HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm Reports/1983/04/27 AGENDA
City Planning Commission
Chula Vista, California
Wednesday, April 27, 1983 - 5:00 p.m. City Council Chambers
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - SILENT PRAYER
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Tentative subdivision map for Hudson Valley
Estates No. 2, Chula Vista Tract 83-3,
located at the terminus of Las Flores Drive
northerly from 'D' Street -
Sue Hudson
2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA-83-1, Consideration of amendments to the
Municipal Code relating to the definition
of a "family" (Continued)
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
COMMISSION COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT AT to the Regular Business Meeting of May 11, 1983,
at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers
TO: City Planning Commission
FROM: Bud Gray, Director of Planning/~.~
SUBJECT: Staff report on agenda items for Planning Commission Meeting of
April 27, 1983
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of tentative subdivision map for Hudson
Valley Estates No. 2 Chula Vista Tract 83-3- Sue Hudson
A. BACKGROUND
1. The applicant has resubmitted a tentative subdivision map known as
Hudson Valley Estates No. 2, Chula Vista Tract 83-3 (formerly Chula Vista
Tract 79-12, which expired in 1981) in order to subdivide 2.58 acres into nine
(9) lots. The subject property is located on the extension of Las Flores
Drive north of "D" Street in the R-1 zone. (Note: The tentative map is
identical to the previously approved tentative map.)
2. An Initial Study, IS-79-58, of possible adverse environmental impacts
of the project was conducted by the Environmental Review Coordinator on May
17, 1979. The Environmental Review Coordinator concluded that there would be
no significant environmental effects and recommended adoption of the Negative
Declaration.
B. RECOMMENDATION
1. Find that this project will have no significant environmental impacts
and readopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS 79-58.
2. Based on the findings contained in Section "E" of this report, adopt
a motion recommending that the City Council approve the tentative
subdivision map for Hudson Valley Estates No. 2, Chula Vista Tract
83-3, subject to the following conditions:
a. The developer shalll be responsible for the construction of full
street improvements in Las Flores Drive as shown on the
Tentative Map within the subdivision boundary and to a line 10
feet east of the centerline of said street along said portion.
The subdivider shall be responsible for dedicating 40 feet of
the 56 feet of ultimate right-of-way for Las Flores Drive within
and along the subdivision boundary prior to recordation of the
Final Map. The cul-de-sac radius shall be 50 feet instead of
the 48 feet shown on the Tentative Map.
b. The developer shall be responsible for the construction of
offsite improvements to provide access from "D" Street to the
subdivision. Said improvements shall include, but not be
limited to: A.C. pavement 24 feet in width, AC dike, and street
lights. The subdivider shall be responsible for dedicating 30
feet of the 52 feet of ultimate right-of-way for Las Flores
Drive from "D" Street to the southerly subdivision boundary
prior to approval of the Final Map.
City Planning Commission Page 2
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983
c. The developer shall obtain notarized letters of permission to
grade offsite prior to approval of the Final Map.
d. The developer shall dedicate an additional 4 feet of
right-of-way for street purposes to the City along Second Avenue
adjacent to lots 1 and 2.
e. The developer shall be responsible for the construction of the
storm drain in Las Flores Drive adjacent to the subdivision.
The developer shall also be responsible for the construction of
offsite drainage facilities as determined by the City Engineer.
The developer shall acquire and dedicate to the City, all
necessary offsite easements and right-of-way for the
construction and maintenance of the required drainage facilities
prior to approval of the Final Map. The developer may request a
reimbursement district and repayment diagram for those portions
of the storm drain which benefit other properties.
f. The owner shall grant to the City easements for street tree
purposes to the City along Second Avenue and Las Flores Drive.
Easements shall be of sufficient width to provide for a total of
l0 feet behind the sidewalk.
g. The grades on Las Flores Drive shall be subject to approval by
the City Engineer. Las Flores Drive shall be constructed at
such elevations as to he passable by vehicles during the 100
year storm. The lowest habitable floor of each dwelling shall
be at least one foot above the 100 year water surface elevation.
h. The owner shall dedicate to the City, by grant deeds, one foot
control lots in Las Flores Drive as determined hy the City
Engineer prior to approval of the Final Map.
i. The developer shall notify the City at least 60 days prior to
consideration of the Final Map by City Council if offsite
right-of-way or easement cannot be obtained as reauired by
conditions of approval. {Only offsite right-of-way or easements
covered by Section 66462.5 of the Subdivision Map Act are
covered by this condition}.
