HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1990/06/27
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Tape: 311
Side: 1
MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
7:00 p.m.
Wednesdav. June 27. 1990
Council Chambers
Public Services Buildinq
ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Tugenberg, Commissioners Casillas,
Carson, Grasser and Tugenberg
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Commissioners Fuller, Shipe and Cannon (with
notification)
Pl anni ng Di rector Lei ter, Pri nci pa 1 Pl anners Lee
and Pass, Envi ronmenta 1 Revi ew Coordi nator Doug
Reid, Assistant Planner Barbara Reid, Associate
Planner Herrera-A, Senior Civil Engineer
Ullrich, Planning Consultant Lettieri, Assistant
Attorney Rudolf
STAFF PRESENT:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - SILENT PRAYER
The pl edge of all egi ance to the fl ag was 1 ed by Chairman Tugenberg and was
followed by a moment of silent prayer.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Cha i rman Tugenberg revi ewed the compos i t i on of the Pl anni ng Commi ss i on, its
responsibilities and the format of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The mi nutes of May 9, 1990, were not approved, since there were only three
members present who had attended the May 9 meeting.
MSUC (Carson/Grasser) 4-0 (Cannon, Full er and Sh i pe absent) to approve the
minutes of May 23, 1990.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
Chairman Tugenberg stressed the fact that there were only four members of the
Commission present, so if any of the applicants wished to continue their items
to another meeting, they should do so.
ITEM 1. PCZ-90-0-M: CITY-INITIATED PROPOSAL TO REZONE CERTAIN TERRITORY,
WHICH IS A PORTION GENERALLY BOUNDED BY OXFORD STREET, BROADWAY,
ORANGE AVENUE AND A LINE 750 FEET WEST OF BROADWAY; ALSO A PORTION
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June 27. 1990
GENERALLY BOUNDED BY ORANGE AVENUE, HERMOSA AVENUE, BROADWAY AND AN
IRREGULAR LINE FROM ANITA STREET TO APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET NORTH OF
MAIN STREET, FROM ITS CITY-ADOPTED "COUNTY ZONING" CLASSIFICATIONS
TO THE "CITY ZONING" CLASSIFICATIONS, UTILIZED THROUGHOUT CHULA
VISTA.
THE PROPOSED REZONINGS ARE CONFINED TO THE OTAY TOWN II SUBCOMMUNITY
OF MONTGOMERY, AND ARE GOVERNED BY THE MONTGOMERY SPEC I F I C PLAN,
ADOPTED BY THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 12, 1988 AND ON
SEPTEMBER 13, 1988. SHORT FORM OF TITLE OF PROPOSAL: "OTAY TOWN II
- REZONING"
Planning Consultant Lettieri showed the areas to be rezoned, and discussed the
conversions of those areas from County zoning to City zoning classifications,
as outl ined in the staff report. He stated that staff was not making a
recommendation on the area designated "Parks/Open Space Speci al Study" area
which includes the utility right-of-way.
Commissioner Casillas asked about the timeframe for completion of the special
study area. Principal Planner Pass replied that the area was in a deep study
by the State of Cal ifornia to determine the danger from high voltage 1 ines.
He said that according to the State of California, it would be two years; but,
because of the enormity of the project, it could go beyond that.
This being the time and the place advertised, the publ ic hearing was opened.
No one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
MSUC (Carson/Grasser) 4-0 (Cannon, Fuller, and Shipe absent) that based on the
Initial Study and comments on the Initial Study and Negative Declaration, find
that this reclassification will have no significant environmental impacts and
re-adopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS-88-4M and IS-88-65M for the
Montgomery Specific Plan.
MSUC (Carson/Grasser) 4-0 (Cannon, Fuller, and Shipe absent) that the Planning
Commission recommend adoption of an ordinance to change the zones as described
on the attached Exhibit "A".
ITEM 2. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT EIR-89-3, SALT CREEK RANCH
(Continued from 5-23-90)
Environmental Coordinator Reid gave the background of the EIR,
there had been an amendment to CEQA which took effect January 1,
that all projects goi ng through the State Cl eari nghouse have to
their review period before the local review period can terminate.
have the effect of lengthening review periods in general.
Mr. Reid stated that some of the actions involved in the project involved
prezoning, general development plan, annexation, and a change in LAFCO's
sphere of i nfl uence. He said there had been 16 1 etters recei ved, whi ch were
noted in the staff report, and one had been received that evening. Mr. Reid
stated that some of the issues i nvo 1 ved in the project i ncl uded aesthet i cs,
visual resources, biological resources, cultural resources, traffic and
circulation impacts, noise and air quality, parks and recreation.
and stated
which says
go through
This would
This being the time and the place advertised, the public hearing was opened.
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June 27, 1990
James Harter, Vi ce Pres i dent and Project Manager for the Ba 1 dwi n Company on
Salt Creek Ranch, sa i d that it was thei r opi ni on that the EIR on Salt Creek
Ranch complied with all CEQA requirements, was adequate, and that it should be
cert i fi ed. He cont i nued to exp 1 a in that as they had collected i nformat i on
from the different studies, it became evident there were some impacts that
needed address i ng. These had been addressed in the Alternat i ves sect i on of
the EIR and included preservation of cactus wren and Cal ifornia gnatcatcher
habitats, improving wildlife corridors, adding a school, changing private
recreational areas to open space, adding a fire station and two religious
sites, converting an equestrian center to a staging area to better protect the
water qual ity, increasing the size of the neighborhood parks, adding
greenbelts and buffers, relocation of school sites and neighborhood parks, and
increasing the preservation of coastal sage habitat.
Harold Wier, representing Michael Brandman Associates for Baldwin Co.,
discussed the wildlife corridors and said they felt the corridors were
required to preserve the sensitive resources found in that area, which
primarily included plants and two sensitive bird species, and to provide
adequate habitat for the remaining animals and linkages with the properties to
the east, north and south.
Environmental Review Coordinator Reid noted that this particular plan had not
been evaluated in the EIR and they would do a complete evaluation of it and
either do an addendum to the report finding that it would not result in any
further s igni fi cant impacts or prepare a suppl ementa 1 E IR to i dent ify those
impacts.
Commissioner Carson suggested that an overlay be made to make it easier to
study.
Steve Lacey, ERCE, representing the City of Chula Vista, spoke also of
protecting the habitat and the adequacy of the open space corridors.
Commissioner Carson asked Mr. Lacey to define "adequate" and what guarantee
they had to prevent a child throwing something at an animal and spooking it.
Mr. Lacey replied he didn't think there was any protection, and that it was a
long-standing sort of issue that they have to relate to almost all biological
projects. They try to look at the quality of the habitat, the buffer, whether
people tend to move through the habitat or around it; the type of impact that
might occur, if there is enough adequate cover for wildlife to move.
Commi ss i oner Carson sa i d she wanted to know what the corri dor was goi ng to
look 1 i ke and what thei r purpose was. Were they protect i ng it because of
nesting or because that's the food source? What was their hidden agenda?
Environmental Review Coordinator Reid stated he thought the areas of primary
human movement on the project plan are intended to be through the main Salt
Creek area and then also the corridor identified farther to the west. There
was not an intent to put any active trail through the canyon areas.
Commissioner Carson asked if there would be any identification in the EIR
showing which animals were going to be no longer in the area, or plants that
were going to be moved. Mr. Lacey answered that would be shown.
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June 27. 1990
Environmental Review Coordinator Reid asked if page 3-36 in the EIR was the
map for whi ch Commi ss i oner Carson wi shed the overlay. Commi ss i oner Carson
answered in the affirmative.
Peter Watry, 81 Second Avenue, speaking on behalf of CROSSROADS, pointed out
that the EIR i ndi cated dens i ty in the upper range of the range and with no
amenities to the rest of the City, and also that the development would
contribute to Level of Service D. He said that CROSSROADS would address both
of those when the plan came back for approval.
Chairman Tugenberg asked Mr. Harter to indicate on the transparency where the
blasting would be during the grading period. Mr. Harter indicated the rocky
areas.
No one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
ITEM 3. PUBLIC HEARING: PCS-89-12; CONS !DERATION OF TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION
MAP FOR GRETCHEN ESTATES, CHULA VISTA TRACT 90-12 - Don Goss
(continued from 6-13-90)
Chairman Tugenberg reminded the applicant that they could ask for a
continuance if they chose to do so.
