City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes Nov 2010 - Jan 2011

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting of December 1, 2010

3910 University Avenue

City Heights CA 92105

 

DRAFT - Minutes

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM.  Russ Connelly, Kenton Finkbeiner, Jenny Flanagan, Val Hernandez (6:48), Mark Kassab, Ahmed Malinomar (6:46), Mazda Mehraz, Amanda Moss, David Nelson, Jessie Sergent, Mark Tran, Patty Vaccariello, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Jim Varnadore formed a quorum.

 

2.  The Chair requested two changes to the draft agenda; to add a new item 7.8 declaring the at-large-11 seat vacant, and to re-number original item 7.8 as 7.9.  David moved, Jessie seconded to accept the changes and adopt the agenda.  The Committee voted 11/0/0 and the motion passed.

 

3.  There were no off-agenda public speakers.

 

4.  Cynthia Harris (CD-7 staff) reminded the Committee about the City’s efforts to improve the intersection of 50th/University and urged the Committee to support the project.  She announced the status of the coming Islenaire packer cleanup, the new water-hours restrictions, and the ordinance to regulate large retail stores.

 

    Bruce Williams (CD-4 staff) announced that Council member Young was chosen to be Council President by the City Council.  Bruce also gave a status report on the Home Avenue Park.

 

    Michael Prinz (CPCI staff) reported on the status of the SR-15 corridor land use study.  The City Council approved a consultant contract.  Outreach is expected in Feb 2011.

 

5.  David Nelson asked staff members whether Caltrans would make an environmental study of each of the three main options for the planned SR-15 Bus Rapid Transit project.  Michael Prinz replied that the study would be of the chosen option only.

 

    Patty Vaccariello noted the need for a new post office for ZIP code 92105 and asked the chair to write to Congresswoman Susan Davis, urging her to initiate action for a new post office.

 

6.  The minutes of October 4 were corrected and adopted by a vote of 13/0/0 (chair not voting).  The minutes of November 1 were corrected and adopted by a vote of 13/0/0 (chair not voting).

 

7.1  Brian Vitelle offered a presentation about Sewer Group Job-767 and answered questions about the project.  The committee strongly recommended that the streets which are dug up for the new sewer pipes be repaired properly, in such a way that they do not decay shortly after the work is completed, but are serviceable years afterward.

 

7.2  Rick Turner of Kappa Surveying offered a presentation about a 4-unit condominium project at 4140 Wabash Avenue and asked for the Committee’s support.  After discussion, Ahmed moved, Mark seconded a motion of approval with the recommendation to apply the property’s street address numbers, in large format, to the rear of the building and to reduce the size of the trees shown in the landscape palette.  The Committee voted 13/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.3  Phal Chourp offered a request for support for a proposal to exempt community gardens from any permits and make gardens an activity-by-right.  The Committee took no action.

 

7.4  Nick Faure of Westower Corp. offered a presentation for a telecommunication installation at 5252 Orange Avenue, to be co-located with a present installation at the premises.  After discussion, Russ moved, Ahmed seconded a motion of approval.  The Committee voted 11/2/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.5  The Election Subcommittee offered a brief status report for the March 2011 elections, reminding everyone that the deadline to tender applications is 5:00PM February 25, 2011.

 

7.6  The Committee discussed the matter of a Site Development Permit for a new neighborhood park located near the 4700 block of Home Avenue.  After discussion, Patty moved, Mark seconded a motion to re-issue the Committee’s prior recommendations made in February 2010.  The Committee voted 13/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.7  The Committee discussed the draft of a revised Council Policy 600-27 regarding develop-ment incentives for housing affordability and for sustainable development.  The draft had been reviewed at the Committee’s mid-month meeting.  After discussion, it was moved and seconded to adopt the mark-up from the mid-month meeting.  The Committee voted 11/1/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.8  The Committee noted the resignation of Liz Avalon from the At Large-11 seat.  David moved, Patty seconded a motion to declare the seat vacant.  The Committee voted 12/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.9  The Chair announced vacancies in the District 2-12 seat and one School/Non-profit-12 seat, and asked whether anyone wished to take either seat.  Ms. Hong Tran from the International Rescue Committee announced her wish to take the seat and delivered her agency’s nomination letter to the Chair.  The Chair noted that Tran had attended a meeting as required in the bylaws and asked for a motion.  Patty moved, Ahmed seconded a motion to name Hong Tran as the incumbent for the School/Non-profit-12 seat.  The Committee voted 12/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM to reconvene January 3, 2011 at the time and place shown above.

 

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting of November 1, 2010 6:30PM

3910 University Avenue

City Heights CA 92105

 

Draft Minutes

 

1.  Call to order and introductions

 

Total:

Liz Avalon

06:35:00 PM

Kenton Finkbinder

p

Amanda Moss

a

Mark Tran

a

Ahmedei Cheikguei

06:35:00 PM

Val Hernandez

07:10:00 PM

Kasra Movahedi

resigned

Patty Vaccariello

p

Sam Charry

06:35:00 PM

Mark Kassab

p

Jim Varnadore

p

Bill Closson

resigned

Ahmed Malinomar

p

David Nelson

p

Laura Vale

07:35:00 PM

Russ Connelly

p

Mazda Mehraz

p

Jessie Sergent

p

Abdulahi Yusuf.

p

 

2.  Adoption of the agenda

 

3.  Off-agenda public comment

 

A representative from Neighborhoods for Clean elections spoke about their initiative for campaign finance reform.