After said notification, the developer shall:
1. Enter into an agreement to complete offsite improvements
and pay the full cost of acquiring offsite right-of-way or
easements required by the conditions of approval of the
Tentative Map. The developer shall agree to complete said
offsite improvements at such time as the City acquires an
interest in the land which will permit the improvements to
be made. The developer shall provide surety for said
improvements at such time as the right-of-way or easement
is obtained by the City. The amount to be in accordance
with Code requirements.
City Planning Commission Page 3
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983
2. Deposit with the City the estimated cost of acquiring said
right-of-way or easements. Said estimate to be approved by
the City Engineer.
3. Have all easement and/or right-of-way documents and plats
prepared and appraisals complete which are necessary to
commence condemnation proceedings.
The requirements of 1 and 2 above shall be accomplished prior to
approval of the Final Map.
All offsite requirements which fall under the purview of Section
66462.5 of the State Subdivision Map Act will be waived if the City
does not comply with the 90 day time limitation specified in that
section of the Act.
j. The developer shall submit plans for the private driveway
serving lots 3, 8 and 9. The plan shall contain a typical
section, private sewer, finished centerline grade, and a profile
of the storm drain under the roadway.
k. The developer shall include in CC&R's for the subdivision
provisions for maintenance of the private driveway, sewer
facilities, and parking areas.
1. The Final Map shall indicate any required reciprocal access and
utility easement required by the City Engineer.
m. Should an assessment district be formed which includes
improvements and right-of-way required by conditions of approval
for this subdivision prior to Final Map approval, those
conditions shall be considered as fulfilled to the extent that
said required improvements are included in the district.
n. The developer shall install street lights along Las Flores Drive
as directed by the City Engineer and on Second Avenue at "C"
Street and in the cul-de-sac.
o. The developer shall establish joint access easements for the 21
foot wide drive area serving Lots 3, 8, and 9.
C. DISCUSSION
1. Existing site characteristics.
The 2.58 acre project site is located on the west side of the extension of
Las Flores Drive approximately 1,250 feet north of "D" Street. The property,
with an average natural slope of 15% and a maximum slope of 60%, is located on
the east facing slope of a canyon lying between Second and Minot Avenues. A
portion of the property at the floor of the canyon below the elevation of 35
feet, lies within the 100 year flood level of the Sweetwater River flood
City Planning Commission Page 4
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983
plain. The site is vacant except for some small wooden storage sheds, pepper
trees and a portion of a large eucalyptus grove. Essentially, the property is
"U" shaped with the frontage along Second Avenue interrupted in the center by
an 85' x 140' parcel which is developed with a single family dwelling.
2. Tentative subdivision map.
The developer proposes to divide the property into nine lots with a
minimum lot size of 7,000+ sq. ft. Two of the lots will front on Second
Avenue and the remaining seven lots will gain access via Las Flores Drive.
Four of the lots have 59 feet of lot frontage along Las Flores Drive and the
remaining three lots, directly to the rear and west of the four lots, receive
access via a 21 ft. wide easement located between lots 5 and 6. Panhandle
lots are allowed, provided they meet the criteria set forth in Section
19.22.150 of the Municipal Code. In addition, the developer will be required
to establish joint access easements for the driveway serving the three
panhandle lots.
The lots along Las Flores will be raised a minimum of one foot above the
100 year flood level by importing approximately 13,000 cubic yards of fill.
In addition, the Negative Declaration on IS-79-8 requires Las Flores Drive to
be set at an elevation which would result in a maximum inundation of l-l/2
feet on the road during a 100 year flood and the elimination of ponding during
a l0 year storm. This requirement will result in Las Flores Drive being
raised higher than many of the abutting properties on both sides of the street
north of "D" Street.
The proposed elevation of Las Flores Drive would preclude the development
of adjoining properties without substantial fill being placed on each site.
If properties were graded on an individual basis, numerous drainage problems
would likely occur. Therefore, the developer intends to fill not only the
project site but the abutting areas which are presently subject to inundation.
