PC Minutes-2007-06-2632400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493.1171
(949) 493-1053 FAx
www. sanjuancapistrano. org
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2007
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
THOMAS W. HRIBAR
MARK NIELSEN
JOE SOTO
DR. LONDRES USO
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Cardoza at 7:07 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Robert Cardoza, Chairman
Sheldon Cohen, Vice Chairman
Gene Ratcliffe
Commissioners Absent: Tim Neely (excused)
Staff members in attendance: Steve Apple, Planning Director; Jason Retterer,
Deputy City Attorney; David Contreras, Associate Planner; Larry Lawrence,
Project Manager; Justin Kirk, Assistant Planner; Sue McCullough, Recording
Secretary.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 01-04, CAPISTRANO ANIMAL
RESCUE EFFORT (CARE), A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A ONE YEAR
TIME EXTENSION OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ARCHITECTURAL
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
Printed on 100% recycled paper
PC Meeting Minutes 2 June 26, 2007
CONTROL, FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER
LOCATED AT 30311 CAMINO CAPISTRANO, GENERALLY LOCATED 1,500
FEET NORTH OF JUNIPERO SERRA ROAD AND 60 FEET WEST OF
CAMINO CAPISTRANO. (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 121-050-01)
(APPLICANT: CAPISTRANO ANIMAL RESCUE EFFORT).
Written Communications
June 26, 2007
Applicant
Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), P.O. Box 1089, San Juan Capistrano,
CA 92693
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Kirk presented the staff report and said that staff recommends that the
Planning Commission approve the extension of Architectural Control (AC) 04-01,
and that any future modification to the use or change of design to the previously
approved project be referred to the Planning Commission for review and final
approval.
Public Hearing
CARE Representative Phil Schwartze, 31872 San Juan Creek Road, presented
to the dais a copy of a letter he mailed to Mike Canter in May 2007, and said that
CARE has completed 15 of the 47 conditions of approval. The landscape plans
are being completed and the proposed modular is very close to the original
approved stick built, which will be forwarded to the Planning Director to evaluate
whether or not the project will need to be considered by the DRC or Planning
Commission.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if enough funds had been raised to break ground.
Mr. Schwartze said the budgeting will allow building of the modular, the fountain
in front, landscaping, and the parking lot.
Chairman Cardoza asked if the footprint and elevations are similar to the prior
proposal. Mr. Schwartze said the footprint is similar and the building will look as if
it is at grade.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to adopt
Resolution 07-06-26-1 approving an extension of time to Architectural Control 01-
04 for an animal adoption center on a 33,000 square foot portion of the City's
northwest open space property located at 30303 Camino Capistrano and more
precisely referred to as Assessors Parcel Number 121-050-21 (Capistrano
Animal Rescue Effort). The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
PC Meeting Minutes 3 June 26, 2007
2. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 06-13, CAPISTRANO
VILLAGE (SOLANA RINCON); AN ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL
APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SINGLE -STORY, 3,300 SQ.
FT. RETAIL AND OFFICE BUILDING ON AN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 SQ. FT.
PARCEL AT THE CORNER OF CAMINO CAPISTRANO AND AVENIDA
PADRE, PLUS RENOVATION OF PLANTING HARDSCAPE AND PARKING
AREAS FOR ADJACENT BUILDINGS IN THE SAME OWNERSHIP (APN 668-
453-12) (APPLICANT: DANIEL FRIESS).
Written Communications
June 26, 2007
Applicant
Daniel L. Friess, 31505 Paseo Christina, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Architect
SC Consulting Group Inc., 6 Morgan, Suite 114, Irvine, CA 92618
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Lawrence presented the staff report and said that staff recommends that the
Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the Architectural Control
application for the project, subject to the conditions of approval listed.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen expressed concern that the adjacent structures were not
shown in the packet.
Chairman Cardoza said the DRC considered the project in relation to adjacent
structures.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if the new pavers would be integrated into the
existing pavers in the development.
Public Hearinq
Applicant Daniel Friess, 31505 Paseo Christina, said he has worked with
architects on a redevelopment plan and that the proposed 12 foot corridor
between the two buildings will include new pavers and sandblasting and painting
of existing pavers. Mr. Friess asked for the removal of the Engineering
requirement to add a 10 foot sidewalk.
Chairman Cardoza asked that a condition of approval include the building color
and the installation of new pavers in the entire corridor.
Jessica Summers, 32301 Avenida Los Amigos, asked if the tenants would be
offices, if the balcony on the south side of the adjacent structure would be
removed, and if the tree obstructing the view of the stop sign would be removed.
PC Meeting Minutes 4 June 26, 2007
Mr. Friess said tenants would be retail, office, or bank with normal business
hours, that there would be a significant separation between the existing balcony
and the proposed building, and that the City would handle the stop sign.
Commissioner Comments
Chairman Cardoza said that he supports the proposed project.
