City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes - August - October 2019

City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes of October 7, 2019

 

1. Maria Cortez, Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM. Attending were: Jake Banfield-Weir, David Bowen, Rosa Calvario, Maria Cortez, Brenda Diaz, Jose Hernandez, Wendy Miller, David Nelson, Lisa Nguyen, Dhaha Nur, Blair Overstreet, Scott Piquette, Michael Rossler, Juan Pablo Sanchez, Patty Vaccariello and Edgar Balderas. Absent were: Francisco Garcia, Brian Green-Carson, Roddy Jerome, Hamdi Noor, Randy Torres-VanVleck and Russ Connelly. The Chair also clarified the Brown Act requirements of the voluntary sign-in sheet.

 2. Minutes of September 4^th were approved with corrections.

 3. Adoption of Agenda; Adopted Unanimously.

4. Off agenda public comments: Julio Garcia, Talked about CicloSD event, Series of workshops on sidewalk vendor regulations proposed by La Jolla residents. Oscar Medina requested a look at the CHAPC election date due to back to back primary and committee elections. David Nelson, discussed a new law passed regarding rent increases.

 

5. Staff reports: Christopher Vallejo of Council District 9: Allocation of $3,000,000 for fixing City Heights pool and to be running by next summer. $100,000 also for work on the Chollas Triangle. City Council to consider bridge deck kiosk activation contract. Also mentioned was the city’s “Get It Done” app.

 

6. Business agenda

 

6.1 623590 NHA Head Start facility design followup: Several presenters on behalf of the applicant. Presented conditional use permit conditions in past meeting, now has come back for design and rendering approval as requested by the Committee from their previous tentative approval. Project is to include a shade structure, open play area, designate drop off, enough parking for staff, as well as 4 city approved trees along with existing trees on the sidewalk. Short term and handicap accessible parking. Will be painted to match the surrounding buildings. Buildings are leased and are modular due to limited funding. Motion by David Nelson to approve the design elements as presented, seconded by Dhaha. Vote was 14-1-0 with Chair not voting and the motion was approved.

 

6.2 Presentation in support of a potential scooter ban in the city of San Diego. Bill Zent, founder of scooterban.com requested support of his motion before the City due to traffic laws & safety issues among other reasons. Ban would limit scooters & set regulations. Motion by David Bowen to draft a letter of support for the scooter ban. Seconded by Brenda. Vote was 1-14-0 with the chair not voting and the motion failed.

 

6.3 Presentation on the upgrades to housing at 3845 Winona Avenue: Ted Miyahara from San Diego Community Housing Corporation, discussed details of upgrades including capital improvements, infrastructure, kitchens & bathrooms. Questions from the Committee included why improvements were not originally budgeted. Response was that rents are low and generate low cash flow (standard for the non-profit) that are unable to maintain the property. This will allow for the application of Housing Funds that can be used for the upgrade and will extend affordability for 45 years. No one will be displaced during the upgrades. It was also requested that street trees be added to the project if possible.

 

6.4 Waste/sewer job 968 presentation by Jamal Sherzai, city of San Diego Public Works Department. As part of an upgrade to the water system in the area including 8,868 feet of pipes. In addition to giving locations, Sherzai said the areas include canyons & environmentally sensitive lands. The project should start construction during summer 2020 and end in fall 2021 and will be done in sections. Afterward, the street will be redone.

 

7. Chair’s report: no report.

 

8. Committee Member reports: Comments by Rosa, Blair, Lisa, Patty and Maria.

 9. Adjournment: 8:13 PM.

 

 

City Heights Area Planning Committee

 

 Minutes from September 5th, 2019

 

 

 

1. Chair Russ Connelly called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Jake Banfeild-Weir, David Bowen, Rosa Calvario, Maria Cortez (7:20), Brian Green-Carson, Jose Hernandez, Roddy Jerome, Wendy Miller, David Nelson, Lisa Nguyen, Hamdi Noor, Dhaha Nur, Blair Overstreet, Randy Torres-Van Vleck (7:10), Patty Vaccariello, Russ Connelly, and Edgar Balderas were present. Absent were Brenda Diaz, Francisco Garcia, Scott Paquette, Michael Rossler, and Juan Pablo Sanchez. As per the Brown Act, the Chair has explained the voluntary sign-in sheet to the audience.

