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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1990/08/20MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6;15 p.m. Council Chambers Mondav July 23, 1990 Public Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Meeting called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Chairman Fox. Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid called the roll. Present: Commissioners Fox, Ray, Stevens and Hall. Absent with notification: Commissioners Chidester and Johnson APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MSUC (Hall/Stevens) to approve the minutes of June 25, 1990 as mailed. NEW BUSINESS: 1. PUBLIC HEARING: To take public testimony relevant to the proposed "Environmental Agenda for the 90's" as proposed by Councilmember Nader This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Councilman Nader stated that the 57-point proposal covered three areas needing City action to reverse environmental de cline. (A) In-house policies on open space and non-use of toxic facilities; City Government to set an example by recycling; and staffing of the newly created position for an overall conservation coordinator in the City Manager's Office (#57). (B) Shapinq of land use policies by encouraging developers to consider the use of public transportation rather than more cars; by consideration of land pattern development as well as land use development by the City as the land use authority; by preserving open space resources and applying the Hillside Preservation Ordinance more consistently. (C) Make an impact on the global issues through support of legislative representatives in Washington on environmental issues and through City legislative action as well as by educating the citizenry on these issues. Councilman Nader requested that the RCC, as the Commission charged with environmental issues, contribute to these 57 RCC Minutes 2 _ July 23, 1990 points and recommend them to the Council. In response to a question asked by Commissioner Stevens about priorities, Councilman Nader replied that focus should be placed on: (1) Land use decisions. Staff had been instructed to bring back a Growth Management Element addressing the protection of air and water quality, and a re- examination of the Circulation Element in the General Plan to prevent heavy reliance on the east-west roads for transportation, consequently endangering the quality of life in the residential neighborhoods. (2) Enforcement of the GMOC Thresholds; provision of more meaningful action than a "letter of concern" by Council to agencies when school, air and water standards are not being met; and enforcement of a unanimous Council vote for approval of projects not in compliance with Proposition V. Councilman Nader noted that Council will be considering a report from the GMOC on Thursday, July 26, and invited attendance by a member of the RCC. Further discussion with Commissioner Stevens included the City working with other municipalities on traffic; the proposed formation of a Regional Growth Management Advisory Agency; the need for a labor pool study to provide jobs for local residents and lessen the importing of non-residents with their consequent need for housing. The Commissioner thanked Councilman Nader for his appearance and presentation and said he would provide some recommendations. Discussion with Commissioner Hall included the traffic impact made not only by people in the western part of the City but also by the work being done by construction crews; that the undergrounding of utilities requires street patching which often disintegrates after the first rains; and identification of the agency responsible for monitoring the BBK and the methane plant emissions. Commissioner Ray inquired what plans had been made to reduce the current level of traffic and was informed that such a reduction would have to initiate at a Federal policy level; i.e., car-pooling, mass transit and the like. Issues that can be taken on a local level include matching needs to transit development, and innovative approaches to land design such as Baldwin's Village Center with its radiating spokes. RCC Minutes _ 3 July 23, 1990 Other issues concerned (1) Point #11, incorrect environ- mental and traffic forecasts made by consultants, with counter-measures suggested of review by in-house experts, identification of such unreliable consultants and that contracts stipulate penalties for inaccurate forecasts; (2) whether there might be an enlargement of the Commission's powers to include final authority on certain points regarding FIRS; (3) the obligation of the RCC to inform the Council if an area is not addressed in the EIR or proposal; and (4) scheduling a workshop on potential projects which might have a cumulative impact on Chula Vista. Chairman Fox (1) referenced #25 and questioned why the developer should be penalized when the delay was really caused by staff and the Council; (2) #4 (from his experience as a lender) appeared to be economically infeasible, however, Councilman Nader replied that the type of mixed-use could include