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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1995/07/25 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING/WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COUNCIL, GROWTH MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION, AND PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Tuesday, July 25, 1995 Council Chambers 6:12 p.m. Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Alevy, Moot, Padilla (arrived at 6:18 p.m.), Rindone, and Mayor Horton ABSENT: None PRESENT: Growth Management Oversight Commissioners Allen, Armbrust, Dull, Hyde, Peter, Kell, and Chair Hubbard ABSENT: Growth Management Oversight Commissioner Ray PRESENT: Planning Commissioners Davis, Salas, Thomas, and Willett, ABSENT: Planning Commissioners Ray, Tarantino, and Chair Tuchscher BUSINESS 2. PUBLIC HEARING: PCM-95-15; REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION'S (GMOC) 1994 ANNUAL REPORT - The GMOC's 1994 Annual Report on compliance with the City's Quality-of-Life Threshold Standards focuses on the period from 7/1/93 to 6/30/94. Pertinent issues identified in later 1994 and early 1995 are also included. The workshop affords an opportunity to review the Report's findings and recom~nendations. Staff reconunends Council: (1) accept theReport and recommendations contained therein; (2) direct staff to undertake actions necessary to implement those recommendations; (3) direct staff to prepare the necessary Statement of Concern regarding the Air Quality Threshold, and to finalize for adoption the proposed revisions to the Air Quality Threshold Standard; (4) direct staff to return within six months with specific work program proposals I;~.)r preparing master plan updates for police, fire, and library facilities; and, (5) Direct staff to finalize proposed revisions to the Growth Management Program's development phasing and monitoring policies. Mayor Horton gave a brief review of the Growth Management Oversight Commission. The City adopted the Threshold Standards Policy fi~r Chula Vista in 1987. The policy addressed eleven public t~.cilities and services. The standards formed the backbone of an overall growth management program t~r the City through a growth management element of the General Plan in 1989 and growth management program document an impletnenting ordinance in 1991. The GMOC responsibilities included whether compliance was appropriate and had been achieved, a determination whether the thresholds had been compiled with both on a prqject and cumulative basis over the prior year, whether compliance was likely to be maintained based on short term and long term development forecasts, whether each threshold was appropriate tBr its goaI, whether any new threshold should be adopted for any new issue that could arise, and whether any new issne shonld be added or deleted. Robert Leiter, Director of Planning, reviewed the staff reco~nlnendations to: (1) accept the Report and recommendations contained therein; (2) direct staff to undertake actions necessary to implement those recommendations; (3) direct staff to prepare the necessary Statement of Concern regarding the Air Quality Threshold, and to finalize IBr adoption the proposed revisions to the Air Quality Threshold Standard; (4) direct staff to return within six months with specific work program proposals l~,r preparing master plan updates for police, fire, and library facilities; and, (5) Direct staff to finalize proposed revisions to the Growth Management Program's development phasing and lnonitoring policies. Ed Batchelder, Senior Planner, reviewed the Summary of Findings of the GMOC report. Three thresholds were found to not be in full compliance, i.e. Police, Fire/EMS, and air qnality. The non-compliance tbr Police was Minutes July 25, 1995 Page 2 related to one of two measures for priority one calls for service and the non-compliance was slight and the Police Department projected that it would be in compliance for the next reporting period. In addition there was a recommendation in the GMOC report regarding the computer aided dispatch and records managements system (CAD/RMS). Based on that system the GMOC reconunended that one year after installation that the structure of both the Police Department and Fire/EMS thresholds be revisited to see if any changes were warranted. The non- compliance for air quality was because the City was not in compliance with State and Federal standards, even though 1994 was the best year on record in the region. Therefore, the statement of concern. The GMOC was recommending that APCD amend the threshold standard. All the remaining thresholds were foond to be in compliance. With the opening of the South Chula Vista Library the Library threshold would be in compliance through the year 2000 and likely beyond. The GMOC had talked about installation of drainage monitoring in the future. It was important to note that it was the first year that the GMOC was not recommending a letter of concern to the local water agencies. There were reco~mnendations regarding traffic regarding east "H" Street and "H" Street west of 1-805 with respect to long term threshold perlbrmance based on development and traffic modeling. The main recommendation for Parks & Recreation was that there was a draft of a revised threshold standard, with the focus to apply city-wide rather than just east of 1-805 as the present standard was written. Part of the completion of that standard had