80-0917_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting27
SEPTEMBER 17, 1980
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 Hausdorfer
at 4:35 p.m., in the San Juan Hot Springs Dance Hall.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Gary L. Hausdorfer, Mayor
Phillip R. Schwartze, Mayor pro tem
Lawrence F. Buchheim Councilman
Kenneth E. Friess, Councilman
One Office Vacant
PLANNING COMMISSION:
TRAFFIC AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:
Anthony L. Bland, Chairman
Robert Davies, Commissioner
Ronald Fuchs, Chairman
Michael Villegas, Vice Chairman
Ron Brown, Commissioner
Dennis Haehn, Commissioner
William Timoti, Commissioner
ABSENT: Dee Tyler, Vice Chairman, Planning
Commission
Michael Berns, Planning Commissioner
Steve Rios, Planning Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT: James S. Mocalis,
Director of Public Works; Thomas
Planning and Development; George
Mary Ann Hanover, City Clerk.
TRAFFIC CIRCULATION WORKSHOP
City Manager; William D. Murphy,
G. Merrell, Director of Community
Alvarez, Traffic Engineer;
(44) Mayor Hausdorfer announced that the workshop was called for
(87) review and discussion of traffic circulation issues among
members of the City Council, Planning and Traffic Commis-
sioners, staff, and the community.
The Director of Community Planning and Development noted
that issues to be considered are construction feasibility,
funding of bridges, environmental impacts, regional traffic
through the City, can the existing General Plan be re-
affirmed, and are any components, goals, or methodology to
be altered.
The Director of Public Works reviewed the history of traffic
circulation studies in the City and noted that critical
issues are the extension of Alipaz Street north, Junipero
Serra Road, widening of Ortega Highway, linkage of Valle
Road, the southern portion of Alipaz Street, regional
traffic through the San Joaquin Corridor, and widening of
the San Diego Freeway. Funding issues include implementation
of capital projects, use of City Gas Tax Funds, requirements
for developers to construct roads as conditions of improve-
ment, Arterial Highway Financing Program funds, and Federal
and State funding. Exhibits were on display indicating road
deficiencies by classification and by construction.
The Director of Community Planning and Development noted
that the General Plan calls for the central part of the City
at Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano to be the location
of civic and community activities, cited emergency evacuation
problems should the Trabuco Creek Bridge be impassable, and
noted that major land use decisions would impact Junipero
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Serra Road and its extension, and the extension and completion
of Camino del Avion and Stonehill Road. Development projects
jeopardized by circulation uncertainties are the Downtown
Master Plan, the Smith properties west of Trabuco Creek, the
Bathgate property, and the Cadillac -Fairview project. Staff
agrees that the existing traffic plan has a well -thought-out
correlation with the General Plan and recommended that the
City re -affirm the General Plan of circulation west of the
Interstate 5 Freeway as it stands and that staff be committed
to accomplishing the facilities. Approximately five years
of Public Works effort will be required to acquire funding
for the Junipero Serra Road bridge corssing.
Commissioner Fuchs stated he would prefer that development
cease on Alipaz Street until circulation is resolved;
Commissioner Timoti noted that Golden Lantern in the Dana
Point area appears to be fragmented, development -related
construction and that it should be completed to relieve
traffic on Alipaz and Stonehill; Commissioner Davies supported
completion of Alipaz. Councilman Friess noted the importance
of a decision being made on Alipaz Street and that alternate
access routes can be provided to lower standards rather than
for a 55 mph limit; the Bathgate property provides a potential
for an alternate north -south route using Alipaz from Del
Obispo Street north. In response to Mayor Hausdorfer, the
Director of Public Works advised that a bridge at Junipero
Serra connecting with Alipaz North could be accomplished in
approximately five years with high priority commitment by
staff. Commissioner Davies commented that a road would be
needed from the bridge to the connection with Junipero
Serra.
Commissioner Bland noted that only a northbound ramp is
proposed at Stonehill and the Freeway and stressed the need
for a southbound ramp; an important decision will be whether
traffic is to be routed quickly through the City or if the
bulk of traffic is to be routed around the City, the latter
being preferable.
Councilman Buchheim concurred that the County should be
encouraged to complete Golden Lantern and Stonehill, with
Alipaz Street as an alternate for north -south traffic.
Councilman Friess suggested that Alipaz be completed from
the south to Del Obispo followed by concentration on the
completion of Stonehill; improvements to Junipero Serra
would increase building and traffic at the north end of the
City and cause pressure from the County for an extension
into County territory over the ridgeline. Mr. Friess
suggested the following priorities: completion of Alipaz
where possible, Stonehill, and completion of Alipaz to the
north with either two lanes or a narrow four -lane roadway
and simple creek crossing.
Mayor Hausdorfer summarized that no consensus had been
reached on changes to the circulation plans from the
decisions made in 1974 and 1977; that there is a need for a
creek crossing, a southern roadway extension, and the
completion of Stonehill. Priorities will be decided later in
the Fall.
Re -Affirmation of Circulation Plans:
It was moved by Councilman Schwartze, seconded by Councilman
Friess and unanimously carried that the circulation plan
west of the Interstate 5 Freeway be re -affirmed and that
staff be committed to accomplish funding of the facilities
necessary; the Planning and Traffic and Transportation
Commissions and staff are directed to study and attempt to
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29
resolve the present problems with circulation including
traffic signals at Del Obispo Street, the multi -modal
terminal study, and use of signs to alleviate traffic
congestion.
s11rP1U:�U61�hYY
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
5:40 p.m., to the regular City Council meeting time of 7:00 p.m.,
in the City Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY ANN N VER, CITY CLERK
ATTEST:
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