PC Minutes-2006-06-13g32400 PASEO ADE:LANTO
AN 'JAN
CAPIS'FRANO. CA 92675
949) 493-1171
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2006
i
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
DIANE BATHGATE
WYATT HART
JOE SOTO
DAVID M SWERDLIN
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman
Cardoza at 7:05 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Robert Cardoza, Chairman
Sheldon Cohen, Vice Chairman
Tim Neely (arrived 7:24 p.m.)
Gene Ratcliffe
Commissioners Absent: Joe Drey (absent — excused)
Staff members in attendance: Molly Bogh, Planning Director; Omar Sandoval,
Deputy City Attorney; David Contreras, Associate 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 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,
Chairman Cardoza separated the Consent Calendar items for separate
consideration.
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PC Meeting • 2 June 13, 2006
1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF
MAY 9, 2006 AND MAY 23, 2006.
Vice Chairman Cohen moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, of
the Minutes of May 9, 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
Vice Chairman Cohen moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, of
the Minutes of May 23, 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 2-0 with Chairman
Cardoza abstaining due to his absence at the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONSIDERATION OF DOWNTOWN WAY -FINDING SIGNAGE
PROGRAM. PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW OF THE CITY'S PROPOSED
DIRECTIONAL WAY -FINDING SIGN PROGRAM.
Written Communications
June 13, 2006
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Dumhart gave the staff report as a request for consideration of the proposed
signage program with the primary objective to enhance and complement the
• City's visual character while providing direction to the traveling public.
Staff recommended the Planning Commission review the proposed Way -Finding
Signage Program prepared by Hunt Design and forward the program to the City
Council with a recommendation for adoption.
Wayne Hunt of Hunt Design showed a PowerPoint presentation and said that an
organized task force of City residents, various Commissions, and staff gave input
resulting in an aesthetically appealing signage program intended to be both
pedestrian and motorist friendly. Sample mock-up signage was on display for
Commissioner review. Mr. Hunt said that the Transportation Commission asked
that pedestrian signage be angled to be oriented towards pedestrians on the
sidewalk and that the Cultural Heritage Commission recommended wood
signage be created for the Los Rios Historic District.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if all of the major buildings in the downtown area
had been identified on the rendering and if an attempt was made to identify
restaurants and shops. Mr. Hunt said that the pedestrian maps identify the
direction of shopping or dining areas rather than particular dining or shopping
businesses. Mr. Sandoval said if the program is used to identify specific
businesses, a code amendment would be needed and that policies and
procedures would have to be adopted as to which businesses would be listed.
PC Meeting 0 3 0 June 13, 2008
Ms. Bogh said there was discussion of this idea at the ad hoc committee level,
® and that signs have been placed in strategic locations to point the way to more
shopping and dining areas rather than to individual businesses.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if there would be overlap with Caltrans signage.
Mr. Dumhart said that some Caltrans signs on City property will be replaced with
new directional signs, but directional signs will not be placed in the Caltrans right-
of-way.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked about the sign along Del Obispo directing vehicles
to the Sports Park. Mr. Dumhart said we want to encourage people to go along
Dei Obispo to get to tournaments at the Sports Park. Commissioner Ratcliffe
asked if a sign is proposed at Del Avion and Del Obispo. Mr. Dumhart said that
the suggestion would be noted.
Chairman Cardoza asked if the Chamber of Commerce would be issuing
additional brochures showing individual shops and dining in the Los Rios District.
Mr. Hunt said that he would be happy to issue guidelines for individual merchants
to produce brochures that match the signage colors, but there are no brochure
programs planned at this time.
Public Comments
Carolyn Gonzalez, 31791 Los Rios Street, Zoomar's Petting Zoo, asked that the
historic Olivares House and other places of interest in the Los Rios District be
included in the signage.
Tom Bodanski, 26701 Verdugo, asked that the word "Historic" be used on the
signs to refer to the Historic Los Rios District and to Sarducci's Historic Train
Depot.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked if there would be a directional sign at Arguello Way.
Mr. Dumhart said that an existing street sign mounted to the historic EI Camino
Real bell identifies it as Arguello Way. Vice Chairman Cohen suggested a sign at
Arguello Way to indicate the Los Rios/Depot area.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said she prefers the brown to the black signage
background on vehicular signs, and distinctive sign material in the Los Rios
District.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked that cardboard mock-up signs be placed for viewing
prior to installation to evaluate if the number of proposed signs is appropriate.
Chairman Cardoza said the signs looked large. Mr. Hunt said in an identity -driven
program, the size should be uniform. Mr. Dumhart said a sign at Ortega Highway
and Camino Capistrano targeted for removal is about the same size as the
proposed signage.
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PC Meeting 4 • June 13, 2006
Chairman Cardoza said there were differences in color preferences at the DRC
regarding the vehicle signs, and that he prefers the brown signage instead of
black.
