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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1979/01/24 MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA January 24, 1979 A regular business meeting of the City Planning Commission of Chula Vista, California was held on the above date beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Smith, Pressutti, R. Johnson, G. Johnson, O'Neill, Stevenson and Williams. Also present: Director of Planning Peterson, Senior Civil Engineer Daoust, and Secretary Mapes. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Chairman Smith, followed by a moment of silent prayer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MSUC (O'Neill-Williams) The minutes of the meeting of January 10, 1979 be approved as mailed. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Smith called for oral communications and none were presented. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Variance PCV-79-5 - Request for ~edu.__ction of side yard setback from 25 fe~t to'zero for construction of commercial structure at 366 Br6adw-~i'n the C-T zone - June Jensen Director of Planning Peterson reported that a telephone call received this afternoon from the applicant requested that the hearing be continued to the next meeting due to her illness and inability to attend the hearing tonight. Mr. Peterson expressed some reservations about continuing a hearing after the report has been sent to the Planning Commission; a continuance requires additional staff time and additional reviewing by the Commission. He expressed the opinion that an applicant has some obligation to send a representative to the meeting if unable to attend personally. In response to a question from Chairman Smith, Mr. Gerald Fick reported that he was present to protest the granting of the variance; that he had no objection to a continuance but would like to speak to the date of the continued hearing if the Commission decides to continue it. Commissioner G. Johnson suggested that the public hearing be opened to receive testimony from anyone present for that purpose at this meeting and then continue the hearing to a future meeting. Commissioner R. Johnson expressed the opinion that the applicant has some obliga- tion to be represented when the hearing is advertised. MS (R. Johnson-Pressutti) The request for a continuance be denied, and the hearing and Commission decision be concluded at this meeting. The motion failed by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners R. Johnson and Pressutti NOES: Commissioners Williams, Smith, R. J~,~.q:$n, O'Neill and Stevenson G. Johnson (per correction made 2/14/79) ABSENT: None -2- January 24, 1979 MSUC (G. Johnson-Stevenson) The public hearing to consider variance application PCV-79-5 be opened. Director of Planning Peterson pointed out that the rear half of the subject property is adjacent to R-3 zoned property on the north, which requires a 25 foot side yard setback for the construction of a building. The applicant has requested the variance to pemit construction of a building at the north property line. The front 120 feet of the building would be a single story, 19 foot high structure to be used as an auto parts store with the rear 40 feet of the buildil~g to be constructed two stories, or 30 feet high, and be used for storage of auto parts. Mr. Peterson noted that the front 125 feet of the lot is adjacent to C-T zoned property and a two story building could be constructed at the property line without a variance. The applicant contends that the variance is justified due to the irregular depth of the C-T zone for properties fronting on Broadway between "~" Street and "G" Street. Mr. Peterson advised that the staff does not support that contention and was unable to make the required finding of a hardship peculiar to the property since an adequate building can be constructed in the front 125 feet of the lot. It is also unquestionable that there would be an adverse affect on the adjacent property to the north since there are two mobile homes and a single family residence located near that property line, so that any construction on the property line would reduce the amount of light and air available to those residential uses. Mr. Peterson reported the receipt of a letter from Mr. Fick, owner of the mobile home park to the north, expressing opposition to granting the variance and a desire to be heard at the public hearing. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Gerald Fick, 352 Broadway, advised that he resides in the trailer nearest to Broadway north of the subject property and a 19 ft. wall as proposed for a single story building would take away most of the sunlight from his home. He has been planning a solar heating system for some time but this would preclude its use. Gayle Fick, resident of the house located on the R-3 zoned property, contended that if the building as proposed is constructed his house will never receive sunlight. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. MS (G. Johnson-Stevenson) The public hearing to consider variance application PCV-79-5 be continued to the next meeting. GeraldFick advised that neither he nor his father would be in town or be able to attend the continued hearing on February 14. He expressed a strong desire to be able to address the Commission after Ms. Jensen's appearance and asked that the continued hearing be delayed to the second meeting in February. With the consent of the second, Commissioner G. Johnson amended the motion for continuance of the public hearing to stipulate February 28 as the hearing date. The motion, as amended, carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners G. Johnson, Stevenson, O'Neill, Smith and Williams NOES: Commissioners R. Johnson and Pressutti ABSENT: None -3- January 24, 1979 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Tentative subdivision map for Chula Vista Tract No. 79-3, Del Mar Villas, a one lot, 15 unit condominium at the north- west corner of Del Mar Avenue and "G" Street Director of Planning Peterson reported that this subdivision map was filed to convert an approved townhouse complex at the northwest corner of Del Mar Avenue and "G" Street into condominiums. The project is comprised of two structures containing a total of 15 two-story units with a two-car garage located beneath each unit. Eleven of the units will contain two bedrooms and four will have three bedrooms. The development complies with all provisions of the subdivision ordinance and with the recently adopted condominium ordinance. As the development has less than 50 units, the developer is not obligated to explore the provision of low and moderate income housing. It is recommended that the map be approved subject to the six conditions contained in the staff report which relate to engineering requirements for public improvements. In response to a question from Chairman Smith, Mr. Peterson advised that both of the existing structures on this site will be removed. He also affirmed that a box culvert will be constructed in place of the existing open drainage channel that crosses the west end of the property. It was also ascertained that the building will observe a 6 foot setback from the north property line. This being the time and place as advertised, thepublic hearing was opened. Mr. David Eyres, 3427 Bonita Woods Drive, Bonita, the applicant, advised, in response to a question from the Commission, that the buildings would be about 20 feet high and that each unit would be two stories. Richard White, resident of E1 Cajon, speaking on behalf of his aunt, Mrs. F. A. Smith, indicated the location of her property located south of "G" Street. He discussed drainage problems affecting that property and questioned whether the proposed box culvert would add to that condition. Senior Civil Engineer Daoust advised that the proposed drainage facility will be adequate to handle the water coming from the area south of "G" Street. He acknowledged that the underground drainage facility crossing "G" Street and extending to the south is not adequate and reported that a proposal to correct that condition will be included in the Capital Improvement Program for 1979-80. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Stevenson commented that the subject property has been a problem area for a number of years and he felt the proposed development is a good solution to the problem. MSUC (Stevenson-O'Neill) The Commission recommends that the City Council approve the tentative subdivision map for Del Mar Villas, subject to the six conditions enumerated in the staff report. 3. Discussion of draft lette~ to City Council concerhing housing for low and moderate income families Chairman Smith reported that following a discussion of the draft letter prepared by Commissioner O'Neill at the last study session, it was the concurrence of the Commission that the letter be further reviewed and any suggestions for modifications -4- January 24, 1979 be presented at this meeting. Commissioner O'Neill suggested the following additions or modifications to the original draft letter: In the second paragraph add, "an estimated" before the figure 2,710 units. In the last sentence of the same paragraph add, "low rent public housing," as one of the City's programs; also delete the words "for Public Housing" and substitute, "to acquire scattered sites." In the last sentence of the fourth paragraph, following, "Density bonuses," add "use of Block Grant funds to write down costs to developers," and also add the word "could" before the words "provide assurance". In the fifth paragraph change the phrase, "on city owned land," to "on city or developer owned land." Add to the last sentence of that paragraph, "and should be thoroughly explored." Commissioner Stevenson suggested that in light of the City Council's desire to designate the Human Relations Commission as their advisory body on housing, the fourth paragraph of the letter be amended to include the Human Relations Commission with the departments and commission who should pursue ways and means of encouraging developer response. He also suggested that if the Commission unanimously concurs with the proposed letter, that should be indicated to the City Council. Commissioner Pressutti suggested the letter be forwarded as soon as possible. Commissioner R. Johnson expressed that it is a good letter, but he did not feel it is necessary. After listening to Mr. Sanseverino at the study session he feels the suggestions made in the letter are already being pursued. He felt the housing problem gets into more sociological problems than he is ready for at this time. Commissioner O'Neill suggested that the letter should be signed by the Chairman of the Commission, on the Commission's behalf, if it is approved. Chairman Smith suggested that while ways of providing housing for low and moderate income families are being pursued, the City should explore ways to make it, in fact, "lower cost housing" by eliminating some of the paper work. Commissioner O'Neill concurred that there is no low cost housing in the city and he felt there is not going to be any low cost housing. Commissioner R. Johnson questioned whether the city should buy one or two new $85,000 home to provide housing on a subsidy basis for one or two families. There will not be enough funds to keep up with the growing needs of the increasing population and perhaps the money could be utilized so as to benefit more families. Commissioner Pressutti suggested that the immediate problem is forwarding the proposed letter to the City Council. MS (Pressutti-Williams) The proposed letter be forwarded to the Council over Commissioner O'Neill's signature with a statement that it represents the consensus of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Stevenson felt the letter should be signed by the Chairman of the Commission. Commissioner Pressutti withdrew his motion. MS (G. Johnson-O'Neill) The letter be forwarded to the City Council from the Planning Commission with the signature of the Chairman. -5- ~qanuary 24, 1979 The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners G. Johnson, O'Neill, Pressutti, Stevenson and Williams NOES: Commissioners R. Johnson and Smith ABSENT: None MS (G. Johnson-O'Neill) The letter to be sent include all modifications and additions suggested during the discussion at this meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners G. Johnson, O'Neill, Pressutti, Stevenson and Williams NOES: Commissioner Smith ABSTAINED: Commissioner R. Johnson ABSENT: None 4. Discussion of ordinance relatin9 to duties and functions of Human Relations Commission Director of Planning Peterson advised that pursuant to Council instructions the City Attorney has prepared an ordinance relating to the duties and functions of the Human Relations Commission. The draft ordinance is presented for Planning Commission review and comment. Commissioner Pressutti pointed out that paragraph H on page 3 states the need for the Planning Commission and everybody else in the city organization to work with the Human Relations Commission in the development of housing programs. He suggested that the most important charge to the Human Relations Commission was the development and improvement of programs to stimulate housing for low and moderate income families, and that Commission has recommended a change in language to state simply that they encourage and promote such programs. He asserted that in no way gives them the responsibility, the responsibility still lies with the Departments of the City and with the Planning Commission as it overviews land use. MSUC (O'Neill-Pressutti) The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the ordinance as written with the modification to paragraph A.7 as suggested by the Human Relations Commission. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Peterson noted that because there are five Wednesdays in January, the next regular meeting would be three weeks from this date. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Pressutti reported that he expects to be absent from the meeting of February 14 and the study session of February 21, but will be back prior to the 28th. Commissioner R. Johnson reported he is still interested in attending the Planning Commissioners Institute to be held in Monterey on February 21-23. Chairman Smith expressed an interest in having someone from the Building Department, who Mr. Peterson had indicated is knowledgable about mobile homes and mobile home parks, address the Commission at an early study session. He believes this is an area of possible low cost housing which should be explored. -6- January 24, 1979 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Respectful ly submitted, Helen Mapes, Secretary