City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes August 2008 to October 2008

August 2008

City Heights Area Planning Committee
Final Minutes, August 4, 2008

Metro Career Center 3rd Floor Community room
3910 University Avenue

1. Call to order at 6:30 pm.

Present: Liz Avalon, Jose Cervantes, Sam Charry, Bill Closson, Russ Connelly, Valentina Hernandez, Tim Jung, Mark Kassab, Ahmed Malinomar, Mazda Mehraz, Kasra Movahedi, Jeanette Neely, David Nelson, Mohamed Omar, Jesse Sergent, DJ Taylor, Patty Vaccariello, Jim Varnadore. Abdulahi Yusuf


Absent: Heather Bentley

Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted unanimously.

3. Off-agenda public comment

Joyce Brown from the CHCDC made a report. Irasema Garcia, a resident on 53rd street, made a request for a traffic calming study for 52nd street, a traffic study to consider a one way street on 53rd, and to get street cleaning on 53rd street. This will be placed on the September agenda for consideration. Heida Birkmer provided an update on the farmers market and stated that they were seeking vendors.

4. Staff reports and comment

Vickie White introduced herself as the new mid-city planner for City Heights. She can be reached at 619-533-5967 or at vwhite@sandiego.ca.gov. Nick Norvelle, representing Congresswoman Davis's office, informed the committee about upcoming events including a water forum, a house forclosure workshop, and a small business workshop.

5. Committee member reports and comment

Jessie reported on community court and passed out a flyer. Patty discussed roundabouts and traffic calming. Jeanette informed the committee of the upcoming national night out. David opined that the community would be better served with new sidewalks rather than the city spending money on curb cuts and accessibility. Kasra updated the committee on the PAC.

6. Corrections to the minutes for July 7, 2008

Corrections to the previous meetings minutes were noted.

7.1 Application of Waldorf School to amend its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to extend the expiration date and increase the number of students at the school. This meeting will consider the traffic study only. (action)

Bert Chase, architect for the school staetd that there will be a connection made between Ontario and Alta Dena. Bill Darnell, the traffic consultant, stated that the street operates as a collector. The Committee expressed concern that the two separate study results for traffic in the area, one regarding the park and traffic and the other regarding the school and traffic conflict. The studies appear as though they were manipulated based on the desired outcome/project. David Nelson moved approval and Jeanette Neely seconded, with a friendly amendment to state that although the committee sees the school as a desirable asset in the community, they disagree with the methods used regarding the traffic study. Approved unanimously

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

7.2 Substantial Conformance Review of the City’s Canyon and Open Space access program for sewer maintenance and repair. (action)

Keli balo of the Metro Wastewater Department stated that the Water Department will be formalizing existing access paths for future sewer maintenance. Formalizing means that they will be able to go into an area an maintain the dirt trails for access purposes and to make repairs. Hassan Isa took questions regarding maintenance, the Chollas Creek maintenance plan and using paths to enhance bicycle and pedestrian access. Patty made a motion to approve with a recommendation that the sewer access area south of Home Avenue be turned into a bicycle accessible path to create a new connection from City Heights to neighborhoods south of I-94.
Russ seconded.

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


7.3 Request from the City to review elements of the draft bylaws that the Planning Department and City Attorney believe do not conform to Council Policy 600-24 or the Brown Act or both.

There are currently 19 committees that have deviations from the suggested City shell bylaws. The City Heights Planning Committee has reviewed its desired bylaw wording and provided it to the City. The City is asking that the Committee reconsider to be more similar to the shell. David Taylor moved to keep the bylaws as recommended and submitted by the Committee. Sam Charry seconded.

Moved: Taylor Second: Charry Vote: 18/0/0 CNV


7.4 Changing the date of the September, 2008 meeting (action).

The next meeting date will be Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 6:30pm. Approved unanimously.

September 2008

City Heights Area Planning Committee
Final Minutes, September 3, 2008

Metro Career Center 3rd Floor Community room
3910 University Avenue

1. Call to order at 6:30 pm.

Present: Liz Avalon, Heather Bentley, Sam Charry (6:40), Bill Closson, Russ Connelly(6:40), Mark Kassab, Ahmed Malinomar (left at 7:15), Mazda Mehraz, Kasra Movahedi, Jeanette Neeley, David Nelson (6:40), Jessie Sergent, DJ Taylor, Patty Vaccariello, Jim Varnadore.

