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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResource Conservation Commission Min 1993/02/15 . . . MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6:00 p.m. Mondav. February 15. 1993 Conference Room #1 Publi~ Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. by Chairman Kracha. Commissioners Present: Chair Kracha, Hall, McNair, Myers. Commissioners Absent: Ghougassian, excused; Johnson, unexcused. Staff present: City Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid. Kim Glasgow, Ogden Environmental & Energy Services, Inc. Kim Kilkinney, Baldwin Company APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was MSUC (Hall/McNair) to approve the minutes of the February 8, 1993 meeting, corrected to delete the next to last paragraph on page 2, and substitute with the notation that McNair concurred with the comments made by Myers. NEW BUSINESS Otay Ranch Final Program EIR-90-01 Staff Introduction Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid advised members that the candidate findings of fact had been written with the new town plan in mind, but they will be re-written as the project changes. Mr. Reid noted as an example that staff no longer supported the mitigation measure of the off site purchase of coastal sage habitat. Rather, the 1,000 acres in question should be mitigation for future projects, although the actual details of this alternative have not yet been worked out. Discussion of CEOA Requirements Commissioner McNair questioned the staff supported plan over the plan known as the 'environmental alternative'. She referred to the candidate findings of fact, stating that this is not CEQA language, but is legal argument intended to persuade regarding CEQA requirements. McNair quoted CEQA sections 15021 and 15043, dealing with the choosing of a project (among alternatives) that minimizes environmental damage, and the circumstances under which projects may be approved despite significant affects. She asked why the environmental alternative was not considered feasible, and stated that in order to approve the plan supported by staff, specific benefits must be stated, along with specific reasons why it is not feasible to mitigate them. Commissioner Myers stated that she had the same questions as McNair, and questioned the . . . Resource Conservation Commission -2- February 15. 1993 validity of the Environmental Impact Report, stating that too many issues were being deferred and that certain issues have not been resolved. Kim Glasgow of Ogden Environmental & Energy Services advised that in defining feasihility, CEQA takes into account economic, environmental, technological, social, and other factors. She also pointed out that this is a programmatic EIR, not a project EIR, and that this document is to provide general guidelines for future projects. Mr. Reid added that this EIR has been reviewed by attorneys specializing in CEQA, and they had found that the document has been prepared in compliance with the law. Further discussion took place regarding CEQA standards. Discussion of Plan Alternative Inadequacies McNair stated that she was not ready to vote on the FPEIR, as she still has questions. She asked for the reasons why the environmental alternative is not feasible. Ms. Glasgow responded that there were three predominant reasons why the environmental alternative is not considered feasible: the Resource Management Plan would not be implemented for economic reasons, the project would not serve housing needs due to insufficient multi-family housing, and the transit aspects of the project would not be implemented. Discussion ensued regarding these three issues as well as possible future conditions affecting the project. Kim Kilkinney of Baldwin offered input on the feasibility of implementing the RMP, as well as information on the commercial and industrial hub areas in San Diego County as they affect the need for more density in large planned communities of this scope. Further discussion took place regarding population densities and mass transit, air quality, and current economic trends. Chair Kracha stated that if members felt that the EIR is inadequate, they should state so now. McNair indicated that she would like more information, such as the defining of the goals and objectives of the Interjurisdictional Task Force pertaining to housing needs, and more specific information on the costs of supporting resource maintenance areas. Mr. Reid stated that he would obtain the ITF information, and operation costs for current open space maintenance districts as they may relate to Otay Ranch RMP costs, for the next meeting. Myers stated that there were 13 non-mitigated impacts identified in the EIR in every alternative plan except the environmental alternative. She felt that both CEQA and the City of Chula Vista mandate choosing the least destructive environmental alternative. Other Committee Comments Commissioner Hall asked about the relocation of the FAA V ortek facility; Ms. Ogden responded that she believed the intent was to relocate the facility, but that this was the responsibility of the FAA. The extension of the railway was questioned, with Hall noting that she would like to see mitigation measures that reduce in the number of truck trips in the area. Hall also expressed concerns about the following issues: the providing of areas for stables (Mr. Reid pointed out that the zoning regulations created for the planned community could regulate this use as needed); . . . Resource Conservation Commission -3- Februarv 15. 1993 additional consideration to be given to building in floodplain areas; the County's potential use of Wolf Canyon as a dump site (Ms. Ogden responded that currently, five sites are being considered); and the designating of Otay Valley Road as a scenic highway. Chair Kracha read the policies section (15003) of CEQA. He stated that since this item would be going to the Planning Commission in March, his recommendation was that next week the committee make a recommendation to certify the EIR, or not make a recommendation with specific reasons. He asked Mr. Reid to bring the Planning Commission schedule involving the Otay Ranch FPEIR to the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Kracha at 8: 12 p.m. / kl ,r Ut\ evins, Recorder