HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2003/12/10
MINUTES OF THE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. Public Services Building
Wednesday, December 10, 2003 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista
ROLL CALU MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Present: Castaneda, Madrid, O'Neill, Hall, Cortes, Felber
Absent: Horn
Staff Present: Luis Hernandez, Deputy Planning Director
Richard Zumwalt, Associate Planner
Elizabeth Hull, Deputy City Attorney III
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/SILENT PRAYER
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Castaneda
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: ZAV 03-16; Consideration of a Variance to allow a
carport addition to an existing residence to be
located within the required side yard setback at 520
Glover Avenue.
Staff recommends that the public hearing be opened and the item continued to January
28, 2004.
MSC (Madrid/Hall) that the public hearing be opened and the item continued to
January 28, 2004. Motion carried.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC 03-51; Consideration of a Conditional Use
Permit for an expansion of an existing beer and
wine liquor license to include hard liquor for a
retain store located at 72 East "J" Street.
Staff recommends that the public hearing be opened and the item continued to January
14,2004.
MSC (Hail/O'Neill) that the public hearing be opened and the item continued to
January 14, 2004. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Minutes . 2 . December 10, 2003
3. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC 04-27; Consideration of a Conditional Use
Permit to allow construction and operation of the
Bonita Branch County Library and Historical
Museum/Public Safety Center (County of San Diego
Department of General Services).
Background: Richard Zumwalt, Associate Planner reported that the project site is in
the portion that is located within the City of Chula Vista city limits in Bonita. The library
and museum will be located on a vacant 1.55-acre portion of the Chula Vista Municipal
Golf Course property, which is owned by the City. Currently the site is used for
overflow parking by trail and golf course users. Adjacent to the site is a small
isolated low-quality wetland located along the western edge of the property.
The County of San Diego Bonita/Sunnyside Branch Library and Historical Museum will
include two buildings on the same site. The library building will be a one story, 35 foot
high, 9,900 sf building, and will include an 8,000 sf library and community meeting
room. The second building will include a 4,400 sf museum and volunteer public safety
center. Outdoor areas include two outdoor patios in the rear, a trail connection for
jogging and equestrian trail, and a 56-space parking lot on the southeast side of the
library.
The library and museum will operate 7 days a week (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. M-F, and 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.).
The current access drive to the golf course from Bonita Road will be closed off and a
new signalized driveway will be constructed approximately 125 feet west ofthe existing
driveway and will be aligned with the existing access to the shopping center across
Bonita Road.
County standards for museum parking were used because the City does not have
specific parking standards for these uses, therefore, the project will provide 56 on-site
parking spaces in addition to the overflow parking, which is estimated that it can
support approximately 130 spaces.
In conclusion, this project will provide a significant landmark for the Bonita community
and will provide a single destination providing different types of essential information
and public services, technology, education programs, historic and cultural information,
community events, public safety information and services.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCC 04-27
recommending that the City Council approve the proposed Conditional Use Permit in
accordance with the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein.
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - December 10, 2003
Commission Discussion:
Cmr. Castaneda inquired if there was going to be any public safety presence from the
City of Chula Vista at the Center. Furthermore, since the jogging trail is moving closer
to the golf course, Cmr. Castaneda inquired if any safety measures, like netting or
fencing, been considered for errant fly balls coming from the golf course.
Mr. Zumwalt responded that staff had originally considered recommending fencing
along the trail, and it is still possible that it be incorporated as a condition of approval.
Ms. Hull further added that the project proposes the type of screening that has been
described, and American Golf has volunteered to provide consulting services to assist
in providing appropriate screening and protection.
Cmr. Hall stated that the proposal is a great use of the property and is more cohesive
with the character of the community, golf course and trail setting, than previous
preliminary proposals that had been considered.
Cmr. Madrid inquired about the construction timeline.
Public Hearing Opened 6:50.
David, Pfiffer , Architect, 2150 W. Washington St., Ste. 303, San Diego, CA
responded to Cmr. Madrid's question and indicated that they anticipate to pull permits
in February/March 04, solicit bids in early Spring, and begin construction shortly
thereafter, with a projected completion of the project within 12 to 15 months after
commencement of construction.
Cmr. Castaneda inquire how the building design was determined.
Mr. Pfiffer responded that four community workshops were conducted and the
attendees (approximately 30 to 50 at each workshop) were asked to fill out a
questionnaire; one specific question asked what type of architectural design was
appropriate for this project. Approximately, 49 to 51 answered they wanted it to be
Spanish/Rural, and 49% disagreed with this recommendation. Therefore, since an
architectural survey of Bonita Road determined that it is very eclectic, a determination
was made to use some of the more rural materials, i.e. stone, wood-siding and colors,
mixed with a more contemporary building design.
Mr. Pfiffer reviewed a Power Point presentation of the project highlights as stated on
the staff report.
Paul Chellminiak, Consultant Project Manager for the County, 7742 Hershel
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - December 10, 2003
Avenue, La Jolla, CA stated that this is the sixth project in a program that the County
embarked on approximately six years ago to build new libraries, and it is the closing of
a five year Capital Improvement Program. As stated earlier, there was extensive citizen
participation in the design and planning of the facility, and the County and City worked
very closely in addressing community issues.
Cmr. O'Neill inquired how wide is the buffer zone along the wetland area.
Mr. Pfiffer responded that it is approximately 25 to 30 feet from the edge of the wetland
to the edge of the building.
Ms. Hull interjected that the County leasehold will not include the wetland area; they are
improving it as part of the project but it will remain on the City property, and are losing
approximately 25-30 feet of the leasehold property as the buffer area.
Nicole Cretelle, representing Supervisor Greg Cox, 1600 Pacific Hwy, Rm. 335,
San Diego, CA offered Supervisor Cox's regrets for not being able to attend tonight's
meeting due to a prior engagement. On behalf of Supervisor Cox, Ms. Cretelle offered
his support for the project and commended County staff, consultants and City of Chula
Vista staff for their outstanding effort in working together in bringing this project to
fruition.
Additionally, Ms. Cretelle pointed out in the audience Mr. & Mrs. Scott, who volunteered
countless hours to lead the effort to fund-raise the construction of the museum, which
has also received overwhelming support from the community.
Mr. Robert Scott, 4546 Cresta Verde Lane, Bonita, CA, President of the Bonita
Sunnyside Fire Protection District, stated that he helped raise part of the matching grant
money, and offered his appreciation for the outpouring of support from the community
for this project.
Public Hearing Closed 6:55.
Cmr. O'Neill commended Supv. Cox for his commitment and work over the past 8 to 10
years to bring this quality public facility to our community.
Cmr. Cortes also extended his appreciation and thanked Supervisor Cox for
championing this project and having the foresight to bring this project to our community
MSC (Hall/Felber) (6-0-1-O) that the Planning Commission Adopt Resolution PCC
04-27 recommending that the City Council approve the proposed Conditional Use
Permit in accordance with the findings and subject to the conditions contained
therein. Motion carried. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Minutes - 5 - December 10, 2003
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Hernandez reviewed the upcoming calendar of meetings for January 2004, and
indicated that January 14th or January 29th are being targeted for a General Plan
Update Joint Planning Commission/City Council workshop.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:00 p.m. to the Planning Commission meeting of December 17,
2003.
- Diana Vargas, Secretary to PI ning Commission