74-0401_CC_Minutes_Special MeetingAPRIL 1, 1974
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRA14O
93
Pursuant to the NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL, dated March 28, 1974, and signed by Mayor Roy L. Byrnes,
for the purpose of reviewing issues associated with development
along the Ortega highway, including designation of a school site
east of Interstate 5, agreements for right of way on Ortega High-
way, improvement schedule for Ortega highway, traffic impacts from
Prima Deshecha and Owens-Illinois facilities, and consideration of
Tentative Tracts 7673, 8485 and 5126, Mayor Byrnes called the
meeting to order in the City Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Byrnes.
Invocation was given by Councilman James K. Weathers.
ROLL CALL COUNCILMEN PRESENT: Roy L. Byrnes, Mayor
James K. Weathers, Mayor Pro Tem
Yvon O. Heckscher
John B. Sweeney
COUNCILMEN ABSENT: Douglas B. Nash
STAFF PRESENT: Donald G. Weidner, City Manager
George Madsen, Senior Project Engineer
William Murphy, Director of Public Works
James Okazaki, City Attorney
David Smith, Director of Planning
Jo Bennitt, City Clerk
MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY
It was moved by Councilman Sweeney, seconded by Councilman Heckscher,
and unanimously carried, that all Ordinances and Resolutions be read
by title only.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENTS AND TRAFFIC ON
ORTEGA HIGHWAY
David J. Smith, Director of Planning, made a presentation covering
the content of his Staff Report entitled: General Background and
Status of Issues Pertaining to the Ortega Highway.
William Murphy, Director of Public Works, reviewed his report:
Traffic Impacts on Ortega Highway (April, 1974).
Murray Storm, Assistant Road Commissioner for Orange County,
indicated the Prima Deshecha Disposal Site on a display map, said
site being 945 acres owned by the County plus 580 acres within
the boundaries of San Juan Capistrano, proposed for acquisition.
He took note of the immediate concern to provide access to the site,
and observed that the County had acquired right of way and property
to make a route to the Ortega-LaPata access.
He distributed and briefly discussed ten alternative access routes,
which he had initially presented to Council on February 11, 1974.
Mr. Storm advised that, pursuant to Council directive on that
occasion, the County has been proceeding to prepare Environmental
Impact Reports for the ten routes, with special emphasis on the
five for which Council had indicated their preference; i.e.
1. Alignment "A" (Out of San Clemente on Avenida Pico)
3. LaPata
4. San Juan Creek Road-LaPata
5. Camino de Los Mares
7. La Novia
He said further that the EIR would be ready for presentation to
Staff in April and that he would hope to make a public presentation
to the Planning Commission or to Council.
APR 11974
City Council Minutes
April 1, 1974
Page 2
It was noted that Routes 3, 4 and 7 would have an impact on the
Ortega Highway,
Traffic volume, based on the present Forster Canyon operation, was
projected at 80-90 trucks a day from the landfill, or 160-180 trips
a day, with a possible 20o increase in traffic over the next ten
years. This would result in a total of 1500 additional traffic
count for the Ortega.
The service area for the Prima Deshecha was described as generally
that territory south of E1 Toro Road and the southern half of
Laguna Beach.
Mr. Storm reported the probability that the Coyote Canyon operation
can be extended until 1977, so that no refuse north of the E1
Toro Road will ever have to come down to the Prima Deshecha site.
Mr. Storm indicated that the usage could be limited to the present-
ly owned site; however, in terms of the ultimate regional park,
it would be preferable to expand the usage over the projected
1500 acre site.
In response to the City Manager's query as to whether or not the
County anticipates a contribution toward immediate widening of
the Ortega Highway, Mr. Storm stated that they have been able to
identify the problem areas on the Ortega insofar as they might
affect access from the Ortega Highway either from Lallovia or
LaPata.
He reported an estimated cost for a special interim project at
approximately $130,000. It is felt it would be better to apply
this sum to a full and complete project if by such application
the State might be encouraged to expedite their project on the
Ortega. He felt, however, that it will be the end of 1975 before
the State can go ahead because of the problems involved in the
EIR, and that any County contribution would merely accelerate
the project by three or four months.
