City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes August 2009 - October 2009

August 2009

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes
Meeting of August 3, 2009 6:30PM
3910 University Avenue
City Heights CA 92105

Attendance: p = present. a= absent

Total: 16
Liz Avalon P Val Hernandez 06:40:00 PM Kasra Movahedi 06:35:00 PM DJ Taylor a
Heather Bentley P Mark Kassab a Jeanette Neeley p Patty Vaccariello p
Sam Charry 06:35:00 PM Ahmed Malinomar p David Nelson p Jim Varnadore p
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz p Mohamed Omar a Kyle Wienberg p
Russ Connelly p Amanda Moss p Jessie Sergent p Abdulahi Yusuf. p


1. Call to order and introductions at 6:32.

2. Adoption of the agenda: Russ Moved . Jessie Second. approved unanimously.

3. Off-agenda public comment:

Joyce Brown, of the City Heights CDC introduced several interns who are also residents at the Metro Villas. They are attending the CHAPC meeting to see local government process.

Joyce Summer, Center City CDC, provided update on state budget crisis and the state taking redevelopment funds. She also spoke about CCDC projects and monthly bus tour.

Kathleen Ferrier, representing Walk San Diego, spoke about a Caltrans funded project looking at how health is affected by land use. It is a joint project between SANDAG, Walk San Diego, and Health & Human services to assess walkability and other health factors.

4. Staff reports and comment:

Anthony Bernal from Councilmember Gloria's office spoke regarding the State budget, which will be taking $100 million from City of San Diego resources. He also spoke about a recent community meeting with the Councilmembers and staff regarding neighborhood concerns and announced a upcoming neighborhood night out for Colina park. Also said that city is continuing to do road repairs

Bill Cigalka from Congresswoman Davis's office reported that Congresswoman Davis will be hosting a neighborhood day at the Spring Valley Library. HE also stated that the Federal Stimulus has provided $13 billion to State of California to help balance budget.

Bruce Williams from Councilmember Young's office stated that Council is in recess until August 31, and that Lincoln High school will be holding a back-to-school night. He also invited people to get on the Councilmember's e-blast list to receive regular council updates

5. Committee member reports and comment:

Valentina Hernandez announced a coastal cleanup. Jessie Sergent reported that the police SVP needs volunteers and that there was a successful juvenile curfew sweep. Ahmed Malinomar announced walk to school day for elementary schools on September 6. Jeanette Neeley reported on the neighborhood meeting with the 3 Councilmembers, and that she also attended the first California Endowment meeting. Kasra Movahedi reported that the Crossroads PAC did not have quorum last month, but did have discussion regarding streetlights that will be installed between 54th and La Mesa and some rubble that will be removed from El Cajon Blvd., and that there are open seats available for the PAC. Russ Connelley commented on the 3 Councilmember meeting and City budget for code compliance. Heather reported on a recent Packer clean up day. Amanda Moss announced a Jack in the Box promotion for free tacos on Tuesday. Jim Varnadore announced that there is a sign in sheet for anyone who would like to prove their attendance if they want eligibility to run for a CHAPC seat in the future.

6. Corrections to the Minutes of July 6, 2009: no corrections.

7. Business Agenda:

7.1 Reconsideration the Committee’s action in October, 2008 in connection with construction of a convenience store and granting of a beer-wine license at 3359 University Avenue. (Action)

Juan Garcia from Chevron Corporation Public Affairs and team from Chevron and the architectural firm they are working on. They have received approval for their appeal by the police departments, and are now asking reconsideration for their application for an off-sale beer and wine license. He stated that the market would be a corporation-owned "Extra Mile" franchise and would have strong security measures and cleanliness standards. He also stated that they have discussed the proposed project with Councilmember Gloria and local residents. He also brought lighting schematics that were developed for the police department review.

The Committee asked questions regarding lighting, interior and exterior security cameras, and whether the cash register system had id check requirements. They also encouraged the addition of exterior security cameras to plan.

