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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm Rpts./1995/02/22 (5) PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA STATEMENT Item ~ Meeting Date 2/22/95 ITEM TITLE: PUBLIC HEARING: GPA-94-05; City initiated proposal to adopt a Child Care Element to the General Plan Resolution GPA-94-05: Adopting a Child Care Element to the General plan On March 1, 1994, the City Council approved a work program which called for staff from the Parks & Recreation Department and Planning Department to coordinate with the Child Care Commission to review current City policies and regulations relating to streamlining the pennitting of child care facilities and to develop a comprehensive Child Care Element to the General Plan. Staff has met with the Child Care Commission regularly and has prepared a draft Child Care Element to the General Plan which contains policies addressing these issues. The Environmental Review Coordinator has detennined that the proposed amendment will not have a significant impact upon the environment, and has issued a Negative Declaration IS-95-19 (please see Attachment 3). RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission: I. Adopt Negative Declaration IS-95-19, and 2. Recommend that the City Council adopt the attached draft Child Care Element In accordance with the attached draft City Council Resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: On October 26, 1994, the Child Care Commission voted to recommend the adoption of the attached draft Child Care Element to the General Plan. On February 6, 1995, the Resource Conservation Commission recommended the adoption of the attached draft Child Care Element. On February 16, 1995, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the proposed draft Child Care Element. The Commission's recommendation will be orally presented by staff at the scheduled hearing. Page 2, Item ~ Meeting Date 2/22/95 DISCUSSION: The City Council, in authorizing staff to prepare a Child Care Element to the General Plan, also directed that the Child Care Commission conduct a review of the City's current regulatory process for new child care facilities in the City, as well as a comparison of local regulations with State requirements and regulatory approaches of other local jurisdictions. The Child Care Commission forwarded recommendations to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Advisory Committee, appointed by Council to streamline and simplify the current City procedures relating to the permitting of child care facilities. It is expected that a report from the CUP Advisory Committee, containing these modifications, will be forthcoming to the Planning Commission in the near future. I. Proposed Child Care Element The draft Child Care Element, which will constitute a new chapter to the General Plan (Chapter 5A), consists of an analysis of existing licensed child care spaces within the City of Chula Vista, a description of available funding methods and programs for the provision of child care, a discussion of the major issues surrounding the provision of adequate child care facilities in the City, and goals, objectives and policies that reflect the City's desire to achieve quality child care services for those persons in need residing and/or working in the City. These goals, objectives and policies are intended to address the provision of child care, including the following: a) the quantity and location of child care facilities in the community; including ongoing evaluation of child care needs in the community; locating new child care facilities; regulatory reform and permit streamlining; incentives for new development to provide locations for child care facilities; and the City's role as employer in providing child care services; b) affordability of child care services; and c) maintaining high quality and safe child care services. 2. Public Workshop On January 25, 1995, a public workshop was held to address the contents of the draft Child Care Element. This workshop, attended by approximately 20 people, focused on the contents in the draft Element. Many of the questions and/or concerns raised at the workshop (see Attachment Page 3, Item ~ Meeting Date 2/22/95 5) will be addressed through subsequent implementation action of policies contained in the draft Element. 3. Analvsis The Child Care Element first examines the existing number of licensed child care spaces in Chula Vista. The number and general location of licensed child care providers located within the City of Chula Vista were examined for three age groups of children: Infant (0-2 yrs.), Preschool (2-5 yrs.) and School Age (5-12 yrs.). The following table quantifies the current status of child care within the City: CURRENT SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE IN CHULA VISTA AGE CATEGORY TOTAL # CHILDREN TOTAL # OF SHORTFALL AND OF NEEDING SPACES PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN CHILDREN CARE AVAILABLE FOR WHICH LICENSED CHILD CARE IS NOT AVAILABLE INFANT (0-2) 5,853 2,354 646 1,708 173% PRESCHOOL (2-5) 7,085 2,590 2,794 +204 I 7% SCHOOL-AGE (5-12) 17,865 8,818 1,920 6,898 I 78% TOTAL 30,803 13,762 5,360 8,046 161 % Research indicates that there is a total of 200 Small Family Day Care providers, 55 Large Family Day Care providers, and 60 Child Care Centers in the City totalling approximately 5,360 licensed child care spaces. This total represents approximately 61 % of the number of needed child care spaces. However, research indicates that the greatest shortfall occurs in the Infant and School Age children. As a comparison, research indicates that the City of Oceanside. which has a similar population to that of Chula Vista, has a total shortfall range of between 60-70% of child care spaces. 5. Conclusion The draft Child Care Element to the General Plan sets out policies which, if implemented, should provide comprehensive policy direction to promote and guide the provision of adequate child care facilities necessary to serve the existing and future developed areas in the City in a coordinated and cost-effective manner. It should also be recognized that each of these policies and measures cannot be implemented immediately and that staff availability and funding Page 4, Item ~ Meeting Date 2/22/95 considerations will be detennining factors in their timely implementation. Because actual implementation will occur over time, individual projects may be analyzed on the basis of how closely they meet the intent of the Child Care Element. Attachments 1. Commission and Draft Council Resolutions 2. RCC minutes 3. Environmental Document 4. Draft Child Care Element 5. Questions/Concerns from Public Workshop (m: \home\p!anning\chi!dcre\childcre. pc) COMMISSION AND DRAFT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION GPA-94-0S RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD CARE ELEMENT (CHAPTER SA) TO THE GENERAL PLAN WHEREAS, on March 1, 1994, the City Council approved a work program which called for staff from the Parks & Recreation Department and Planning Department to coordinate with the Child Care Commission to review current City policies and regulations relating to streamlining the permitting of child care facilities and to develop a comprehensive Child Care Element to the General Plan; and, WHEREAS, in response, City staff, in cooperation with the Child Care Commission, prepared the Child Care Element containing policies addressing the provision of child care facilities; and, WHEREAS, on November 15, 1994, the City Council directed the staff and the Child Care Commission to hold a public workshop to solicit comments regarding the draft Child Care Element, with said public workshop being subsequently held on January 25, 1995, at Hazel Goes Cook Elementary School; and, WHEREAS, the Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed amendment and determined that there would be no significant environmental impacts and thereby issued the Negative Declaration (IS-95-19). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Planning Commission considered said amendment to the Chula Vista General Plan at a duly noticed public hearing held February 22, 1995, at which they considered the Negative Declaration (IS-95-19), approved said amendment, and recommended adoption of the proposed amendment by the City Council in accordance with the attached draft City Council Resolution and the findings contained therein. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this 22nd day of February, 1995, by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: Thomas A. Martin, Chairman Attest: Nancy Ripley, Secretary (m: home\pIanning\childcre\gpa-9504. per) RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN ADOPTING A CHILD CARE ELEMENT (CHAPTER SA) WHEREAS, on March I, 1994. the City Council approved a work program which called for staff from the Parks & Recreation Department and Planning Department to coordinate with the Child Care Commission to review current City policies and regulations relating to streamlining the permitting of child care facilities and to develop a comprehensive Child Care Element to the General Plan; and, WHEREAS, in response, City staff, in cooperation with the Child Care Commission, prepared the Child Care Element containing policies addressing the provision of child care facilities; and. WHEREAS, on November 15, 1994, the City Council directed the staff and the Child Care Commission to hold a public workshop to solicit comments regarding the draft Child Care Element, with said public workshop being subsequently held on January 25, 1995, at Hazel Goes Cook Elementary School; and, WHEREAS, the Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed amendment and determined that there would be no significant environmental impacts and thereby issued the Negative Declaration (IS-95-19). WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission considered said amendment at a duly noticed public hearing held February 22, 1995, at which they considered the Negative Declaration (IS-95-19), and voted (vote: ) to approve said amendment and recommend their adoption by the City Council; and, WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing on_ _, 1995, to consider the Negative Declaration (IS-95-19), and the proposed Child Care Element to the General Plan; and, NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA does hereby find, order, determine, and resolve as follows: I. That the proposed Child Care Element to the General Plan will have no significant environmental impacts, and adopts Negative Declaration IS-95- 19. 2. That the proposed Child Care Element is consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby adopt the proposed Child Care Element to the General Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Presented by Robert A. Leiter Director of Planning Bruce Boogaard City Attorney (m: home\planning \childcre\gpa-9504 .cer) RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES 482C1682 E>;PRESS SECRETAR I AL 832 P02 FEE 15 '95 12:36 EXCERPT FROM RCC MINUTES FOR MEETING OF 2-6-95. MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6:30 P.M. Monday, February 6, 1995 Conference Room #1 Public Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDERlROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Chair Burrascano. City Staff Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid called roll. Present: Commissioners Hall, Marquez, Fisher. It was MSUC (Marquez./Ha1l) to excuse Commissioner Ghougassian who is out of the country. The absence of Guerreiro will be referred to the Council's Subconunittee as he is now unable to achieve the 75% attendance requirement at this point. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was MSUC (HalllMarquez) to approve the minutes of the meeting ofJanuaIy 9, 1995; vote 4-0, motion carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Review of Negative Declaration for IS-95-19, Child Care Element. Reid presented a brief overview ofthis item Mall stated she would like to see a policy that these child care locations be away ftom trolley tracks and other high traffic areas to ensure the safety ofthe children being dropped off and picked up. This stated policy would alleviate any potential problems; vote 4-0, motion carried. 2. The City Council policy regarding commissioner's absences was reviewed. No action taken. 3. The memo ftom the City Manager regarding commissioner's business cards was handed out. No action taken. STAFF REPORT: A schedule was handed out as to the timeftame in which historical sites will receive their plaques. Discussion was held on changing the next RCC meeting date to review the ErR. Sphere of Influence. Reid will coordinate with the presenters for possible dates. Burrascano will be absent on February 20. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: February 5-11 is declared South Bay Environmental Week. A proclamation will be made by Mayor Horton. The high-tech Biotech Zone item has been presented to the City Council. Information was requested on the Bayshore Bike Way Committee of SANDAG. NEGATIVE DECLARATION 18-95-19 negative declaration- PROJECT NAME: Child Care Element PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO.: Citywide PROJECT APPLICANT: City of Chula Vista CASE NO: IS-95-19 DATE: January 9, 1995 A. Proiect Setting The project setting is Citywide. B. Proiect Description The proposed project is the City of Chula Vista General Plan. Child Care Element. (CCE). Although child care is not a state-mandated element of the General Plan, the City has included this policy document to address the growing need for child care facilities. The CCE provides comprehensive policy direction for the provision of adequate child care facilities necessary to serve the existing and future developed areas in the City in a coordinated and cost-effective manner. The CCE describes the nature and extent of the existing and proposed child care system in the City; and identifies trends, issues and public policies relating to the City Council's goal that a balanced child care delivery system be developed for the City. The long-term goal of the Child Care Element is to make high quality child care services available, affordable and accessible to those persons who either live or work in the City and who desire or need such services. In pursuit of this goal, the City of Chula Vista supports the principle of parental choice for child care and need for a variety of options available in the community, and further encourages the participation of parents, providers, public officials, and employers in the decision-making process relating to the provision of child care facilities. ~{~ -.- .........~---~ ~ c:lt)' of chull vl.tl pllnnlng deplrtment CITY OF envlronmentl' review .ection. OiUlA VISTA -1- The document identifies the number of children that are in need of currently unavailable licensed child care as 8,046 or 61% of infant, preschool and school-age children in Chula Visia. The goal and objectives of the Chula Vista Child Care Element reflect the City's desire to achieve quality child care services for those persons in need residing or working in the City. The Element's comprehensive needs analysis and identification of issues form the basis from which Chula Vista developed the goals, objectives and action plans to address child care needs. The goals and objectives presented in this section detail specific siatements of policy regarding what should or should not take place during the course of the City's development. The policies and implementation measures in this section have been established to promote and guide the provision of Child Care facilities within the City of Chula Vista. It should be recognized that none of these policies and measures may be implemented immediately and that staff availability and funding considerations will be determining factors in their timely implementation. The Goal of the CCE is to encourage safe and affordable good quality child care that is available and accessible to all economic segments of the community. The objectives include encouragement of the provision of adequate child care facilities and services to meet the existing and future needs of the community, to locate child care facilities near homes, schools and work places, to provide quality child care that is available to all families who need it, regardless of income, and to promote the safety and welfare of children in child care facilities that are of the highest quality. C. Comuatibilitv with Zonimz and Plans The adoption of the CCE is consistent with the City's General Plan. When specific implementing actions are proposed for adoption, such as a Municipal Code amendment giving special consideration to child care facilities wishing to locate in existing, under- utilized school-districts or municipal buildings, consistency with the City's General Plan will need to be determined. D. Identification of Environmental Effects An initial study conducted by the City of Chula Vista (including the attached Environmental Checklist Form) determined that the proposed project will not have a significant environmental effect, and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report will not be required. This Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with Section 15070 of the State CEQA Guidelines. -2- E. Mandatorv Findimzs of Si!!nificance a. Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods or California history or prehistory? Comments: As the project is the adoption of policy, there are no site specific impacts. Therefore, the project does not have the potential to reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species. b. Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? Comments: The adoption of the proposed project could be a "first step" in the achievement of both short-term and long-term enviromnental goals. One of the objectives of the Child Care Element is to locate child care facilities near homes, schools and work places. This objective, ifmet could remove some authomobile traffic from the streets as residents utilize options of child care closer to home. c. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) Comments: The adoption of the Child Care Element will not have impacts that are individually limited but cumulatively considerable. Specific implementing actions that may be proposed in the future such as zoning ordinance amendments will undergo additional enviromnental review as is required.. d. Does the project have environmental effect which will cause substantial adverse' effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Comments: The adoption of the Child Care Element will potentially have beneficial enviromnental effects On human beings. If it is implemented more adequate child care facilities and services will be provided to meet the existing and future needs of the community. Child care will be made available to all families who need it regardless of income and the highest quality of safety and welfare of children in child care facilities will be promoted. -3- F. Consultation 1. Individuals and Oreanizations City of Chula Vista: Barbara Reid, Planning Roger Daoust, Engineering Cliff Swanson, Engineering Hal Rosenberg, Engineering Bob Sennett, Planning Ken Larsen, Director of Building & Housing Carol Gove, Fire Marshal Crime Prevention, MaryJane Diosdada Marty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation Dept. Bruce Booguard, City Attorney Chula Vista City School District: Kate Shurson Sweetwater Union High School District: Tom Silva Applicant's Agent: City of Chula Vista Planning Department 2. Documents Chu1a Vista General Plan (1989) and EIR (1989) Title 19, Chula Vista Municipal Code City of Chula Vista General Plan Child Care Element. City of Chula Vista (1994) 3. Initial Studv This environmental determination is based on the attached Initial Study, any comments received on the Initial Study and any comments received during the public review period for this Negative Declaration. The report reflects the independent judgment of the City ofChula Vista. Further information regarding 1he environmental review of this project is available from the Chula Vista Planning Department, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. '-V5' ~/ ~ VJ ~,~J ENVIRON AL VIEW OORDINA TOR (b:\s....nd) -4- City of Chula Vista Application Fonn For Office Use ~ Case No.IS-4S- 9 'Dpsl Amnl ,___ Receipt No. --- Date Rec'd. ;:;,)t' \"\'>1. Accepted by , Project No. FA- (.,\""? . Dpsl No. DO- --- CIP No. . ..-- RelaledCase No. APPLICATION CANNOT Bf ~CEPTED UNLESS SITE PLAN IS FOLDED TO m 11,,0 AN 8-1/2 X 11 FOLDER INITIAL STUDY A. BACKGROUND 1. ProjectTitle C"ILt>CA~ ue.me.,Ji GPA. 2. Project Location (Street address or description) NC>J $ITL ~PFCAFlc. Assessors Book, Page & Parcel No. 3. Brief Project Description ~PT1ojo.) oF ~Iot A:D0IT"701'~'4H-, ~ TO 7Uf. C>11VGrE.IJU'O'.... f~ APP~I,..)C:::r 1*-€. ~O"I'SION oF'oI/L..O ~t' Pf FACluilE.S ,..... AU. AI26AS CF"J'}f€.. 0\1'-('. 4. Name of Applicant C'T'r'" OF C'*QA \/t"5l:J'1:l. Ft-A-r-J ,.,.,,..s-6 D4:..Pr. Address '27lt. FQ~ ~. Fax#~-?nl Phone6~1-?IOI City c.1.kJL.A- \/14.-r7J.. State C#. Zip ~lqlO S. Name of Preparer/Agent t)OA:toIL. e.. eo.. "l.'Z.4:.L. Address '2..'1 /p foc.H2.J04.. 1MNt... Fax# Phone City C ~ I4r '.1\~", State c.,A. Zip q I ., I 0 Relation to Applicant ~t..O""'c I: 6. Indicate all pennits or approvals and enclosures or documents required by the Environmental Review Coordinator. a. Pennits or approvals required. L.. General Plan Amendment _ RezonelPrewne Gradin Permit - g _ Tentative Parcel Map Site Plan &: Arch. Review = Special Use Permit _ Design Review Application _ Tenwive Subd. Map _ Redevelopment Agency OPA ____ Redevelopment Agency DDA _ Public Project Annexation _ Specific Plan Conditional Use Permit _ Variance _ Coastal Development Other Permit If project is a General Plan Amendment and/or rezone, please indicate the change in designation from ~O QL.M~ 1Z> ~p to tJ/1ttr . b. _ Grading Plan _ Parcel Map Precise Plan = Specific Plan _ Traffic Impact Report Hazardous Waste Assessment Enclosures or documents (as required by the Environmental Review Coordinator). Arch. Elevations = Landscape Plans _ Tentative Subd. Map _ Improvement Plans _ Soils Report _ Geotechnical Repat _ Hydrological Study Biological Study = Archaeological Study Noise Assessment = Other Agency Permit OIber Pagel wpc,p~021-A.93 (Ref. 10211.93) (Rd. 1022.9:1) E. CERTIFICATION I. as owner/owner in escrow. Print name or I. consultant or agent. b\J~ L. &.\-z.:L.LL- ~I~c...,~-.L c>.-I'r'>l'tN;oL Print name HEREBY AFFIRM. that to the best of my belief. the statements and infonnation herein contained are in all respects true and correct and that all known information concerning the project and its setting has been included in this application for an Initial Study of possible environmental impact and any enclosures for attachments thereto. 0wDu/0wnu in Escrow Signature or h.../-r...1 / U- , . / Date *H acting for a corporation. include capacity and company name. W1'C:P,~021.A.93 (Rd. 1020.93) (Rd. 1022.93) Page 7 Case No. /.5: - 95- /'7 APPENDIX III CITY DATA SHEET PLANNING DEPARTMENT L Current Zoninl! on site: ~~O.~("M .",,, North South East West (\!Tt .s.~~ ''''Q'>''.~i (' " " II " Does the project confonn to the current zoning'? 't.r ~ ll. General Plan land use designation on site: North South East West ~~taM \5 ~ -S'I'\e.-~C'R'I" .. .. ,I I' Is th~ project compatible with the GenefII:I Plan Land Use Diagram'? _ ~o-\- ~~ Is the pro~ect area designated for conservation or open space or adjacent to an area so designated'? ~r--'r .~ ('\m ,-""t~ V('\~tr Is the project located adjacent to any scenic routes'? ...1 \ po. (If yes. describe the design techniques being used to protect or enhance the scenic quality of the route). m. Schools If the proposed project is residential. please complete the following: School C8Dacitv Enrollment Units Prooosed GcoeratiDg Factors Students Ge&rated From Proiect Elementary Junior High Senior High IV. Remarks: Nlf'.. .30 .29 .10 YI ~'L~ VJ f'';'/ I Director PI . g or Rep senuin ve / /~/q~ Date ~=93 ()I.d.1021.9:1)(Rd.I02O.93) p.... 1 APPENDIX I ENVffiONMENT AL. CHECKLIST FORM (To Be Completed By Lead Agency) Background I. Name of Proponent: City of Chula Vista Planninl! DeDartment 2. Address and Phone Number of Proponent: 276 Fourth A venue. Chula Vista. CA 91910 3. Date of Checklist: Januarv 9. 1995 4. Name of Proposal: City of Chula Vista General Plan Child Care Element 5. Initial Study Number: IS-95-19 (b:""'u:hk) Page 1 Potntially Pott.tially Splntnt Leut... SplRtne U.lu. Splnc.aat No I.patt Mid.atld I.patt I.pad I. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the proposal: a) Conflict with general plan designation or 0 0 0 I!!I mning? b) Conflict with applicable environmental plans or 0 0 0 I!!I policies adopted by agencies with jurisdiction over the project? c) Affect agricultural resources or operations (e.g., 0 0 0 I!!I impacts to soils or fannlands, or impacts from incompatible land uses)? d) Disrupt or divide the physical arrangement of 0 0 0 I!!I an established community (including a low- income or minority community)? Comments: The proposed policy is consistent with the City of Chula Vista's General Plan. Future implementation actions which might be recommended such as amendments to the zoning ordinance will receive additional environmental review. n. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the proposal: a) Cmnula1ively exceed official regional or local 0 0 0 I!!I population projections? b) Induce substantial growth in an area either 0 0 0 I!!I directly or indirectly (e.g., through projects in an Jmdeveloped area or extension of major infrastructure)? c) Displace existing housing, especially affordable 0 0 0 I!!I housing? . Comments: The proposed policy will not induce growth. m GEOPHYSICAL Would the proposal result in or expose people to potential impacts involving: a) Unstable earth conditions or changes in 0 0 0 I!!I . geologic substructures? b) Disruptions, displacements, compaction or 0 0 0 I!!I oven;overing of the soil? c) OIange in topography or groJmd surface relief 0 0 0 181 features? d) The destruction, covering or modification of 0 0 0 I!!I any Jmique geologic or physical features? e) Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, 0 0 0 I!!I either on or off the site? Page 2 (b:WTc.chk) Pocntially Potntially Slpitk..t Leu '.111 SipUiu.llt V..... Spllic:_..t N. "pllc:t Miti._IN ..paC:1 I.pllc:t f) Changes in deposition or erosion of beach 0 0 0 181 sands, or changes in siltation, deposition or erosion which may modify the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay inlet or lake? g) Exposure of people or property to geologic 0 0 0 181 hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, mud slides, ground failure, or similar hazards? Comments: The adopti.on of the City of Chula Vista General Plan. Child Care Element will not cause any geophysical impacts. IV. WATER. Would the proposal result in: a) Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns. 0 0 0 181 or the rate and amount of surface runoff? b) Exposure of people or property to water related 0 0 0 181 hazards such as flooding or tidal waves? c) Discharge into surface waters or other alteration 0 0 0 181 of surface water quality (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity)? d) Changes in the amount of surface water in any 0 0 0 181 water body? e) Changes in currents, or the course of direction 0 0 0 181 of water movements, in either marine or fresh waters? f) Change in the quantity of ground waters, either 0 0 0 181 through direct additions or withdrawals, or through interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations? g) Altered direction or rate of flow of 0 0 0 181 groundwater? h) Impacts to groundwater quality? 0 0 0 181 i) Alterations to the course or .flow of flood 0 0 0 181 waters? j) Substantial reduction in the amount of water 0 0 0 181 otherwise available for public water supplies? Comments: The adoption of the above cited policies will not cause any specific impacts to water. Page 3 {b:.,uhk} Pot"d-.ll)' Poteati-.ll)' SlplRc.aat Leal ,..... Sipinc.aal Valas 4' Siplnt..t N. I.p"tt Mid.alfll I.p"tt I.patt V. AIR QUALITY. Would the proposal: a) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to 0 0 0 181 an existing or projected air quality violation? b) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutants? 0 0 0 181 c) Alter air movement, moisture, or temperature, 0 0 0 181 or cause any change in climate, either locally or regionally? . d) Create objectiomlble odors? 0 0 0 181 e) Create a substantial increase in stationary or 0 0 0 181 non-stationary sources of air emissions or the deterioration of ambient air quality? Comments: The project which is the adoption of policy will not impact air quality or transportation. VL TRANSPORT A TION/CIRCULA TlON. Would the proposal result in: a) Increased vehicle trips or traffic congestion? 0 0 0 181 b) Hazards to safety from design features (e.g., 0 0 0 181 sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? c) Inadequate emergency access or access to 0 0 0 181 nearby uses? d) Insufficient parking capacity on-site or off-site? 0 0 0 181 e) Hazards or barriers for pedestrians or bicyclists? 0 0 0 181 1) Conflicts with adopted policies supporting 0 0 0 181 alternative transportation (e.g. bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? g) Rail. waterborne or air traffic impacts? 0 0 0 181 h) A "large project" under the Congestion 0 0 0 181 Managetnent Program? (An equivalent of 2400 or more average daily vehicle trips or 200 or more peak-hour vehicle trips.) Comments: See comments under V above. vn. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal result in impocts to: a) Endangered, sensitive species, species of 0 0 0 181 concern or species that are candidates for listing? (b:.rubk) Page 4 Pote.dall)' Potullall)' SpilieaDt .... di.. SipifieaDt v..... SipiIiC:DDt N. I.put Mltipled I.pact I.pllet b) Locally designated species (e.g., heritage trees)? 0 0 0 181 c) Locally designated natural communities (e.g, 0 0 0 181 oak forest, coastal habitat, etc.)? d) Wetland habitat (e.g., marsh, riparian and vernal 0 0 0 181 pool)? e) Wildlife dispersal or migration corridors? 0 0 0 181 f) Affect regional habitat preservation planning 0 0 0 181 efforts? Comments: The approval of the Child Care Element will not create any environmental impacts. VIII. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal: a) .Conflict with adopted energy conservation 0 0 0 181 plans? b) Use non-renewable resources in a wasteful and 0 0 0 181 inefficient manner? c) If the site is designated for mineral resource 0 0 0 181 protection, will this project impact this protection? Comments: There would be no impact from the adoption of the Child Care Element. IX. HAZARDS. Would the proposal involve: a) A risk of accidental explosion or release of 0 0 0 181 hazardous substances (including, but not limited to: petroleum products, pesticides, chemicals or radiation)? b) Possible interference with an emergency 0 0 0 181 response plan or emergency evacuation plan? c) The creation of any health hazard or potential 0 0 0 181 health hazard? d) Exposure of people to existing sources of 0 0 0 181 potential health hazards? e) Increased fire hazard in areas with flammable 0 0 0 181 brush, grass, or trees? Comments: The adoption of the above cited policy will not create health hazards. Pogo S (b:IIm_chk) Poteadally ht,etlaJly SpUicae. Leu...... SiplficaJlt UaI,lI Slpifiu.... N. l.plleI Mlti..ttd l_pIIcl l_pIIcl X. NOISE. Would the proposal result in: a) Increases in existing noise levels? 0 0 0 181 b) Exposure of people to severe noise levels? 0 0 0 181 Comments: The adoption of the above cited policy will not expose residents to increases in noise levels. XI. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need for new or altered government services in any of the following areas: e) Other governmental services? 0 0 0 181 0 0 0 181 0 0 0 181 0 '0 0 181 0 0 0 181 a) Fire protection? b) Police protection? c) Schools? d) Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? Comments: Not applicable. XIL Thresholds. Will the proposal adversely impact the City's Threshold Standards? o o o 181 As described below, the proposed project is not subject to any of the seen Threshold Standards. a) FirelEMS As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. b) Police The Threshold Standards require that police units must respond to 84% of Priority t calls within 7 minutes or less and maintain an average response time to all Priority 1 calls of 4.5 minutes or less. Police units must respond to 62.10% of Priority 2 calls within 7 minutes Of less and maintain an average response time to all Priority 2 calls of 7 minutes or less. As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. Page 6 (b\lrre_ehk) PotntWly SpUfk..t l_pIIcl Potellli.l1y SiplRta.1 v..... MltlptHl Leut".1I SplRullt l_pIIct N. I.pllct c) Traffic The Threshold Standards require that all intersections must operate at a Level of Service (LOS) "C" or better, with the exception that Level of Service (LOS) "D" may occur during the peak two hours of the day at signalized intersections. Intersections west of 1-805 are not to operate at a LOS below their 1987 LOS. No intersection may reach LOS "E" or "F" during the average weekday peak hour. Intersections of arterials with freeway ramps are exempted from this Standard. As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. d) ParkslRecreation The Threshold Standard for Parks and Recreation is 3 acres!I,OOO population. The proposed project is not subject to the Threshold Standard for Parks. e) Drainage The Threshold Standards require that storm water flows and volumes not exceed City Engineering Standards. Individual projects will provide necessary improvements consistent with the Drainage Master Plan(s) and City Engineering Standards. As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. t) Sewer The Threshold Standards require that sewage flows and volumes not exceed City Engineering Standards. Individual projects will provide necessary improvements consistent with Sewer Master Plan(s) and City Engineering Standards. The Threshold Standards for sewerage do not apply to this project. As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. g) Water The Threshold Standards require that adequate storage, treattnent, and transmission facilities are constructed concurrently with planned growth and that water quality standards are not jeopardized during growth and construction. The proposed project is not subject to the Threshold Standards for Water. As the project is the adoption of policy, the threshold standards do not apply. Page 7 (b:\srrcdlk) POlntl.lI)' Pototi.ll)' Splne..t Leu...... IiplfiUlDt Vale>> 5._mUlDt N. I.,.el Mitiplrd l.plleI ..""el . XIII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the proposal result in a need for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: a) Power or natural gas? 0 0 0 liD b) Communications systems? 0 0 0 liD c) Local or regional water treatment or distribution 0 0 0 liD facilities? d) Sewer or septic tanks? 0 0 0 liD e) Stonn water drainage? 0 0 0 liD 1) Solid waste disposal? 0 0 0 liD Comments: No new or altered utilities or service systems are required for this project which is the adoption of policy. XIV. AESTHETICS. Would the proposal: a) Obstruct any scenic vista or view open to the 0 0 0 liD public or will the proposal result in the creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to public view? b) Cause the destruction or modification of a 0 0 0 liD scenic route? c) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect? 0 0 0 liD d) Create added light or glare sources that could 0 0 0 liD increase the level of sky glow in an area or cause this project to fail to comply with Section 19.66.100 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code, Title 19? e) Reduce an additional amount of spill light? 0 0 0 liD Comments: As the project is the adoption of policy. there will be no aesthetic impacts. XV. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal: a) Will the proposal result in the alteration of or 0 0 0 liD the destruction or a prehistoric or historic archaeological site? b) Will the proposal result in adverse physical or 0 0 0 liD aesthetic effects to a prehistoric or historic building, structure or object? PageS (b:\Irrc.chk) Potentially PoInti"l)' Splfit..t Leulbn Slpilkaat V.I", liplnUDt N. I. pact Mltfpled lapacl I.,.tl C) Does the proposal have the potential to cause a 0 0 0 181 physical change which would affect unique ethnic cultural values? d) Will the proposal restrict existing religious or 0 0 0 181 sacred uses within the potential impact area? e) Is the area identified on the City's General Plan 0 0 0 181 EIR as an area of high potential for archeological resources? Comments: As the project is the adoption of policy, there will be no cultural or paleontological impacts. XVI. PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Will the 0 0 0 181 proposal result in the alteration of or the destruction of paleontological resources? Comments: See above. XVII. RECREATION. Would the proposal: a) Increase the demand for neighborhood or 0 0 0 181 regional parks or other recreational facilities? b) Affect existing recreational opportunities? 0 0 0 181 c) Interfere with recreation parks & recreation 0 0 0 181 plans or programs? Comments: As the project is the adoption of policy, there will be no impacts to recreation. XVIII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE: See Negative Declaration for mandatory findings of significance. If an EIR is needed, this section should be completed. a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the enviromnent, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species. cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate . important examples of the major periods or California history. or prehistory? Comments: As the project is the adoption of policy, there are no site specific impacts. Therefore, the project does not have the potential to reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species. o o o 181 b) Does the project have the potential to achieve short-tenn, to the disadvantage of long-tenn, enviromnental goals? o o o 181 Page 9 (b:WTe_dlk) 'otelltlall)' IipIneol I.~c:t Poteatially Splnallll UoI_ Mitipted Leu t"." IipirlulIl I.pact N. I.pact Comments: The adoption of the proposed project has the potential to achieve both short-term and long-term environmental goals. One of the objectives of the Child Care Element is to locate child care facilities near homes, schools and work places. This objective, if met could remove some automobile traffic from the stteets as residents utilize options of child care closer to home. c) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) Comments: The adoption of the Child Care Element will not have impacts that are individually limited but cumulatively considerable. Specific implementation measures that may be proposed in the future such as amendments to the zoning ordinance will undergo additional environmental review. d) Does the project have environmental effect which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Comments: The adoption of the Child Care Element will potentially have beneficial environmental effects on human beings. It it is implemented more adequate child care facilities and services will be provided to meet the existing and future needs of the community. Child care will be made available to all families who need it regardless of income and the highest quality of safety and welfare of children in child care facilities will be promoted. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: o o o I!!I o o o I!!I The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" or "Potentially Significant Unless Mitigated," as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. o Land Use and Planning o Population and Housing o Transportation/Circu1ation o Biological Resources o Geophysical o Water o Air Quality o Energy and Mineral Resources o Hazards o Public Services o Utilities and Service Systems o Aesthetics o Cultural Resources o Recreation o Noise o Mandatory Findings of Significance DETERMINATION: (b:'cn,chk) Page to DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and II!I a NEGATNE DECLARATION will be prepared. I fmd that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, 0 there will no1 be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A MITIGATED NEGATNE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an 0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect(s) on the environment, but at least 0 one effect: 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuan1 to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets, if the effect is a 'potentially significant impacts' or 'potentially significant unless mitigated.' An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. . . ~ rrlL;';(r /)1';'// Signature //9/'1.