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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm Reports/1992/06/17 (2) PC Minutes -2- June 17, 1992 ITEM 1: PUBLIC HEARING - OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER BOATHOUSE - RECIRCULATED DRAFf SUPPLEMENTAL EIR (EIR-90-12) AND ADDENDUM Associate Planner Barbara Reid presented the staff report, and stated that the Addendum would need correction since it environmentally assessed a 3. I-acre site instead of a 3. 62-acre site. This would be corrected and would go back to the Commission with the Final EIR. There would be no significant impacts in the additional area. Ms. Reid noted the State Clearinghouse 45-day public review period had closed and no comments were received. The agenda packet, along with letters received during the week, included all comments received to date. Ms. Reid discussed the impacts which could be mitigated to a level below significant, and also noted that the visual impact was not mitigated to a level below significant. The aesthetic atmosphere of the site and the surrounding area is that of the rural Otay Reservoir and undeveloped nearby hillsides. Given the natural aesthetics of the lake environment, the boathouse structure would create significant impacts to views from a portion of Wueste Road to the site and from the Lower Otay Reservoir; therefore, a Statement of Overriding Considerations would need to be adopted at a later point. Associate Planner Reid recommended that the public hearing be opened and testimony be taken on the adequacy of the Recirculated Draft Supplemental EIR and the Draft Mitigation Monitoring Program, and the public review period closed. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Commissioner Casillas, regarding visual impacts, commented that the height had been reduced from 29' to 25'6" and that it didn't appear to be much less significant impact. Ms. Reid answered that the average height had been reduced from 29' to 14', but the highest point of the copper roof was 27' which was on only one of the three buildings. Commissioner Casillas asked if there was any visual analysis which showed the elevation beyond the boathouse, looking from the surface of the lake. Julie McCall, of Ogden Environmental, the preparers of the EIR, said the main concern was the view from the lake itself; no matter what height the building was made, it would still be visible to people using the lake. It had been mitigated for the most part from Wueste Road; but since there is no structure visible from the lake presently, any structure would be a visual impact. Commissioner Martin, referring to page 112 of the Summary of Impacts, asked who would be the recipients of the quarterly management reports. Ms. McCall answered that the report would be prepared by the Olympic Training Center and would receive input and be reviewed by the lakes community and the San Diego Water Utilities Department, and others who would be concerned with the incompatibility uses. PC Minutes -3- June 17, 1992 Regarding page 2-2, Commissioner Martin asked who would be responsible for staff for maintenance. Would staff be there overnight; what kind of security would be required? Ms. Reid deferred to the applicant. Laurie McKinley, representing the San Diego National Sports Training Foundation, responded that the U. S. Olympic Committee would own and operate the facility and would be responsible for the maintenance. They would enter into a lease with the City of San Diego, which includes language explicitly demanding maintenance of the facility to a certain level. There would be no overnight visitation allowed on site; there would be a full-time boathouse coordinator who would have an office on site and would be there during the week all day. Commissioner Martin asked if the repair area would have polyester and acrylic resins for the kayaks and boats. Ms. McKinley stated that there would be some resins, and there would be special catch basins to make sure everything is maintained on the site and does not go into the lake. Commissioner Martin noted that one of the letters received stated that the boathouse was a key stone or critical component of the Olympic Training Center. Ms. McKinley concurred, noting that it was included in the SPA Plan which had been previously approved by the Commission and Council. The U. S. Olympic Committee selected this site because one of the key components was to be near a lake where boating activities could occur. Commissioner Decker asked how the sand, to be used for the walkway going up to the ramp, would be kept from washing into the lake during the rainy periods. Ms. McKinley answered that the maintenance would be the responsibility of the U. S. Olympic Committee; and unlike a shoreline with fluctuating tidal activity, the sand would only go to the edge of the lake where the lake is maintained so she it would be minimal. Commissioner Decker felt a retainer would be needed to keep the sand from washing into the lake. Associate Planner Reid noted they would have an expert review it. Commissioner Decker, referring to page 2-17, asked if a Lower Otay Lakes Users Council would be formed and what the make-up would be. Ms. McKinley answered that the users council was proposed by the Foundation and would be a subcommittee of the San Diego Lakes Committee and would haye representation from the fishermen, hunters, USOC, and possibly from the public at large to represent hikers, boating, etc. Commissioner Decker suggested that a representative from the Navy be invited also since they also use the area. Associate Planner Reid, referring to the question regarding sand, noted that before a building permit is issued, the applicant would be required to obtain a Fish & Game approval and possibly an Army Corps approval regarding the water quality and erosion. Commissioner Decker, page 3.8, training schedule, said the Navy trains three or four days per month at a maximum of eight to ten hours per day. PC Minutes -4- June 17, 1992 Commissioner Decker, page 3-53, asked if the emergent vegetation was live vegetation. Ms. Reid answered affirmatively. Commissioner Decker asked staff to include whether or not fishing from the dock would be permitted. Laurie McKinley thanked staff for their work, and the Commission for having a special meeting for the item. No one else wishing to speak, Chair Fuller declared the public hearing closed, and noted that the public review period was closed. DIRECTOR'S REPORT - None. COMMISSION COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT" ,,30 p. m. ~ fu, Bog_ Bo""" Mre"o, of Joo, 24, [992, ",,00 p. m. in the Council Chambers. ( / ' () /---~_/,--'I.. ^-- ~ (/ 1\ ~ '. '..1 ( . I <' " Nancy Ripley, SecretarY! Planning Commission (pc6-17.min)