CHC Resolution-01-01-23-01CHC RESOLUTION NO. 01-01-23-I
HISTORIC DEPICTION PROGRAM (HDP)
CONCEPTUAL & FINAL PLANS
A RESOLUTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN
JUAN CAPISTRANO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE HISTORIC DEPICTION
CONCEPT AND CONDITIONALLY APPROVING FINAL PLANS FOR ARCHITECTURAL
CONTROL (AC) 99-05, A PRIVATE SCHOOL SITUATED ON AN APPROXIMATELY 11.6
ACRE PARCEL LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF OS0 ROAD, BETWEEN TRABUCO
CREEK AND THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY (SCRRA)
RAILROAD LINE (SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL).
Whereas, SaddlebackValley Christian School has submitted conceptual plans
for a historic depiction for their school site located on the north side of Oso Road, between
Trabuco Creek and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) railroad line
(Saddleback Valley Christian School) with the proposed historic depiction consisting of a
pedestal-mounted plaque commemorating the Forster family’s contributions to the
community; 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 previously reviewed the overall
project pursuant to Section 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
issued a mitigated negative declaration which has been approved by the City Council, and
has otherwise complied with all applicable provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA); and furthermore, the proposed historic depiction is statutorily exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and,
Whereas, the Cultural Heritage Commission conducted a public meeting on
January 23, 2001 to consider the proposed historic depiction; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cultural Heritage
Commission of the City of San Juan Capistrano does hereby make the following findings:
1. The proposed historic depiction is consistent with the policies and objectives of the
San Juan Capistrano General Plan, specifically, the Historical & Archeological
Element because it focuses on the history of the Capistrano Valley, an important
aspect of the City’s cultural and historical heritage; and,
2. The proposed historic depiction is consistent with City Council Policy 606 because
the proposed location and photographic media are historically appropriate to the
project site; and,
3. The proposed historic depiction complies with all applicable provisions of the Land
Use Code subject to the conditions of approval contained in this resolution.
CHC Resolution 01-01-23-I -2- January 23,200l
L NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cultural Heritage
Commission recommends approval of the historic depiction concept plans and conditionally
approves the final plans subject to the following conditions of approval:
1. The proposed historic depiction shall be situated at alternative location #I as
indicated on the applicant’s submitted site plan with the precise location subject to
review and approval by the Planning Director or his designee prior to building permit
issuance for the historic depiction.
2. The pedestal-mounted, plaque shall be designed so as to make it readable to
wheelchair-bound individuals subject to the review and approval of the Planning
Director or his designee.
3. The historic depiction plaque shall consist of cast bronze with raised letters, or
etched bronze plate with the final dimensions, text size, and layout subject to staff
review and approval prior to building permit issuance.
4. The plaque text shall be revised to clarify that the Forster property was situated on
Alipaz Street and exchanged for the project site subject to review and approval of the
Planning director or his designee. The approved Historic Depiction Plan (HDP) text
is provided as Exhibit “A” to this resolution and is incorporated herein by reference.
5. - Prior to building permit issuance, the final plans for the historic depiction shall be
subject to review and approval by the Planning Director or his designee based on
consistency with the Cultural Heritage Commission-approved conceptual historic
depiction plans.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 23rd day of January, 2001, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Belardes, Tryon, and Siegel
NOES: none
ABSTAIN: Chairman Forster
Tony Fors&#, Chairman
a-
Willam Ramsey, AICP, Se
(C \My Documents\WordPerfect Documents\Current~PIann~ng\Ac9905blc9905chres wpd)
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EXHIBIT “A”
Saddleback Valley Christian School
Historic Depiction Program (HDP), Architectural Control (AC) 99-05
Christian education began in the Capistrano Valley with the founding of Mission San Juan
Capistrano, November 1, 1776. Led by Juniper0 Serra, Spanish priests taught the Word
of God to the Acjachemem people. Trades and crafts were also taught creating a vibrant,
growing community of faith and prosperity.
In early 1800 Mexico became estranged from the Catholic Church and took over the Mission
lands, selling them at auction in 1845 for $710.00 to John Forster, an English sea Captain.
With the Mission as his residence, Forster employed the native people to build a flourishing
cattle industry on his quarter million acre Ranch0 Santa Margarita. Priests were invited to
visit the Mission to conduct religious services for the Forster family and the community
which preserved and prospered their faith in Jesus Christ. In 1850 California became part
of the United States of America, In 1865 Abraham Lincoln returned the Mission and its lands
to the Catholic Church.
In 1896 John Forster’s great grandson Marco was born. For over 30 years he served on the
San Juan School Board of Trustees. After his death in 1966, Marco Forster Jr. High School
was named in his honor. Betty, his wife also dedicated her life to education, teaching at
both San Juan and Mission Schools and serving 17 years on the Capistrano Union High
School Board.
In 1996 Saddleback Valley Christian School began classes in a borrowed church building
while its founders, Bruce Harbin, Edward Carney and Steve Esslinger searched for a
permanent school location. Their search lead them to the children of Marco and Betty
Forster who held a small parcel of their original ranch holding. Impressed by the
commitment of Saddleback Valley Christian school fourrders to teach the Word of God to
generations of local children, the Forster family sold their parcel to this new Christian
school. Although the school was unable to build on that site, the Forster’s sale of their
Alipaz street property to Saddleback Valley Christian School was instrumental in a
successful land exchange which allowed the school to build on this site.
Tony and Patrick Forster, and Joyce Forster Hamner are proud to be associated with
Saddleback Valley Christian School, built on this site in the year 2000 as a living legacy to
the faith of their parents, ancestors and pioneers of San Juan Capistrano and to ensure that
Christian education continues its positive impact throughout the Capistrano Valley for
generations to come.