PC Minutes-2011-10-2532400 PASEO ADELANTO
(949) 493-1171
(949) 493-1053 FAx
www.saqluancapistrano.org
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cohen at 6-30 p.m.
1--mgm
Chairman Cohen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present
Commissioners Absent
Sheldon Cohen, Chairman
Ginny Kerr
Jeff Parkhurst
Tim Neely
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
LAURA FREESE
LARRY KRAMER
DEREK REEVE
JOHN TAYLOR
Gene Ratcliffe, Vice -Chair
Roy Nunn
Rob Williams
Staff Present- William Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner
Grant Taylor, Development Services Director
Tram Tran, Deputy City Attorney
None.
1. Minutes of October 11, 2011: By motion duly -made and seconded, the Commission
approved the subject minutes with revisions by a 6-0 vote.
None
PC Meeting Minutes 2 October 25, 2011
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
H. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Tree Removal Permit (TRP) 11-072; Mission San Juan Capistrano, Consideration of a
request to remove two "Blue Gum" Eucalyptus trees with trunk diameters ranging
between 60 -inches to 84 -inches located at 26801 Ortega Highway (APN 124-181-06),
generally located in the northwest corner of the property, adjacent to Camino
Capistrano approximately 600 feet north of Ortega Highway (Applicant: Craig Springer,
Mission San Juan Capistrano) (Prosect Manager: Nick Taylor, Associate Planner). Grant
Taylor, Development Services Director made the staff presentation and advised that
Mission San Juan Capistrano had submitted a request to remove two heritage "blue
gum" eucalyptus trees (48 -inches and 84 -inches in diameter). He noted that the Mission
submitted a letter justifying removal because the trees were too large for the area in
which they were planted and they were a threat to public safety due to potential branch
falls. An arborist report prepared by O'Connell Landscape for the Mission concluded the
trees are too large and are located in area that has potential liability issues due to the
high number of visitors that use the area around the trees. Due to the brevity and lack
of analysis in the O'Connell report, staff had West Coast Arborists, under contract to
the City, prepare an arborist report and their analysis concluded that the two eucalyptus
trees showed signs of stress and were a potential threat to fail and therefore, warranted
removal. Staff recommended approval of the permit to remove the two blue gum
eucalyptus trees.
Commission comments
a. Blue gum eucalyptus are capable of dropping limbs without warning which can be a
serious public safety threat.
b. The City needs to remain mindful of the need to use fact -based judgment in
reviewing Tree Removal Permit requests and the potential precedent of City
actions.
c. The Commission requested the Mission to provide documentation on tree removals
over the entire Mission site to better understand the broader implications of tree
removals, not just those proposed, but potential future removals.
d. In reviewing the O'Connell letter -report, the Commission determined it was
insufficient and stated that a comprehensive arborist report, prepared by a certified
arborist, would be necessary for the City to consider the potential removal of trees in
the application.
e. A comprehensive arborist report is critical to the City's decision-making process and
the O'Connell letter -report "glosses -over" the required findings and analysis.
Public Comment
Mechelle Lawrence -Adams representing Mission San Juan Capistrano stated that
relocation of the picnic area is not feasible or practical because of the large groups of
school-age children that tour the Mission and require a gathering area separate from
the general public. Because the Mission grounds are designed to accommodate
PC Meetina Minutes 3 October 25. 2011
extensive public access, the trees need to be removed to assure public safety. She
stated that if the Planning Commission's intent was to impose a condition requiring
submission of a tree inventory/master plan, she would withdraw the Tree Removal
Permit (TRP) application.
Adoption of Motion
Commissioner Roy Nunn made a motion to approve the project, as submitted. The
motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Rob Williams made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Gene Ratcliffe to authorize the Development Services
Director to approve the Tree Removal Permit based on the findings in the WCA arborist
report subject to the condition that prior to submission of any future Tree Removal
Permit, the Mission shall submit a Tree Master Plan that indicates the planned
disposition including tree removals, trees to be preserved or relocated and trees to be
replaced. The motion passed by a 6-0 vote.
AYES: Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Commissioners Gene Ratcliffe, Ginny
Kerr, Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst and Rob Williams
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. Follow-up Review; Architectural Control (AC)10-18, Marriott Residence Inn Hotel; a
request for approval of a sign program for an approved 130 -room extended stay hotel
on a 4.51 acre parcel located at 33711 Camino Capistrano (Assessor Parcel Number 121-
254-44) (Applicant: R.D. Olson Development, Robert A. Olson, Representative) (Project
Manager: William Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner). Bill Ramsey, AICD, Principal Planner
made the staff presentation and advised that the project consists of a proposed Sign
Program for the approved 130 -room Marriott Residence Inn, an extended stay hotel
totaling 91,489 square feet of building area. The approved hotel is three -stories with the
main roof elements extending to a maximum height of thirty-seven feet, six inches (37'-
6"), and tower elements extending to a maximum height fifty feet (50'-0"). The Draft
Sign Program includes the following elements:
• Sign "A": a 30 square foot, 6'-0"(H) x 30'-0"(W) free-standing, monument sign
situated at the corner of Camino Capistrano and Stonehill Drive.
• Sign "B": an internally -illuminated, 43 square foot, wall -mounted sign on the east
end of the north elevation.
• Sign "C": an internally -illuminated, 43 square foot, wall -mounted sign on the
tower element at the north end of the east elevation.
• Three Sign "D" Alternatives including Sign "D1": an internally -illuminated, 43
square foot, wall -mounted sign on the east elevation of the main tower element
over the hotel lobby/stairwell; Sign "D2": an internally -illuminated, approximately
52.5 square foot, wall -mounted sign on an east -facing mechanical screen on the
roof of the building's east wing; and Sign "D3": a 45'-0" tall flagpole with flag
(dimensions undetermined) located near the southeast corner of the building's
east wing.
PC Meeting Minutes 4 October 25, 2011
Staff recommended that the Planning Commission approve the Marriott Residence Inn
Sign Program subject to Option D1 (wall -mounted sign on tower) and D2 (wall -mounted
sign on faux mechanical screen) being deleted from the sign program, and, Option D3,
if deemed approvable by the Commission, relocated near the multi-purpose sport court.
Commission comments
a. Proposed Signs A, B, and C are consistent with the building architecture and the
City's Architectural Design Guidelines and are approvable.
b. Signs D1 (tower), D2 (roof -mounted), and D3 (flagpole sign) are inconsistent with
the Architectural Design Guidelines and cannot be supported.
c. The proposed color changes to the font are acceptable and will be more readable.
Adoption of Motion
Commissioner Ginny Kerr made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Roy Nunn, to
approve the Sign Program consisting of Signs A, B, and C and the revised color
scheme with "Marriott" in "red." Staff stated that they would prepare a resolution with
appropriate findings as recommended by the City Attorney for future Planning
Commission action (PC Resolution 11-10-25-01). The motion passed by a 6-0 vote.
AYES: Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Commissioners Gene Ratcliffe, Ginny
Kerr, Roy Nunn, Jeff Parkhurst and Rob Williams
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
I. STAFF & COMMISSION COMMENTS:
Staff briefed the Planning Commission on the scheduling of projects for upcoming
Commission meetings and also briefed the Commission on recent City Council actions on
planning projects.
J. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Commission, Chairman Cohen adjourned at
7:50 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 6:30
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
William A. Ramsey, AICP, Princip P nner
Planning Commission Secretary