$ Date' ' Douglas D. Reid Environmental Review Coordinator City of Chuia Vista .,.....dO<) . Page 11 (b:\lnubk) ROUTING FORM DATE: December 22, 1994 !l'O: .,..n Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) ~oger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Attorney (Draft Neg Dec & EIR) ...carol Gove, Fire Department ~arty schmidt, Parks & Recreation ..,.crime prevention, police Department (Capt. %011) ...community Development, Redev. Economic Dev. only ....current Planning ~ane Bazzel, Advance Planning ~Bob Sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director ~hula Vista Elementary School District, Kate Shurson ..-6Weetwater Union H.S. District, Tom Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) ~artin Miller, Project Tracking Log (route form only) Other FROM: Barbara Reid Environmental Section SUBJECT: Application for Initial Study (IS- 95-19/FA-~/DO- N/A ) Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR-_/FB-_/DO ) Review of a Draft EIR (EIR-_/FB- _/DP ) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS- /FA- /DQ- ) The Project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City Location: City-wide. not site specific Please review the document and forward to me any comments you have by. Januarv 5,~5 Comments: . \ ~. . ~ , -- 'I ~ ROUTING FORM -, Dtc ~ r l.. u 7. p. 831 L....tlJi'.'II. 'i't.;\,n -:t DATE: December 22, 1994 ~ j/tfJfi1- ~ Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) ~oger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Attorney (Draft Neg Dec & EIR) carol Gove, Fire Department Marty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation Crime Prevention, police Department (Capt. Zoll) Community Development, Redev. Economic Dev. only CUrrent Planning Duane Bazzel, Advance Planning Bob Sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director Chula vista Elementary School District, Xate Shurson sweetwater Union H.S. District, TOm Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexa volved) ., pr. ac ~ng Log (route other Barbara Reid Environmental Section SUBJECT: Application for Initial Study (IS- 95-l9/FA- 6681DO- N/A ) Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR- /FB- IDQ J Review of a Draft EIR (EIR- _/FB- _/DP ) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS- IFA- /DO- ) !Z'he project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City Location: City-wide. not site specific Please review the docu..nt and forward to .. any comments you have by. Janua rv 5.1995 co.m~t., _~ PC} /p ~ Case No. /-.S - 9.5 - 1'1 ~ . E DEPARTMENT Jf' /0. What is the distance to the nearest fire station? And what is the Fire Department's estimated reaction time? l01~ ~ ~)-th 0 (II ), J J I--R JJ I B: Will the Fire Department be able to provide an adequate level of fire protection for the propo~ facility without an in~ in equipm!nt or peI1ionnel? ~O f'yt d -^) fr1/) f -fY'J.1f MA , c. """... &J- ~ ;!!; Jo ~-fi1I.. ~) IWI.' H T {" , ~i-1~1==~==~-c1~~~/i~~~~M" ~ &iwJ 11~? Iqf Date ( Fire Marshal d.\i \qs ~ ,eJ:)~ ~ ~0~\\<"C'- -10 '-\\\E' ~,~ t{\~~a.\\ -\'NA~ -\I-e. ~co~~.~ ~ -\'N;o C~\'d.. CctAe Cc~~!;ncl\ ~~~ ~I('i~'~ ~~E>c\. ~ 0\'\ ~o.~ -..s~-~ \S:J\''- ~ ~ec\ C ~ \(\ "'('~ a..<d ~~ coo(.eo. ~~ Paae 6 wpc~O\STOIlEINOn.93 ()I.d. 1021.9:1) (Rd. 10:10.93) .._,--+._----~---_..- - Y5-6f 3 ROUTING FORM 2..Cj DATE: December;it. 1994 rtzoM.:~: Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) Roger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Att:orney (Draft: Neg Dec & EIR) Carol Gove, Fire Department Harty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation Crime Prevention, police Department (capt. %011) community Development:, Redev. Economic Dev. only CUrrent Planning Duane Bazzel, Advance Planning bob Sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director cbula vista Elementary School District, Kate Shurson sweetwater union H.S. District, Tom Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) Hartin Hiller, Project Tracking Log (route form only) Other "'fl>: ~: Barbara Reid Environmental section SUBJECT: Application ~or In~tial study (IS- 95-19/FA-~/DO- N/A J Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR-_/FB-_/DO J Review of a Draft EIR (EIR- _/FB- _/DP ) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS-. /FA- lDO- ) The Project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City Location: City-wide, not site specific Please review the document and forward to .. any comme.nt. you have by. January 5,~5 Comments: CHIL.r> ~ F;(c.u..,nu oF'r!:-.L ~~ /.fI"~1!: Nit> J;6t...lb WIt&TE V. ~ "T'JiIAFFlc..J s;.E"""., l>WJME$ ~ THE VSES -mEt ~ (<E.Su~ WI/...L.. I-J ~c.p '1'Z> . .HE.SE ee A-t>~5E:> oN A CltSiS-sY- ~ Jl<l.SIS. .. .~~ }*,/r'Y - ~_.______. nu___ _.______________"..__. ~ ROUTING FORM DATE: December 22, 1994 ~~ .if ~ SUBJECT: The Location: Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Bngineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) Roger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Attorney (Draft Neg DeC & EIR) Carol Gove, Fire Department Harty schmidt, parks & Recreation crime prevention, police Department (Capt. %011) Community Development, Redev. Economic DeV. only current Planning Duane Bazzel, Advance planning Bob sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director Chula vista Elementary School District, Xate Shurson sweetwater Union H.B. District, Tom silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) Hartin Miller, Project Tracking Log (route form only) other Barbara Reid Environmental section Application for Initial study (IS- 95-1VFA-~/DO- N/A ) Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR-_/FB- IDO ) Review of a Draft EIR (EIR-_/FB--!DP) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS-. /FA- IDQ- ) project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City City-wide, not site specific Please review the document and forward to.. any comments you have by Januarv 5,~5 Comments: rY~r N~ RECEIVED DEC 27 1994 . CITY OF CHULA vl~IA BUILDING & HOUSING DEPT. -- ROUTING FORM DATE: December 22. 1994 !l'O: Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) Roger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Attorney (Draft Neg Dec & EIR) Carol (;ave, Fire Department Harty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation Crime Prevention, police Department (Capt. %011) Community Development, Redev. Economic Dev. only CUrrent Planning 'Duane Bazzel, Advance Planning Bob sennett, City Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director Chula vista Elementary school District, Xate Shurson SWeetwater Union H.S. District, Tom Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) Hartin Hiller, Project Tracking Log (route form only) other FROM: Barbara Reid Environmental Section SUBJECT: Application for Initial study (IS- 95-l9/FA-~/DQ- N/A ) Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR--/FB- IDQ l Review of a Draft EIR (EIR-_/FB-_/DP) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS- /FA- IDO- ) !l'he Project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City Location: City-wide. not site specific Please review the document and forward to .e any comment. you have by. January 5,~5 Comments: No CJ:::W.-UJ .] f L7~ ('2.-'2.7-91 ~ ROUTING FORM DATE: December 22, 1994 !l'O: Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanson, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) Roger Daoust, Engineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst city Attorney (Draft Neg Dec & EIR) Carol Gove, Fire Department Harty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation crime Prevention, police Department (Capt. %011) community Development, Redev. Economic DeV. only current Planning Duane Bazzel, Advance Planning Bob Sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director Chula vista Elementary School District, Xate Shurson sweetwater Union H.S. District, Tom Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) Hartin Hiller, project Tracking Log (route form only) other FROM: Barbara Reid Environmental Section SUBJECT: Application for Initial Study (IS- 95-19/FA-~/DO- N/A ) checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR- _/FB- _/DQ ) Review of a Draft EIR (EIR-_/FB--!DP) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR--1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS-. /FA- /DO- ) The Project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City Location: City-wide. not site specific I Please review the dOCUJllent and forward to .. any comments you have by Januarv 5.~5 / /9/?.::} -- ROUTING FORM DATE: December 22, 1994 2'0: Xen Larson, Building & Housing John Lippitt, Engineering (EIR only) Cliff SWanlJon, Engineering (EIR only) Hal Rosenberg, Engineering (EIR only) Roger Daoust, Envineering (IS/3, EIR/2) Richard Rudolf, Asst City Attorney (Draft Neg Dec & EIR) Carol Gove, Fire bepartment Harty Schmidt, Parks & Recreation Crime Prevention, Police Department (Capt. %011) Colil1!Junity Development, Redev. Economic Dev. only CUrrent Planning Duane Bazzel, Advance Planning Bob Sennett, city Landscape Architect Bob Leiter, Planning Director Chula vista Elementary School District, Xate Shurson SWeetwater Union H.S. District, Tom Silva (IS & EIR) Haureen Roeber, Library (Final EIR) LAFCO (IS/Draft EIR - If annexation is involved) Hartin Hiller, Project Tracking Log (route form only) other FROM: Barbara Reid Environmental section SUBJECT: Application for Initial study (IS- 95-19/FA-~/DO- N/A ) Checkprint Draft EIR (20 days) (EIR-_/FB-_/DO ) Review of a Draft EIR (EIR-_/FB--!DP) Review of Environmental Review Record (FC- ERR- -1 Review of Draft Neg Dec (IS- /FA- /DO- ) !'he Project consists of: Adoption of an additional element to the City General Plan addressing the provision of child care facilities in all areas of the City .Location: City-wide. not site specific Please review the document and forward to .. any comments you have by. Januarv 5,~5 . Comments: . t-O ~t\~~ tpS. f . 1:> .cq ~ Case No. /-S- 9s-I'1 APPENDIX IV Comments Received During the Public Review Period .2...... No Comments Were Received During the Public Review Period . WPC~O\STOIlEIN022.93 ()I.d. 1021.9:1) (Rd. 1020.93) p__-.C___. DRAFT CHILD CARE ELEMENT DRAFT CITY OF CHULA VISTA GENERAL PLAN CHILD CARE ELEMENT Recommended by the City of Chula Vista Child Care Commission February 1995 CHAPTER 5A CHILD CARE ELEMENT CONTENTS Section Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5A-1 1.1 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A-1 1.2 Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A-3 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A-4 2.1 Needs Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A-4 2.2 Funding Methods ......................................... 5A-8 2.3 Family Assistance Programs ................................. 5A-9 2.4 Current Zoning and Locational Criteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5A-11 3.0 ISSUES .......................... ......... . ........ . .5A-12 4.0 GOAL, OBJECTIVES & POLICIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5A-16 4.1 Quantity and Location of Child Care Facilities ................... 5A-17 4.2 Affordability of Child Care Services ........................... 5A-23 4.3 Maintaining High Quality and Safe Child Care Services ....... . . 5A-24 5.0 REFERENCES......................................... . . .5A-26 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Child Care Element of the Chula Vista General Plan describes the nature and extent of the existing and proposed child care system in the City, and identifies trends, issues and public policies relating to the City Council's goal that a balanced child care delivery system be developed for the City. The long-term goal of the Child Care Element is to make high quality child care services available, affordable and accessible to those persons who either live or work in the City and who desire or need such services. In pursuit of this goal, the City of Chula Vista supports the principle of parental choice for child care and the need for a variety of options available in the community, and further encourages the participation of parents, providers, public officials, and employers in the decision-making process relating to the provision of child care facilities. 