PC Minutes-2007-10-2332400 PASEO ADEL.ANTO
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, OCTOBER 23, 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 7:00 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: Ginny Kerr (excused)
Tim Neely (excused)
Staff members in attendance: Grant Taylor, Assistant Planning Director; Jason
Retterer, Deputy City Attorney; Bill Ramsey, Principal Planner; Sue McCullough,
Recording Secretary.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dusty Otero, 31711 Via Madonna, spoke at approximately 8:25 p.m. regarding
the existing Shell station at Ortega Highway northbound, and asked if existing
gas tanks are left in the ground. Vice Chairman Cohen said he believes all the
former underground tanks have been pulled and environmental cleanup has
occurred. Mr. Taylor said he will bring additional information to the next Planning
Commission meeting.
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
San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future
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PC Meeting Minutes 2 October 23, 2007
items. If discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the Consent
Calendar and will be considered separately.
1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER
25, 2007.
2. TREE REMOVAL PERMIT (TRP) 07-108, BELFORD TERRACE TRAIL; A
RESOLUTION CONFIRMING PLANNING COMMISSION DIRECTION AT THE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 MEETING TO REMOVE THREE (3) BLUE GUM
EUCALYPTUS TREES WITH A DIAMETER OF 24 TO 36 INCHES. THE
SUBJECT TREES ARE LOCATED WITHIN AN EQUESTRIAN EASEMENT ON
THE UPPER SLOPE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BELFORD TERRACE
EQUESTRIAN TRAIL. THE AREA IS GENERALLY LOCATED 200 FEET
NORTH OF ORTEGA HIGHWAY ALONG THE TRAIL EASEMENT. (APN 650-
19-223) (APPLICANT: CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO).
Consent Calendar: Vice Chairman Cohen moved approval of the Consent
Calendar, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe. The motion passed by a vote of
3-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 07-05, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB; A
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL
PLANS FOR A PROPOSED 6,580 SQUARE FEET (SF) BUILDING ADDITION
TO THE EXISTING BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FACILITY LOCATED AT 1 VIA
POSITIVA, GENERALLY LOCATED ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF CAMINO
DEL AVION AND EAST SIDE OF VIA POSITIVA (APN# 121-190-56)
(APPLICANT: THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB).
Written Communications
October 23, 2007
Representative
David Pierre, HB&A Architects, 240 N. Market Place, Escondido, CA 92029
Applicants
Boys & Girls Club of Cap. Valley, James Littlejohn, Executive Director, 1 Via
Positivo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Ken Friess, 31658-B Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Ramsey presented the staff report and recommended adoption of a
resolution conditionally approving Architectural Control (AC) 07-05, Boys & Girls
Club Teen Center.
PC Meeting Minutes 3 October 23, 2007
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if the center will be available to all teens or just
members of the Boys and Girls Club.
Ken Friess, 31506 Paseo Christina, said the same circumstances that exist with
the Boys and Girls Club would apply to a teen center. The location is on leased
property from the City and the Boys and Girls Club has an open door policy.
James Littlejohn, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club, 1 Via Positiva, said the
center will be open for all teens who would like to join their program, not just for
teens who are already members of the Boys & Girls Club.
Mr. Friess said that 70 percent of teens who will be using the center are under
the age of 15, the vast majority coming from Marco Forster. The current space is
about 400 sq. ft. and currently serves 40 to 50 kids daily. The proposed 6,500 sq.
ft. facility would serve 85 to 120 kids daily. The applicant will not incur debt to
build the project and that a total of $4.2 million in donations is expected.
Mark Baker, HB&A Architects, said that the addition will fit on the space and that
the landscape plan will return to the DRC.
Michelle Laramay, HB&A Architects, said the architecture will include as many
green elements as possible, and it will be considered a green building within the
City's criteria.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked for clarification regarding the energy efficiency of
various colors. Ms. Laramay said that lighter colors reflect the heat, darker colors
absorb it, that a reflective SBF type material will be added to the paint, and the
light color will be energy efficient.
