landscape maintenance. Members commented that the City Council should be aware of the need for an extra man. Executive Director Cole stated that the Council had accepted the report of the Planning Department, which suggested this revision and that some of the business people be talked to about the matter. The Broadway Association gave a very nega- tive response. It was moved by Member Scott, seconded by Member Cox and passed unanimously by those present that this report be accepted. MEMBER COMMENTS Member Cox pointed out that Mr. Gary Shaw is leaving the Star-News. Director Desrochers announced that Secretary Teri Nisigushi is leaving and will be living in Alhambra. -7- _ '--"""-'-~'- -..,...--..-...,,,,,-.- "..., --,~_.~-----_..._~..---._- Member Egdahl felt it would be of value if he could attend the coming NAHRO conference. It was moved by Member Scott, seconded by Member Cox and passed unanimously by those present that money be appropriated from the Block Grant funds to cover costs for Member Egdah1's attendance at the NAHRO Conference. The resolution is to come back for action at the Council Conference. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P. M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting on September 1, 1977, at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chamber. -8- 8-4-77 -.-..-....--...-.-