PC Minutes-2008-01-2232400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493-1171
(949) 493-1053 FAX
www.sanjuancapistrano.org
3
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
D THOMAS W. HRIBAR
MARK NIELSEN
JOE SOTO
• DR. LONDRES USO
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Cardoza at 7:04 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Robert Cardoza, Chairman
Sheldon Cohen, Vice Chairman
Ginny Kerr
Tim Neely
Gene Ratcliffe
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff members in attendance: Steven A. Apple, Planning Director; Grant Taylor,
Assistant Planning Director; Omar Sandoval., Deputy City Attorney; William
Ramsey, Principal Planner; Justin Kirk, Assistant Planner; Douglas Dumhart,
Economic Development Manager; Sue McCullough, Recording Secretary.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be
enacted by one motion and one vote. There may be no separate discussion of
these items. If discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the
Consent Calendar and will be considered separately.
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
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Printed on 100% recycled paper
PC Meeting 2 January 22, 2008
1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER
11, 2007.
Vice Chairman Cohen moved approval of Planning Commission Minutes of
December 11, 2007 as submitted, seconded by Commissioner Kerr. The motion
passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Ratcliffe abstaining due to her
absence at the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1. PRESENTATION: SCAG (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS) REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN: POWER POINT
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION BY SCAG REGARDING THE 2008
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP). THE RTP PROVIDES A VISION
FOR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OVER
THE NEXT TWO DECADES TO ENHANCE THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE,
GOODS AND INFORMATION. (APPLICANT: SCAG — SARAH CATZ). THE
PLANNING COMMISSION RECEIVED AND FILED THE PRESENTATION
FROM SCAG.
Written Communications
January 16, 2008
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Taylor introduced SCAG representative Sarah Catz who gave a PowerPoint
presentation of a 30 -year RTP, and recommended that the Planning Commission
accept a presentation from SCAG, provide comments and/or inquiries, and
receive and file.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen asked why San Diego is not part of SCAG. Ms. Catz said
that San Diego is an entity of itself.
Chairman Cardoza asked if the RTP is being developed in conjunction with San
Juan Planning and Engineering Departments. Ms. Catz said the City of San Juan
should be working with OCTA.
Ms. Catz said the website is www.scag.ca.gov and the RTP hotline is 213-236-
1960.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked SCAG's position on double tracking along the
corridor from Orange County to San Diego. Ms. Catz said that SCAG is relying
on the OCTA Transportation Commissions, Metrolink, and the Los Angeles/San
Diego Corridor Agency Board to come up with that policy.
PC Meeting 3 January 22, 2008
Chairman Cardoza asked if the City Council is involved. Mr. Apple said SCAG
will present the RTP to the City Council on February 5, 2008.
Commissioner Neely said that the process SCAG has gone through with the
compass maps is off base throughout Orange County, and the compass system
was provided to SCAG unilaterally by consultants without any input from local
jurisdictions. Mr. Apple said that we want to stay involved in regional planning
and appreciates SCAG providing this information.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if economic development employment centers will
be taken into consideration. Ms. Catz said the Western Riverside Council of
Governments is working hard to build more employment centers at the La Sierra
station, Corona station, and in Riverside and San Bernardino.
Public Hearings
Lennie DeCaro, Steeplechase Drive, said the majority of San Juan is not in favor
of high density housing and that the many issues brought up by the EIR showed
that Ortega should not be widened.
Motion
The Planning Commission received and filed the item.
OLD BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 07-07, COAST BIBLE, ROYAL
STREET COMMUNICATIONS; AN APPLICATION TO INSTALL, OPERATE,
AND MAINTAIN AN UNMANNED WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FACILITY. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 26300 VIA ESCOLAR,
GENERALLY LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 530 FEET NORTH OF WILD
WOOD LANE, 160 FEET SOUTH OF VIA ESCOLAR, AND 315 FEET WEST OF
RANCHO VIEJO. (APN 650-011-25) (APPLICANT: TOM FLYNN, ROYAL
STREET COMMUNICATIONS)
Written Communications
January 22, 2008
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Kirk presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission adopt a resolution conditionally approving a CUP to allow six (6)
panel wireless antennas to be installed inside a proposed faux tree and a 220
square foot 7'-0" tall, slump stone wall equipment enclosure to house four Base
Transceiver Station (BTS) equipment cabinets, and finding the project exempt
from CEQA.
