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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1973/04/23 MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA IVSTA, CALIFORNIA April 23, 1973 The regular adjourned meeting of the City Planning Comn~ission of Chula Vista, California was held on the above date beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the following menbers present: Rice, Macevicz, Chandler, Rudolph, Swanson, Whitten and Wilson. AIso present: Director of Planning Peterson and Assistant City Attorney Blick. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Chairman Rice, followed by a moment of silent prayer. Chairman Rice called for oral communications and none were offered. PUBLIC HEARING: a. EIR-73-5 - Consideration of Environmental Impact Report of proposed proiect at northwest quadrant of Interstate 5 and E Street b. PCM-73-8 - Consideration of revision to General Plan for 3.33 acres at 789 "E" Street fron~ Industrial to Visitor Commercial c. REZONING - PCZ-73-G - 3. 33 acres at 789 "E" Street from "I" to C-V - Street Properties, Inc. d. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - PCC-73-8 - Request to construct service station and towing service in C-V zone at 789 "E" Street - Street Properties, Inc. Director of Planning Petcr'-~on reminded the Commission that the City Council has placed a moratorium on development in this area which is due to expire 30 days after receipt of the consultant's ~ayfront Study plan. That plan was received on Friday, April 20. It is suggested that these hearings be continued to June 6, 1973 in order that the Comrnission and City Council can review the consultant's plan and measure these proposals against it. Mr. Peterson reported that the basic uses in the applications before the Commission are sound uses in this location, but they do not conform with all of the design standards the consultant has recommended be applied in the area and there may be some proble~ in working that out. Mr. Peterson recommended that the Environmental Ilnpact Report be considered by the Planning Commission on May 7, and if the staff can get some direction fro~l the Commission on the proposed development by late in May, it should he possible to act on the applications on June 6, 1973. MSUC (Chandler-Whitten) The public hearing for consideration of EIR-73-5 be continued to the meeting of May 7, 1973. MSUC (Vfhitten-Rudolph) The public hearing for consideration of revision to the General Plan, PCM-73-8, be continued to the meeting of June 6, 1973. ~- -2- -" April 23, 1973 MSUC (Rudolph-Wilson) The public hearing to consider rezoning PCZ-73-Gbe continued to the meeting of June 6, 1973. MSUC (Macevicz-Whitten) The public hearing for consideration of conditional use permit application PCC-73-8 be continued to the meeting of June 6, 1973. PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING- PCZ-73-8 - Two parcels at southwest corner of Bonita Road and Sandalwood Drive from R-3-D to R-1 Director of Planning Peterson advised that the Commission has earlier recommended rezoning these two parcels from R~3-D to R-3-G-P. The City Council considered that recommendation and felt the proper zoning should be R-1 and referred the matter back to the Planning Commission for consideration. It is also noted that the owner of one of the parcels has indicated a desire to have that parcel zoned R-1 while Mr. Ferreir desires the zoning to remain as it is. Mr. Peterson also reported that at the Council meeting some residents of Sandal- wood Drive expressed concern about the apartments that have access to Sandalwood Drive and they had proposed that the street be closed off so that the apartment users would not traverse their single family street. The Council considered that matter and determined that such a study not be done until 1-805 is built and Bonita Glen Drive is connected to Vista Drive. No evaluation of the proposed street closing has been accomplished at this time. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Larry Antinone, 39 Sandalwood Drive, spoke in support of R-1 zoning. He also called for a show of hands for those in the audience who are in support of that zone change. Approximately 11 people raised their hands. He reminded the Commission that at the time Bonita Cove was annexed to the City, the residents had expressed their desire to retain the rural character of the area. At issue in this hea~ing are the matters of population density and respect for naturalboundaries. He felt the City Council has sound reasons for recommending R-1 zoning for this property, one of the reasons being the existing single family home located on one of the lots. The second lot is part of a contiguous group of single family lots on. Sandalwood Drive and was originally advertised in sales literature when Bonita Cove was under development as one of 48 potential home sites comprising the Bonita Cove subdivision. Mr. Antinone expressed the opinion that the traffic, noise, lights, etc. from the apartment development has already inflicted an undue and heavy burden upon the neighborhood. He passed a photograph to the Commission showing the congestion of automobiles in the vicinity of the shopping center and entrance to the apartments. He called attention to a petition which requests that Sandalwood Drive be the boundary between multiple family and commercial development to the east and the single family homes. This petition contains 60 names, or approximately 80% of the residents of the subdivision. -3- April 23, 1973 