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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm Reports/1992/09/09 (2) City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page I 1. PUBLIC HEARING: RANCHO DEL REY COMMERCIAL CENTER DRAFf SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR 92-02) A. BACKGROUND EI Rancho del Rey Partnership is proposing to convert approximately 55 acres of the approved Rancho del Rey Business Center from Employment Park to a mixed-use commercial center. The proposed development would create parcels suitable to major retailers, in addition to complementary recreation/entertainment/retail commercial uses and smaller retail uses. Development of three major anchor stores would be allowed (currently, Home Depot, K-Mart and Price Club are negotiating with the applicant for development of the anchor stores). Amendments to the land use policy, regulatory and design documents are necessary to allow these uses. The project background began in 1978 with the adoption of the 2,450-acre El Rancho del Rey Specific Plan. The 1985 amended Specific Plan represents the City's adopted plan for this area. ErR 87-1 had analyzed impacts from the existing Employment Park designation. This commercial center EIR is a Supplemental EIR, because the land uses proposed are of a different nature, however, many development impacts had previously been analyzed in the 1987 EIR. Thus, the change proposed for the 55 acres is from an Employment Park use including warehouse, light industrial, and retail commercial uses, to Commercial Center, including large warehouse and discount retailers and other commercial uses. The 1987 EIR analyzed the change from the natural environment to the Employment Park. The only facility constructed on the proposed commercial center site to date is a bowling alley, and an auto service center has also been approved and is anticipated to begin construction in the Fall of 1992. The balance of the site has remained graded and developed with infrastructure, however, no Employment Park type users have yet utilized the site. It should be noted that an automobile sales center was proposed for a portion of the site in 1990, however, the proposal was not pursued due to public controversy stemming from land use compatibility issues. As a result of circulation of the Notice of Preparation, one comment letter from a citizen was received, and indicated support for the project due to her anticipated decrease in driving time. Two letters of comment have been received to date (August 26, 1992) from circulation of the Draft EIR; these include: I. EastLake Development Company (August 19, 1992): expressed concern over traffic capacity on area roadways. City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 2 2. Mr. Melvin Aden (August 15, 1992): requested a study of large truck traffic on H Street; and expressed concern over traffic generation and land use. Any additional comments will be hand delivered to the Planning Commission at the Public Hearing (September 9, 1992). All comments received on the Draft EIR, both written and oral comments, will be responded to in the "Responses to Comments" section of the Final EIR. Two informal public forums have been held in the community to present the proposed project and solicit input. These were held on April 29 and August 13. The Draft EIR was presented at the August 13 meeting. The Resource Conservation Commission considered the Draft EIR on August 24, 1992. The RCC unanimously voted to recommend its certification, while noting that traffic impacts were of concern. B. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Planning Commission: Conduct the Public Hearing on the Draft Supplemental EIR (ElR 92-02), close the hearing, and give staff direction to prepare the Final EIR. C. ANALYSIS 1. Land Use Impact Summary: Significant, Mitigable Impact The Commercial Center intensity would create significant compatibility impacts with the surrounding residential uses. Mitigation Design guidelines must include setbacks, buffers and building design to reduce appearance of mass; screening techniques; and security measures shall be implemented. 2. Aesthetics Impact Summary: Significant, Mitigable Impact The Commercial Center would create significant view, aesthetic and light and glare impacts to the surrounding residences. Mitigation Design guidelines must specify architectural design, building materials and mass reduction design; landscape plan must include screening vegetation; a lighting City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 3 plan must show adequate security without offsite intrusion; signage requirements must be complied with. 3. Air Oualitv Impact Summary: Significant, Not Mitigable Impact Vehicle emissions contribute to the regional (cumulative) air quality impact; short term construction impacts. Mitigation Distribution of air quality/energy reduction educational materials to all Rancho del Rey homeowners, compliance with all local and state energy conservation building requirements, installation of bicycle racks on all commercial sites, implementation of safe pedestrian walkways between buildings and bus stop areas, compliance with all appropriate transportation management programs; implementation of dust control measures, and proper use of emission control on construction equipment. 4. Noise Impact Summary: Significant, Not Mitigable Impact Noise from project related traffic would incrementally contribute to an existing significant noise impact. Mitigation No feasible mitigation is available. 