An additional 4 feet of right-of-way will be dedicated along the frontage
of the two lots on Second Avenue. A portion of Las Flores Drive will be
dedicated and a temporary cul-de-sac provided at the north end of the street.
3. Hudson Valley Estates No. 1.
The developer also has an approved tentative subdivision map, Hudson
Valley Estates No. l, for the division of 3.37 acres into l0 lots, located
approximately 420 feet to the south of this project. Development of the two
subdivisions is contingent upon connecting the proposed sewer into an outfall
sewer line, which is presently not available. The outfall sewer is scheduled
for installation within the next year or two.
City Planning Commission Page 5
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983
4. Requirements.
The developer must comply with the following requirements:
a. The developer shall plant street trees along Las Flores Drive and
Second Avenue. The species, location and number shall be determined
by the City Engineer.
b. The developer shall pay Traffic Signal Participation fees in
accordance with City Council Policy prior to issuance of building
permits.
c. The developer shall pay a frontage charge for the Las Flores Drive
sewer of approximately $6,900 as provided in Section 13.16.170 of the
Municipal Code plus connection fees prior to issuance of building
permits.
d. The developer shall pay Spring Valley sanitation fees or $130.00 per
acre prior to approval of the Final Map.
e. The developer shall underground all existing overhead facilities
lying within the subdivision. All utilities serving the subdivision
shall be undergrounded.
f. All grading work shall be done in accordance with the City of Chula
Vista Landscape Manual and Grading Ordinance 1797 as amended.
g. The developer shall comply with all applicable sections of the Chula
Vista Municipal Code. Preparation of the Final Map and all plans
shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Map
Act, Subdivision Ordinance and the Subdivision Manual of the City of
Chula Vista.
h. Pay the Residential Construction Tax fee of $450 per unit, plus $25
for each bedroom in excess of one bedroom, prior to thte issuance of
any building permit.
i. Pay the Park Acquisition and Development fee of $300 per unit prior
to recordation of final map.
j. Two fire hydrants are required. The required fire flow shall be 1000
GPM.
D. ANALYSIS
The most southerly lot on Second Avenue represents the most difficult lot to
develop because the majority of the site is on a 60% grade and will require
special construction techniques to support the building. It should be noted
that the terrain is similar to the lot located directly to the north which was
developed with a single family home a number of years ago.
The creation of the three panhandle lots will allow the developer to utilize a
portion of the property which was previously incorporated into the four lots
fronting Las Flores Drive in an earlier subdivision design. The new layout
makes a much more efficient use of the property.
City Planning Commission Page 6
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983
E. FINDING
Pursuant to Section 66473.5 of the Subdivision Map Act, the tentative
subdivision map for Hudson Valley Estates No. 2, Chula Vista Tract 83-3, is
found to be in conformance with the various elements of the City's General
Plan based on the following:
1. The site is physically suitable for the residential development and
the proposal conforms to all standards established by the City for
such projects.
2. The design of the subdivision will not affect the existing
improvements -- streets, sewers, etc. -- which have been designed to
avoid any serious problems.
3. The project is in substantial conformance with the Chula Vista
General Plan Elements as follows:
a. Land Use - The General Plan designates this site for Medium
Density Residential development (4-12 dwelling units per gross
acre). The proposed project density of 3.9 dwelling units per
acre is consistent with this designation.
b. Circulation - The development will extend Las Flores Drive in
conformance with General Plan standards.
c. Housing - Inasmuch as the subdivision contains fewer than 50
lots, it is exempt from the requirement to address the need to
provide 10% of the units for low and moderate income families.
d. Conservation Open Space, Parks and Recreation - None of the
areas proposed for conservation or open space on the various
plan diagrams of the General Plan are affected by the subject
proposal. The developer will be assessed fees in lieu of park
land dedication.
e. Seismic Safety and Safety - The development is not adjacent to
any known fault systems. Extension of public improvements,
right-of-way widths, and turn-arounds meet or exceed element
standards. Although a portion of the property is within the
Sweetwater Valley 100 year flood plain, the preliminary grading
plan indicates dwelling units will be elevated above said flood
level.
f. Noise - The lots will not be subject to objectionable noise
levels.
g. Scenic Highway - The site does not abut a Scenic Highway or
gateway.
