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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1987/06/15MINUTES OF A REGULAR SCHEDULED tnEETING Monday, May 18, 1987 5:30 p.m. MEt4BERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT CITY STAFF PRESENT: CALL MEETING TO ORDER: RESOURCE CONSERVATION COPM1ISSION CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Conference Room 1 Public Services Buildinc Chairman Taylor, Vice Chairman Donovan, Commissioners Rowe, Hodson, Mitchell (late), and Cameron Commissioner Hernandez, with notification Environmental Review Coordinator Reid Chairman Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members present constituted a quorum 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MSC (Rowe/Cameron) (4-0) Hodson abstained, to approve the minutes of April 20, 1987 modified to indicate that an approved motion was made to direct a letter to the Director of Planning indicating the Commissions' desire to participate in the Chula Vista General Plan Update and to request a presentation be made to the Commission by PRC Engineering. Environmental Review Coordinator Reid noted that the Project Area Committee for the Town Centre Redevelopment Project was interested in such a presentation also and will consider attending the Commission's next Workshop meeting if there is a presentation by PRC. 2. NEW BUSINESS: EIR-87-2 - Otay Rio Business Park Environmental Review Coordinator Reid commented that several extensive studies had been made and that numerous archaeological resources had been discovered. He noted that the greatest constraint on development was traffic because of the limited improvements on Otay Valley Road that restricted the widening northward without construction of a bridge structure. Other constraints included the very rough terrain and the lengthy permit-area process which would be required by the Army Corps of Engineers if a substantial amount of fill is involved. i+1SC (Donovan/Taylor) (5-0) to accept this EIR-87-2 as acceptable on the basis of the CEQA EIR Guidelines being followed. RCC Minutes -2- EIR-87-4 - Bonita Plaza Apartments 18, 1987 Environmental Review Coordinator Reid noted that the stand of eucalyptus trees on the project site would be retained. He pointed out that single-family houses are found to the southeast and west of the proposed project and that the prototypes are identical to the Eucalyptus Grove complex across the street. He commented that the developer describes the units as "two levels over a garage basement"; however, based on the Zoning Ordinance, the City has advertised the units as three-story units with the exception of the Recreation Room (a one-story unit with a second level). He added that the density requested is 21 units/acre. 6:00 p.m. - Member Mitchell arrived. The Committee discussed the requested density of 21 units/acre as compared to that of Eucalyptus Grove's 18 units/acre including the density bonus for low and moderate income housing; the fact that the General Plan calls for a lower density and that 28 single-family units could be developed comfortably; the same developer has just constructed 300 units across the street and there is no justification for an additional 96 to impact the intersection further; adding a right-hand turning lane will not adequately mitigate the traffic problem; it is problematical that the opening of 1-54 will sufficiently decrease traffic in light of the existing and projected developments on Bonita Road; the proposed project would result in a high percentage of the westbound traffic impacting the short residential section between "E" and First Street; aesthetically, the bulk of the first set of apartments was softened by the background hills but the addition of more monolithic apartment bulk is not desirable at a "gateway to the City"; emergency vehicle access to the project would be impossible in the event of a 100-year storm; raptors have been observed perched on the telephone wires; the level of service (LOS) at this intersection presently is LOS "F" and the EIR indicates the improvements will bring it up to only LOS "E". In reply to questions, Coordinator Reid said staff would be recommending denial on the basis of land use relationships, problems in accessing the project site, the density as it relates to the bulk and scale of the structures, and the General Plan updating. MSUC (Rowe/Hodson) (6-0) to recommend the EIR is inadequate from the standpoint that it does not adequately address the traffic situation. MSUC (Rowe/Uonovan) (6-0) to recommend that the project be denied and the zoning retained at its present level based on the Committee's concerns that the project is premature at this time pending revision and updating of the General Plan, the traffic study of the Sweetwater/Bonita Corridor commissioned by the City of Chula Vista and the County, and the visual congestion caused by the bulk and scale of these massive buildings located at a oateway to the City. RCC Minutes -3- May 18, 1987 MSUC (Rowe/Donovan) (6-0) that it is the position of this Committee that at the very maximum this site should be developed to a maximum of 28 single-family dwelling units and the developer and the City give strong consideration to maintaining this area in open space (perhaps a park) in consideration of the intense land uses in this area and considering the fact that Bonita Road is considered a gateway of the City. 3. COMMUNICATIONS None 4. STAFF REPORT Environmental Review Coordinator Reid reminded the Committee of the possibility of the joint PAC/RCC Workshop meeting on June 1 and the presentation by PRC. lie will inform the members further. The next meetiny will be the last for several members and Mr. Reid inquired about the Committee's desire to mark the occasion. Member Mitchell said he would be absent from the June 1 Workshop Meeting and the Regular Business Meeting of June 15. 5. ADJOURNMENT AT 6:32 p.m. to the Workshop Meeting of June 1, 1987 and the Regular Business Meeting of June 15th at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1. ~'-z ,~//,,,`~- Acting Secretary PLEASE NOTE: THIS MEETING HAS BEEN TAPE RECORDED. REFER TO TAPE #4-RCC-5/18/87 WPC 3930P