 

Guy Mock reported that CDBG grant applications are out and the City Heights Town Council will help sponsor if there are projects of $50K or more.

 

4.  Staff reports and comment

 

Joyce Summers of the CCDC gave an update on the winter homeless shelter and some problems with the Golden Hall venue that the city had previously identified. She also spoke about the CCDC cap that was lifted through a state, not city, process. This will go to the City Council for review again as well.

 

Michael Prinz of City of San Diego Planning stated that on November 15 the City will be considering the consultant agreement for the I-15 BRT  study.

 

Courtney Thompson of Councilmember Gloria's office  reported on upcoming events, including the official opening of the Azalea Park water conservation garden.

 

 

5.  Committee member reports and comment

 

Amanda Moss and Jessie Sergent discussed a series of robberies that occurred recently. Mazda Mehraz spoke about the Fire Department station that was discussed last month. Ahmed Malinomar announced an upcoming movie night in the park.Amanda Moss spoke about the Fall facelift event, which had 800 volunteers help 18 families on one block in the Corridor neighborhood on Cherokee between Orange and El Cajon. David Nelson expressed his disappointment with the stadium redevelopment deal downtown.  Kenton Finkbinder spoke about the Fairmount Village Association. Russ Connelly praised the people involved in facelift and asked people to volunteer for City Heights on Patrol. Chair Varnadore reported that longtime community member Dessie Sprague had passed away.

 

6.  Corrections to the Minutes of October 4, 2010

 

7.  Business Agenda:

   7.0 Committee resignations

           

Russ made a motion to accept the resignations of Kasra Movahedi and Bill Closson. , Jesse Sergent seconded. Approved unanimously.

 

   7.1 Consider applicants to appoint to the vacant District 4-12 seat

      (action)

 

Jenny Flanagan announced her candidacy to the committee. She stated she would like to be a member of the committee because she has an educational background in planning, previously worked with the CDC, and is a new homeowner in City Heights. Patty Vaccariello moved to accept the nomination. Amanda Moss seconded.  Motion passed 13-1, CNV, Valentina opposed.

 

Additionally, Hong Tran of the IRC introduced herself and stated that she will be running for the School/Nonprofit seat next month.

 

   7.2 Caltrans presentation about adding car pool lanes to the SR-94 Freeway (information)

 

Ron Carat of Caltrans with Ellen Jenny and Michelle Trudeau of the environmental division presented a Caltrans proposal for improvements to the I-94 interchanges, including BRT/HOV lanes. The Draft EIR is expected to go out in Spring 2013. On January 12, 2011 from 5-8 pm at the Sherman Heights Community Center, located at 2258 Island avenue there will be a scoping meeting and more details will be presented on project alternatives with layouts regarding right of way acquisitions.   The Committee asked questions about the planned BRT system, why no transit plaza is planned in the City Heights area, and about the proposed interchanges.

 

   7.3 Review draft Council Policy 600-27 about incentives to be given to the development industry (action)

 

This would be a change in policy to provide incentives, such as streamlined processing, to developers who implement sustainable elements to their affordable housing projects.   City Planner Michael Prinz discussed the proposal. Committee members asked questions of city staff.

 

Russ Connelly  moved to continue the item to the next meeting, at which time the committee would make a recommendation and send comments in writing to the city. Mazda seconded. Passed unanimously.

 

 

   7.4 Form election subcommittee for the March 2011 election (action)

 

Russ, Patty, Jenny, and Jessie volunteered for the committee.

 

   7.5 Review Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Home Avenue Park (action)

 

Russ Connelly summarized the contents of the mitigated negative declaration. The document is identifying issues related to traffic, noise, habitat, and water quality. There will be mitigation for habitat on site and for noise. The sound levels are at borderline for what is acceptable for park uses. The proposed mitigation is rubberized asphalt and walls to reduce sound. Traffic impacts are to be mitigated with a stop light.

 

Patty mentioned that the document doesn't address the Chollas creek 20' buffer and restoration plan.

 

Chair Varnadore will collect comments from the Committee to be incorporated into a response. The Planning Commission will be hearing the item on December 16. Additionally, the Committee will review the site development permit at the next meeting.

 

   7.6 Decide whether to meet Monday, January 3, 2011 (action)

 

  The committee will meet on January 3, 2011

 

   7.7 Discuss the status and progress of youth seats (information)

 

City Staff Prinz stated that the City Counsel opined that this is not a minor deviation from the city bylaws, so to maintain indemnification, the committee would have to get a bylaws deviation approved by City Council to have youth seats.

 

8.  Adjournment.