Vice Chairman Cohen asked whether the signs have glass covers. Mr. Hunt said
the industry is moving toward a Formica product to provide a hard -to -mar sign
surface. This material is inexpensive to replace and easy to clean.
Ms. Bogh referred to the destination map and said that staff has reviewed the
destination wording on vehicle signs at each intersection, which will vary based
on the turns needed to reach each destination.
Commissioner Neely said he prefers the black vehicle sign background, asked
for simplified wording on vehicle signage, and the removal of excess wording
such as "historic" downtown.
Stan Waleslowski, Executive Director, San Juan Capistrano Chamber of
Commerce and Visitors Center, said he agreed with removing excess wording
such as "historic" on Town Center Park signage. He stated the Chamber
supports the sign program.
Vice Chairman Cohen said that he prefers the black vehicle signage background
and simplified wording on vehicular signage and that the Chamber supports the
program.
Motion
Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Neely, to forward the
Downtown Way -Finding Signage Program prepared by Hunt Design to the City
Council with a recommendation for adoption, with incorporation of the following
recommended changes: 1) Simplify wording on vehicle signage to remove
excess wording such as "historic" downtown; 2) use pedestrian signs to
emphasize the historic nature of the Los Rios District and the train station; 3)
place cardboard mock-up signs for viewing prior to installation to evaluate
whether there are too many signs proposed in the program; 4) add two signs: a
pedestrian sign at Arguello Way to indicate the Los Rios/Depot area, and a
vehicular sign at the Del Avion/Del Obispo intersection to indicate the Sports
Park. The Commission discussed whether the background color on the vehicular
signs should be dark brown or black, voted 2 for black and 2 for brown, and
referred this issue to the City Council for final decision.
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PC Meeting 5 June 13, 2006
AYES: Commissioners Neely and Ratcliffe, Vice Chairman Cohen,
Chairman Cardoza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Drey
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Cardoza suggested, and the Commission concurred, to take Item H-3
out of order.
3. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 03-08 & CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT (CUP) 04-03. SHEA THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER. A REQUEST
FOR APPROVAL OF A REVISED PHOTOMETRIC PLAN FOR AN
EQUESTRIAN CENTER THAT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION LOCATED AT
26284 OSO ROAD, GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF OSO
ROAD AND APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET WEST OF AVENIDA DE LA VISTA.
(APN 121-07-19,32 & 34) (APPLICANT: FRIESS COMPANY BUILDERS INC.)
Written Communications
June 13, 2006
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Contreras presented the staff report and said that staff has determined that
the amount of lighting proposed is quite excessive and is more than what is
called out by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), which recommends a
footcandle average of approximately 0.6 for parking areas that contain a medium
level of activity.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the applicant's request
subject to removal of the light poles along Oso Road and along the Equestrian
Trail, no more than 4 light poles be located in the south parking lot and no more
than 8 light poles be located in the east parking lot, maintaining an overall
lighting level of 0.6 footcandles, and that lights be turned off after 9 p.m.
Public Hearing
Ken Friess, 31506 Paseo Christina, representing the applicant, agreed to reduce
lighting levels after 9 p.m. provided that adequate security lighting is maintained,
agreed to eliminate four light poles, and to consider alternate luminaire type and
PC Meeting 6 June 13, 2006
wattage to reduce glare. He stated the site is under construction and a decision
on the number and location of light poles is needed to allow installation of
electrical conduit.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Commissioner Neely asked if the fixtures are down lights and if they would be
shielded. Mr. Friess said they are down lights and the lights on the south side
would be shielded.
Commissioner Neely asked if the wiring decision would need to be made quickly,
and if the 250 -watt metal halide lights could be downsized. Mr. Friess answered
yes to both questions.
Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if consideration was given to lower lighting in the
north area where staff parks. Mr. Friess said lighting is needed along Oso Road
for staff security.
Vice Chairman Cohen suggested that the illumination be turned down in the
future if the lights were too bright. Mr. Friess said the lamp and transformer in the
unit could be changed out.
Ms. Bogh recommended a change to Condition 6 to reflect the discussion
regarding lighting levels, and a change to Condition 1 regarding deletion of four
of the light poles.
Commissioner Neely suggested wording regarding substituting high pressure
sodium bulbs for metal halide, wall packs, and nighttime security lighting after the
9 P.M.
Ms. Bogh said the Municipal Code contains minimum but not maximum lighting
levels, and the City may wish to address this. In the meantime, conditions of
approval can be used to specify maximum lighting and protect night skies.
Motion
Commissioner Neely moved, seconded by Vice Chairman Cohen, adoption of
Resolution 06-06-13-2 conditionally approving a modification to the photometric
plan to increase the number of light poles and increase nighttime lighting levels
on the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center property located at 26284 Oso Road,
with modifications to Exhibit A, Conditions, as follows: Revise Condition 1, third
sentence to read "These plans are approved as revised to delete four poles from
the plans as submitted,..." Revise Condition 4 to specify that lighting levels shall
be reduced after 9 p.m. except for nighttime security lighting. Revise Condition 6
to add the following at the end of the condition: "Prior to Issuance of a Certificate
of Occupancy a field observation of lighting levels will be conducted and if
lighting levels are determined to be excessive the applicant shall reduce
illumination to an acceptable level as determined by the Planning Commission."