PC Meeting 4 January 22, 2008
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if consideration
Eucalyptus trees. Mr. Kirk said that the direction
trees with the same type of tree.
was given to pine rather than
was to replace the Eucalyptus
Tom Flynn, representing Royal Street Communication, said there are not a lot of
options in this hard -to -cover area, and said that the applicant would take direction
on the type of tree.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked what other cell sites the applicant has in the area
and asked about the future need for additional sites. Mr. Kirk said about a year
ago the Planning Commission approved a site in the Weseloh Hummer building
further down on Camino Capistrano. Mr. Flynn said the future need for cell sites
depends on the topography, buildings, and trees.
Public Hearinq
Yvonne Tschaikowsky, 27367 Paseo Placentia, spoke in opposition to the faux
trees.
Sanford Coggins, 29231 Country Hills Road, spoke in opposition to the project
due to possible health risks. Mr. Sandoval said that the FCC has pre-empted
cities from regulating on radio-frequency and radiation, and that radiation studies
can be found on the FCC website www.FCC.gov.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Commissioner Ratcliffe voiced concern regarding aesthetics and said that an
existing mono -pine is fake looking.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if antennas are included in the 35' height limitation.
Mr. Kirk said that when there is a gap in coverage, the height of the structure can
exceed 35' in height.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if taller buildings and high school football field lights
could be utilized as wireless telecommunications structures to extend coverage
with a higher structure. Mr. Flynn said the applicant would be amenable to a
continuation.
Commissioner Neely said in some cases the mono -pine might be acceptable.
Commissioner Kerr asked to see a sample of the mono -pine needles. Mr. Kirk
showed the sample. Commissioner Kerr said she would support looking into
other location possibilities.
Chairman Cardoza said the options are to 1) approve subject to additional
conditions to limit the use of faux trees, 2) deny, 3) continue the item and explore
other locations or 4) pursue additional design alternatives.
PC Meeting 5 January 22, 2008
Commissioner Neely asked that different shades of darker pine needles be
explored.
Commissioner Kerr asked the applicant to bring an exhibit that shows where an
antenna needs to be located to get the desired coverage.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to continue
the item to the March 11, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. The motion
passed by a vote of 5-0.
Chairman Cardoza called for a recess at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened the meeting
at 8:47 p.m.
2. WORK SESSION — VENTANAS BUSINESS CENTER:
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL 07-001 TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 07-002
GRADING PLAN MODIFICATION 07-008 TREE REMOVAL PERMIT
PARKING EXCEPTION FLOODPLAIN LAND USE PERMIT LOT LINE
ADJUSTMENT OR EASEMENT PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION
SHARED/JOINT USE PARKING AGREEMENT COMMUNITY FACILITIES
DISTRICT AND DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, CENTRA
REALTY CORPORATION REQUESTS APPROVAL OF THE SUBJECT
APPLICATIONS TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VENTANAS
BUSINESS CENTER INDUSTRIAL PARK PROJECT. THE PROPERTY SITE
TOTALS 20.33 GROSS ACRE AND 13.83 NET ACRES LOCATED AT THE
WEST TERMINUS OF CALLE ARROYO AND BORDERING INTERSTATE 5 TO
THE WEST AND SAN JUAN CREEK TO THE SOUTH. THE PROJECT
PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT ELEVEN MULTI -TENANT INDUSTRIAL
BUILDINGS TOTALING 236,329 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING AREA, THREE
ENTRANCE DRIVES ALONG CALLE ARROYO, 669 PARKING SPACES AND
STABILIZATION OF THE SAN JUAN CREEK BANK EDGE UTILIZING A STEEL
SHEET PILING SYSTEM. (APPLICANT: CENTRA REALTY CORPORATION —
STEPHEN SANDLAND)
Commissioner Neely recused himself from consideration of this item due to an
appearance of potential conflict because of his position as Director of Planning
and Development Services for the County of Orange.
