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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1988/11/09 Tape: 294 Side: 2 MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA vISTA, CALIFORNIA Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. Public Services Bldg Wednesday, November 9, 1988 ROLL____~CALL COMMISSIONERS pRESENT: Chairman Carson, Commissioners Cannon, Casillas, Fuller, Grasser, and Tugenberg COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Shipe, with notification STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning Krempl, Principal Planner Lee, Associate Planner Griffin, Deputy City Attorney Fritsch, Community Development Specialist LoBue PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - SILENT PRAYER led by Chairman Carson and was The pledge of allegiance to the flag was followed by a moment of silent prayer. iNTRODUCTORY REMARKS Chairman Carson reviewed the composition of the Planning Commission, its responsibilities and the format of the meeting· APPROVAL OF MINUTES MSUC (Casillas/Cannon) to approve minutes of September 28, 1988. Commissioner Fuller abstained because of absence from meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATION~SS None RNATIONAL BANK A~PEAL OF SIGN APPROVAL FROM 1 PUBLIC HEARING: FIRST INTE , rnM~TTTFE CONSIDERATION FOR FIRST · ~ - DESIGN REVIEW ~u~'~-~u AVENUE, CHULA vISTA INTERNATIONAL BANK, m~o rvu~-.. 'd that this item had been considered at the meeting · ' al Planner Lee sal A · --- ~-~ - ted 3-1 in favor of granting the P~l~r 12 1988 and the ~ommlSs~'°~a~round monument sign as presently OT U~V~ ' ~ ~ ~llOW ~or a w~/~ ~ ~ ~ applicant s appea~ ~u ~, Planning Commission Minutes -2- November 9, 1988 constructed. A four vote approval was required, however, and the applicant appealed with a request for a full Commission. Although one Commissioner presently is absent, the applicant has expressed willingness to be satisfied with the number present. At the October 12 meeting, the Commission approved the second part of the applicant's request by a vote of 4-0; that being to authorize the installation of a wall-mounted sign using individual letters with a logo not to exceed 18 inches in height. Mr. Lee went on to say that the original sign program approved by the Design Review Committee in 1982 featured a brown background with light-colored letters. When the First International Bank acquired the property they installed a blue and white sign theme and had the signs erected without benefit of a permit or design approval. When the applicant applied to the DRC for approval the Committee favored a light tan background color as more in keeping with the building's colors. The DRC was concerned over possible night glare occasioned by the white background. The DRC was never able to view the sign at night but staff has and no glare is observable. Staff is of the opinion that the present sign is satisfactory and recommends approval. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Patricia Hutchins, 1795 Wolviston Way, San Diego, introduced herself as the President of the First International Bank. She explained that they had no knowledge that the signs were erected without a permit as a firm had been hired and had been paid for a permit. The colors being used are the bank's colors and to repaint the background would be a sizable expenditure. No negative comments have been received by the bank regarding the signs and they have sought opinions from many sources. She requested that the Commission approve the signs as they are presently in place. No one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSC (Cannon/Fuller) 5-1, with Commissioner Tu§enberg voting no and Commissioner Grasser out, to approve the monument signs with the white background as they are presently constructed and also to authorize the wall-mounted signs. Director of Planning Krempl requested that Item 4 be brought forward at this time for the purpose of continuance. The Commission concurred. 2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC-89-17 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - REQUEST TO RELOCATE THE SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY SERVICES TO 590 "G" STREET - REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Taken out of sequence - see page 3 3. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA-88-7 CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ZONING REGULATIONS FOR CHURCHES Taken out of sequence - see page 4 Planning Commission Minutes -3- November 9, 1988 4. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA-89-3 - CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 17 AND 19 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS Director of Planning Krempl requested that Item 4 be continued to the meeting of October 30, 1988 as it had been discovered that inadvertently the sign people had not been notified of the meeting. The Chair inquired if anyone was present to speak to the item. No response was received. MSUC ICannon/Tugenberg) 6-0, to continue Item 4 to the meeting of October 30, 1988 2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCC-89-17 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - REQUEST TO RELOCATE THE SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY SERVICES TO 590 "G" STREET - REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Principal Planner Lee stated that the item involved a request by the Redevelopment Agency to relocate the South Bay Community Services ISBCS) from 429 Third Avenue to an existing commercial office building at 590 "G" Street. The Third Avenue site will be cleared for the construction of the Sweetwater Union High School District administrative offices and the Agency is responsible for the relocation of the existing tenant, SBCS. The proposed site is located on the south side of "G" Street, just to the east of Broadway; measures 90 feet x 125 feet and contains a 4,500 square foot two-story office building with 13 off-street parking spaces. The parking area at the rear of the building has access from an abutting alley and a 15-foot wide driveway off "G" Street. Mr. Lee said that it is planned to convert nine of the ten office suites for the use of the South Bay Community Services. The remaining suite will be leased separately. Mr. Lee reviewed the hours the building would be used for the summit school and counseling as well as the number of students and employees who would be present at different times and the amount of parking anticipated. He noted the appropriateness of the property and the zoning. He also reviewed the conditions of approval emphasizing that any deviations therefrom would occasion a review by the Commission with possible revocation of the conditional use permit or implementation of further conditions. In response to a question from Commissioner Fuller, Mr. Lee said the School District is still trying to secure financing. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. No one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Fuller asked if provisions would be made to accommodate the handicapped. Planner Lee replied that such accommodations are required if a major remodeling project is involved. Community Development Specialist LoBue noted that a requirement of the Agency occupation of the building is that services be provided on the ground floor so as to be available to the handicapped. Planning Commission Minutes -4- November 9, 1988 MSUC (Cannon/Fuller) 6-0, that based on the Initial Study and comments on the Initial Study and Negative Declaration, to find this project will have no significant environmental impacts and adopt the Negative Declaration issued on IS-89-35. MSUC (Cannon/Fuller) 6-0, that based on the findings contained in Section "E" of the staff report, to approve the request, PCC-89-17, to establish South Bay Community Services at 590 "G" Street subject to conditions "a" through "d" outlined in the staff report. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA-88-7 CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ZONING REGULATIONS FOR CHURCHES - CITY INITIATED Associate Planner Griffin said that Council had referred consideration of possible amendments to the City's zoning regulations for churches to the Planning Commission for public hearings; and also directed staff to meet with local pastors and church representatives regarding these amendments. Churches are presently treated as unclassified uses in the zoning ordinance subject to a conditional use permit by the Commission in any zone. They are also subject to certain minimum development standards in residential zones. The recommended amendments would treat the existing church standards as guidelines rather than requirements and authorize the Zoning Administrator to act upon the conditional use permits. This would, in effect, streamline the existing process. Another option offered for Commission consideration would include treating churches as permitted uses allowed as a matter of right in residential zones. This option is not recommended by staff because the CUP process provides flexibility, a measure of control and the opportunity for input from the neighbors which is important in retrofitting a use in an existing and established area. The third option would retain the CUP process but would eliminate the residential standards altogether. Staff is of the opinion that the standards, even reformulated as guidelines, serve an important function in directing applicants to sites that have some chance of approval. The church workshop was attended by approximately 20 local pastors and church representatives. There was little opposition to the staff proposed amendments. The primary concern was the inadequate number of church sites in the developing areas to the east. Staff is sensitive to that, is working on it currently and has suggested that a task force be formed to address the problem more thoroughly. This also has been included as part of the recommendation. Commissioner Casillas asked the rationale of recommending Zoning Administrator authorization rather than that of the Commission. Mr. Griffin replied that the primary intention was to facilitate and shorten the process which Council seemed to favor. Also, most church applications could be handled less expensively at staff level rather than being forwarded on to the Commission. The decision of the Zoning Administrator could be appealed to the Planning Commission and on to the Council if necessary. Planning Commission Minutes -5- November 9, 1988 An inquiry by Commissioner Tugenberg regarding the neighbors having the opportunity to voice objections at an open forum was answered by Mr. Griffin's explanation that the neighbors would be noticed and invited to submit written comments. Also, the Zoning Administrator could conduct a public hearing if the need should occur. This being the time and the place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Larry McConnell, 17 Vista Drive, Chula Vista, Pastor of Del Rey Bible Church, spoke on the need for church sites in the eastern part of Chula Vista and expressed satisfaction regarding the study to be conducted. At the EastLake meeting when pastors had been asked to show their interest in developing congregations, the interest was evident but the available sites limited. He favored the need for zoning regulations to prevent any "store-front" churches and asked for a spirit of cooperation regarding provision of an adequate number of church sites. No one else wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Associate Planner Griffin answered Commissioner Casillas' question regarding the make-up of the Task Force by saying that it is anticipated that the Task Force will be comprised of members of City staff, local congregations, developers of those larger communities to the east and, perhaps, the school district and others who might be involved in resolving some of the issues. MSUC (Cannon/Casillas) 6-0, to recommend that City Council enact the amendment depicted in Exhibit A in the staff report. MSUC ICannon/Fuller) 6-0, to recommend to Council that a Task Force be formed to address the questions of interim church use of public and quasi-public facilities, and the provision of new church sites in planned communities and major developments in the Eastern Territories east of 1-805. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: PCA-89-3 - CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 17 AND 19 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS Taken out of sequence - see page 3 OTHER BUSINESS - None DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Krempl reminded the Commission that the B/C/C Banquet is scheduled for Thursday evening at the South Bay Golf Club. He also reminded the Commission that the meeting of November 16 will be a dinner workshop and that the next regular business meeting will be held on November 30 because of Thanksgiving. Planning Commission Minutes -6- November 9, 1988 COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Fuller expressed appreciation for the brochure regarding Growth Management and asked how it would be used in the Community. Director Krempl replied that the brochure had been printed as part of the candidacy for an award presented by the League of California Cities at which the City had received Honorable Mention. Crossroads was putting out a newsletter and advantage was taken of the mailing to distribute the brochure. It is also available at the public counters and through the Mayor's office. He welcomed any suggestions by the Commission as to its use and/or distribution. Commissioner Casillas asked if there was any report on the unauthorized business being conducted on Second Avenue on which legal action was being taken. Also, if some investigation could be made of what appears to be a business operating out of a residence at the southwest corner of Hilltop Drive and "J" Street. Director Krempl said he would pass the latter information on to the Zoning Enforcement Division and bring back a report to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT AT 7:36 p.m. to the Study Session Meeting of November 16, 1988 at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms 2 and 3. Ruth M. Smith, Secretary Planning Commission WPC 5742P