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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1977/06/08 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA June 8, 1977 A regular meeting of the City Planning Commission of Chula Vista, California was held in the Council Conference Room on the above date beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Chandler, Smith, Pressutti, Starr, R. Johnson and G. Johnson. Absent (with previous notification): Commissioner Renneisen. Also present: Director of Planning Peterson, Assistant Director of Public Works Lippitt, City Attorney Lindberg and Secretary Mapes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MSUC (Pressutti-R. Johnson) The minutes of the meeting of May 25, 1977 be approved as mailed. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Chandler called for oral communications and none were presented. 1. Presentation by San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board Director of Planning Peterson introduced Mr. Jim Estrada of the Transit Develop- ment Board, who in turn introduced Mr. A1 Kercheval, Director of Engineering, and Mr. Robert Nelson, General Manager, who made the presentation with the use of slides. Mr. Nelson reported that MTDB was formed about a year and a half ago by the state legislature to design and construct a guideway project in the San Diego area. A guideway system means a rail system or some kind of fixed route. Such a system is usually grade separated from cars and people and can move at high speeds through dense urban areas with an excellent safety record. Mr. Nelson enumerated the makeup of the Board which has representatives from the South Bay, the eastern cities, the County Planning Commission, San Diego City Council, and one member at large appointed by the Governor, who happens to be a Chula Vista resident. He advised that the Board elected to do a little more than design and construct a guideway system; they decided to first test the feasibility of such a system for the San Diego area. It was noted that in order for a guideway system to be feasible it would have to be low cost. To get low cost it would be imperative to avoid tearing up a large block of developed property, so the Board opted to go where the right of way is likely to be the cheapest--along existing freeways or railroads. It is also necessary to have a minimum of negative environmental impact or, if possible, a positive environmental impact, and this again leads to existing freeway or railroad rights of way. In order for a guideway system to compete against the bus and the car it needs to go at a fairly high speed. Using those principles, the Board studied nine different tentative alignments from 21 different aspects: impact on environment, where people live, where jobs are, etc. Those tentative alignments were shown on a slide which Mr. Nelson displayed pointing out that virtually all of them are along existing major highways or railroads. -2- June 8, 1977 Mr. Nelson advised that one of the key decisions reached was the decision to use the Cal Trans 1995 corridor travel volume report, since that organization has more data on highway usage than any other. That information includes population projection and freeway capacity. It indicates that Interstate 8 is already in serious difficulty at certain times of the day. It was determined that the best corridor for testing the feasibility of guideway traffic would be a route from E1 Cajon, generally along the I-8 corridor to the area of the Sports Arena, then turning south and following the railroad right of way or I-5 down to the border. The work completed to that point was Phase I of the program. Phase II which is just getting under way will include a comparative evaluation of cost and impact of several different types of systems to meet the area's transportation needs in 1995. Three alternatives are to be considered. The null alternative would be to use the existing bus systems and expand it just enough to fit the population growth, and apply almost no capital expenditure to it, to see how well it would serve the community. The second option to be considered is the establishment of a system of high speed express busses in the region, reorient the present bus system to serve the neighborhoods and bring people to the high speed system to move them rapidly through the area. The final option is to take one piece of the high speed bus network and replace it with a piece of guideway. To accomplish this study, a technical advisory committee has been formed, composed of Planning Directors and Public Works Directors from all of the cities in the area, plus the County, Cal Trans, CPO and San Diego Transit; in addition, a community participation, now being launched, will continue throughout the course of the project. The board has hired a consultant to do all of the various analyses which are necessary to come to grips with the problems. MTDB has also contracted with Cal Trans, the County and the City of San Diego to use staff members from those agencies to provide information to the consultant. With regard to the final alternative of replacing a part of the highspeed bus line with a guideway system, it was decided to first test and evaluate a 20 mile section of guideway. The consultant's first job will be to advise what the most feasible 20 mile section is. Mr. Nelson advised that MTDB is very interested in the possibility of the abandonment of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad, which they feel would accelerate service to the South Bay by many years since it might provide an economical right of way. He reported that National City, Imperial Beach, the Navy and Rohr have indicated they have no opposition to the abandonment of the railroad by San Diego and Arizona Eastern. It was noted, however, that Congressman Van Deerlin and Senator Mills have taken a position opposing the