99-0622_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular175
JUNE 22,1999
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 provide input in revised plans for Tentative Tract Map
15771, was called to order by Mayor Greiner at 5:05 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: John Greiner, Mayor
Collene Campbell, Mayor 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
Bill Sonka, Commissioner
ABSENT: Timothy Neely, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: George Scarborough, City Manager; Jennifer Murray, Assistant City Manager;
Omar Sandoval, City Attorney; Cheryl Johnson, City Clerk; William M. Huber, Engineering and
Building Director; Thomas Tomlinson, Planning Director.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
PLANNING DIRECTOR
1. JOINT MEETING TO REVIEW REVISED PLANS FOR 26 DETACHED SINGLE-
FAMILY HOMES ON 3.93 ACRES AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
RANCHO VIEJO ROAD AND VILLAGE ROAD - REZONE 98-5/TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP 15771(OLSON COMPANY) (460.20/420.40)
P=ose:
Consideration of a revised proposal for a gated community containing detached single-family
homes on 3.93 acres at the southeast corner of Rancho Viejo Road and Village Road. The
General Plan Designation is 1.5 (Medium High Density Residential) which would permit
eight units per acres. The zoning designation is PD (Planned Development). The project had
been considered by the City Council on March 16, 1999 and on May 4, 1999. Consideration
of the project had been continued to allow the applicant to investigate the possible
integration of a one-story design into the project and to participate in a worksession if
desired.
Adjourned City Council Minutes -1- 6/22/99
FIND
Ap lin cant:
The Olson Company, Attention Kim Willauer, 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA
90740.
Written Communications:
(1) Report dated June 22,1999, from the Planning Director, describing the modifications
that had been made to the development proposal. The Report advised that the unit
count had been reduced to 26 homes in order to allow inclusion of three one-story
homes along the Rancho Viejo Road frontage; the number of homes that would back
up to Rancho Viejo Road had been reduced from 12 to 8 and their orientation had
been modified; a private park had been included adjacent to Rancho Viejo Road and
its intersection with Village Road; the building setbacks had been increased along the
central portion of the project adjacent to Rancho Viejo Road; the continuous linear
wall had been redesigned and additional tree plantings had been added between the
equestrian trail and the wall; and, architectural detail and aesthetic articulation had
been added to the backs of homes adjacent to Rancho Viejo Road.
(2) Letter dated June 21, 1999, from David Faultersack, Treasurer of the Village San
Juan Homeowners Association, indicating that the Association Board had ultimately
voted to unanimously oppose the Olson project based on the belief that for a number
of reasons the project was not suitable for the location.
(3) Booklet dated June 22, 1999, from Kim Willauer, Project Manager, reviewing the _
revisions that had been made to date, including the recent further reduction in the unit
count to 25 units and the inclusion of 2 additional one-story homes, for a total of 5
one-story homes in the project.
Street-scape and plan elevations for the 26 -unit development and for the 25 -unit development
were on display and the Planning Director made an oral presentation, noting that the basic
differences in the plans submitted for the worksession and the additional plan modifications
revolved around the reduction to 25 units by replacing 3 two-story units with 2 one-story
units and locating the single -story units adjacent to Rosenbaum Road and Rancho Viejo
Road.
Applicant Presentation:
Kim Willauer, project manager, displayed the plan originally submitted and as first revised.
She then described the modifications that had been made in response to comments from the
Village San Juan Homeowners Association and the City. The modifications included
relocation of the project entry from Rancho Viejo Road to the future realigned Rosenbaum
Road; a reduction in the density; addition of a 7,500 -square -foot park; enhanced rear
elevations; jogs in the wall along Rancho Viejo Road and the planting of mature trees and
vines; additional landscaping at the corner of Rancho Viejo Road and Rosenbaum Road; the
inclusion of single -story homes; a reduction in the number of homes adjacent to Rancho
Viejo Road; an increase in some of the setbacks along Rancho Viejo Road and relocation of
the access to the private park. She indicated there is currently a seven -foot block wall along
Adjourned City Council Minutes -2- 6/22/99
177
Rancho Viejo Road just north of the entry to Village San Juan and felt the Olson project wall
treatment along Rancho Viejo Road would be more attractive.