 

 

 

2. The committee approved the minutes for the month of August.

 

 

 

3. The committee unanimously approved the agenda with modification of item 6.4.

 

 

 

4. Off-agenda public comment: Jennifer Hunt, Advocacy Coordinator for the San Diego Bicycle Coalition promoted a future event. The event, CicloSDias will be held in the Kensington/City Heights are on Sunday, October 27th, 2019, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The event it open to the public and will promote a healthy community. Map to be finalized. Patty Vaccariello updated on the crosswalks on Euclid Avenue, with the Lantana Street intersection being reviewed for new crosswalks and flashing beacons when the Landis Street intersection was reviewed prior. David Nelson advocated for reaching out to the City Council member on the proposed homeless facility near City Heights.

 

 

 

5. Staff reports and comment: Anna Medina, from the office of City Council member Georgette Gomez, gave updates. Office hours will continue on Fridays, Farmer Market and event outreach, the office is back in council, update on the street vendor ordinance, and Council member Gomez will be attending the Fair @ 44 Street Food Festival.

 

 

 

6. Business Agenda:

 

 

 

6.1. Appointment to fill the At Large-2021 seat: Two candidates for the seat. Ana Gonzalez and Edgar “Koala” Balderas. Patty Vacarriello was nominated Ana Gonzalez with David Nelson second. Edgar Balderas was nominated by David Nelson with Jake Banfield-Weir second. Committee voted. Edgar Balderas has been approved to fill the At Large-2021 seat. (Votes: 6 Ana/ 7 Edgar) Chair not voting and Edgar was seated.

 

 

 

6.2. City presentation on Pilot Bus Lane on El Cajon Boulevard: Everett Husar, from the Transportation and Storm Water Department, gave a presentation on the El Cajon Bus Lane Only Project, giving and overview on project goals, plans, outreach efforts, and impacts. The project seeks to increase reliability, increase economic development, follow the climate action plan, and improve public safety. The current 215 bus line runs from San Diego State University to the Downtown/City College Area. The pilot would convert the 6 general purpose lanes to 4 general purpose lanes with a bus only lane and bike lane with minimal impact to parking. Peter Casellini, a transportation planner for the MTS, added logistics for the project, such as light changes, operations evaluations, funding sources and estimated cost. The pilot is expected to start the fall of 2019 and last 18 months.

 

 

 

6.3. SANDAG Meade & Landis bikeways update: Allison Moss from SANDAG gave planning update on the Landis Bikeway. The Meade Bikeway was excluded due to the project being out of the City Heights community. The Landis Bikeway is part of the Early Action Program in City Heights and North Park. Expected construction start time is November 2019 and to be fully completed by the Spring 2022. Construction contracts have already been awarded, with continuous work throughout the construction period. Project includes speed cushions, neighborhood traffic circles, and pedestrian pop-outs. Parking impacts are expected and monitoring for pre and post traffic counts and behaviors will be monitored.

 

 

 

6.4. CicloSDias presentation: Item moved to Off-Agenda Public Comment at the request of presenter.

 

 

 

6.5. Circulate San Diego presentations:

 

6.5.1 Lyft Community Pass: Angelica Rocha and Juan Ramirez presented on the monthly membership for the affordable and accessible transportation with the Lyft community pass.

 

6.5.2 SD REACH program: A pre-outreach effort via a county/city partnership for the San Diego Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health. The program is funded through a CDC grant and on a 4 year timeline, would look for several issues in various plans in the community and bring those issues to the city to be highlighted. Sign in sheet was passed around for outreach and information and the areas considered are at high risk for chronic diseases and Census data.

 

 

 

7. Chair’s Report: Update from the Central Planners Committee on proposed sidewalk vending regulations. SB 946 eliminates City regulations in favor of State guidelines. The revision will look for where the state or the city will regulate and current issues such as conflicts with business, dangers, boundaries and regulation. Proposed that CHAPC eliminate future meetings in September due to Labor Day conflict and City inactivity in August due to legislative recess. The chair will be out of town for the meeting in October, therefore Maria Cortez will serve as Chair for the October meeting.

 

 

 

8. Committee member reports and comment: David Nelson, Jake Banfield-Weir, Randy Torres-Van Vleck, Maria Cortez, Wendy Miller, and Edgar Balderas made comments.

