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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1987/01/29 MINUTES OF A COUNCIL CONFERENCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Thursday, January 29, 1987 Council Chamber 4:00 p.m. Public Services Building ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cox; Councilmembers Nader, Moore, McCandliss, Malcolm MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Goss, City Attorney Harron 1. CITIZEN'S SURVEY Deputy City Manager Thomson referred to the Citizens' Survey which was submitted to Council. Using slides, he gave an overview of the survey noting: 88% of the survey respondents rated the City as excellent or a good place to live; 30% of the respondents stated there either was no problem or they could not identify a major problem in the City; the Library was rated as excellent or good by 80% of the respondents; least favorable ratings were given to the traffic related issues with 63% rating the flow of traffic as fair or poor; Police services were rated as either excellent or good by 73% and the survey showed a significant shift in the local shopping patterns with 51% shopping at the Plaza Bonita and 30% selecting the Chula Vista Shopping Center or Third Avenue. 2. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE Director of Planning Krempl stated it has been 4 months since the last workshop on this subject. The actual General Plan Study has been in progress for the last 5 months. Director Krempl introduced Gary Wood, Project Manager of PRC Engineering Company, who did the Chula Vista General Plan Study. Mr. Wood referred to his detailed report submitted to Council explaining the study was started in August 1986 and the update will be completed in December 1987. Under Section 1 - the Chula vista Overview, Mr. Woods summarized that 40 people were interviewed and their responses were: there is a strong feeling for growth management in the City which is defined as growth tied to community services including transportation; all planning and growth management by the City can be of no consequence if regional problems, particularly the traffic are not addressed; the people surveyed had little sentiment for a no growth in the eastern territories. Minutes 2 January 29, 1987 Mr. Wood added that those surveyed felt the development in this particular area should be determined by an analysis of the land and public facilities provided. It was a common feeling among those surveyed that if growth in Chula Vista continues without proper management and planning, all the problems that have occurred in Los Angeles will occur in Chula Vista; open space preservation was desirable; there is a need to develop employment centers which would be "in close proximity to affordable housing"; the Bayfront was placed as a focal point for recreation and commercial opportunity; the maintenance of family style living was very important to the image of Chula Vista. Dr. Peter McMahon, who did the analysis on the economics of the City stated population figures for January 1987 are 131,000 which is expected to increase to 189,000 by the year 2000 (this is for the General Plan area); the Sweetwater and Eastern territories are where the growth will occur; employment opportunities are at 38,000 presently, projected to reach 52,000 in the year 2000; there will be an increase in manufacturing sectors, especially the high tech industry; as to housing, Chula Vista is the fastest growing City in the County, over 1900 units were built in 1986, not including the Montgomery annexation; there will be approximately 30,000 more units built by the year 2000. As to the price of the housing, the average single-family detached house sold for $122,000 in 1986, the new single-family detached will average $149,000 by the year 2000 (this is compared to $122,000 County-wide). As to the industrial sector, South Bay has the best chance of catching the industrial demands especially for high-tech industries, notabley in the Otay Mesa area. As to office space potential, the South Bay is not a major office concentration area; 57,000 square feet exist now which is expected to increase to 82,000 square feet by the year 2000. As to the retail space potential, there are some "leakages" 51% of the people are shopping at Bonita Plaza with approximately 30% going to the Chula Vista Shopping Center; however, Chula Vista can capture some of that percentage if the new Chula Vista Shopping Center is renovated. As to the automobile dealers, although there is room for 11 in Chula Vista, presently only 2 major auto dealers are in business. National City kills some of this by their "Miles of Cars;" however, there is still the potential of having an automobile park in Chula Vista. As to the motel/hotel potential, it looks good for Chula Vista. As more industry comes in, there will be more need for the additional rooms. There will be a need for 800 more rooms by 1990, 870 by 1995 and 870 additional units by the year 2000. Minutes - 3 - January 29, 1987 In answer to Councilwoman McCandliss' question, Mr. Woods stated that May 1987 is the target date for the completion of their portion of the study. Councilman Moore questioned the strong wording of the findings on th.e growth patterns: "without proper management, problems occurring in Los Angeles will occur in Chula Vista." Mr. Woods explained that unless the statements were heard at least 3 times from those interviewed, it was not put in as a finding. Council discussion followed with Mr. Woods and staff answering questions pertaining to the following: how influenced are the consultants in their projections as to what the people want; took note of the projects which are now under way and existing in the City; noted the patterns of development now occurring in the City; Council will be given an opportunity "down the road" to see if the projections are acceptable prior to the final determination of updating the General Plan; Council will be given choices as to policy, what type of quality development will be occurring in the City, the density patterns and levels of control. (Mayor Cox and Councilman Malcolm left the meeting during this discussion - 5:15 p.m. The Mayor returned at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Cox noted that part of the contract would be the evaluation of the EastLake Public Facilities Plan and the acceptable level of traffic standards. He questioned whether Council will be looking at thresholds for those plans. Director Krempl remarked that staff is starting to think of growth management programs; in May, they will be reporting on ideas on the growth management and how it would relate to the General Plan. Councilman Nader discussed the employment market survey and asked whether any consideration was given to the type of skills out there. Dr. McMahon stated they did not get into the specific occupations - just the employment as it relates to land use projections. Councilman Nader indicated he would like to have the consultants present a report on this. Director Krempl stated it would be another survey which would cost more money. councilman Moore