Chevron representatives relayed the conditions that would be provided on license, including no single sales, hour limitations, and no window signage for alcohol.

Patty Vaccariello moved approval of the CUP for beer and wine with the conditions in the PC & N with an added condition of exterior cameras. Ahmed Malinomar seconded.

Total: 13/2/0 cnv Y = Yes, N= No, A = abstain
Liz Avalon Y Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley Y Mark Kassab - Jeanette Neeley Y Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Y David Nelson Y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson - Mazda Mehraz N Mohamed Omar - Kyle Wienberg N
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf. Y


7.2 Re-examine the El Cajon Boulevard ShowCase BRT project in light of the Committee’s recommendations from July 2009 (Action)

Mirriam Kirshner of SANDAG provided information on the BRT project, including routes and station locations. She discussed the El Cajon and Fairmount intersection, how the new station is expected to operate with or without Fairmount being changed to a one-way street, and potential bus delays caused by stacked cars and pedestrians. SANDAG is currently leaning towards using the UHAUL site located at 43rd street, rather than the UCP thrift store frontage located at Fairmount.

Committee and public asked questions regarding whether the opinion of business owners has been obtained, in particular since the July review by the committee.

Sam Charry moved to have both the BRT and local bus stations located at the Alt. #2 location. Ahmed Malinomar 2nd.

Questions arose as to whether more vehicles turn right on 43rd or on Fairmount, and which would be less of an impact to block on occasion.

Russ Connelly requested a substitute motion to place both stops at the Alt. #1 location. David Nelson 2nd.

Discussion regarding obtaining traffic counts regarding actual turning movements, and whether this info could be provided by the next meeting. If the information could be provided, Russ Connelly is willing to withdraw his motion.

Both motions withdrawn so that the item could be continued to next meeting and reviewed with traffic counts on the turning movements and a traffic engineer present to answer questions.

Russ Connelly moved to continue. Mazda Mehraz seconded.

Total: 13/01/00
Liz Avalon Y Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley Y Mark Kassab - Jeanette Neeley Y Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Y David Nelson N Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson - Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Wienberg Y
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf. out of room


7.3 Safe Routes to School presentation and request for Committee and public input into the design (Action)

Michelle Luellen of CHCDC presented information about CHCDC work on providing safe routes to school. Walk San Diego did deficiency surveys and Alta Planning made maps. She also discussed the School Walkability Workshops, the upcoming City Heights Walk to School Day, and projects made possible with funds from the Safe Routes to School program. Showed examples of neighborhood reports on walkability.

Committee asked to see a copy of report. Michelle will bring CD's for the committee members next month.

Committee suggested contacting Crossroads PAC to coordinate sidewalk improvemenet programs within the PAC area.

Maps were provided to the Committee to make comments, corrections, and additions. Any comments need to be received within two weeks, and the final maps will be presented at the next meeting.


7.4 Application to extend permits for the cellphone tower on Swift Avenue just South of University Avenue (Action)

_______, representing Verizon, stated that the permit for the cell antennas in the City Heights sign has expired. There is no change to the facility proposed. The new permit would be for 10 years.

Russ Connelly moved approval for the permit with the recommendation that the artistic signage and skirting portion of the tower be made larger. Jeanette seconded.

Total: 15/0/0 cnv
Liz Avalon Y Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley Y Mark Kassab - Jeanette Neeley Y Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Y David Nelson Y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson - Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Wienberg Y
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf. Y


7.5 Choose a date for the September 2009 meeting, to accommodate the fact that the first Monday in September is Labor Day (Action)

September meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.


Announcement - Mohammed Omar has resigned from the committee. His letter of resignation was read to the committee.

There was a request by a committee member that the Chair provide a history of SANDAG projects that have affected land use planning in City Heights, and what participation the committee had in those projects. The Chair will provide this history at the September meeting.

8. Adjournment at 8:47 pm.

September 2009

No quorum to conduct meeting.

