City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes May 2012 to July 2012

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

 

 

Meeting of July 2, 2012

 

3910 University Avenue

 

City Heights CA 92105

 

 

 

DRAFT Minutes

 

 

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 6:34PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, Amanda Moss, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Jessie Sergent, John DeMiranda, Katt Eaton, Mark Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Sam Charry, Samantha Ollinger, Saynab Dahir, and Jim Varnadore formed a quorum.  Hong Tran, Jenny Flanagan, Kenton Finkbeiner, and Rebecca Rusk absent.

 

 

 

2.  Ahmed moved and Mark seconded a motion to amend the agenda by deleting item 7.5 and re-numbering item 7.6 and to approve the agenda.  The members voted 15/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

 

 

3.  Minor corrections were made to the minutes of June 4, 2012.

 

 

 

4.  Roberto Guerrero of Reality Changers announced a “College Parade” and circulated a flyer.  Juan Ramirez of WalkSanDiego announced a series of workshops on walkability and circulated flyers

 

 

 

5.  Cynthia Harris from D-7 announced the annual Summer lunch program for kids and circulated a flyer about the Multi-Cultural Community Relations Office.  She made brief remarks about “Civic San Diego”.  Courtney Thomson from D-3 announced the signing of the City Budget for FY-13 and discussed the Euclid Gateway project.

 

 

 

6.  Jim circulated the Blue Book.  Mark discussed the status of a skatepark in City Heights and reminded all of National Night Out in Colina Park august 7.  Guy noted that some skateboarders are using Auburn Creek and Chollas Creek where those are lined with concrete.  Katt announced a canyon walkabout for July 7 in Bill Tall’s Canyon, sometimes called 47th Street Canyon.  Saynab announced Somali Family Services event October 17.  She will circulate an electronic flyer.  Jessie reported the success of the San Diego Asian Youth Organization fundraiser.

 

 

 

7.1  Project Manager Mahmoud Oriqat described Water Group Job-941 on Ridge View Drive and circulated a flyer.  Questions from the Committee and audience were answered.

 

 

 

7.2  Esmeralda White and Steve Bliss from the Streets Division of the City staff described a recently completed study of University Avenue between 54th Street and La Mesa, showed a powerpoint presentation, and circulated a handout.  David Bowen noted that the planned median
blocks left turns off the travel lanes, which might impede emergency
vehicles and noted that the median might require a maintenance assess-ment district (MAD).  Guy noted that water builds up in the intersec-tion at 54th Street and University Avenue and drains slowly.  He asked for a review of storm drains at the intersection.  Jessie suggested that the study should have begun farther West, at Euclid Avenue.  Russ Connelly, immediate past Chairman of the committee noted that he had invited the consultant firm to a committee meeting but got no reply.  Bob Leif noted the design of bike lanes in Portland OR and suggested the City examine them for local use.  Katt offered remarks about good pedestrian and bicycle designs.  Russ Connelly suggested that if any narrowing of travel lanes or bike lanes is contemplated, the medians should be narrowed first, in preference to travel or bike lanes.  He also suggested no hardscape in the median.  Mazda noted that there is a MAD West of 54th Street, expressed support for keeping the free-right-turn lanes, and offered suggestions for the traffic signals.  Bob Sergent recommended keeping the free-right-turn lanes and noted that the new location for the bus stop (West of 54th Street) might endanger pedestrians if traffic moving Southbound on 54th to Westbound University is not careful.  María Córtez suggested seeking advice from the Police Department and Fire Department before making the design final.  Jim asked about the motor vehicle to non-motorized user accident rate.  In the past 10 years, 10 accidents have occurred in the general vicinity of the intersection, only one of those in a free-right-turn lane, and it was not fatal.  Saynab recommended better separation between motor vehicles and non-motorized users.  Steve Russell asked about the hillside at the Southwest corner of the inter-section.  It is not expected to change.  Randy Van Vleck circulated a handout supporting reconfiguring the 54th/University intersection.  Jim noted that the Committee had seen the project only after it was finished and then by serendipity.  He suggested the Committee might want an expanded discussion.  Noting that the study was complete, Saynab suggested the Committee not interfere with the project.  Russ Connelly noted that the project could have and should have had a representative from the Committee while it was in progress.  Patty noted that City Heights had eliminated a free-right-turn on Euclid Avenue some years ago because it didn’t work and was a danger.  She noted the small accident rate in the free-right-turns at the 54th and University intersection.  Ahmed moved, Amanda seconded a motion to approve the concept of safety improvements at 54th/University but that more information is needed about the project.  The Committee voted 9/5/0 and the motion passed.

