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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2004/11/17 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA November 17,2004 7:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council and a Special Meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista were called to order at 7:06 p.m. at the Chula Vista Police Department, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. On roll call, there were: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Davis, McCann, Rindone, Salas, and Mayor Padilla Planning Commissioners: Felber, Hall, Madrid, O'Neill, Castañeda, and Chair Cortes ABSENT: Commissioner Horn ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Moore, City Manager Rowlands, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett Councilmember McCann and Planning Commissioner O'Neill both stated that they own property located within the project area and would, therefore, abstain from discussion and voting on the item. They left the meeting at 7:08 p.m. City Attorney Moore reported for the record that the City Attorney's Office received an opinion from the Fair Political Practices Commission that permits Deputy Mayor Salas and Councilmember Rindone to participate in the Urban Core Specific Plan because of the general public purpose of the Fair Pólitical Practices Act. 1. PRESENTATION OF THE URBAN CORE PLANNING OVERVIEW Discussion regarding the urban core area, including relationships with the General Plan Update and the Urban Core Specific Plan. Assistant Director of Community Development Smith introduced and welcomed special guest Lucetta Dunn, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Assistant Director Smith then discussed the emerging, thriving, maturing and declining life-cycle of the Chula Vista community, as well as the effects of external forces on areas of the community that have been subject to decline and dis-investment. She posed the question of how the City could move from declining to re-inventing itself as a thriving City. Planning and Building Director Sandoval presented the City's vision, addressing topics such as smart growth, qualifiers, land plan, ground rules for plans and projects, and a new transportation paradigm. ._-~_..~-,,-_.._-_.,---.~--------'~--~---~---'--"-'-'-_.._--_.._.._----_.~._._-- URBAN CORE PLANNING (Continued) Mark Brodeur, architect/consultant for the Urban Core Specific Plan, presented the following key principles of the plan: - Develop a vibrant, distinct urban atmosphere with a day to evening environment. - Build on and enhance Chula Vista's cultural and historic traditions and diversity. - Foster visible cultural and civic amenities, such as urban parks, outdoor dining opportunities and civic promenades. - Establish a hierarchy of building forms with greatest densities at key nodes. - Connect and integrate the Bayfront, east Chula Vista and individual focus areas within the urban core. - Create lively and pedestrian-friendly environments through a concentration of activities in a compact, mixed-use setting. - Transition new development to minimize impacts on existing residential neighborhoods. - Provide creative parking strategies, including parking districts, structures and reductions. - Define unique identities for focus areas through individualized streetscape design and public spaces. - Restore the historic street grid layout in order to maximize transportation choices and increase mobility and circulation opportunities for pedestrians, transit and automobiles. Community Development Director Madigan explained the process of how the City could shift from planning to emerging and thriving. Lucetta Dunn, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, commended the City on its state-of-the-art vision. She stated that the message from the state level is managed and smart growth, new urbanism, and the importance of implementing a plan for growth. She added that grid-locked freeways and soaring costs of homes are not good for the state, and the administration has made it clear that housing is the lynch pin of a prosperous economy, a quality environment, and social equity. She reported that the state is one million homes behind on the demand for housing, and every year 225,000 homes are needed to meet the natural population growth of the state. She spoke about the perception in some less progressive communities regarding the preservation of open space, stating that in order to meet the goal to protect the environment, cities must choose to build vertically. Ms. Dunn stated that the Governor has made it very clear that legislation is being worked on that will address the requirement by cities to prepare a 20-year supply of land, zoned and ready to go in the appropriate places, protecting the environment and protecting the most productive agricultural land. She spoke in support of the City's visions for "no junk" construction projects and the components for critical landscaping and open space. She added that the state is seriously seeking methods to provide cities with incentives, reward them for good behavior, and create additional funding for affordable housing and connections to the transportationlhousing link. Ms. Dunn commended the City for tackling the tough issues in a first-class manner. Page 2 - CouncillPlanning Conunission Minutes November 17,2004 - -.