5. Fiscal Impact Summary: Beneficial Impact Impact Summary: Significant, Mitigable 6. Traffic Circulation Impacts: A. Cumulative traffic impacts to area roadways would occur. B. Project traffic would significantly impact offsite roadway intersections prior to completion of SR-125. C. Project traffic would incrementally contribute to a significant cumulative impact on the H Street/Hilltop Drive intersection at buildout (post SR-125). D. Project traffic would create internal (project site) traffic impacts. City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 4 Mitigation: A. The project applicant will contribute a fair share portion to the City's Transportation Phasing Plan (TPP) Approved Basic Roadway Improvements at the following intersections: . East H Street/Southbound 1-805 Ramps . East H Street/Northbound 1-805 Ramps . East H Street/Paseo Ranchero . East H Street/Dtay Lakes Road . Bonita Road/Dtay Lakes Road . Telegraph Canyon Road/Northbound 1-805 Ramps . Telegraph Canyon Road/Halecrest Drive . Telegraph Canyon Road/Crest Drive/Oleander Avenue . Telegraph Canyon Road/Paseo del Rey B. The project applicant will complete and/or pay a fair share portion of improvements at the following intersections: . East H Street/Paseo del Rey . East H Street/Tierra del Rey . East H Street/Avila Way . Telegraph Canyon Road/Crest Drive Oleander Avenue . Telegraph Canyon Road/Paseo del Rey C. The project applicant will pay a fair share portion of the improvements at the following in tersection: . H Street/Hilltop Drive D. Prior to the issuance of building permits, the applicant will install signals on site at Paseo del Rey and Tierra del Rey north of East H Street, and will implement revised lane geometry, pavement marking and signage onsite. 7. Public Services and Utilities Impact Summary: Significant, Mitigable A. Schools - No impact. B. Telephone - Realignment of telephone company substructure required. C. Gas & Electric - No impact. City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 5 D. Police - Potentially significant impacts to service capability mitigated by Police Department review of site plans, provision of adequate security lighting, and location of address signs for easy identification. E. Fire - No impact. F. Solid waste - Incremental contribution to regionally (cumulative) significant impact mitigated by compliance with future county and/or city mandatory recycling program, contracting with Laidlaw or another hauler for collection of recyclables from the site and installation of recycling "dumpsters". G. Sewer - No impact. H. Water - Incremental contribution to regionally (cumulative) significant impacts on limited supply of water mitigated by compliance with applicable water conservation programs imposed by the water district and/or the City. I. Parks and Recreation - Potentially significant intrusion impact (into Rice Canyon) mitigated by adherence to a 20-foot setback from canyon and revegetation of any new open space areas. D. ALTERNATIVES CEQA requires a description of a range of "reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project which could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project", and to evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. The discussion of alternatives "shall focus on alternatives capable of eliminating any significant adverse effects or reducing them to a level of insignificance, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of project objectives, or would be more costly. " The following discussion presents a brief summary of each alternative analyzed in the Draft EIR. "No Proiect" Alternative The previous ElR discussed this alternative; no changes to land use would occur, and project objectives would not be met. City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 6 "Approved Use" Alternative This alternative would leave the site as is, with its present designation and ability to develop as an employment park. Impacts would be reduced with this alternative, however, air quality and noise would remain significant and not mitigable. The project objectives would not be met. "Reduced Scale" Alternative (One Maior Use) Development of one major retailer would occur, rather than three as with the proposed project. A corresponding greater amount of smaller retail commercial uses would be allowed. Generally, impacts would be reduced, though the not-mitigable impacts to air quality and noise would remain. This alternative was considered environmentally superior to the proposed project due to the reduction of impacts (though no to level below significant) and the achievement of project objectives. It should be noted that even with a reduction in impacts, the impact summary is the same with this alternative as with the proposed project. "Reduced Scale" Alternative (Two Maior Uses) Development of two rather than three major retailers would occur, with a corresponding increase in amount of smaller retail commercial uses. Generally, impacts would also be reduced with this alternative, though the non-mitigable impacts to air quality and noise would remain. This alternative was also considered environmentally superior to the proposed project due to this reduction in impacts (though not to level below significant) and achievement of project objectives. It should be noted that even with a reduction in impacts, the impact summary is the same with this alternative as with the proposed project. "Site Plan" Alternative This alternative would locate the same proposed project uses in a different configuration to allow for a loop road through the project site. This alternative did not substantially alter impacts of the proposed project, and apparently would meet project objectives, with the exception of inadequate parking to meet the needs of the three proposed anchor retailers. Alternative Sites Three alternative sites were evaluated in order to determine whether another site might be environmentally superior. Generally, similar impacts or scale of impacts would occur with each of these, and project objectives may not be