City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes February 2013 - April 2013

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Minutes of the meeting of April 1, 2013

3910 University Ave City Heights CA 92105

 

1.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35PM. 
Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Hong Tran, Jessie Sergent, Jim Varnadore, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, and Sally Lemmie formed a quorum.  

 Amanda Moss, Jenny Flanagan, Katt Eaton, Kenton Finkbeiner, Mark Tran, Samantha
Ollinger, and Rebecca Rusk, Sam Charry, absent.

  

2.  After the Chairwoman’s request to add item 8.7 to the agenda, Ahmed offered, Jessie seconded a motion to amend and adopt the agenda.  The committee voted 11/0/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

3.
The minutes of March 4, 2013 were accepted as tendered.

 

4.
The chair passed the gavel to the Election Subcommittee chair, David Nelson, who seated new members Jeanette Neeley, Katia Rodriguez, Marc Munic, and Mark Kassab.  David returned the gavel.

 

5.
There was no off-agenda public comment.

 

6.
There were no staff reports.

 

7.
Guy announced the next City Heights Town Council meeting and Police Problem Solving meeting.  David objected to the new stop signs at Dwight/ Central and noted the increasing congestion that
results from stop signs.  Katia announced a health fair in Colina Park.  Ahmed discussed a vehicle crash on 39th Street.

 

8.1  Several candidates for the vacant District 2-14 seat made presentations seeking nomination.  David nominated all candidates.  After one round of voting, Emily Cox and Russ Connelly obtained the two highest vote counts and were advanced to a second round vote.  After three rounds of secret
ballots, the Committee elected Emily Cox to the seat.

 

8.2  Mr. Larry Tidball from Stantec Architecture presented a request from the Chevron Corporation to extend the permits that had been issued earlier.  The Corporation wished to delay construction.  After considerable discussion, Jessie offered and David seconded a motion to approve the extension
of permits for three years.  Jim offered, Jeanette seconded an amendment to the motion to remind the Chevron Corporation of its earlier public promise that it would retain ownership and would not sell the renovated station.  The maker and second accepted the amendment.  The Committee
voted 10/4/1 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

8.3  Ocean Discovery Institute offered a PowerPoint presentation about itself and the installation it intends to complete at 4255 Thorn Street.  It has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to allow classrooms in a residential zone, for a Side Development Permit to build in or near environmentally sensitive lands, and a vacation of a portion of Thorn Street so that the sidewalk can be better integrated into the project.  After discussion, Emily offered and Ahmed seconded a motion to approve the entire application.  The Committee voted 14/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

8.4 Mr. Eric Adams from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) staff reviewed the Mid-City Rapid Bus Project, originally known as the Showcase Project, and especially discussed the SANDAG decision to move one bus stop from the vicinity of Euclid Avenue to the vicinity of Winona Avenue against the Committee’s earlier recommendation and without consulting the Committee beforehand.  After considerable discussion, no motion was offered.

8.5  The Chairwoman discussed the Officer Election process and requested volunteers to serve on the officer election subcommittee.  The Chairwoman appointed volunteers Hong Tran (S/C Chair), David Nelson, and Emily Cox.

8.6  The chair of the Youth Seat subcommittee reported that one City Heights youth, Gerardo Perez, has applied for a seat.   He offered brief remarks about himself and his interest in the Committee.  The Committee will consider his and other appointments at its May meeting.

8.7  Trang Bui from the staff of the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association discussed the association’s “Happy Friday” event to be held the evening of June 14 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM near the intersection of Menlo Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard.  She requested a letter of support for the event.  David Nelson offered and Ahmed Malinomar seconded a motion to authorize the Chair to write and send a letter of support.  The Committee voted 12/0/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.

9  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20PM to meet again May 6, 2013 at the time and place listed above.  If called, a mid-month meeting will be held Monday, April 15 at 6:30PM in the Mid-City Police Substation.  Separate agenda will be issued. 

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

DRAFT Minutes of the meeting of March 4, 2013

3910 University Ave

City Heights CA 92105

 

1.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar, Ahmedei Cheikgurei, Amanda Moss, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Jenny Flanagan, Jessie Sergent, Jim Varnadore, Katt Eaton, Kenton Finkbeiner, Mark Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Sally Lemmie, and Sam Charry, formed a quorum.  Hong Tran, Samantha Ollinger, and Rebecca Rusk, absent.

