PC Minutes-2009-03-1032400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493-1171
(949) 493-1053 FAx
www.sanjuancapistrano.org
A. CALL TO ORDER
March 10, 2009
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
LAURA FREESE
THOMAS W. HRIBAR
MARK NIELSEN
DR. LONDRES USO
Chair Cohen called the meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of San Juan
Capistrano to order at 7:05 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. ROLL CALL
rvMINININh I.VIVIIVIIJJIVIVtKJ VKtZ)tN I: unalr 5neiaon uonen, commissioners
Ginny Kerr, James Mocalis, Tim Neely, Gene Ratcliffe, Bruce Tatarian, and Robert
Williams.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: none
STAFF PRESENT: Council Member Tom Hribar (Sign Committee Chair), Deputy City
Attorney Jason Retterer, and AICP, Principal Planner, Bill Ramsey
D. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: none.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Minutes of February 10, 2009 Meeting: The Commission approved the February
10, 2009 meeting minutes by a 5-0 vote.
2. Minutes of February 24, 2009 Meeting: The Commission approved the minutes
by a 5-0 vote and advised of a spelling correction on page 5.
3. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 06-08 Capistrano Business Center; Review of
relocation sign. (Application: Capistrano Business Center)(Proiect Manager: Justin Kirk,
Associate Planner): The applicant has relocated the sign to an area adjacent to the
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
A
0, Printed on 100% recycled paper
faux chimney, under an existing eave, which is consistent with other signs in the
business park. The Commission approved the location for the relocated sign.
F. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued Consideration of Rezone (RZ) 07-02, Architectural Control (AC) 07-
17, Gradinq Plan Modification (GPM) 07-01, Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) 07-191,
Koll San Juan, a request for review of preliminary design plans for a proposed
68,000 gross square foot (GSF), nine (9) building, commercial office complex on
an existing 7.8 net acre parcel located along the east side of Rancho Viejo Road
and north of Spotted Bull Lane (APN: 650-011-34 & 39) (Representative: Gloria Broming,
LPA Inc.) (Applicant/Developer: Scott Meserve, Koll Company) (Case Planner: William Ramsey,
AICP, Principal Planner): Bill Ramsey, AICP, Principal Planner made the staff
presentation and advised the Commission that staff was preceding with revising
the traffic impact analysis (TIA) and Draft EIR traffic and circulation chapter which
would be subject to re -circulation. Based on the current status of the project,
staff originally estimated that the project would be ready for review by the
Commission at its June 9 meeting. However, based on recent guidance from the
City of Laguna Niguel on the revisions to the TIA, staff estimated the project
would be ready for Commission reconsideration at the May 26 meeting. Ramsey
recommended that the Commission continue the public hearing on the project to
May 26.
continue the entitlements to the March 24 meeting, review and make a
recommendation at that time, and subsequently review and recommend the Draft
EIR for certification at a future meeting after close of the public review period. In
response to questions by the Commission, he stated that it would save about two
weeks of processing time.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
A general discussion ensued by the Commissioners regarding the various date
options with respect to a continuance. In order to be assured that the
Commission could conclude its review by the May 26 meeting, Cohen suggested
a continuance to May 12. Neely responded that he would be out of town on that
date, but the Commission could proceed with review.
A motion was made to continue the hearing to the April 28 meeting. The motion
passed by a 5-0 vote.
2. Architectural Control (AC) 08-048, Torma Pacific Recycling Center (Von's);
continued consideration of plans for a small recycling collection facility on an
approximately 5.5 acre parcel located at 32401 Camino Capistrano, generally
located on the west side of Camino Capistrano at Avenida Padre (APN 668-091-10)
(Applicant: Tomra Pacific, Inc.) (Project Manager: Nick Taylor, Planning Technician): Nick
Taylor, Planning Technician made the staff presentation and recommended
PC Minutes 2 March 10, 2009
Planning Commission conditional approval of the project. He noted that the
proposed facility was the result of State regulations which require recycling
facilities for containers/packaging with redemption value.
Mr. Perez, representing TORMA, responded to the Commissions questions
regarding State law requirements on the proposed recycling facility and the
operation. He noted that TORMA leases three parking spaces and also pays a
percentage of the value of the collected recyclables to Vons.
In response to questions by the Commission, Omar Sandoval, City Attorney
summarized . the provisions of State law with respect to the locational
requirements. He noted that because Ralphs was within one-half mile of Vons,
Ralphs was not required to provide the redemption recycling facility.
Commissioner Williams said he was encouraged that the design of the facility
was being upgraded to provide a better overall appearance and he had no
concerns.
Commissioner Kerr said she supported the facility as an effort to make the
community more "green" and would support as long as the logo signage was
removed.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said she was supportive of the concept and while some
Commissioner Mocalis stated he had no concerns with the project as proposed
given the State was requiring the facility.
Commissioner Neely stated that he concurred with Mocalis.
Commissioner Tatarian said that the final design would look more like "San Juan"
and given the relatively isolated location, would work..
