HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-03 RCC MIN CC/PCMINUTES OF A WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
PLANNING COMMISSION, AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
June 3, 2010
4:00 p.m.
A Workshop of the City Council, Planning Commission and Resource Conservation Commission
of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 4:07 p.m. in the Chula Vista Police Department
Community Meeting Room, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers: Bensoussan (amved at 4:12 p.m.), Castaneda, Ramirez,
Thompson, and Mayor Cox
Planning Commissioners: Bringas, Felber, Liuag, Moctezuma, Spethman,
Tripp, and Chair Vinson
Resource Conservation Commissioners: Cory, Gilgun, Rahimzadeh, and Chair
Stillman
ABSENT: Resource Conservation Commissioners: Coleman and Ulloa
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Sandoval, City Attomey Miesfeld, City Clerk Norris, and
Deputy City Clerk Bennett
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
Commissioner Vinson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
WORKSHOP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND ORDINANCE
City Manager Sandoval made introductory comments.
Associate Planner Lopez presented information about the draft Historic Preservation Program
and Ordinance, and explained the historic preservation goals, which would align with the
General Plan Policies, create a consistent and clear process, and attain certified local government
status. She noted that public comments were welcome on the draft documents.
City Attorney Miesfeld advised Councilmember Bensoussan to abstain from participating in the
Council deliberations, due to potential a potential conflict of interest with property she owns that
is designated as a historic site. He stated that Councilmember Bensoussan could speak to the
proposed program and ordinance under the public comments portion of the agenda.
Councilmember Bensoussan then left the table at 4:15 p.m.
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WORKSHOP (Continued)
Commissioner Moctezuma stated that she would be recusing herself from participation, due to a
potential conflict of interest related to property she owns that would most likely be designated as
a historic site. She left the table at 4:19 p.m.
Commissioner Spethman stated that he would be recusing himself from deliberations, due to a
potential conflict of interest related to property he owns that could foreseeably be designated a
historic site. He then left the table at 4:19 p.m.
Councilmember Castaneda stated that he would be recusing himself from deliberations, due to a
potential conflict of interest related to property he owns located within 500 feet of the Women's
Club. He then left the table at 4:23 p.m.
Staffinember Tessitore-Lopez continued with the presentation on the proposed Historic
Preservation Ordinance, including an explanation of each of the proposed sections. She then
presented the proposed Historic Preservation Program that included historical resources, local
register, districts, projects, design guidelines, incentives, and benefits. Staff Member Tessitore
stated that the next steps would be to bring the matter before the Resource Conservation
Commission in late June, the Planning Commission in eazly July, and to the Council by the
beginning of August.
Richard D'Ascoli, Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors, suggested including community
groups with future neighborhood projects. He questioned costs associated with the proposed
preservation program, and concerns about disclosure on the sale of homes that could potentially
be designated as historic.
Matt Adams, San Diego resident, representing the Building Industry Association, questioned
how the proposed plan would integrate with the City's land use process, particulazly with regazd
to urban infill.
Pamela Bensoussan, Chula Vista resident, stated that the proposed ordinance was a balanced
document, particularly with respect to owner consent for designation. She suggested that staff
review the proposed ordinance section 21.08.030, to include the requirement that the review be
treated as a major alteration, and that the City Council be the authority for the Historical
Resource Review. She referenced proposed ordinance section 21.04.080, and with respect to the
Findings of Fact, recommended that item (a) be required, and to include either item (b) or (c).
She referenced the proposed ordinance section 21.12.030, and recommended amendment to the
first sentence to read, "The applicant or any other interested party may appeal the decision of the
Zoning Administrator or HPC within 10 business days after receivingwritten notircation, rather
than, "after the date of the decision." She recommended that members of the proposed Historic
Preservation Advisory Committee be comprised of four qualified members and three laymen
members, and that members be appointed by the Council through a nomination process.
Janet Griffin, Chula Vista resident, suggested adding an owner consent period to Section
21.04.080 of the proposed ordinance.
Deputy Mayor Ramirez left the meeting at 5:20 p.m.
Councilmember Thompson and Mayor Cox remained as individual members of the Council to
conclude the workshop.
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WORKSHOP (Continued)
Terry Thomas, Chula Vista resident, recommended including Otay Ranch, Otay Church, the
strawberry fields, and historic monuments in place, as historic designations.
Kevin O'Neill, Chula Vista resident, spoke in support of the proposed preservation ordinance,
and suggested that it be implemented in phases.
Planning Commission Chair Vinson recommended including realtors as a discipline in the
proposed commission's membership, and stated that a 45-yeaz-old house did not seem historic.
Staff Member Tessitore responded that a 45-year old house would still require review prior to
receiving a historic designation.
Commissioners Liuag and Felber questioned the 51% requirement for property owners' consent
for Geographic Historic District designation, and stated the requirement was too low. Staff
Member Tessitore-Lopez responded that the percentage was determined by the Historic
Preservation Advisory Commission, based upon the General Plan direction to preserve older
neighborhoods, but that staff would go back and look further into the matter of the consent
requirement.
Commissioner Felber referenced proposed ordinance section 2].05.060, Historical Resource
Delisting -Fines and Penalties, and suggested review of the language by staff to avoid
disincentives for homeowners. Staff Member Tessitore explained that the proposed language
was intended to prevent automatic penalties, and stated that staff would review the language to
make the intent clearer.
Councilmember Thompson suggested adding financial assistance or funding as an additional
incentive; including realtor representation on the commission membership; including afour-
fifrhs Council vote for requiring a homeowner to make a change that was not their choice; and if
an application is denied, one year should pass before homeowner may re-apply.
Mayor Cox suggested, with concurrence by Councilmember Thompson to have staff work with
the Housing Advisory Commission to look at conducting one to two public workshop meetings,
invite realtors specifically, and to address the questions asked by Councilmembers and
Commissioners at those workshops. She suggested a commission membership of four that
would include a real estate professional.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:16 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to the next regular City Council meeting of June
8, 2010, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
Donna R. Norris, CMC, City Clerk
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