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HomeMy WebLinkAboutrda min 1978/03/02 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday - 7:00 p.m. March 2, 1978 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 Hobel, Cox, Scott, Egdahl Members Absent: None STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Cole, Special Counsel Reed, Community Development Director Desrochers, Community Development Coordinator Boyd ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Dick Zogob of Zogob & Associates, Inc. ITEM NO.1 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Chairman Hyde, seconded by Member Scott and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of February 2, 1978 with a correction on page 4, line 1 to change the word "lieu" to "view". ITEM NO. 2 - REPORT: STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FOCUS AREA Personnel from the Planning and Public Works Departments, as well as the Design Review Board and the Town Centre Project Area Committee have reviewed the developer's concept plan described at the February meeting. Staff has also attempted to pro- vide a preliminary feasibility analysis with input from the developer and from Gruen Gruen + Associates. These comments are now being evaluated. The phasing schedule and financing on the part of both the Agency and the developer are two essential problems. Upon the advice of the Special Counsel, an attempt is being made to initiate a plan whereby acquisition of all properties may begin at one time. The question now is when will the Agency obtain its share of the cost in order to make the development feasible? Approximately $2.5 million will be re- qui red by the Agency. With the sale of Tax Allocation Bonds, this amount could easily be raised were it not for certain issues raised by the pending Proposition 13. Due to this uncertainty we are at a standstill as to the execution of a Dis- position & Development Agreement. Mr. Zogob was present to discuss development plan progress. He reported that he has met with the architect, Mr. Don Innis and has received comments from various City departments and Committees. The developer noted that he will report back to staff by mid-week. He reiterated that he has received remarks from the traffic engineer on alignment of streets in relation to ingress/egress; a two-story parking structure may be eliminated from the original conceptual plan and sub- terranean parking is being considered for the residential structures. It was moved by Member Scott, seconded by Member Hobel and unanimously carried to approve the report. 3/2178 -2- Redevelopment Agency Meeting March 2, 1978 ITEM NO. 3 - RESOLUTION NO. 106 - AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF PREAPPLICATION FOR UDAG FUNDS FOR USE IN THE TOWN CENTRE FOCUS AREA The City of Chula Vista has been designated as "potentially" eligible for special funding under the Community Development Act of 1977 Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) due to its unemployment rate, job lag/decline and the lack of a significant increase in the per capita income of our residents over the past several years. Although Chula Vista will have considerable competition for UDAG funds, it would be to the City's benefit to attempt to secure funds for the redevelopment of the Town Centre focus area. Offered by Member Scott, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and adopted by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Member Scott, Hobel, Cox, Hyde, Egdahl Noes: None Absent: None ITEM NO. 4 - REPORT: STATUS OF a. Acquisition of Property b. Design Review Board Actions c. Alley Conditions a. Acquisition of Property: Four owners of property eligible for acquisition have been contacted. No offers have been accepted; however, the development of a negative trend is not foreseen. According to the acquisition policy, a reasonable time to make a decision is allowed prior to the initiation of eminent domain proceedings. b. Design Review Board Actions: Since January, the Committee has evaluated the following establishments: First Federal Savings & Loan, Fleet Reserve, International Frames, and Gifts of Nature. The Town Centre Focus Area concept plans have received overall favorable comments. Suggestions regarding pedestrian circulation, design layout and densities that will assist the developer in formulating the plan were made. c. Alley Conditions: Attached for the Agency's review was a report by the Director of Planning regard- ing these conditions. The suggestion to apply peer pressure by the Town Centre Business & Professional Association to violators has been made with action pending. It was moved by Member Hobel, seconded by Member Scott and unanimously carried to accept the report. ITEM NO. 5 - STATUS REPORT: a. Local Coastal Plan Draft b. Fish & Wildlife Service Conference c. Carbon-dating of Bayfront Artifacts a. Local Coastal Plan Draft: Submission of the draft Local Coastal Plan to the Regional Coastal Commission staff is scheduled for the second week in March. After informal review by the 3/2178 -3- Redevelopment Agency Meeting March 2, 1978 Coastal Commission staff, it will be returned to City staff for final preparation and official submittal to the Regional Coastal Commission. Copies will also be available for review by the Agency. City staff is still negotiating with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on develop- ment plans regarding the uncertainty of construction of Tidelands Avenue and the "D" Street fi 11 . If the final agreement reached with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on the development of the "D" Street fill differs from what is currently included in the Local Coastal Plan, it will be necessary to redraft the Local Coastal Pl an. Mayor Hyde commented that he will be sworn in as a member of the Regional Coastal Commission possibly as early as March 10, 1978. b. Fish & Wildlife Service Conference: A meeting with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was held in Sacramento on February 27, 1978. In attendance at that meeting were Mayor Hyde, City staff and representatives from the Area and Regional offices of the U.S. Fish & Wild- 1 ife Servi ce. Community Development Coordinator Doug Boyd reported that while Federal Agency officials were sympathetic to their problems they did not have a solution and were unable to provide satisfaction to the City's delegation. It appears that the main problem lies with the interpretation of the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service personnel provided a strict interpretation with what we feel little or no flexibility. It is our opinion that the Bayfront Re- development Plan does meet the guidelines established by the Federal Legislation. Chairman Hyde reported that he discussed via the telephone the situation with Mr. Martinson in