PC Minutes-2011-07-2632400 PASEO ADEL.ANTO _` ` { MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675ii
(949) 493-1171 ,(,�' � n AVATO
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(949) 493-1053 FAX � ly I ERNPRgRYf LAURA FREESE
f1lAElISAER _ _.. �� LARRY ER
www.sanjuancapistrano.org pP- n DEREK REEVE
JOHN TAYLOR
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cohen at 6:30 p.m.
B. PLEDGE
Chairman Cohen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent
Sheldon Cohen, Chairman
Gene Ratcliffe, Vice -Chair
Ginny Kerr
Roy Nunn
Tim Neely
Jeff Parkhurst
Rob Williams
none
Staff Present-. William Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
Tram Tran, Deputy City Attorney
Nick Taylor, Associate Planner
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
1. Minutes of July 12, 2011: By motion duly -made and seconded, the Commission
approved the subject minutes with revisions by a 5-0-2 vote (Cohen & Nunn
abstained).
San Juan i i
0 Printed on 100% recycled paper
PC Meeting Minutes 2 July 26, 2011
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 11-004, Sports Park Wireless —Verizon Wireless; a
request for review of preliminary design plans for a proposed wireless
telecommunications facility at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park on a 17 acre
parcel located at 25925 Camino Del Avion, generally located at 430 feet north of
Camino Del Avion (APN 121-190-57) (Applicant: Michelle Felten for Verizon
Wireless) (Project Manager: Nick Taylor, Associate Planner). Nick Taylor,
Associate Planner made the staff presentation describing the project as consisting
of the installation (new construction) of an 83'-0" tall light pole with tele-
communications equipment housed inside the structure. Ground mounted
equipment would be housed in a new 400 square foot enclosure with a 7'-0" CMU
perimeter wall and a trellis cover. Staff recommended that the Commission adopt a
resolution conditionally approving the project.
Public Hearing
Michelle Felten, representing Verizon Wireless, the applicant, explained the
available options for internally and externally mounting the antenna. She confirmed
that the base of the pole would be 44 inches in diameter.
Commission Comments
• The dimension of the base of the pole needs to be appropriate to the scale of
the light pole and 44 inches would be acceptable.
• Most of the Commissioners expressed support for the concealed antenna
approach to the design.
• The light pole will provide illumination to an area of an existing softball field that
is presently un -lighted.
• The equipment storage building design appropriately matches the design of the
existing trash enclosure.
• Conditions of approval need to include the standard condition requiring that the
project design be re-evaluated in the future when new cellular technology
advances that allow less visually obtrusive designs.
• Local soccer leagues that use the sports park (e.g. AYSO) should be consulted
on the location of the proposed light pole.
• The location of the light pole will not result in any impacts to the adjoining
residential neighborhoods.
• The DRC relied on the recommendations of the Community Services
Department in evaluating the proposed location.
• The proposed location of the cell site is supported by the RF study submitted by
the applicant, which demonstrates a "gap" in coverage or insufficient signal
strength.
Adoption of Resolution
PC RESOLUTION NO.11-07-26-01,• • .,
11x • - • • • • • • •
PC Meetinq Minutes 3 July 26, 2011
TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY'S SPORTS
PARK AND TO INCLUDE A STEALTH LIGHT STANDARD (POLE) WHICH
STANDS EIGHTY-THREE FEET & THREE INCHES (83'-3") WHICH CONSISTS
OF 6 (SIX) PANEL ANTENNAS FULLY ENCLOSED WITHIN THE POLE, AND AN
EQUIPMENT SHELTER (APPLICANT: MICHELLE FELTEN FOR VERIZON
WIRELESS). Commissioner Williams made a motion, seconded by Commissioner
Kerr, to adopt a resolution conditionally approving the proposed project. The motion
passed by a 6-1 vote.
AYES: Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Commissioners Gene Ratcliffe,
Ginny Kerr, Tim Neely, Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst and Rob
Williams
NOES: Commissioner Nunn
ABSTAIN: None
2. Architectural Control (AC) 11-006 (Modification to AC 05-05), Saddleback Valley
Christian School (SVCS); a request for approval of a Master Plan for Phases 2 and
3 of an Existing Private School with Phase 2 consisting of a two-story, 21,050
square foot classroom building and a future Phase 3 consisting of a 14,000 square
foot gymnasium to be constructed when funding becomes available on an existing
property of approximately 6.13 acres (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 121-070-55 & 56)
(Applicant: J7 Architecture Incorporated) (Project Manager: Grant Taylor,
Development Services Director). Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
made the staff presentation and advised that Saddleback Valley Christian School
(SVCS) requests approval to complete the phased development plan for the
construction of permanent, one-story and two-story buildings to replace the existing
modular buildings. The site development includes the following previously
constructed Phase 1 and presently proposed Phase 2 and Phase 3 improvements:
a. Phase 1 has been completed and consists of a two-story, 39,100 square foot
building with varied height of 30'-35' for multi-purpose and classroom uses,
and installation of an 8,000 square foot temporary structure for chapel and
gymnasium purposes.
b. Phase 2 proposes construction of a 30' high, two-story, 21,050 square foot
classroom building and installation of interim multi -use recreational trail.
c. Phase 3 proposes construction of a 32' high, single -story, 14,000 square foot
gymnasium, and removal of the remaining temporary structures.