 

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:06 PM.

 

 

City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes from August 5th, 2019

 

1. Chair Russ Connelly called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM. Jake Banfield-Weir, David Bowen, Rosa Calvario, Maria Cortez, Francisco Garcia, Brian Green-Carson, Roddy Jerome, Wendy Miller, David Nelson, Lisa Nguyen, Dhaha Nur, Blair Overstreet, Scott Paquette, Michael Rossler, Juan Pablo Sanchez, Randy Torres - Van Vleck, Patty Vaccariello, Hamdi Noor, and Russ Connelly were present. Absent were Kelvin Barrios, Brenda Diaz, and Jose Hernandez. As per the Brown Act, the Chair has addressed he voluntary sign-in sheet to the audience.

 

2. The committee approved the minutes for the August with corrections.

 

3. The committee unanimously approved the agenda.

 

4. Off-Agenda Public Comments: Eric Tolmeyer, from the City Heights CDC, brought to the committees attention the future conversion of the property at 5150 University Ave from a thrift store to a mini storage with opportunity for review by the committee. Cathy Hanzel voiced concerns over light pollution in the community over the last 2 years and to review the lighting ordinance by the city.

 

5. Staff Reports and Comment: Christopher “Stopher” Vallejo with updates from Council President Georgette Gomez’s office. Received the August/September newsletter, updates to the inclusionary housing ordinance, soliciting for support, and more community outreach at a Community Coffee at Burly and the Bean on Wednesday. Developing the new interpretation/translation program and how to allocate money for community groups.

 

6. Business Agenda:

 

6.1: Appointment to fill the Youth-2021 seat:Hamdi Noor, a senior at Crawford High School requested to be selected. Nominated by Patty. Seconded by David Nelson. Approved (16/0/0) Chair not voting.

 

6.2 SANDAG no parking zone request along University Avenue:Chris Carterette, from SANDAG, presenting on a modification for the University Ave. bikeway/transit way. Project additions includes creating bike signal, restricting right turns, and a bus only lanes from 42nd St to Marlborough Ave during restricted hours. This would cause temporary restrictions of 6 parking spaces for 4 hours a day. The item has been to the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with next steps to go to City Council. This project is a CALTRANS, MTS, and SANDAG Collaboration with money being added to include the listed additions. Motion to approve no parking, transit only lane for limited hours from 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM along University Ave as recommended by staff with tandem indicator switches with appropriate timing by Francisco Garcia. Seconded by Brian Green-Carson. Approved (17/1/0) Chair not Voting.

 

6.3 Design Input for the Fairmount Avenue Fire Station: Monica Redondo, with the City Public Works Department and representing the fire station project, presented overview and amenities of the new fire station near Fairmount Ave. and 47th St. Location was chosen to provide better service and response time to adjacent precincts. Design of the facility follow the 2010-2017 standards in the City Gate Report, keeps footprint low due to adjacent wildlife in the canyon, 3-story design, possibility for building to be an education tool, and trying to meet LEED silver standards. Currently working on the Site Development Permits. Motion by David Bowen for the item to comeback to the mid-month Ad-Hoc meeting for additional review and input. Seconded by Patty Vaccariello. (19/0/0) with Chair not voting.

 

6.4 LISC presentation on Business Improvement Grants: Karina Velazquez, from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), presented an informational item on Business Improvement Grants program to soon be piloted which would impact the community of City Heights. LISC is a 28 year-old nonprofit with headquarters in New York. Program begins this summer, with 2 million dollars in awards and 2 years to distribute money to businesses via grants. Qualifications include being a City of San Diego resident, in an eligible area of 50% of low median income and meet small business administration's definition. Grants will be used for storefront improvements that don’t require a permit (City still defining what qualifies as improvements vs. construction). Applicants need a letter of support, the role CHAPC would provide to the grant process. Contact: www.lisc.org/BIG

 

7. Chair’s Report: Resignation submitted by Kelvin Barrios due to lack of time and ineligibility due to moving out of City Heights. Accepted.

 

8. Committee members reports and comment: Maria Cortez, David Nelson, Francisco Garcia, Blair Overstreet, Hamdi Noor, Lisa Nguyen, and Randy Torres - Van Vleck.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:46.