99-0728_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular223
JULY 28, 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, was called to order by Mayor Greiner at 7:05 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
Diane Bathgate, Commissioner
Sheldon Cohen, Commissioner
Michael Eggers, Commissioner (arrived at 5:35 p.m.)
Timothy Neely, Commissioner
William Pichler, Commissioner
ABSENT: Bill Sonka, Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: George Scarborough, City Manager; Omar Sandoval, Legal Counsel; Cheryl
Johnson, City Clerk; Thomas Tomlinson, Planning Director; William M. Huber, Engineering and
Building Director; William Ramsey, Senior Planner.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
PLANNING DIRECTOR
JOINT WORK SESSION FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT
CIRCULATION ELEMENT AND ADDITIONAL CIRCULATION
ALTERNATIVES - LOS RIOS SPECIFIC PLAN (AUGUST 4, 1998 UPDATE)
400.40
Council Member Jones declared a conflict of interest relating to his residence/business, and left the
dais.
Proposal:
Work session held jointly with the Planning Commission to discuss the proposed
amendments to the Los Rios Specific Plan Circulation Element, with a focus on the proposed
circulation alternatives.
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Written Communications:
(1) Report dated July 28, 1999, from the Planning Department, providing background
on the meetings held during the process to update the Los Rios Specific Plan. The
Report advised that the City Council had selected three Circulation Alternatives for
more detailed analysis - Alternatives 1, 4 and 5. In addition, staff, with the assistance
of Austin -Foust and Associates, had developed three additional alternatives for
review - Alternatives A, B and C. Alternatives 1, 4 and 5 included the construction
of Street "B," to connect Los Rios Street to Paseo Adelanto; and, designated Los
Rios Street as one-way southbound from Ramos Street to Street "B." Alternatives
A, B and C did not include construction of Street "B;" provided for pedestrian access
from the public parking lot to Los Rios Street; and, provided for various directional
controls. Diagrams depicting the Circulation Alternatives were included with the
Report. All Alternatives included the construction of a public parking lot.
Alternative 1 would close Los Rios Street just north of Del Obispo, eliminating
access via Del Obispo. Alternative 4 would separate Los Rios Street into northern
and southern segments by expanding the pedestrian plaza into the right-of-way.
Alternative 5 would retain the existing circulation system but would restrict access
from Los Rios Street to Del Obispo Street to right -out only.
Alternative A would cul-de-sac Los Rios Street at the southern end, with restricted,
gated access. Alternative B would construct a cul-de-sac at the corner of Paseo
Adelanto and Ramos Street with signage indicating 'Resident Access Only" past
Ramos Street and directing visitor traffic to the public parking area. Alternative C
would close Los Rios Street to all motor vehicle access between Ramos Street and
River Street.
(2) Letter received July 28, 1999, from Millie Jones, 31791 Los Rios Street, supporting
the creation of the cul-de-sac as proposed in Alternative C; and offering suggestions
regarding placement of bollards on Los Rios Street. The letter also supported
construction of a parking lot on the former Solag property, compliance with
conditions of approval; and, removal of truck traffic from Los Rios Street.
Maps of the proposed circulation alternatives were on display and William Ramsey reviewed
the proposed circulation alternatives. He discussed the recommendations from the City's
Commissions, noting that there had been opposition to the proposed Street "B" connection
because of the feeling that the proposed street would split the Los Rios Historic District. He
further advised that for Alternative A and the gated access to be feasible, the City would be
required to abandon the Los Rios Street right-of-way and then develop a mechanism that
would provide for necessary joint access and maintenance.
Public Comments:
(1) Francie Kennedy, 26632 Ramos Street, expressed appreciation for the process that
has occurred. She urged enforcement of businesses' compliance with conditions of
approval, a restriction against train passenger drop-off on Los Rios Street, and
enforcement regarding intrusions into the public right-of-way. She stated that the
historic integrity of the residential district should remain primary; that the quality of
residential life should be a priority; and, commercial uses should be subsidiary and
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22S
_ not drive decision-making. She presented an additional circulation alternative based
on Alternative B and labeled "B-1 " that expressed her ideas for addressing circulation
concerns. She suggested that all improvements should be phased in slowly, with
each improvement evaluated prior to implementation of additional improvements.
