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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1978/03/08 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA March 8, 1978 A regular meeting of the City Planning Commission of Chula Vista, California, was called to order by Chairman Chandlerat 7:30 p.m. on the above date, (the late start was due to an earlier power outage) with the following members present: Chandler, Smith, G. Johnson, Pressutti, R. Johnson and O'Neill. Absent (with previous notification): Commissioner Renneisen. Also present: Director of Planning Peterson, Current Planning Supervisor Lee, City Attorney Lindberg and Secretary Mapes. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Chairman Chandler, followed by a moment of silent prayer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MSUC (O'Neill-Pressutti) The minutes of the meeting of February 22, 1978 be approved as mailed. Commissioner R. Johnson abstained from voting on the motion due to his absence from that meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Chandler called for oral communications and none were presented. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional Use Permit PCC-78-24 - Request for additional commercial parking in R-3 zone at 410 "H" Street - First National Bank of San Diego County. Director of Planning Peterson reported that this public hearing was scheduled in anticipation that the Environmental Review Committee would issue a Negative Declaration on the project, but at a meeting held on February 23rd that committee determined that a focused environmental impact report would be required. It, therefore, becomes necessary to continue this public hearing. The project will be reconsidered by the Environmental Review Committee in a meeting this week and it is possible that the former determination may be reversed. In that case the conditional use permit could be considered by the Planning Commission on April 12, so it is recommended that the hearing be continued to that date. MSUC (R. Johnson-Pressutti) The public hearing to consider PCC-78-24 shall be continued to April 12, 1978. 2. Consideration of request for extension of time on conditional use permit PCC-77-1 - Starlight center This conditional use permit was approved by the Planning Commission a year ago to allow the expansion of the Starlight Center. Under the provisions of the Code a conditional use permit becomes void and ineffective if not used within one year. The Starlight Center has advised that they have not yet been able to raise the funds needed for the expansion and are therefore requesting a one year extension of the permit. The staff recommends that the request be granted. MSUC (G. Johnson-Smith) The Commission approves the request for a one year extension of resolution PCC-77-1 for Starlight Center. -2- March 8, 1978 3. Review of conditional use permit PCC-77-2 for auto repair facilitS at 590 A Arizona Street - Fritz Eleiter Director of Planning Peterson noted that this conditional use permit was approved by the Commission in March, 1977 for a one year period, with direction that the operation be reviewed during the year to determine compliance with the required conditions and compatibility with the nearby residential uses. He reported that the staff has checked this business on a number of occasions and there have been no complaints about the operation from the neighboring residents. The staff has observed no major violations of the stipulated conditions, although an A-frame sign has been placed on the site in violation of municipal code regulations and the applicant has been requested to remove that sign. It is recommended that the Commission adopt a resolution establishing conditions for the continued operation of the business with no further time limit. Commissioner G. Johnson noted that one of the recommended conditions would limit the hours of operation on Saturday to 9:00 a.m. through noon, while it was her recollection that the resolution approved a year ago permitted Saturday operation from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the same as on week days. Mr. Peterson checked the resolution in the file and affirmed that Commissioner Johnson was correct; he agreed toamodification of the condition to permit continuance of the operation under the same hours since there has been no complaint. MSUC (O'Neill-Smith) The Commission approves the continued operation of an automobile service and repair facility at 590-A Arizona Street, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report with ~ modification to condition No. 2 to indicate the hours of operation on Saturday will be 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mr. Pat Barajas, owner of the property, asked if there is any location on the site where the A-frame sign may be placed on the site. Mr. Peterson reaffirmed that such sign is illegal; the applicant already has one freestanding sign to which he is entitled. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional use permit PCC-78-25 - Request to construct 217 apartment units in Sweetwater Valley Flood Plain at "E" Street and 1-805 - Morgan and Gardner Current Planning Supervisor Lee pointed out the location of the proposed development within the designated flood plain area of the Sweetwater Valley. He noted that the construction of the 1-805 freeway has restricted the downstream flew of water from this area, however, due to the elevation of the site it could be subject to inundation from backwater in the event of a 100 year flood. He advised that the area immediately adjacent to the freeway offramp and Bonita Road, which has been approved for a motel and service station development, has been filled to bring it above the 100 year flood level. If this subject site is also raised, it will leave only the property occupied by the church remaining below flood level. This could result in some problems. One of the conditions recommended for approval of this request is the preparation of a hydraulic study to determine the maximum water surface elevation, and the submission of a grading plan to raise the property above the flood level. Commissioner Smith pointed out that the second condition indicates that the -3- March 8, 1978 lowest floor of each structure shall be at least one foot above the flood elevation, while the analysis of the project and findings indicate that the entire site will be raised one foot above the 100 year flood level. He suggested that condition 2 be modified by adding the statement that the lowest road or access drive to any building be above the 100 year flood level. George Felix, 3940 Gresham, designer of the project, advised that they had not envis'ioned raising the entire site above the flood level, but after observing flood conditions in Mi]ssion Valley he did not feel there would be great objection to that. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Mr. Gresham indicated he had no further comment concerning the conditional use permit application. No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. MSUC (Smith-R. Johnson) Based on the findings stated in the staff report, the Commission approves conditional use permit, PCC-78-25, to construct 217 apartment units within the Sweetwater Valley flood plain, subject to the following conditions: 1. Developers shall cause to be prepared a hydraulic study of the maximum water surface elevation which would result from a lO0-year flood in the Sweetwater River. Such study shall be in great enough detail to show the water surface at the location of all proposed structures. 2. The lowest habitable floor of each structure shall be at least one foot above the lO0-year flood elevation as determined in the above study. The lowest street required for access to any building shall be at or above the 100 year flood elevation. 3. A grading plan shall be submitted and approved prior to the issuance of a building permit. 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of precise plan for 217 apartment units in the R-3-P-13 zone at "E" Street and 1-805 - Morgan & Gardner Current Planning Supervisor Lee reported that this property had been zoned R-3-G, allowing 17 units per acre. However, the desire to retain the large stand of eucalyptus trees on the slope portion of the site, without overcrowding the developable portion, lead to a change in zoning to R-3-P-13, permitting 13 units to the acre. The proposed development which conforms to the 13 per acre maximum will be bisected by the extension of Flower Street which will provide the only access to the development. Mr. Lee discussed the phasing of the development, retention of trees and additional area to be planted, proposed security fencing around the development, and the provision of parking for residents and guests in excess of the number required by ordinance. After receiving information concerning a communication system to permit entrance through the security gates by guests, Mr. Lee suggested that condition 1 be amended to delete the requirement for guest parking spaces outside the security fencing system. In response to a question from Commissioner G. Johnson, Mr. Lee advised that the ordinance does not require covered parking for apartments, although in this -4- March 8, 1978 development a large percentage of the parking spaces will be in covered carports. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. George Felix, designer, advised that he had nothing to add to the staff's presentation, unless the Commission had questions to be answered. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (G. Johnson-O'Neill) Based on the findings as stated in the staff report, the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the precise plan for 217 apartment units located on the north side of "E" Street, west of 1-805, subject to the conditions recommended in the staff report, as amended in the staff presentation by Mr. Lee. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Peterson recalled that at the previous meeting, following the adoption of resolutions relating to Town Centre Redevelopment Project No. 2, the Commission had expressed some concern over the way that item was handled and their feeling that the Commission was not properly used as an advisory body. The Commission asked that a letter expressing that concern be drafted for submission to the Council. A letter was composed and included in the Commission's packet of items for this meeting. With the Commission's consent and approval it will be submitted to the Council. MSUC (Smith-G. Johnson) The Commission endorses the letter as drafted and directs its submission to the City Council. Mr. Peterson reported that for the next fiscal year the City expects to receive 1.4 million dollars in revenue sharing money, and the City must hold a public hearing to consider how that money will be spent. That hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on March 27. Commissioners may attend the hearing or may submit ideas on projects which they feel would be appropriate to the Director of Planning for submission at the proper time. Mr. Peterson further reported that at the present time there is no particular item scheduled for discussion at the March 15 study session. Commissioner G. Johnson has requested a report on the status of the Sweetwater Regional Park and a County representative will make such a report but cannot do so next week. The Commission concurred with cancelling the study session scheduled for March 15th. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Pressutti acknowledged receipt of the California Tax Association's analysis of the Jarvis Amendment, and asked if there is not a similar report issued by the State Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Peterson advised that he had been unable to find such an analysis by the State Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner G. Johnson suggested that a study be conducted to determine the advisability of amending the zoning ordinance to require garages in apartment complexes. Commissioner Smith felt that should be left up to the developer. If developers find it is economically feasible to include garages they will do so, but he, personally, would be opposed to making it a requirement. -5- March 8, 1978 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Chandler adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Helen Mapes Secretary