Principal Planner Ken Lee showed transparencies of the area to be considered,
whi ch is zoned R-l and developed with s i ngl e-famil y homes. The proposal was
to retain two single-family homes along "F" Street and create four new lots
toward the rear of the property providing an access through the center. The
lots would vary in size from 7300+ sq. ft. to 10,500+ sq. ft. Staff had
determined that a wider drive would be appropriate near the entry where the
project intersected with "F" Street with a 4' wide median dividing the two
driving lanes. Staff requested that a condition be placed for the garage that
currently exits to the north directly out to "F" Street to be moved
approximately 20 ft. away from the drive and near the southerly property line;
with the garage located on the easterly lot being the same. This would allow
for a corridor through the area and an adequate stacking area before entering
the garage. Mr. Lee stated the staff recommendat i on i ncl uded 12 cond it ions
with modifications to two conditions which had been provided to the
Commissioners. Staff recommended approval of the project, with the changes to
the conditions.
Commissioner Carson asked if staff knew anything about the number of species
of birds and other wildlife that inhabit the area. Mr. Lee said there was no
feedback regarding this, and nothing had been identified in the Negative
Declaration IS-90-43 which was significant.
Commissioner Casillas questioned where the palm tree in the median would be
re located. Pri nci pa 1 Planner Lee answered that there were three palm trees
a 1 most in the center of the dri ve 1 ane with the most northerly tree in the
right-of-way. It would be possible that all three trees may have to be
moved. They planned to save the trees.
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Commissioner Casillas asked if the old pepper tree was to be destroyed. Mr.
Lee said there didn't appear to be any way to save the tree because of the
future location of the driveway and any possible widening of "F" Street.
Chairman Tugenberg asked about the easement for guest parking referred to in
Condition g. Mr. Lee answered the appl icant was trying to make a provision
for access into the area if it were needed. Upon Chairman Tugenberg's query,
Mr. Lee said they were trying to provide an additional 10' width to the
present access on the neighboring property should the area develop.
This being the time and the place advertised, the public hearing was opened.
James Algert, 428 Broadway, Civil Engineer representing the applicant Don
Goss, sa i d they were in complete agreement wi th the staff's recommend at ion,
and requested to speak just before the Commissioners voted.
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John Smith, 87 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010 speaking on behalf of himself and
some of his neighbors, spoke of the "tone" of the neighborhood and thought it
would be detrimental to the neighborhood, even though it would economically
feas i b 1 e to the app 1 i cant. The project woul d produce a sense of development
rather than a residential area. He asked that the Commission consider the
residents along "F" Street who have built, added on, and tried to keep the
neighborhood one that represented a certain "tone" and quality of life.
Commissioner Carson asked the square footage of the lots in the area. Mr.
Smith said he thought it was not so much the size as the nature of the
development when things are put in a pattern rather than an individual home on
the individual lot.
Carole Smith, 87 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010, was concerned with the amount
of traffic the development would generate plus the other lots which could
possibly be developed. She said this project would set a precedent. She was
concerned about the greenbelt; destroying pet possums, skunks, and birds;
water; sewage; and trees. She urged the Commission to consider number density
and the change in quality of life of the neighborhood.
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Dianna Davis, 65 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010 directly across from 56 "F"
Street which was one of the homes which would be subject to subdivision. Part
of her reason to live on "F" Street was the beautiful tree-lined street. She
was concerned with the possibility of the widening of "F" Street, the possible
remova 1 of the pepper tree, the impact on the commun ity, the an i ma 1 s, the
birds. She would feel very strongly about it if it impacted the birds or the
animals. She said when we make access to other people, we are doing it to the
detriment of our own residents. She wouldn't want to 1 ive on "F" Street if
they took away the trees, because that is the beauty of "F" Street. She
requested that the tentative subdivision map not be approved. However, if the
tentative subdivision map was approved, she had the following requests: if
the trees were removed, requ i re that the trees be preserved or replaced with
trees of the same quality and size; a requirement be made that the residents
fronting on "F" Street put in sidewalks; that parking requirements include
double garages and at least a minimum parking space of two additional cars off
the street.
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June 27. 1990
Chairman Tugenberg stated there was a condition that concrete sidewalks be put
in on those two parcels.
Andrea Skorepa, 60 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010, immediately to the west of
the proposed subdivision. She stated she was opposed to the project for all
the reasons which had been stated. She spoke of the traffic and the danger to
the motorists who use "F" Street, and the danger of losing the particular
"ambiance" developed there in the interest of building more homes. The
building of more homes would bring about the use of more water.
Patricia Kelly, 60 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010, immediately across from the
proposed subdivision area. She said she was proud to live on "F" Street which
to her represented flora, fauna, and fi ne neighbors and she had an
appreciation for the birds, the sounds, and the trees in the neighborhood.
