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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2008/07/09MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. 276 Fourth Avenue July 9, 2008 Chula Vista, California CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL /MOTIONS TO EXCUSE: Members Present: Moctezuma, Vinson, Tripp, Bensoussan, Clayton, Spethman Member Absent: Felber MSC (Vinson/Spethman) (6-0-1-1) to excuse Cmr. Felber. Motion carried. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Read into the record by Chair Tripp PUBLIC COMMENTS: 6:07:27 PM PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Vogt indicated there is presently a vacancy and economic crisis in the Eastlake Business Center with an office market vacancy slightly under 50% and Industrial at 28%, which is three times the Ccunty average vacancy respectively. Mr. Vogt stated that he comes before the Planning Commission asking for their help in facilitating an expeditious entitlement process for those users who do with to locate there. There are dozens of permitted uses that require a CUP; we'd like to see most of those handled administratively as oppose to a CUP, which can take months to process. Alan Hoffman, IRA Development stated that a perfect example of what Mr. Vogt is talking about is Highland Prince Academy, a bilingual educational school (K-12) that wishes to occupy 16,000 sf at 880 Kuhn Drive. This school is allowed with a CUP, however, staff has informed us that it will have to come before the Planning Commission to have that use approved because of the Industrial Lands policy in the General Plan. We started the dialogue in May and are tentatively scheduled to go to the Planning Commission in August, however, the school must be opened by September 1s`. Mr. Hoffman is here to validate what Mr. Vogt has stated that they would like to see this CUP, and others, expedited for the business park. Nancy Lytle stated that staff is aware of this alarming vacancy crisis at the Eastlake Center and stated that this could be a topic of discussion for a future Planning Commission meeting. Chair Tripp inquired if the Highland Prince Academy CUP and the discussion on the Eastlake Center could be scheduled for the same night. Ms. Lytle stated she would look into it Planning Commission Minutes - 2 - July 9, 2008 CONSENT AGENDA: PUBLIC HEARING(S) /ACTION ITEMS: Item #2 on the agenda was taken out of order and is the first item for discussion. 1. Action Item: Election of new Chair and Vice Chair for FY 08-09. MSC (Spethman/Clayton) nominated Cmr. Tripp to serve as Chair for another year. Cmr. Bensoussan nominated Cmr. Felber to serve as Chair. Motion carried (5-1-0-1) to nominate Cmr. Tripp as Chair for FY 08-09 with Cmr. Bensoussan voting against the motion. Cmr. Bensoussan nominated Cmr. Felber to serve as Vice Chair. Failed on a vote (2-4- 0-1). Cmr. Moctezuma nominated Cmr. Clayton to serve as Vice Chair. Passes on a vote (5-1-0-1 ). 2. Action Item: Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista granting cone-year extension for Conditional Use permit to allow the renovation and expansion of an existing church/school facility known as St. Rose of Lima Catholic parish located at the Northeast corner of Third Avenue and "H" Street. 6:22:01 PM Background: Jeff Steichen stated that this is a request for cone-year time extension for the CUP for the St. Rose of Lima renovation project approved on July 17, 2007. Because of proceedings on the Chapter 11 of the San Diego Diocese, the applicant has not been able to move forward on the renovation project and is requesting an extension of time. Staff believes that the findings for the time extension can be made because there has been no substantial increase in activity in the surround area and there's been no change in operations of the parish, therefore, staff is recommending that the time extension be granted. 6:22:55 PM Public Hearing Opened. Deacon Greg Smith stated that they are on track to break ground in January and are about a year behind because of the Chapter 11 proceedings; the Judge wouldn't allow them to move forward. Public Hearing Closed. Cmr. Tripp stated that sometimes there may be unexpected delays in the phasing of construction and asked the applicant if they would be agreeable to a two-year extension. Planning Commission Minutes - 3 - July 9, 2008 Deacon Smith stated that although they don't expect any further delays, he would be agreeable to the two-year extension. MSC (Bensoussan/Clayton) (6-0-0-1) that the Planning Commission approve extending the CUP for atwo-year period. 6:26:51 PM Director's Report. 6:27:05 PM Commission Comments. 6:27:14 PM Cmr. Clayton asked if the Abandoned Property Ordinance could be scheduled as a topic of discussion for a future Planning Commission workshop because oftentimes, she's approached by people asking questions on Code Enforcement and how the Abandoned Property Ordinance works. Cmr. Tripp also pointed out some topics of interest that could be presented at future Planning Commission workshops; they are: an update on the Planning Division Work Program; an update on the General Plan Implementation program; and some education on CEQA thresholds related to traffic. 6:35:15 PM Adjourned to a regular Planning Commission meeting on July 23, 2008. Submitted by, ~~ Diana Vargas Secretary to the Planning Commission J:\Planning\DIANAVNinutes\07-09-08 MINUTES.doc