HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2009/10/28MINUTES OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
6:00 p.m.
October 28, 2009
Council Chambers
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, California
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL /MOTIONS TO EXCUSE:
Members Present: Vinson, Spethman, Tripp, Felber
Member Absent: Moctezuma
MSC (Spethman/Felber) to ex~
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
CONSENT AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Public Hearing: 6:08:58 PM
:use Cmr. Moctezuma. Motion carried.
Waived.
No public input.
None
PCM 09-23; Consideration of an update to the City's Air
Quality Improvement Plan Guidelines.
Glen Laube reported that the Growth Management Ordinance requires an AQIP be
submitted with all SPA Plans and projects consisting of 50 or more dwelling units for the
purpose of demonstrating that the proposed project represents the best available design to
improve air quality and energy efficiency. Tonight's action requests the Planning
Commission recommend that the City Council approve the updates to the AQIP Guidelines,
which reflect advancements in quantitative modeling procedures, smart growth design
principles, and updates to minimum baseline scores that projects must meet.
Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCM 09-23
recommending that the City Council adopt the updates to the City of Chula Vista Air Quality
Improvement Plan Guidelines.
6:24:22 PM Cmr. Tripp stated it appears that this is an added process that is duplicative of
CEQA review; he asked if air quality is a CEQA threshold that staff looks at when reviewing
a projects.
Glen Laube stated that air quality is a threshold under CEQA with a separate set of criteria
and evaluates actual impacts of a development. This plan is to guide developers early in
the planning stages and it relates more to the internal connectivity of how a SPA Plan is
designed, ensuring energy efficiency and reduction in emissions by designing walkable
communities less dependent on vehicles. The goal in this early planning effort would be
reduced impacts you would see later going through the CEQA process.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - October 28, 2009
6:34:42 PM Cmr. Spethman asked how these guidelines relate to the west side of the City,
specifically, small infill projects.
Staff indicated that these guidelines are intended for large-scale major project
developments, which typically are in the eastern part of the city.
Cmr. Spethman expressed concern with encumbering the developer with over-regulating the
design of small infill projects in the west. He requested that when staff begins to look into it
that they lay out clear and specific directive of what those requirements might be and have
input from the Commission before they move forward with a recommendation for adoption.
6:39:39 PM Cmr. Vinson asked if these proposed guidelines have had the benefit of any
public stakeholders input, i.e. developers.
Ed Batchelder responded that no public outreach has been conducted, however, there are
two SPA Plans that are currently being processed by Otay Land Company, and they are
aware of the guidelines.
6:53:19 PM Public Hearing Opened and Closed.
6:53:49 PM Commission Comments.
The Commission questioned the purpose and value of the AOIP and expressed concern
that the emphasis on computer modeling could diminish the City's responsibility to apply
sound planning practices during project review. Additionally, they questioned the apparent
redundancy given that applicants are required to evaluate the project's air quality impacts
through the CEQA process.
Lastly, the Commission indicated they would have preferred to see support from developers
through either written correspondence or public hearing testimony.
7:03:16 PM MSC (Tripp/Spethman) (4-0-0-1) that the Planning Commission deny the
resolution recommending adoption of the updates to the AQIP Guidelines. Motion
carried.
COMMISSION COMMENTS: 7:05:59 PM
Cmr. Spethman thanked staff for the update on the construction of ADU's and stated that
the existing ordinance is quite restrictive, specifically the owner-occupancy requirement and
that the ADU must be attached to the main structure. He requested that this topic be
agendized for a future meeting to discuss possible revisions. 7:07:32 PM
7:09:54 PM Cmr. Tripp requested that the election of a new Vice Chair be agendized for the
earliest upcoming meeting.
Meeting adjourned to November 11, 2009. 7:11:50 PM
Submitted by:
.--
'~~
Diana Vargas
Secretary to the P Wing Commission