Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1982/08/11 MINUTES OF A REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA August 11, 1982 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. in the City Council Chambers, Public Services Buildin§, 276 Fourth Avenue. Commissioners Present: Pressutti, Green, G. Johnson, O'Neill, Stevenson and Williams Commissioners Absent: R. Johnson (with previous notification) Staff Present: Principal Planner Lee, Associate Planner Liuag, Assistant City Attorney Harron and Secretary Mapes The pledge of allegiance to the flag was led by Chairman Pressutti, and was followed by a moment of silent prayer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MSUC (Stevenson-O'Neill) The minutes of the meeting of July 28, 1982 be approved as written. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Pressutti called for oral communications and none were presented. 1. Consideration of request for extension of tentative map for Charter Point, Chula Vista Tract 80-20 - Pacific Scenes Principal Planner Lee reported that this tentative subdivision map, covering the development of 42.5 acres at the northwest corner of Telegraph Canyon Road and Otay Lakes Road, is scheduled to expire on September 30, 1982. Construction has begun on Unit No. 1, but final maps have not been filed for Units 2 and 3, so an extension of the tentative map is necessary. It is recommended that a two year extension be granted, as requested. MSUC (O'Neill-G. Johnson) The Commission approves a two year extension of the tentative subdivision map for Charter Point, Chula Vista Tract 80-20, which will then expire on September 30, 1984. 2. Consideration of request for extension of tentative subdivision map for Brightwood Village, Chula Vista Tract 80-24 - Wilson & Brennan Principal Planner Lee advised that this tentative subdivision map approved in I980, for the development of a 9 unit condominium project at 163-165 Brightwood Avenue, will expire on September 16th. The applicant has cited economic conditions as the reason for a delay in their building program. It is recommended that a one year extension be approved, as requested. -2- August 11, 1982 MSUC (Green-Williams) The Planning Commission approves a one year extension of the tentative subdivision map for Brightwood Village, Chula Vista Tract 80-24, which will then expire on September 16, 1983. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Variance ZAV-83-1: request for a reduction in the minimum street frontage for a rooftop si§n from 100 feet to 50 feet - The Bedroom Associate Planner Liuag reported that approximately four years ago the Planning Department approved the installation of a rooftop sign for The Bedroom at 639 Broadway because at that time the establishment occupied the commercial structures on two lots with a combined lot street frontage of 150 feet. The code permits a rooftop sign for businesses with a street frontage of 100 feet or more. At that time the applicant submitted a letter agreeing to remove the sign in the event he no longer occupied both parcels. Early this year it was noted that a different business now occupies the southerly parcel, so The Bedroom was requested to remove the sign. The applicant asked for a 60 day postponement of the removal of the sign, which was approved by the City. During that time period the applicant filed the application for a variance to permit retention of the sign with 50 feet of street frontage. Mr. Liuag showed slides of the subject building and of the adjoining area along Broadway. He pointed out that two other rooftop signs in the vicinity are subject to abatement and removal by 1989. If a sign were approved by variance it would not be subject to abatement. The recommendation for denial of the variance is based on the inability to find a hardship peculiar to this property and the determination that a variance should not be granted to achieve parity with signs subject to abatement. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Chuck Gerson, 8333 Arjons Drive, San Diego, applicant and owner of The Bedroom, related his business experience in the County for the past 12 years and in this community for 8 years. He advised that about two and a half years ago economic conditions for his type of business became very severe and he was forced to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and has been operating unde~ that guidance since that time which requires that he make the business profitable. For that reason he was forced to reduce his floor area by subletting the southerly store building. While he could not foretell the total effect removal of the sign would have on his business volume, he was sure it would be detrimental. Jerry Murdock, Comet Neon Signs, Escondido, pointed out that a rooftop sign affords the best visibility from the street for a store wi th zero setback. He pointed out that in order to install a wall sign it would be necessary to remove the awning which extends the width of the building at the front elevation. As no one else wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. In discussing the request it was pointed out that due to the maze of signs along Broadway this particular sign does not create an aesthetic problem, and removing just one sign at this time would have little effect on the overall visual appearance. It was also affirmed that the operator of the business in the adjacent building--I,000 Auto Parts--has indicated no intention of installing a rooftop or freestanding sign. -3- August 11, 1982 Commissioner Green asserted that a finding of hardship can be made because of the location of this store between other businesses making a wall sign difficult to see from the street; a rooftop sign is important to nullify that hardship. With regard to the second finding required by the code, he contended that visible signing is necessary to the preservation of property rights so that the public can recognize the location of the buisiness. Assistant City Attorney Harron concurred those findings are adequate and that affirmative findings of the last two code stipulations can be made. The Commission concurred that the variance should be limited to the length of time other nonconforming rooftop signs are in use. MSUC (Green-Stevenson) Based on the findings as previously stated, the Commission approves a variance for The Bedroom to retain a rooftop sign at 639 Broadway, subject to the following conditions: 1. When other nonconforming rooftop signs on the east side of Broadway between "I" Street and Halsey are removed, this rooftop sign will be removed. 2. In the event of a change in the land use at 639 Broadway the sign will be removed. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Conditional use permit PCC-83-4 to lease 10~000 sq. ft. of floor area in industrial complex at 680 "L" Street~ I-L zone, for offices of Social Security Administration - DAN Company Principal Planner Lee displayed a rendering of two industrial buildings proposed for construction on the south side of "L" Street in the I-L zone. The applicant intends to lease the most easterly portion of the east building for use by the Social Security Administration. He pointed out that general office use is allowed in the I-L zone as an accessory use of an industrial establishment. However, a public or quasi-public office may be allowed by approval of a conditional use permit. 56 parking spaces on this site will be allocated for use by the Social Security office and 40 additional spaces will be leased on the adjacent Rather site, which has parking in excess of their requirements. This appears to be a desirable location for this quasi public use since it is on a well travelled east/west thoroughfare and is within walking distance of public bus service. Approval of the application is recommended subject to three conditions relating to signing and parking. 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 (G. Johnson-O'Neill) The Commission finds that this project will have no significant environmental impacts and adopts the Negative Declaration issued on IS-80-9. MSUC (G. Johnson-O'Neill) Based on the findings stated in the report, the Commission approves conditional use permit PCC-83-4 to establish a Social Security office at 680 "L" Street subject to the following conditions: 1. All signs shall be subject to Zoning Administrator approval. -4- August 11, 1982 2. The parking spaces leased from the Ratner Clothes industrial building shall be clearly marked for the proposed use. 3. Any increase in the number of employees or clientele which is determined by the Director of Planning to create a parking problem shall be reason for review of the conditional use permit by the Planning Commission for possible revocation or modification of conditions. Commissioner G. Johnson suggested that the City Council be encouraged to push for a trolley stop at "L" Street due to this new industrial center. Principal Planner Lee advised there is a report from M.T.D.B. analyzing both "E" Street and "L" Street with regard to the need for trolley stops. The City will be meeting with them to discuss this need. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Principal Planner Lee reminded the Commission that next week's meeting will be a special meeting to consider the revised EastLake proposal. That meeting will convene at 5:00 p.m. and will adjourn for dinner after the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Pressutti adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. to the meeting of August 18, 1982 at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mapes, Secretary