City Planning Commission Page 7
Agenda I~ems for Meeting of April 27, 1983
h. Bicycle Routes - No bicycle routes are proposed on or adjacent
to this site.
k. Public Buildings - Public buildings are neither proposed nor
required on the site.
4. Pursuant to Section 66412.2 of the Subdivision Map Act, the
Commission certifies that it has considered the effect of this
approval on the housing needs of the region and has balanced those
needs against the public service needs of the residents of the City
and the available fiscal and environmental resources.
WPC 0301P/OO14Z
AL:fpp
NIXON. PL ~ r ...... -J
CONDITIONAL
NEGATIVE DECLAFtAT ON
PROJECT TITLE: HUDSON VALLEY ESTATES ~2 SUBDIVISION
Project Location: NORTHERLY OF LAS FLORES AND SECOND AVE.
Project Proponent: POLETTA SUE HUDSON
14 BARCELONA DR. RANCHO MIRAGE, CA 9227~
CASE NO. IS-79-58 DATE: MAY 9, 1979
A. PROdECT SETTING
THE PROJECT INVOLVES 2.58 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG THE WESTERN
SLOPE OF A CANYON BETWEEN THE NORTHERLY EXTENSION OF LAS FLORES DR.
AND SECOND AVE. CURRENTLY THE SITE IS DEVELOPED WITH ONE SINGLE
FAMILY DWELLING, FRONTING ON SECOND AVE. AND SEVERAL SMALL, WOODEN
SHEDS LOCATED ON THE SLOPE OF THE CANYON. ADdACENT USES INCLUDE
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ALONG SECOND AVE., VACANT LAND TO THE NORTH,
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES TO THE EAST ALONG MINOT AVE. AND VACANT PROPERTY
ALONG THE EAST SLOPE OF THE CANYON, AND HORSE STABLES AND CORRALS
TO THE SOUTH ON THE ADdACENT WESTERN SLOPE OF THE CANYON.
THE SUBJECT PROPERTY HAS AN AVERAGE NATURAL SLOPE OF 15% AND MAXIMUM
SLOPE OF 6~%. RUNOFF FROM SECOND AVE. DRAINS DOWN /HE CANYON WALL
TO THE FLOOR OF THE CANYON AND PROCEEDS NORTH TO THE SWEETWATER RIVER
FLOOR PLAIN. HOWEVER, ELEVATIONS (35 FT. ELEVATION AND BELOW) OF
THE SITE ARE WITHIN THE 1~ YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AND ARE SUBdECT TO
INUNDATION AND PROLONGED PONDING.
THE SITE IS COVERED WITH NATIVE VEGETATION AND MOST LIKELY SUPPORTS
WILDLIFE PERVALENT IN OPEN CANYON AREAS WITH LIMITED HUMAN ACCESS.
A LARGE GROVE OF MATURE EUCALYPTUS TREES IS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN
PORTION OF THE SITE WHICH EXTENDS EASTERLY AND SEVERAL LARGE CALIF.
PEPPER TREES ARE LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PROPERTY.
THERE ARE NO KNOWN GEOLOGIC HAZARDS WITHIN THE PROJECT VICINITY,
HOWEVER, UNCOMPACTED FILL AREAS AND EXPANSIVE SOILS ARE PRESENT.
B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO SUBDIVIDE THE SUBJECT P~OPERTY INTO 6
SEPARATE PARCELS AND CONSTRUCT SIX SINGLE FAMILY ~OMES. TWO LOTS
WILL FRONT ON SECOND AVE. AND THE REMAINING FOUR LOTS WILL FRONT
ALONG LAS FLORES DR. CONSTRUCTION PADS FOR THE FOUR DWELLINGS UNITS
TO BE LOCATED WITHIN THE FLOOR PLAIN WILL BE RAISED TO THE 36 FT.
· ELEVATION ONE FOOT ABOVE THE 1~ YEAR FLOOD PLAIN ELEVATION. A 1~ FT.
WIDE DRAINAGE EASEMENT AND 18" CMP CULVERT WILL BE PROVIDED TO FACILITATE
STORM RAIN OFF INTO THE CANYON. DEDICATION OF LAND FOR STREET
PURPOSES AND ASSOCIATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE INSTALLED ON SECOND
AVE. AND LAS FLORES DR. SEWER HOOK-UP WILL CONNECT WITH THE SYSTEM
CURRENTLY BEING INSTALLED TO REPLACE THE ROSEBANK PUMPING STATION.