been endorsed by the GMOC, however, its finalization was dependent upon on outcomes on information in the Parks Implementation Plan which was slated tbr completion in late 1995 or early 1996. Tris Hubbard, Chair, GMOC, reviewed Attachment D of the report which outlined the detailed recommendations. He emphasized the areas the Commission i'~lt were important l'~)r Council consideration. Police. Chair Hubbard stated it had been an ongoing non-compliance issue and in 1993 the Commission recommended that the City continue to explore the feasibility of purchasing a computer aided dispatch and records management system (CAD/RMS). The GMOC was impressed with the potential that the system would provide to the Police Department as well as the Fire Department. Therefbre, the Commission strongly recommended that Council review with the Police Department the purchase and implementation of the system in the next fiscal year. The G MOC recmnlnended that the City's master plan for police facilities be reviewed in the next year. With the City's expansion in the East they felt it imperative that facilities be planned for the increasing needs of the growing geographic area of the City. Fire/EMS Chair Hubbard stated the previous reconunendation for the CAD/RMS system was als() included tbr Fire/EMS. The GMOC also reconunended review of the Fire Master Plan. Councilmember Alevy questioned if the deficiency in response time for Police and Fire was city-wide or for a specific area. Chair Hubbard responded the deficiency in response time was generally city-wide. Air Quality Chair Hubbard stated the GMOC was supporting the revised draft threshold standard befi~re Council. They were recommending that the City work with the Otay Ranch Developer and the Metropolitan Transit Development Board to evaluate the redesignation of the projects mass transit corridor to other than sole limitation to light rail. Councilmember Rindone requested clarification on the recommendation. Chair Hubbard stated the recormnendation was a direct result of comments made from the Air Quality report which stated it should not be limited to just light rail because there could be other potemtia] corridor type of modes of transportation which would accomplish the reduction of air qnality standards. Minutes July 25, 1995 Page 3 Libraries Chair Hubbard stated with the addition of the new library the threshold standards had been met. The GMOC was recommending that in the future that with the increased technology available that the feasibility of changing the threshold for libraries be explored, only after technologies had been implemented. Councilmember Rindone felt with the changing of technologies there was an opportunity to bring the community to the various learning centers, adult education programs, libraries, outreach centers, etc. He hoped the GMOC would look at providing linkages for those programs. Sewer Chair Hubbard stated the GMOC recommendation was that Council and the Public Works Department continue to fund staff and emphasize monitoring, upgrades, and replacement programs. Drainage Chair Hubbard stated one of the concerns of the GMOC was the impact of the eastern development on the western portion of the City. They were pleased that the Public Works Department had been monitoring that situation with stations. They recommended that the monitoring continue as the eastern sections of the City were built out. Mayor Horton questioned if it included data from the heavy rains in late 1994. Chair Hubbard stated the monitoring would not have included that data. Fiscal Chair Hubbard stated the GMOC recommended the incorporation of the ftve year development projections into the Facilities DIF which had been done tbr the other DIF's. Water Chair Hubbard stated the Commission was very pleased that it was one of the first years that the threshold was met. Both the water agencies and City had worked cooperatively in seeing that there were plans being implemented to become more self-sufficient regarding local water resources and not so dependent upon purchased water. Councilmember Alevy questioned if the GM OC had looked at the anticipated growth in the eastern part of the City and whether the thresholds would be met. Chair Hubbard replied that the review was tk)r the future as well as current thresholds. Schools Chair Hubbard stated one of the concerns was that the western portion of the City was overcrowded with students and, as a consequence, students were being bused to eastern portions of the City. There were sufficient schools, but children were not allowed to attend schools in their own neighborhoods in all instances. The GMOC recommended that the Council appoint a task force to work with the school boards to look at the options available to resolve that issue. Conmnssioner Allen stated the issue related more to the effects on the elementary schools rather than the high school. Councilmember Alevy stated there had been legislation in Sacramento which would directly affect school issues. Commissioner Allen replied that Councilmember Alevy was referring to ABI066 which would have disallowed cities from considering the educational aspects of growth when issning permits. It was her understanding that it had been stalled in Comamttee. Minutes July 25, 1995 Page 4 Chair Hubbard stated he had a letter from Kate Shearson, Director of Planning, Chula Vista Elementary School District, which indicated that the District had a Student Placement Instructions Program