October 2009

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting of October 5, 2009 6:30PM

3910 University Avenue

City Heights CA 92105

 

Draft Minutes

Attendance:  p = present. a= absent 

 

Total:
Liz Avalon	p	Val Hernandez	p	Kasra Movahedi	p	DJ Taylor	a
Heather Bentley	p	Mark Kassab	a	Jeanette Neeley	p	Patty Vaccariello	p
Sam Charry	p	Ahmed Malinomar	p	David Nelson	p	Jim Varnadore	p
Bill Closson	p	Mazda Mehraz	p			Kyle Wienberg	a
Russ Connelly	p	Amanda Moss	p	Jessie Sergent	p	Abdulahi Yusuf.	p

 

 

1.  Call to order and introductions

 

2.  Adoption of the agenda 

 

Item 7.1 has been withdrawn and will be rescheduled

 

Russ Moved, Jessie Second. Unanimously approved.

 

3.  Off-agenda public comment

 

Joyce Brown, City Heights CDC, on behalf of MidCity Moves Coalition and BRT working group passed out information about their process and EIR review. They will have public forum for the EIR scoping process on November 17 at Central Elementary. The Committee discussed briefly and requested that Barrow Emerson be present for the presentation.

 

Maria Cortez spoke regarding police meetings and a new coffeeshop that will possibly be used as community meeting space.

 

David Bowen and Ahmed Malinomar encouraged people to vote for them in the upcoming PAC election.

 

4.  Staff reports and comment

 

Anthony Bernal from Todd Gloria's office thanked those who went to Rowan Street repairs & bus shelter opening events. The City has a $179 million budget gap that needs to be closed. Water conservation was 9% in August, down from 11% in July. Patty Vaccariello requested briefing on changes to CDBG process.  David Bowen asked about road repaving. Maria Cortez asked that Councilmember Gloria be thanked for the new curb ramps on sidewalks. Ahmed Malinomar expressed appreciation for the speed bumps on 52nd street.

 

 

 

5.  Committee member reports and comment

 

Patty Vaccariello stated that Oct 24 is Fall facelift in Azalea Park and 13 homes will be painted. Russ Conelly stated that Saturday October 10 is the Fairmount Park yard sale from 8-noon. David Nelson reported that no signs have been posted for prohibiting parking for-sale vehicles on Home Avenue. Kasra Movahedi reported that the Crossroads PAC approved replacement of sidewalks on El Cajon Blvd.

David Nelson stated that there is an opening on the Crossroads PAC that it would be good to have an additional City Heights person on.

Valentina Hernandez reported that students from local schools repainted a mural that had been previously erased. Chair Varnadore stated that there had been 17 donations of $20 each for Urban Corps and that there were matching donor sponsors.

 

Chair Varnadore asked that members of the audience sign the visitor sheet.

 

6.  Without a quorum at the Sept 3 meeting, there are no minutes

 

7.  Business Agenda:

 

   7.1 Community Garden permit processing (Action)

 

   7.2 Declare the District 3-11 seat Vacant by resignation (Action)

District 3-11, the seat held by Mohamed Omar, may be declared vacant by resignation. Mr. Omar's letter of resignation was read at the previous meeting. Motion to declare seat vacant.

Patty Vaccariello moved to declare the seat vacant. Jeanette Neely 2nd.  Approved unanimously.

 

   7.3 Declare the District 4-11 seat Vacant by absences (Action)

 

District 4-11, the seat held by DJ Taylor, may be declared vacant by absentia because the committee member has exceeded the number of allowed absences pursuant to the bylaws. The bylaws require a 2/3 vote

Russ Connelly moved to declare seat vacant by absences. Kasra Movahedi 2nd. Approved unanimously.

 

8.  Adjournment at 7:10.

 

At 7:12, Mark Kassab arrived and stated that he had been trying to get to the 3rd floor of the building since 6:45, but the elevator was not allowing access to the floor.