1.1 Overview The provision of child care remains a significant social issue as evidenced by parents, employers, and public officials alike attempting to grapple with the problems facing Child Care Element families today. Today's families are increasingly two wage earner households, or in many cases households headed by single individuals, women primarily. The increasing number of children whose parents both are in the work force have created a greater demand for public policies and a multitude of services that make it possible for parents to earn a living and raise a family. The City of Chula Vista recognizes that children represent the future. Studies have definitively shown that children enrolled in quality child care and youth programs at an early age are more apt to be well-adjusted and perform better in school. The City also recognizes that the existing child care services and facilities are not adequate to meet today's demand, and that this demand is increasing. To ignore this fact jeopardizes the long-term quality of the City's social, physical and economic well-being. Compounding the problem are the increasing limitations on financial resources for services. The public sector is allocating less money to address the growing service needs, and the non-profit sector is unable to fill the gap created by the loss of public funds. It is not possible for anyone city, county, or organization to address these challenges. It will require the collective effort of parents, schools, business and community leaders, and the local, state, and federal governments to address the increasing child care needs. Moreover, only through cooperative and coordinated efforts can these actions succeed. It is, therefore, the purpose of this Child Care Element to provide comprehensive policy direction for the provision of adequate child care facilities necessary to serve the existing and future developed areas in the City in a coordinated and cost-effective manner. The City of Chula Vista believes it can best accomplish this goal through the adoption of policies that promote the City's role as an educator, employer, and facilitator, to act as a catalyst towards attaining the goal of readily accessible, and affordable, good quality child care that is available to those persons who either work or live in the City of Chula Vista and who are in need. There is also a great need to increase the public awareness of the acute shortage of child care and the consequences of such shortages. In addition, the City can address child care needs by using its land use and regulatory authority to encourage the provision of a variety of child care services in a variety of areas where compatible with adjacent land uses. Although child care is not a state-mandated element of the General Plan, the City has included this policy document to address the growing need for child care facilities. The City Council, through the work of the Child Care Commission, and the Chula Vista 2000 Child Care Task Force before that, recognized that child care is an important city-wide service and an integral part of the city fabric. As growth continues and more families, children and employers move to Chula Vista the availability of adequate, affordable good quality child care becomes a greater city-wide concern. It is clear that child care is as important to growth and prosperity as other essential services like police, fire, sanitation, water and schools, and is a cost-effective method for reducing some social 5A-3 Child Care Element problems that often affect communities lacking adequate, good quality child care. The planning for and implementation of child care throughout the city should be recognized as providing an essential community service and should be considered in all related decisions. 1.2 Background In July 1990, the Chula Vista City Council created the Chula Vista Child Care Commission and later directed the Commission to pursue the preparation of an Element to the General Plan. As a result, the Commission has endorsed this document, a statement of policies to be implemented throughout the City. Enormous changes to the family structure and the economy are causing changes to the relationship between the family and society as a whole. Three factors signal the growth in demand for child care facilities in the area: (1) an increase in the population of children under the age of fourteen; (2) an increase in the number of working mothers and; (3) changes in the composition of families, including an increase in the number of single, working parents and dual income families. As a result, larger numbers of workers must make arrangements for the care and supervision of more children during work hours. In a large majority of homes both parents work and the number of single parent households have doubled in the last decade. The number of children in Chula Vista under 14 years of age has been increasing at a dramatic pace as well. A survey conducted in 1989 by the National League of Cities showed that child care was the most pressing concern of families and 91 % of cities responding placed child care as the top need for children of all ages. Local data, depicted on Table 5A-2, shows that Chula Vista currently has a substantial shortage of available child care spaces and that this shortage, approximately 60% of needed spaces, will most likely become more acute in the near future. The Child Care Commission has determined that the child care supply has been limited by a combination of different factors. Some of the factors which have been discussed by the Commission include complicated and restrictive zoning regulations, relatively high permit and application costs, obtaining financing, high start-up costs, affordable sites, inadequate labor pool, high child care insurance costs, and a need for application materials, information and processing assistance to be available in languages other than English, especially Spanish. The Commission has found that all of these factors singly or as a whole have definite impacts on the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of child care in the City. As an example, regulations relating to child care permitting should be easy to understand for all citizens wishing to operate a child care facility such as a Day Care Home or Child Care Center. Regulations that allow child care facilities of a variety of 5A-4 Child Care Element sizes to locate in a variety of zoning districts, at the same time safeguarding child and neighborhood concerns, are necessary if adequate, safe and affordable child care facilities are to be developed throughout the City. It is the pOlicy of the City of Chula Vista to encourage, assist and support the provision of good quality, affordable, available and accessible child care in the Chula Vista Community. There is no question that providing good quality child care is a cost- effective investment that can minimize long-range social problems in the community that will be far more costly to repair later. Zoning regulations should be uncomplicated, straightforward, and relatively unrestricted in order to encourage and guide the development of child care adequate to meet the needs of the community in the present and the future. 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS In order to address the existing need for child care facilities and services, as well as those which will arise in the future, it is necessary to quantify the existing child care facilities and implementation programs. The following analysis of these resources includes an identification of constraints relative to the City's ability to meet the identified need. The following discussion examines the local supply and increasing demands for child care in the City. 2.1 Needs Analysis 1 Child care is presently provided in Chula Vista by non-profit and for-profit providers. The two principal types of facilities are Family Day Care Homes and Child Care Centers. Licensing for both is under State regulation and administered by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Family day care homes are licensed to care for a maximum of either six or twelve children, and provide this care in the child care provider's own home. Although these facilities can serve any age child, they most frequently serve children between the ages of birth and five years old. Child care centers, however, are larger facilities that are licensed to care for between 13 and 250 children, and are required to meet a host of State minimum health and safety standards, such as certain indoor and outdoor square footage requirements, teacher-to-student ratios, educational training, etc. set by the State. Child care centers exist in both residential and non-residential areas, and typically serve children between the ages of two and twelve. However, they are not limited to this age group. 1 Reference Chula Vista Demoaraohics & Child Care Needs Analysis (City of Chula Vista Planning Department, 1994). This report provides comprehensive analysis documentation of/he demographic, social, and public sector trends and implications summarized in this chapter. 5A-5 Child Care Element In 1993 there were an estimated 13,762 children in need of child care in Chula Vista. 2 Included are children needing before and after school care. These numbers, however, do not account for children being served by unlicensed facilities. As of March 1994 there were 315 licensed child care facilities of all types with space for approximately 5,360 children. Based on estimated needs this leaves a shortage of approximately 8,402 spaces. The shortage in school age availability is most acute, with 6,898 occurring at that age group. Table 6-1 documents the availability of child care in Chula Vista and Table 6-2 shows the estimated need and the current number of child care spaces available as of March 1994. Interestingly, most child care facilities in the City are found in areas west of the Interstate 805 freeway. The generally older housing characteristic of the Montgomery and Central Chula Vista Planning Areas is often less costly, and the generally larger average lot sizes can more readily accommodate state mandated space requirements for child care facility operation. The provision of child care in a family home setting is most frequently the source of a second or supplemental income to the provider family rather than a primary one. Persons that provide child care are often mothers who are supervising their own children and take in other children to help generate a small amount of income to offset income lost by not being in the away-from- home work force. Family Day Care is seldom profitable and sustaining as a "business". 2 State of Califomia, Department of Social Setvices, Community Care Licensing, Management Information Request Listing, March 9, 1994; and Califomia Department of Finance, Demographic Research Unit, San Diego County Population and Housing Estimates January 1,1994. 5A-6 Child Care Element TABLE 5A-1 LICENSED CHILD CARE IN CHULA VISTA CHILD CARE CENTERS AND FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES BY ZIP CODE SMALL FAMILY OAY CARE 17 61 107 15 200 HOME (SFDCH) LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE 5 15 24 11 55 HOME (LFOCH) CHILD CARE CENTER 9 36 13 2 60 (CCC) # OF FRANCHISElFOR- 6 12 2 0 20 PROFIT # OF EMPLOYER 0 0 0 0 0 PROVIDED # OF NON-PROFIT 3 24 11 2 40 SMALL FAMILY DAY CARE 51-102 183-364 321 ~24 45-90 600-1,180 HOME (SFDCH). LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE 60 180 288 132 660 HOME (LFDCH) INFANT"" 48 86 12 N/A 146 (0-2 YEARS) PRESCHOOL 362 1,379 553 N/A 2,294 (2-5 YEARS) SCHOOL AGE 288 902 230 N/A 1,420 (5-12 YEARS) SOURCE: Slate of California, Department of Social Services, Con'mJntty Care Licensing Division, March 9, 1994 . Licensed space capacities are given as a range in the SFDCH since State licensing criteria includes licensee's children under 10 years of age that are residing in the home. Infant care decreases the number of children that can be cared for in the home even though the license may be for e specific number of children. .. - Inctudes children in licensed toddler programs. 5A-7 Child Care Element TABLE 5A-2 CURRENT SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE IN CHULA VISTA AGE CATEGORY TOTAL # CHILDREN TOTAL # OF SHORTFALL AND OF NEEDING SPACES PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN CHILDREN" CARE" AVAILABLE FOR WHICH LICENSED CHILD CARE IS NOT AVAILABLE INFANT". (0-2) 5,853 2,354 646 1,708/73% PRESCHOOL (2-5) 7,085 2,590 2,794 +204/7% SCHOOL-AGE (5-12) 17,865 8,818 1,920 6,898 / 78% TOTAL 30,803 13,762 5,360 8,046 / 61 % . Based on 1990 Census of Population and Housing (Rpt. STF1A), and adjusted 9.04% to reflect SANDAG population estimate of 1/1/94. .. Calculations computed usin9 method outlined in, Child Care and Development in San DieQo County bv San OieQo County Commission on Children and Youth. February 1994. The methodology employed is number of children from census, multiplied by the number of children with working parents (given as 85%), less number of children that are not using licensed or licensed exempt child care for any number of reasons. Reasons for not using 'fonnal' child care include; parents' choice not to use child care, employing 'nannies' (live-in or visiting); using infonnal child care such as relatives, friends and neighbors: lack of funds or; parents give up looking for space or facility after not being able to find a convenient facility or time arrangement to suit their work schedule. ... Includes children in licensed toddler programs. 5A-8 2.2 Funding Methods Many child care facilities are funded through the use of private capital (loans, franchises, partnerships, etc.). There are, however, alternative funding options for some child care providers. Federal and state grants, foundation grants, public-private partnerships and special assessment districts are other tools that are available. GRANTS Federal and State grant programs are available to non-profit child care providers (family day care homes are viewed as for-profit). Federal grants can be used for both start-up costs for future new facilities and for the renovation of existing structures. Currently, Federal and State grants are primarily used for subsidizing the cost of child care for parents and to fund maintenance and operation costs, rather than the establishment of child care facilities. Existing grants include Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), federal, as well as state grants for special populations and facility expansion. State grants are not available for start-up, for maintenance or for operation costs, as are some federal grants, but primarily for subsidizing the cost of child care. States must spend 75% of their federal CDBG allocation to subsidize low-income families through certificate (voucher) programs. The remaining 25% is available for contracts to provide early childhood education, school-age child care programs, and quality improvement projects. FOUNDATIONS Private foundations provide various grants for the funding of child care programs and facilities. Each grant specifies the uses for which the grant may be used. Some of the grants may be used for the payment of tuition/fees only, while others can be used for transportation costs, extended child care hours or other purposes. Grantor can specify specific requirements to be met for each grant. PRIVATE SECTOR Many private sector employers enter into partnerships with child care providers to establish child care facilities for their employees. Employers can finance construction, make available space for the operation of a child care facility or can subsidize the child care facility in other ways. 5A-9 MELLO-ROOS COMMUNITY FACILITY DISTRICT The Mello Roos Community Facilities District Act permits the formation of special assessment districts to fund the purchase, construction, expansion, improvement or rehabilitation of child care facilities with the vote of two-thirds of the district's property owners. 