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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1984/09/26 Tape #252, Side 1 0-899 MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers Wednesday, September 26, 1984 Public Services Building ROLL CALL COMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman O'Neill, Commissioners Carson, Green, Guiles, Shipe and Tugenberg CO~ISSIONERS ABSENT: With notification: Commissioner Cannon STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning Krempl, Principal Planner Lee, Assistant City Attorney Gill, Senior Civil Engineer Daoust, City Traffic Engineer Glass PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - SILENT PRAYER The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Chairman O'Neill and was followed by a moment of silent prayer. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Chairman O'Neill reviewed the composition of the Planning Commission, its responsibilities, and the format of the meeting. ORAL CO~IUNICATIONS None. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP FOR EAST ORANGE VILLAGE CONDOMINIUMS, CHULA VISTA TRACT 80-23, 225-255 ORANGE AVENUE Principal Planner Lee stated that the developer is requesting a one-year extension of the tentative subdivision map known as East Orange Village Condominiums, Chula Vista Tract 80-23, for the purpose of converting a 128-unit apartment complex, located at 225-255 East Orange into a one-lot condominium project. There have been no significant physical changes in the immediate vicinity which affect the original conditions or findings of approval; therefore, staff recommends approval. The map will then expire on October 14, 1985, and no further extensions will be permitted. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. No one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSC (Shipe/Tugenberg) - O'Neill voted "no" - to appove a one-year extension of the tentative subdivision map known as East Orange Village Condominiums, Chula Vista Tract 80-23. The map will then expire on October 14, 1985, with no further extensions permitted. Plannin~ Commission - 2 - September 26, 1984 2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCS-84-12 - SEAVALE VILLAS, CHULA VISTA TRACT 84-12, WEST WIND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Principal Planner Lee stated that this project is over 1 acre in size and abuts the proposed I-5 expansion. The MTDB line will shift to the east closer to this project. The Design Review Committee approved the project on March 15, 1984. A building permit has been issued and actual work has been started on this project. The proposed map is to allow the applicant to proceed with his sale plans. Staff is recommending approval subject to the conditions contained in the staff report. Commissioner Green asked to see the site plan. As the slide projector was out of order, Principal Planner Lee brought a site plan map to the dais. Commissioner Tugenberg expressed concern about items coming before the Commission on which construction has already commenced. Planning Director Krempl explained that if a project is appropriately zoned, it is not necessary that it proceed to the Planning Commission. Design plans are approved by the Design Review Committee, with possible appeal to the Planning Commission; however, if the DRC is completely satisfied, the applicant is able to get a building permit. This particular project is before the Commission because it is going through a subdivision platting procedure (which is quite separate and distinct from either rezoning or site plan approval) and is complying with the subdivsion requirements to record a one-lot subdivision. He continued that a similar concern by Council had resulted in an ordinance (which the Commission had considered at the September 12 meeting) specifying that one-lot condominiums should be processed by the Planning Commission and not proceed to Council for approval. The Planning Department hopes that eventually the Commission may delegate this approval procedure to staff level. Commissioner Green requested information regarding space allotted for children to play and the nearest park or play area. Principal Planner Lee replied that no provision for a children's play area had been made in this particular project as the open space was largely in the form of deck areas, private patios and balconies and was oriented toward private open space instead of general open space. He added that, based on this lack of open space, the staff had recommended against the project at the time of the Design Review Committee's consideration. However, the dimensions of the balconies were 6 x 12 which exceeds our minimum requirement of 60 sq. ft. Mr. Lee stated that the nearest play area would be Feaster School and the nearest general park would be Eucalyptus Park (or General Roca), a distance of about 1/2 mile. Commissioner Shipe asked for a clarification of the work "liquifaction" as it relates to regional faults. Principal Planner Lee explained that with certain soil conditions (i.e., sandy) sufficient motion during an earthquake may cause water to rise to the surface; soil testing has precluded the possibility in this project, but further testing is required at the lower level which is below the lO0-year inundation line. Planning Commission - 3 - September 26, 1984 Commissioner Guiles questioned the number of structural requirements listed in the conditions and was infomed they were occasioned by the need to ensure that the driveway and its approach are of essentially the same standard as the street section before street maintenance is turned over to a homeowner's associ ati on. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Milton M. Hirsch, 45 Woodlawn Avenue, Chula Vista, a resident homeowner, expressed concern that the three-story building would affect his view and that the increase in traffic would cause congestion. Principal Planner Lee replied that the roof of the proposed building may be as much as 20 feet above Woodlawn Avenue; and that the other multi-family development being proposed for the area, Mr. Hirch's view will diminish in the transition from a single-family to a multi-family neighborhood. The Commission discussed easements, parking needs, and street-widening possibilities. City Traffic Engineer Glass remarked that parking for this project is on-site and he experienced no concern over a 30-foot wide street with parking restricted to one side. MSUC (Guiles/Carson) that this project will have no significant environmental impacts and to adopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS-78-39. MSUC (Guiles/Green) based on the findings contained in Section "D" of the staff report, to recommend that City Council approve the tentative subdivision map for Seavale Villas, Chula Vista Tract 84-12, subject to the conditions outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Green remarked that he would not vote against the project although no accommodations had been made for a recreation area for the 33 school-age children because of the project's proximity to Feaster School and Eucalyptus Park which made this a borderline case. He expressed a desire to ensure adequate play space be provided for children in future developments. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: PCZ-84-B - CHANGE OF PREZONING FOR APPROXIATELY TWO ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF BONITA ROAu AND PLAZA BONITA ROAD FROM A-8 TO C-V-P CITY O~ CHULA VISTA Principal Planner Lee stated that the County owns a 3.18 acre parcel extending along the southwesterly side of Plaza Bonita Road which was originally part of the Sweetwater Regional Park. The construction of Plaza Bonita Road physically separated this property from the park area. The City is requesting annexation and is proposing a change in the existing prezoning from A-8 to C-V-P for an approximately 2-acre parcel abutting the Burger King property. The remaining area to the west is relatively shallow and encumbered by an equestrian easement, therefore, it is not being considered for a prezoning change and will remain A-8 upon annexation. Planning Commission - 4 - September 26, 1984 Mr. Lee pointed out that two access easements to Burger King traverse the ~roperty being considered for rezoning and that the property is located on a gateway" into the City requiring special site plan and architectural treatment. Staff is recommending approval of the prezoning. Commissioner Guiles asked if a U-turn would be permitted at the intersection of Plaza Bonita and Bonita and was informed by the City Traffic Engineer that U-turns are currently allowed, but probably will not be in the future. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Carol Freno, 3703 Alta Loma Drive, Bonita, representing the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association, spoke in opposition to the prezoning. Mrs. Freno cited the revised master schematic plan of the Sweetwater Regional Park being conducted by R. B. Claire, County Planner, who has requested input from civic groups concerning land plots (including the parcel under consideration) composing the Park area. She expressed surprise at the statement that the proposed prezoning was in cooperation with the County and asked that the prezoning be denied pending completion of the County's master plan. Mrs. Freno referred to the heavy traffic at the intersection; the use of the bike lane by motorists making right-hand turns onto 805; and asked for comments by the City Traffic Engineer concerning motorists attempting to "maneuver a Bonita Road exit from this property to southbound 805." City Traffic Engineer Glass said an exit from the property to southbound 805 would necessitate crossing two lanes in a distance of approximately 900 feet which is fairly typical for any major highway and would not occasion much difficulty. He said there had been little or no trouble with Denny's in exits to northbound 805 and pointed out the parallel conditions. In reply to Chairman O'Neill, Principal Planner Lee responded that the County Park Department is working with the community requesting input on various land pieces throughout the Sweetwater Regional Area; the same conversation has been held with staff; the prezoning of the property does not commit it to development or annexation, that remains the County's choice; the property is zoned A-8 so annexation can move forward without the prezoning action; and, therefore, staff sees no objection to proceeding with the prezoning at this time. At Commissioner Tugenberg's request, City Traffic Engineer Glass outlined the current efforts to improve traffic circulation at the Bonita Road interchange by the three jurisdictions involved, Plaza Bonita under the County; freeway interchange signals under CalTrans; and two proposed signals (Bonita Glen and "E" Street/Flower under the jurisdiction of Chula Vista. Mr. George Kost, 3609 Belle Bonnie Brea Road, Bonita, Vice President of the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association and a member of the board of the Planning Group, spoke in opposition to the prezoning. He questioned the need for haste; the lack of regard for the overall traffic picture; the need to lessen traffic congestion not add to it with uses like Burger King; that adding more Planning Commission - 5 - September 26, 1984 lights does not solve the problem; expressed concern that a commercial interest, like Burger King, would utilize the land parcel; revealed that a suggestion had been made to the County that an edifice be raised on this parcel to indicate it as the entry way to the park system; and requested a delay to permit the County to make their decision on the master park plan before the City proceeds to prezone or annex. No one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (Tugenberg/Guiles) to find that this project will have no significant environmental impacts and adopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS-83-21. MSC (Tugenberg/Guiles) Carson "no" based on the findings contained in Section E of the staff report, to recommend that the City Council enact an ordinance to change prezoning for approximately 2 acres located at the northwest corner of Bonita Road and Plaza Bonita Road from A-8 to C-V-P subject to the precise plan development standards "a" through "h" as shown in the staff report. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Drempl advised the Commission that: - the Council invited them to the EastLake Development workshop on 9/27/84 at 4:00 p.m.; the study session on lO/17 will be cancelled so the Commission may attend Boards and Commissions' workshop at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers; the Boards and Commissions' Banquet is scheduled for 11/8/84; the nominations for Humanitarian Award to be presented at the Banquet are due by 10/22/84; the study session the day before Thanksgiving (ll/21) will be cancelled. - the Council recently passed a change to the City Code authorizing a waiver of fees for appeals on conditional use permits acted upon by the Planning Commission with less than a conclusive vote (2-3 or 3-2). In checking the records, only three items since 1980 have fallen into that category and only one was a conditional use permit. It is believed the number of eligible CUPs and variances will be extremely rare as the predominant pattern for the Planning Commission has been full attendance and almost all items passed on to Council have a majority vote. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Green stated more provisions should be made for children's Commissioner Guiles suggested that play areas in condos and apartments. the Design Review Committee might be able to assist in that matter. .... Planning Commission - 6 - September 26, 1984 - Commissioner Guiles asked if the APCD was not the regulating agency in the case of the electric generating plant and was answered affirmatively. - Chairman O'Neill thanked Commissioner members and staff for their cooperation and a most enjoyable year. ELECTION OF OFFICERS MSC (O'Neill/Guiles) Green abstained - to elect Michael Green for Chairman and William Cannon for Vice Chairman. ADJOUR)~qENT AT 8:10 p.m. to the Regular Business Meeting of October 10, 1984, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Ruth M. Smith, Secreta~ WPC 1412P