PC Resolution-20-07-14-01PC RESOLUTION NO. 20-07-14-01
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT 20-009
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING TREE REMOVAL PERMIT 20-009; SAN
JUAN HILLS GOLF COURSE, PROPOSED REMOVAL OF ELEVEN TREES AND
LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE RELOCATION AND RECONFIGURATION OF
AN EXISTING DRIVING RANGE AND HOLES, NEW PARKING LOT, NEW
ANCILLARY STRUCTURE AND LANDSCAPING, GRADING ASSOCIATED WITH
THE RECONFIGURATION, A NEW 50 TO 80 FOOT TALL SAFETY FENCE, AND NEW
MONUMENT SIGN, AT 32120 SAN JUAN CREEK ROAD (APN 666-011-027)
(APPLICANT: ROBERT HARDING)
Whereas, Robert Harding for the San Juan Hills Golf Club L.P., 6 Venture, Suite
100, Irvine, CA 92618 (the "Applicant"), has requested approval of Tree Removal Permit
(TRP) 20-009 and landscape plans to address Architectural Control (AC) 17-031, , Sign
Permit (SP) 18-043, Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 18-008, & Floodplain Land Use
Permit (FP) 18-002 conditions of approval to relocate and reconfigure an existing driving
range and Holes, new parking lot, new ancillary structure and landscaping, grading
associated with the reconfiguration, a new 50 to 80 foot tall safety net, a new monument
sign, within the San Juan Hills Golf Club, which is General Plan-designated Open Space
Recreation and Open Space Recreation District on the Official Zoning Map (the "Project");
and,
Whereas, San Juan Hills Golf Club, L.P, 6 Venture, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618 is
the owner of real property as listed above; and,
Whereas, the proposed project has been processed pursuant to Section 9-2.301,
Development Review of the Land Use Code; and,
Whereas, the Environmental Administrator has determined that the proposed
project is categorically exempt per Section 15301, Existing Facilities from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Class 1 exemption allows minor alterations of
existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond what is existing
currently such as the driving range reconfiguration and the associated new minor
structure, parking lot and safety fence and the altered water features (ponds), as well as
the tree removal permit and landscape plans are minor alterations to the existing golf
course; and
Whereas, the Design Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the plans on June 11,
2020 and recommended that the item move forward to the Planning Commission; and
Whereas, Planning Commission conducted a duly-noticed public meeting on July
14, 2020 pursuant to Title 9, Land Use Code, Section 9-2.302 and City Council Policy 5
to consider public testimony on the proposed project and has considered all relevant
public comments; and
PC Resolution 20-07-14-01 2 July 14, 2020
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby find that the project has
been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
the City's Environmental Administrator has determined that the proposed project is
categorically exempt per Section 15301, Existing Facilities. The Class 1 exemption
allows minor alterations of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use
beyond what is existing currently such as the driving range reconfiguration and the
associated new minor structure, parking lot and safety fence and the altered water
features (ponds), as well as the tree removal permit and landscape plans are minor
alterations to the existing golf course.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings
as established by Section 9-2.349 Tree Removal Permits, of Title 9, Land Use Code of
the City of San Juan Capistrano:
3. Removal of the trees will not have an adverse impact on adjacent properties
or the general welfare in that the removal will not adversely impact views,
public streetscapes, or other aesthetic considerations as the applicant is
proposing to maintain the majority of existing trees and to install over 50 new
trees. The removal of eleven mature trees will temporarily impact views, the
public streetscape and aesthetics; those impacts, however, will be mitigated
by the installation of the replacement trees. The applicant will install a mix of
California Sycamores, African Sumac and Olive trees along San Juan Creek
Road. The proposed landscaping improvements will be consistent with the
landscaping already existing on neighboring properties and throughout San
Juan Capistrano.
4. Where appropriate, replacement trees have been proposed to maintain the
urban forest canopy and the replacement trees are more appropriate to the
site and the planting area. The installation of the proposed tree species,
California Sycamore, Olive, African Sumac and Oak are appropriate to the
site, as it will create cohesion and consistency within the new development
as well as surrounding properties and streetscape, and is consistent with
the conceptual landscape plan reviewed by the Planning Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Planning
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano hereby approves project Tree Removal
Permit 20-009, subject to those conditions of approval listed below.
1. Approval of this application does not relieve the applicant from complying with
other applicable Federal, State, County or City regulations or requirements,
including the San Juan Capistrano's Municipal Code Section 5-5.01 through 5-5.05
Bird Sanctuary or the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which establishes
prohibitions on the disturbance and/or removal of certain native bird nests.
PC Resolution 20-07-14-01 3 July 14, 2020
2. The replacement trees identified in the landscape plan, prepared by Land Concern,
Landscape Architects and approved by the Planning Commission on July 14,
2020, shall be installed prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
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.
PROTEST OF FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER
EXACTIONS: Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020, the applicant may protest
the imposition of fees, dedications, reservations or other exactions imposed on this
development project by taking the necessary steps and following the procedures
established by Sections 66020 through 66022 of the California Government Code.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of July, 2020.