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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1995/03/06MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6:30 P.M. Conference Room #1 Monday February 6 1995 Public Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.Ivt. by Chair Burrascano. City Staff Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid called roll. Present: Commissioners Hall, Mazquez, Fisher. It was MSUC (Marquez/Hall) to excuse Commissioner Ghougassian who is out of the country. The absence of Guerreiro will be referred to the Council's Subcommittee as he is now unable to achieve the 75% attendance requirement at this point. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was MSUC (Hall/Marquez) to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 9, 1995; vote 4-0, motion carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Review of Negative Declaration for IS-95-19, Child Care Element. Reid presented a brief overview of this item. Hall stated she would like to see a policy that these child care locations be away from trolley tracks and other high traffic areas to ensure the safety of the children being dropped off and picked up. This stated policy would alleviate any potential problems; vote 4-0, motion carried. 2. The City Council policy regarding commissioner's absences was reviewed. No action taken. The memo from the City Manager regarding commissioner's business cazds was handed out. No action taken. STAFF REPORT: A schedule was handed out as to the timeframe in which historical sites will receive their plaques. Discussion was held on changing the next RCC meeting date to review the EIR Sphere of Influence. Reid will coordinate with the presenters for possible dates. Burrascano will be absent on February 20. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: February 5-11 is declared South Bay Environmental Week. A proclamation will be made by Mayor Horton. The high-tech Biotech Zone item has been presented to the City Council. Information was requested on the Bayshore Bike Way Committee of SANDAG. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS: Fisher had questions on the 4D permit for a project in ONeil Canyon. This project had been discussed prior to his serving on the board and has already been presented to Council. He also asked to see the biological research for the Habitat Management Plan. Marquez noted that RCC was unable to review the Jehovah Witnesses' project. She had many comments, including the loss permit. This item has already been presented to Council. Hall stated the EIR Sphere of Influence is not clear as to who has jurisdiction, whether it be the City or the County. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Chair Burrascano at 7:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, EXPRESS SECRETARIAL SERVICES Barbara Taylor MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING Resource Conservation Corrunission Chula Vista, California 6:30 p.m. Council Conference Room Thursday Februar~l6 1994 Citv Hall Buildine CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 6:44 p.m. by Chair Burrascano. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Burrascano, Commissioners Hall, Fisher, and Marquez STAFF PRESENT: Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid, Special Planning Projects Manager Jerry Jamriska, Senior Planner Rick Rosaler Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid advised that commissioner Ghougassian had submitted his letter of resignation and that there was a question as to whether Vice Chair Guerrero's seat was now vacant. PRESENTATION OF PROJECTS 1. Review of Negative Declaration IS-95-16, Econo Lube'n Tune, Inc. 2. Review of Negative Declaration for IS-95-17, Econo Lube'n Tune, Inc. Code Amendment Staff Presentation Mr. Reid advised that the code amendment was to be considered first since this would actually permit the proposed use. He reviewed the development proposed by Econo Lube'n Tune as well as the code amendment which would allow automotive maintenance in certain commercial and industrial zones. Mr. Reid noted that the applications will be considered by the Planning Commission in late March. He introduced Marilyn Ponseggi who represented the applicants. Commission Discussion Commissioner Hall noted that letters to the editor have appeared in the paper from neighbors in the project area, complaining that they do not receive notices on projects. Mr. Reid stated that they had been noticed regarding environmental review on the Food 4 Less project, and that this project had also been noticed. Commissioner Fisher questioned the drainage, asking about the potential for fuels to wash into the drainage channel; Commissioner Marquez voiced similar concerns, noting the proximity of the proposed building to the flood channel. Ms. Ponseggi responded that this was not a problem per se with the proposed code amendment. With respect to the proposed development project, Ms. Ponseggi reviewed Econo Lube'n Tune's safety and storage procedures and pointed out that this facility conducts auto maintenance activities but no automotive repair. MSUC (Hall/Fisher) (4-0) to accept Negative Declaration IS-95-16, with the condition that any Army Corp of Engineers recommendations or requirements for this site be adhered to; and to accept Negative Declaration IS-95-17. Resource Conservation Commission -2- February 16, 1995 3. Review of EIR-94-03, Sphere of Influence Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid introduced the project, advising the commission that the Otay Ranch project was a joint planning project between the City of Chula Vista and the County of San Diego, and that both jurisdictions had adopted the same plan. He advised that the EIR for the Sphere of Influence study had been prepared for LAFCO, and introduced Special Projects Planning Manager Jerry Jamriska and Bruce McIntyre of Lettieri-McIntyre. Mr. Jamriska noted that the EIR for the Otay Ranch General Development Plan still exists and is referred to in the Sphere report. He stated that the project's environmental impacts were basically the same, but that the Sphere EIR looks just at the impacts of moving the Sphere boundary. Mr. Jamriska noted that the Sphere of Influence simply defines an area that will require urban levels of services in the future, and that the last Sphere study had been done in 1985. He presented exhibits depicting the current