City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes Feb 2008 - Apr 2008

February 2008 minutes

City Heights Area Planning Committee

MINUTES February 4, 2008

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:34PM. Heather Bentley, Sam Charry, Russ Connelly, Stefanie Harris, Valentina Hernandez, Mark Kassab, Ahmed Malinomar, Mazda Mehraz, Kasra Movahedi, David Nelson, Mohamed Omar, Jessie Sergent, Patty Vaccariello, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Jim Varnadore present. Liz Avalon, Jose Cervantes, Cassandra Lewis- Beavers, and D.J. Taylor were absent.

2. Public Comment was received from Stephen Witburn and a representative for Auday Arabo, both about the coming election.

3. Government Reports were received from Kim Nguyen about the City’s new street sweeping project and the timing for it; and from Nick Norvell of Representative Davis’s staff about the proposed toll road through San Onofre state beach and Ms. Davis’s internship program.

4. Committee member announcements were received from Heather Bentley about a candidate forum at the Florence Griffith-Joyner auditorium on February 19, from Kasra Movahedi about recent immigrants to the U.S. and their demographics, from Valentina Hernandez about the Friends of Swan Canyon, from Russ Connelly about the city’s pending oversize vehicle ordinance, and from Mazda Mehraz about the Committee election.

5. The minutes of January were continued.

6. Vaccariello moved, Connelly seconded approval of the amended agenda. The Committee voted unanimously in favor.

7.1 Metropolitan Wastewater Department representative Nhon Dong reviewed the status of two plans to re-direct sewer flows out of Chollas Creek between 54th Street and Federal Boulevard, and he distributed maps and handouts of the project. By an informal poll the Committee appeared to support the "partial re-direction" plan.

7.2 The Rooming House Ordinance was not ready for presentation and is continued to March, 2008.

7.3 The Committee heard an application for a tentative map waiver, a waiver of the requirement to under-ground utilities, a deviation from height limits, and a site development permit for the construction of 10 homes at 3325 Cherokee Avenue (PTN889709). Vaccariello moved, Hernandez seconded to recommend approval with the addition of prominent address numbers on each residence and use of a shady evergreen tree along the street front. The Committee voted 14/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

7.4 The Committee heard an application for a Neighborhood Use Permit and Site Development Permit to construct a community garden at 5389 Chollas Parkway (PTN145330). Connelly moved, Malinomar seconded to recommend approval. The Committee voted 13/0/0 with Movahedi recused and the Chair not voting, and the motion passed.

7.5 Vaccariello reviewed the status of the Committee’s work on the Public Facilities Finance Plan and solicited corrections. The Committee and the audience were asked to continue contributing items and suggestions for the Plan.

7.6 The Election Sub-committee secretary reviewed the status of the Committee’s annual election.

7.7 The chair called for nominations to fill the vacant District 1-09 seat on the Committee. No nomination was offered.

8. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM.

March 2008

City Heights Area Planning Committee

MINUTES of March 3, 2008

The candidates for election held a forum before the regular meeting, at which they were invited to speak on their own behalf.

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM. Jose Cervantes, Sam Charry, Russ Connelly, Stefanie Harris, Valentina Hernandez, Mark Kassab, Cassie Lewis-Beevers, Ahmed Malinomar, Mazda Mehraz, Kasra Movahedi, David Nelson, Mohamed Omar, Jessie Sergent, D.J. Taylor, Patty Vaccariello, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Jim Varnadore were present. Liz Avalon was absent.

2. Public comment was received from Colin Mathewson about progress toward a Farmers’ Market in City Heights.

3. Staff comment was received from Nick Norvell about the Federal stimulus program and from Kim Nguyen about the City Council’s action to recommend a ballot measure to let the Mayor nominate and Council confirm the city auditor. She also announced Council member Atkins’s planned April 24 speech. Melissa Tintocalis announced that Tony Kempton will be the new planner for the City Heights area.

4. Committee comment was received from David Nelson about the Bus Rapid Transit committee; from Val Hernandez about the Swan Canyon cleanup; from D.J. Taylor about the Creek-to-Bay cleanup; and from Russ Connelly about the Home Avenue Park and a District-3 candidate forum planned for March 13.

5. By a vote of 17/0/0 (Chair not voting), the agenda were adopted as tendered.

6. There were no corrections to the January 7 minutes. Correction were proposed for the February 4, 2008 minutes by Connelly and were accepted.

7.1 The Committee heard presentations about Sewer/Water group jobs 829, 781, and 780; and discussed the projects.

7.2 The Committee heard a presentation by DCA Marianne Greene about the city’s draft Rooming House Ordinance and discussed the matter.

7.3 The Committee heard an application to waive the underground of utilities requirement at an 81 unit condominium conversion located at 4019 Oakcrest Drive. After discussion, Nelson moved, Sergent seconded to recommend approval of the application. The Committee voted 5/8/3 and the motion failed. Abstentions were for dislike of converting apartments to condominiums, for uncertainty about the date of sale for the converted units, and for lack of on-site amenities.

7.4 Vice-chair Vaccariello made a status and progress report about the Mid-City Public Facilities Financing Plan which is undergoing review and revision. The Committee discussed elements of the plan.

[continued over]

7.5 The chair opened the floor to nominations to fill the vacant district 1-09 seat. Hernandez nominated David Bowen. There was no second. Vaccariello nominated Tim Jung. David Nelson seconded the nomination. It was noted that the agenda do not explicitly announce that the seat may be taken by any resident who can qualify for any of the Committee seats. The maker and second withdrew the motion.

8. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM to reconvene on April 7, 2008 at 6:30PM.

April 2008

City Heights Area Planning Committee

MINUTES April 7, 2008

Metro Career Center Conference Room

3910 University Avenue

1. Call to order at 6:33pm.

Present: Liz Avalon, Heather Bentley (arrived 6:40), Jose Cervantes (arrived 6:40), Sam Charry (arrived 6:50), Bill Clossen, Russ Connelly, Stefanie Harris, Valentina Hernandez (arrived 6:46), Cassandra Lewis-Beevers, Mark Kasab, Mazda Mehraz (6:40), Kasra Movahedi (6:50), David Nelson, Mohamed Omar, Jessie Sergent, DJ Taylor, Patty Vaccariello, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Jim Varnadore.

Absent: Ahmed Malinomar.

Committee and Chair recognize and thank departing members.
The committee thanked departing members Stefanie Harris and Cassandra Lewis-Beevers for their service on the committee.

3. Off-agenda public comment

Arlie Ricassa announced that she is running for election in the 78th District. Cynthia Estrada invited people to the community meeting for Colina Park. Theresa Curos discussed the Prop C, which will be on the ballot to allow voters to choose the City Auditor.

4. Staff reports and comment

Kim Nguyen, representing Councilmember Atkins office stated that the Mayor's budget meeting will be held on April 29, the State of District 3 meeting will be held on April 24, and that the street sweeping pilot project started last week. Chair Varnadore asked that the budget for the Project Area be sent to the committee.

5. Off-agenda committee member comment

Mazda welcomed the new members. David stated that he was told that the Cambodian new year at Colina del Sol Park was not held this year because the City wouldn't allow it. Jessie stated that the Market Creek Plaza held a Laotian new year festival. Russ stated that the Fairmount Park yard sale happened last week. Patty informed the committee that the Safe Routes to School program funded FloJo Elementary with $860,000. Valentina stated that Hamilton Elementary will be planting their school/community garden on Saturday. Jose discussed a housing consultation services program. Liz informed the committee that Gore Vidal spoke in City Heights in March at a rally commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war.

6. Corrections to the minutes for March 2008

There were corrections to the March 2008 minutes.

7. Adoption of Agenda

The Agenda was adopted as amended.

Moved: Connelly Second: Sergent Vote: 18/0/0 CNV

8.1 Public Facilities Finance Plan . (Action)

Patty described the process that the committee had and its goals in reviewing the finance plan. One major recommendation is to change the division of transportation financing to include more pedestrian oriented projects. Also there is a recommendation for a ½ mile service area for parks. Discussion also ensued regarding public transit funding. David Nelson suggested adding an item T.39 to “add to and improve public transit infrastructure” as a middle-to-top priority and to reserve item T9 for further discussion. Russ Conneley moved to adopt the recommended changes to the Public Facilities Finance Plan with the changes suggested by David Nelson.

Moved: Connelly Second: Sergent Vote: 16/1/0 CNV

(Hernandez opposed, Yusuf out of room)

8.2. Brown Act and Community Planning Groups Presentation (info)


Deputy City Attorney Green made a presentation on the Brown Act and requirements for Committee members to comply with Brown Act requirements for public meetings.

8.3. The Consolidated Plan – San Diego Housing Commission (Info)

Victoria Jones from the San Diego Housing Commission requested comments on the City of San Diego Fiscal Year 2009 Action Plan. The plan is used in the application for federal funds for housing and other programs each year, primarily benefitting low to moderate income residents. Comments were heard regarding the necessity for specialized funding for HIV housing, parks and public facilities funding, dollar figure allocations, public participation in the CDBG process, ADA accessibility, and citizen participation in the selection of the new head of the Housing Commission.

8.4. City Heights Square – Price Charities (originally scheduled as an action item, but heard as an info item)

Rich Juaraz of Price Charities described the proposed mixed use residential/office/retail development for the northwest corner of Fairmont and University and provided an update on plans, designs, and where they are in the process. Concerns were heard regarding parking, sidewalks, the interface between residential and retail uses, and the future location of the Jack in the Box restaurant.


8.5. City Heights Farmers Market Support Letter (Action)

Colin Mathewson of Price Charities made a presentation on the proposed City Heights farmer's market and requested the Committee's support. Discussion ensued regarding parking concerns and the potential benefits, vendors, and customers of the market. Patty made a motion to write a letter of support for the market, and to emphasize attention to the parking situation.

Moved: Vaccariello Second: Tay Vote: 17/0/1 CNV

(Movahedi recused himself to the audience)

8.6. Solicitation of Nominees and Possible election of a member to vacant District 1-09 seat (Action)

Patty nominated Tim Jung, seconded by Jessie. David nominated Adam Futo, seconded by DJ. Bill nominated David Bowen, seconded by Valentina. Valentina nominated Kevin Modesto, but the motion died for lack of a second. The three nominees made brief speeches. A written ballot was taken. Ballots were collected and counted by an audience member.

The first vote resulted in Tim Jung 8, Adam Futo 7, David Bowen 3.

A runoff vote between Tim Jung and Adam Futo was tied.

The nominees agreed to a coin toss, which was won by Tim Jung, who will be seated as the new committee member.

8.7. Call for volunteers and establish a subcommittee to seek officer and liason nominees.

Jeanette and DJ will make phone calls for officer positions.

9. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm