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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2001/07/11 MINUTES OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Public Services Building Wednesday, July 11,2001 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista ROll CAlU MOTIONS TO EXCUSE: Present: Commissioners, Castaneda, Hall, Cortes, Thomas, Willett, McCann Absent: Chair O'Neill Staff Present: Jim Sandoval, Assistant Director of Planning and Building Kim Vander Bie, Associate Planner Sunny Shy, Assistant Director of Recreation Michael Meacham, Special Operations Manager Bart Miesfeld, Deputy City Attorney MSC (WillettlThomas) to excuse Commissioner O'Neill. Motion carried. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT PRAYER INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Vice Chair Hall. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: 1. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC-00-58; Conditional Use Permit to install, operate and maintain a wireless telecommunications facility consisting of a 66-foot high light standard supporting nine antennas; and an associate equipment building at an unlit baseball field within Rohr park, 4548 Sweetwater Road. Cox f Spring PCS. Background: Kim Vander Bie, Associate Planner reported that the application is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to construct and operate an unmanned cellular communications facility consisting of a 384 sf equipment and storage building, a 66 foot high light standard supporting 9 antennas, which is to be located in the right field of a currently unlit baseball diamond at the park. The City will use revenue generated from the antennas to purchase and install 5 additional lights at the ball field. The Parks and Recreation Department is supportive of this proposal, as this would provide the park with a second lit baseball field. ~-~----. --------------~_._-~-----_._-- ,.' -. -.-..-....-,." 0' __,___.___...,___.~_..__ __ __m·_._.._..______._·_"'_·__.__~_.__~__. Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - July 11, 2001 Telephone, electrical and radio equipment would be housed in a 384 sf equipment room to be constructed north of an existing restroom building and would be constructed of the same material as the restroom building (block wall and asphalt shingles). Part of the roof would be opened with a trellis-type roof and part of it would be a solid shingle roof. The equipment building would also house park maintenance equipment. On January 17, 2001 this project was brought before the Planning Commission at which time the project was continued to allow time for an Initial Study, reviewing the six light standards, be completed. The Resource Conservation Commission has determined that the Initial Study is adequate and recommends adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. At the January 2001 Planning Commission meeting several residents expressed concern with: 1) visual impacts, 2) commercialization of the park, and 3) health concerns with EMF emissions. The project complies with all FCC regulations for EMF emissions and the law precludes the Planning Commission from denying the project based on health issues. Ms. Vander Bie stated that she contacted all of the residents who spoke at the January 2001 meeting notifying them of tonight's meeting. In addition, notices were mailed to residents within the 500 foot radius of the project site. Staff Recommenation: That the Planning Commission adopt the Resolution PCC-QQ-58 recommending adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of the Rohr Park wireless communications facility, subject to the conditions of approval (including the mitigation monitoring and reporting program measures). Commission Discussion: Commissioner Willett stated that the existing ball field at the park has I ight refraction that needs to be corrected by placing shields on the lights and directing the lighting system downward. Additionally, the City should make every effort to conserve energy by turning off the I ights when the ball field is not being used. Sunny Shy, Assistant Director of Recreation stated that the ball field receiving the new light standards is at a lower elevation and the lighting consultant will be looking at implementing mitigation measures to reduce the glare. Michael Meacham, Special Operations Manager stated that the City is working on a lighting management system throughout the City for all facilities that will allow those adjustments to be made remotely. Commissioner Thomas asked for clarification on the prepayment of the revenue that will be generated by this project. Additionally, Cmr. Thomas stated he would like to see the . -- -----..-----..-----------,.,.,.,-..------.