 

 

 

7.3  Stan Vogelsang, Steve Totten, and Letitia Leos of the YMCA and their architect Dean Smith reviewed the current plan for a new YMCA facility at 43rd/Fairmount.  The Committee members suggested including women’s and men’s saunas near the indoor pool, culturally appropriate locker room facilities.  There was a suggestion to include a skatepark

 

if room could be found.  There was a discussion of what businesses

 

might best complement the new facility.  Ground is expected to break in 2013 and opening is scheduled for early 2014.  The presenters and the Committee discussed the facility and its features.

 

 

 

7.4 Without discussion Guy moved, Samantha seconded a motion to recommend to the City that one or more skateparks be built in City Heights.  The Committee voted 14/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

 

 

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:01PM to reconvene August 6, 2012 at the time and place shown above.

 

Meeting of June 4, 2012

3910 University Avenue

City Heights CA 92105

 

DRAFT Minutes

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM. Ahmed Malinomar, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Hong Tran, Jenny Flanagan, Jessie Sergent, John DeMiranda, Katt Eaton, Kenton Finkbeiner, Mark Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Rebecca Rusk, Sam Charry, Samantha Ollinger, Saynab Dahir, and Jim Varnadore formed a quorum. Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, and Amanda Moss absent.

 

2. Ahmed moved and Mark seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as tendered. The members voted 16/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

3. Minor corrections were made to the minutes of May 7, 2012.

 

4. County Tax Collector Dan McAllister offered a presentation about the County Property tax and how it is administered. He discussed the volume of tax bills, the number of refunds, changes in property tax distribution after the demise of Redevelopment, and made a point to notice the availability of several languages among his staff. Mr. McAllister answered several member questions.

 

5. City Planner Michael Prinz reported that the draft of the Bus Rapid Transit land use study is complete. It will be presented on Wednesday, June 27, 6:30PM at the Boulevard BIA offices.

 

6. Rebecca offered a status report on the Ridgeview Community Garden. Katt asked the members for permission to take a group photograph of the Committee at the July meeting. Saynab noted that the 2010 Census indicates that there is no longer a majority racial group in the U.S. Guy gave an update on funding for the Home Avenue Park, and reported briefly on a Code Enforcement hearing.

 

7.1 Senior Traffic Engineer Gary Pence reported on the City’s recent action to change the speed limits on Home Avenue. The change results from speed surveys made in late-2010, repeated recently, that show the latest value for the 85th percentile speed in each direction on Home Avenue. Mr. Pence also discussed the State and Federal mandates that govern setting speed limits on certain streets, and noted that unless the City does surveys and re-sets speed limits on those streets, the police may not use radar enforcement techniques.

 

Guy noted the frequency of high-speed driving on Home Avenue and asked whether the speed limit can be set to 35MPH? It cannot. Katt asked whether the speed limit changes apply to all of Home Avenue. They apply only to the segment between Fairmount Avenue and Euclid Avenue. She offered remarks about vehicle speeds on Home Avenue. Samantha asked whether adding bike lanes will slow traffic. She noted that higher speeds correlate to higher death rates in accidents. The City will review bike lanes. Guy discussed what is a reasonable speed on Home Avenue and what is enforceable there. He asked whether the City will re-survey speeds after the build-out of the Home Avenue park. Mr. Pence took the question under advisement. Patty asked whether a re-survey would be made after a traffic light is installed at Home/Menlo. That would trigger a re-survey. Jim moved, David seconded a motion to change the speed limits on Home Avenue to conform to State law, which will allow the police to use radar enforcement techniques. The Committee voted 11/5/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.2 Bill Adams from 7-11 Corporation noted that the corporation’s earlier presentation about its proposal for the Southwest corner of 39th/University did not include the site plan or elevations for the project. The Corporation does not want the proposed building to be sited at the front lot line with parking behind, as the Community Plan requires. Mr. Adams asked the Committee for its sentiments about that variance from the Community Plan, indicating that the Corporation might abandon the project if it cannot situate the building as it prefers.

 

Kenton discussed Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) as it might apply, and suggested better visibility into the building. David asked specifically what the corporation would do if it cannot get the variance it requests. Mr. Adams believes it will drop the project. Guy discussed possible alternate siting plans. Patty asked several questions about matters shown on the City’s first assessment and cycle issues report. Saynab suggested that putting the building at the front lot line might not induce pedestrian traffic.

