99-0604_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting155
JUNE 4, 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,
held jointly with the Planning Commission to review and provide input on the "Community Vision,
Issues, Goals, Policies and Programs," was called to order by Mayor Greiner at 7:00 p.m. at the San
Juan Capistrano Community Center, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: John Greiner, Mayor
Collett Campbell, Mavor pro tem
Gil Jones, Council Member
Wyatt Hart, Council Member
David M. Swerdlin, Council Member
Ed Johnson, Chairman
William Pichler, Vice Chairman
Diane Bathgate, Commissioner
Sheldon Cohen, Commissioner
Michael Eggers, Commissioner
Timothy Neely, Commissioner
ABSENT: Bill Sonka, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: George Scarborough, City Manager; Cheryl Johnson, City Clerk; Thomas
Tomlinson, Planning Director; William M. Huber, Engineering and Building Director.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
PLANNING DIRECTOR
REVIEW OF THE DRAFT GENERAL PLAN VISION STATEMENT AND
GOALS AND POLICY REPORT (440.25)
Written Communications:
Report dated June 4, 1999, from the Planning Director, forwarding a document entitled
"Vision, Issues, Goals and Policies Report," which set forth issues, goals and policies on
each of the 12 General Plan Elements and highlighted areas where opinions of the General
Plan Update Committee differed. The Report advised that the General Plan Advisory
Committee had developed the Vision Statement, which sets the foundation of the General
Plan and is an expression of what the community wants to be in the future. The Committee
identified issues, goals and policies that should be addressed within the 12 Elements of the
Adjourned City Council Minutes -1- 6/4/99
156
General Plan. "Issues" were defined as general statements describing a need, concern,
opportunity or desire to be addressed by the General Plan; "Goals" were defined as overall
statements of community desires within the General Plan, consisting of broad statements of
purpose or direction; and, "Policies" were defined as General Plan statements which
supported the achievement of goals and served as guides in reviewing development proposals
and in making decisions that affect future growth and development of the community.
The Program Diagram Chart depicting the timeline for the various tasks associated with the
update, and the current General Plan Land Use Map were on display. The Planning Director
briefly described the process that has occurred in updating the General Plan and introduced
John Bridges and Yara Fisher of Cotton/Beland Associates, consultants retained to assist in
the update process.
Mr. Bridges introduced the following General Plan Update Committee members present:
Orrie Brown, Ray Turner, Al Simmons, Janet Siegel, Marie Buckner and Ed Johnson. Mr.
Bridges described the General Plan update tasks remaining and indicated that the update
should be completed by December. This workshop was scheduled to receive input on the
General Plan issues, goals and policies; the workshop scheduled for June 29, 1999, would
deal with land use and circulation.
Vision Statement
Mr. Bridges reviewed the Vision Statement set forth in the "Vision, Issues, Goals and
Policies Report" document. Council Member Campbell suggested that consideration be
given to including equestrian trails in the Vision Statement. She suggested the Vision
Statement be formulated in a narrative format rather than a "bullet" format and offered to
assist in reformatting the Statement.
Land Use Element
Mr. Bridges reviewed the Land Use Element section as set forth in the "Vision, Issues, Goals
and Policies Report." Commissioner Bathgate indicated her support of the current practice
of clustering homes on smaller lots; suggested that each zone change request should include
a revenue analysis; supported promoting commercial development in the central business
district, but not to the exclusion of the rest of the City; suggested that to enhance and
maintain the character of neighborhoods, utilities should be undergrounded where necessary
and infrastructure rehabilitated in older areas. Council Member Campbell suggested
replacing the word "high" in the last sentence of Land Use Issue 3 with the word
"higher;"that Policy 3.2 indicate "no ridgeline development." Commissioner Eggers noted
that there is no indication how to accomplish Policy 4.2; that Land Use Issue 5 seems to
imply the possibility that commercial development outside the central district would not be
allowed; that Policy 6.1 should include clarification; that Policy 7.2 should include a
requirement for compatibility with surrounding land uses' CC&R's; indicated his concern
with use of the word "promote" throughout the document. The City Manager advised that
the issue regarding CC&R's in Policy 7.2 would need evaluation by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Cohen felt that the word "disruptive" was too subjective in Policy 7.1.
Adjoumed City Council Minutes -2- 6/4/99
157
Council Member Jones addressed Policy 4.2, suggesting that one implementation measure
would be another Bond initiative.
Public Comments:
Don Tryon suggested that the Vision Statement should include a reference to preservation
of historic structures.
Housing Element
Mr. Bridges indicated this Element had been updated in 1997 and was not currently included
in the General Plan update program. State law required its review and update every 5 years.
He further advised that in reviewing residential land uses in the Land Use Element
consistency with the housing element will be necessary.
Circulation Element
Mr. Bridges reviewed the Circulation Element section as set forth in the "Vision, Issues,
Goals and Policies Report," noting that Austin -Foust Associates would be present at the June
29th meeting to discuss their traffic modeling studies. Commissioner Eggars noted the need
for coordination of the Master Plan of Streets & Highways with the County's Master Plan.
Public Comments:
Orrie Brown indicated that the General Plan Advisory Committee members had requested
that the paragraph regarding use of the recreational trails by motorcycles be removed.
Safety Element
Mr. Bridges noted the differing opinion among the General Plan Advisory Committee
members regarding the proposed airport at the Marine Corps Air Station - El Toro facility.