2.3 Family Assistance Programs Many assistance programs are available for financing of child care for families in need. Below is a listing of just a few of these types of programs. State child care and developmental programs are the main source of subsidized care in the State. These programs are designed to assist in the growth and development of children while at the same time helping parents achieve financial stability through employment or education. For most program types, family eligibility is based on income and need. Income must be at or below 84% of the state (California) median income ($2,246 per month for a family of 3 in 1992-3). The family however remains eligible until it reaches 100% of median income ($2,674). The need for child care may be based on parental employment, enrollment in school or a job training program, or incapacity. Children who need protective services are eligible regardless of family income or parental status and receive first priority for available spaces. All families contribute to the cost of child care on a sliding scale, unless their income falls below 50% of the state median income. A few program types do not charge fees. 2.3.1 Types of Programs General Child Care and Development General Child Care and Development Programs primarily serve low income families, most of which are headed by single, working parents. There are three types of general child care and development programs: . Public School Programs - located on public school sites and are operated by school districts or other non-profit agencies. . Community Programs - provide same services as public school programs but are contracted through other public or private agencies, such as cities, universities and local community agencies. 5A-10 . Family Child Care Systems - networks of family child care homes operating under an umbrella agency that provides training, consultation, resource materials to providers and enrolled families. Campus Child Care . Primarily for the children of students attending classes on the campus. Some of these centers operate as lab-schools for the training of students currently enrolled in child development classes. These are funded by a combination of state funds, student body fees,and parent fees. School-Age Parenting and Infant Development (SAPID) . SAPID provides services to infants and toddlers of teenage parents who are continuing to work towards high-school graduation. Severely Handicapped Programs . Provide supervision, care, therapy, youth guidance, and parental counseling to families who have children with severe disabilities, until the child reaches the age of 21. Children with Exceptional Needs Exceptional children are "mainstreamed" where they are provided integrated services with both handicapped and non-handicapped children. Protective Services . Short-term child care services for families in crisis. Children must be identified as being neglected, abused, exploited, homeless or at risk thereof. School-Age Community Child Care ("Latchkey") Programs . Provide care before and after school and during vacations to children in kindergarten through grade 9. Priority is given to younger children, in grades K- 3. Equal numbers of subsidized and non-subsidized (fee paying) children must be served. The sites are usually near or on school sites. Most programs are operated by non-profit agencies. 5A-11 2.3.2 Public Pre-schools HEAD START - Federal program for low-income families with children ages 3 and 4 available to very low income working, unemployed and parents job- searching, training or attending school. Parental participation is required and funding is directly by the federal government to the schools and non-profit agencies that provide the service. . STA TE PRESCHOOL - Part day programs for low-income with children ages 3-4 available to working, unemployed and parents job-searching, training or attending school. These programs are modeled after Head Start but are funded by the state rather than the federal government. . STATE SUBSIDIZED PROGRAM - Child care provided to families based on qualifying income and need for working, unemployed and parents job-searching, training or attending school. EVEN START - Federal literacy program for children and their parents. Designed to break the cycle of illiteracy in families, it integrates adult basic education and early childhood programs. Services are operated by schools and community based organizations. . GAIN - (Greater Avenue for Independence) Child care assistance to families who receive Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and participate in education and job-training and those that completed the program and are now working. . NET - Child care assistance to families who receive AFDC and participate in education and job-training who are not in GAIN. . Title IV-A - Child care assistance to working families at risk of becoming eligible for AFDC. Under Title IV-A, the federal government will match state costs for AFDC-linked child care services, dollar for dollar. However, no federal money is provided for child care costs that are above 75% of the regional market rate. 2.4 Current Zoning Regulations and Locational Criteria The City of Chula Vista currently requires permits for many Large and Small Family Day Care Homes, however, a distinction is made regarding particular zones and structure types in the regulating process. The Child Care Commission forwarded 5A-12 recommendations to the City's Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Advisory Committee for proposed modifications of the current zoning regulations. The CUP Advisory Committee will be, in turn, forwarding recommendations to the City Council which may result in modifications to the current zoning requirements. Large planned residential communities (over 50 contiguous acres in size) are required to reserve acreage and/or facilities for the provision of Community Purpose Facilities. These facilities consist of non-profit secular and non-secular land uses which provide social needs to the community (e.g., YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, religious institutions, etc.). Child Care is considered an accessory land use to Community Purpose Facilities, and therefore permitted in conjunction with each. Within the Eastern Territories ofChula Vista is a portion of the 23,000-acre Otay Ranch. One of the requirements of the Otay Ranch development will be a Child Care Master Plan. This master plan will provide an action plan for the provision of Child Care within the project which currently does not exist in any other project or area of the City. 3.0 ISSUES As stated previously herein, the purpose of the Child Care Element is to provide the overall direction for the provision of adequate child care facilities necessary to serve existing and future developed areas of the city in a coordinated and cost effective manner. This will be accomplished by identifying the key issues that should be addressed in the Element, and establishing goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures in response to each issue. The issue statements may be either opportunities or problems that the city will encounter in providing adequate child care facilities. 1. The San Diego County region needs a proactive child care policy and more collaboration among various councils, committees, agencies, and individuals. Discussion: There is a need to educate the community-at-Iarge to the fact that quality child care is critical to children's health and well-being. Research clearly shows that children who participate in quality child care and early childhood education programs have higher achievement scores, reduced need for special education classes, reduced high school drop out rates, and higher rates of employment compared to children with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. 2. There are insufficient facilities available for infant and schoolage care. 5A-13 Discussion: In Chula Vista the highest priority child care needs, by age of child, are for infants (birth through one year of age) and school age children (ages 5 through 14). Most providers prefer to offer preschool care for children between the ages of 3 and 5 because the hours are more regular for this group and the equipment and staffing are not as costly as for infant care. Affordable, subsidized spaces for child care are the highest priority for all age children, including preschoolers (ages two through four). Specific problems within each age group are noted below: . Infant Care - High quality infant care costs more. Decreased child/adult ratios (less children per adult) translates to higher costs. These costs can not always be covered by the tuition fees paid by parents alone. Employer parental leave policies usually only allow for short leaves often causing parents to return to work soon after birthing. Since so many parents are returning to the workplace so soon a great demand is created for a service that is in very limited supply. Infants are especially vulnerable to poor quality programs which typically focus on physical tasks, ignoring the social and emotional development of the child at a time when this attention is most necessary. Many care-givers, especially in the family day care setting are untrained and often do not have access to current information relating to infant development and group care. High employee turnover rates due to low wages, stress and lack of benefits like health care also make a consistent program and relationship difficult to provide. . School Age Care - Funding, staffing and facilities are all areas of major concerns in all child care, but is especially acute in the school age care segment. Sufficient funding is not available to subsidize care for low income families . When families are forced to make decisions based on finances many are left unattended and "latch-key" children are the result. Staffing at school age programs is problematic because services are required only before and after school and have to be adjusted for various schedules making it difficult to recruit and maintain staff to work these irregular hours. Additionally facilities located close to schools are in short supply for child care use. 5A-14 3, The high costs of establishing and maintaining child care centers are a major factor inhibiting the provision of sufficient child care. Discussion: The obstacles that providers encounter in establishing child care centers are: obtaining financing, high start-up costs, locating affordable spaces to lease or buy, ongoing maintenance and operation, inadequate labor pool, and high child care insurance costs. Due to these limitations, many facilities are never opened, are not situated in the most optimal location. or do not have economical rates. Government funding to help finance or renovate non-profit child care centers has substantially decreased in recent years, further inhibiting the establishment of affordable child care facilities. 4. There is a significant lack of child care spaces available in child care settings for children with special needs and/or exceptional needs. Discussion: Using various sources of local data, including 1990 Census data it is estimated that approximately 25,000 children in San Diego County would qualify as having special needs". While local statistics on the number of special needs children cared for in family day care homes and centers are generally unavailable, inquiries with some child care operators suggest that children of special needs are severely under-provided for in child care settings throughout the County. San Diego County reports 13% of all live births have special needs or are at risk of developmental delay. There is only one working model in the County (Special Care Center) providing care and education for the most medically fragile children. Locally, there will continue to be increases in the number of medically fragile children. There will be a near constant 10-12% of all children in the County who will qualify as having special needs. There needs to be a growing awareness of, and subsequent compliance with, the Americans with Disabilities Act, resulting in increased early integration, and in some cases, full inclusion for children with special needs in child care settings. 5. Currently there are no universally accepted criteria that define quality child care programs. , The Califomia Department of Education defines children with special needs as limited English proficient children, children with exceptional needs, and children that are severely handicapped or at risk of neglect, abuse or exploitation. Exceptional needs children have been determined to be eligible for special education and related selVices by an individual education program team as per special educational requirements. Source: Child Care and Development in San Dieao Countv. FebrualV 1994. 