Absent: Jose Cervantes, Valentina Hernandez, Tim Jung, Mohamed Omar, Abdulahi Yusuf

2. Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted unanimously.

3. Off-agenda public comment

Stephen Russell, Treasurer of the CHCDC discussed BRT station on the I-15 corridor, air quality monitoring at Teralta Park, and stated that there will be an open house on October 14. Morris Adato stated that his company purchased the Julios building on University and will be renovating the site and moving their pawnshop into the location.

4. Staff reports and comment

Kim Nguyen of Atkins office stated that City Council has just returned from vacation. Nick Norvelle, representing Congresswoman Davis's office, passed out a flyer and stated that the Congresswoman would be in town while Congress is out of session.

5. Committee member reports and comment

Heather reported on I Love A Clean San Diego events. Jessie encouraged everyone to attend the community police meeting at Cherokee elementary, where the new community officer will be introduced. Patty stated that the pedestrian workshop will be September 27 from 912 at the Metro Career Center. Russ stated that the Sunshine Bernadini Fields will have a public workshop on the park plan on September 23 at 7pm at the Holy Spirit Church Hall. David reported that City Heights redevelopment housing funds are proposed to be used to convert 92 existing units to restricted affordable in a building located at 4175 Bonillo in the College area. Liz reported that there would be a healthy food workshop on September 13 at the library. Jim stated that the Committee would soon be reviewing the Mid City Community Plan.

6. Corrections to the minutes for August 4, 2008

No corrections to the previous meetings minutes were noted.

7. Business Agenda
7.1 4214 34th Street – 7 unit Condominium conversion permit and waivers of tentative map and undergrounding utilities. (action)

Ryan Post of Anthony Taylor Construction represented owner William Snell. He stated that there were 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units on the property and 11 parking spaces. The Committee discussed the assignment and location of parking and whether parking spaces located behind garages were considered tandem parking spaces. The committee requested that the applicant install motion lighting and post the street number in the alley. Motion by David Nelson to approve waiver of TM and off site undergrounding.

Moved: Nelson Second: Neely Vote: 13/0/0 CNV

7.2 Citizen request that the Committee review and act on proposals for street improvements in the Colina Park neighborhood. (action)

Michelle Llewellyn of the CDC stated that the 52nd street proposal has changed but that 53rd street was still an action item. The request was brought forward because she feels there is not enough traffic calming in front of Mary Lanyon Fay school, and the June 2008 traffic study by the city stated that no more traffic calming devices would be allowed in the area. They will review again when students are on site. Irasema Garcia of the mobility coalition stated that 53rd Street needs street cleaning with restricted parking because the street cleaning machines can’t get to the gutters when cars are parked there. She also requested that sidewalks be placed along the entire street. The committee warned her that a sidewalk request could be a burden to the local property owners because the City would require them to pay for any new sidewalks that the City installs.

No motion.

7.3/4 Discussion of the current zoning and Mid-0City Community Plan status of the parcel of land dedicated as the Home Avenue Park. (action)

Resident Teresa Quirox stated that the City purchased land on Home to build a park to replace land taken for the police station. The land was dedicated as park land but the underlying zoning doesn’t match, and therefore needs a community plan amendment prior to building the park. She requested that the Committee ask the City to go forward with the CPA to change the zoning. Motion by Russ Connelly to initiate the CPA and rezoning of the dedicated parcel from multifamily zoning to parkland.

Moved: Connelly Second: None Vote: NA

Vicki White , the mid-city planner, stated that the current multifamily zoning will allow for recreation uses and that the Community Plan Ammendment can be done concurrently with park planning if the site is under 2 acres, which it is. The main issue is with traffic circulation on Home Avenue because a CPA must happen to remove the widening requirements for Home Avenue. Motion by Patty to request that Tony Young initiate the Community Plan Amendment to redesignate the width of Home Avenue to two lanes.

Moved: Vaccariello Second: Connelly Vote: 12/1/0 CNV



8. Adjournment at 8:25 pm.

October 2008

City Heights Area Planning Committee
Final Minutes, October 6, 2008

Metro Career Center 3rd Floor Community room
3910 University Avenue

1. Call to order at 6:30 pm.

Present: Liz Avalon (6:35), Heather Bentley (6:35), Sam Charry (6:35), Bill Closson, Russ Connelly(6:40), Valentina Hernandez (6:50), Mark Kassab, Ahmed Malinomar, Mazda Mehraz, Kasra Movahedi (6:35), Jeanette Neeley, David Nelson (left after item 7.1), Jessie Sergent, DJ Taylor, Patty Vaccariello, Jim Varnadore, Abdulahi Yusuf.