Portland, Oregon and requested that the director provide him with an evaluation of the February 27 meeting held in Sacramento by March 3rd. This information was requested so that the Chairman could provide the current status of our negotiations to Congressman Van Deerlin and officials of the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. The receipt of this information would coincide with the Mayor's trip to Washington the following week. The Chairman expects to ob- tain a more sympathetic ear by meeting with the Federal Agencies in Washington. c. Carbon-dating of Bayfront Artifacts An archaeological report on a site on the Bayfront (site SDM-W-1323) was completed last summer by the Regional Environmental Consultants (RECON). In a letter dated February 25, 1978 to Community Development Coordinator Doug Boyd, Supervisory Archaeologist Charles Bull indicated that submarine archaeological materials could exist on a portion of the Sweetwater Marsh. Consequently, this possibility would be investigated prior to any alteration of the marsh. As this is not proposed with the present project, it is not of concern at this time. It was moved by Member Scott, seconded by Member Cox and unanimously carried to approve the report. ITEM NO. 6 - REPORT: a. Appraisals of Property Along Bay Boulevard b. Developers Interest a. Appraisals of Property Along Bay Boulevard Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Lee C. Johnson Co. will not be 3/2178 -~ Redevelopment Agency Meeting March 2, 1978 able to meet their due date of March lOth in the appraisal of properties along Bay Boulevard and the Sweetwater Marsh. Although they are proceeding with the appraisals, Mr. Johnson has had to seek additional help and states the work should be completed by the first of April. b. Developer Interest Staff has continued to maintain a liaison with developers and others interested in the development of motels and restaurants. Data sheets have recently been updated by the incorporation of occupancy rates and other visitor statistics. Community Development Director Desrochers reported that Mr. Street has been notified that he is in violation of his Participation Agreement. Most of the wrecked cars on his property have been removed but there is still some debris remaining. It was moved by Member Cox, seconded by Member Scott and unanimously carried to approve the report. ITEM NO. 7 - RESOLUTION NO. 107 - APPROVING THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMUTER BIKEWAY At its meeting of August 4, 1977, the Redevelopment Agency voted to direct staff to proceed with the preparation of the Cooperative Agreement for the construction of the Bayroute Bikeway and designated alternative Al as the preferred bikeway alignment. The alternative calls for the bikeway to be constructed as part of the Tidelands Avenue extension. The cities of Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Imperial Beach and Coronado have participated with CALTRANS in drafting a Cooperative Agreement for the bikeway construction. The agreement has been reviewed by Planning, Engineering and the City Attorney's office. Since a portion of the bikeway proposed is not within the Redevelopment District, the Cooperative Agreement will also be presented to the Chula Vista City Council for its consideration. Funds for the Bayroute Bikeway are being granted by the State of California for $850,000. It is anticipated that the grant will cover the total cost for con- struction. None of the participating cities should be required to fund a portion of the construction; however, each municipality is required to maintain the bikeway once it has been constructed. Offered by Member Scott, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and adopted by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Member Scott, Hobel, Cox, Hyde, Egdahl Noes: None Absent: None ITEM NO. 8 - STATUS REPORT: TOWN CENTRE PROJECT NO. II On February 22nd the Planning Commission reconsidered the Town Centre No. II project at which time they favorabl~ approved the establishm:nt.of the bound~ries and the preliminary Plan. Preparatlon of the Master E.I.R. lS ln progress wlth input from both the Planning and Public Works departments. Also, a Base Map has been drawn, the boundary description is being prepared, the names and addresses of all property owners have been obtained, an area building survey is being con- ducted and the Redevelopment Plan is being written. 3/2/78 -5- Redevelopment Agency Meeting March 2, 1978 It was moved by Member Cox, seconded by Member Hobel and unanimously carried to accept the report. ITEM NO. 9 - RESOLUTION NO. 108 - APPROVING TOWN CENTRE NO. II PRELIMINARY PLAN AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE PREPARATION OF A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN The Planning Commission, along with the Town Centre Project Area Committee has passed favorable judgment on the Preliminary Plan. It is because of their con- cern that listed is one of the objectives of the proposed plan: "The protection of the Town Centre Project #I, Subarea #I, as the South Bay's principal center for specialty goods and services." It is the strong opinion of Dr. and Mrs. Claude Gruen that the Regional Center and the Third Avenue area complement one another and do not represent a threat to each other. They suggested that Mr. Zogob consider an emphasis on food and eating establishments along with specialty soft goods. Presently, it is anticipated that the Public Hearing for the Redevelopment Plan can be held in May if the necessary documentation (Master E.I.R.) and hearings can be accomplished beforehand. Staff not only from Community Development, but particularly from Public Works and Planning will be required in order to prepare the Plan within a reasonable period of time. Discussion ensued relative to action taken by the Planning Commission at its February 22nd meeting. Special Counsel Reed summarized an account of that session. Offered by Chairman Hyde, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and adopted by the fo 11 owi ng vote, to-wit: AYES: Member Hyde, Hobe 1, Cox, Scott, Egdah 1 Noes: None Absent: None MEMBERS' COMMENTS In regards to the pending negotiations involving the Bayfront Redevelopment Project, Member Hobel suggested preparing a cemµlète ' þâcketr with supporting letters from CALTRANS in our defense. Community Development Director Desrochers in- formed the Agency that he has prepared a scenario of events along with small aerial photos and supporting documents for use of the City's delegation in Washington, D.C. Chairman Hyde commented that a meeting has been arranged with Mr. Herbst, Assistant Director of the Department of Interior, relative to our negotiations with the Fish & Wildlife Service. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of April 6, 1978. 3/2178