Committee that had been functioning since November to look at options so students would not have to bnsed out of their neighborhoods. Mayor Horton questioned if they were looking at multi-track programming in the elementary schools. Commissioner Hyde stated there was some multi-tracking at the present time. Physically the elementary school district did have adequate capacity for schools that were considered to be overcrowded provided they operated on a year-round basis. There were some schools currently functioning year-round. However, because of social acceptance of year-round schools that option had not been completely exercised. It was evidently not acceptable to the school board and they had to proceed in a delicate manner. Traffic Chair Hubbard stated there were two significant areas of concern that the Commission had ti.)r several years, i.e. "H" Street both east and west of 1-805 and the proposed SR125 fi~cility. They were appreciative of the monitoring and reports provided to the Commission. Steps had been taken to alleviate some of the traffic congestion in that corridor and there were projections for remedial action that could be taken in the future. However, the GMOC, based on the reports, was concerned that there was great potential tbr not meeting the threshold standards in the future along 'H~ Street. In particular, "H" Street west of 1-805 and the area between 1-805 and Hilltop. There were limitations as to what could be done and the Cmmnission did not have answers as to what could be done to alleviate the situation but wanted to point ont the potential to not maintain the threshold standards. Regarding SR125, the Commission was aware that if it was fully developed the potential would be to relieve some of the east/west traffic currently being experienced which would increase with the build out in the eastern part of the City. Councilmember Moot questioned if the cause of problem on "H" Street was known, i.e. was it a function of the width of the road or traffic patterns that developed. Chair Hubbard responded that it was the width of the road and the tact that it could not be built out greater than it currently was. Clifford Swanson, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer, stated the primary cause of problems along East "H" Street between 1-805 and Hilltop was due to intersections. When a highway was long and straight with no stops, driveways, or side frictions it could carry a much greater voluine of traffic. The straight sections would meet the thresholds. The problem was at the approach of the intersection of Hilltop with cars trying to make tums. That was the primary area where the capacity of the highway was affected. The City had put in dual leli turn lanes to try to meet the threshold standards. Mayor Horton questioned if there would be an increase or decrease in traffic in the area when the hospital was built out. She noted that there were several businesses that would be closed. Mr. Swanson replied that the projections indicated that it would increase the traffic in the area. Much of the land in the area was currently vacant. Commissioner Salas questioned if the reduction of traffic on "H" Street was a result of drivers bypassing intersections of "H" Street, meaning that they were traveling on "G" or "F' Streets or 'T' and "J" Streets going west to avoid the traffic on 'H" Street. Mr. Swanson responded that the volumes on "E" and "H" Streets had decreased due to the opening of Route 54 because traffic diverted to the freeway. Staffhad checked the traffic counts on "E", "F", "G", and "J" Streets and it had not increased appreciably. In addition, employment at Rohr was down fi'om 1991. Staff 1¢1t the opening of the freeway and reduction in employment at Rohr made the primary difference. CoInrmssioner Hyde stated the traffic threshold was in compliance, but the GMOC wanted to point out that there was a "time bomb" on "H" Street primarily west of 1-805, but also east of 1-805 depending upon how the Minutes Jnly 25, 1995 Page 5 development to the east of 1-805 build out. There were six lanes on the east side of 1-805 fimneling into four lanes west of 1-805 which created a problem and the freeway interchange only aggravated the situation. Councilmember Alevy questioned if Orange Avenue was reviewed as to the impacts of the development proposed out to the Olympic Training Center. Chair Hubbard stated that had been looked at but the traffic reports did not indicate a problem. It would be closely monitored in the ~ture. Parks & Recreation Chair Hubbard stated the GMOC had been concerned for several years over the threshold east of 1-805 and not west of 1-805. They were pleased that there was a proposed revised standard and they recommended that Council approve the revised threshold standard. To make it an operable threshold standard it was important that the Parks Implementation Plan (PIP) be completed. They were concerned that the PIP be completed along with the revised threshold which would provide fi~r equitable recreation l;acilities both east and west of 1-805. They also recommended that the proposed green-belt area master plan be drafted and developed as soon as possible. If not in place, as the City continued to expand the land costs wonld become more expensive and it wonld then be almost impossible to implement. Conm'nssioner Davis stated her concern regarding a revised threshold was that so many of the parcels on the west side were limited because they were