PC Minutes-2007-08-1432400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493-1171
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WWW. sanlJuancapistrano. org
CALL TO ORDER
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MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
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SAM ALLEVATO
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2007
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Cardoza at 7:00 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: Grant Taylor, Assistant Planning Director; William
Ramsey, Principal Planner; Eric Bauman, Water Services Manager; Sue
McCullough, Recording Secretary.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted
by one motion and one vote. There will 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
i� Printed on recycled paper
PC Meeting Minutes 2 August 14, 2007
1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 10 2007
2. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 16 2007
Minutes of July 10, 2007 and July 16, 2007: Vice Chairman Cohen moved
approval, seconded by Commissioner Kerr. The motion passed by a vote
of 5-0.
3. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 24 2007
Minutes of July 24, 2007: Commissioner Ratcliffe
seconded by Commissioner Kerr. The motion passed
with Vice Chairman Cohen and Commissioner Neely
their absence at the July 24, 2007 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
moved approval,
by a vote of 3-0-2,
abstaining due to
CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION ON CERTIFICATION OF THE
FINAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (PEIR) FOR THE
NON-DOMESTIC/RECYCLED WATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE (CIP# 792)
Written Communications
August 14, 2007
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Ramsey presented the staff report and said that staff recommends that the
Planning Commission recommend City Council certification of the Final Program
Environmental Impact Report for the Non-Domestic/Recycled Water Master Plan
Update.
Mr. Ramsey said that Eric Bauman, Water Services Manager, and Paul Boxseth
of Heatherington Engineering are here this evening to answer questions, but
unfortunately ESA Associate Lisa Davidson is no longer with ESA.
Vice Chairman Cohen said that he would like to have a representative of ESA
present.
Chairman Cardoza asked for clarification of the time frame. Mr. Ramsey said that
the EIR needs to be certified by the City Council in early November 2007 in order
to be within one year of the decision to prepare the EIR. Chairman Cardoza
PC Meeting Minutes 3 August 14, 2007
encouraged the public to make comments at the Planning Commission meeting
at which this item may be continued.
Mr. Bauman said that the surrounding water districts do not have excess
domestic capacity to supply the needs of San Juan for the recycled water
system. The San Juan domestic system is capable of meeting our needs if the
recycled water system is enacted. Mr. Bauman said that Mr. Tom Barnes of ESA
will be available at the next Planning Commission meeting.
Chairman Cardoza opened the item for public comments.
Mary Ann Tucker, 28028 Paseo Alba, spoke in opposition to the long-term
project due to the massive roadwork, noise, air pollution, and excessive costs
involved. She suggested implementing conservation measures and consolidating
with other water districts.
Jack Chestwick, resident on Sierra Ribal, spoke in opposition to the EIR, said the
R1 reservoir is on a fragile landslide and ridgeline area, and provided
photographs and a letter to the dais. Mr. Ramsey showed the location of the R1
reservoir on the map provided to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen said the preparer of the document would be best qualified
to respond to residents' questions. Mr. Ramsey said responses to residents' and
agencies' comments during the public review process are included in the
proposed Final EIR.
Chairman Cardoza asked if reservoir sites could be relocated in order to address
geotechnical problems and concerns. Mr. Ramsey said yes, and that it will take
more detailed geotechnical analysis of the suitability of a specific reservoir site.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if it is ultimately determined that a proposed site
was not the ideal site for a reservoir, what type of environmental review would be
required before an alternative site would be approved? Mr. Ramsey said if a new
site were identified, the environmental document would have to be updated and
re -circulated for public review.
Chairman Cardoza asked for clarification of alternate locations and amount of
demand. Mr. Bauman said about two-thirds of the demand is current. The options
for recycled water reviewed were 1) use of imported domestic water, 2) expand
the supply from non-domestic wells and supplement using imported water, and 3)
a no project alternative which would eventually involve a rationing system. Mr.
Bauman said the system has to be shut down for repair and we need to plan on
an average of seven days of reservoir storage. The capabilities of our ground
water basin would be better utilized for domestic water rather than for irrigation
use.
PC Meeting Minutes 4 August 14, 2007
Mr. Ramsey asked the Commissioners to email any questions and said that he
would forward questions to Eric Bauman and Tom Barnes so they can provide
written supplemental information regarding issues in question.
Commissioner Neely said the Planning Commission is being asked to tell the City
Council whether or not this EIR gives them enough information to make an
appropriate decision on the over-all system. This site in question warrants special
attention. The geological report mentions Site 2A, but there is not equivalent data
between the analyses of Site 1A versus Site 2A. There is some justification for an
evaluation of a comparative analysis between Site 1A and 2A or others to
provide City Council with a level of confidence. Since the geological report and
supplemental report was done by the same engineering firm, it would be in the
City's best interest to get an independent peer review of the final conclusions.
Chairman Cardoza asked staff to respond to Commissioner Neely's concerns.
Chairman Cardoza asked if an alternate location would require another
geotechnical review and if so, could that be done by staff. Mr. Ramsey said it
depends on what results from discussion and Mr. Boxseth's presentation at a
future Planning Commission meeting regarding geotechnical issues and how
they arrived at their conclusions. Mr. Ramsey said that staff can bring additional
information to the Planning Commission for consideration.
Chairman Cardoza asked if the program could move forward if one location were
removed. Mr. Ramsey said it would be difficult to have City Council take any final
action; we would want to have this issue wrapped up and know that the Planning
Commission is comfortable with the recommendations and with the sites.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded
the item to the Planning Commission
motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to continue
meeting of September 11, 2007. The
Mr. Taylor said the Calle Perfecto temporary signs have been referred to Code
Enforcement. A fagade, color change, and cellular facility for the Marbella Center,
the entryway for The Marbella gated community, and review of an addition to the
Boys and Girls Club are scheduled for DRC review August 16, 2007. Staff will
pursue finding out why there is no sidewalk access into the Marbella Shopping
Center.
Mr. Taylor asked for clarification of which Starbucks has pedestrian access
concerns. Commissioner Ratcliffe said the Starbucks at Ortega Highway and
Rancho Viejo Road.
PC Meeting Minutes 5 August 14, 2007
Mr. Taylor said that staff has not heard from Chevron regarding the revised
signage plan, and that the Villa trash enclosure is being prepped.
Mr. Taylor said the postal service letter for the City Council meeting August 21,
2007, will be made available to Commissioners once the letter is approved.
Commissioner Kerr asked if the Fire Department can approve selective thinning
in the creek bed due to the dryness in the hills. Commissioner Ratcliffe said that
Ziad Mazboudi can give Commissioner Kerr the reason why nothing can be done
in the creek bed.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if the signage at the Living Waters Church at
Rancho Viejo and Ortega Highway is permitted. Mr. Taylor said he would check
into this and report back.
Mr. Taylor said that Title 9 Land Use Code update will return on September 25,
2007 for public hearing.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Approved:
Steven A. Apple, AIC
Planning Director