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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1980/05/14 MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA May 14, 1980 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, R. Johnson, G. Johnson, O'Neill, Pressutti and Williams. Absent (with previous notification): Commissioner Stevenson. Also present: Director of Planning Peterson, Current Planning Supervisor Lee, City Engineer Lippitt, Assistant City Attorney Harron 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-R. Johnson) The minutes of the meeting of April 23, 1980 be approved as written, copies having been mailed to the Commissioners. Commissioner Pressutti abstained from voting due to his absence on April 23. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Smith called for oral communications and none were offered. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: a. ZAV-80-5 - Variance request to increase maximum fence height from 6' to 7'6", 457 "E" Street, "E" Street Ventures b. PCS-80-13 - Tentative subdivision map for Chula Vista Tract 80-13~ Carabella, construction of 11 new condominium units at 457 "E" Street Current Planning Supervisor Lee noted the location of the property on the north side of "E" Street just east of Brightwood Avenue, with two single family homes adjacent on the west and condominium units adjacent on the north. All adjoining property is zoned R-3. He displayed a site plan of the proposed development of 11 townhouse units, showing the location of structures on adjacent lots. Mr. Lee recalled that at the previous hearing on the subdivision map, concern was expressed by adjacent neighbors with reference to the entries into the condominium units and the effect on the privacy of the single family yards. The Planning Commission therefore referred the subdivision map to the Design Review Committee for reconsideration of the site plan. The staff also further reviewed the plan and suggested that the developer file a variance application to raise the height of the fence on the west property line to afford more privacy to the adjoining properties. He noted that due to the subterranean parking, the entry deck and first floor level of the living units is elevated 2½ feet above the finished pad grade. Increasing the fence height to 7½ feet would provide a 5 foot screen between the entry deck and the adjacent property. -2- May 14, 1980 The Design Review Committee reviewed the site plan and reaffirmed that having exterior side entrance into the units with vehicular access in the middle of the lot was preferable; the Committee recommended increasing the fence height to 7½ feet to provide the desired screening. Mr. Lee reiterated the staff's recommendation to approve the variance request and recommend approval of the subdivision map subject to the four conditions listed in the staff report. Commissioner Williams asked why the whole structure could not be lowered to bring the elevation of the entry and first floor down. Mr. Lee explained this would result in too steep a ramp to reach the parking level from the street. Commissioner Williams suggested this could be alleviated by eliminating the two front units, thus providing a longer ramp due to increased setback of the building. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened for testimony concerning the variance application and the tentative map. Randy Muelheim, representing J. H. Hedrick Company, 1516 West Redwood Street, San Diego, expressed concurrence with the conditions recommended by the staff and indicated their willingness to construct the boundary fence at either height approved by the Planning Commission. James Albright, attorney representing the two families living adjacent to the west of the proposed development, advised that they had not asked for a higher fence, but had asked that they be given the type of privacy they presently have. He pointed out that due to the difference in pad elevation, a fence measuring 7½ feet high on the Hedrick property would measure 8½ to 9 feet high on the lots to the west, which he contended would deprive those residents of air and light, as well as a serious problem of upkeep if they were required to do the painting. He suggested construction of a 6 foot high wall which would be interspersed with shrubbery and trees to add to the aesthetic value. He offered as a second alternative that the units be reversed to face inward rather than fronting toward the side property line. In response to questions from the Commission, Mr. Muelheim further discussed their landscaping plan affirming that trees are part of their design. It was pointed out that the sidewalk does not follow a straight line adjacent to the fence, but zigzags to allow planter areas between entries. John Papish, 471 "E" Street, voiced his objection to the orientation of the buildings. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (G. Johnson-R. Johnson) The variance application for increased fence height be denied. MSUC (G. Johnson-R. Johnson) The Commission adopts the Negative Declaration on IS-80-7 and finds that this project will have no significant environmental impact. -3- May 14, 1980 MS (G. Johnson-O'Neill) Based on the findings stated in the report, the Commission recommends that the City Council approve the tentative subdivision map for Chula Vista Tract 80-13, Carabella, subject to the four conditions contained in the report and an added condition that the developer and staff will work together to determine the best landscape screening adjacent to the side property lines and to include trees, if possible. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners G. Johnson, O'Neill, R. Johnson, Pressutti and Smith NAY: Commissioner Williams ABSENT: Commissioner Stevenson 2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCZ-80-G - Request to prezone property at the north side of the intersection of Main Street and Maple Drive to R-3-P-12 - Pacific Engineering Current Planning Supervisor Lee advised that a letter received from Pacific Engineering requests continuance of this public hearing to June 25th. Chairman Smith declared the public hearing open and asked if anyone interested in this application was in the audience. Three people in the audience indicated their interest and willingness to return on June 25th. They were requested to give their names and phone numbers to the secretary in order that they may be reminded of the date of the continued hearing. MSUC (R. Johnson-Williams) The public hearing to consider prezonin9 property at Main Street and Maple Drive be continued to the meeting of June 25, 1980. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Request for modification of precise plan to permit freestanding sign at Halecrest and Hale Street and reduction in setback from 5' to 3' - Max Greer Current Planning Supervisor Lee noted the location of the property, which is zoned C-O-P and is opposite the new shopping center at Halecrest and Telegraph Canyon Road. The precise plan guidelines, adopted in 1976, prohibited the use of a freestanding sign, as it was felt that a sign on the building would provide sufficient identification. The applicant has constructed a small, attractive ground sign, 4 feet in height and approximately 7 square feet in area. It is located on the slope bank, 3 feet from the property line abutting Halecrest Drive and approximately 18 feet from Hale Street. The sign does not obstruct the line of sight for traffic in its present location and moving it further from the exterior side property line would place it higher on the slope bank. Findings for approval of the sign are contained in the written report. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Max Greer, 498 Hale Street, owner of the sign, offered to answer any questions and asked for the Commission's approval of the sign. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. -4- May 14, 1980 MSUC (O'Neill-R. Johnson) Based on the findings stated in the report, the Commission approves the use of the ground sign and reduction of the required setback from 5 feet to 3 feet, subject to the condition that the sign shall be non-illuminated. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: GPA-80-4 - Consideration of the BaS Boulevard/J Street General Plan Amendment Director of Planning Peterson pointed out the location of five separate parcels adjacent to Bay Boulevard, both north and south of J Street, which are the subject of this hearing. He discussed appropriate use of the various parcels based on size and location as proposed in the Bayfront Redevelopment Plan and the Local Coastal Program, which has been certified by the State of California. There are some inconsistencies between those plans and the General Plan, and the purpose of this amendment is to bring the General Plan into conformance with the more recently adopted plans. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. As no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. MSUC (R. Johnson-O'Neill) The Commission adopts the Negative Declaration on IS-80-44 and finds that the proposed amendment will not significantly impact the environment. MSUC (R. Johnson-O'Neill) The Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the amendment to the plan diagram of the General Plan as proposed. 5. Consideration of the state of conformance of the 1980-81 Capital Public Works Improvement Program to the Chula Vista General Plan Director of Planning Peterson reported that the Capital Improvements Program for the next fiscal year includes 29 separate projects at a total cost of approximately three and a half million dollars. The most costly item involving money to be spent next year is the construction of a bus maintenance building at a cost of $424,000. Another large item is the Telegraph Canyon Flood Control Channel, in which the city will participate with the Corps of Engineers at an estimated cost of approximately $300,000. The proposed reconstruction of East "L" Street between Nacion Avenue and Melrose Avenue amounts to $470,000, with the engineering design of the project estimated at $44,000, and theactual construction to be accomplished at some future time at about $426,000. Other items include improvements of Third Avenue and of Fourth Avenue, and replacement of the Walnut Avenue sewer line. While these subjects are not actually addressed in the General Plan, none are in conflict with that plan. MSUC (O'Neill-R. Johnson) The Planning Commission finds that the draft Capital Improvement Program for 1980-81 conforms to the adopted Chula Vista General Plan and instructs the Secretary to report this finding to the City Council and the Capital Improvement Committee. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director of Planning Peterson advised that the study session next week will be an early meeting followed by dinner. He suggested various subjects that could be -5- May 14, 1980 discussed or that the Commission may wish to take a field trip to view recently constructed projects. The Commission expressed preference for a field trip to be followed by discussion items during the dinner hour. Commissioner G. Johnson asked that a future study session agenda include the presentation made to the City Council concerning the housing program. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner R. Johnson reported that he had observed the lot at Broadway and "L"--a former filling station site--has been fenced and busses are stored there. He questioned whether this is an allowable use. Mr. Peterson said he would have the Zoning Enforcement Officer look into it. Commissioner O'Neill advised that he will be absent from the May 28 meeting. Chairman Smith questioned the procedure with reference to continuing a public hearing from the date advertised without first taking testimony. Assistant City Attorney Harron advised there is no legal problem with the way the continued hearing was handled tonight. The Commission discussed the advisability of readver- tising the date of a hearing that is continued for a fairly lengthy period. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Helen Mapes, Secret~fy