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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2009/05/13MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue May 13, 2009 Chula Vista, California CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL /MOTIONS TO EXCUSE: Members Present: Clayton, Felber, Moctezuma, Vinson, Spethman, Thompson Member Absent: Tripp MSC (Clayton/Spethman) to excuse Cmr. Tripp who called to asking to be excused. Motion carried. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Vice-Chair Clayton 6:03:17 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 8, 2009 MSC (Felber/Spethman) (5-0-1-1) to approve minutes of April 8, 2009 as submitted. Motion carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: CONSENT AGENDA: PUBLIC HEARING: No public input. 1. Public Hearing: IS 08-06; Consideration of Mitigated Negative Declaration and rezone of the 0.88 acre site located at 1778 Broadway for Commercial Thoroughfare with precise Plan (CT-P) to Limited Industrial-with Precise Plan (IL-P). 6:05:11 PM Background: Miguel Tapia gave an overview of the proposal to rezone a vacant parcel located within the Merged Redevelopment Project Area at 1778 Broadway for the development of recycling center consisting of the construction of a 14,105 sf one-story industrial building and associated site improvements such as landscaping and parking. The rezone is necessary in order to make the zoning consistent with the General Plan designation; the recycling center is a conditionally permitted use within the IL-P zone. Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - May 13, 2009 The project was reviewed by the RAC on February 7, 2008 and March 19, 2009, the Conditional Use Permit will be considered by the CVRC on May 14, and the City Council will consider it on May 26, 2009. Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCZ 08-01 recommending that the City Council adopt Mitigated negative Declaration IS 08-06 and introduce an ordinance adopting Zone Change PCZ-08-01. Public Hearing Opened and Closed. 6:20:29 PM Cmr. Thompson pointed out for clarification that, for this project, the Planning Commission is making an advisory recommendation to the City Council as it relates to the rezone and that the Conditional Use Permit will be considered by the CVRC. 6:21:45 PM MSC (Felber/ ) (8-0-0-1) That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PCZ 08-01 recommending that the City Council adopt Mitigated negative Declaration IS 08-06 and introduce an ordinance adopting Zone Change PCZ-08-01. Motion carried. 2. Public Hearing: GPA 04-02; Consideration of an amendment to the City of Chula Vista's General Plan to change the land use designation on 46 acres from Limited Industrial to 39.3 acres of Residential Medium High (11-18 du/ac) and 6.7 acres of Open Space. Applicant ACI Sunbow, LLC. 6:24:23 PM Stan Donn gave an overview of the proposal as presented in the staff report and summarized that ACI Sunbow, LLC submitted an application proposing a General Plan Amendment to change the existing General Plan land use designation on a 46-acre site from Limited Industrial to 39.3 acres of Residential Medium High, and 6.7 acres of Open Space, which would allow a maximum of 690 units on the site. No project-level approvals are being requested at this time.. Staff Recommendation: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution GPA 04-02 recommending that the City Council deny the proposed General Plan Amendment based on the findings contained in the draft City Council Resolution. Public Hearing Opened. 6:49:57 PM The following members of the public expressed apposition to the General Plan Amendment and support staffs recommendation to deny the GPA. Patricia Aguilar, Crossroads II 6:50:17 PM Donna Jones, Allied Waste8:51:53 PM Laura Hunter, Environmental Health Coalition8:54:01 PM Bud Chase, Allied Waste6:58:37 PM Ed Herrera, Chula Vista Civic Association7:01:01 PM Leann Carmichael, County of San Diego7:16:38 PM Jill Galvez, resident 7:20:51 PM Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - May 13, 2009 7:03:23 PM Keith Horne, President of Ayres Land Company gave a 20-year historical overview of Sunbow's partnership with the City, its contributions to public facilities and construction of communities and parks. Mr. Horne stated that the build out of Sunbow is a success story with over 2,000 homes and a school being built, however, they have not been successful in the industrial development because there is no market for it. The site has been marketed over the past twelve years as Industrial use in an unprecedented strong real estate market, yet received not a single viable offer to do industrial development at this site. Mr. Horne stated that this site is a prime location for residential because of its location and proximity to residential, commercial, schools, and access to I-805. He further indicated that the Health Risk Assessment Report that was conducted as part of the Environmental Impact Report for the adopted General Plan Update, allows residential development within 500 feet of the landfill. Additionally, we are offering a buffer zone of one thousand feet from the nearest residence to the landfill. This residential development would create higher property values, provide property taxes, and create jobs in the construction industry. Public Hearing Closed. 7:23:08 PM Commission Discussion: 7:23:22 PM Cmr. Vinson stated he was impressed by the well, thought out, discussions on those who oppose the rezone and in how many times they used the General Plan Update as the basis to support their position. He further indicated that although he is a realtor by profession, he is also a businessman who recognizes the need to preserve this site for a better use as industrial for the creation of future jobs, therefore, he supports staff's recommendation. 7:24:32 PM Cmr. Felber stated that his approach to reviewing projects is always with an open mind, weighing all aspects, however, this proposal had too many issues that he couldn't reconcile, i.e., the overwhelming support for the General Plan's designation of this site as light industrial; the close proximity to the landfill which regardless of the buffer zone could encroach into its future operation; and the importance of setting aside land for certain uses because once a land use designation is changed, its gone for ever. He is optimistic that the current designation will at some point in the future create jobs and revenue to the City. 7:28:41 PM Cmr. Thompson echoed his colleagues sentiments and stated he was involved with the General Plan Update, and that preservation of industrial land is very important. A lot of discussion has occurred on the City's financial status; its important to preserve land that will be economically positive. He is also concerned with the proximity to the landfill and would prefer to err on the side of caution in avoiding potential negative impacts. As stated by the Allied Waste people, we are fortunate to have a landfill that, for the most part, has no negative impacts on the community and its existence is practically unnoticeable; we need to preserve that condition. 7:30:52 PM Cmr. Moctezuma wholeheartedly supports the previous comments made by the Commissioners and supports the preservation of the industrial land and open space. Planning Commission Minutes - 4 - May 13, 2009 7:32:04 PM Cmr. Clayton stated she agrees the property has its constraints, but would question whether the same environmental issues that have repeatedly be raised, would also become an issue because of their impact on the industrial development employees. Would we be asking the developer to give up another portion of his land in order to be able to satisfy the buffer concerns and still be able to provide open space. Additionally, Cmr. Clayton is disconcerted with the inconsistency in the Commission's recent decisions where other developers were able to plead their case in requesting a zone change from an industrial land use designation to commercial; the Commission went along with it and recommended a zone change. She does not support staffs recommendation. 7:34:34 PM Vinson MSC (Vinson/Felber) (5 -1-0-1) that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution GPA 04- 02 recommending that the City Council deny the proposed General Plan Amendment based on the findings contained in the draft City Council Resolution. Motion carried with Cmr. Clayton voting against the motion and Cmr. Tripp absent. 7:37:30 PM Director's Report Mary Ladiana reported that they have kicked off asix-week series of the Southwest Leaders Conference, similar to Citizen Leadership Academy, which meets on Mondays and Wednesdays. They have approximately 25 to 30 people, who are enthusiastic and offer great input. 7:38:22 PM Adjournment to a regular Planning Commission meeting on May 27, 2009. Respectfully submitted: ~~~Y~,~ Diana Vargas Secretary to the tanning Commission