The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutRCC MIN 1995/11/06CORRECTED MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6:30 P.M. Conference Room #1 Monday October 23 1995 Public Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order at 6:35 P.M. by Vice- Chair Marquez. Present: Commissioners Clazk, Hall, Mazquez, and Yamada. Fisher arrived late (6:40 P.M. ). Excused absence: Burrascano. City Staff present: Barbara Reid. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Item #2 was taken out of agenda order. Michael Meacham presented a brief overview of the grant application to the California Integrated Waste Management Boazd for Used Oil Block Grant of $73,361. A motion was made (HalUYamada) to recommend adoption of the resolution approving submittal of the grant; vote: 4-0-1 (Fisher abstained as he arrived too late for the presentation); motion carried. 2. John Bridges, Larry Sward, and June Collins were present to respond to the questions put forth by RCC dated October 20, 1995, regazding the Otay Ranch Village I EIR. • Information was requested regarding a pond in Village I (100 yards south of the mapped azea) not included on any maps. The panel noted that they were unawaze of the ponds existence and would look into it. • The panel stated that no surveys for turtles or spade-footed toads were conducted in either the Telegraph Canyon Road ponds or the Poggi Canyon marsh. The Commission noted that the survey protocol for the RMT is not adequate for certain species (reptiles and amphibians). Additional techniques (including pitfall traps and drill fences) need to be incorporated. • The panel clarified that survey requirements are spelled out as to specific studies and preservation standazds are set. • June Collins will provide the arroyo toad survey to Staff to forwazd to RCC. • Further information was requested on the rosy boa. • Development of Otay Ranch will be substantially slower than planned if not annexed to the City of Chula Vista. • The concern was expressed that the difference in the numbers of lots permitted on some (Ross property) of non-Otay Ranch parcels, was considerably greater if annexation to Chula Vista occurs. • The drainage basins are maintained by the City. Resource Conservation Commission Page 2 • The EIR indicates the Otay landfill is scheduled for closure in 1999, however, in reality, it may not close by then. • The projected LOS of "E" and "F" in the document was clarified that it refers to major intersections and that the mitigation excludes SR-125. Significant impacts will vary from SPA I depending on the phasing of building. An I-805 ramp at Telegraph Canyon Road will be added to mitigate part of the traffic problem. The internal circulation of SPA I should be analyzed at SPA level. • A discrepancy was noted between dominant species listed during the gnatcatcher surveys and dominant species listed in the restoration target transects. June Collins will provide the reports for Staffto forward to RCC. • The RCC feels the success criteria of 60% for restoration and revegetation goals is inadequate. • John Bridges explained that within the RMP, some duties are assigned to the County, some are assigned to the City, wtd the other functions are assigned to appropriate experts. All work is double-checked by the various agencies as provided in the Draft EIR. Approval of the Draft EIR has to happen in conjunction with SPA I and with all agencies involved. • The proposed .4 to 1 replacement mitigation ratio of coastal sage scrub was found inadequate by RCC and depending solely on seeding was questioned. • The Otay Ranch GDP guidelines call for 100% cactus wren preservation. The proposed project impacts pairs. Restoration of cactus wren habitat has never been attempted and is not sufficient mitigation. • Spring surveys for rare plants were not conducted; except for hemizonia, which was looked for but not observed. • To avoid the noise to homes located on the perimeter of the Village from approaching trolleys and trolley gates at intersections, these will be controlled only by traffic lights. • There is no consideration to enclose the MCA amphitheater as it currently meets the noise ordinance standards set by the City. • The development of SPA I will be using reclaimed water to the extent feasible. If it does not serve the entire SPA they'll add existing facilities. • Bio resources occur on the south-facing slope of Poggi Canyon; leaving the existing vegetation would lessen biological impacts significantly while not affecting project foot print or reducing housing density. • A question was raised on the release of methane gasses from the Otay landfill; this was not addressed in its reports. Gasses could possibly be spread from southwest prevailing winds back onto Otay Ranch. Otay Ranch did not consider this and will be checking it out. • A 4d permit will be applied for as necessary. • A library is planned in the eastern urban center. There is City opposition to the public library located in the schools, as is done at Eastlake High School. The RCC recommended reconsideration to avoid the need for additional infrastructure and duplication. Resource Conservation Commission Page 3 • There is currently no opposition of the project from property owners who are working with the builders. However, the owners on the southwest comer of the project area, currently pre-zoned for general development, could possibly oppose. A motion was made by Hall, seconded by Yamada to accept the Draft EIR of the Otay Ranch Village I and Village V as being adequate according to the CEQA guidelines, under the following conditions: • that biological impacts be considered not sufficiently mitigated, specifically: • .4 mitigation ratio cf the coastal sage scrub which the Commission feels is too low; • the loss of cactus wren and cactus wren habitat; • a study of whether the tricolored blackbirds were a breeding or foraging population; • the area west of Paseo Ranchero to be placed within the preserve must be fenced and protected as a condition of project approval in order to wmply with GDP guidelines which mandate that future preserve land be preserved in its original state; • success criteria for revegetation should be more stringent; • impacts to maritime succulent scrub are not adequately mitigated; • the ponds (cattle tank) located south of the Telegraph Canyon Road and Paseo Ladera vicinity are not plotted or addressed; conduct survey and sample for sensitive species (spade-foot toads and pond turtles in the spring at this pond and Poggi Canyon marsh); • Bio resources occur on the south-facing slope of Poggi Canyon; leaving the existing vegetation would lessen biological impacts significantly while not affecting project foot print or reducing housing density; • check for released methane gasses from the Otay landfill which could possibly be spread from southwest prevailing winds back to Otay Ranch; • the corridor issues have not been sufficiently addressed. Vote: 5-0; motion carried. Other comments v,~ill be forwarded to Otay Ranch staff in the form of minutes of the meeting. Comments on the R1vIP will be forthcomuig at a future meeting. 3. Negative Declaration for IS-94-08, Reconstruction and resurfacing of Broadway and Naples Street to Anita Street. The RCC raised concerns that the timing of this project would interfere with potential Christmas sales in this high development area. They would like to know the existing conditions prior to reconstruction. This item will be postponed to the next meeting. 4. Review of Planning Commission Agenda for October 25, 1995: PCM-96-10, Request to exceed the Floor Area Ratio on 47 of the 1351ots within the Los Palacios subdivision: exempt from environmental review; no action by Commission. Resource Conservation Commission Page 4 Conditional Use Permit PCC-95-48; Request to construct and operate a cellular communications facility located at 625 "H" Street: exempt from environmental review; no action by Commission. RCC questioned why this item was not presented as a negative declazation with a visual or other environmental impact. STAFF REPORT: None. CI3.AIRMAN'S COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS: Fisher would like to see the reports to be forwarded by June Collins. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Vice-Chair Marquez at 10:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, EXPRESS SECRETARIAL SERVICES ~_ Barbaza Taylor