Public Comments
(1) Gail Prothero, 29562 Westmont Court, stated concern that the project did not comply
with the General Plan. She felt that two zone districts had been applied to the project
which created a loophole that allowed the building of a project that did not conform
to the General Plan. She stated that the project did not meet the minimum district
standards for a Planned Development per Municipal Code Sections 9-3.409 and 9-
3.423.5; nor the standards set forth in Municipal Code Section 9-3.424 for any
development allowed in the City. She stated that the Olson project failed to meet the
basic minimum standards set forth in the General Plan for Planned Development;
failed to meet the development standards set out in Municipal Code Section 9-3.424;
did not meet the minimum lot size for Planned Development set forth in Table 3-1;
was not an appropriate development for this parcel; and, should be denied.
The Planning Director stated that the General Plan did not establish the specific design
standards for residential districts, but established the types of land use and intensity of
development. The General Plan designated the subject parcel as residential, with a
maximum density not to exceed 8 units per gross acre. The project had been reviewed and
found it to be in compliance with the development standards.
(2) David Faultersack, 29312 Applewood Court, read the letter dated June 21, 1999,
from the Village San Juan Homeowners Association, stating opposition to the
project. They felt there were still too many two-story units, the project would still
create a "tunnel" effect on Rancho Viejo Road; the project did not fit the area; and,
residential was not appropriate for the site due to noise impacts from the freeway.
He suggested a noise study be performed at the level of a second -story bedroom.
(3) Melvin Rosenbaum, owner of property at the southeast comer of Trabuco Creek
Road and Rancho Viejo Road, expressed concern that the City's streets were not able
to handle the current traffic in town, and that situation should be addressed before
more homes were built.
The Planning Director responded that Rancho Viejo Road had been designed with a capacity
to accommodate 20,000 cars per day; it was projected that at General Plan build -out Rancho
Viejo Road would carry 10,000 cars per day.
(4) Frances Fajardo, 26315 Marina Road, stated her desire for the project area to be
developed as a park.
Council/Commission Comments:
Council Member Swerdlin stated his concern still revolved around noise impacts, indicating
that the noise studies showed noise levels just below the maximum allowed. He felt the
location may not be suitable for single-family homes.
Adjourned City Council Minutes -3- 6/22/99
178
Council Member Campbell felt the location would be more suitable to commercial _
development. She expressed concern regarding public safety in conjunction with the location
of, and access to, the private park. She felt there was still not enough of an open space
feeling to the development; that the minimum lot size was too small; and, concurred with
Council Member Swerdlin regarding noise issues.
Council Member Jones felt there should be a higher ratio of single -story homes. He
concurred regarding safety issues in conjunction with the proposed park; and, felt that the
arguments against the project were rational and legitimate.
Commissioner Eggars expressed concern that the project wall needed further modifications
to avoid the tunnel effect on Rancho Viejo Road; that the noise impacts, ratio of single -story
homes to two-story homes, and the small lots were still not acceptable; and, stated concern
that the park would be an attractive nuisance. He felt this was not the right project for the
site.
Council Member Hart indicated his problem with balancing the rights of property owners
with the rights of adjacent neighbors. His concerns with the project, as designed, revolved
around the tunnel effect on Rancho Viejo Road and the density. He noted that the approved
commercial project may not ultimately be acceptable to adjacent residents either; however,
the property owner has the right to develop. He suggested the Village San Juan Homeowners
Association may want to consider purchasing the parcel or, the parcel could be considered
as part of another open space bond measure. Mayor Greiner concurred, noting that the
approved commercial project would contain taller buildings, less open space, closer setbacks,
and would create more traffic.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m. to the
next meeting date of Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center for a joint
meeting with the Planning Commission to review General Plan Land Use and Circulation
Alternatives.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL JOHN N, OfTY CLERK
ATTEST:
JOHN GAEINER, MAYOR
Adjoumed City Council Minutes -4- 6/22/99
179
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano, California, at its Adjourned Regular meeting of June 22, 1999, adjourned said meeting
to Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at 7:00 p.m., at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925
Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano.
DATED: June 23, 1999
J
Cheryl Johnsorgity glerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, CHERYL JOHNSON, City Clerk of the City of San Juan Capistrano do hereby
declare that the above Notice was posted at or near the door of the City Council Chamber on
June 23, 1999.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Cheryl Johnso/Co Clerk
San Juan Capistrano, California