She said she was adamantly opposed to the development.
Daryl Skorepa, 60 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010 agreed with the speakers
before him and added that one thing that attracted him to "F" Street was that
it was not a subd i vi s i on, it looked 1 i ke it had grown sl owl y, the trees, and
it was a nice place to live. The density problem in Chula Vista was a major
problem which the Commissioners should be addressing and where we have an
opportuni ty to preserve a 1 i ttl e lower dens ity, it is incumbent that it be
taken into consideration. Mr. Skorepa said if the Commission felt they needed
to approve the subdivision, he would like for them to consider a lower density
subdivision, and take into consideration the people who live there now and put
in setback provisions for those lots so they don't have houses in their back
yard that weren't there when they moved in.
Tad Petnik, 1072 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010 said he agreed with all the
objections presented and understood the houses were going to be single-family,
three-bedroom, two-story houses. He was concerned with the amount of cars the
development would bring in, the people, dogs, noise pollution, exhaust
pollution, crime. The lot now was 1 ike a bird sanctuary which would be no
more.
Glennis Carson, 30 "F" Street, Chula Vista 92010 also agreed with everything
everyone had stated. She, too, spoke of the traffi c, and the hi stori c homes
there. She recounted the problems with the pollution, noise, etc. the project
would generate.
Chairman Tugenberg then asked Mr. Algert if the homes would have two-car
garages, to which Mr. Algert replied in the affirmative. He also noted the
homes would have more than the City-required off-street parking spaces which
included a minimum of two per lot; some would have more. There would be room
for 30 cars on-site. Mr. Algert stated the sidewalk on "F" Street would be
provided and the pepper tree that is there would be in the way of the driveway
approach and the s i dewa 1 k, and the pepper tree woul d be replaced wi th two
other pepper trees (24" box pepper trees). The lots vary from 7300 sq. ft. to
over 10,000 sq. ft. whi ch are 1 arger than requi red City standards in the
area. The appl icant has tailored the grading to provide a minimum impact on
the site and preserve as many trees as possible.
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Chairman Tugenberg asked about the setback for Units 2 and 3 from the property
line to the west. Mr. Algert said it was at least 25 ft., which was required
by the City Ordinance. Chairman Tugenberg spoke of a building to the west
which was on the property 1 ine. Mr. Algert said he thought it was a guest
house and was about 2-1/2 feet off property line. General discussion followed
regarding the buildings on the property and the distances between lots and
houses.
Commissioner Carson asked if they had considered reducing the number of
houses. She was not happy with the 7000+ sq. ft. lots and was concerned about
the panhandle lot for a number of reasons, including the fire truck turnaround
and the spri nkl ers. She suggested a change in the size and number of lots
with less homes and more turn-around area. She was also concerned about the
birds that staff hadn't found. She wanted to know if there was anything of
significance. She then requested staff to indicate on the sl ide where the
residents lived who were objecting to the project.
Mr. Algert replied that the reduction of the number of houses had been
considered. He then asked for continuation of the item, so the appl icant
could gather more information that the Commission might desire.
Commissioner Carson stated she thought they had reached a point where everyone
should look at what is more than adequate, rather than just adequate. She
wanted to know what other two-story homes are being built in the area; she
. would like to see it indicated on drawings; who would have shade cut off, etc.
Mr. Algert briefly discussed lot size, the usability, the yard area, and
requested again that it be continued.
Commissioner Grasser asked if the two front houses would be remodeled. Mr.
Algert said they would be rebuilding the garages, repainting, and upgrading
the exterior to look like a part of the project.
Cha i rman Tugenberg suggested that the app 1 i cant contact some of the people
whose property abuts the project. He said there was a un i queness about the
area which would be a shame to lose, and thought by contacting the neighbors
to see what their interests were, they might be able to arrive at something
that would make everyone happy.
Commissioner Grasser added that she did not feel
would be that great on the neighborhood or
significantly, maybe even improve it.
the impact of thi s project
change the street scene
MSUC (Tugenberg/Carson) 4-0 (Full er, Shi pe and Cannon absent) to cont i nue
PCS-89-12 to the meeting of July 25, 1990.
ITEM 4:
PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP FOR
FAIRWAY VILLAS, CHULA VISTA TRACT 90-8 - Century American Corp.
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Principal
that the
project.
Pl anner Lee i dent ifi ed the area by overhead project i on and stated
proposal was to divide the site into an eight-lot condominium
The EastLake III SPA Plan had been approved earlier and had
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June 27. 1990
designated the area for 179 attached units. The site abuts the EastLake
Greens Golf Course and features 158 units--21 units less than provided for in
the SPA Pl an. Pri nc i pa 1 Pl anner Lee requested the addit i on of Condit i on No.
21 as follows: "Should the developer elect to file multiple final maps, a
phasing plan shall be approved by the City Engineer indicating public and
private improvements to be installed for each map prior to approval of the
first map." Staff recommended approval of the map, subject to 20 conditions
and the add it i on of the one read into the mi nutes. Staff also requested the
change of two street names: North/South Golf Course Vista Drive to
North/South GreensView Drive, and GreensView Road to GreensGate Drive.
Commissioner Carson asked about Condition No.5, regarding provision of
adequate school hcil ities, which did not include a high school. Mr. Lee
replied that a high school was being built.
Upon Commissioner Carson's request, Principal Planner Lee pointed out the view
corridors to the golf course.
Commissioner Casillas asked if there would be any affordable units in the
project. Mr. Lee answered that this development was not required to provide
affordable units, because the higher density development pads were taken out
of the project.
Chairman Tugenberg asked if there would be up to eight units in a cluster.
Principal Planner Lee answered there would be a maximum of six.
This being the time and the place advertised, the public hearing was opened.
Ron Metzler, 23421 South Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills 92653, representing
Century American, concurred there were six units in a cluster, but he had some
concerns with some of the conditions. He deferred to Michael Prinslow to
explain the changes the applicant desired to make.
Michael Prinslow, 23421 South Pointe Dr., Laguna Hills 92653, representing
Century American, came forward to discuss the conditions. Regarding Condition
No. 2 regarding the Growth Management Element and other related growth
management implementation programs, he said EastLake had entered into a
developer's agreement that exempted these items. He requested those to be
deleted, and the transportation phasing program retained.
Planning Director Leiter agreed that the overall project was exempted from the
Growth Management Program by the development agreement, but di d not apply to
the transportation phasing plan; however, he recommended that this only be
applicable to the extent the development agreement didn't exempt it. He
suggested wording be added that to the extent the development agreement didn't
exempt it, it was subject to Condition No.2.
Assistant Attorney Rudolf recommended an introductory phrase be added to state
"that unless otherwi se speci fi ca lly exempted by Council act i on on the approval
of the development agreement, the approval of all final maps will require..."
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June 27. 1990
Mr. Prinslow asked for clarification. Planning Director Leiter explained that
a standard condition was being appl ied to all new tentative maps in Eastern
Chula Vista, and this was the first case which had come up since this
development agreement had been in place. If the development agreement
exempted it from this, it would be exempt, but it would be better to go to the
development agreement to clarify it.
Mr. Prinslow asked that Condition No.3 be deleted, since EastLake again was
conditioned in an agreement with Otay Water District, and the applicant was a
party to that agreement.
Discussion was held regarding the appl icant working out the changes to the
conditions with staff. The Commission felt it should be taken care of before
coming before the Commission.
Senior Civil Engineer Ullrich stated that if the agreement the applicant had
entered into met the condition, the Engineering Department would consider
Condition No.3 as met.
Mr. Prinslow stated they would work with the Fire Marshal regarding Condition
No. 18 which allowed the Fire Marshal to modify Street A for adequate
turnaround. The applicant agreed with the other conditions.
Chairman Tugenberg stated that he thought their product at EastLake was
excellent, one of the outstanding products.
No one else wishing to speak. the public hearing was closed.
MSUC (Grasser/Carson) 4-0 (Fuller, Shipe and Cannon absent) to recommend to
the City Council to rename North/South Golf Course Vista Drive to North/South
GreensView Drive, and GreensView Road to GreensGate Drive.
MSUC (Grasser/Casillas) 4-0 (Fuller, Shipe and Cannon
the City Council to approve the tentative subdivision
Chula Vista Tract 90-8, subject to Conditions 1
recommended changes to Conditions 2 and 3.
absent) to recommend to
map for Fairway Villas,
through 21, with the
ITEM 5.
PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PCC-90-39: REQUEST TO
CONSTRUCT A 30-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX AT 1250 THIRD AVENUE
Crandall-Williams
Assistant Planner Barbara Reid gave an overview of the project and stated that
the proposal was compatible with the surrounding area. Ms. Reid stated that
the project had been to the Design Review Committee and a number of conditions
had been added. The Montgomery Planning Committee voted unanimously against
the Negative Declaration, being concerned about overcrowding of schools, water
conservation, and the added number of apartment units and possibly crime.
They dec i ded not to vote on the project itse 1f. Pl ann i ng Department staff
proposed that the Commi ss i on approve the project on the condit i on that the
developer satisfy the requirements of the Chula Vista School District to annex
to the Mello-Roos.
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June 27. 1990
Commissioner Grasser asked where the 17 garages would be located. Principal
Planner Lee replied that they were underneath the project. The parking spaces
along the east and north were open parking spaces. Commissioner Grasser asked
about making 18 more garages instead of open parking spaces.
Bill Hedenkamp, project architect, answered that because of the panhandle lot
and the 1 ack of street parki ng, there were an add it i ona 1 9 spaces of guest
parking provided on site. No garages were required because of the nature of
the site and effort was made to conceal the cars completely from the park and
conceal vehicular activity from the park.
Commissioner Grasser was concerned about crime in the area.
Mr. Hedenkamp rep 1 i ed that a securi ty gate for the project may be helpful.
Chairman Tugenberg recommended the security gate, also.
This being the time and the place advertised, the public hearing was opened.
Lawrence Crandall, 7858 Ivanhoe Avenue, La Jolla 92037, stated he was a
partner-deve 1 oper of the project. Mr. Crandall agreed wi th the idea of the
security gate, but said he had a problem with free-standing garages because
there is not enough architectural design. He went on to explain why the
project would be good for the area.
Kay Everi tt, 469 Emerson, cv nOll gave a presentat i on she had previ ous ly
given before the Montgomery Planning Committee. She opposed the project,
stating the the area was saturated with apartments, traffic, recreational
vehicles, and the inability of the street sweeper to sweep some of the areas.
She requested that the Commission disapprove the project.
Bill Hedenkamp, 1331 India Street, San Diego 92101, stated they were
requesting a conditional use permit, and did not have an opportunity at the
Montgomery Planning Committee meeting. He said the Montgomery Planning
Committee seemed to be focused on the multiple family dwelling issue in their
opposition to the approval of the environmental negative declaration.
Commissioner Carson asked what they planned to do to buffer between the park
and their open space. Mr. Hedenkamp replied there was a predominant amount of
open space; there was an existing chainl ink fence which they would leave and
which had been approved by the Design Review Committee. He then showed slides
of the surrounding areas.
Commissioner Carson asked how much open turf area was available. Mr.
Hedenkamp repl ied that there was approximately 26%, and that 14 of the cars
belonging to that project would be in garages.
Commissioner Carson asked about security to the residents, with the open link
fence. She was concerned about young people climbing over the fence at night.
Mr. Hedenkamp replied that the project would be well lit and well managed, and
a full house of watchful tenants.
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June 27, 1990
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Commi ss i oner Carson stated that she interpreted the message the Montgomery
Planning Commission was sending to be that they were finally making a stand
that they should have taken a long time ago. That should give the appl icant
some indication as to how she would vote.
Mr. Hedenkamp replied that he concurred regarding some of the issues brought
out by the Montgomery Planning Committee. He had no control over the gray
water issue; he agreed there should be separate areas and sorting areas within
the dumpster locations; they would do what they could in the area of car
theft, wi th a security gate, garages, and good management; there were issues
regarding water with which they didn't agree; and the applicant has signed a
Mello-Roos agreement regarding schools.
Commi ss i oner Cas ill as commented that since the Montgomery Pl ann i ng Committee
failed to vote on the Negative Declaration, to him it was a negative vote. He
agreed with Commissioner Carson that the message the Committee was sending was
that there were too many apartments in that area; that the City and Commission
are going to honor some of the promises that were made at the time of
annexation; the area is too dense.
Mr. Hedenkamp stated he didn't think the Montgomery Planning Committee
addressed the project fairly and there was not a good, full debate on it. His
understanding was that it was zoned for apartments, and they were charged with
looking at certain specific requirements that were in the staff report under
. the findings that need to be made with respect to the conditional use permit.
Chairman Tugenberg suggested to Mr. Hedenkamp that he ask for a continuance
before a full Commission, since there were only four Commissioners present.
Mr. Hedenkamp asked if it went before Council in either case. Principal
Planner Lee stated it would be final at the Planning Commission stage unless
appealed.