a center in a City block laid out for usability and was essential because of traffic circulation problems. (3) Mr. Fox expressed concern about the possible conflict of loyalties of consultants working both for the City and in the private sector. (4) Referencing #34, he asked if this meant "in perpetuity" and was informed that a combination of taxes and fees would support the staffing requirements. (5) Referencing page 2, paragraph 2 under TRAFFIC, Mr. Fox pointed out that the matter had not been addressed in the 57 points. Commissioner Hall said she could find no mention of noise impact in the 57 points. William Claycomb, 457 Delaware St., Imperial Beach, 92032, a sociologist, said his primary interest was in the Bay and the Otay River, that nothing said tonight had touched on his particular concern; that he would be happy to be informed of any projects that might have an impact on this; and offered to make a presentation to the Commission on the wild life inhabitants of the South Bay Area at their convenience. Larry Dumlao, 650 Rivera St., CV, 92011, Vice Chairman for the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club, South Bay, said his branch had discussed the 57 points and is using it for a working document. They recommend that the Commission review the document thoroughly and take it on to the Council. He said all Chula Vista, the Sierra Club, other environmental groups and citizen groups need to know of the Agenda which can become a working tool for them. He accepted Vice Chairman Steven's invitation to attend the Commission meetings. Staff was requested to see that Mr. Dumlao was provided with appropriate EIRs. RCC Minutes 4 Julv 23, 1990 No one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (Ray/Stevens) 4-0, to continue the item to the meeting of August 6, 1990 in order to receive comments from Councilman Nader on questions asked by the Commission. Chairman Fox said it is time that developers spoke up on these environmental issues as well as the environmental groups so that problems could be worked out at this level. MSUC (Ray/Hall) 4-0, to reopen the public hearing. Environmental Review Coordinator Reid said the two absent Commissioners would be provided with a copy of the meeting tapes. 2. Consideration of Previous RCC Recommendations Regarding Community Planning Groups MS (Ray/Stew ens) to approve the item for the purpose of discussion. Commissioner Hall expressed concern that the area under consideration was too large to be served by one planning group. Environmental Review Coordinator Reid pointed out that the area will probably be divided when the amendment to the General Plan Update goes forward. Commissioner Ray said he would like to see the item continued until the Commission had the opportunity to review the Charter of the Montgomery Planning Group. Commissioner Ray withdrew his motion to approve the item. Commissioner Stevens withdrew his second. MSUC (Ray/Hall) to withhold approval until the Commission receives clarification on the specifics of the Montgomery Planning Committee Charter. 3. Review of Planning Commission Agenda for the Meeting of July 25, 1990 Environmental Review Coordinator Reid noted that all items on the Agenda had been continued because of lack of a quorum except for the public hearing on PCZ-91-A - a prezone of 68.30 acres south of Telegraph Canyon/Otay Lakes Road between Paseo Ladera and Rutgers Avenue to A-8 (Agriculture). He indicated that the area involved the flood control channel and the slopes coming down from the Otay Ranch for the purpose of maintenance. RCC Minutes 5 _~___~_ Ju1~23, 1990 Motion made by Commissioner Steven to recommend that PCZ-91- A be prezoned as A-8 (Agriculture). Chairman Fox objected on the grounds that the Commission had not been provided any documentation. The motion failed for lack of a second. OLD BUSINESS 1. Council Referral on Historical Trees Environmental Review Coordinator Reid noted that Commissioner Chidester, who had been going to speak on the item, was absent. MSUC (Stevens/Ray) 4-0, to continue to the meeting of August 6, 1990 COMMUNICATIONS - None STAFF REPORT 1. Scheduling of Tour of Paleontological Resources of Rancho del Rey Saturday, August 18, 1990 was selected as the date for the tour. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Commissioner Ray said he felt the Commission should submit a collective comment on Councilman Nader's draft. Chairman Fox commented that there was no answer within the context of the 57 points on the toxic waste issue. He would like to see a specific resolution proposed such as a "dual pipe" for water purposes. Commissioner Hall said there were several items like the open space zone and the sensitive area zone that should be proposed for immediate adoption. After a short discussion, it was decided that at the August 6 meeting, the Commission would pull out the items they wished to discuss and address those remaining as a consent item. ADJOURNMENT AT 8:28 p.m. to the Regular Business Meeting of August 6, 1990 at 6:00 p. m. in Conference Room 3. t_ ----------------------- I~uth M. Smith, Recorder