 

2.  Ahmed offered, Mark seconded a motion to adopt the agenda.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

3. The minutes of February 4, 2013 were corrected and accepted.

 

4. There was no off-agenda public comment.

 

5. Abi Santos from Council District-9 staff distributed a newsletter and copies of several letters the Council member had sent to the Mayor, City Council, and City staff.  Michael Prinz from the Planning Division reminded the Committee of the coming Greening Grant workshop on February 9, 2013.

 

6. Amanda reported the next FaceLift event in June.  Guy invited the Committee to attend the Town
Council meeting March 5.  Mark announced the first City Heights Open Mic night to be held March 14 at Crawford HS.  It is designed for youth performances.  

 

7.1  Members of Mid-City CAN Youth Group offered a PowerPoint presentation about adding a skate plaza to the planned Central Avenue Mini-Park.  After the presentation, Patty asked about the park’s General Development Plan and the youth members offered a description.  Amanda discussed safety travelling to the skate park and safety while at the skate park.  Ahmed recommended to the youth that they should carry boards to the park rather than skate to the park.  There were questions about
maintenance and about the size of the skate plaza, which were answered.  After discussion, Jim offered and Guy seconded a motion to sever the question.  The Committee voted 13/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.  Jim offered and Ahmed seconded a motion to recommend  combining Phase I and Phase II of the Central Avenue Mini-park, as a way to speed up the process and reduce the total cost.  The Committee voted 13/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.  Jim offered, Ahmed seconded a motion to recommend using Mid-City Special Park Fund monies
for the park, taking account of the other demands that might be made on the Special Park Fund.  The Committee voted 11/2/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

 

7.2 Kelly Stanko from the City Planning Division’s historic resources staff offered a PowerPoint  resentation about historic districts and the advantages of historic resources.  That was followed by
a PowerPoint presentation of the Islenair Historic District as a recent example.  Afterward Ms. Stanko answered questions about historic designation and historic districts.  

 

7.3  Matthew Hervey of Price Charities discussed and described a proposal to fund and install eight street lights in areas that are dark and that are noted for nuisances and crimes.  The total cost is expected to be $80,000, and the City has agreed to pay for electricity and maintenance.  The Chairwoman thanked the presenter.

 

7.4 Attorney Steven Elia reviewed an earlier request that the Committee support his client’s  pplication for a conditional use permit obtain an ABC license at 4950 University Avenue.  The presentation was followed by a wide-ranging discussion among the Committee members and the public.  There were objections based on the proximity of families, a mosque, and other ABC licenses.  There were questions about police responses and response times.   After discussion, Jim moved and David seconded a motion to recommend approval with all the conditions listed in the
San Diego Police Report and conditions to require conformance with the City’s transparency rules, to limit the size of advertising, to list the licensee’s business address and telephone number in the directory serving the premises, to post the conditions prominently at the premises, and to have the permit expire ten years after issuance.  The Committee voted 0/12/0 (chair not voting) and the motion failed.

7.5  David Moty, Chair of the KenTal Planning Group and Joan Fitzsimons, a Kensington resident, offered a presentation about applying for Caltrans grants to improve the non-motorized uses of Fairmount Avenue between El Cajon Boulevard and the Grantville trolley station.  There was a discussion of the details of the proposal including which planning groups would be named as sub-applicants with the City, who would choose the stakeholders to attend planning and design  meetings, and how the our affected community planning groups would interact and cooperate.  After discussion, David moved, Ahmed seconded a motion to authorize the chairwoman to send a letter supporting the proposal and agreeing to form a partnership of the community planning groups.  The Committee voted 10/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

7.6  Jim reported the status of preparations to fill the newly created youth seats on the Committee.  The expectation is that the youth members will be seated at the May 2013 meeting.  The sub-committee will meet Monday, March 11 to finalize the application and other details.

 

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM to meet again April 1, 2013 at the time and place listed above.  If called, a mid-month meeting will be held Monday, March 18 at 6:30PM in the Mid-City Police Substation.  Separate agenda will be issued.

 

 

CITY HEIGHTS AREA
PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Draft Minutes of the meeting of February 4, 2013

3910 University Ave

City Heights CA 92105

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35PM.  Abdullahi Yusuf, Ahmed Malinomar, Amanda Moss, David Nelson, Guy Mock, Hong Tran, Jessie Sergent, Jim Varnadore, Katt Eaton, Kenton Finkbeiner, Mark Tran, Mazda Mehraz, Patty Vaccariello, Sally Lemmie, Sam Charry, and Samantha
Ollinger formed a quorum.  Ahmedei Cheikgurei, Jenny Flanagan, and Rebecca Rusk, absent.

 

2.  Jim offered, Jessie seconded a motion to adopt the agenda.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

3. The minutes of January 7, 2013 were corrected and accepted.

 

4. Linda Pennington announced an open house and tour of the Ocean Discovery facility on March 2, 2013.  

 

5. Mayoral staff member Linda Perine introduced herself.  Chris Pearson (CD-9) mentioned the Teralta Park cleanup and the Wilson Academy crosswalks.  Ricardo Flores (CD-9 chief of staff) introduced himself.  Michael Prinz from the Planning staff gave an update report on several projects and activities in City Heights.  In particular, the construction bids for the El Cajon Boulevard BRT project are expected February 20, 2013.  There was a discussion about moving one of the BRT stops from Euclid Avenue to Winona Avenue.  The CD-9 staff members were asked to arrange
for the Committee to review that move before SANDAG puts it into effect.

 

6. Guy gave an update on a Code Enforcement matter at 1970 Fairmount Avenue.  Mazda noted the end of the red-light-cameras in San Diego.  Amanda announced the June 8, 2013 FaceLift event.  Ahmed noted that the joint Corridor and Teralta Neighborhood Association meetings are 2nd
Wednesdays of each month at the Metro Villas.  Patty thanked Katt for standing in as Chairwoman during Patty's absence and noted the naming of the Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park.  She reported on the recent Code Enforcement training, the status of the Chevron Station at I-805/University, and the 7/11 store expected to be built at 38th/University.  That matter is expected to be the agenda for the mid-month meeting on February 19, 2013.

 

7.1  Mark Giandoni of the City Streets Division reported the status of the Safe Routes to School project at the Florence Griffith-Joiner Elementary School.  There was a discussion of the project.

 

7.2  Nancy Lytle from Civic San Diego reported on the role, authority, and status of that agency in respect to the former Redevelopment Agency and in respect to the City's economic development in the future.  There was a lengthy discussion with several questions and answers.  Patty will schedule a return visit in 2-4 months.

 

7.3  Eric Bowlby from San Diego Canyonlands reported the status of a project to repair and restore City Heights Canyons.  After discussion, Katt offered and Ahmed seconded a motion to write a
letter of support for Canyonlands' proposed trails and trail heads.  The Committee voted 15/0/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.  Katt offered and Ahmed seconded a motion to support the Canyonlands' proposed “Canyon Corridor” concept.  The Committee voted 13/3/0 (Chair not voting) and the motion passed.  Katt offered and Ahmed seconded a motion to support the expedited
processing of the environmental study and report for the project.  The Committee voted 15/0/0 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.

7.4 Attorneys Steven Elia and Stefan Ghaemi reported that a project the Committee heard earlier had not gone to hearing in the City.  They requested the Committee reconsider its earlier decision to recommend denial of an ABC license at 4950 University Avenue.  Patty reviewed the rules for reconside-rations and named the individuals who had earlier voted on the prevailing side. 
Only they may offer a reconsideration motion.  After discussion, Jim offered and Mark seconded a motion to reconsider the earlier vote.  The Committee voted 9/5/1 (chair not voting) and the motion passed.  Patty indicated the matter will be heard at the March meeting.

7.5  David, the Election Subcommittee Chairman reported on the progress toward the March 2013 Committee elections.

7.6 Samantha reported the status of preparations to fill the newly created youth seats on the Committee.  The expectation is that the youth members will be seated at the May 2013 meeting.

 

8.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:29PM to meet again March 4, 2013 at the time and place listed above.  If called as expected, a mid-month meeting will be held Tuesday, February 19 at 6:30PM in the Mid-City Police Substation.  Separate agenda will be issued.