Written Communications
January 22, 2008
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Taylor presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission review the proposed project and applicable zoning entitlement
PC Meeting 6 . January 22, 2008
applications, provide direction and inquiries, and continue the public hearing to
the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on February 26, 2008.
Stephen Sandland, Vice President of Development, Centra Realty Corporation,
said the project has been approved by the Transportation Commission, Cultural
Heritage Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission. The draft EIR
states that the project is consistent with the City's design guideline objectives.
After four DRC sessions, the DRC recommended that the project be brought to
the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen asked for clarification of the tenant sign program. Mr.
Sandland said they will develop a plan that meets the new sign ordinance. Mr.
Taylor said that Sector B allows all permitted uses within the Industrial Park
zone.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if the Calle Perfecto business park at Aeropuerto
has the same type of permitted uses. Mr. Taylor said that Calle Perfecto is a
Commercial Manufacturing (CM) zone, as opposed to an Industrial Park (IP
Zone).
Commissioner Kerr referred to the Parks, Recreation and Equestrian
Commission, and asked about the trail connections from the project to the
Freddy Love property. Mr. Dumhart said that neither the tack and feed store on
Ortega properties nor the former Love livestock stables off of LaPata makes
sense.
Commissioner Kerr asked the vacancy rate for office spaces in San Juan. Mr.
Salem said the project to the north for lease is 98 percent occupied.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if efforts are being made to be environmentally
green. Bill Harris of Hunsaker & Associates said there are several filter units on
the project as well as a vegetative swail at the south end.
Chairman Cardoza said the DRC would like the entry monumentation, lighting
fixture plan, building colors, trash enclosures, retaining walls, and planting plan to
come back to the DRC.
Chairman Cardoza said some of the Crepe Myrtles were too low for a 2 -story
structure, so something like Trystania was recommended.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said that the project looks too similar to other Centra
developments along the 1-5 freeway.
Vice Chairman Cohen said he would defer his comments until after he has had
an opportunity to read the traffic report and the EIR.
PC Meeting 7 January 22, 2008
Commissioner Kerr voiced concern regarding the impact of increased traffic
along Calle Arroyo.
Public Hearing
Yvonne Tschaikowsky, 27367 Paseo Placentia, spoke in opposition to the project
and said it is too large and dense for the area.
Kim Lefner, 31182 Harmony Hall, spoke in opposition to the project and said 85
percent is selling for office space and 15 percent for industrial space.
Lennie DeCaro, Steeplechase Drive, spoke in opposition to the project and said
she was troubled by the potential traffic problems and the easement given to St.
Margaret's.
Chairman Cardoza asked how the habitat would be impacted by the project.
Keeton Kreitzer, Draft EIR developer, said that there is no habitat on the site, but
mitigation measures have been identified to avoid significant impact to sensitive
species in the San Juan Creek bed.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Kerr, to continue the
item to the February 26, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed
3-0-1, with Commissioner Neely recused.
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Taylor said that the minutes confirmed that the backing for the Conoco 76
Station price signs shall be blue or grey, and said that a letter has been sent to
the applicant to change the color.
Mr. Taylor referred to a schematic of a sidewalk improvement along the front of
Centra Pointe and said a public hearing is scheduled on February 12. Mr. Taylor,
handed out a line-up of items scheduled at Planning Commission, DRC, and
Development Advisory Board meetings. The City Council reviewed a potential
amendment to equestrian stables, an equestrian sub -committee was appointed
by the Mayor, a couple minor adjustments to previously approved projects to be
on the Consent Calendar were handed out, to include adjustments to the
landscaping plan for Habitat for Humanity and Cellular equipment cabinet at
Marbella Plaza.
Mr. Sandoval said that he, would check if the Planning Commission
reorganization would take place the first meeting of February or April.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said that T -Mobil has a sign on sticks at the corner of
Rancho Viejo and Ortega. Mr. Taylor said that code enforcement would address
the banner.
PC Meeting 8 January 22, 2008
Vice Chairman Cohen said that the Verizon banner is back in the Marshall's
center. Mr. Taylor said that code enforcement would address the situation.
Chairman Cardoza said he would not be available for the February 7, 2008 DRC
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Approved:
Steven A. Ap e, AICP
Planning Director