87-0113_CRA_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting419
JANUARY 13, 1987
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan Capistrano
Community Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Acting Chairman Friess at
7:07 p.m., in the City Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Kenneth E. Friess, Acting Chairman
Anthony L. Bland, Director
Phillip R. Schwartze, Director
ABSENT: Gary L. Hausdorfer, Chairman
Lawrence F. Buchheim, Vice Chairman
STAFF PRESENT: Stephen B. Julian, Executive Director; Thomas G. Merrell, Deputy
Director; Mary Ann Hanover, Agency Secretary; Robert G. Boone, Finance Officer;
Glenn Southard Assistant City Manager; William D. Murphy, Director of Public Works;
Thomas L. Baker, Director of Community Services; Cheryl Johnson, Recording Secretary.
BOARD ACTIONS
1. HISTORIC TOWN CENTER - COMMUNITY INPUT (400.20)
Written Communications:
(1) Report dated January 13, 1987, from the Executive Director, advising that five
meetings had been held with the public and/or the Chamber of Commerce
Trade Committee to discuss the Historic Town Center Proposals as submitted
by the development teams of Birtcher/Colachis and Oliver McMillan/Collins.
The report advised that the following issues had emerged as major concerns in
the community:
(a) Traffic and Circulation;
(b) City Image;
(c) Parking;
(d) Tourism;
(e) Intensity of Development; and,
(f) Timing.
(2) Report dated January 13, 1987, from the Executive Director, forwarding a
summary of the proposals submitted by the two development teams, including
a statement of the square footages of uses, construction costs, lease rates and
projected sales tax revenue.
(3) Historic Town Center Background and Fact Sheet.
(4) Letter dated January 13, 1987, from Edward D. Lohrback, 31866 Camino
Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, endorsing the Birtcher/Colachis Team.
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(5) Letter dated January 7, 1987, from the Executive Director, to Interested
Citizens, advising of the January 13th meeting.
Acting Chairman Friess noted that the future of the downtown had been considered
over a number of years and the current process would implement the decisions made
10 years ago. He advised that the goal was to enhance and preserve the area and
retain an active, viable downtown. He further noted that the concept proposal
selected would be required to go through the City's review process. He stated that
the purpose of this meeting was to receive public input regarding a preference for
one of the two development teams.
The Executive Director noted that presentations had been made by the developers to
the Agency Board previously and that approximately 500 persons had received some
type of presentation. He set forth the basic concerns which had emerged regarding
the proposed downtown development.
The Deputy Director provided an overview of the history and development of the
current General Plan and Downtown Master Plan, noting provisions for a strong
downtown as a focal point for the community.
The Executive Director advised that the Agency had been able to work effectively
with the downtown property owners to consolidate the area into a cohesive unit for
development purposes. He made a slide presentation depicting the historical aspects
and diversity of the City's development. He advised that the plan was designed
basically to fill in vacant land in the downtown area; it was not designed to destroy
the old buildings and create something new.
Nancy Erickson, Community Development Administrator, provided an overview of
the proposals submitted by each development team.
Public Input:
The following persons addressed Council:
(1) Ilse Byrnes, 28355 Ortega Highway, cited a need to preserve the Esslinger
Building, as an example of "streamline moderne" architecture.
(2) Norman Nurenberg, 4153 Tracy Street, Los Angeles, cited a need to
accommodate tourism.
(3) Harrison Negley, 31301 Paseo Naranja, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
(4) Milburn Matthews, 26332 Calle Roberto, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
(5) Barney Papel, 31892 Camino Capistrano, owner of the Egan House, cited
opposition to the loss of the existing garage and driveway, as shown in the
Birtcher plan.
(6) Mike Darnold, 26022 Avenida Mariposa, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
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(7) Brian McInerney, 35097 Beach Road, Capistrano Beach, stated support for the
Birtcher development team.
(g) Phillip Weissberg, 31196 San Vicente, cited concerns with development of the
downtown area and with the Collins Development Company, a part of the
Oliver McMillan/Collins development team.
(9) Sue Dimaio, 4016 Calle Ariana, San Clemente, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
(10) Tony Moiso, President of Rancho Mission Viejo, 28811 Ortega Highway, stated
support for the Birtcher development team.
{11) Dave Swerdlin, 26172 Via de Toldeo, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
(12) Jim Thorpe, 27952 Calle Santa Ynez, stated concerns that the character of the
town will be changed and the variation and diversity would be destroyed. He
stated that the finished product should look as if it had evolved over 100 years.
(13) Father Ernest Sillers, 494 Holly Street, Laguna Beach, Headmaster at St
Margaret's School, stated support for the Birtcher development team.
(14) Gary Smith, 30552 Hilltop Way, stated support for the Birtcher development
team.
(15) Mike Imlay, 31222 Via Parra, stated support for the Birtcher development
team.
(16) Lydia Ramos, 34192 Camino El Molino, Capistrano Beach, stated support for
the Birtcher development team.
(17) Tony Forster, 31312 Guadalupe, stated support for the Birtcher development
team.
(18) Kerry Keeler, 27921 Via Estancia, cited concerns that the stores remain
oriented to tourists and residents of the City and not become franchise
operations.
(19) Lois Sutton, 31321 Paseo Naranja, stated support for the Birtcher development
team.
(19) Jenny Collins, 26541 Calle Delphina, stated support for the Birtcher
development team.
(20) Ralph Day, 31942 Avenida de Linda, questioned the 12.5% return on equity
shown on the Birtcher proposal.
(21) Arthur Birtcher, 32327 Del Obispo Street, representing the Birtcher/Colachis
development team, cited their family commitment and resources that would be
brought to the project.
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(22) Dene Oliver McMillan, representing the Oliver McMillan/Collins Development
team, expressed appreciation to be part of the process and noted their
commitment and concern for the project.
(23) David Cameron, 5 Heathergreen, Irvine, stated that the project should reflect
the romance and tranquility surrounding the Mission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21
p.m., to the next regular meeting date of Tuesday, January 20, 1987, at 7:00 p.m., in the
City Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY ANN 7OVER, AGE CY SECRETARY
ATTEST:
KENNETH E. FRIESS, ACTING CHAIRMAN
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