HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2003/09/10
MINUTES OF THE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. Public Services Building
Wednesday, September 10, 2003 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista
ROll CALU MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Present: Castaneda, Madrid, Hall, Cortes, Hom, Felber
Absent: O'Neill
Staff Present: Luis Hernandez, Deputy Planning Director
Elizabeth Hull, Deputy City Attorney III
Miguel Tapia, Sr. Community Development Specialist
MSC (Horn/Cortes) (6-0-1-0) to excuse Commissioner O'Neill. Motion carried.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Castaneda
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MSC (Madrid/Felber) (5-0-1-1) to approve minutes of July 30, 2003 as submitted. Motion
carried with Commissioner Cortes abstaining.
MSC (Hall/Madrid) (6-0-1-0) to approve minutes of August 13, 2003 as submitted. Motion
carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. ACTION ITEM: A. Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of
Chula Vista making its report and recommendation on
the proposed amended and restated Redevelopment
Plan for the Bayfront / Town Centre I Redevelopment
Project as amended by the 2003 Amendment.
B. Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of
Chula Vista making its report and recommendation on
the proposed amended and restated Redevelopment Plan
for the merged Chula Vista Redevelopment Project as
amended by the 2003 Amendment.
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Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - September 10, 2003
Background: Jim Simon, Redevelopment Consultant for the Agency stated that two
separate amendments that are being proposed; the first amendment is to the Bayfront
Town Centre I Merged Project Area, proposing to consolidate the two existing
Redevelopment Plans into a single document, updating the Elements of the Plan, and
making them consistent with current law.
The second amendment is more extensive and involves consolidation of the three
existing Redevelopment Plans within the Merged Project Area, also known as the Town
Centre II,Otay Valley, and the Southwest Redevelopment Projects. Town Centre II and
Otay Valley Redevelopment projects both had eminent domain authority when they
were originally adopted, however, under State law, that authority is limited to a 12-year
period and has now expired. The proposal is to re-establish eminent domain authority
for these project areas. Any residential properties within the project area would not be
subject to eminent domain.
The final part of the 2003 amendment would add approximately 550 acres consisting of
approximately 2 dozen non-contiguous areas along the Broadway and Third Avenue
corridors, providing the Redevelopment Agency the authority to use redevelopment tools
throughout most of the commercial areas in west Chula Vista.
Mr. Simon stated that:
¡¡ On July 30, 2003, the Planning Commission approved a change to the project
area boundaries
¡¡ On August 19, 2003, the Redevelopment Agency approved them as well and
scheduled the joint public hearings for both amendments to be held on
November 11, authorized distribution of the draft redevelopment plan to the
public, Planning Commission and the project area committees; and
¡¡ On August 25 the draft EIR review period began.
The Town Centre II Project Area Committee and the Added Area Project Area Committee
have been meeting regularly. Future upcoming actions that are proposed for this process
include two public workshops. As a means to keep the public informed and address
questions and concerns throughout the process, a series of workshops have been
conducted throughout various interest groups and the community at large within the
project areas.
A portion of the proposed Added Area located west of 1-5 and north of Main St is
currently in the jurisdiction of the City of San Diego, which is ultimately planned to be
de-annexed from San Diego and annexed into Chula Vista. The City of San Diego Is
expected to authorize the inclusion of this property into the Added Area prior to the
Redevelopment Agency public hearing scheduled for November 11,2003. Without this
authorization, the property cannot remain in the Added Area.
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Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - September 10, 2003
Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Madrid expressed concern for the small business owner that might not be
aware that these programs exist and initiate some type of change to their business i.e.
painting or put up a sign that doesn't conform to anything.
Mr. Tapia stated once this program is adopted, a study of the different areas would be
conducted to develop programs Le. a façade-improvement program, addressing the
blighting influences. At that point, extensive notification would be done informing them
that this program is available and what the process is.
Cmr. Hall inquired what would be the criteria under which the City could be in a
position to exercise eminent domain.
Mr. Tapia responded it would be within the context of a specific project that is being
proposed; one of exceptional quality and benefit to the community. For example, if a
developer were not successful in negotiating with a property owner and other measures
have been exhausted, the City might be in a position to recommend eminent domain as
a last recourse.
Cmr. Hall stated that the tax increment monies that are received from redevelopment
project, which is a requirement of 20% of the monies to be used for affordable housing;
does the low income project where the money is spent on have to be within the
redevelopment project area?
Mr. Simon responded, "not necessarily", as long as there is a finding of benefit. Many of
the properties with in the project area are commercially zoned, therefore, it would be out
of necessity in some cases that it might be used in adjoining neighborhoods where there
is a nexus to the project area.
Castaneda stated the project area committees serve a valuable purpose and
recommended that a concerted effort be made in public outreach and noticing of
meetings to the surrounding neighborhood and the affected areas.
MSC (Hall/Madrid) (6-0-1-0) that the Planning Commission adopt resolution making its
report and recommendation on the proposed amended and restated Redevelopment
Plan for the Bayfront / Town Centre I Redevelopment Project as amended by the 2003
Amendment. Motion carried.
MSC (Hall/Madrid) (6-0-1-0) that the Planning Commission adopt resolution making its
report and recommendation on the proposed amended and restated Redevelopment
Plan for the merged Chula Vista Redevelopment Project as amended by the 2003
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Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - September 10, 2003
Amendment. Motion carried.
BUSINESS:
Nomination of new representative to serve on GMOC for FY 03-04.
Nomination was postponed to the next regular Planning Commission meeting.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
Commissioner Hom stated he's received numerous complaints from the community stating
that the corner of Guava and D St., poses a traffic safety hazard because of no street lights and
speeding traffic.
Staff made note of it and will refer it to the appropriate department.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:00 p.m. to the Planning Commission meeting of September 24, 2003.
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- Diana Vargas, Secretary to Planning Commission
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