Commissioner Bathgate suggested that Safety Goal 2 should address seismic retrofit;
suggested including an additional policy under Safety Goal 3 regarding ways to minimize
criminal opportunity through project design and incorporation into City's design review
process. Commissioner Eggars initiated discussion regarding retrofit on remodels and the
reason nuclear power was included in the General Plan, noting that nuclear power was not
under the City's purview.
Public Comments:
Pat Bauer questioned whether identification of the proposed El Toro Airport could be
eliminated and reference to "any" airport remain in the document.
Anita Richards suggested that Policy 1.1 include a statement regarding lower density on
hillsides to lower risk from geologic and seismic hazards.
Conservation and Open Space Element
Mr. Bridges noted the Committee had generally agreed regarding the Issues, Goals and
Policies. Commissioner Neely stated concern that Goal No. 7 was a complicated issue; the
statements were too broad and monitoring was not necessarily a City responsibility. He
urged caution in making commitments.
Adjourned City Council Minutes -3- 6/4/99
MI.]
Noise Element
Mr. Bridges reviewed the Noise Element section as set forth in the "Vision, Issues, Goals and
Policies Report." Council Member Swerdlin indicated that the policies allowing residential
uses on noise -impacted parcels should be carefully reviewed and considered, particularly in
teams of future problems. Commissioner Cohen suggested that Policy 1.2 be worded to
allow for future construction techniques that may be developed to mitigate noise impacts.
Council Member Jones addressed the City's requirement that persons wishing to operate a
small business in a structure in the Los Rios area must also live in the structure and requested
that careful consideration be given to that requirement in view of the noise impacts caused
by the numerous trains.
Historic/Archaeologic Element
Mr. Bridges indicated there was general agreement among the Committee members
regarding the issues, goals and policies. Commissioner Bathgate suggested that the Historic
Depiction Program be incorporated into this Element. Commissioner Eggars felt that the
wording in Policy 1.3 placed the burden on the City, noting that the private property owners
can apply for State and Federal funding.
Public Comment:
Don Tryon reiterated his concern that the Historic aspect be emphasized in the Vision
Statement.
Community Design Element
Mr. Bridges indicated there was general agreement among the Committee members
regarding the issues, goals and policies. Commissioner Neely suggested Policy 3.3 should
be broadened to incorporate enhancement of scenic transportation corridors, including the
freeway and the railroad corridors. Commissioner Bathgate suggested Design Goal 1 should
include the creation of human -scale spaces.
Public Comment:
Ed Richards suggested that Policy 3.2 should include reference to passive uses such as hiking
and equestrian uses.
Growth Management Element
Mr. Bridges indicated that this Element described ways to manage growth and provide for
infrastructure. Commissioner Cohen suggested a word other than "provide" be used in
Policy 2.1; Commissioner Neely noted that the "County of Orange" should be replaced with
"Orange County Transportation Authority."
Parks and Recreation Element
Mr. Bridges noted that this Element deals specifically with parks and recreational activities
within the City. Commissioner Eggars suggested that with regard to private recreation
facilities in Policy 1.4, the City should put some responsibility on private developers to
provide private recreational space, particularly in those neighborhoods that are gated. The
City Manager concurred that implementation of Policy 1.4 would require careful
Adjourned City Council Minutes -4- 6/4/99
1161!]
consideration and analysis; he advised that if a developer provides on-site facilities, they
reduce or eliminate their obligation to pay in -lieu fees. The fees finance larger community-
wide facilities. Commissioner Cohen requested assurance that Policy 1.4 not create a
financial obligation on the City's part. Council Member Jones indicated support of the
equestrian lifestyle, but expressed concern that Policy 2.2 encourage equestrian uses without
the City paying the bill.
Public Facilities and Utilities Element
Mr. Bridges indicated there was general agreement among the Committee members
regarding the issues, goals and policies. Mayor Greiner suggested that Policy 5.1 also
include "days" of operation for the public library. Commissioner Bathgate suggested the
City be more pro -active in this area and suggested consideration of an additional policy with
regard to Issue 7 encouraging energy efficient buildings; suggested a more pro -active stance
by inclusion of telecommunications.
Flood Plain Element
Mr. Bridges reviewed the differing opinions of the Committee regarding the flood plain
element. Commissioner Eggars suggested Policy 1.3 indicate that new flood protection
would be constructed in coordination with the Corps of Engineers. Commissioner Cohen
stated concern regarding the financial burden of creek improvements. The City Manager
requested that staff be allowed to work on Policy 1.3 with regard to both issues.
Commissioner Johnson stated that with regard to Policy 3.2, bridges should provide for the
continuation of recreational activities/trails along the creeks, not block the trails.
Public Comments:
Pat Bauer suggested the views of the creeks should be enhanced, particularly at the bridge
crossings
Cheryl Ellison, representing Rancho Capistrano Crystal Cathedral Ministries, suggested that
concrete channels not be ruled out noting that they may be necessary for property protection
and safety concerns.
General Comments on the Document
Tom Lorch suggested that with regard to the Circulation Element, anything less than a Level
of Service C be designated as unacceptable. He felt that in considering whether the City
should provide equestrian facilities, it should be kept in mind that residents want to get as
much return as possible for their tax dollars.
Carl Kuhn representing the Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center, addressed Circulation
Element Issue 4 and requested that equestrian centers be included in the statement, which
would address their situation with handicapped riders.
Adjourned City Council Minutes -5- 6/4/99
160
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to the
next regular meeting date of Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL JOFOOWCITY CLERK
ATTEST:
JO GREINER, MAYOR
Adjourned City Council Minutes -6- 6/4/99