-- URBAN CORE PLANNING (Continued) Commissioner Castaneda expressed concern about the return on investment for investors and the community, and how to demonstrate to residents today that what occurs in downtown Chula Vista is not going to adversely impact but, rather, enhance their lives. He questioned how the City intends to look ten years into the future to ensure that it does not make the mistakes that downtown San Diego is currently realizing. Director Sandoval responded that any development that occurs in the City has to adhere to the policies of the General Plan to protect the single- family neighborhoods. Mr. Brodeur added that the City has to re-visit its long-term plans every five years in order to be responsive to market and emerging changes. Director Madigan expressed the importance of investing in amenities for the community. Commissioner Madrid expressed concern about access issues between the east and west regions of the City as a result of Interstate 805, which has created a wall between the two communities. She suggested consideration of a plan that would include the construction of a tunnel down H Street or a freeway to connect the two communities, as well as links to the bayfront. Director Sandoval responded that the General Plan contains a circulation element that shows the size and location of the transportation facility to serve the plan. He added that the successful passage of Proposition lA would place the City first in line for a mass transit system. Commissioner Madrid expressed concern that the proposed roadways would not accommodate the increase in traffic. Councilmember Rindone responded that the Council would be working to ensure that the urban core would be a draw for the community and that there would be alternative rapid transportation available to avoid being dependent solely on automobiles. Commissioner Hall asked the status of existing business districts with regard to tax revenues and if the City would be considering new infrastructure to attract business investors. Mayor Padilla responded affirmatively, stating that change must occur for the viability and survival of the City in the future. He stated that the proposed plan is broad and must also be flexible to allow room to revitalize the blighted areas and preserve and enhance the historical areas. He emphasized that the Urban Core planning presentation represents an overview only, and no specific guidelines have been set for the plan. Deputy Mayor Salas believed that the proposed plan would provide a wonderful opportunity for the community to return to a village atmosphere and create an urban environment. She stated that growth would not occur if the City were not willing to take risks and make changes. Commissioner Felber suggested that loop roads or arterials between the east and west regions of the City be considered to provide easy access. He was hopeful that the City would also work with the state to help mitigate potential freeway congestion as a result of increased densities within the City. He asked about the transition from single-family neighborhoods to high-rise buildings, and its effects on the residents. Mr. Brodeur replied that the intensity of development would transition in height, depending upon location. Councilmember Rindone stated that the residents need to know that they will benefit from the results of private capital that will be directed back into the community. Page 3 - CouncillPlanning Conunission Minules November 17,2004 -~-,.._-- .~_..~-----~----,._--_._--~._--_..-. ---..-. URBAN CORE PLANNING (Continued) The following members of the public spoke in favor of the Urban Core planning overview: Ian Gill Cory Shepard Steve Molski Jim Michaelson Bill Hall Lupita Jiminez John Moot Mr. Peterson John Girasela Patricia Aguilar Jennifer Andrews Caliyto Pena Juan Cesèna Lisa Moctezuma Bill Tripp Rich Gustafson Isabella Ryals Jerry Segal Mike Najera Tina Medina David Wood expressed concern regarding affordable housing and housing for the elderly. He asked about housing costs and where the proposed housing would be built in relation to the promenade area. He stated that there needs to be concrete evidence regarding what will be done to the existing homes that will be replaced with the new proposed plan. Mr. Peterson believed that people in the community are not confident that the Council and Planning Commission can accomplish the proposed project in a successful manner and expressed the need for increased public relations throughout the community. Lisa Moctezuma suggested the implementation of an underground transport system. Lupita Jiminez maintained that the Council and developers have a responsibility to address the impacts of the proposed project on the environment and individuals. No action was taken by Council on this item. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. Commissioner Castaneda announced that as of December 8, 2004, he would no longer be serving as a Planning Commissioner due to his election to the City Council. To that end, he expressed to his colleagues that it had been a pleasure and an honor to serve with them, and he added that his door will always be open. He reaffirmed that the City's appointed commissions are the backbone of the decision-making process of the City. At 9:44 p.m., Mayor Padilla, concurrent with Planning Chair Cortes, adjourned the City Council and Planning Commission meeting to the Regular Meeting of the City Council on November 23, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, and to the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission on December 8, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ~ - - ----- --- Lorraine Bennett Deputy City Clerk Page 4 - CouncillPlanning Conunission Minules November] 7,2004