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Home My WebLink About2006-07-10 RCC MINMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Duly 10, Zoos Ken Lee Building Conference Room 430 `F' Street MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Chair Reid at 4:36 p.m. ROLL CALL/MOTION TO EXCUSE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Doug Reid, Vice-Chair Stan Jasek, Commissioners Georgie Stillman, Lynda Gilgun, Brett Davis and Eric Mosolgo (4:43 p.m.) STAFF PRESENT: Marisa Lundstedt, Environmental Projects Manager Mary Ladiana, Planning & Housing Manager Brian Sheehan, Senior Community Development Specialist Silvester Evetovich, Principal Civil Engineer Jim Newton, Senior Civil Engineer Linda Bond, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Charly Bull, RECON Karen Bowling, RECON APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 19, 2006 MSC (StillmanlDavis) to approve the minutes of June 19, 2006 as submitted. Vote: (4-0-1-1) with Jasek abstaining and Mosolgo absent. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Officers MSC (Stillman/Davis) to re-elect Chair Reid as Chair and Vice-Chair Jasek as Vice-Chair. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Mosolgo absent. 2. Summary of Activities Report for FY 2005lOs MSC (Stillman/Jasek) to approve the Summary of Activities Report. Vote: (5- 0-0-1)with Mosolgo absent. RCC Minutes - 2 - Julv 10, 2006 3. EIR-06-01 --- Urban Core Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Commissioner Stillman remained for the presentation of this item but recused herself during the Commission comment period and voting process due to a conflict of interest. Ms. Mary Ladiana (Planning & Housing Manager) discussed the number of public meetings, workshops and committee meetings that were held to solicit input and direction in the preparation of the EIR documentation. Mr. Brian Sheehan (Senior Community Development Specialist) and Ms. Ladiana presented an overview of the Urban Core Specific Plan Draft EIR. Commission Comments Commissioner Davis had questions and a suggestion regarding: Will there be changes on "E" Street? How would a bike lane be incorporated onto "I" Street? How many acres of parkland are anticipated? The parks should have lemon trees, which would depict the City's heritage. Commissioner Mosolgo had questions regarding: If up to 55 acres of parkland are required, where would the parks be located? Will it be 30 years before we see these parks? • Are any pedestrian bridges proposed? What is the plan to help pedestrians safely across intersections? In terms of parking, are parking structures or underground parking envisioned? If it is true that some of the drainage systems are already deficient, would the new developers be required to upgrade? Would there be a possibility of adding a regional water quality treatment facility? Commissioner Gilgun had aquestion/concern and a suggestion regarding: What is "smart growth" and where can information be obtained about smart growth? • The 350- to 500-foot buffer from freeways should be a mandatory requirement for residential units. The walkability and setbacks for the buildings seem like a contradiction for those people walking pass buildings that are on the street. If Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are not feasible for developers, an incentive program might be helpful. Vice-Chair Jasek had concernslsuggestions regarding: There are currently parking requirements for each new use proposed in the Urban Core Specific Plan. When there is no physical land available to provide it, RCC Minutes - 3 - Julv 10, 2006 the City policy is to buy into the Parking District. That does not create new parking spaces. Isn't Third Avenue between "E" Street and "G" Street in the Urban Core Specific Plan depicted as multiple stories that set back as the height increases? There was discussion about creating more park area and opening the village area to the Bay. I-5 could be covered from "J" Street to "E" Street and a park built on top if grant funds were found or State funds became available. That would also alleviate the problem of having any kind of a setback for residential units. A major concern over the past couple years has been the design of what is going to be the end product. Not only in the Urban Core Specific Plan but also on an ongoing basis. This project should include a design review process. There are a number of historical infrastructure items that we need to start looking at preserving and incorporating into the Urban Core document. Chair Reid had suggestions regarding: There are several areas in the Executive Summary where it talks about potentially significant impacts on cultural resources, parks and noise. There needs to be another category to distinguish between anon-significant impact and a potentially significant impact. The EIR contains too much emphasis on the architectural aspect of cultural resources. There are other items that should be considered when assessing impacts on cultural resources. The document talks about the need for an additional high school site on the west side. Demographics should be carefully monitored when determining the location of a new school site. The EIR indicates that the project may require sewer fees. The document should clarify whether fees are actually required. Staff provided information and clarification to the Commissioners' questions and concerns, but not necessarily to the Commissioners' satisfaction. MSC (Jasek/Davis) that the RCC find the EIR adequate as presented. Vote: (5-0-0-1) with Stillman absent. Commissioner Stillman returned to the meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS MANAGER COMMENTS: Ms. Marisa Lundstedt (Environmental Projects Manager) asked the Commissioners to pick up the "Department RCC Minutes - 4 - July 10 2006 of Planning & Building Strategic Plan & Work Program" binder before leaving. This document is tentatively scheduled to come before the RCC on July 17, 2006. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair Reid noted that the City Council still needs to reappoint the Commissioners with expired terms. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Gilgun asked about the status of the Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC). Commissioner Stillman stated that she would provide the RAC proposal for the RCC Secretary to make a copy for each Commissioner. Ms. Lundstedt stated that she would talk to Ms. Ladiana and report back to the Commission with any updates on the RAC. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Reid adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 4:30 p.m. in the Ken Lee Building Conference Room, 430 "F" Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Prepared by: ~- Lin Bond Recording Secretary (J:\Pla n Wing\RCC\2006\RCC071006M i n s )