C. COMPATIBILITY WITH ZONING AND PLANS
THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION WILL RESULT IN A NET DENSITY OF 2.5 DU/AC
WHICH IS IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE CURRENT R-1 ZONING AND MEDIUM DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN.
D. IDENTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
1. SOILS
A SOILS REPORT PREPARED FOR THE SUBdECT PROPERTY, INDICATES
THAT ON-SITE SOILS CONSIST OF LOOSE ALLUVIUM, UNCOMPACTED FILL
AND TERRACE DEPOSITS. TO ENSURE STABLE CONSTRUCTION~ RECOMMENDA-
TIONS AS STATED IN THE SOILS REPORT SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO
THE PROdECT.
2. NOISE
A NOISE ANALYSIS OF NOISE GENERATED BY VEHICLE TRAFFIC ON SECOND
AVE. WAS CONDUCTED. THIS ANALYSIS iNDiCATES THAT LOTS ! AND 2
(AS DESCRIBED ON THE TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP)~ ADdACENT TO
SECOND AVE. WILL BE SUBdECTED TO UNACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVELS
GIVEN AN EST[MATED 9~ ADT FOR SECOND AVE. IN !99~. A NOISE
ANALYSIS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY A QUALIFIED ACOUSTICIAN TO VERIFY
EXTERIOR NOISE LEVELS AND SUBSEQUENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTION
OF EXTERIOR NOISE LEVELS (TO MEET A 45 DB iNTERiOR NOISE
ISOLATION LEVEL) SHOULD BE iNCORPORATED iNTO THE PROdECT.
3. LAND FORM AESTHETICS
THE PROdECT ENTAILS SUBSTANTIAL GRADING. TO REDUCE POTENTIAL
SILTATION AND INSURE AESTHETIC QUALITY, MANUFACTURED SLOPES
SHOPES SHOULD BE GRADED TO BLEND WITH THE EXiSTiNG CONTOURS
OF THE NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY BY USE OF VARIABLE SLOPE RATIOS AND
ROUNDING OF TOP AND SIDE SLOPES. HYDROSEEDING AND OTHER PLANTING
WITH NATIVE MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED TO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE
AESTHETIC IMPACT OF LAND FORM CHANGE AND RETAIN A MORE RURAL
APPEARANCE AS WELL AS MINIMIZE WATER CONSUMPTION.
4. FLOOD HAZARD
LOWER PADS AND LAS FLORES STREET IMPROVEMENTS ARE LOCATED WITHIN
THE SWEETWATER RIVER 1~ YEAR FLOOD PLAIN. THE APPLICANT PROPOSES
TO RAISE THE DWELLING PADS TO 1 FT. ABOVE THE FLOOD LEVEL TO AVOID
FLOOD HAZARD.
THE SEWER SYSTEM WILL NAVE TO BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE
INFLOW OF WATER DURING INUNDATION AND DESIGNED IN'CONFORMANCE
WITH THE FLOOD PLAIN ORDINAINCE.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE DWELLING UNITS,
THE TRAVEL LANES OF THE PROPOSED STREET WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE
AT AN ELEVATION WHICH WILL RESULT IN ABOUT ONE AND ONE HALF FT.
OF INUNDATION DURING A 1~ YEAR FLOOD AND HAVE NO PONDING
DURING A 1~ YEAR FLOOD.
5, SCHOOLS
LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING OVER CAPACITY. THE
FOLLOWING CHART CONTAINS THE MOST CURRENT SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
AND CAPACITY FIGURES AND NUMBER OF NEW STUDENTS ANTICIPATED DUE
TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
NEW STUDENTS
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT CAPACITY FROM PROJECT
ROSEBANK 491 476 4
HILLTOP dR. HIGH 14~4 144~ 2
HILLTOP SR. HIGH 1499 1484 1
THE PROPONENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONFORM TO THE PUBLIC
FACILITIES POLICIES OF THE GENERAL PLAN. THIS WILL INCLUDE
THE SUBMISSION OF LETTERS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
6. PARKS
THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO DEDICATED PARK FACILITIES WITHIN THE PARK
DISTRICT 2.~I WHERE THE PROJECT IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED.