in-fill. She questioned if it would be economically t~asible to anyone to do that if there were stringent requirements, i.e. if a duplex was constructed if a nfini-park or recreational facilities were required. She wanted to see affordable housing in the western side and especially close to mass transit which would help relieve congestion on "H" Street. Would there be enough land on the west side to do what the City was requiring and would the ilnpact l~e programs prevent someone from providing housing. She requested that staff review those issues when formnlating the threshold. Councilmember Padilla agreed with Commissioner Davis' comments. He requested clarification of the Cormnission's concerns. Chair Hubbard stated because the western side was fully devek)ped it made it very difficult to purchase sizeable parcels i'br parks and recreation t~.cilities. There were other options in terms of providing park and recreation facilities other than large spaces, i.e. swimnfing pools, gymnasiums, etc. Part of the concept would be that as much space would not be needed if programs could be provided that alk)wed for maximum park and recreation activities in limited space. One of the reasons they recommended that the PIP be adopted was because it was their understanding that the Plan would address some of the issnes raised. Councilmember Alevy questioned the status of joint use of recreational lhcilities with the school districts. comrmssioner Allen responded that in an infi)rnlal way it was currently being done. There was a joint use agreement with EastLake High School but that was on the east side of 1-805. The concern was that if they continued to say that they were looking at the whole City and not look at the specifics they could be in the position where the parks were on the east side of 1-805 and the libraries were on the west side of 1-805. The schools in the City were open to the citizens when they were not in session without any type of formal agreement. Mr. Batchelder stated it was stai'Fs intent, as part of the PiP, to look at continuing and expanding joint use agreements with the school districts. Councilmember Rindone stated the Youth Sports Council coordinated the use of all the athletic fields when the schools were not utilizing them. Mr. Goss stated the more vacant space, in terms of large acreage, was more on the periphery on the west side of the community, i.e. along the Sweetwater River Valley, Bayfront, and Otay River Valley. In terms of collecting impact fees that may be developed in terms of the PIP that clearly could be areas where larger recreational facilities could be developed. Sights had been identified by the Montgomery Planning Commission for smaller parks, one Minutes July 25, 1995 Page 6 of which was at Third Avenue and "L" Street across ti-om the Country Club. In addition, there were recreational spaces in terms of schools and the Youth Community Center at Chula Vista High School. Staff was currently planning input for the Otay Gym at the Otay Elementary School. The City had also utilized Block Grant monies in the past for facilities at Harbor Side School and other schools on the western side of the City. Even though there were problems identified in terms of lack of open space and difficulties in condemning and buying property, there were other options that could be developed. Utilization of a Checklist Chair Hubbard stated the GMOC supported the concept of a checklist and presented it tbr Council consideration. Draft Development Phasing and Monitoring Policy Chair Hubbard stated they had reviewed the issue and supported the revision deveh)ped by the Planning Department. Chair Hubbard stated the charge of the Commission was to begin their activities in October of each year which was dependent upon staff's availability to prepare the various reports necessary for the review process. They supported that time line with the anticipation that their work wonld be concluded in March or April and present that information to Council so that it could be part of the annual budget review process. They f~lt that l'br maximum benefit of the GMOC report that it should be brought to Council in that time frame. They requested the Council's support of that time table. Mayor Horton thanked the Commission tbr their time and efforts and she was pleased with the recommendations. She felt the proposed time line would help the Council prepare the budget. Mr. Leiter requested that Council take final action on the staff recommendation. MSUC (Alevy/Padilla) to approve the staff recommendation: (1) accept the Report and recommendations contained therein; {2) direct staff to undertake actions necessary to implement thase recommendatioas; {3) direct staff to prepare the necessary Statement of Concern regarding the Air Quality Threshold, and to finalize for adoption the proposed revisions to the Air Quality Threshold Standard; (4) direct staff to return within six months with specific work program proposals fi}r preparing master phm updates tim police, fire, and library facilities; and, (5) Direct staff to finalize proposed revisions to the Growth Management Program's development phasing and monitoring policies. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None ADJOURNMENT ADJOURNMENT AT 7:05 P.M. to the Regular City Council Meeting of July 25, 1995 immediately following in the City Council Chambers. Respectthlly submitted, BEVERLY A. AUTHELET, CMC/AAE, City Clerk Vicki C. Soderquist, CMC, C~$)q.Clerk