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Home My WebLink Aboutcc min 2005/08/09 RDA/Port MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA MEETING, CONCURRENT WITH A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED PORT DISTRICT August 9, 2005 4:00 p.m. Adjourned Regular Meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Chula Vista, meeting concurrently with the San Diego Unified Port District Board of Commissioners, were called to order at 4: 18 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Agency/Councilmembers: Castaneda, McCann, Rindone, and Chair/Mayor Padilla Port Commissioners: Bixler, Rios, Spane (Vice Chair), Valderrama, and Chair Hall ABSENT: Agency/Councilmembers: Port Commissioners: Davis (excused) Cushman (excused), Vilaplana (excused) ALSO PRESENT: Executive Director/City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, Assistant City Clerk Norris, Port President Hollingsworth, and Assistant Port Attorney Born PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENCE ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Steve Molski commended Pat Aguilar on a recent newspaper article and expressed his view that the project on Fourth Avenue should not be over seven stories. In regards to making decisions about the bayfront or high-rise units, he urged Councilmembers to remember that they represent the people. ACTION ITEM 1. PRESENTATION ON THE CHULA VISTA BAYFRONT MASTER PLAN COMPONENTS AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Conclusion of Phase II collaboration with the Citizens Advisory Committee and the public and presentation of the master plan components, including proposed uses, density and height ranges, and the fmancial analysis. (Director of Community Development) Community Development Director Madigan introduced the following planning team members for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan: Randy Morton, Cooper Robertson & Partners; Richard Williams, Economics Research Associates; Michael Johnson, Carrier Johnson; and Ralph Hicks, Port of San Diego. Randy Morton presented a visual overview of the Bayfront Master Plan. Page 1 - CouncillRDA/Port Minutes August 9, 2005 ACTION ITEM (Continued) Richard Williams presented the financial analysis ofthe plan. Michael Johnson presented the framework for residential development for the project. Ralph Hicks presented components of the plan to be included in the Environmental Impact Report and also discussed the proposed alternatives for a resort conference center. The following individuals addressed the Council/AgencylBoard with varying viewpoints regarding the Bayfront Master Plan: Lisa Moctezurna, representing the Chula Vista Downtown Business Association Nick Aguilar, representing the San Diego County Board of Education Ian Gill, representing the Chula Vista Bayfront Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Laura Hunter, representing the Environmental Health Coalition Georgette Gomez and Sonja Rodriquez, representing the Environmental Health Coalition Allison Rolfe, representing San Diego Baykeeper Jackie McQuade Aileen Price, representing The Committee to Protect Affordable Housing in Chula Vista Richard Campbell, representing Pacifica Linda Gilgun Steve Molski Bruce Warren, representing Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 Peter Watry Fran Rowe Carol Smith, representing Crossroads Josie Hamoda Theresa Acerro Jim Peugh, representing the San Diego Audobon Society Joel Ramos, representing the Center on Policy Initiatives Mariana Lopez Jennifer Badgley, representing San Diego Labor Council Lynne Baker, representing Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II Jim Peterson Jack Blakely, representing Chula Vista Downtown Business Association William Clayco, representing Save Our Bay Inc. Chris Lewis, representing the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Dr. Emerald Randolph, representing the Chula Vista CAC Richard Wall, representing the Chula Vista Yacht Club. Several speakers expressed concern regarding the range of analysis for residential units and spoke in support of the majority vote by the CAC members for an analysis of between 1,000 and 2,000 residential units. Some speakers also raised concerns regarding building heights that may potentially obstruct breezes, views, and bird migrations. Other speakers supported higher density development, as they felt it would provide lower per- unit costs and reduced traffic and environmental impacts, as well as attract businesses to come to Chula Vista. Page 2 - Council/RDA/Port Minutes August 9, 2005 ACTION ITEM (Continued) Nick Aguilar, representing the San Diego County Board of Education, supported the proposal to site an aquarium in Chula Vista, stating that doing so would provide a critical connection between South County and Scripps Institution of Oceanography educational programs and research activities. He suggested that the aquarium be placed near the Nature Center. Jennifer Badgley, representing the San Diego Labor Council, stated that it was important to consider wages and benefits for working people in the development of the bayfront and to use area-standard wages. Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II, expressed excitement about the prospect of a Gaylord-like facility for the bayfront. She explained that the CAC discussed the residential component of the project at several meetings, and the majority voted to analyze between 1,000 and 2,000 residential units for the EIR. She added that an independent financial analysis, conducted by a reputable economic firm, indicated that 1,500 units would be financially feasible and result in acceptable profit for the developer. Laura Hunter, representing Environmental Health Coalition, submitted an outline of the Coalition's positions and recommendations, as follows: · Opposed to the staff recommendation for analysis of 2,400 residential units. · In support of CAC majority recommendation to analyze a range of residential units trom 1,000 to 2,000 in a land trade option. . Opposed to any project that locates residential uses on the Sweetwater District. · Suggestion for a planning guideline requiring all buildings over three stories to be "stepped back" and moved as far from the shoreline as possible. · Suggestion to analyze an alternative use for the North Otay District in the event that the South Bay Power Plant is not decommissioned. · In support of CAC consensus positions to eliminate a sports arena in the event that a resort convention center is built and to relocate the yacht club to a location on the shoreline of the boat basin. Bruce Warren, representing Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, submitted a letter dated August 9, 2005, stating that: I) a strong neighborhood needs sufficient numbers for neighborhood retailers to thrive; 2) additional density is well worth the reward of a vibrant, socioeconomic, diverse community; 3) they advocate well-designed, mixed-use, higher buildings at various heights, surrounded by open space. Councilmember Castaneda questioned what the City/Port District could do to make the public space work financially. Mr. Hicks replied that the financial vehicle for all issues would be handled through a joint powers agreement. Agency/Councilmember Castaneda stated that placing a finite number of units to be analyzed is fair to the public process, and he spoke in support of a 2,000-unit cap analysis. Page 3 - CouncillRDAiPort Minutes August 9, 2005 ACTION ITEM (Continued) Chair/Mayor Padilla spoke in support of an analysis of 1,000 to 2,000 units, expressing the importance to maintain consensus between all parties and to be respectful of the CAC process and community input. Port Chair Hall expressed the need to listen to what the citizens have asked for and to set a 2,000-unit limit for the analysis. Agency/Councilmember McCann spoke about the quality of life for residents and the need to bring a world-class facility to the bayfTont. He believed that achieving a consensus between all parties involved in the process, prior to convening with the Coastal Commission and the State Lands Commission, would be beneficial for the City. Agency/Councilmember Rindone stated that the key points for the plan are economic viability, a land swap, and Coastal Commission approval. He supported placing the cap at 2,000 units and also emphasized that it is essential that all parties reach a consensus before going to the State Lands and Coastal Commissions. ACTION: Chair/Mayor Padilla moved to adopt Council Resolution No. 2005-273 and Agency Resolution No. 1922, as amended to set the range of analysis for residential units in the Environmental Impact Report at 1,000 to 2,000 units, with a maximum of 2,000 units, and that Alternative Plan B will be analyzed at an alternative level only: COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2005-273 AND AGENCY RESOLUTION NO. 1922, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR THE CHULA VISTA BA YFRONT MASTER PLAN AND THE TWO OPTIONS FOR THE RESORT CONFERENCE CENTER SITE; AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, AND THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO TO ADDRESS PUBLIC FINANCING AND ENTITLEMENT PROCESSING OF THE CHULA VISTA BA YFRONT MASTER PLAN THROUGH A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OR OTHER SUCH AGREEMENT Agency/Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 4-0. ADJOURNMENT At 7:02 p.m., Chair/Mayor Padilla adjourned the City Council and Redevelopment Agency to their meetings noticed for August 9, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. d~ J{~ Donna Norris, CMC, Assistant City Clerk Page 4 - Council/RDAlPort Minutes August 9, 2005 ~