GIVEN THE POPULATION OF THIS DISTRICT PARK ACREAGE REQUIREMENTS
IS 3.6 ACRES. BASED ON THE CITY'S PARK ACREAGE REQUIREMENT FACTOR
OF 2 ACRES/I~ POPULATION, APPROXIMATELY .~34 ACRES OF PARKLAND
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SERVE THE PROJECT.
THE PROJECT PROPONENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY FEES IN LIEU OF
.PARKLAND DEDICATION. THESE FEES WILL BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE
AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF PARK FACILITIES IN THE. AREA OF THIS PROJECT.
E. MITIGATION NECESSARY TO AVOID SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
1. RECOMMENDATIONS STATED WITHIN THE PREPARED SOILS REPORT
SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT.
2. AN ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS SHOULD BE PREPARED AND SUBSEQUENT
RECOMMENDATIONS INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT.
3. GRADING AND HYDROSEEDING SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED AS DESCRIBED
IN SECTION D3 OF THIS NEGATIVE DECLARATION.
4. BUILDINGS PADS SHOULD BE RAISED ABOVE THE FLOOD PLAIN LEVEL
AND LAS FLORES DR. DESIGNED TO AVOID FLOOD DAMAGE.
THE SEWER SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE
INFLOW OF WATER DURING INUNDATION AND DESIGNED IN CONFORMANCE
WITH THE FLOOD PLAIN ORDINAINCE.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE DWELLING UNITS,
THE TRAVEL LANES OF THE PROPOSED STREET WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE
AT AN ELEVATION WHICH WILL RESULT IN ABOUT ONE AND ONE HALF FT.
OF INUNDATION DURING A 1~ YEAR FLOOD AND HAVE NO PONDING
DURING A 1~ YEAR FLOOD.
5. WRITTEN ASSURANCE OF CLASSROOM SPACE FROM THE APPROPRIATE
SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE REQUIRED.
6. PARK FEES WI'LL BE REQUIRED.
F. FINDINGS OF INSIGNIFICANT IMPACT
1. THE PROOECT WILL NOT REMOVE ANY SIGNIFICANT VEGETATION AND
THERE ARE NO KNOWN NATURAL OR MAN-MADE RESOURCES PRESENT.
BUILDING SITES WILL BE RAISED ABOVE THE 1~ YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AND
RECOMMENDATIONS STATED WITHIN A PREPARED SOILS REPORT WILL BE
FOLLOWED TO MITIGATE SOILS AND SLOPE STABILITY RELATED IMPACTS.
AESTHETIC QUALITY OF RESULTING LAND FORM WILL ALSO BE ENSURED
BY PRESCRIBED MITIGATION.
2. THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION IS IN BASIC CONFORMANCE WITH THE
LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE CHULA VISTA GENERAL PLAN AND WILL NOT
ACHIEVE SHORT TERM TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL
GOALS.
3. IMPACTS CAN BE MITIGATED AND NONE ARE ANTICIPATED TO OCCUR
WHICH COULD INTERACT TO CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL CUMULATIVE EFFECT
ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
4. CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED SIX UNITS WILL NOT RESULT IN
ANY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN VEHICLE TRAFFIC NOR WILL ANY
APPRECIABLE INCREASE IN RELATED NOISE OR POLLUTANTS RESULT.
G. CONSULTATZON
1. INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS
CITY OF CHULA VISTA D. d. PETERSON
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
BILL ULLRICH
ASSOC. ENG.
TED MONSELL
FIRE CAPTAIN
GENE GRADY
DIRECTOR OF BUILDING 8 HOUSING
MERRITT HODSON
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL COMMISSIONER
POLETTA SUE HUDSON - APPLICANT
2. DOCUMENTS
EIR-78-1 HUDSON VALLEY ESTATES 01
IS-79-35 FUENTEZ PARCEL MAP
CHULA VISTA IMPROVEMENTS PLANS
The Initial Study Application and evaluation forms documenting the
findings of no significant impact are on file and available for publ.ic
review at the Chula Vista Planning Dept., 276 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA.