Mr. Taylor stated that the remainder of the site consists of a non -illuminated athletic
fields to the north and hard surface playground and eating areas located internal to
the site. The existing perimeter landscaping and paved parking lots and access
drives will remain with additional landscaping and parking area proposed with a total
of 113 stalls provided. He described in detail the location of the proposed interim
PC Meeting Minutes 4 July 26, 2011
trail. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission conduct a public hearing
and accept public testimony; consider the project plans and recommended
conditions of approval; and adopt a resolution conditionally approving the proposed
project.
Public Hearing
Terry Jacobsen, Architect representing SVCS made a brief presentation focusing on
the design of the interim multi -use trail at the top of slope and west edge of the
campus and the how the interim improvements would provide a functional trail
surface. He also responded to several questions by the Commission.
Commission Comments
• The design and construction of the interim, multi -use trail needs to meet the
County's trail design standards.
• The slope at the northeast corner of the site which would connect the interim,
multi -use trail to the Trabuco Creek multi -use trail (riding, biking, hiking &
running) appears overly steep and potential hazard for trail users.
• The installation of the new, wood fence posts will need to comply with the
California Building Code (CBC).
• The existing Trabuco Creek multi -use trail located on mid -slope may be
reparable but will be at risk of future damage from major winter storms. The
location of the interim, multi -use trail should also be the permanent multi -use
trail.
• The design details for the interim, multi -use trail do not appear sufficient to
protect against erosion at the top of slope due to the shallow cover over the
existing curb, which would be temporarily buried by the interim, multi -use trail.
• The design details of the interim, multi -use trail need to be resolved as part of
the current AC application and not deferred to building/grading permits. DRC
review of the details would be appropriate.
• Because the mid -slope permanent trail is closed due to storm damage, the
interim, multi -use trail needs to be constructed and made available for public use
as soon as possible.
• The mulch material on the interim, multi -use trail needs to be hoof -compatible so
to accommodate equestrian use.
• The proposed architectural design is consistent with previously constructed
Phase 1 and is therefore acceptable.
• The applicant needs to comply with the timelines established by the Settlement
Agreement and the city needs to actively enforce those timelines.
• The depth of mulch proposed for the interim, multi -use trail needs to be checked
against the Orange County Trail Standards.
• Condition of approval #35 needs to be reviewed and re -written to provide the
City with discretion over the timing, location and nature of the "multi -use trail
improvements (riding, biking, hiking & running)."
• The timing of constructing and completing the interim, multi -use trail
improvements should be date -specific, not tied to the permit process.
• If the City Council opens negotiations on the Settlement Agreement, they should
PC Meeting Minutes 5 July 26, 2011
be revised to allow the City to complete emergency repairs to any damage to the
Trabuco Creek multi -use trail with the repair cost being SVCS's responsibility.
Commissioner Williams made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Nunn, to
continue consideration of the proposed project to the August 9 Planning
Commission meeting and that the interim, multi -use trail design details be forwarded
to the Design Review Committee (DRC) for review and comment on August 4. The
motion passed by a 7-0 vote.
AYES: Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Commissioners Gene Ratcliffe,
Ginny Kerr, Tim Neely, Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst and Rob
Williams
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10reMOM
H. NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2012-2018 Seven -Year Capital Improvement
Program for General Plan Consistency; a request for a General Plan consistency
finding for the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) (Project Manager: Steve
Montano, Assistant Administrative Services Director). Grant Taylor, Development
Services Director briefly introduced the item and informed the Commission that the
FY2012-2018 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) totals $47.9 million across all
funding sources for the seven-year projection period with current FY2011-2012 CIP
projects totaling $7.1 million in funding for new or existing projects. The CIP
represents the City's funding priorities for completing capital improvements
necessary to implement the General Plan. Staff recommended that the Planning
Commission make a finding that the Proposed Capital Improvement Program is
consistent with the General Plan pursuant to California Government Code Section
65401.
Public Comment
Chairman Cohen opened the floor for public comment. There was no response and
the public comment period was closed.
Commission Comments
Commissioners posed a number of questions related to the cost, necessity and
timing of several CIP projects. However, no Commissioner expressed concern that
a specific project or projects were inconsistent with the General Plan.
PC Meetinq Minutes 6 July 26, 2011
Adoption of Resolution
PC RESOLUTION NO. 11-07-26-02, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP),
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO FINDING THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2014
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CONFORMS TO THE CITY'S ADOPTED
GENERAL PLAN. Commissioner Nunn made a motion, seconded by Commissioner
Ratcliffe, to adopt a resolution finding that the Capital Improvement Program is
consistent with the General Plan provided that CIP cost estimates, especially for
engineering and architectural design services, be more fully vetted by City staff prior
to incorporating those into the CIP. The motion passed by a 7-0 vote.
AYES: Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Commissioners Gene Ratcliffe,
Ginny Kerr, Tim Neely, Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst and Rob
Williams.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
I. STAFF & COMMISSION COMMENTS
Grant Taylor and Bill Ramsey briefed the Commission on upcoming projects of interest.
The Planning Commission advised staff of the following items:
• The Ganado Parking lot has been completed by St. Margaret's Episcopal School
and is subject to a shared parking agreement with the City to allow public use in the
evening and weekends. However, the lot remains gated and locked most of the
time. The question was posed, "Why is a portion of the sidewalk constructed with
decomposed granite?"
• Graffiti has been spray -painted on the east well site building and under the bridge
(Vereda under -crossing) and needs to be removed.
J. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, Chairman Cohen adjourned at
8:40 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at 6:30
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
William A. Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner
Planning Commission Secretary