Mrs. Zumstein, Z704 Bonita Road, owner of the larger parcel under consideration, supported the rezoning to R-1 and expressed the opinion there are enough apartn~ents in the area and no more are needed. R. M. West, Jr., 271 Eucalyptus Court, requested that no more R-3 development be brought into Bonita Cove. He felt the people of Bonita Cove have suffered from the decisions which permitted apartments to be built in the area. Frank Ferreira, 270 Bonita Glen Drive, expressed the opinion this rezoning to R-1 was erroneously advertised as being necessary to bring the zoning into conformance with the General Plan. It was his contention that R-3 zoning conforms to the General Plan. Mr. Ferreira referred to City action prezoning the property l0 years ago prior to annexation and stated that at that time the owners had refused to accept any lower zoning than R-3. He felt that zoning should be retained now to protect their inalienable property rights. He indicated he would not object to the rezoning of the Zumstein's property to R-1 if that is their desire. Mr. Ferreira also elaborated upon the expense of installing street improvements and a drainage channel which was borne by the developers of the apartment complex. Mr. Ferreira expressed support for the closing of Sandalwood Drive to the west of the knuckle in the street. Mr. Ferreira indicated that the present intended use for their lot under consideration is for supplemental parking for the apartment complex. Larry Antinone, 39 Sandalwood Drive, pointed out that at the Council meeting a number of alternatives were offered for alleviating the traffic problems on Sandalwood Drive, and what the residents had asked was that City staff study the best land use and act accordingly. R. M. West, 271 Eucalyptus, commented he felt there was some confusion about what the residents of Bonita Cove want. Fie indicated he definitely does not want to see Sandalwood Drive closed as a street, since it offers access to Bonita Road and to First Street via Bonita Road. He felt it would be easy to resolve the problem by closing the entrance to the apartment complex from Sandalwood and the entrance to the commercial property from Sandalwood. Gene Pellerin, 249 Eucalyptus Court, commented that he favors R-I zoning for the property in question and whether Sandalwood is closed or not he felt it should be R-1 zoning, as he would be opposed to having the land used either as a parking lot or for the construction of more apartment buildings. As no one else wished to speak the public hearing was closed. In discussion the Commissioners pointed out the land use and method of alleviating traffic problems on Sandalwood are intertwined and that additional information from the staff is desired prior to taking action on the proposed rezoning. MSC (Wilson-Whitten) Consideration PCZ-73-FI for change of zone be continued to the meeting of May gl, 1973. .... 4- - April 23, 1973 The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Members Wilson, Whitten, Swanson, Rudolph and Chandler NOES: Member Rice ABSENT: None PCM-73-7 - Request for approval of pylon sign for Chula Vista Square Shopping Center, 542 Broadway - California Neon Products Director of Planning Peterson reported this is request for a 50 foot high, 2.25 sq. ft. pylon sign, which is the maximum allowed by ordinance in the C-T zone. The sign would identify the shopping center and eight tenants. He advised that the eight tenant signs are not permitted under ordinance provisions. He further noted that while the ordinance stipulates the maximum height and size, it also provides that those maximums may be reduced based on design and aesthetic considerations and the location and height of signs on adjoining properties. Taking this into consideration, the staff recommends that a freestanding sign for this property be limited to 35 feet in height and 150 sq. ft. in area. Mr. Peterson also pointed out that the written report to the Commission contained a recommendation that the Commission urge the Council to adopt an emergency ordinance limiting the height of freestanding signs to 35 feet. He feels now, how- ever, that further discussion with the business people and the sign companies should be undertaken prior to adoption of such an ordinance. He therefore asked that no action be taken in that regard at this meeting. Commissioner Wilson expressed the opinion the individual stores in this center will need identification on the sign since they will not have exposure from the street. Mr. Peterson advised that the purpose of a freestanding sign, generally speaking, is not to identify the individual tenants of a shopping center, but to identify the center itself, and other means of advertising may be used to acquaint people with the store in the center. Commissioner Whitten reported he had recently been in San Francisco and by accident had engaged in discussion' concerning signs with a member of the Planning Commission there and learned they are attempting to limit signs to identify a certain section or center and not individual businesses. The sign identifies the area and it is then up to the merchants to advertise that they are associated with that particular area. Chairman Rice asked for comments from the applicant's representative. Corky Schauer, California Neon Products, reported he feels the present sign ordinance allows the staff too much discretionary power to determine what is acceptable. He believes it is impossible to obtain approval of any sign over 35 feet high. -5- ~- April 23,1973 Commissioner Whitten suggested it is more difficult to see a sign 50 feet high while driving on a busy street than to see one at a lower level. He also felt it would be impossible to read a list of tenant signs. It was pointed out that no buildings in the immediate area are high enough to obstruct a 35 ft. high sign. MSC (Macevicz-Chandler) The request for approval of a 50' high, Z25 sq. ft. pylon sign for Chula Vista Square Shopping Center, PCM-73-7, be denied. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Members Macevicz, Chandler, Rice, Rudolph and Whitten NOES: Members Wilson and Swanson ABSENT: None Request for waiver of Landscaping and Irrigation and Paving requirements at 575 "C" Street - American Pacific Rentals Director of Planning Peterson reported that the applicant has an equipment rental yard with landscaping, street improvements and lot surfacing as required by the ordinance. He is now extending his lot and ha:l requested a waiver of the paving require~,ents of the yard and that the landscaping at the street frontage be deferred. The staff has recommended that permanent paving of the lot be waived for one year but they do not reco~nmend deferment of the landscaping. The landscaping which has been installed along the other portion of the lot is very attractive and it is felt this should be extended for the entire length of the use. Chairman Rice questioned why this in considered a temporary use since the property has been used as an equipment rental yard for a number of years. Thomas A. Rouden, Assistant General Manager for American Pacific, 575 "C" Street, confirmed that an equipment rental yard has been at this location for 15 to 20 years. It was formerly South Bay Equipment Rental, then sold to ]Pacific Equipment, who went bankrupt and sold the business at auction. American Pacific then opened the business with adequate capital. They have never has anything but a month to month lease as Mr. ttodge, owner of the property, is developing a new industrial site and has reserved a site therein for American Pacific. Mr. Rouden reported he is willing to accept the recommendation of the Planning Department to install landscaping and irrigation as required and to install temporary paving for a period of one year. Mike Rosenberg, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, reported that Mr. Hodge has employed Rick Engineering Company to proceed with plans for the new industrial site and the gas and electric company has been requested to survey and locate facilities for them. -6- .~ April 23, 1973 MSC (Whitten-Macevicz) The request for waiver of permanent paving for increased yard area at 575 "C" Street be approved, subject to the installation of temporary pavement for a period of one year, after which it will be replaced with permanent paving if the yard is still in use; the request for deferment of landscaping and irrigation be denied. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Members Whitten, Macevicz, Chandler, Rice, Rudolph and Swanson NOES: Member Wilson ABSENT: None DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Peterson requested that the Commission set a special meeting on the second Monday in May to consider a referral from the City Council on the Sports World amendment to the E1 Rancho del Rey General Development Plan. This matter will go to the Council on May 15. This will depend upon the applicant's submittal of a revised plan by May 1. MSUC (Whitten-Macevicz) A special meeting be set for 7:00p. m. May 14, 1973, in the Council Chamber to consider the Sports World amendn~ent to the E1 Rancho del Rey General Development Plan. COMMISSION COMMENTS Chairman Rice requested that he be excused from attending meetings from the last week in May through the second Monday in June. Commissioner Wilson reported he will be away on the 7th, 14th, and 21st of May. Commissioner Rudolph advised she will be on vacation between the 26th of May and the 20th of June. MSUC (Whitten-Chandler) Members Rice, Wilson and Rudolph be excused from meetings as requested. Chairman Rice called attention to the unacceptable condition which has again developed in the parking lot paving at the Hilltop and Naples shopping center. Commissioner Chandler offered congratulations to Assistant City Attorney Blick on his recent appointment to the position of City Attorney of Escondido. Chairman Rice reported that he had been talking with a property owner in the vicinity of the recent annexation at Third and Quintard, who had indicated there would be interest among other owners for annexing if the zoning were changed to other than C-O. Director of Planning Peterson indicated he was not aware of such interest but would check into it. - -7- - April 23, 1973 Commissioner Rudolph advised she had procured the Highway Bill fron~ Mr. Van Deerlin's office and while the amendments to the Highway Bill were defeated in the Congress, it will be reconsidered by a joint committee, so communication can still be valuable. Commissioner Rudolph also asked for information concerning the transportation committee to be formed in the city. Chairman Rice advised that the Mayor has met with Rohr representatives in this regard, and it was his understanding he would then start some action. He requested that the Director determine from the City Manager what the status is of the ad hoc committee on transportation in which interest has been indicated by members of various commissions in the city. ADJOURNMENT MSUC (Chandler-Macevicz) The meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Helen Mapes Secretary