 

Katt moved, Sam seconded a motion to accept the variance from the Community plan, to introduce CPTED principles into the project’s design, to require clearance of all cycle issues, and to give this Committee an involvement with the project through the approval process. The Committee voted 7/9/0 (chair not voting) and the motion failed. David raised again the matter of transparency. Mr. Adams replied that windows can be added, but noted that transparency can be served by having the building at the rear lot line. Guy discussed again some ideas for situating the building. There was a discussion about the corporation operating a store without a beer/wine license. Mr. Adams said it can be done. Jim discussed agreeing to have the building at the rear lot line if there were no beer/wine license. Rebecca noted that earlier the corporation has come to the Committee to solicit support for a beer/wine license, but not says it might not be a requirement. David asked to re-consider and vote again on the earlier motion. There was a discussion of that. Katt moved, Kenton seconded a motion to accept the variance from the Community plan, to introduce CPTED principles into the project’s design, to require clearance of all cycle issues, to give this Committee an involvement with the project through the approval process, and for the corporation to agree in writing that it will not ever apply for a beer/wine license at these premises. The Committee voted 9/7/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.3 Jim Stone of Walk San Diego discussed a recent study of walkable neighborhoods and unwalkable neighborhoods. The study indicates, for instance, that foreclosure rates are lower in walkable neighborhoods. He described the California Re-Investment Act (CRA) which is a State technique for bringing mortgage money into low income areas. Walk San Diego wants the CRA to support walkability as well as low-income housing finance. Walk San Diego plans several workshops for City Heights, although the dates and locations are not decided. Ahmed asked whether prior studies had been conducted in City Heights. Mr. Stone noted the earlier survey of sidewalks conducted through the Health Equity by Design group in 2011.

 

8. The meeting was adjourned at 8:36PM to reconvene July 2, 2012 at the time and place shown above.

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING
COMMITTEE

 

Meeting of May 7, 2012

3910 University Avenue

City Heights CA 92105

 

DRAFT Minutes

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 6:31PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar(7:00PM),
Ahmedei Cheikgurei (7:00PM), David Nelson, Guy Mock, Hong Tran, Jenny Flanagan,
Jessie Sergent, John DeMiranda, Katt Eaton, Kenton Finkbeiner (7:15PM), Mark
Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Rebecca Rusk, Sam Charry, Samantha
Ollinger, and Jim Varnadore formed a quorum. 
Amanda Moss and Saynab Dahir absent.

 

2.  Jessie Sergent moved and Guy Mock seconded a
motion to adopt the agenda as tendered. 
The members voted 13/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

3.  Jessie Sergent accepted the gavel and
conducted the officer elections.  Patty Vaccariello was elected chair, Katt Eaton was elected first vice-chair, Samantha Ollinger was elected second vice-chair, and Jim Varnadore was elected
secretary.  Hong Tran agreed to be the secretary alternate.  Patty accepted the
gavel and conducted the meeting.

 

4.  Minor corrections were made to the minutes of April 2.

 

5.  There was no off-agenda public comment.

 

6.  Cynthia Harris from CD-7 distributed the
district newsletter and the budget hearing schedule.  She reported that proposed changes to the
Committee bylaws to allow two youth seats would be heard first at the Land Use
and Housing Committee, then at City Council.

 

7.  Hong Tran, David Nelson, Mark Tran, and Jim Varnadore offered comments.

 

8.1  Yousif Benyamin reported on water/sewer group
job 956 and its schedule for completion. 
David Nelson asked that the streets be properly repaired after the new
pipes are installed.  Guy Mock asked that the City carefully supervise the civilian contractors working on this job.

 8.2.  Mr. Steven Elia, attorney for the applicant,
presented his client’s case for a conditional use permit at 4950 University
Avenue (PTN271129) needed before a new type-20 (off sale beer/wine) license
will be issued by the state.  Mr. Elia appeared to have a different version of the Police recommendation from the one given to the Committee, and when asked, said he had not seen either the assessment letter or the cycle issues report that the City issued April 4,
2012.  Katt Eaton noted the crime rate stated in the police report.  There was a
discussion about schools and religious institutions in the area.

Karen Lenyoun from Social Advocates for Youth offered a presentation about various aspects
of alcohol licenses and sales.  There was a discussion of possible conditions to be recommended for the permit and license.  After discussion, John DeMiranda moved, and Katt Eaton seconded a motion to recommend denial of the permit.  The Committee voted 12/1/3 (chair
not voting), and the motion passed.

 

8.3  Kendrick Ton from Little Saigon San Diego Foundation described the foundation’s efforts to designate the portion of El Cajon Blvd. from Highland Avenue to Euclid Avenue as “Little Saigon” cultural and commercial district.  He described the current status and requested a letter of support.  There were suggestions to include portions of University Avenue in the district.  Guy
Mock asked that a presentation be offered to the City Heights Town Council.  Patty Vaccariello asked that the Committee continue to be involved in the design of the district as it evolves.  After discussion, Jim Varnadore moved, Mark Tran seconded a motion to authorize and direct the Chair to issue a letter of support for the Little Saigon District.  The Committee voted 16/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

8.4 Christy Hill from the Community Budget Alliance reviewed the City budget process, especially the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), and described the alliance’s interest in the budget.  The
Committee and the audience asked questions about the budget, and discussed its
implications for the community.  No action was taken.

 

9.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:36PM to reconvene June 4, 2012 at the time and place shown above.