City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes May 2009 to July 2009

May 2009

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE
FinalMinutes
Meeting of May 4, 2009 6:30PM
3910 University Avenue
City Heights CA 92105
Attendance: p = present. a= absent
Russ Connelly p Amanda Moss p Jessie Sergent p
Liz Avalon 6:36 Val Hernandez 7:10 Kasra Movahedi 6:35 DJ Taylor p
Heather Bentley p Mark Kassab p Jeanette Neeley a Patty Vaccariello p
Sam Charry 6:35 Ahmed Malinomar p David Nelson p Jim Varnadore p
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz p Mohamed Omar a Abdulahi Yusuf.
p
1. Call to order and introductions

2. Adoption of the agenda - adopted 10/0/1 Malinomar abstain, CNV.

3. Off-agenda public comment

4. Staff reports and comment; Committee member reports and comment
Staff reports-
Mary Otero-Gonzalez - neighborhood enhancement coordinator - has volunteers and has over 182 cases, many of which have been resolved. Vacant residences are a major problem.
Pat Calloway - Price Charities – Discussed City Heights Square construction traffic flow information.
Bill Cegelka – Staff from Congresswoman Davis's office. Discussed Stimulus, flu and credit card holders bill of rights updates.
Bruce Williams – Councilmember Young's office. Updates on City deficit, special State election Q&A session May 9 at Jacobs center.
Committee Member reports -
Russ Connelly - Home Avenue Park is stuck in Environmental Review process.
Liz Avalon - Attended COW workshop. Encouraged CHAPC members to attend next time.
Jim Varnadore - Congratulated Jessie Sergent for award for community policing volunteer work.
Amanda Moss – Reported on her participation in an SDG&E lighting survey regarding energy efficiency.
5. Corrections to the Minutes of April 6, 2009
6. Business Agenda:
6.1 Application for C.U.P. to install wireless communication antennas atop the roof at 5330 Orange Avenue and to replace previous C.U.P. with a new one. (action if applicant appears)
Shelly Kilbourn from T-Mobile presented project. Original permits expired in 2006 and they have been working with city to redesign antennas to be on side of building instead of rooftop and move cabinets out of parking spaces and into area near apartment complex gate mechanism. The CUP will be good for 10 years if approved.
Brief discussion regarding CUP's and the minimal impact of these towers. Patty moved approval. Jessie seconded.
Total: 14/0/0 cnv Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez a Kasra Movahedi y DJ Taylor y
Heather Bentley y Mark Kassab y Jeanette Neeley a Patty Vaccariello y
Sam Charry y Ahmed Malinomar y David Nelson y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar y Abdulahi Yusuf.
y

6.2 Application to re-new the C.U.P. for the telecommunication tower installation at 3875 Swift Avenue. (action if applicant appears)
No representative from applicant. Chair Varnadore gave background on the item. Will be continued to next meeting.
6.3 Re-hear application to move an existing ABC license from a grocery to be demolished at 3596 Fairmount Avenue over to the replacement store to be constructed at the same location. (action)
Mark Kassab discussed his request for ABC license to be moved from old grocery store location to new building on same site and for CUP for 20 years, and temporary certificate of occupancy for rebuild. He currently has no conditions on his license, but the new CUP will limit him to 20% of store space. He has no violations in 25 years of business operations, and would like to maintain his free license.
David Nelson moved approval of moving ABC license and temporary occupancy permit. Valentina Hernandez second.
Total: 15/0/1 cnv Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez y Kasra Movahedi y DJ Taylor y
Heather Bentley y Mark Kassab y Jeanette Neeley a Patty Vaccariello y
Sam Charry y Ahmed Malinomar abst David Nelson y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar y Abdulahi Yusuf.
y
Request for CUP extension for 20 years. Mark stated that the City development department is recomending approval with limitation of 20% of store be dedicated to liquor sales. Discussion of CUP process. Discussion of single sales restrictions.
Sam Charry moves to recommend approval of 20 year permit conditioned upon 20% maximum of floor area for liquor sales as stated by city cycle issues. Liz second.
Discussion of lasting implications of the 20 year permit.
Total: 15/0/1 cnv Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez y Kasra Movahedi y DJ Taylor y
Heather Bentley abst Mark Kassab recused Jeanette Neeley a Patty Vaccariello y
Sam Charry y Ahmed Malinomar abst David Nelson y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar y Abdulahi Yusuf.
y
6.4 Solicit volunteers to fill the vacant School/Non-profit-11 seat that was declared vacant in April 2009. (action)
Kyle Weinberg, a resident at 4246 Wightman Street and member of Activist San Diego and San Diego Free Skool nonprofit groups introduced himself and asked to be nominated to the committee. Questions regarding location of nonprofit in City Heights and 501c3 status of Activist San Diego. Patty nominates him and Valentina Seconds. Vote by ballot. Audience member counted ballots and announced the results. Kyle Weinberg won the election and was immediately seated on the Committee.
6.5 Request by the Chair to ratify a Committee application to have a representative on the Oversight Committee for the California Endowment’s City Heights Initiative. (action)
Chair Varnadore described the background on the mid-City CAN election process and informed that due to tight timelines he already sent in the application for CHAPC to participate in process, but needed committee to ratify. DJ moved for ratification. Ahmed Malinomar second.

