HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-22 PC MINS
MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
PLANNING COMMISSION MEEING
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Public Services Building
Council Chambers
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, CA
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL I MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Present:
Absent:
Madrid, Felber, Bensoussan, Nordstrom, Tripp
Hom
MSC (Felber/Tripp) to excuse Cmr. Horn. Motion carried.
Staff Members:
Jim Hare, Assistant Planning Director
Lynette Lopez, Associate Planner
Jill Maland, Deputy City Attorney III
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
January 25, 2006
MSC (FelberlTripp) to approve minutes of January 25, 2006 as submitted. Motion
carried.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Madrid
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Rehearing of ZAV 06-05; A variance request to waive
the one (1) off-street parking space that is required for
an accessory second dwelling unit located at 97 "D"
Street. Applicant: Carl and Leticia Zinno
Background: Lynette Lopez reported that this is a rehearing of ZAV 06-05 because on
February 8, 2006 the Planning Commission denied the variance by a 3 to 1 vote. When
an application is denied by less than four votes, the applicant has a right to a rehearing at
the next Planning Commission meeting, which is what the applicant elected to do.
The application is for a variance to waive the off-street parking requirement. Though the
applicant has met the requirements for the ADU, they would like to preserve landscaping
features that are significant to both the subject property and the early 1900 Craftsman
home located to the east.
Planning Commission Minutes
-2-
February 22, 2006
The approved parking space would require the removal the existing hedge that provides
privacy, a sense of residential character and enhances the quality of both homes. Staff
recl)gnizes the importance of preservation of older neighborhoods and in this instance,
recommends that the Planning Commission consider the constraints to accommodate on-
site parking and the significant benefit to the neighborhood character that will result
through the preservation of the established landscaping on this site.
Staff has encouraged the applicant to continue to negotiate the access easement to
accommodate parking and rear access next to the unit.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission approve ZA V 06-05 based on
the findings of fact contained in the resolution.
6:16:09 PM Public Hearing Open.
6:16:29 PM Susanne Lazaro, 95 D St., Chula Vista asked what assurance or condition could be built
into the resolution that would maintain in perpetuity the assurance that the hedge will not
be removed even if the Zinn's no longer own the house
6:20:10 PM Lynette Lopez responded that the hedge is significant to both properties. In terms of
historic preservation, there is nothing addressing the preservation of hedges and
vegetation. The City is not saying that this is a historic resource, but rather, contributes to
the context of a historic Craftsman home.
Cmr. Tripp inquired if the Craftsman home is currently designated as historic.
Ms. Lopez responded that currently it has not been designated as historic, however, it is
listed in a historic resources inventory done in 1985.
Cmr. Tripp asked the City Attorney if once the variance is granted, is there any legal
requirement for the Zinn's or any future owners to maintain the hedge.
Ms. Maland responded that the variance runs with the land and whatever conditions
contained in the variance will bind subsequent property owners. The variance that is
being considered tonight does not contain any conditions about requiring the hedge to be
maintained, therefore, it wouldn't bind the current or subsequent owners.
6:32:08 PM Mr. Lazaro stated that he is in support of the variance, however, with respect to the hedge
remaining in perpetuity, he stated that the intent of the variance needs to be considered;
that being, that the hedge remain. He stated he is concerned because it appeared to him
that he overheard a construction worker stating that at some future point they will need to
install a pipeline going through where the hedge presently sits, which mean that it would
need to be removed.
Planning Commission Minutes
-3-
February 22, 2006
6:34:14 PM Mr. Zinn stated that the decision to go through the variance process has been an
expensive one and has solely been in an effort to accommodate the Lazaros and to move
his project forward, which has now been under construction for approximately one and a
half years. If the variance is denied, he'll simply put in the parking as approved in the
area where the hedges are. In terms of the piping that Mr. Lazaro allegedly overheard the
workers talking about; he knows nothing about.
6:37:04 PM Public Hearing Closed.
MSC (Felber/Tripp) (5-0-1-0) that the Planning Commission approve ZAV 06-05
based on the findings of fact contained in the resolution with the following change
to Condition #1. under II. Ongoing Conditions:
"If First Avenue is ever extended in a manner that would provide access to the rear
of the parcel, parking for the second dwelling unit shall be required to be
accommodated by the paved area next to the ADU." Motion carried.
Director's Report:
Jim Hare reported that the first meeting of the Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation
Board of Directors will be held on February 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Jill Maland introduced Alicia Casado, newly hired Deputy City Attorney who will be
attending Planning Commission meetings.
6:46:44 PM Meeting adjourned to the next regular Planning Commission meeting on March 8, 2006.
Diana Vargas, Secretary to the Planning Commission