99-0209_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting043
FEBRUARY 9,1999
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano, California
was called to order by Mayor Greiner at 6:05 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, to conduct a joint
City Council and Planning Commission work session on the El Parador/Regents International Hotel
project. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Johnson.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: John Greiner, Mayor
Collene Campbell, Mayor pro tem
Gil Jones, Council Member
Wyatt Hart, Council Member
David M. Swerdlin, Council Member
Mark McGuire, Chairman (arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Sheldon Cohen, Commissioner
Ed Johnson, Commissioner
Timothy Neely, Commissioner
William Pichler, Commissioner
ABSENT: Bill Sonka, Vice Chairman
Diane Bathgate, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: George Scarborough, City Manager; John Cavanaugh, Legal Counsel; Cheryl
Johnson, City Clerk; Thomas Tomlinson, Planning Director; William M. Huber, Engineering and
Building Director; C. J. Amstrup, Senior Planner.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
PLANNING DIRECTOR
JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
TO REVIEW POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE PREVIOUSLY -
APPROVED EL PARADOR HOTEL (REGENTS INTERNATIONAL
HOTEL/GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 82-3)(440.251
Proposal:
Work session held jointly with the Planning Commission to discuss building mass options
before proceeding further in the review process. At the December 7, 1998, joint work
session, concerns had been identified regarding building mass and traffic impacts. The
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Design Review Committee conducted two workshops to discuss alternate approaches to the
building mass issue.
Property Owner:
Cameo Homes, c/o Victor Mahony, P. O. Box 2990, Newport Beach, 92658
Applicant/Operator:
Regent International Hotels, c/o Thomas Hendrick, P. O. Box 59159, Minneapolis, MN
55459-8254
Written Communications:
Report dated February 9, 1999, from the Planning Director, describing the two alternative
building mass studies prepared for review and consideration by the Design Review
Committee. Alternative A proposed a four-story complex with the lower floor, the garden
level, integrated into the side of the hill and the remaining floors stepped back. To break up
the wall planes, open patios/balconies would be integrated into each level. The building
mass would be further broken up by varying the footprint so that large vertical or horizontal
wall surfaces would not be created. Alternative B proposed a four-story configuration with
the lower level pushed out; the upper three levels would be moved back and the central
portion raised; the building mass would surround a central courtyard. The Report advised
that Alternative A would minimize the footprint, but increase the vertical height of the
building; the footprint in Alternative B would be enlarged and elongated. The Design
Review Committee had asked the architect to focus on Alternative A, based on the desire to
minimize the footprint and to create more open area between the seven buildings.
Staff Presentation:
The following exhibits were on display: previously -approved project view analysis, existing
and proposed computer simulated visual analyses, proposed floor plans, the Alternate A site
plan; schematic sections; a pallette showing the types of materials that would be used in the
interior; and, photographic display of the type of furnishings that would be used in the
interior.
The Planning Director made an oral presentation. For the benefit of the audience, he
described the hotel project approved in 1982 and the new project proposals. He described
Alternate "A", which had become the focus for the Design Review Committee. He
emphasized the need for the finished product to be high-quality, especially in terms of detail
treatment.
Applicant Presentation:
Kevin Canning of Culbertson, Adams and Associates, planning consultants, indicated that
the development team was willing to work toward meeting the City's desire for a high-
quality project. He indicated that the development team planned to meet with adjacent
homeowner associations, or any other identified groups, to discuss the project. He indicated
the project was in the very preliminary stages; the team had focused on obtaining the desired
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oas
building mass. The project would subsequently proceed through into all of the City's
planning levels and architectural details; all California Environmental Quality Act and other
environmental analyses; a traffic analysis; and grading and landscaping analyses. He gave
a slide presentation of the exhibits that were on display.
Public Comment:
Burt Sims, 32229 Via Barrida, spoke in support of a quality hotel in the City, but expressed
concerns regarding traffic and density impacts, and the City's ability to collect the Transient
Occupancy Tax on the proposed time-share accommodations.
Council/Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Neely addressed the Design Review Committee's concerns that even with the
garden level stepped into the hillside, the project, in essence, proposed four-story villas on
exposed ridgelines. He noted that in terms of ridgeline protection, there were two units that
were difficult to work into the site. He discussed the Committee's suggestions for shifting
portions of those two units below the ridgeline adjacent to the golf course and designing the
buildings to transition between the villas and the main entry level structure. However, the
Committee had wished to discuss the design with the City Council before asking the
applicant to relocate buildings or change architectural styles.
There was general consensus in favor of the design proposals and building massing.
Concerns included retaining a soft, natural feel to the slope on Valle Road following the
roadway improvements; assuring that any long walls are broken up or softened with
architectural details; assuring that the hotel makes an entry statement appropriate to the City;
assuring that the design of the project use the existing terrain to soften the visual impacts;
and, assuring that the finished project contains rich, high-quality architectural detail
throughout. Concerns were further expressed with completing road improvements and
mitigating traffic impacts prior to opening of the facility; incorporating sufficient parking
on-site to accommodate all activities, including employee parking; working with the City's
business community and Chamber of Commerce to assure hotel guests are aware of the
City's amenities and events. The City Manager advised that staff would be working with the
applicant to address the issue of Transient Occupancy Tax on the proposed time-share units
and achieving a long-term commitment for management of the hotel facility.
Additional Public Comments:
Leah Beal, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the Chamber's support of the
hotel project. She conveyed the Chamber's request to be included, along with
representatives of the City's restaurant association, in developing future advertising, media
and marketing plans to assure that the local business needs are met. She suggested use of a
shuttle to bring hotel guests to the downtown area.
John Perry, 32175 Via Barrida, felt that in terms of traffic congestion, placement of this type
of facility near residential areas was inappropriate. He further indicated he did not support
placing major structures on the ridgeline.
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046
Malcolm Garrett, 27111-B Capote de Paseo spoke in support of the proposal, but expressed
concern that there be adequate parking, including parking for employees so there was no
spill-over into residential streets.
Mike Rosenberger, 27132 Paseo Burladero, noted the proximity of this residence to the
proposed project and advised of his support.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. to the
next regular meeting date of Tuesday, February 16,1999, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL JOHN T , ITY CLERK
ATTEST:
JOHN GRFANER, MAYOR
Adjourned
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