Total: 14/0/1 cnv
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez y Kasra Movahedi y DJ Taylor y
Heather Bentley y Mark Kassab y Jeanette Neeley a Patty Vaccariello y
Sam Charry y Ahmed Malinomar y David Nelson y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson a Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar a Kyle Weinberg abst
Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y Abdulahi Yusuf.
a
6.6 Officer elections (action)
DJ and Heather made a presentation and organized the selection process. Ballots were collected and counted by an audience member.
Officer nominations:
Nominees for Chair were Liz Avalon and Jim Varnadore. Jim was elected Chair.
Nominee for 1st Vice-Chair was Patty Vaccariello. Patty was elected.
Nominee for 2nd Vice Chair was Russ Connelly. Russ was elected.
Nominee for Treasurer was Mark Kassab. Mark was elected.
Nominee for Secretary was Liz Avalon. Liz was elected.
Committee Liason nominations:
City Heights PAC nominees were Patty Vaccariello and Ahmed Malinomar. Patty was elected.
Crossroads PAC nominee was Kasra Movahedi. Kasra was appointed without objection.
City Heights Square - If necessary, an ad-hoc committee will be appointed.

6.7 If time permits, a discussion will be held about play space, park space, open space, and (information)
Chair gave brief background on past City Council actions on this item and City policy. Continued to next meeting.

8. Adjournment.

June 2009

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE
Draft Minutes
Meeting of June 1, 2009 6:30PM
3910 University Avenue
City Heights CA 92105

Attendance: p = present. a= absent

Total:
Liz Avalon p Val Hernandez p Kasra Movahedi a DJ Taylor a
Heather Bentley p Mark Kassab a Jeanette Neeley 06:40:00 PM Patty Vaccariello p
Sam Charry p Ahmed Malinomar 07:45:00 PM David Nelson p Jim Varnadore p
Bill Closson p Mazda Mehraz p Mohamed Omar p Kyle Wienberg a
Russ Connelly p Amanda Moss p Jessie Sergent p Abdulahi Yusuf.
p


1. Call to order and introductions at 6:35.

2. Adoption of the agenda

Russ Moved. Amanda Second. Unanimous.

3. Off-agenda public comment

Joy Summer of CCDC distributed info about the CCDC's activities and downtown guide.


4. Staff reports and comment; Committee member reports and comment

Anthony from Councilmember Gloria's office gave update about prostitution sweep on El Cajon, water restrictions.

Kim Nguyen from Councilmember Emerald's office gave update on community meeting times.

Vicki White, San Diego Community Planner, gave update on BRT, which has received funding from SANDAG.

Bruce Williams from Councilmember Young's office gave update on smart money summit to be held June 6.