abandonment. Mr. Estrada pointed out that they are meeting with the several Planning Co~issions throughout the area's jurisdiction to determine the policies and development or redevelopment plans, in order that the transit project can interface as easily as possible with those respective plans. He expressed a strong interest in maintaining some level of ongoing communication with the Chula Vista Planning Commission as it relates to MTDB activities. Commissioner Pressutti commented that the plans as presented appear very scientific and antiseptic, and asked if they have addressed the human element of the plan. He expressed concern that a transportation system, particularly -3- June 8, 1977 railroad tracks, become a dividing line in big cities. Mr. Nelson affirmed that this is going to be considered. He acknowledged that such a problem exists in some cities and cited Atlanta as an example. He also pointed out that a fixed rail system of the type being considered can be a cohesive factor and produce a positive impact on the esthetics of an area. He described a project in Albany, in the San Francisco Bay Area, where a BART line had erected an aerial structure and converted the right of way underneath to a park like setting in place of the sterile railroad tracks that formerly existed. Mr. A1 Kercheval pointed out that the work program for the consultant will include preparation of an Environmental Impact Report which will contain socio- economic elements as well as the elements required by CEQA now. Mr. Nelson advised that the Mexican federal government has expressed an interest in extending the rail system into Tijuana if it is taken to the border. It is estimated that by 1995 there will be 50,000 transit trips a day being generated at the border. Mr. Nelson pointed that some of the transit bus routes through Chula Vista are now carrying a standing load with two or three thousand passenger trips from the border. If that is increased by 25 times it would mean a great number of busses passing through Chula Vista to meet the demand. He noted the same thing is true of downtown San Diego, where during the peak hour of the morning there are 200 busses an hour passing along Broadway. If this is increased to meet the 50% population increase projected by 1995 it would be a problem. Assistant Director of Public Works Lippitt asked about the cost if MTDB is able to get the San Diego and Arizona Eastern tracks. Mr. Nelson indicated that has not been determined. He also affirmed that if they used that right of way they would not have any ongrade crossings. Mr. Estrada affirmed that they will have to project the cost, and that will depend on property values, what zoning ordinances are in effect and the kind of planning policies in effect. Mr. Nelson indicated that the information they need from Chula Vista is where such a guideway should be located to best serve the residents of this city. He again expressed an interest in maintaining contact with the City to keep the City informed of progress being made and to receive their reaction and suggestions. 2. Consideration of request for deferral of public improvements to alley at the rear of 105 Madison Avenue Director of Planning Peterson advised that the improvements, for which the deferral is requested, consist of concrete paving in an existing alley which presently has asphalt paving. It has been determined that it is not practical to pave one small portion with concrete, and the entire alley should be done as an overall project. It is recommended that the deferral be approved subject to conditions for an agreement to guarantee future installation, posting of surety, and waiving the right to protest in the event a 1911 Act is initiated. MSUC (R. Johnson-G. Johnson) The Commission approves the deferral of public improvements at the rear of 105 Madison Avenue, subject to the conditions set forth in the staff report. -4- June 8, 1977 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Precise Plan PCM-77-20 for 4 lot split and construction of 3 single family dwellings at 1394 Hilltop Drive - David Eyres Director of Planning Peterson displayed a plat showing the proposed lot division and indicated there is no problem with the lot configuration, but the report discusses some of the problems of the relationship of proposed houses and the lots. It is felt the floor plans do not relate well to the yard area. An additional concern has recently come to light with regard to the existing duplex on lot 1. This concern relates to the fact that the structure was built in the County as a single family dwelling and later converted into a duplex. The garage may have been converted into living quarters which would result in a duplex with no offstreet parking space. Since under the lot configuration proposed, the necessary parking could not be accommodated on that lot, it is felt it should be investigated a bit more to determine how parking could be provided before giving approval to development of the vacant land. Mr. Peterson suggested that the public hearing be opened and continued for two weeks for further study. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. No one expressed a desire to speak on this item at this meeting. MSUC (G. Johnson-Pressutti) The public hearing in consideration of the precise plan for the division of property at the northwest corner of Hilltop Drive and Quintard Street be continued to the meeting of June 22, 1977, and the staff be directed to obtain additional information with regard to the existing duplex and the required parking. 4. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont.): EIR-77-4 for Implementation of first phase of Chula Vista Bayfront Redevelopment Director of Planning Peterson advised that this public hearing was opened for testimony on May 11 and continued to this meeting as the required input had not been received from the Stab agencies. That input has now been received and will require considerable investigation in order for the necessary response to be added to the Environmental Impact Report. After permitting oral testimony at this meeting, it is recommended that the hearing be closed and consideration of the final EIR scheduled for June 22, 1977. The Chairman called for testimony on EIR-77-4 and none was presented. MSUC (Starr-Pressutti) The public hearing be closed and consideration of the final Environmental Impact Report on the first phase of Chula Vista Bayfront Redevelopment be scheduled for June 22, 1977. 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of tentative subdivision map PCS-77-4 for Chulas Casitas Director of Planning Peterson pointed out the location of 1.2 acres east of First Avenue, south of H Street. A proposal has been submitted to create five lots to be served by a cul-de-sac extending from First Avenue. The lots average 7,960 sq. ft. in area but an existing drainage channel along the north edge of -5- June 8, 1977 the lots reduces the usable area to a range of 5500 to 7400 sq. ft. It is proposed that the street to be constructed be 40 feet wide to allow for two travel lanes with parking and sidewalk on one side only, since the lots will front on only the north side of the street. Mr. Peterson noted the list of 12 conditions contained in the staff report and called special attention to the revised condition "e", as requested by the Engineering Division, which deals with the drainage channel. In response to a question from Commissioner G. Johnson, Mr. Peterson affirmed that the narrow street width has been cleared with the Fire Department. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Allen Ring of R & R Engineering, 1014 West Washington, San Diego, expressed concurrence with the conditions as recommended. He also confirmed a statement made by the Director of Planning that the drainage ditch on the most easterly lot will be placed underground in a pipe which will follow the east and north property line of that lot. In the event they have excess pipe they may place the entire drainage system underground to First Avenue. Roy Nelson, resident of one of the adjacent lots to the north, asked what improvements would be made to the drainage ditch if it is not covered. Assistant Director of Public Works advised that improvements would be required to bring the drainage ditch to the 100 year flood capacity. Hans Busch, resident at the corner of First Avenue and H Street, expressed the opinion that the culvert at First Avenue into which the water from this ditch flows is not adequate to handle the volume of water. Bill Ansley, 355 K Street, one of the principals involved, reported that they had a survey conducted by an engineer and the result indicated that the ditch is not wholly on their property, but also lies partially on the lots to the north. Since their plan to develop this land would not result in increased drainage water they did not feel they should be required to bear the burden of the total ditch improvement cost and that it would be no more than fair for the owners to the north to join in the cost of that improvement. They also asked the city to share in the cost since the water handled comes from beyond their development. However, they ultimately agreed that as the owners of the property to be developed they will improve the channel so it will not be worse as a result of their development. Mr. Busch asserted that the ditch boundary was moved to the north as a result of fill placed on the subject property at the time "H" Street was widened and a subsequent clearing of the ditch. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (Pressutti-R. Johnson) The Commission finds that in accordance with the Negative Declaration on IS-77-16 and the findings stated therein, this project will have no significant adverse environmental impact and certifies the Negative Declaration. MSUC (Pressutti-R. Johnson) The Commission recommends that based on the findings of consistency with the General Plan, the City Council approve the tentative -6- June 8, 1977 subdivision map for Chulas Casitas Unit No. l, subject to the conditions enumerated in the staff report and including the revision as requested by the Engineering Division. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Peterson reported that at the City Council's consideration of the budget request for the Planning Commission the decrease in the allowance for dinner meetings as recommended by the City Manager was restored by the Council so that the Commission is again budgeted for six dinner meetings a year. Mr. Peterson also reminded the Commission that Chula Vista will be the host city for the League of California Cities dinner meeting on Thursday, June 16, at the Lion's Club, Fourth and Mankato, starting at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Reservations must be made with the City Clerk by Monday, June 13. Mr. Peterson pointed out that a study session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th, but if the Commission wishes to cancel that session in favor of the League Meeting they may do so. The Commissioners expressed unanimous agreement that the study session be cancelled.~ COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Pressutti advised that the high school district has scheduled a meeting to deal with desegration on June 22nd and he should be present at that meeting, which would mean missing the Planning Commission meeting. He inquired if any other Commissioners had indicated their desire to be excused from that meeting. It was noted that no other requests to be excused from the June 22nd meeting have been made. The Commission concurred that Commissioner Pressutti be excused from the meeting of June 22. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Chandler adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted Secretary