5A-15 Discussion: Locating good quality child care can be a formidable task for parents, even with the assistance of a resource and referral agency. When good quality care is found, it often has a lengthy waiting list, or is not conveniently located or affordable. The fact that there is no national child care policy in effect, affording all children and their families high quality, affordable, convenient child care, has resulted in such a patchwork child care system that, more often than not, misses the mark. Califomia regulations, which are based largely on meeting the minimum Health and Safety Code standards, do not address issues relating to excellence and quality in child care programs. The lack of cohesive child care policies has not only led to fragmentation of services, but to the lack of consistent application of standards regarding quality, health and safety; a lack of subsidized child care and a shortage of quality child care. 6. With the changing work force and shift in demographics, transportation and child care can have a significant impact on commute patterns. Discussion: Today, major transit organizations are considering child care as a key link in plans to relieve congestion, gridlock, air pollution and to promote ride-sharing and transit use. It is now recognized that wise planning considers the transportation needs oftransit-dependent parents, by locating child care near transit centers. Employers, who support child care options at the work place, realize satisfactory child care, reduce absenteeism and tardiness, and increase recruitment and longevity of employment. The City of Chula Vista has provided two telecenter locations (centrally-located work stations, in-lieu of long-range job commuting), and contacts have been made with area child care providers, making child care spaces available for telecenter users if needed. 7. The lack of uniformity in the zoning, planning, and inspection processes within the region, in relation to proposed child care facilities, can pose significant difficulties for child care providers and development teams that deal with the approval process, permits, reviews, and final inspections. Discussion: In order to establish a child care facility, would-be providers must wind their way through state licensing requirements for providers, design and safety standards for buildings, fire regulations, and special staffing and curriculum requirements. On the local level, zoning and special permit policies must be achieved for parking, lot coverage, fire safety, etc. Regulations may easily be listed in as many as eight different state and local codes and ordinances. When development teams, for child care centers, are faced with different zoning and planning policies for each city in the region and the County, 5A-16 ambiguity is created as to specific criteria that must be met to establish a child care facility. This ambiguity, coupled with the complexity of the regulations, the cost of meeting all of the requirements, present formidable obstacles to expanding a community's supply of child care. Furthermore, because of variation in code interpretation by state, fire and city personnel, as well as the timing of approvals and final inspections, some codes, regulations, and inspection processes can negatively impact design quality and facility costs. 8. Increasing child care needs are created by demographic changes and by new development Discussion: Demographic changes such as the increase in working mothers and the changing composition of families are the main factors contributing to the increased need for child care facilities. Population and job opportunities created from new residential and commercial development add to the number of children in need of child care facilities. Demand is increasing faster than supply. 4.0 GOAL, OBJECTIVES & POLICIES The goal and objectives of the Chula Vista Child Care Element reflect the City's desire to achieve quality child care services for those persons in need residing or working in the City. The Element's comprehensive needs analysis and identification of issues form the basis from which Chula Vista developed the goals, objectives, and action plans to address child care needs. Thus, the goals and objectives presented in this section detail specific statements of policy regarding what should or should not take place during the course of the City's development. The policies and implementation measures in this section have been established to promote and guide the provision of Child Care facilities within the City of Chula Vista. It should be recognized that each of these policies and measures cannot be implemented immediately and that staff availability and funding considerations will be determining factors in their timely implementation. Because actual implementation will occur over time, individual projects may be analyzed on the basis of how closely they meet the intent of the Child Care Element. GOAL: ENCOURAGE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE GOOD QUALITY CHILD CARE THAT IS AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL ECONOMIC SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY 5A-17 OBJECTIVE 1: ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO MEET THE EXISTING AND FUTURE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. OBJECTIVE 2: LOCATE CHILD CARE FACILITIES NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS AND WORK PLACES. OBJECTIVE 3: ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR ALL FAMILIES WHO NEED IT, REGARDLESS OF INCOME. OBJECTIVE 4: PROMOTE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN ALL CHILD CARE FACILITIES. POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS: 4.1 QUANTITY AND LOCATION OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES Objective 1: Encourage the provision of adequate child care facilities and services to meet the existing and future needs of the community. Objective 2: Locate child care facilities near homes schools and work places. 4.1.1 Policies 1. The City shall support and assist efforts that ensure the availability of a variety of child care facilities and services in appropriate quantity at the time and place of need. 2. The City shall support and assist in efforts to define the role that new development plays in the demand for child care, and the role it should play in the supply of child care facilities. 3. The City shall encourage the development of child care space within residential and commercial development projects, including new construction and reuse, to meet the needs of residents and employees by adoption of employer/developer program incentives. 4. To effectively meet local demand, the City shall examine opportunities for amending its zoning ordinance to encourage the provision of child care in all areas of the City. 5A-18 5. The City shall consider the location of child care facilities at employment centers and along transit routes to increase the accessibility of services to working parents and low income transit-dependent families. 6. The City shall work in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and other public and private school systems to evaluate opportunities for establishing child care facilities and programs on or near existing and planned schools. 7. The City shall strive to maintain its role as a model employer by aggressively and comprehensively exploring options available to meet the child care needs of its employees. The City should actively seek to demonstrate that employer- sponsored child care has a positive, beneficial and cost-effective influence on the work force. 4.1.2 Implementing Actions Onaoina Evaluation of Child Care Needs While the Child Care Element provides an excellent foundation for understanding existing and future child care needs in the community, the City should establish an ongoing process for evaluating child care needs and ensuring that local child care programs and policies are geared toward meeting the real needs of the community. The following have been identified as possible components of such an evaluation process: 1. Evaluate community needs on an annual basis to gauge the amount and type of child care needed; and make recommendations through the Child Care Commission that are based upon City policy and the gaps between demand and supply. 2. Establish, as a target, the desirable number of available child care spaces, both public and private, that should be located in the City; and coordinate the evaluation of community needs on an annual basis with the Chula Vista Child Care Commission. 3. Advocate that a centralized regional data collection system be established to more accurately analyze the supply, demand and utilization of child care, and further determine specific needs. 5A-19 4. Develop a formula for use in assessing the child care needs created by new development. 5. Consider the feasibility of requiring developers of major residential, commercial, and industrial projects to use the adopted formula to assess the impact of their projects on child care supply and demand in the community as part ofthe project environmental impact report. 6. Conduct commuter surveys to assess the proportion of workers with child transport responsibilities, and to better quantify the child care/transportation link. Locatina New Child Care Facilities The City should evaluate various means by which it can ensure that child care facilities are allowed in locations which are convenient to residents and workers in Chula Vista. This evaluation should include further review of City zoning regulations which may unnecessarily restrict the location of child care facilities, as well as considering the use of schools, churches, public buildings, and other facilities which could be adapted to provide convenient child care locations. Specifically, the following options should be evaluated: Land Use and Zoning Regulations 1. Consider a Municipal Code amendment which will give special consideration to child care facilities wishing to locate in existing, under-utilized school-district or municipal buildings, or proposing adaptive re-use of such facilities for child care programs. 2. Consider modifications to present Municipal Code standards that would permit child care centers in mixed use projects that include residential development. 3. Examine the existing spatial distribution of child care facilities located within the City, and respond, where necessary, with recommendations that ensure such facilities can be developed within different land uses. 4. Evaluate the potential for expanding the number of zoning districts to allow the siting of child care facilities in zones not currently allowed. Particular consideration should be given to opportunities that may exist in the Central Business (C-B) and Limited Industrial zones (I-L), as well as residential zones and areas designated for public and quasi-public land uses. 5A-20 5. Review zoning requirements to ensure that child care is an acceptable land use along transportation routes, and at major employment and housing sites. Schools 6. Explore the establishment of a joint powers agreement between the City and the Elementary School District to facilitate cooperative and coordinated actions geared towards providing on- or near-site child care. 7. Establish partnerships between public, private, private non-profit and parochial schools to offer a safe environment with age and developmentally appropriate activities using subsidized, licensed-exempt locations where possible. 8. Develop and utilize a facilities checklist to assure that future school buildings are designed to accommodate child care, whether in specifically dedicated or shared-use classrooms. Other Public Facilities 9. Consider the inclusion of child care services in new and existing City buildings, such as community centers, if compatible with existing and planned programs. 10. Evaluate the potential for siting relocatable modular units designated for child care use in public parks. Special consideration should be given to before- and after-school programs in parks located near schools, particularly when the school has insufficient space to locate the structures. 11. Where feasible, make vacant or under-utilized City property available to child care providers; lease under-utilized City facilities to non-profit child care providers for a nominal charge. 12. Utilize a facilities checklist to assist in the design, construction and planning of capital improvement projects providing child care space, and in the retro-fitting of existing structures to accommodate shared-use classrooms. 13. Include child care facilities as an amenity to major transportation hubs and origin and destination points by siting facilities at multi-modal stations, park-and-ride lots, trolley stations and other locations accessible to public transportation. 5A-21 Reaulatorv Reform and Permit StreamlininQ In addition to reviewing policies and regulations dealing with the location of new child care facilities, the City should also continue to review and simplify its regulations and procedures for permitting of child care facilities. The Child Care Commission has already completed a preliminary review of City permitting regulations, and has recommended changes that would simplify the process for many types of child care facilities. These recommendations should be implemented as soon as possible. In addition, the City should evaluate the following additional measures which could further simplify the permitting process: 1. Conduct studies to simplify and streamline the development review and approval processes for large family day care home permits by standardizing the siting criteria in certain zoning districts to allow the processing of non-discretionary permits. 