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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Comm min 1994/05/11 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CHULA VISTA GROWTH MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION AND PLANNING COMMISSION Conference Rooms 2/3 5:55 p.m. Public Services Building Wednesday, May 11, 1994 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista ROLL CALL PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENT: Chair Martin, Commissioners Fuller, Moot, Salas, and Tarantino ABSENT: Commissioner Tuchscher GROWTH MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION PRESENT: Chair Hubbard, Commissioners Armbrust, Dull, Peter, Allen, Langius, Martin ABSENT: Commissioners Hyde and Kell STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Leiter, Assistant Planning Director Lee, Principal Planner Bazzel, Associate Planner Batchelder, Assistant City Attorney Rudolf, Civil Engineer Ouadah MOTIONS TO EXCUSE MSUC to excuse Commissioners Will Hyde (vacation) and Jim Kell (business) MSUC to excuse Commissioner Tuchscber who was out of town on business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MSUC to approve the Growth Management Oversight Commission minutes of April 4, 1994 and April 28, 1994. Members of the Commissions and staff were introduced. GMOC Chair Hubbard presented an overview of the 1993 GMOC report and recommendations. There were seven thresholds in compliance, two out of compliance, and two for which Statements of Concern to affected agencies were recommended. While for the first time, schools were found in compliance for short-mm growth, there were still long-range concerns regarding schools. The library threshold would be adequately met with the completion of the South Chula Vista Library. There were concerns regarding wastewater and sewage. Regarding drainage, Planning Connnission/ GMOC Special Meeting -2- May 11, 1994 the GMOC identified 80 needed but unfunded projects in western Chula Vista. They were concerned about completion of those projects and made a recommendation regarding completion of those projects in a timely manner. Regarding traffic, the thresholds had been met, but there were concerns over five locations noted in the report, and particularly "H" Street. They were suggesting that staff come back with a more detailed report. The threshold had been met regarding fiscal compliance. There were concerns regarding continued dependence on one-time monies to balance the budget. The GMOC was concerned about the effect on services if monies were not forthcoming, and in light of continued recession. The parks and recreation threshold had been met, but the thresholds only focused on parks in the eastern territories; the western area needed to be part of the thresholds. Chair Hubbard noted that police, fire, water, and air quality were not in compliance. They recommended that the City Council consider directing the various departments to revise all of those but the water threshold, and perhaps establish new thresholds. A major recommendation of the GMOC was that the City support the Fire and Police Department request for a new computer aided dispatch and records management system. Regarding water, the City and water districts continue to work cooperatively through the Interagency Water Task Force. The area continues to be dependent on water from Northern California and Colorado. The GMOC believes the water agencies should attempt to develop alternate resources to reduce dependence on imported supply, and maintain water service levels required for industry, and current and anticipated population. Mr. Hubbard stated that it was difficult to ascertain whether the air quality threshold was in compliance, because of the standard's present structure, and that air quality is a regional issue. The GMOC was requesting that this threshold be reviewed. At this time, Chairman Hubbard opened up the meeting for questions on each of the thresholds individually. Police There was discussion regarding the CAD/RMS system. The GMOC believed this system would benefit response time, since fire and police personnel could have access to the system while en route. Information regarding an incident in process would already be in the system and would automatically come up on the screen. With the improved technology, there would be more efficient use of police resources. Fire - No comments, other than the CAD system would help the firemen, also. Planning Commission/ GMOC Special Meeting -3- May 11, 1994 Water It was noted that one of the water companies had dropped from their billings the information as to whether a residence had met its goal regarding saving water. The response was that the water company felt it was a matter of complacency and that it would be better to bring it back to focus when the drought was at its highest point rather than each month. The Otay Water District representative replied that their company was not priming it on the bills because they believed people would get used to seeing it, and it would be overlooked during a drought. The possibility of desalination was discussed. SDG&E had considered a plant on the bayfront; however, it had been determined that the cost of taking care of the waste was too great to continue with that project. They would have to put a pipeline out to the ocean, and the cost of implementing the desalination was not practical. The water companies would look at desalination anytime it became feasible. Regarding conservation or storage, it was not felt that this would work in the long term if there were a severe drought. It was noted that Sweetwater Authority was exploring brackish ground water extraction. It was brought out that the section in