PC Meeting 0 7 0 June 13, 2006
Add a new condition No. 8 to read: "The applicant shall consider use of high
pressure sodium bulbs instead of metal halide, and shall reduce wattage of each
bulb to the extent possible while providing for public safety and security. The
final plan for luminaries, bulbs and lighting levels, including pole lights and wall
packs, shall be approved by Planning Commission."
AYES: Commissioners Neely and Ratcliffe, Vice Chairman Cohen,
Chairman Cardoza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Drey
ABSTAIN: None
The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Vice Chairman Cohen recused himself from Items H-1 and H-2.
1, ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 01-03 MOD#2. CAPISTRANO
CHRYSLER JEEP DEALERSHIP. A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SIGN
PROGRAM FOR THE CAPISTRANO CHRYSLER JEEP, AN EXISTING AUTO
DEALERSHIP. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 33301 CAMINO
CAPISTRANO, GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1,500 FEET NORTH OF
STONEHILL DRIVE. (APN 121-240-50.) (APPLICANT: JIM SYMONS)
Written Communications
June 13, 2006
Staff presentation $ recommendation
Mr. Contreras said that staff recommends that this item be continued to July 11,
2006 to allow applicant time to submit additional information.
Motion
Commissioner Neely moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to continue
the item to the July 11, 2006 Planning Commission meeting to allow applicant
time to submit additional information.
AYES: Commissioners Neely and Ratcliffe, Chairman Cardoza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Drey
ABSTAIN: None
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PC Meeting 0 8 • June 13, 2006
RECUSED: Vice Chairman Cohen
0 The motion passed by a vote of 3-0, with Vice Chairman Cohen recused.
2. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 05-07 MOD #1 CAPISTRANO
NISSAN DEALERSHIP. A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SIGN PROGRAM
FOR THE CAPISTRANO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED
AT 33375 CAMINO CAPISTRANO, GENERALLY LOCATED 1,000 FEET
SOUTH OF AVENIDA AEROPUERTO AND 1,600 FEET NORTH OF
STONEHILL DRIVE. (APN 121-240-50)(APPLICANT: JOSH PIATT)
Written Communications
June 13, 2006
Staff presentation & recommendation
Mr. Contreras presented the staff report, stating that the applicant had responded
to DRC direction and that staff recommended allowing internal illumination of the
monument sign because other dealership monument signs are internally
illuminated.
Mr. Contreras said the program is consistent with the General Plan, the City's
architectural guidelines, and the Municipal Code except for internal illumination of
. the monument sign. Nissan is proposing to illuminate only the logo portion of the
monument sign.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review and approve the
proposed sign program for Capistrano Nissan.
Commissioner Questions and Comments
Chairman Cardoza asked for comments made by the DRC. Mr. Contreras said
that the DRC requested a sample of the actual fixture and the Plexiglas located
on the Capistrano sign, and recommended that the height of the text be in scale
with the building.
Joe Rosa, 29215 Calle de Caballos, Sun City, of Certified Sign, said the red "N"
is a 24 inch Nissan letter, the white sample is a representation of the color of
"Capistrano," and provided a sample of the grey monument sign material.
Commissioner Neely said the DRC discussed the lack of contrast between the
white lettering and the off-white fascia in the service and parts area, and
suggested painting the fascia a color other than white. Tana Kurding,
representing the dealership, said the option of the fascia color could be explored.
Mr. Dumhart said the intention is to give the dealership the new Capistrano
Nissan logo, and that the dealership may replace the showroom in the future.
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PC Meeting • 9 0 June 13, 2006
Motion
Commissioner Ratcliffe moved, seconded by Commissioner Neely, to adopt
Resolution 06-06-13-1 approving a Sign Program and a Development Standards
Adjustment to allow internal illumination of a monument on the Capistrano Nissan
Auto Dealership property located at 33375 Camino Capistrano.
AYES: Commissioners Neely and Ratcliffe, Chairman Cardoza
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Drey
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSED: Vice Chairman Cohen
The motion passed by a vote of 3-0, with Vice Chairman Cohen recused.
COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
Chairman Cardoza asked about a letter received regarding athletic field lighting
at J. Serra High School. Ms. Bogh said that staff would check to see if the lighting
level conforms to the approved pian. Commissioner Neely recalled that the DRC
and Planning Commission voted against night lighting, which City Council
approved.
Commissioner Ratcliffe said she went to the scoping meeting regarding the
Ortega interchange, and that her Spanish-speaking coworkers appreciated
seeing the Spanish response form.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers.
Approved:
Molly fth, Phthning Director
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