PC Resolution-19-06-25-03PC RESOLUTION NO. 19-06-25-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE THE VERDUGO STREET BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT (CIP14106)
Whereas, the City's Capital Improvement Program represents an important
mechanism for implementing the goals, policies, and recommendations of the General
Plan, in particular the circulation, safety, parks and recreation, and growth management
policies; and,
Whereas, the City established an administrative policy for developing a
Capital Improvement Program and the Capital Improvement Program Committee
developed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-2020 Capital Improvement Program pursuant to the
City's Capital Improvement Guidelines; and ,
Whereas, among other things, one of the major capital improvement
projects in the FY 2013-2020 Capital Improvement Program included the Verdugo Street
Beautification Project (CIP14106) (the "proposed Project"); and ,
Whereas, on June 18, 2013 the City Council approved the FY 2013-2020
Capital Improvement Program which included the proposed Project; and,
Whereas, the proposed Project includes the widening of the sidewalk.
Among other things, the project includes installation of landscaping, enhanced paving,
lighting, and street furniture to provide a pedestrian-friendly experience in the downtown
area and the area adjacent to the train station and Los Rios District; and,
Whereas, an Initial Study and Notice of Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Project were prepared in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines
section 15071; and
Whereas, a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for
the Project was filed and a copy was circulated between May 23, 2019 through June 11 ,
2019; and,
Whereas, the Mitigated Negative Declaration analyzed the impacts related
to the Project as a whole; and
Whereas, the Design Review Committee (DRC) reviewed and commented
on the Project on February 8, 2018 and February 28, 2019 and forwarded the revised
Conceptual Design to the Planning Commission for consideration; and,
Whereas on March 27, 2018 the Cultural Heritage Commission reviewed
and commented on the revised Conceptual Design and forwarded the project to
the Planning Commission for consideration; and,
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Whereas on March 27, 2018 the Planning Commission reviewed and commented on
the revised Conceptual Design and forwarded the project to the City Council for
consideration; and,
Whereas, the Planning Commission conducted a duly-noticed public
meeting on June 25, 2019, pursuant to Title 9, Land Use Code, Section 9-2.302(g), to
consider the proposed Project, including the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the
Project, and has considered all relevant public comments; and,
Whereas, the Planning Commission, after carefully considering all pertinent
testimony and the staff report offered in the case as presented at the public meeting, has
recommended that the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve
the Mitigated Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
Whereas, the Planning Commission, after carefully considering all pertinent
testimony and the staff report offered in the case as presented at the public meeting, now
recommends that the City Council approve the Project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of
the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings as established
by Section 9-2.337(d) of Title 9, Land Use Code of the City of San Juan Capistrano in
support of the Project:
a) Project plans conform with the General Plan because the General Plan's Circulation
Element classifies Verdugo Street as a Local street (one lane in each direction). The
proposed Project is consistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the General
Plan, including the Circulation Element and Land Use Element because the goals and
policies of these Elements are substantially implemented through the Project. The
Project is consistent with the following policies and objectives:
Circulation Goal 4: Minimize the conflict between the automobile, commercial
vehicles, pedestrians, horses, and bicycle.
Policy 4.1: "Provide sufficient right-of-way widths along roadways to incorporate
features that buffer pedestrians, horses, and bicycle from vehicular traffic."
The proposed project conforms to the General Plan Circulation Element because
Verdugo Street is classified as a Local street (2 lanes undivided) and the project will
maintain two travel lanes with enhanced sidewalks on each side.i
Policy 4.3: "Install additional street improvements within areas where necessary to
improve vehicular and non-vehicular safety."
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The proposed Project will allow for safe and adequate vehicular circulation and will
widen sidewalks on both sides of Verdugo Street to provide a safe and pedestrian
friendly environment.
Land Use Goal 5: Encourage commercial and development which serves community
needs and is located in the existing business district.
Policy 5.1: "Encourage the location and retention of businesses within the downtown
Mission District".
The proposed Project incorporates widened sidewalk on both sides of the street.
These improvements will minimize the conflict between motorists and buffer
pedestrians from vehicular traffic to help provide a positive shopping experience.
b) Project plans are consistent with the Land Use Code, surrounding community and
Design Guidelines, and other applicable City requirements as the project was
reviewed by the Design Review Committee (DRC) on February 28, 2019 and
determined to be of a design that is aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area,
with minor design modifications. All the recommendations of the DRC have been
incorporated into the final project design. Additionally, the project is consistent with
the following:
1. General Design Issue/Principle 6: Richness of Details and Materials, which
provides, "Building materials ... should be high quality. They should be designed
and executed with a high degree of craftsmanship. Design features should be
subtle, not ostentatious. High quality design standards should apply to all private
as well as public projects .... " The proposed Project includes pavers, ornamental
landscape pots, furniture and light standards that convey a sense of richness in
materials and craftsmanship.
2. General Design Issue/Principle 8: Linkages and Connections, which provides,
"Site planning should maximize linkages and connections to surrounding public
uses, activities, and pedestrian networks. Consideration should be given to
creation of a hierarchy of pedestrian pathways and public spaces." The proposed
Project includes widened sidewalks on both sides of the street which will enhance
the pedestrian access and experience in the area and will include improvements
that will provide for stronger pedestrian connectivity.
3. The proposed Project complies with all applicable provisions of Title 9 of the San
Juan Capistrano Municipal Code ("SJCMC" or "Code") and any applicable specific
plan or comprehensive development plan because the proposed Project is a major
capital improvement project, per SJCMC section 9-2.337. The proposed Project
complies with Section 9-2.337 because the Project has undergone required
environmental review, the Project has been noticed in accordance with the Code,
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and the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission had reviewed the
Project, provided comments and those comments incorporated into the design.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano hereby recommends that the City Council
of the City of San Juan Capistrano approve the Verdugo Street Beautification Project
(CIP14106).
CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS: The documents and materials associated
with this Resolution that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings are
based are located at San Juan Capistrano City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan
Capistrano, California 92675. The Development Services Director is the custodian of the
record of proceedings.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTE June, 2019 .
Howard Hart, Chairman
Sergio Klotz, AICP, Assistant Development Services
Director/Secretary