98-0126_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting047
JANUARY 26, 1998
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 Jones at 3:01 p.m. in the City Council Chamber to conduct a
worksession on the San Juan Meadows project.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Gil Jones, Mayor
John Greiner, Mayor pro tem
Collene Campbell, Council Member
Wyatt Hart, Council Member
David M. Swerdlin, Council Member
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: George Scarborough, City Manager; Jennifer Murray, Assistant City Manager;
Cheryl Johnson, City Clerk; Cynthia L. Pendleton, Administrative Services Director; William M.
Huber, Engineering and Building Director; Thomas Tomlinson, Planning Director; Bob Clark, District
Engineer; Al King, Community Services Director.
' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
I►\N�II0911 17 :iw"I
WORKSESSION - CONSIDERATION OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
95-2. ZONE CHANGE 96-1 AND REVISED VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT
MAP 14343 - FORSTER CANYON PLANNED COMMUNITY (SAN JUAN
MEADOWS) (440.25/460,20/42L40)
Proposal:
Worksession held pursuant to Council direction for staff to further evaluate and provide
information on issues related to traffic and circulation, slopes, public site dedication,
equestrian trail alignment, open space, CC&R restrictions, use of the landfill as a community
park, geotechnical feasibility and the project's impact on the Capistrano Terrace Mobilehome
Park.
Anolicant:
San Juan Meadows, L.P., Arm Ray Poulter, 313 North Birch Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
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Written Communications:
Report dated January 26, 1998, from the Planning Director, providing an analysis and
recommendation on the issues.
Staff Presentation:
An aerial photograph, a conceptual plan for the landfill area, Tract Map 11648 depicting the
1982 approvals, Tract Map 14343, depicting the 1992 approvals, and Revised Tract Map
14343, depicting revisions currently under consideration, were on display.
Bill Ramsey, Senior Planner, provided a comparison between the two previous approvals and
the current proposal in terms of developed acreage and open space acreage; housing product;
stree, configurations; use and location of the designated Public Institutional site; and use of,
and issues relating to, the landfill area. He discussed traffic and circulation issues and the
requirements that would be placed on the project, noting the recommendation that road
improvements be completed prior to issuance of building permits rather than prior to issuance
of occupancy permits. He advised that the developer would be required to reconstruct the
natural slope above the Capistrano Terrace Mobilehome Park; and, the existing retaining walls
if necessary. He discussed the intersection design that will be required at the Valle Road/I-5
freeway ramps and how the impacts on the Capistrano Terrace Mobilehome Park will be
lessened.
Steve Jensen, representing Petra Geotechnical, the City's geotechnical consultant, addressed
the issue of over -steepened slopes, advising that the use of geogrid was widely accepted and
had a good track record. He advised that the project was located on both massive and minor
landslides. He discussed stabilization of the large landslide area and the proposed use of a de-
watering system, which would entail maintenance over time and a decision on who would
assume that responsibility. He addressed the grading required for stabilization of surficial
slides and the impacts on surrounding open space areas.
Public Input:
Ray Poulter, representing the applicant, advised that the school site previously designated for
the public and institutional site in 1982 had been deemed unacceptable by the School District.
He discussed the proposal to exchange the 8 -acre La Novia public institutional site for a 2 -
acre site on the north side of Forster Canyon Drive; the potential use of the 2 -acre public
institutional site by the Water District for a water storage tank; sale of the La Novia site to
The Life Church; the reason for the change in housing product; the location of the proposed
1'/2 to 1 slopes; the hope that some of the road improvements could be deferred; and, the
proposed freeway ramp improvements at Valle Road. He discussed boring projects on the
site and advised that a soils report would be available within approximately 60 days regarding
the nature of the "massive" slide plain and the water table level. He stated that their engineer
had determined that the project contained 52% open space rather than the staff assertion of
approximately 42%. He further discussed the landfill closure requirements and issues related
to its subsequent use.
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' Ron Martin, Civil Engineer for the applicant, 942 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, advised that
the limits of grading would be approximately 400 feet below the ridgeline and grading would
not extend up to or wrap around the ridgeline in any way. He noted that all of the facilities,
including the water -monitoring wells, required for the landfill closure would be installed
underground with the exception of the methane burner, which would be located on the front
face of the landfill. He described the methane burner, its approved location and potential
visibility. He discussed the landfill cover and the issues involved in assuring that the material
underneath remained dry, which was necessary to keep the landfill from settling.
Michael Devere, 124 Avenida Poinyetta, San Clemente, architect for The Life Church,
advised he was available for questions and spoke in support of the potential for The Life
Church to relocate to the La Novia parcel.
Council Member Campbell indicated that although her residence was in the vicinity of the proposed
project, she did not have a conflict of interest.
Discussion ensued regarding potential reservoir sites needed to support commercial and
residential development in the southern portion of town. Bob Clark, District Engineer,
explained the need for a larger reservoir and indicated that the Public Institutional site in Tract
14343 could accommodate an underground reservoir that could be paved over and used for
parking or other recreational uses. The City Manager advised that further evaluation was
' needed before a recommendation could be made.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
Council recessed at 4:25 p.m. and reconvened at 4:35 p.m.
Council Comments:
Council Member Swerdlin inquired about the senior housing and was advised that the actual
size of the project would be determined as the project proceeded through the process and the
actual usable acreage was determined. Council Member Swerdlin also inquired about noise
impacts and was advised that mitigation measures for residential units along La Novia would
be included in future approvals.
Council Member Greiner indicated that it appeared his concerns with traffic circulation issues
could be mitigated. He felt that the impacts to the mobilehome park would be fewer than
originally thought. He advised he was not yet convinced that the exchange of public
dedication sites was the best avenue for the City; and stated concerned that the total area of
open space not be diminished. He expressed additional concerns regarding water percolation
and potential uses on the landfill site.
Council Member Hart indicated he had had concerns when addressing the project as a
Planning Commission Member and his concerns remained the same. He stated concern
regarding density was too massive and would have a major impact on aesthetics. He was
' concerned about unstable soil conditions; any stabilization should include the open space. He
was concerned about the alignment of La Novia, stating a preference for a 90 -degree
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intersection. He felt the landfill should be completed and signed off before development
begins and that the City not in any way be involved in anything that could entail future
liability. He stated concern about on-going maintenance of the proposed de -watering wells
and whose responsibility that would become. He indicated support for more open space from
developable land, rather than the majority of the open space being the landfill area. He
strongly supported the staff recommendation that all of the required traffic mitigation
measures be completed prior to building permits.
Mayor Jones indicated he had originally supported the project. He indicated he had concerns
with the proposed exchange of public dedication sites. He indicated a desire to see a model
of the project to held clarify the grading impacts associated with the revised plans. He
concurred that the landfill should be closed and completed prior to any other development.
He further stated concerns regarding the massive grading in a landslide area.
Council Member Campbell concurred with Council Member Hart and noted additional
concerns regarding the methane bumer, the public dedication site exchange and La Novia
alignment and impacts on the mobilehome park.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 4:52 p.m. to the
next regular meeting date of Tuesday, February 3, 1998, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
C2RAYL �JOSO CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
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01/26/98