Chairman Cardoza asked if the signage falls within the parameters of the
proposed sign code. Mr. Taylor said it does. Mr. Ramsey said the building -
mounted sign on the second story has been eliminated.
Vice Chairman Cohen and Chairman Cardoza thanked Mr. Friess and Mr.
Littlejohn for the many years they have devoted to the Boys and Girls Club.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to adopt
Resolution 07-10-23-1 conditionally approving the proposed "Teen Club" addition
to the Boys & Girls Club located at 1 Via Positiva and more precisely referred to
as Assessors Parcel Number 121-190-56, subject to DRC approval of the color
and materials board and language prohibiting building mounted signs (Boys &
Girls Club Teen Club). The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
PC Meeting Minutes 4 October 23, 2007
OLD BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 07-02; AN AMENDMENT TO THE SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO MUNICIPAL CODE (TITLE 9) ZONING. THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THREE CHAPTERS OF THE LAND USE CODE AND
DEFINITIONS TO INCLUDE SECTION 9-1.101 THROUGH 9-2.401 (GENERAL
PROCEDURES - ADMINISTRATION), SECTION 9-4.101 THROUGH 9-4.405
(SUBDIVISIONS) AND APPENDIX (DEFINITIONS).
Written Communications
October 23, 2007
Mr. Taylor distributed a letter from Lennie Decaro and memo from staff.
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Taylor presented the staff report and referred to staff's response to 38 points
of concern outlined in a letter from resident Lennie Decaro regarding the Caltrans
Ortega widening project. Mr. Taylor said that staff's point of view is that there is
no relation to Caltrans and that CEQA guidelines have been followed.
Mr. Taylor recommended adoption of a resolution recommending that the City
Council approve the Negative Declaration and amendments to Title 9 of the San
Juan Municipal Code.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Chairman Cardoza asked for clarification of the arterial definition. Mr. Taylor
suggested deleting the sentence regarding the arterial definition, which refers to
figures 4-10 and 4-11, since those figures are not included.
Public Hearinq
Lennie DeCaro, 30987 Steeplechase Drive, spoke in opposition to adoption of
the Land Use Code revisions due to the definitions of arterial highways and
buffer affecting CEQA challenges regarding the Caltrans Ortega widening
project.
Vice Chairman Cohen said if the Planning Commission adopts a resolution
recommending City Council adoption of the Land Use Code revisions, Ms.
DeCaro will have the opportunity to present her arguments to the City Council.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said the additional Land Use Code definitions help to
update, streamline, and simplify City processes. Mr. Taylor added that the critical
definitions help to clarify and tighten up the Land Use Code, and that this
document has no bearing on the Caltrans issue.
PC Meeting Minutes 5 October 23, 2007
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to adopt
Resolution 07-10-23-2 recommending approval of Code Amendment (CA) 07-02
(Title 9) relating to zoning procedures, administration, subdivisions and
definitions set forth in Sections 9-1, 9-2, 9-4 and Appendix. The motion passed
by a vote of 3-0.
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Taylor said that the following items are scheduled at the November 13, 2007
Planning Commission meeting: Green building program presentation, Lower
Rosan Ranch temporary vehicle storage proposal, and a tentative schedule and
outline for a sign ordinance amendment. The sign ordinance public hearing is
scheduled for the November 6, 2007 City Council meeting. A Districto La Novia
proposal and Mammoth sign appeal are scheduled for the November 20, 2007
City Council meeting.
Mr. Taylor said the City Prosecutor firm of Daper, Rosenblit and Lituak LLC has
been hired to assist with Code Enforcement cases.
Commissioner Ratcliffe and Vice Chairman Cohen voiced concern regarding the
bright lights in the St. Margaret's parking lot as viewed from Calle Arroyo
between La Novia and the 1-5 freeway. Mr. Taylor said he would forward the
request to Code Enforcement and that Mr. Ramsey will report at a future
Planning Commission. meeting regarding St. Margaret's proposal.
Mr. Taylor said that staff is not intending to schedule a Planning Commission
meeting in 2007 after December 11, 2007, unless the Planning Commission
requests a special meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Approved:,Ir
,
' J
Steven A. Apple, AICP
Planning Director