HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2010/01/27MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Council Chambers
6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue
January 27, 2010 Chula Vista, California
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL /MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Members Present: Vinson, Bringas, Liuag, Spethman, Moctezuma, Tripp, Felber
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Read into the record by Chair Vinson
November 18, 2009
MSC (Spethman/Tripp) (5-0-2-0) to approve minutes of November 18, 2009 as submitted
with a correction in the spelling of David Krogh's last name. Motion carried with Cmrs.
Bringas and Moctezuma abstaining.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No public input.
CONSENT AGENDA: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Public Hearing PCM 09-17; Consideration of an amendment to the City's
Multiple Species Conservation Program Sub-area Plan
and Section 17.35.050 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code
to clarify the location and extent to which brush
management activities are performed throughout the City.
Background: 6:12:43 PM Glen Laube reported that the MSCP Sub-area Plan is subdivided
into three core Preserve Management Areas (Central City PMA, North City PMA and Otay
Ranch PMA). The proposed amendments include minor text changes to the City's MSCP
Sub-area Plan to clarify the location and extent to which brush management activities are
performed. The amendment to Chapter 17.35.050 of the Municipal Code (Habitat Loss and
Incidental Take Ordinance) will include a new exemption category authorizing brush
management activities to be conducted without having to obtain a Habitat Loss and
Incidental Take Permit. Staff has met with the wildlife agencies to discuss the proposed
changes and they have provided written concurrence that the proposed amendments are
appropriate.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt resolution recommending
that the City Council approve the proposed amendments to Section 7.4.4 and Section
7.4.5.1 of the MSCP Sub-area Plan and an amendment to Section 17.35.050 of the Chula
Vista Municipal Code.
Planning Commission -2- January 27, 2010
Public Hearing Opened and Closed. 6:19:5a PM
Cmr. Tripp asked, if there is a homeowner that needs to clear brush that's within the
preserve, who is responsible for doing it; the homeowner or the City. Additionally, if the
homeowner is responsible for doing it, would a permit be required.
Glen Laube responded that the majority of the preserve is owned and managed by the City.
The Public Works crew goes out on an annual basis to do brush management. For those
developed areas that have open space adjacent to them or on their property, the Fire
Department may issue an Abatement Notice and provides the property owner with
guidelines on how to accomplish it. No permit is required for doing the abatement.
Cmr. Spethman asked if the brush management is being handled in-house or is it being
contracted out. s:z2:aa PM
Ms. Lundstedt stated that it's being contracted out for the perimeter areas. The funding
which provides those contracting services is included in the Community Facilities District
and the Open Space Management District. Based on funding limitations, however, we have
not been able to carry out all three zones and for this reason staff has met with FEMA to
request grants for brush management.
Cmr. Felber asked if the preserve areas that are not owned by the City, are they owned or
managed by an HOA. s:2raa PM
Glen Laube stated that the majority of the preserve canyons are own by the City and as
such the City is responsible for its maintenance. For those internal canyons, most likely they
would be under private ownership and under the management of an HOA. In these cases,
they would be responsible to address any Abatement Notices issued by the Fire
Department.
Cmr. Felber asked how does the HOA or homeowner know what their obligations are.
Ms. Lundstedt stated that staff works together with the Fire Department and when they are
preparing to issue a Notice of Abatement, staff is notified and a copy of the guidelines is
attached to the Notice of Abatement.
MSC (Felber/Bringas) (7-0) that the Planning Commission adopt resolution
recommending that the City Council approve the proposed amendments to Section
7.4.4 and Section 7.4.5.1 of the MSCP Subarea Plan and an amendment to Section
17.35.050 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code. s:32:2t Pnn
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:s:32:aa PM
Mr. Batchelder stated that a joint workshop meeting of the City Council, Planning
Commission and Growth Management Oversight Commission is being planned for April 15~
He asked the Commissioners to please check their calendars and get back to the
Department Secretary with their availability on that day.
Planning Commission -3-
January 27, 2010
COMMISSION COMMENTS: s:3a:ts PM
Cmr. Tripp asked if staff could docket for discussion at a future meeting the protocol for
speaking at a City Council meeting or any other public meeting as a representative of the
Planning Commission. s:3~:as PM
Staff indicated they would look into it and report back at the next regular meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45. The Planning Commission will reconvene to a regular meeting
on February 10, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Vargas
Secretary to the PI ing Commission