80-0114_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular1'76
JANUARY 14, 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 Friess
at 7:14 P.M., in the City Council Chamber, to review the development
plans, proposals and view analyses of the Colinas de Capistrano
' development, and to receive public input for transmittal to the
Orange County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Members
of the Orange County Planning Commission and Planning Staff had been
invited to attend the meeting.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Kenneth E. Friess, Mayor
Gary L. Hausdorfer, Mayor pro tem
Lawrence F. Buchheim, Councilman
Phillip R. Schwartze, Councilman
James F. Thorpe, Councilman
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: James S. Mocalis, City Manager; William D. Murphy,
Director of Public Works; Thomas G. Merrell, Director of Community
Planning and Development; Cheryl Johnson, Deputy City Clerk.
CONDOLENCES - SAN CLEMENTE COUNCILWOMAN WAGNER
(36) Mayor Friess noted the recent death of Myrtis Wagner, a San
Clemente Councilwoman, and extended the Council's respects
and sympathies to her family.
REVIEW OF COLINAS DE CAPISTRANO RIDGELINE DEVELOPMENT
' (56) This meeting was scheduled at the direction of the City Council
on December 19th, for review of the ridgeline encroachment of
the Colinas development, located outside of the City limits
within the City's sphere of influence.
For the benefit of the audience, Mayor Friess briefly reviewed
the areas of development, advising that all decisions on the
project will be made by the County and urging residents to
attend the January 22nd Orange County Planning Commission
meeting to present the desires of the community.
Presentation by Developer's Engineer:
John Mickler, a civil engineer with the firm of Hunsaker and
Associates, Costa Mesa, representative of the property owners,
Campeau Corporation and Shea Homes, reviewed the progressive
studies made within the constraints of zoning, arterial highway
requirements and geologic conditions. Exhibits were on display
and Mr. Mickler explained the approach taken in each of the
five studies, ranging from grading to the fullest extent
possible, to total preservation of the ridgelines.
Presentation by City Consultant:
Dick Thompson, a principal with the firm of Archiplan, Los
Angeles, hired by the City to analyze the impacts of the
' Colinas development, advised that the view analyses on display
were based on the Hunsaker and Associates Study 3. Mr. Thompson
described the ridgeline alterations as seen from the freeway
and in profile, and expressed the opinion that the cut for the
Junipero Serra extension would be the worst impact.
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Presentation by City Staff:
With the aid of photographs, Mr. Merrell pointed out ridgelines
in relation to various areas in the Valley, noting which
ones he felt should be preserved. He advised that the
Campeau Corporation will not do the actual building on the
property; that Areas 2 and 3 have been sold to Shea Homes
for home building; and, that Campeau Corporation still owns
Area 1, but has home builders ready to purchase the property.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The meeting recessed at 8:15 P.M., in order to allow the audience time
to view the exhibits and to ask questions of the engineers and staff
present. The meeting reconvened at 8:50 P.M.
Transportation to Orange County Planning Commission Meeting:
Mayor Friess advised that the City will provide two buses to
the Orange County Planning Commission meeting on January 22nd,
leaving at 12:30 P.M., and that child care will be provided
for those who need it.
Receipt of Public Comment:
The following persons addressed the Council:
(1) Doug Nash, 32906 Avenida Descanso, representing the
San Juan Civic Association, urged preservation of the
ridgelines and concentration on preservation of Area 1
ridgelines.
(2) Jill Hanna, 30161 Branding Iron Road, representing
Town Hall, urged preservation of the ridgelines and
expressed appreciation for the County Planning Commission's
initial support toward preservation.
(3) Bill Gardner, 30231 Silver Spur Road, Chairman of the
Committee for Preservation of Ridgelines, urged
preservation of the ridgelines and advised that
alteration of the skyline is unacceptable.
(72) (4) Yvonne Camarena, 34371 Via San Juan, Capistrano Beach,
presented a petition containing approximately 604 names,
urging preservation of the ridgelines west of the
Capistrano Valley.
(5) Gary Lake, 31545 Sundance Drive, felt the developer
had done a good job and advised of his concern for
housing.
(6) Fred Speshyock, 30823 Calle Chueca, President of
Casitas Homeowners Association No. 1, advised that
City residents are also residents and electors of the
County and therefore, do have a say in County actions.
Mayor Friess advised that letters and telephone calls
to Supervisor Riley and the County Planning Commissioners
can be influential.
(7) Arthur Lavagnino, 30797 Calle Chueca, expressed the
opinion that the proposed ridgeline treatment does not
retain a natural feeling; expressed opposition to the
Junipero Serra extension.
(8) Norma Foley, 29602 Orinda Road, noted that additional
housing in the area would provide additional business,
but she would prefer to preserve the ridgeline and the
aesthetics of the community.
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(9) Doug Smith, 26511 Via Sacramento, Capistrano Beach,
expressed his support of Study 5, total preservation
of the ridgelines.
(10) Sharon Allen, 28352 Paseo Establo, suggested consideration
also be given to drainage problems that may be created
by the development.
Council Discussion:
Council concurred in their opposition to any alteration of
the ridgelines and to the extension of Junipero Serra.
Councilman Thorpe suggested that the Junipero Serra cut
could create additional drainage into the Valley and compound
the flood problems in the northwestern area of the City.
Councilman Buchheim suggested, and Mayor Friess concurred,
that the City might support increased density on the back
side of the hills if the ridgelines are left natural.
City Position on Ridgelines, Areas 1, 2, and 3:
It was moved by Councilman Schwartze, seconded by Councilman
Hausdorfer and unanimously carried that the City Council and
the community of San Juan Capistrano take the position that
there be no development and no alteration of the ridgelines
in Areas 1, 2 and 3, visible from the Capistrano Valley
corridor, and that the Council will take whatever legal
means necessary, including court judgments and stipulations,
if necessary, in order to preserve those ridgelines.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:43 P.M., to the next regular meeting date of P?ednesday,
January 16, 1980, at 7:00 P.M., in the City Council Chamber.
ATTEST:
KENNETH E. FRIES YOR 7
n
Respectfully submitted,
MARY ANN HANOVER, CITY CLERK
By
Cheryl Johrt%onsDeputy
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