EN 3 (rev. 5/77)
City Planning Commission
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983 Page 8
2. PUBLIC HEARING: ~Continued) PCA-83-1, Consideration of amendments to the
MuniciPal Code relating to the definition of a "family"
A. BACKGROUND
This item was continued from the Planning Commission meeting of March 9,
1983 to allow the City Attorney to prepare a revision to the proposed
amendment of the family definition which would substitute language controlling
or prohibiting land uses such as fraternities and transient residential
operations from locating in the single family zones. The Attorney's office
prepared three alternatives for the Commission's consideration (see attached
memo).
B. RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a motion recommending that the City Council enact an ordinance
amending the Municipal Code as follows:
1.Amend Section 19.04.032 to read as follows:
19.04.032 Boardinghouse or lodging house
~y "~Boardinghouse or lodging house" ~/Y~/~d~ means a
dwelling or part thereof, (not including rest homes, convalescent
homes, bed care, supervision and other special care, such as
counseling) where meals and/or lodging are provided (but not separate,
cooking facilities), for compensation and with not more than five (5)
guest rooms and ten (lO) persons total.
2. Amend Section 19.04.092 Family (DEFINITIONS)to read as follows.
"Family" means an individual; or two or more persons, ~}}/~$/~
~ related by blood, marriage or adoption, or a group ~f/~%
~f~l~l~f~l~f~l~l~d~l~Y~l~l~l~lf~l~
~/~/f~/~%~J including unrelated individuals
bearing the generic character of and living together as a relatively
permanent bona fide housekeeping unit sharing such needs as cooking-
facilities.
//// : Deletions
: Additions
City Planning Commission
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983 Page 9
3. Delete Section 19.04.105 Group residence {DEFINITIONS).
4. Amend Section 19.04.112 to read as follows:
19.04.112 Hotel
"Hotel" means a building or group of buildings comprising six (6) or
more individual sleeping or living units without kitchens, except as
o-'~)T~rwise provided herein, for the accommodation of transient guests.
5. Revise Section 19.28.040 Conditional uses (R-3 ZONE), paragraph B,
hy deleting group residences and add boarding or lodging houses.
6. Delete Section 19.58.172 (USES) pertaining to group residences.
C. DISCUSSION
The three alternatives offered by the City Attorney's office can be
summarized as follows:
Alt. No. 1 - Repeal the definition of a family and amend the Purpose
section of the R-1 zone to prohibit boardinghouses and
requiring that fraternities and similar organizations be
allowed only by conditional use permit.
Alt. No. 2 - Repeal the definition of a family.
Alt. No. 3 - Modify the definition of a family as originally proposed by
the Planning Department at the March 9 Planning Commission
meeting.
The City Attorney's office is recommending that the Planning Commission
adopt Alternative No. 1.
In reviewing the City Attorney's recommendation, the Planning Department
has concluded that:
1. There is no need to revise the purpose of the R~l zone to prohibit
boardinghouses and note that fraternities, etc. are subject to
conditional use permits because the zoning ordinance and adopted land
use chart clearly defines the uses that are allowed and the purpose
of the zone.
2. Deleting "group residence" as a land use and as a definition requires
the redefining of boardinghouses and lodging houses with appropriate
changes to the R-3 zone as well.
The Planning Department is recommending that boarding and lodging
houses be limited to five guest rooms and ten guests. This type of
lodging would be allowed in the R-3 zone by conditional use
City Planning Commission
Agenda Items for Meeting of April 27, 1983 Page 10
permit whereas larger facilities (six or more guest rooms) would he
classified as a hotel requiring commercial zoning. These definitions
and limitations are consistent with other municipal agencies in the
County.
3. Deleting the definition of a "family" is not a desirable action
because it leaves the City in a weaker position of enforcing
violations within the R-1 zone. (Reference the City Attorney's memo,
page 2, paragraph 3.) Therefore, it is recommended that the
definition of family be amended as proposed in the March 9 staff
report (see recommendation no. 2 of this report).
WPC 0274P
DATE: March 24, 1983
TO: Ken Lee, Principal Planner
FROM: Tom Harron, Assistant City Attorney /~//"h~/'/
SUBJECT: Family Zoning
As you know at the March 9th Planning Commission meeting, the
Commission rejected a proposed amendment to the definition of
"family" in the Zoning Ordinance. That amendment would have
eliminated the current restriction on more than three unrelated
individuals occupying a single family dwelling in the R-1 zone.