Chairman Cohen expressed concern that the facility would be within the
railroad's (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) "scenic corridor" traveled
by thousands of train riders each day, and the facility would add to the visual
blight along the corridor. For this reason, he stated he couldn't support the
project.
Motion
A motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution No. 09-03-10-01
conditionally approving plans for a small recycling collection facility and
approving a minor parking exception located at 32401 Camino Capistrano. The
motion passed by a vote of 4-1 (Cohen dissenting).
PC Minutes 6 March 10, 2009
3. Architectural Control (AC) 08-027 Tomra San Juan Capistrano, a request of
approval of plans for a small collection recycling facility located on a 2.714 acre
parcel located at 31874 Del Obispo, generally located approximately 800 feet
east of the intersection of Del Obispo and Camino Capistrano and approximately
900 feet south of the intersection of Del Obispo and Ortega Highway. (APN 668-
241-19) (Applicant: Tomra Pacific Inc, Joe Perez agent) (Case Planner: Justin Kirk, Associate
Planner): Staff advised the Commission that the applicant had withdrawn the
application and no action was necessary on the part of the Commission.
G. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS: none
H. OLD BUSINESS: none
I. NEW BUSINESS
Worksession on the Northwest Open Space Conceptual Land Use Plan Alternative
#1A, Phase 1 Park Improvements. (Proiect Manager: Bill Ramsey, Principal Planner)(Co-
project manager: David Contreras, senior Planner): Ramsey made the staff presentation
and provided the Commission with an overview of the process leading to the
development of the Northwest Open Space Phase 1 Conceptual Plan. He stated
that the City Council had endorsed the conceptual plan at its February 3 meeting,
wanted to have the benefit of the Commission's review and input.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Mocalis asked whether the existing Swanner water tank could be
used for irrigation of the community gardens to which staff responded that the
capacity was limited and the condition may not allow such use. However, staff was
intent on using groundwater pumped from existing wells on-site. He stated the
gardens would be a great community resource.
Commissioner Williams encouraged staff to use a "green" approach to the overall
design and minimize grading of the site. Ramsey responded that staff has planned
a composting facility for the garden and is studying the potential use of self -
composting toilets similar to those used at the Bronx Zoo.
Commissioner Kerr asked about scheduling and Ramsey responded that preliminary
design should be completed by summer of 2009, construction documents completed
by spring/summer of 2010, and construction completed by summer/fall 2010. Kerr
asked whether Camino Capistrano would need to be widened and Ramsey
responded that staff anticipated the project would require widening for a northbound
left -turn lane into the park entrance. Kerr asked if the railroad right-of-way would be
fenced and Ramsey responded that staff was investigating this aspect. In other
areas of the City, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SORRA) has installed
PC Minutes 4 March 10, 2009
fencing to protect the public. The landscape plan will include a dense buffer to
provide a green barrier. Kerr noted that the provision of an equestrian staging area
would bea positive and needed improvement to the park.
Commissioner Ratcliffe stated that the design concept was promising and the
passive nature was appropriate for the area. She indicated that the community
gardens will need to have adequate access. Ramsey replied that staff was
designing a 20'-0 wide decomposed granite loop drive for service/emergency
access to the gardens and would provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
parking near the entrance and ADA -designated garden plots.
Commissioner Neely made a presentation on the City's overall open space
preservation and habitat restoration efforts within the greater Northwest Open
Space. He noted that the entire Northwest Open Space area created an important
habitat linkage between the Trabuco Creek corridor to the northeast and the Salt
Creek open space to the southwest. With respect to the design of Phase 1, he
encouraged the minimum amount of parking with adequate area for future
expansion. Ramsey responded that staff was considering converting a portion of the
proposed parking to bus turn -out areas which would reduce the parking area. Neely
also noted that grant funding was available to install fish ladders along Trabuco
Creek, and that the former "Carey Miller" equestrian area could serve as a potential
future equestrian site with access from Alipaz Street.
Commissioner Tatarian--stated that --the- process --is remarkable and asked-- about — -- –
funding the project design. Ramsey advised that the conceptual and preliminary
design were being handled in-house, and the construction documents would be
contracted. The City has about $250,000 allocated for the open space planning
process which should be adequate.
Chairman Cohen stated that he was very satisfied with the overall open space
planning process and City staff support. Cohen inquired if a formal motion would be
necessary and Ramsey responded that the verbal comments by the Commission
would suffice.
J. COMMISSION / SUBCOMMITEE / STAFF COMMENTS
David Contreras, Senior Planner provided the Commission with an update on the
status of Capital Improvement Project 488, a landscape improvement plan for the City
owned parcel at the northwest corner of San Juan Creek Road and La Novia.
He also provided copies of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) conflict of
interest map to assist Commissioners in deciding whether they may have a conflict
based on the relative proximity of their private homes to proposed development projects.
PC Minutes
March 10, 2009
K. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Cohen adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission
Meeting on January 13, 2009.
Approved:
PC Minutes 6 March 10, 2009