Committee members reports: Jessie Sergent reminded people of the police community meeting. Patty Vaccariello informed committee about June 6 facelift. Heather reported a recent spate of crime in the South Castle area. Amanda asked people to come to facelift. Jeanette asked people to come to the 1 year anniversary and tamale eating contest at the City Heights farmer's market. David Nelson stated he wants more info on proposed school cutbacks and how it will affect programs. Jim Varnadore spoke about his participation on the small school closure committee and the potential of small schools being closed, modified, or renovated in City Heights. No City Heights schools are likely to be closed. Valentina Hernandez reported on an armed robbery at the 7-11 on Fairmount and the City Heights facelift scheduled for Saturday. Mazda Mehraz reported on business association's bus shelter program. Russ Connelly reported on upcoming police community meeting and Fairmount park neighborhood cleanup.


5. Corrections to the Minutes of May 4, 2009

Minor corrections noted.


6. Business Agenda:

6.1 Request from the Chair to reimburse the Election Subcommittee for some out of pocket costs incurred as part of the election. (action)

David Nelson moved to authorize reimbursement. Ahmed Malinomar second.


Total: 14/0/1 cnv
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez y Kasra Movahedi --- DJ Taylor ---
Heather Bentley y Mark Kassab --- Jeanette Neeley y Patty Vaccariello abst
Sam Charry y Ahmed Malinomar y David Nelson y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson y Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar y Kyle Weinberg ---------
Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y Abdulahi Yusuf.
y

6.2 A review of open space regulations and joint use parks, to include considering whether to recommend a mandatory requirement for open space in multi-family projects while the Community is deficient in parks and open space. (action)

Chair Varnadore gave background on the requirement for playspace when building multifamily housing, and when the sunset on that requirement was to occur upon development of 12 or more acres of park space. When 12 acres of joint use school park space was developed, the city determined that the supplemental regulations were no longer in effect.

Committee members commented that the joint use park space has been unusable for years at certain locations, and that the schools have not made play space available for the community. Discussion of how to get plan back in place.

David Nelson moved to recommend that the moratorium on building multifamily housing without playspace be reinstated requiring that all multifamily housing provide playspace onsite until at least 3 acres of dedicated usable parkspace are added after the adoption date of the ordinance, excluding joint use school playgrounds. Valentina Hernadez second.

Total: 15/0/0 cnv
Liz Avalon y Val Hernandez y Kasra Movahedi ---- 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 y Mazda Mehraz y Mohamed Omar y Kyle Weinberg ---
Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss y Jessie Sergent y Abdulahi Yusuf.
y

6.3 {to be taken up at the Chair’s call} a small celebration to recognize a special occasion for one of our committee members (action)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALENTINA!!!!

7. Adjournment. 7:50pm

July 2009

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

Attendance: p = present. a= absent

Total: 13
Liz Avalon A Val Hernandez 6:43PM Kasra Movahedi P DJ Taylor A
Heather Bentley A Mark Kassab P Jeanette Neeley A Patty Vaccariello P
Sam Charry 6:40PM Ahmed Malinomar P David Nelson P Jim Varnadore P
Bill Closson P Mazda Mehraz P Mohamed Omar A Kyle Wienberg A
Russ Connelly p Amanda Moss P Jessie Sergent P Abdulahi Yusuf. A


1. Call to order and introductions at 6:38.

2. Adoption of the agenda: Russ moved, Jessie seconded; Unanimous.

3. Off-agenda public comment: Joyce Summer of CCDC reported on the Homeless Task Force.

4. Staff reports and comment:

Anthony Bernal from Councilmember Gloria's office gave update about the City budget, including the possibility that the State will borrow some money from the general fund. He also reported that the Council Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhood Services (PSNS) would meet in City Heights on July 25, 2009 at the Colina del Sol Recreation Center; time to be announced.

Bruce Williams from Councilmember Young's office gave an update on the CD-4 staff reductions that result from budget restrictions, and reported that the Council had approved an ordinance extending indemnification to all members of sub-committees, as well as to members of the committee.

5. Committee member reports and comment: Hernandez reported on the recent FaceLift event in the Swan Canyon neighborhood.