Absent: Jose Cervantes, , Tim Jung, Mohamed Omar,

2. Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted unanimously.

3. Off-agenda public comment


4. Staff reports and comment

Vicky White stated that the Mayor’s office will be holding several water workshops, including one at the City Heights library on October 21. Bruce Williams introduced himself and stated that he will be working as staff to Councilmember Young. He can be reached at 619-236-7175. Kim Nguyen of Councilmember Atkins office stated that two new Community relations officers will be joining the neighborhood.

5. Committee member reports and comment

Jessie stated that one of the new Community relations officers is Dean Thomas, and that 2 more will be coming on duty soon. Patty said that the Community Housingworks Fall Facelift will be on Thorn this year. Liz reminded everyone to vote in the PAC elections. Kasra reported on the groundbreaking at the new community farm. David gave an update on BRT. Russ reported that the city administratively approved a carwash adjacent to Auburn Creek.

6. Corrections to the minutes for September 3, 2008

Corrections to the previous meetings minutes were noted.

7. Business Agenda

7.1 3359 University Avenue – Construct convenience store at a gas station and install an off-sale beer/wine license. (action)

James Blun of the Fielder Group showed plans for the gas station and convenience store, explaining building location, sewer easements, and setbacks. The committee asked questions regarding crime, ABDC licensing, signage, store size, security, and landscaping. Martin Mendez, a resident on 37th street stated that the patio is unnecessary.

Motion by Russ Connelly to approve the CUP amendment for the store. Second by Ahmed Malinomar. Friendly amendment by Liz Avalon accepted to recommend changing the patio area next to the store to landscaping.

Moved: Connelly Second: Malinomar Vote: 16/0/0 CNV

Motion by David Nelson to approve CUP for ABC license with restrictions on single sales and a maximum of 15% of sales being alcohol related. Second by DJ Taylor. Discussion regarding number of liquor stores in community, types of restrictions that would be placed, benefits of approving with conditions rather than simply having the city overturn a no recommendation, whether limitations on ABC licenses hurt store owners who are good members of the community.

Request by Ahmed Malinomar, second by Hernandez for substitute motion to deny ABC License.

Up or down vote to substitute motion
Vote: 8/6/2 CNV

(Avalon, Bentley, Clossen, Neeley, Nelson, Taylor opposed. Charry and Kassab abstain)

Moved: Malinomar Second: Hernandez Vote: 9/4/2 CNV

(Avalon, Bentley, Neeley, Taylor opposed. Charry and Kassab abstain. Nelson absent.)

7.2 3910 University Avenue – permit to install a charter high school (action).

Brian Longmore, representative for the Metro Career Center high school presented the project. The original permits didn’t include a CUP for the school use. A charter high school wants to use the 2nd floor for a 400 student high school and the building needs a CUP for the school use. There is plenty of parking for this use on site. The school will have a medical career focus.

The Committee and public asked questions regarding parking, circulation, drop-off, use of the Community meeting room, noise, security, impact on residents of the adjacent apartment complex, and traffic calming.

Patty Vaccariello moved approval for the CUP for educational uses on the 1st and 2nd floor of the building and requested that the applicants submit a traffic flow and traffic calming plan that is respectful of neighboring uses. Russ Connelly seconded. A friendly amendment by Ahmed Malinomar was accepted to request a right turn only sign at the driveway exit.


Moved: Vaccariello Second: Connelly Vote: 15/0/0 CNV

7.3 Seminar about possible restrictions to on-sale and off-sale ABCD licenses in City Heights.

Discussion of benefits and drawbacks of moratoriums and different types of sales restrictions, of requirements of store owners to maintain their licenses, and of the need to encourage good operators of local businesses.

Motion by Kasra Movahedi for CHAPC to work towards adopting guidelines for CUP’s for ABC licenses. Seconded by Valentina Hernandez.

Moved: Movahedi Second: hernandex Vote: 15/0/0 CNV



8. Adjournment.