noted the employment skills could be categorized with the affordable housing. Councilwoman McCandliss voiced her concern regarding the projects which are now in the planning and developmental stages that are moving along - going parallel with the plan - and wondered whether some of these would be detrimental the General Plan. She suggested the Director of Planning consult with the Attorney on this. Minutes - 4 - January 29, 1987 Director Krempl responded it would be detrimental for any premature action to be taken; however, over the next few months, he cannot see that staff will be taking any action on any projects which will close any option on the General Plan. There are a number of things that are going to have to wait until the study is completed. The only exceptions would be the 100 acres at the E1 Rancho Del Sur and approximately 200 acres south of Otay River. For this one they are talking about industrial and he cannot see any General Plan implications on that. Director Krempl noted that Bud Gray, the consultant, is helping to make sure all of these pieces come together. The next consultant, JHK, will be looking at transportation networks and Engineering Science will be doing the same thing with water, utilities, hazardous waste, etc. The schedule is now February for the Conceptual Land Use in the Eastern territory. The studies will be wrapped up during the month of May and completed in December. The total cost of the study is approximately $475,000. City Manager Goss questioned the Rousing construction figures given by the consultant noting that his figures, given by the Building & Housing Department were different. Councilman Nader questioned whether the consultant looked at the ongoing cost of providing the projected increased cost of services (police, fire, etc.). Mr. Woods responded it was not a General Plan item. City Attorney Harron advised the Council that they are allowed to add any elements to the General Plan they wish, such as a financial element. (Councilman Malcolm returned to the meeting at 5:45 p.m.) MSUC (Nader/McCandliss) for staff to bring back a budget estimate of what it would cost to compile employment data for the region which would give the Council more information as to the job demands and skills in the region. This is to be brought back to Council for information and consideration. Councilman Nader stated that he would like to discuss interi~ growth management plans while the General Plan Study is being completed declaring a moratorium as a discretionary action should be taken. He proposed this as an agenda item for the February 10 meeting. Councilman Malcolm said he would prefer to have Councilman Nader get together with staff and get an update of all the pending projects and then if he wants to change the policy, he can come back to the Council with that recommendation. Minutes - 5 - January 29, 1987 Councilman Nader said he did take the time to talk to staff and he listened to the tapes of the meetings. The focus was to alleviate work for staff but there are other concerns that need to be addressed. He is proposing that a blanket policy be set for a general moratorium on all tentative maps until such time as the General Plan is updated (December 1987). He added that there was a significant group of citizens who are concerned about the direction the City has taken. He would like to see a policy established whereby this Council will approve no more major projects until the General Plan is completed. If the Council doesn't take this action, the people will take the matter into their own hands (for an initiative) such as was recently done in San Diego and some other cities. Councilman Moore said he was disturbed that Councilman Nader would bring up a major item such as this at the end of an agenda. This should be an item for discussion at a scheduled Council Conference and not at a regular City Council meeting. Councilman Moore added that the bulk of the traffic now occurring on Bonita Road/I-805 is not caused by developments which have been approved by this Council; the major portion of the traffic is going to Plaza Bonita; Councilman Nader is looking more toward politics; this Council has done well in the past years working with staff and developers; agreements have been made and this Council should respect those agreements. Councilman Nader responded that he agrees with some of the statements made by Councilman Moore; however, that is not what he is suggesting. He is suggesting that this item be set as an agenda item at a regular Council meeting and then it can be trailed for a Council Conference. He commented there are many people who cannot come to a 4:00 meeting who come to a later evening meeting. Mayor Cox noted that although EastLake and Bonita Long Canyon have contributed to the traffic problem, they are also contributing to the solution by putting in the public improvements. They are working on a cooperative relationship which gives the City the ability to process tentative maps. Mayor Cox stated he will ask his secretary to poll the Council as to whether or not they would like a special meeting on this particular item for either February 11 or February 25. 3. ORDINANCE 2191 AMENDING SECTIONS 5.02.050 AND 5.02.180 OF THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO GRANTING AND REVOKING BUSINESS LICENSES - FIRST READING (Assistant City Attorney) Recent procedures to revoke a business license have revealed an inappropriate procedure requiring the Director of Finance to issue business licenses notwithstanding being informed of violations of the Building Code or the Zoning Ordinance. In addition, the ordinance is silent as to the period of disqualification during Minutes - 6 - January 29, 1987 which a license holder whose license is revoked shall be ineligible to apply for and have a new license granted. The proposed amendments prohibit issuance of a license where the issuing officer knows that applicable codes and regulations have not been satisfied, and will impose a general one year period of disqualification subject to certain objectively verifiable exceptions. MSUC (Moore/Malcolm) to place the ordinance on first reading, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and approved unanimously. 4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None. 5. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT The City Manager asked the Council if they had any objections to scheduling the Redevelopment Agency meeting of February 5 to follow the City Council meeting on February 3. Hearing no objections from the Council, Mayor Cox stated that this was agreeable. 6. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Cox announced that the Council met yesterday, January 28, and conducted interviews for both the Planning Commission and the Montgomery Community Planning Committee. Susan Fuller ~as appointed to the Planning Commission. Joe Berlanga and Fred Creveling were re-appointed to the Montgomery Community Planning Committee and Antonio Castro was the new appointment to the Committee. ADJOURNMENT AT 6:30 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 at 4 p.m. 0955C