6. Corrections to the Minutes of June 1, 2009: Minor corrections noted.

7. Business Agenda:

7.1 SANDAG staff member Miriam Kirshner made a presentation on the status of the Showcase Bus Rapid Transit project, including a request that the Committee recommend approval of the SANDAG proposal to make Fairmount Avenue North-bound only from Orange Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard. The Committee posed several questions about the project and offered suggestions for im-provement. After discussion, Mehraz moved, Hern?¡ndez seconded to recommend disapproval of the request to change the present status of Fairmount Avenue from two-way to Northbound only. The Committee voted as follows:


Total: 6/6/0 cnv
Liz Avalon - Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi N DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley - Mark Kassab Y Jeanette Neeley - Patty Vaccariello N
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar N David Nelson N Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson N Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Weinberg -
Russ Connelly y Amanda Moss N Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf -


The chair declined to break the tie, and the motion failed. After further discussion, Nelson moved, Vaccariello seconded to recommend that SANDAG study its proposal with a view to keeping Fairmount Avenue in its present two-way configuration, to provide station space to the West of Fairmount Avenue for busses on overlapping routes, and that if SANDAG continues its preference for making Fairmount Avenue one-way North, then SANDAG should notify businesses along the affected part of Fairmount Avenue and solicit their opinions of Northbounding. The Committee voted as follows:


Total: 12/0/0 cnv
Liz Avalon - Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley - Mark Kassab Y Jeanette Neeley - Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Y David Nelson Y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson Y Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Weinberg -
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf -


7.2 The Committee heard a presentation by Laila Nasrawi of Engineering and Capital Projects Department, about Sewer Rehabilitation Phase J1-A to be conducted in three locations in City Heights; North of Bramson Place and West of 33rd Street, South of Polk Avenue in the alley between 39th Street and 40th Street, and South of Myrtle Avenue in the alley between 43rd Street and Fairmount Avenue. There were questions and suggestions for the project that staff member Nasrawi received for consideration.

7.3 The Committee heard a request from Chevron Corporation, an applicant for an ABC license, that the Committee reconsider its September 15, 2008 recommendation to disapprove an ABC license at the premises, 3359 University Avenue. After discussion, Vaccariello (who had voted with the prevailing side in September) moved, Sergent seconded to instruct the Chair to place this matter on the August agenda.

Total: 11/1/2 cnv
Liz Avalon - Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y
DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley - Mark Kassab Abstain Jeanette Neeley - Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Abstain David Nelson Y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson Y Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Weinberg -
Russ Connelly N Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent y Abdulahi Yusuf -


7.4 The Committee heard an application to change from a type 20 ABC license (beer-wine only) at 4580 University Avenue to a type 21 license (all offerings). After discussion Vaccariello moved, Hernandez seconded to recommend approval of the license change, keeping all the conditions from the present license on the new license and adding a new condition that no alcohol be sold in sizes smaller than 350 milliliters. The Committee voted as follows:


Total: 9/1/1 with one recusal and cnv
Liz Avalon - Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y
DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley - Mark Kassab Recused Jeanette Neeley - Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Abstain David Nelson N Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson Y Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Weinberg -
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf -


7.5 The committee considered recommendations from the City Planning and Community Investment Department to adopt small changes to the draft bylaws, which are still under consideration by the Committee and the Department. In the discussion, the Committee noted that it prefers to complete preparations for its annual elections by the tenth day prior to the annual elections rather than prior to the February meeting each year. It believes this will offer the residents more opportunity to decide whether to run for office and then to file their applications. With that, the Department’s suggestion to revert to the February meeting date is in conflict. Further, the Committee considered and agreed to clearing up a minor confusion in the draft bylaws. After discussion, Connelly moved, Sergent seconded to adopt the following version of final sentence of Article V, Section 1: “In order to be a candidate in the March election, an eligible member of the community [see Article III, Section 2] must have documented attendance at : CHOOSE ONE OPTION: (A.) one ;or (B.) two; or (C.) three meeting of the City Heights Area Planning Committee’s last 12 meetings prior to the March February regular meeting preceeding the election.” The Committee voted as follows:


Total: 12/0/0 cnv
Liz Avalon - Val Hernandez Y Kasra Movahedi Y DJ Taylor -
Heather Bentley - Mark Kassab Y Jeanette Neeley - Patty Vaccariello Y
Sam Charry Y Ahmed Malinomar Y David Nelson Y Jim Varnadore cnv
Bill Closson Y Mazda Mehraz Y Mohamed Omar - Kyle Weinberg -
Russ Connelly Y Amanda Moss Y Jessie Sergent Y Abdulahi Yusuf -


8. Adjournment. 8:37PM