Vice Chairman Cohen said that he needs more information regarding how the
proposed building blends into the existing building to the north. Chairman
Cardoza asked if the applicant would be willing to provide renderings showing
the transition to the adjacent structure. Mr. Friess agreed.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to continue
the item to the July 24 Planning Commission meeting with the applicant to
produce renderings and other exhibits showing the transition of the project with
the existing building to the north. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
Chairman Cardoza called for a recess at 8:02 p.m. and reconvened the meeting
at 8:10 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. CONTINUED OF ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 87-02 MOD#1, A
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SIGN PROGRAM, COLOR PALETTE
CHANGE AND CANOPY MODIFICATION OF THE PROJECT FOR THE
CHEVRON GAS STATION LOCATED AT 27112 ORTEGA HIGHWAY,
GENERALLY LOCATED 180 FEET EAST OF INTERSTATE 5 AND 800 FEET
WEST OF RANCHO VIEJO ROAD (APPLICANT: RHL DESIGN GROUP, INC.).
Written Communications
June 26, 2007
Applicant
RHL Design Group Inc., Attn: Brian Merfeld, 1136 North McDonell Blvd.,
Petaluma, CA 94954
Property Owner
Chevron Products Company, 145 South State College Blvd., Brea, CA 92821
Staff presentation & recommendation
PC Meeting Minutes 5 June 26, 2007
Mr. Contreras presented the staff report, referred to the photos of the spanners in
the packet, and placed the original color board on the dais for Commission
review.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review the proposed sign
program, canopy modification and approval to change the color palette for the
restroom building, canopy, and convenience store for the Chevron Gas Station
east of Interstate 5, and adopt a resolution conditionally approving 87-02
Modification #1 with staff recommended changes and finding the project exempt
from CEQA.
Project Representative Comments
Tamara Fenner, RHL Design Group Inc., 2401 E. Katella Ave., #400, Anaheim,
said that replacing the large spanners with smaller spanners would open up the
project, that the applicant prefers using the easier -to -maintain blue on the canopy
to help people identify the station from a distance, and that the applicant prefers
a two-tone color scheme rather than one over-all dark color and prefers keeping
the lighting canopies.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Commissioner Ratcliffe said that painting over tiles would look like a retrofit, and
that the applicant's ends regarding the blue halo effect are counter to the City's
ends.
Vice Chairman Cohen agreed with Commissioner Ratcliffe regarding the color
scheme and visibility of the station, and questioned the necessity of the Chevron
signs on the east and west elevations, and the logo and Chevron mark on the
canopy.
Chairman Cardoza spoke in support of staff recommendations and agreed with
reducing the proposed lighting, removing spanners completely, and asked if
Chevron would object to any changes in their corporate appearance. Mr.
Contreras said the Planning Commission has discretion over the colors being
used as long as the colors of the Chevron logo, which is a trademark, are not
modified.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if the applicant has a right to have canopy lighting
of the logo on the east and west and the Chevron mark on the north and south
elevations. Mr. Retterer said the signage and signage lighting is at the discretion
of the Planning Commission. Vice Chairman Cohen recommended that the only
canopy signage be the Chevron mark on the north elevation and that the
following signage be eliminated: the Chevron logo on the east and west
elevations and the Chevron mark on the south elevation.
Chairman Cardoza encouraged upgrades that stay within the harmony of San
Juan.
PC Meeting Minutes 6 June 26, 2007
Mr. Apple said staff can attempt to coordinate expeditious meetings with the
applicant and the DRC.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to approve
the proposed sign copy on the pole, the proposed monument sign cabinet, and
the Chevron mark on the north elevation. Deny Chevron mark on the south
elevation as well as the Chevron logo on the east and west elevations, and
remove the spanners.
AYES: Commissioner Ratcliffe and Vice Chairman Cohen
NOES: Chairman Cardoza
ABSENT: Commissioner Neely
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed by a vote of 2-1, with Chairman Cardoza opposed since he
felt that the reduced size of the logo is a compromise in itself.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to direct
staff to review the final color palette, with no blue on the canopy, no silver -
metallic on the project, no painting of the tile, with a Condition of Approval that
prior to the issuance of the building permit for the Chevron mark on the north
elevation, a final color palette for the entire project shall be approved by the
Design Review Committee.
AYES: Commissioner Ratcliffe, Vice Chairman Cohen, Chairman Cardoza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Neely
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
1. DISCUSSION AND SELECTION OF EXTRA MEETING(S) IN JULY
AND/OR AUGUST, 2007
PC Meeting Minutes 7 June 26, 2007
Mr. Apple suggested that the Planning Commission consider one or two Special
Planning Commission meeting(s) focused solely on land use codes.
Chairman Cardoza said he would only be available for a Special Planning
Commission meeting on Monday, July 16.
Vice Chairman Cohen said he will be on vacation the week of July 23, and will
not be attending the July 24 Planning Commission scheduled for continuation of
Item F.2. Capistrano Village (Solana Rincon). Mr. Retterer suggested that staff
find out if the applicant would agree to continue the item to another day and
encourage the applicant to submit the requested material as quickly as possible.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said that members of the public have voiced appreciation
of the way finding signage.
Chairman Cardoza said that he will not be available for the July 19 and August
16 DRC meetings or the August 21 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers.
Approved: