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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-20; Planning Commission; MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes June 20, 2012 Page 1 Minutes of: PLANNING COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 6:00 p.m. Date of Meeting: June 20, 2012 Place of Meeting: COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Schumacher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Scully led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Schumacher, Commissioners Arnold, Black, L’Heureux, Nygaard, Scully and Siekmann Absent: None STAFF PRESENT Don Neu, City Planner Jane Mobaldi, Assistant City Attorney Bridget Desmarais, Administrative Secretary Gary T. Barberio, Community and Economic Development Director Chris DeCerbo, Principal Planner Dave de Cordova, Principal Planner Jennifer Jesser, Senior Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Schumacher stated the Commission received a page of the minutes which were corrected to reflect changes requested by Commissioner Arnold. He asked if there were any further corrections or revisions to the minutes of the meeting from June 6, 2012. MOTION ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Siekmann, and duly seconded, that the Planning Commission approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of June 6, 2012 as amended. VOTE: 6-0-1 AYES: Chairperson Schumacher, Commissioner Arnold, Commissioner L’Heureux, Commissioner Nygaard, Commissioner Scully, and Commissioner Siekmann NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Black Chairperson Schumacher directed everyone's attention to the slide on the screen to review the procedures the Commission would be following during the evening's Public Hearing. Planning Commission Minutes June 20, 2012 Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA Jacques Romatier, 7283 Spoonbill Lane, stated his concerns regarding the rezoning of Lot 10 in Aviara. He supports the petition of over 600 residents to keep the zoning for the lot as is, and he feels it should be a private matter between the two property owners. PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Chairperson Schumacher asked Mr. Neu to introduce the first item. 1. SP 180(H) – CARLSBAD RESEARCH CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN – Request for a recommendation of approval of a Specific Plan Amendment (SP 180(H)) on 559 acres of land located westerly of El Camino Real and bisected by both College Boulevard and Faraday Avenue in Local Facilities Management Zone 5. Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 1 and stated the applicant has requested a continuance of the item to the meeting of July 3, 2012. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Siekmann, and duly seconded, Agenda Item 1 be continued to the meeting of July 3, 2012. VOTE: 7-0 AYES: Chairperson Schumacher, Commissioner Arnold, Commissioner Black, Commissioner L’Heureux, Commissioner Nygaard, Commissioner Scully, and Commissioner Siekmann NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Chairperson Schumacher asked Mr. Neu to introduce the next item. 2. GPA 07-02 – ENVISION CARLSBAD – Planning Commission focused discussion on land uses in the Barrio, as related to: 1) the Envision Carlsbad Land Use Concepts Community Feedback report (previously distributed to the Planning Commission and available at www.carlsbadca.gov/envision) and 2) the Envision Carlsbad Citizens Committee (EC3) recommendations on a draft preferred land use plan; and 3) 2005-2010 Housing Element Program 2.1. Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 2 and stated Community and Economic Development Director Gary Barberio would make the staff presentation assisted by Principal Planner Dave de Cordova and Senior Planner Jennifer Jesser. Chairperson Schumacher opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 2. Mr. Barberio gave a detailed presentation on the recommended land use designations for the Barrio. FOCUS AREA 1 – BARRIO AREA Commissioner Black asked if the Traffic and Safety Commission has reviewed the plan in regards to any increases in traffic. Mr. Barberio stated the Planning Commission needs to make recommendations to the City Council on the preferred plan first. Commissioner Arnold stated that increasing the density is two-fold: along the perimeter to help the non- conforming lots, and in the core to help spur development. He asked about the issue of onsite parking. Mr. Barberio reiterated that the preferred plan is for the land uses not the zoning. Commissioner Arnold asked if there are studies where something similar to this has spurred development. Mr. Barberio stated it has happened in Encinitas. Commissioner Arnold asked if there are any examples of residential areas where something similar has occurred. Mr. Barberio stated no. Planning Commission Minutes June 20, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Nygaard asked if combined lots will result in more apartment homes. Mr. Barberio stated that policies could be developed to discourage that type of development. Commissioner Siekmann asked about the historic sites in the Barrio. Mr. Barberio stated sites are locally historic and are privately owned. Mr. Neu stated that the City’s Historic Preservation Commission is consulted on sites if there are proposed changes. Commissioner Scully asked about the demographics in the Barrio. Jennifer Jesser, Senior Planner, directed the Commission’s attention to the screen and provided information on the demographics for the Barrio based on the 2010 Census. Chairperson Schumacher asked about an east/west access and railroad crossing as stated in the report. Mr. Barberio stated that the City is now exploring a proposal for a crossing at the area. Chairperson Schumacher asked how the Barrio will keep the continuity it currently has and who does that, how does it grow to the contiguous development. Mr. Barberio stated it does not come from a Land use designation change; however it could be through a specific plan. Commissioner Schumacher asked if that would be organized by the owners. Mr. Barberio stated it could be one tool or it could be through the CIP process. Chairperson Schumacher asked if there were any other questions. Seeing none, he asked if there were any members of the audience who wished to speak on the item. Chairperson Schumacher opened the public testimony on Agenda Item 2. Mario Monroy, 749B Magnolia Avenue, stated he supports the plan. Ofelia Escobedo, 1611 James Drive, thanked the Envision volunteers for trying to retain the culture of the Barrio. She suggested a one way street from Pine to Chestnut with an overpass over the train tracks on Chestnut. Ms. Escobedo also suggested the area needs a community center for its many young residents. She would also like to see the completion of Pine Park soon. She stated she agrees with the recommendations in the report. Terie Chalfant, 450 Marlynn Court, Escondido, a Barrio property owner, stated the community members like the vibe of the Barrio and stated it is favorable to healthy living. She stated her concerns with the recommendations as she is not a fan of high density. She would like to see more events or options to draw in younger kids, such as indoor basketball courts or a pool hall. She asked that the plan be followed with well-constructed buildings and some land use dedicated to the youth. Theresa Childs, 3331 Madison Street, stated that for the most part she likes the plan. She would like more consideration for mixed use in the Barrio. Ms. Childs also stated she would like to see concession stands at the park. Michael Hedrick, 3557 Madison Street, stated there is nothing more important than a crossing over the train tracks at Chestnut. Lucinda Vigne, 3880 Hibiscus Circle, Carlsbad, stated her concern is Housing Element Program 2.1. She feels that 745 dwelling units is too many for the area. Sherry Alvarado, 3327 Tyler, Carlsbad, supports the preferred plan and a crossing over the train tracks at Chestnut. She is also concerned about the boxing facility on Tyler that has been under construction for several years. Gil Alvarado, 3327 Tyler, Carlsbad, supports the preferred plan for the Barrio. He thanked staff for their work on the plan Theresa Childs, 3331 Madison Street, asked for a point of contact for the city for grants programs. Frank Helmuth, 507 Pine, asked about the property on Pine. DISCUSSION Commissioner Nygaard thanked staff and the people involved in Envision Carlsbad. She feels the preferred plan for the Barrio is a reasonable compromise.