In its place the amendment would have allowed an indefinite number
of persons who constitute a "bonafide single housekeeping unit".
The Commission directed me to take a different approach and to
focus on those activities we wish to prohibit from the R-1 zone
rather than try to amend the definition of "family" in a way which
sets forth all the permitted uses.
When we go back to the Planning Commission I recommend that we
offer them three alternatives. The first alternative will be to
repeal the definition of "family" contained in Section 19.04.092
of the Code, and to amend Section 19.24.010 which sets forth the
purpose of the R-1 zone. The amendment would be to add the
following:
The R-1 zone is limited to residential uses.
Institutional uses such as fraternities, sororities,
clubs and similar uses are not allowed except with a
conditional use permit. Transient uses such as
boarding houses are not allowed (except as an
accessory use.)
This definition would meet the standard required by the Santa
Barbar~ and ~ decisions in that it would allow an unrelated
group to reside in the R-1 zone when they use the dwelling as a
traditional family would.
The second alternative which I would offer would be to merely
repeal the definition of family found in Section 19.04.092. The
principal restriction left in the R-1 zone would be the
restriction found in Section 19.24.020 which limits the R-1 zone
to single family dwellings.
Ken Lee
March 21, 1983
Page 2
This alternative would be a very safe approach fro~ a legal
standpoint. The California Supreme Court in the Santa Barbara
case stated, "In general, zoning ordinances are much less suspect
when they focus on the use than when they command inquiry into who
are the users". As I have previously explained to the Commission,
this statement was dicta. Dicta is a statement made by the Court
which is not necessary to the ultimate holding of a case, and is
not, therefore, the law. Dicta, nevertheless, gives an insight
into the way the Court thinks, and gives a good indication of the
way the Court would rule if the issue dicussed ultimately comes
before it. I recently heard one attorney with a great deal of
experience practicing before the Supreme Court say that the surest
way get a hearing before the Court is to characterize one of their
recent statements as dicta.
The third alternative I would offer would be the staff proposal
that was rejected at the March 9th hearing. I'm not trying to
breathe any new life into this alternative, but I would offer it
just for the sake of comparison.
Both the first and second alternatives are sanctioned by the
decisions of the Court in the Santa Barbara and Pa~ard cases.
There are some disadvantages attached to all three. The amendment
which would leave us with a restriction on the type of building
which may be constructed in the R-1 zone would force us to go
after obnoxious uses through enforcement of our Noise Ordinance
and related regulations. The problem with this approach is that
it is not very effective and it is very time consuming. In order
to successfully prosecute a noise violation, there must be more
than one instance of a noise problem. All residential uses
occasionally create some noise. Even the traditional family with
their occassional parties could technically be in violation.
Noise becomes a nuisance when its continuing nature makes it
unreasonable for the neighbors. In order to reach this point,
there has to be several instances of noise. In the meantime, the
neighbors tend to get very upset. Once we are able to show that
there is a continuing noise problem and we file a complaint, there
are often delays associated with the Court. Typically, as the
Court date draws near, the noise will stop. The defendant will
testify that the noise has stopped and the prosecution witnesses
have to concede that this is true. The guilty verdict will draw a
light sentence which is normally suspended on the condition that
the violation not occur again within a one year period. This
light treatment by the Court sometimes encourages defendants to
continue creating the noise. It also is very frustrating for the
complaining neighbors.
Ken Lee
March 21, 1983
Page 3
The approach exemplified by alternatives 1 and 3 which limits the
R-1 zone to traditional residential uses with the exception that
unrelated groups who live together like a family are now permitted
is not without its enforcement problems. The difficulty will come
in distinguishing a group of young unrelated adults who constitute
a "bonafide single housekeeping unit" from one which is using a
residence primarily as a party house. In close cases, we would
probably have to take action against them through enforcement of
the Noise Ordinance.
In conclusion, based on the previous action of the Planning
Commission, I would recommend that we adopt Alternative 1 and
repeal the definition of family while adding a restriction on uses
which are not primarily residential in character.
TJH:clb