PC Minutes-2011-02-0832400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493-1171
(949) 493-1053 FAx
www.sanjuancapistrano.org
A. CALL TO ORDER
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
LAURA FREESE
LARRY KRAMER
DEREK REEVE
JOHN TAYLOR
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Cohen at 6:30 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Cohen led the pledge of allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: Sheldon Cohen, Chair
Gene Ratcliffe, Vice -Chair
Ginny Kerr
Jeff Parkhurst
Rob Williams
Tim Neely
Roy Nunn (arrived at 7:05 pm following the close of the Darmal
agenda)
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: William Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
Tram Tran, Deputy City Attorney
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
►=
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. The Commission approved the January 25, 2011 Minutes with minor corrections.
F. OLD BUSINESS
None.
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
01 Printed on 100% recycled paper
PC Meeting Minutes 2 January 25, 2011
G. NEW BUSINESS
Planning Commission Reorganization; Selection of a Planning Commission Chair and
Vice Chair. Upon duly -made and seconded motions, the Commission elected Sheldon
Cohen to serve as Chairman and Gene Ratcliffe to serve as Vice-chairman for 2011-
2012.
2. Request for General Plan Conformity Finding, Del Obispo Street Widening at Trabuco
Creek Channel; a request by the Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) for a
finding of General Plan conformity for the proposed conveyance of a remnant parcel to
the City in -fee; and for quitclaiming certain flood control, access, and slope easements
extending from about 90 feet upstream of Del Obispo Street to about 490 feet
downstream of Del Obispo Street along Trabuco Creek in the City of San Juan
Capistrano (Applicant: Orange County Public Works, Orange County Flood Control
District, John D. Pavlik, Right of Way Engineering Manager). Bill Ramsey advised the
Commission that on August 18, 2009, the City Council approved the construction plans
and specifications for the proposed Del Obispo Street -Bridge Widening at Trabuco
Creek. In conjunction with the proposed bridge widening project, OCFCD proposes the
conveyance of a remnant parcel to the City in -fee; and quitclaiming certain flood control,
access, and slope easements extending from about 90 feet upstream of Del Obispo
Street to about 490 feet downstream of Del Obispo Street along Trabuco Creek in the
City of San Juan Capistrano. He noted that under State law, the action required a
General Plan conformity finding. Ramsey stated that Engineering staff had reviewed the
proposed conveyances and quitclaims and confirmed they were consistent with the
approved project plans. Staff recommended that the Commission adopt a resolution
finding that the proposed project would be consistent with the General Plan Circulation
Element and Safety Element.
Commission questions/comments
Commissioner Parkhurst questioned the nature of the quitclaim that appeared to include
a portion of the easterly levee south of Del Obispo Street and Ramsey responded that
the area was part of a landscaped area that was included in the project planning.
Chairman Cohen asked if there were any other comments or questions and the
Commissioners indicated they were amenable to the proposal.
Adoption of Resolution
On a motion duly -made and seconded, the Planning Commission adopted the following
resolution by a 6-0 vote
PC RESOLUTION NO. 11-2-8-1, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CALIFORNIA DETERMINING THAT THE
PROPOSED PARCEL CONVEYANCES AND EASEMENT QUITCLAIMS FOR THE
DEL OBISPO STREET -BRIDGE WIDENING AT TRABUCO CREEK CHANNEL ARE
CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT (COUNTY OF
ORANGE. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT)
AYES: Chairman Cohen, Vice -Chair Ratcliffe, Commissioner Parkhurst,
Commissioner Kerr, Commissioner Williams, and Commissioner
Neely
PC Meeting Minutes 3 January 25, 2011
NOES: none
ABSTAIN: none
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Grading Plan Modification (GPM) 10-08, Rezone (RZ) 10-003, Darmal Residence; a
request for approval of development plans for the construction of an approximate 4,906
square foot single-family residence, two -stories and 25 feet in height with a basement
level and incorporate the property into Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 81-01
Forster Canyon on a vacant parcel located adjacent to the west side of Avenida
California and east of Interstate 1-5 (APN 775-081-11) (Applicant: Arsalan Darmal,
Owner)( Proiect Manager: Grant Taylor, Development Services Director). Grant Taylor,
made the staff presentation and advised the Commission that the project has not been
previously reviewed by the Planning Commission. The Design Review Committee
reviewed the project on January 20, 2011 and forwarded the item to the Planning
Commission with a favorable recommendation. However requested details to include
but not be limited to landscaping and lighting be returned to the DRC for final review. Mr.
Taylor stated that the proposed project consists of a Rezone (RZ) and Grading Plan
Modification (GPM) that would annex the property into the Forster Canyon Planned
Community (CDP 81-01) establishing a new "HE" (Hillside Estate) Zoning District and
allow site grading to accommodate construction of a proposed 4,906 square foot
residence, two -stories and 25 feet in height with a basement level including covered and
open parking areas, a pool, open patios and perimeter landscaping with access provided
from Avenida California via a 20 foot driveway. The subject parcel is a vacant, irregular
shaped lot that totals approximately 0.60 acres with a 0.20 acre grading area. The
subject property is General Plan designated "Planned Community" and zoned "PC"
(Planned Community). The proposed rezone would incorporate the property into
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 81-01 Forster Canyon and establish a new
zoning designation of "HE" (Hillside Estate). The building pad is relatively flat with an
elevation of 235 on the front property line adjacent to Avenida California and gently
sloping to 228 at the lowest point of the rear property line near the 1-5 Freeway.
Proposed grading includes 310 cubic yards of cut and 280 cubic yards of fill with no
retaining walls. Proposed landscaping would include native drought tolerant shrubs
around the perimeter of the parcel. Mr. Taylor noted that the current owner of Pacifica
San Juan had requested a 30 -day continuance and staff supported a continuance with
the Commission having discretion to continue two weeks or four weeks.
Commission questions/comments
Commissioner Williams stated that he was concerned about the design and massing of
the proposed residence and thought the project design should be subject to more
detailed review by the Design Review Committee.
Commission action
On a motion duly -made and seconded, the Commission, by a 6-0 vote continued
consideration of the proposed project to the February 22 meeting.
PC Meetinq Minutes 4 January 25, 2011
J. STAFF & COMMISSION COMMENTS
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Ramsey updated the Commission on several projects of interest
including the fact that Tuttle -Click had broken ground on their project, Costco building plans
were under review and permit issuance was imminent, Marriott was close to pulling grading
and demolition plans, the "Distrito La Novia-San Juan Meadows" referendum was scheduled
for City Council consideration.
Chairman Cohen asked the Commission and Design Review Committee members from the
Commission to consider ways in which the development review process could be expedited
in order to provide more timely action. Staff noted that the Commission presently deferred
design details to follow-up review which allowed applications to secure Commission
approval of the preliminary project plans, then work out the design details while they were
processing building permits.
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25
p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 6:30 p.m, in
the Council Chambers.
Approved on Tuesday, February 22, 2011:
�® E
lNII iam Ramsey, AlCP, Principal P!anner�
Planning Commission Secretary