-.,- Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - July 11, 2001 roof of the equipment room be extended to be a complete shingle roof to match the adjacent restroom building. Mr. Meacham stated that the applicant will reimburse the City for the cost of purchase and installation of the lights up to $80,000, which should cover all costs. The amount is intended to be a cap on the cost relative to the actual cost of purchase and installation of the light standards. Mr. Meacham stated that the reason why half of the roof is proposed to be an open trell is is because the equipment needs air circulation. If the ceiling is completely covered, then there may need to be more ventilation around the facia of the building, which could create an even greater visual distinction between the two buildings. Commissioner Castaneda stated he remembers that when this item first came before the Commission there was considerable opposition from the area residents and asked if staff had received any new communication from residents. He also stated that when items are continued, he would like to see all of the background information included in the new staff report. Cmr. Castaneda also asked if there were any restrictions on commercial use of the park when it was originally conveyed to the City. Kim Vander Bie stated that she received no new communication from residents and there also were no responses to the Initial Study, which was noticed. Mr. Meacham stated that there are no restrictions now, however, the original restriction was designed to prevent uses that would restrict the use of the park. The secondary nature of this project, which is the lighting of the ball field, will enhance the park and will enable its use by more people, for extended hours. Commissioner Thomas stated that he would like to see some type of condition where the appropriate party would be required to make any necessary adjustments to the lighting system after its been in operation for a couple of months. Ms. Shy stated that, in fact, this is part of the scope of work for the lighting consultant to make any necessary adjustments. Public Hearing Opened 6:45 Robert Krebbs, 9225 Dowdy Drive, #112, San Diego, CA 92126, Sprint PCS stated he is pleased to present this win-win proposal, which will provide wireless service to the community as well as lighting for a City-owned ball field. He urged the commission to support this proposal and stated he was available to answer any questions they may have. --"-' .------.---.-.--..--.- ---...-----,-----.---- Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - July 11,2001 Mr. Krebbs also stated that they would be willing to cover the entire roof to match the adjacent restroom building, and if additional ventilation is needed, they would ensure that it is done in a manner that will not create an obvious difference between the two buildings. Mike Kujawa, 3580 Evergreen Road, Bonita, CA 91902 asked if there would be any fencing around this facility and equipment room, as well as any warning signs stating there may be potential radiation around the building. He also asked if the cabling between the antenna and equipment room would be underground. Mr. Kujawa still opposes the project because of visual impacts and because of the precedence this sets for future commercial ventures wishing to locate on the park. Mr. Krebbs responded that the facility will comply with all Municipal Code and federal regulations and if posting warning signs is a requirement, then they definitely will be posted. The cables will be underground. Mr. Meacham clarified that the older cellular sites produce greater emission amounts than the newer digital technology, which is the only type of facility that the City now allows. Public hearing closed 7:05. Commissioner Willett stated that due to a proliferation of these facilities, he would recommend that the City place a public information article in the newspaper explaining that these facilities pose no public health risk because the emissions are so minimal. The Commission collectively stated that although they are fully supportive of co-location whenever possible, there are exceptions where it may not be desirable, particularly in a site such as the park where the visual impacts need to be carefully considered. Commissioner Hall stated that he is supportive of this project and is particularly encouraged with the public benefit it creates with the installation of the lighting system on the ball field, which is one of the City's best leveled fields that has been underutilized because of the lack of lighting. .. ._._._._...._.._._._______'__ 0·--·__-··-.-.....··,-......- . _.,---. --- - -.._-_..,.,-,..~---~-~-~-~-~._-_. Planning Commission Minutes - 5 - July 11, 2001 MSC (Thomas/Castaneda) (6-0-1-1) that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCC- 00-58 recommending adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approval of the Rohr Park wireless communications facility, subject to the conditions of approval (including the mitigation monitoring and reporting program measures) including the following two additional conditions: 1. That the equipment building roof be a full shingled roof and that the building be redesigned to provide the necessary ventilation for the equipment, and at the same time be aesthetically compatible with the adjacent restroom building; and 2. That the applicant be required, upon renewal of the Conditional Use Permit, to provide evidence of compliance with FCC regulations for EMF emissions. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT at 7:30 p.m. to the immediately following Planning Commission workshop. ~T Diana Vargas, Secretary to Planning Commission "-----" "-"-_. ---~--_.__._.~-_..__._---_.__._---