HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2001/12/05
MINUTES OF THE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Conference Rooms 2&3
6:00 p.m. Public Services Building
Wednesday, December 5 2001 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista
ROLL CALL/ MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Present: Chair O'Neill, Commissioners Hall, Cortes, Thomas,
McCann, Willett
Absent: Commissioner Castaneda
Staff Present: Jim Sandoval, Assistant Director of Planning and Building
John Schmitz, Principal Planner
Kim Vander Bie, Associate Planner
Ann Moore, Deputy City Attorney II
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair O'Neill
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC 01-88; Conditional Use Permit to establish a child
development center/preschool in an existing church building
and surrounding grounds. Applicant: Episcopal Community
Services
Commissioner Cortes stepped down from the dais.
Background: Kim Vander Bie, Associate Planner reported that the project consists of
establishing a child development center/preschool in the existing church building at
1320 Fourth Avenue, accommodating a maximum of 100 students (ages 3-5) with an
opening day enrollment of 68 students. The hours of operation would be 7:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday with staff only being present on Friday.
A 5,000 sf play area is proposed in the vacant recreation area behind the missionary
dormitory and would be a minimum of 50 feet from all property lines. At capacity, there
will not be more than 25 children on the playground at a time, as outdoor play will be
staggered in four 45-minute intervals.
City staff conducted an Initial Study (IS 01-059) of possible environmental impacts
associated with the project and the Environmental Review Coordinator determined that
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Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - December 5, 2001
there would be no significant environmental impacts, therefore, a Negative Declaration
has been prepared.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission approve Resolution PCC 01-88
recommending that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the Negative
Declaration and approving the CUP establishing a child development center/preschool
for up to 100 children.
Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Thomas inquired if the State was requiring any modifications to the
existing buildings based on the number of children it will be servicing.
Ms. Vander Bie responded that all State of California requirements related to health and
safety will need to be met prior to them issuing a license.
Commissioner O'Neill inquired if any studies have been conducted to evaluate any
traffic and circulation impacts.
Ms. Vander Bie stated that a traffic study was conducted as part of the Initial Study,
which concluded that there were no significant traffic impacts and no further
improvements were necessary.
The Commission collectively expressed concern with the circulation and
maneuverability of cars dropping off children within the parking lot.
Ms. Vander Bie clarified that this is the type of facility where children are not dropped-off
like they are in an elementary school. These are smaller children whose parents drive
into the parking lot, park and get off their cars to escort and sign-in their child. It would
be no different than any other striped parking lot (i.e. supermarket) where there is
sufficient room to back out of the stall and exit the lot.
Public Hearing Opened 6:35.
Christina Breining, 121 Woodlawn #A, Chula Vista stated that head-start programs are of
great value to underprivileged families. She indicated she is a "head-start mom" and her
child has gone through the head-start program. Ms. Breining further stated that had it not
been for head-start helping her with child care, which enabled her to get on her feet and
find employment after going through a divorce, she and her child would have most likely
ended up on the streets or on public assistance. She therefore urged the Commission to
approve the project.
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Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - December 5,2001
Gene Merlino, 1261 Third Avenue #B, Director of Child Development Services who
oversees the head-start programs in the Southbay stated that churches offer an optimal
location for head-start programs that are able to utilize facilities that have large
auditoriums and/or classroom buildings, with adequate parking that are not used during
the work-week. She also stated that traffic congestion would not be a problem because
children are dropped off at different hours in the morning. She urged the Commission
to approve the project and stated she was available to answer questions.
MSC (McCann/Thomas) (5-0-1-1) that the Planning Commission approve Resolution
PCC 01-88 recommending that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the
Negative Declaration and approving the CUP establishing a child development
center/preschool for up to 100 children. Motion carried.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC 02-13; Conditional Use Permit to permit an existing second
dwelling unit as an accessory second dwelling unit behind the
primary single-family residence at 736 Church Avenue.
Applicant: Daniel Contreras.
MSC (McCann/Thomas) (6-0-1-0) to continue public hearing to February 13, 2002.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT at 6:45 p.m. to the Planning Commission meeting of january 9, 2002.
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- Diana Vargas, Secretary to Planning Commission
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