sphere boundaries as well as those proposed in this report, which focuses primarily on the Otay Ranch property. Mr. Bruce McIntyre of Lettieri-McIntyre stated that there are four issues analyzed: land use, agriculture, public services, and fiscal impact. Mr. McIntyre noted that since the City and County regulations for the Otay Rancho project are the same, there is very little change in impacts. He reviewed the EIR response to the above-referenced issues, stating that the overall density affected by this EIR would decrease by approximately 250 units. With respect to agriculture, it was stated that the Otay Ranch land is not considered prime agricultural. Mr. McIntyre stated that on the issue of public services the Otay Ranch project is very specific and it requires public facilities plans, thus ensuring that facilities be in place when they are needed. He advised that there is an obstacle with one of the planning areas related to water service; however, he added that this issue would exist whether the property is in the County or the City. Mr. McIntyre stated that in the area of fiscal impact, agreements had been reached which balanced out the long-term fiscal impacts on both the City and County. Committee Questions/Discussion Commissioner Marquez commented that the issues reviewed seemed not to involve specific resources and land uses. She added that information in the EIR (page S-3) called for an increase in residential density of 162 units, which conflicted with the density reduction that Mr. McIntyre had mentioned. Mr. McIntyre stated that he might have been wrong and would look into the inconsistency. Commissioner Fisher asked how a condition of split jurisdictions would affect programs like the Preserve plan; Mr. Jamriska responded that the Preserve owner/manager was required to be selected prior to adoption of the first specific plan, and that a funding plan must be in place prior to the SPA plan to ensure the financial success of the Preserve. He added that the Preserve lands would be conveyed as entitlements were granted for development. Mr. Fisher also questioned certain land uses depicted in various maps within the EIR, stating that the University site, for example, seemed to move around. Mr. Jamriska stated that the Otay Ranch General Development Plan actually amended the City's General Plan, although it was not reflected in the map within the EIR. Mr. Fisher stated that he found the maps in the EIR difficult to read and compare, and suggested that they be clarified. Resource Conservation Commission -3- February 16. 1995 In response to further questions regarding the University site, Mr. Jamriska explained the issues involved with the University site and further explained the environmental review porcedures for ensuing development applications, stating that these will include the specific resource studies. Commissioner Marquez asked about the County Resource Protection Ordinance; Mr. Jamriska explained the ordinance, indicating that the Otay Ranch plans surpass the intent of this ordinance. The Multiple Species Conservation Plan was discussed. Commissioner Hall asked if the smaller parcels might be treated as infill projects; Mr. Reid pointed out that these parcels are small relative to the Otay Ranch project, but are all multiple- acre parcels. He confirmed that with respect to any development proposals they would still be governed by CEQA. Ms. Hall questioned the placement of the industrial parcel, pointing out that once the landfill was full, it was supposed to be used as parks and open space. She also questioned school facilities in the Otay Ranch; Mr. Jamriska reviewed the schools planned throughout the project. Commissioner Marquez stated that she was not completely comfortable with the City's incurring a fiscal deficit for such a long period of time and counting on future tax revenues to recoup the loss. Mr. Kim Kilkinney of Baldwin spoke to the fiscal issue, stating that he wished to dispel the impression that the Otay Ranch project was a fiscal loser in the first years. He stated that any deficit would be a function of the tax agreements worked out between the City and the County only, and that according to fiscal impact studies, neither jurisdiction needed to experience a fiscal deficit because of this project. MSUC (Hall/Marquez) (4-0) to recommend that the Planning Commission certify EIR-94-03 4. Review of Historical Site Sign Schedule Members agreed that the sequence/schedule of signs as proposed was acceptable. CHAIIt'S COMMENTS Chair Burrascano stated that she still had not heard from Michael Guerrero. Mr. Reid noted that Guerrero's attendance record now made it impossible for him to meet the required 75 % meeting attendance requirement. Commissioner Marquez stated that having only four members was constraining and affected votes, since a unanimous vote is thus required for a recommendation of approval. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Marquez stated that she would like to respond as a commission to Joe Ghougassian's letter of recommendation. Mr. Reid advised that for commission action, the item would have to be agendized. Commissioners chose to respond individually to the letter in order to have their comments on the record immediately. Commissioner Hall felt that Mr. Ghougassian had found the commission valuable when he needed support to oppose development in the Sweetwater Valley near his home, and pointed out that although Resource Conservation Comrission -4- February 16, 1995 he now appeared to find the commission redundant, he apparently had not felt so for the four years he had served. Commissioner Fisher stated that if redundancy existed, some environmental issues might not need to go to the Planning Commission. Mr. Reid stated that the Planning Commission must review certain cases, and has the authority to certify which runs concurrent with consideration of a project itself. Commissioner Marquez stated that since the Planning Commission has many different issues to deal with, it is important to have a body that deals specifically with resource conservation issues to make recommendations. She added that while in the past there might have been redundancy, she felt that the Commission is now more environmentally and biologically aware than it has been in the past and can offer more specialized insight. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. = ~ ~~~n~ Patty Nevins, Recorder