HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-27 RCC MINMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
March 27, 2006
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
New Commissioner Brett Davis was introduced.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Doug Reid, Commissioners Stanley Jasek, Eric Mosolgo,
Georgie Stillman, Lynda Gilgun and Brett Davis
UNEXCUSED: Vice-Chair Tracy Means
STAFF PRESENT: Marilyn Ponseggi, Environmental Review Coordinator
Marni Borg, Environmental Projects Manager
Scott Donaghe, Senior Planner
Rick Rosaler, Principal Planner
Boushra Salem, Senior Civil Engineer
Lori McElroy, Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT: Ranie Hunter, Otay Ranch Company
Joe Monaco, Dudek
Deborah Kernes-Warmkessel, Chula Vista resident
Rhonda Majalca, Chula Vista resident
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 6, 2006
MSC (Jasek/Davis) to approve the March 6, 2006 minutes. Vote: (6-0).
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.
OLD BUSINESS
t. Resolution 2006-01 Changing the RCC Meeting Time
MSC (Jasek/Davis) to adopt the resolution. Vote: (6-0-0-1) with Means absent.
NEW BUSINESS
2. IS-06-017 --- MND for a Conditional Use Permit for Temporary Championship Off-Road
Race 2006, Southwest of the Olympic Parkway/La Media Road Intersection
Commissioner Mosolgo recused himself from this item.
RCC Minutes - 2 - March 27. 2006
Ms. Marni Borg (Environmental Projects Manager) gave an overview of the project.
Commission Comments
The Commissioners asked for clarification on the location of the track, number of races that
would take place on practice days and the extent of overnight camping. They indicated
concern about the race coming back after it was characterized as a "temporary one-time
event" last year. They stated that it doesn't seem like a temporary event and asked for a
definition of a "temporary" use. Commissioners were concerned that the MND focused too
much on a comparison of the current proposal to the last race, when the current proposal is
different from last year's race. The Commissioners raised the following questions/concerns
about the environmental document:
Commissioner Gilgun had questions/concerns about the following:
• The noise level to be generated by the race activities and the potential impact of the
noise on residences in the area and biological resources.
• The impact of the noise from the helicopter.
Commissioner Davis had questions/concerns about the following:
• The schedule for the development of Village 2 and the likelihood of future races being
proposed.
Commissioner Jasek had questions/concerns about the following:
• The impact on Emergency Medical and Police Services particularly since other large
events are happening at the same time. They also questioned how police and fire
services would be paid for.
• The potential for traffic from the races to impact homeowners in area.
• Methodology for how noise levels anticipated for the race was determined.
• The age of the Gnatcatcher surveys cited in the document
• The extent of noticing and whether it went far out into the surrounding community.
Commissioner Stillman had questions/concerns about the following:
• The potential impact on schools in the vicinity, particularly the Otay Ranch High School,
due to race events being proposed on weekdays.
• The potential impact of the race on the MSCP preserve and all of the sensitive species
in the area.
• The potential for noise, pollution and ail leaks from vehicles and potential impacts from
the chemicals used to clean up oil leaks.
• Air pollutants from the race being a cause of concern for children with asthma.
• The number of races that would occur each day and how many vehicles would be in
each race.
• The impacts of overnight camping.
Chair Reid recommended that an EIR be prepared to examine the potential impacts of the
race.
The Commissioners questioned whether the last race brought media attention to Chula
Vista and if there had been complaints received from last years' event. The Commissioners
RCC Minutes - 3 - March 27. 2006
indicated concern about the camping and the potential for loud parties that disturb the
surrounding neighbors.
Staff advised the Commission where each one of the issues raised was addressed in the
Mitigated Negative Declaration.
Public Comments
Ms. Rhonda Majalca (1568 San Pedro Pt Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91911) voiced opposition to
the race and the amount of races scheduled this year. She stated she was able to hear the
noise from the race from her backyard.
Ms. Deborah Kernes-Warmkessel (1565 San Pedro Pt Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91911) voiced
opposition to the race, specifically noise from the helicopter and noise at Otay Ranch High
School. She is involved in Otay Ranch Pop Warner, and last year, she could not hear her
children playing football at Otay Ranch High School because of the races. She indicated
that there was no parking at the high school for Pop Warner activities due to the parking
being used by race attendees. She was also concerned about traffic impact on the
neighborhood on race and practice days.
MSC (Stillman/Jasek) to recommend that the RCC find the Mitigated Negative
Declaration be rejected for unmitigated significance in environmental damage. Vote:
(3-2-0-1) with Reid and Davis opposed and Means absent.
MS (Jasek/Reid) to recommend that the RCC find the initial study is adequate and
recommend that the Mitigated Negative Declaration be adopted. Vote: (1-4-0-1) with
Davis, Stillman, Jasek and Gilgun opposed and Means absent.
Commissioner Mosolgo rejoined the meeting at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COORDINATOR COMMENTS: None.
CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Reid asked if the Commission would get an up to date roster. Ms. Ponseggi stated staff
would take care of that.
Mr. Reid asked that the following presentation be placed on a future agenda:
• Breakdown of dedication of open space within Otay Ranch.
• Status of resort site north of lower Otay Lakes.
• Presentation on National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities.
Ms. Ponseggi said she would arrange presentations on all of the items except the resort site,
which is not in the City of Chula Vista and not within our jurisdiction.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Stillman asked when the Commission would be considering the Environmentalist
and Historic Preservationist of the Year. Ms. Ponseggi stated she would put the item on the
RCC Minutes - 4 - March 27 2006
agenda in the next few months. Commissioner Stillman stated Theresa Acerro is very
deserving.
Commissioner Gilgun stated that the presentation by Edward Mazria about Architecture 2030
was excellent. Can the RCC recommend to Council that we start looking at City standards to
build buildings that use 50% less energy? Ms. Ponseggi stated that we now have standards
for energy conservation and suggested that we have staff member Mary Venables come to an
upcoming meeting to talk about energy conservation in development.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Reid adjourned the meeting at 6:06 p.m. to a regular meeting on
Monday, April 17, 2006, at 4:30 p.m. in the Ken Lee Building Conference Room, 430 "F" Street,
Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Prepared by:
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Lori McElroy /
Recording Secretary
(J:\Planning\RCC\2006\RCC032706 M i n s )