HAC Minutes-2005-01-192400 PASEO ADELANTO
‘-‘AN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493- 1 1 7 1
(949) 493- 1 053 FAX
www.sanjuancapistrano org
OF THE
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 19,2005
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
DIANE BATHGATE
WAlT HART
JOE SOT0
DAVID M SWERDLIN
CALL TO ORDER - Member Ratcliffe called the meeting to order at 7:OO p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commission Attendance
Present:
Absent: Michelle Knorre (excused)
Staff Present:
Marie Buckner, Joann deGuevara, Joanne Marquez, David
Nahas, Gene Ratcliffe, Claude Vincent
Molly Bogh, Planning Director
Lynnette Adolphson, Management Analyst II
Larry Lawrence, Lawrence Associates
Beth Weinstein, Jamboree Housing
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17.2004 - The minutes of November 17,2004, were
unanimously approved as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. 2003/2004 State of California Community Development Block Grant
Grantee Performance Report - Ms. Adolphson provided a staff
presentation noting that although the City has no open Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG), the City is beginning to receive
program income from payoff of loans made with the CDBG funds. The
City is required to conduct a public hearing to report the City’s progress on
the program income expenditures and to allow the public to comment on
the City’s performance prior to submittal of the report to the State of
California.
The City expended $1 18,000 in CDBG grant payoff funds to assist seven
households (one low-income and six very-low income) with zero percent
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
Housing Advisory Committee Minutes
January 19,2005
Page 2 of 4
deferred payment housing rehabilitation loans. Staff recommended that
the Committee open the public hearing, take testimony, close the public
hearing, and approve the report.
Chairperson Ratcliffe opened the public hearing. There being no one
wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. Member Nahas moved
to approve the 2003/2004 State Community Development Block Grant
Program Grantee Performance Report. Member Vincent seconded the
motion, which carried unanimously.
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Conceptual Affordable Housinq Project on a Four-Acre
Parcel Located West of La Pata Approximately One Mile South of Orteaa
Highwav (Whispering Hills Area) (Applicant: Whispering Hills LLC) - Ms.
Adolphson stated that the applicant, Whispering Hills LLC, was interested
in proposing a mixed-income rental housing project incorporating
affordable and market rate units in San Juan Capistrano. Staff had
recommended that the conceptual plan for this project be brought to the
Housing Advisory Committee for early input in the design process.
Although no plans have yet been submitted, the applicant has considered
various design concepts. One concept under consideration is similar to a
project developed by Shea Homes in Aliso Viejo. Staff indicated that this
was a workshop item only to discuss a conceptual project with the
applicant.
Mr. Dennis Gage, the applicant, and Mr. Phil Schwartze, the applicant’s
representative, discussed the conceptual project. They provided
background regarding the City Council approval in June, 2004, of their
Whispering Hills tract map for 155 single-family homes on approximately
300 acres. Mr. Gage indicated that adjacent to the new community is the
site for the new San Juan Hills High School proposed to open in the fall of
2006. He stated that there is a 4+ acre site near the school site that they
wish to propose a ZOO-unit apartment project with an affordable
component. They wanted to discuss their ideas and schedule a time to
take the Committee on a tour of City Lights, a state-of-the-art apartment
project in Aliso Viejo.
Before discussion ensued regarding the project concept, It was pointed
out by Ms. Bogh that Beth Weinstein of Jamboree Housing is assisting the
City in developing a housing strategy to help meet the City’s Regional
Housing Needs Assessment goals to construct 201 low and very-low
income housing units by June, 2006. Ms. Bogh indicated that the City is
looking at the Calle Rolando property and the Little Hollywood area as part
of the housing strategy. However, she pointed out the need to work also
with the private sector to meet these requirements.
Housing Advisory Committee Minutes
January 19,2005
Page 3 of 4
-
Mr. Gage discussed the proposed La Pata extension into San Clemente in
approximately four-to-five years stating that La Pata will provide for
commercial and transit service traffic. The following information was
provided by the applicant regarding the conceptual plan:
L
e
Apartment project proposal is for 200+ dwelling units
Apartments will include 40 affordable units and 160 market rate
units, with no City financial assistance
Additional affordable units may be provided with City financial
assistance
Proposed project density will be approximately 50 units per acre
Proposed building design includes four stories, with all parking in
the interior of the project
Identical designkonstruction and amenities for all units
Smallest units will be 750 square feet
Rezone and General Plan amendment will be required
Apartments will be under one ownership but constructed as
condominiums
Anticipated Timeframe: Project entitlements by December, 2005
and complete construction by December, 2006
Trail system will be provided
Site adjacent to La Pata has power lines and will remain open
space or as passive park use
Committee discussion ensued. Chairperson Ratcliffe expressed support for the
density, especially for an apartment project in this location away from the
downtown. Ms. Ratcliffe further stated that this project will not impact property
values because construction of this project will occur prior to any purchase of the
adjacent homes. She expressed support for multi-family housing and supports
taking a look at the project.
Member Marquez expressed support for an affordable project and interest in
touring the Aliso Viejo project. Ms. Marquez indicated this type of project will
help to change opinions about affordable housing in, the City. Members Vincent
and deGuevara supported the need for affordable housing noting that the
Whispering Hills site might be well accepted. Member Nahas pointed out the
importance of moving ahead quickly to ensure project completion before home
purchases occur in the Whispering Hills single-family residential neighborhood.
The Committee agreed to conduct a special meeting to take a tour of the Aliso
Viejo apartment complex on a Saturday morning. City staff will set up a special
meeting on a Saturday for the tour and notify the members.
L- G. COMMITTEEETAFF COMMENTS - None
Housing Advisory Committee Minutes
January 19,2005
Page 4 of 4
L H. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Chairman Ratcliffe
adjourned the meeting to April 27, 2005 at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Management Analyst II and Secretary to the Housing Advisory Committee
DATEAPPROVED: yy)& 2, I