(2) Stephen M. Rios, 31781 Los Rios Street, concurred that residential use should remain
primary, with commercial use as an ancillary use. He expressed concern that as
proposed, Alternative C would eliminate access to his property from the front on Los
Rios Street and would require that he access his property from Paseo Adelanto at the
rear. He supported the elimination of Street "B" due to its divisive impacts on the
historical integrity of the Los Rios District.
(3) Sheree Ito, 25682 Eastwind, Dana Point, owner of Ito's Nursery at 31825 Los Rios
Street, expressed concern that pedestrians and visitors were being given more
consideration than residents, businesses and property owners. She indicated that
pedestrian traffic on Los Rios was a major problem; that the majority of the
pedestrians were from the Capistrano Villas development using Los Rios only to
access Del Obispo Street. She requested that in the interests of safety, the City
explore ways to block that access and direct the pedestrian traffic from the Capistrano
Villas to use either Paseo Adelanto or Camino Capistrano. She cited problems with
parking and business deliveries, and requested that parking regulations and
conditions of approval be enforced. She stated that change in the area should be
taken slowly with the exception of signs and parking. She further indicated that the
Ito family did not endorse any alternative that included construction of Street "B;"
did not support Alternatives 1, A or B since they infringed or limited access to
residences and businesses; and, opposed Alternatives 4 and C since they sectioned
off Los Rios Street, reduced access and created problems relating to turn -around
areas. She indicated the Ito family could support Alternative 5 without Street "B;"
however, their wholehearted support was to maintain the existing road system.
(4) Allan Niccola, 31721 Los Rios Street, owner of the Tea House, indicated that one of
his major concerns was that handicapped and senior citizen accessibility be provided,
stating his opinion that the parking lot was too far from Los Rios Street. He
concurred with the concerns expressed regarding pedestrian traffic; opposed
installing gated access to Los Rios; and, expressed concern that the pedestrian access
from the parking lot to Los Rios Street as depicted on the proposed circulation plans,
would impact future plans for their property.
(5) Claudine Nicolla, 31721 Los Rio Street, encouraged a gradual implementation of
improvements and requested that there be a landscape buffer and safety lights
between their home and the proposed parking lot.
Commission/Council Comments:
Discussion ensued and there was a consensus that Street "B" should be eliminated.
_ Commissioner Eggers supported Alternative B, stating it appeared to resolve many of the
problems and accomplish many of the goals for the area. He suggested that a residential
parking permit program could be instituted rather than gated access. Commissioner Cohen
supported making Los Rios Street more pedestrian friendly, but not to extent of denying
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226
residents reasonable access to their home. He supported installation of the parking lot and
then further evaluation to determine which Alternative would be best.
Council Member Swerdlin indicated support of Alternate C with variations to assure all
residents have vehicle access to their homes on Los Rios Street, but not visitors or customers.
He supported placing the parking lot closer to Los Rios Street and assuring it was
handicapped accessible. He supported an incremental approach, with signs and parking
being the first improvements. Commissioner Pichler felt Alternative C was the best
approach for addressing his concerns. Commissioner Neely indicated he could not support
any concept of one-way streets. He was favorable to Alternatives C and B, indicating he felt
Alternative C was best due to controlled access for residents only. He also concurred with
re-routing pedestrian traffic from Capistrano Villas to Paseo Adelanto and supported a
phased implementation, with signs and parking lot improvements being installed first.
Council Member Campbell stated that he number one priority was the residents; opposed any
infringement on the Tea House parking lots and concurred with re-routing Capistrano Villas
pedestrian traffic to Paseo Adelanto. Commissioner Bathgate indicated that adequate access
for residents was an overarching issue; placed a high priority on incremental implementation
and, indicated support for Alternative B-1. Council Member Hart supported Alternative C
with modifications for residential access, noting that residential life was a primary concern.
He indicated that signs were a top priority, as was Code enforcement and phased
implementation. Chairman Johnson indicated his support for Alternatives B-1 or C. Mayor
Greiner supported slow phasing of the improvements and a modified Alternative C. He felt
there could be legal issues involved in trying to curtail pedestrian access to Los Rios Street
from the Capistrano Villas.
The City Manager indicated that staff would address ways to make the pedestrian traffic
generated from the Capistrano Villas less impactive; would evaluate Alternatives B -I and
C for further consideration; and, would assure a slow, phased approach.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m., to the next regular
City Council meeting date of Tuesday, August 3, 1999, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL JO ON, ITY CLERK
ATTEST:
GREINER, MAYOR
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