2. Consider the designation of an existing staff member in the Planning Department or other development service department as a City "child care specialist" to conduct early review of plans for child care centers. 3. Develop guidelines and a procedural handbook that outlines the criteria to be used by both staff and the applicant in streamlining the permit and development review process. 4. Consider staff participation on the San Diego County child care advisory commissions to assist in establishing acceptable development standards and to identify sources of money for child care. 5. Consider the feasibility of waiving fees for small family day care providers that wish to expand from six to twelve children. 6. Coordinate with state regulatory agencies to review and revise state licensing and local requirements to allow for more flexibility on a case-by-case basis. Incentives for New Development to Provide Locations for Child Care Facilities The review of policies and regulations addressing the location of child care facilities, and permit streamlining measures, as described above, should provide greater flexibility in the siting of new child care facilities, both in developed communities and in new planned communities in Chula Vista. In addition, the City's Community Purpose Facility 5A-22 Ordinance requires developers of new planned communities to designate a certain amount of land to be utilized only for community facilities such as churches, private schools, community centers, and the like; these sites could also accommodate child care facilities. However, the City should consider establishing a program which would provide other incentives for establishment of locations and/or facilities for child care in new development. In developing such a program, the following types of incentives and activities should be considered: 1. Develop a marketing / media campaign for residential, business and commercial and shopping center development to include child care facilities. 2. Grant priority processing for development projects that include an on-site child care facility. 3. Consider a program that evaluates an incentive program that offers a bonus in density or intensity of use for commercial, industrial, and residential projects that provide child care facilities. 4. Integrate child care needs with the local transportation planning process by coordinating efforts between land use and transportation planners. 5. Include the provision of child care facilities as a transportation control measure. 6. Consider the adoption of an ordinance establishing developer impact fees or in- kind contributions of land, facilities, information and referral assistance and/or subsidy vouchers to be used to reduce child care costs, and reconciliation of child care licensing requirements with City requirements and standards. The City's Role as Emplover in Providina Child Care Services The City should consider the development of a child care program for its employees, which could include the following components: 1. Review and publicize City personnel policies and programs related to child care, such as maternity/paternity leave, job-sharing, and negotiated employee benefit plans that use pre-tax dollars for child care reimbursement, such as flexible spending accounts. 2. Offer child care referral services, lunch hour programs and other assistance to employees with child care needs. 5A-23 3. Establish a task force to evaluate child care alternatives for City employees. This task force may coordinate with the City's Child Care Commission on appropriate issues when necessary. 4.2 AFFORDABILlTY OF CHILD CARE SERVICES Objective 3: Encourage the provision of quality child care that is available for all families who need it, regardless of income. 4.2.1 Policy The City supports the concept of affordable child care and shall, as funding becomes available, direct child care assistance programs to those who have a demonstrated need and live and/or work in Chula Vista. 4.2.2 Implementing Actions In addition to the programs described above that are intended to encourage new child care facilities in the City, there is also a need to pursue measures which would bring affordable child care to those who are in need of it. The City should evaluate the following possible actions: 1. Pursue grants at the federal, state and local government level to fund capital improvement projects and start-up and operational expenses for child care centers. 2. Advocate state and federal legislation that will support affordable child care. 3. Encourage employer contributions towards employee child care costs. 4. Evaluate the potential of fund raising programs that target corporations, foundations, individuals and government sources to implement the City's child care strategies, and designate a percentage of these funds for low and moderate income families. 5. Publish a list of public subsidies available for child care providers and funding help resources for families in need. 6. Evaluate the potential for reducing or waiving the fees for new child care projects where the City has simplified permit requirements and review procedures. 5A-24 7. Consider rent free use of park fields to non-profit organizations such as the Girls and Boys Clubs and the YMCA through a joint powers agreement with school districts. 8. Evaluate the potential for funding low interest loans for expansion of city child care programs. 9. Evaluate opportunities to attract subsidized child care providers or grant monies to Chula Vista. 4.3 MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY AND SAFE CHILD CARE SERVICES Objective 4: Promote the safety and welfare of children in all child care facilities. 4.3.1 Policies 1. The City shall encourage and participate in efforts that increase the quality of child care such that all facilities are responsive, interactive, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate. 2. The City shall support and assist in the development of before and after school, and holiday and vacation coverage for "latch key" children, as part of the overall child care program. 4.3.2 Implementing Actions In addition to ensuring that child care is accessible and affordable to the community, the City should also assist in efforts to ensure that child care programs offer safe and high quality programs to meet a variety of needs. While it is recognized that a variety of other agencies and organizations are addressing these needs, the City should evaluate the following possible actions in this area: 1. Advocate the development and adoption of state legislation that maintains adequate minimum standards for the operation of child care facilities and local standards which exceed the state licensing requirements. 2. Encourage efforts at national accreditation as an effort to improve quality in both center and in-home based facilities. 5A-25 3. Participate in efforts to coordinate child care resources in the City by developing a strong network of child care providers, including proprietary, and nonprofit centers, in-home providers and children's service agencies to: a) promote professionalism and quality, b) pool staff resources for staff development, c) create a substitute teacher pool, d) improve buying power for goods and services, and e) act as a voice for the child care industry. 4. Petition the local community college to provide training and education opportunities for child care teachers and providers. 5. Make available to the community information and referral assistance relating to child care. 6. Prepare a brochure for public distribution summarizing available child care services, and state and local application and permitting processes. 5A-26 5.0 REFERENCES Anderson, Gretchen Lee. Removina Barriers to Childcare Facilities Development. A Project of the School of Communication, Health and Human Services, California State University, Northridge in joint venture with The Community Design Center at the University of California, Berkeley. 1993. California Department of Education. Estimatina the Need for Child Care in California. 1993. Chula Vista, City of. General Plan Update. July 1989. Irvine, City of. Child Care - The Irvine Solution, February 1989. Los Angeles, City of. San Diego, City of. San Diego, County of. Palo Alto, City of. Child Care Master Plan. Palo Alto Child Care Task Force and Palo Alto Community Child Care. July 1989. California, Assembly Office of Research. Carina For Tomorrow: A Local Government Guide To Child Care. August 1988. Child Care and Development Committee, San Diego County Commission on Children and Youth. Child Care And Development in San Dieao County, February 1994. YMCA Childcare Resource Service and Child Care Coordinator, County of San Diego, Child Care and Development Fundina Resources, 1993. State of California, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, About Licensees for Child Dav Care Facilities. June 1992. YMCA Child Care Resource Service, Child Care Resource Service and You, May 1991. 5A-27 State of California, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Licensina Information System. Manaaement Information Reauest Listina. March 9, 1994. SANDAG/Source Point, Summary of Population and Housina, Summary Tape File 1. 1992. San Diego Child Care Coalition in cooperation with the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego. Child Care and the WorkDlace: A auide for EmDloyers, Summer, 1992. Santa Clara Intergovernmental Council, Child Care Committee, Child Care in Your City: A Guide for Planners. April 1992. International Child Resource Institute, Child Care Feasibility StudY: Oceanside Transit Center. Chula Vista Bavfront Trolley Station. April 1991. California Child Day Care Act, Eyaluator Manual, January 1992 State of California, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Manual of Policies and Procedures: Child Day Care, July, September, November 1993. Cibulksis, Ann and Ritzdorf, Marsha, Zonina for Child Care, American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service Report Number 422. December 1989. (w:\home\planning\childcre\element4.l TF) EDITION: February 14, 1995 5A-28 QUESTIONS/CONCERNS FROM PUBLIC WORKSHOP COMMENTS RECORDED AT A PUBLIC WORKSHOP HELD ON JANUARY 25, 1995 REGARDING THE DRAFf CHILD CARE ELEMENT WHERE: Hazel Goes Cook Elementary School PRESENTED BY: Child Care Commission Planning and Parks and Recreation Department Staff ................w..,..w..., .;.;.;.:.::,.":::,:,::":":",:,:,,::,:,,:,:,,,,,,,:,:,':'::,::',':':':':':::'::;:,::':':'::,':':',::':.:.;.:./.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.:.:.;.:.:.;.:-:.;.;.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.;.:.;.,.:.:.,.;.:.:., .;.:.:.;.:.,.:.,.,-:-,-,.:.:.;.:.:.:.,.:. Z';"':':"':':"'''':';';':';'''':'; ...............;., ............. :=:)::=;,;=n=;::m=;:;:;::H :::r;::r::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:::::::e:::;::::~::;ii: The following are the questions and comments received at a public workshop, sponsored by the Child Care Commission and City staff, and held on Wednesday, January 25th, at Hazel Goes Cook Elementary School. The workshop was attended by approximately 20 citizens, many of which are currently child care providers. QUESTIONS I CONCERNS: . There are a larger number of K-3 enrolled in YMCA Child Care. . Older children do not want to be with younger children. We need to look at alternatives. . Does the City have a preferrence for one type of child care (e.g., smaIl family vs. center)? . Would the City lower barriers for family day care? . Are any centers in Chula Vista open past 6 p.m.? Many parents work later. . Could a plan be developed so that duplication is avoided in site checks (e.g., County licensing and City permits). . Are there vacant sites or facilities in the City available for non-profit child care? . Are Co-ops included in the Element? . Licensing differs for child care on school grounds. No City permit is required. . Would the City provide a facility and interpreter so that information can get out? Many people do not know of the child care crisis. . Is the City willing to be involved in a referral service? Child Care Element Workshop January 25, 1995 . The YMCA Child Care Referral Service will open an office here in the South Bay soon. . There is as much federal money coming in which can be spent in family day care as in centers (parent choice). . Why not increase spaces by easing licensing? Existing small family day care could expand. . Could the City adopt a "deferred payinent" plan for fees if a small family day care wanted to expand? . Could master plans include development standards that call for equlpmg some strategically located homes with hardware to make them "child care ready," thus reducing the cost to retro-fit if a provider should purchase? These homes could be located near the corner of development. . There is a strong need to get the information out to link the providers with those needing child care. COMMENTS RECEIVED THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE . Most of the Hispanic child care providers in the City of Chula Vista are licensed to provide care for six children. They would like to apply for the Large Family Day Care license to take care of twelve children, however, the City of Chula Vista's fees are too high. The fees are the highest in San Diego County. . Inadequate transportation is an issue for some families that need to take their children to child care. (:\pIbwbbp.nb) 2