PC Minutes-2004-04-1332400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493- 1053 FAX
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 13,2004
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MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
DIANE L BATHGATE
WYAn HART
JOE SOT0
DAVID M SWERDLIN
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Neely at
7:OO p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: Tim Neely, Chairman
Robert Cardoza
Sheldon Cohen
Gene Ratcliffe
Commissioners Absent: none
Staff Present: Molly Bogh, Planning Director, Sam Shoucair, Senior Engineer; Alan
Oswald, Traffic Engineer; Sue McCullough, Recording Secretary.
CONSENT CALENDAR
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 03-02; (SAN JUAN LAW
CENTER, 27345 ORTEGA HIGHWAY APN #650-201-14, NORTH SIDE OF ORTEGA
HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 190 FEET WEST OF LA NOVIA).
Sail Jiiaii Capistrarzo: Presei-iiiig the Past to Eriliance the Fritirrc.
2 April 13, 2004 PC Meeting
Applicant
William E. Reising, 32222 Camino Capistrano, #A, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 L
Written Communications
Staff report dated April 13, 2004
Staff presentation €4 recommendation
Ms. Bogh presented the staff report on this item presented at the last Planning
Commission Public Hearing, at which time the Commission requested that staff provide
additional analysis of the proposed easterly entrance with respect to traffic safety
issues. Staff is presently preparing additional information and a preliminary sight-
distance analysis for Commission review.
Following the March 23 meeting, the representative for the adjacent property owner to
the east verbally requested that the item be continued to the April 27, 2004 meeting in
order to work with staff and the project applicant to resolve issues related to the
proposed easterly driveway, grading, landscape screening, and the easterly retaining
wall.
Staff recommends that the Commission continue consideration of this item to the April
27, 2004 meeting in order to allow staff to address project-related issues and address
the concerns of the adjoining property owner.
Commission Questions/Comments
Commissioner Cardoza asked if one of the trees removed for grading had been
permitted by the City for approval.
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Ms. Bogh said that the City did not authorize removal of any trees off-site, that Code
Enforcement would investigate whether the tree was on-site or on the adjacent property,
and Ms. Bogh would visit the site and meet with the Applicant’s engineer to discuss
ways of visual screening between the residential use and the commercial use.
Chairman Neely said that when the Planning Commission first reviewed the animal
hospital project, he understood that significant existing vegetation would screen the dog
kennel, and that he would like to see both projects coordinate landscape screening of
the upper portion of both sites.
Commissioner Ratcliffe agreed that the grading and large wall at the very top
completely changed the eventual look of the project, and more landscaping in this area
is needed.
Ms. Bogh said that the Planning Commission could adopt conditions for law center
landscaping and that staff would contact the owner of the animal hospital to ask if they
will participate in coordinating landscaping concepts for this area.
PC Meeting 3 April 13, 2004
Motion
Commissioner Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Cardoza, that the item
Architectural Control (AC) 03-02, San Juan Law Center (Reising) be continued at the
April 27, 2004 Planning Commission meeting.
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AYES: Commissioners Cardoza, Cohen and Ratcliffe and Chairman Neely
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
This motion passed unanimously by a vote of 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. CONSIDERATION OF THE VACATION OF AN IRREVOCABLE OFFER TO
CONVEY AN EASEMENT FOR STREET AND HIGHWAY PURPOSES (31831 PASEO
CIELO/DEMOREST)
Written Communications
Staff report dated April 13, 2004
Staff presentation & recommendation
Ms. Bogh presented the staff report as a request for consideration of the vacation of an
irrevocable offer to convey an easement for street and highway purposes, and said that
Mr. Jon Demorest, the owner of the lot in question at 31831 Paseo Cielo, has asked the
City for a vacation of an offer of right of way. The City Council would normally hold
vacation hearings. However, due to a provision in zoning and planning law, the Planning
Commission is required to make a finding that the vacation of an offer of dedication for
right-of-way purposes is consistent with the General Plan. This is a local private road
that is not needed for access to other properties and is not part of the City’s Circulation
Element.
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Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution that the Planning
Commission has reviewed this proposed vacation and that the vacation is in conformity
with the General Plan, specifically, with Circulation Element policies as stated in the
draft Resolution.
Motion
Commissioner Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to adopt Resolution
04-04-13-1 finding that abandonment of an irrevocable offer of dedication for a portion
of Paseo Cielo conforms to the General Plan.
PC Meeting 4 April 13,2004
AYES: Commissioners Cardoza, Cohen and Ratcliffe and Chairman Neely
- NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
This motion passed unanimously by a vote of 4-0.
COMMlSSlONlSTAFF COMMENTS
Ms. Bogh invited any Planning Commissioner absent from a meeting where quasi-
judicial matters are discussed, to contact staff to listen to an audiotape of the meeting
they missed.
Commissioner Cohen reported on a traffic tour of the City of Monterey during the recent
League of Cities Annual Planning Institute with a presentation regarding methods used
by the City of Monterey for traffic calming, speed reduction, medians, partial street
closures, chicanes, and traffic circles.
Commissioner Cardoza said that on a recent trip to Japan he observed the efficient
transportation systems in use there, including the 200-mile-per-hour bullet train and
Japan’s urban corridors.
Commissioner Cardoza asked if staff has considered seeking recognition from a
professional organization for the San Juan Capistrano Design Guidelines. Ms. Bogh
said that staff would look for an appropriate recognition mechanism.
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Chairman Neely announced that the Design Review Committee would be holding
several meetings in April to review upcoming projects. Ms. Bogh stated staff will
coordinate with DRC members on specific dates.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
7:35 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, at 7:OO p.m. in
the Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted, d%W Molly gh
Planningbirector
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