met due to the non-viability of the respective market areas. City Planning Commission Agenda Item for Meeting of September 9, 1992 Page 7 E. CONCLUSION In summary, the proposed Rancho del Rey Commercial Center project would result in significant and unmitigated impacts to air quality and noise. Otherwise, all significant impacts can be reduced to a level below significant. Project alternatives resulted in the same impact summary (with the exception of the "No Project" alternative), though the reduced scale alternatives reduced impacts resulting in their identification as environmentally superior alternatives. lC,IWP51IRIClIARDSONIR-OEL-R.TXT] THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA PARTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Statement of disclosure of certain ownership interests, payments, or campaign contributions, on all matters which will require discretionary action on the part of the City Council, Planning Commission, and all other official bodies. The following information must be disclosed: 1. List the names of all persons subcontractor, material supplier. McMillin Communities, Inc. McMillin Development. Inc. Mc:Millin Commp.rcial Industrial Development. Inc. having a financial interest III the contract, i.e., contractor, The Strocco Group RDR Business Center, Ltd. 2. If any person identified pursuant to (1) above is a corporation or partnership, list the names of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares in the corporation or owning any partnership interest in the partnership. Gene Strocco McMi 11 i n Communi ti es, [nc: Charles E. Fredrick. Trustee McMillin Family Trust - Macey L. Maureen P. Fredrick, Trustee & Vonnie L. McMillin Trustees (40%) MarK U. MCMl I 11n, Laurle R. Kay, ~co~~ I~. ~cMilli~ (209. each) 3. If any person identified pursuant to (1) above is non-profit organization or a trust, list the names of any person serving as director of the non-profit organization or as trustee or beneficiary or trustor of the trust. N/A 4. Have you had more than $250 worth of business transacted with any member of the City staff, Boards, Commissions, Committees and Council within the past twelve months? Yes No ~ If yes, please indicate person(s): . 5. Please identify each and every person, including any agents, employees, consultants or independent contractors who you have assigned to represent you before the City in this matter. PrlTrick McMillin Donn 1 d KMX 6. Have you and/or your officers or agents, in the aggregate, contributed more than $1,000 to a Councilmember in the current or preceding election period? Yes _ No --L If yes, state which Councilmember( s): Person is defined as: ''Any individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture, association, social club/fraternal organization, corpora/ion, estate, tJ1lSt, receiver, syndicate, this and any other county, city and country, city, municipality, district or other political subdivision, or any other group or combination acting as a unit." (NOTE: Attach additional pages as necessary) Date: f:.)-f: ~'2 1../-:;.. <"... I I / (I! 1.. ;(tk..._1 iLL I~~ L" Signature of contractor/applicant le'-I !:\V\!DtSCLOSE.TXT] Patrick McMillin, Executive Vice President Print or type name of coptractor/aoolicant McMillin Commercial Industnal Development, In1RcViSCd: 11/30NO] THE CITY vi" CHULA. VISTA PARTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Statement of disdosure of certain ownership interests, payments, or campaign contributions, on all matters which will require discretionary action on the part of the City Council, Planning Commission, and all other official bodies. The following information must be disdosed: 1. List the names of all persons having a financial interest in the contract, Le., contractor, subcontractor, material supplier. McMillin Communities, Inc., National City, CA 91950 Hnm~ r.~oit~l Development Group~ a subsidiary of Home Federal Savings & Loan, San O;ego, CA 2. If any person identified pursuant to (1) above is a corporation or partnership, list the names of all individuals owning more than 10% of the shares in the corporation or owning any partnership interest in the partnership. McMillin Communities. Inc.: McMillin Family Trust - Macey L. & Vonnie L. McMillin, Trustee (40%) Mark D. McMillin. Laurie A. Ray & Scott M. McMillin (20% each) Hnmp r~D;rrll Dp.vp.looment Group: 100% by Home Federal Savings & Loan, San Diego, CA 3. If any person identified pursuant to (1) above is non-profit organization or a trust, list the names of any person serving as director of the non-profit organization or as trustee or beneficiary or trustor of the trust. N/A 4. Have you had more than $250 worth of business transacted with any member of the City staff, Boards, Commissions, Committees and Council within the past twelve months? Yes No ~ If yes, please indicate person(s): . 5. Please identify each and every person, induding any agents, employees, consultants or independent contractors who you have assigned to represent you before the City in this matter. Craia Fukuvama. Vice President Kenneth Baumqartner, Executive Vice President 6. Have you and/or your officers or agents, in the aggregate, contributed more than $1,000 to a Councilmember in the current or preceding election period? Yes _ No -L If yes, state which Councilmember( s): Person is defined as: "Any individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, nust, receiver, syndicate, this and any other county, city and country, city, municipality, disTrict or other political subdivision, or allY other group or combination acting as a unit: (NOTE: Attach additional pages as necessary) applicant Date: 6. "!I~.1 :J; [.\-1 J:1\ADISCLOSE.TXT] Craig Fukuyama, Vice President Rancho del Rev Partnership Print or type name of contractor/applicant [Revised: 11/30/~)OJ