Commissioner Casillas stated he would not support the motion. He had some
concerns he wanted to state.
Chairman Tugenberg asked Commissioner Casillas to continue. Commissioner
Casillas said that since the Montgomery area was annexed, the City has some
moral obl igations to honor something the City told the residents they were
goi ng to get, an enhanced quality of 1 i fe for that area. The Montgomery
Planning Committee had stated some reasons for not approving the project; he
had stated others; the issue of traffic hadn't been addressed. He believed
the project would aggravate the problem.
Mr. Hedenkamp stated they had been through the rezone process on this
particular property, the zoning, and the plan process, and the area was left
available for multi-family use.
.
Commissioner Grasser said that Commissioner Casillas had a lot of valid
points, but quite often he had stated the City needs low-income housing. This
project offered decent low-income-type housing that tenants could be proud of
living in. Quality should be taken into consideration.
PC MINUTES
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June 27. 1990
Commi ss i oner Cas ill as concurred, but bel i eved there were enough apartments.
He was concerned with the problems the park might create.
Chairman Tugenberg stated there were some requirements by the Montgomery
Planning Committee that were inequitable for the appl icant, and that was one
of the reasons the Negative Declaration was not approved.
Commi ssi oner Carson noted the Planni ng Commi ss i on did not get the mi nutes of
the Montgomery Planning Committee which would have stated their concerns.
Cha i rman Tugenberg poi nted out there was a summary; however, Commi ss i oner
Carson stated that the summary did not contain everything that had been
brought up at the Planning Commission meeting, and she would make a motion to
continue the item.
MSF (Carson/Grasser) 3-1 (Cannon, Fuller, Shipe absent; Casillas voted
against) to continue PCC-90-39 to July II, 1990.
MOTION FAILED. A total of four votes either for or against were needed to
pass a motion.
There was discussion regarding the number of votes needed to pass the motion.
The applicant stated he was not in attendance at the beginning of the meeting
when that was explained.
Ass i stant Attorney Rudolf exp la i ned that the Code had a provi s i on where the
application is denied by the Planning Commission by less than four votes, the
applicant has the right to either a re-hearing at the next Planning Commission
meeting or an appeal to the City Council without the payment of additional
fees. The choice of alternatives is discretionary with the applicant. If the
mot i on was made to grant, and the app 1 i cat i on is deni ed by 1 ess than four
votes, the appl icant has the choice of coming back before the Commission or
going before the Council.
Commissioner Carson clarified that if she recommended acceptance of the
Initial Study and that failed, the applicant had the opportunity to either
come back to the Pl anni ng Commi ss i on hopi ng there woul d be seven members
present or go on to the City Council. Assistant Attorney Rudolf concurred.
MSF (Carson/Grasser) 3-1 (Cannon, Fuller, Shipe absent; Casillas voted
against) that based on the Initial Study and comments on the Initial Study and
Negative Declaration, find that this project will have no significant
environmental impacts and adopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS-90-44.
MOTION FAILED.
Commissioner Carson stated that since the motion had failed, the applicant had
the opportunity to come back before the Commi ss i on, or to go before the
Council.
Assi stant Attorney Rudolf agreed, but stated it would have to be at the next
Planning Commission meeting.
.
.
.
PC MINUTES
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June 27. 1990
OTHER BUSINESS:
None
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Planning Director Leiter recommended that the July IB, 1990 workshop be
cancelled. The Commissioners concurred.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Commissioner Carson asked if the two satell ite dishes on Del Mar and "J"
Street (600 block) were both in the grandfather stage. Pri nc i pa 1 Pl anner Lee
said he would check with Zoning Enforcement.
Commissioner Carson also commented on the Eucalyptus trees dying in Hilltop
Drive Park, and asked that this be referred to Parks & Recreation.
Cha i rman Tugenberg asked about in it i at i ng an amendment to the General Pl an
regarding low density categories. Planning Director Leiter said a report
would be brought to the Planning Commission with a specific recommendation to
be forwarded to the City Council.
Commissioner Carson asked again for the minutes of the
She al so wanted to know when Salt Creek would come back.
it may be sometime in August.
Montgomery meeting.
Mr. Leiter thought
ADJOURNMENT at 10:00 p.m. to the Regular Business Meeting of July 11, 1990, at
7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Nan~; Ripley, Secretary
Planning Commission
WPC B066P