the report regarding reclaimed water indicated that reclaimed water seemed to be on hold. It was recommended that through the Interagency Water Task Force and the County Water Authority, that efforts be made to use reclaimed water. Air Quality Planning Director Leiter, referring to page 19 of the GMOC report, said that looking at a new threshold policy showed merit. He had been working with SANDAG and the County on regional growth management strategy, and they prepared a report every year regarding regional standards. He suggested that they start with regional growth management standards and focus on what the City was doing to meet regional standards rather than separate City standards. There was a question regarding traffic signals and whether the time spent sitting idle created more air pollution than continuous flow. It was noted that hot spots had been studied. Schools Discussion ensued regarding year-round school and the lack of support for it. Chair Hubbard stated that the schools indicated that State funding for school house construction may no longer depend on schools going on a year-round schedule. There was a strong indication that it would not be imperative that year-round schools be pushed on the public. Libraries It was believed that the future of libraries would rely heavily on telecommunication. The GMOC felt strongly that the City Council should direct the Library Board to review the Planning Commission/ GMOC Special Meeting -4- May 11, 1994 thresholds, since it was now based on square footage. Telecommunications would bring multi- media information directly into the homes. There was discussion regarding the information highway system and whether there had been any contact with the City of San Diego regarding linking up with them. It was noted that the main library used the internet system, which was mainly news oriented. Sewerage It was questioned whether there was a penalty for the City not joining the San Diego Area Wastewater Management District (SDAWMD) by June 30. The reply was that the City already had a contract, and there would be no ramifications to contractual agencies. However, they would no longer have future reserve capacity. The penalty had to do with commitments to the SDAWMD's bonding. After June 30, an agency which had not withdrawn would be obligated for the bonding costs. Drainage - No questions or comments. Fiscal The Civil Engineer commented on Phase II of the Montgomery improvement. He stated that the Americans With Disabilities Act was delaying improvements. Traffic Chair Hubbard stated that it was obvious that there were serious concerns, especially on "H" Street. There was discussion as to when a moratorium would kick in, and it was noted that the GMOC would determine failure of the threshold standard, at which time the Council would determine whether there would be a moratorium and the impact. The GMOC was asking for more definitive information from the Engineering Department to determine that for next year's report. Commissioner Moot asked if that would go through the Planning Commission or directly to the City Council through the GMOC. Planning Director Leiter replied that it would go directly to the City Council, who may ask Planning for more information. Commissioner Moot stated that he would like to hear the data as soon as it had been ascertained. Commissioner Fuller stated that the purpose of the formation of the threshold was to determine that. It was incumbent on the GMOC, if a threshold was being abused, to make an issue very strongly with the City Council. There was discussion on the way the cycles of traffic were measured, and whether or not the thresholds were appropriate. Civil Engineer Ouadah noted the method used for measurement Planning Commission/ GMOC Special Meeting -5- May 11, 1994 of traffic was state-of-the-art. Conunissioner Ray felt the method of measurement was not necessarily reflective of the motorists' perceptions. Parks & Recreation Chair Hubbard suggested that the City Council strongly consider amending this threshold. The GMOC would like to see the City develop the greenbelt master plan. It was noted by one of the other GMOC Commissioners that it was not a unanimous decision to amend this threshold. Discussion ensued regarding the use of mini parks in Western Chula Vista, since the ama is relatively built out--how and where land would be acquired, and where the mini parks would be built. It was indicated that the space would not have to be large, could consist of only a basket ball court or hand ball court, etc. There was a suggestion that there could be a possible partnership with schools to open up school grounds and put parks and recreation resources in the school system. Associate Planner Batchelder indicated that the Planning and Parks and Recreation Departments are working on a needs assessment and a Parks Implementation Plan which would address these and other issues. It would take 18 months to complete. Commissioner Salas felt the inability to upgrade the recreational facilities in the western area exacerbated the gang problems, because them was not enough recreational space. Commissioner Tarantino asked if there had been any discussion regarding bringing in Southwestern College in joint use agreement. Commissioner Ray believed Southwestern was already open for public use during the weekend. Chair Martin noted that the east/west separation was clearly pointed out regarding acreage. It had to change. Them was a need to bring the acreage closer. MSUC (Moot/Fuller) to accept the GMOC report. It was noted that the City Council would consider the GMOC report on May 26, 1994, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Nancy Rfpley, 8/ecreta~ Planning Commission (gmoc-pc min)