Mr. Murphy introduced Wally Knutsen, Senior Highway Engineer,
State Department of Transportation, who agreed to the need for
improvements on the Ortega Highway. He cited a bad safety record,
manyletters from residents and the Council concerning danger
on that highway, and concern about school bus stops. He expressed
his awareness of a need to widen the highway, but agreed that the
project could probably not commence until July, 1976. It was
his thought that the project might be approved with only a nega-
tive declaration in terms of the EIR. At this state there
appears to be no major environmental impact.
He noted that the fiscal year budget is normally acted on in
October.
In response to Councilman Heckscher's question, Mayor Byrnes ad-
vised that a condition of tract approval has been the dedication
of right of way.
The Senior Project Engineer, George Madsen, advised that the City
has required the right of way dedication on all but four parcels
on the south side of the Highway.
Mr. Knutsen indicated that the State would have to purchase rights
of way that the City had not been able to obtain.
It was noted that there had been discussion of widening to three
lanes during the interim period if the right of way could be
acquired. Noting the problems of traffic loads and school children,
it was asked if the County might provide assistance in straighten-
ing out some of the curves based on City acquisition of right of
way for three lanes.
Mr. Storm responded that the County had not eliminated any possibi-
lity with respect to the Ortega Highway. He felt, however, that
APR 11974
City Council Manutes9 5
April 1, 1974
Page 3
this would be a questionable investment, which would necessitate
a determination based on traffic load.
Councilman Weathers said that the only routes not impacting Ortega
would be 1 and 5.
Mr. Knutsen reiterated that funds budgeted by the Commission in
October, 1975, may be spent, starting in January, 1976 --summer,
1976 would be the earliest time for going to bid on this project.
Cost was placed at $950,000, exclusive of right-of-way acquisition.
In response to a question, the Director of Planning indicated on
the display map, the County's Flood Plain 1 and Flood Plain 2
zones and briefly discussed the effects of this zoning on the
proposed tracts. fie stated that in future the City will not permit
encroachment into the flood plain.
In response to a Council question about drainage fees, their applica-
tion to tract development, reimbursement agreements, etc., the
Senior Project Engineer offered a brief explanation of the proce-
dures.
Bob Maurer, Maurer Development Company, noted that Calle Arroyo
would draw off an undetermined volume of traffic. He stated their
wish to proceed with Tract 8264, noting that they had worked very
hard to obtain the right of. way. He said they would like to record
in June and develop the first phase within eight to fourteen months.
He projected three phases of fifty houses each.
Tract 5126 is ready to proceed, with development flowing into 1975.
In response to inquiry, the City Attorney advised that the school
site agreement had been modified to satisfy Council's concerns,
and that he was satisfied with it.
Mayor Byrnes declared recess at 8:25 p.m.
Mayor Byrnes reconvened the meeting at 8:43 p.m. with the following
Councilmen present: Councilmen Byrnes, Heckscher, Sweeney and
Weathers.
Mayor Byrnes introduced Supervisor Ron Caspers, who was in attendance.
Bob Maurer described Tract 8264 as a Planned Development encompassing
40 acres, with 149 detached single-family residences; and Tract
5126 as an R-1 with 90 units on minimum lots of 7200 square feet,
all connected with Calle Arroyo and Ortega Highway.
Bart Pitts, representing Leadership Housing Systems, Inc., stated
that their proposed development features 174 units in a unique
concept which had been unanimously approved by the Planning Commission
--a revolutionary type of tract which they are anxious to build.
Dave Langlois, Vice President, Standard Pacific, spoke on behalf of
Tract 8485, featuring 96 R-1 lots --7200 sq. ft. minimum. It will
have a nine -acre park. With respect to the problems presented by
the Ortega Highway and the school site, he observed that the traffic
impact as projected would be lessened by the fact that a Pacesetter
tract had been abandoned and, also, by the development of Calle Arroyo.
He noted further that the $950,000 projected cost figure for the
improvement of the Ortega Highway would be reduced proportionately
as right of way improvements are installed in conjunction with
tract development. Ile pointed out that by the time all of the maps
have been recorded, a substantial percentage of the right of way
along the south side of the highway will have been dedicated to the
City. He estimated a six -months period from approval of the tentative
until recordation of Final Map, with an additional year until the
date of the first move -ins. This would delav first traffic impact
until mid -1975. It was his opinion that the school site problem
had been satisfactorily resolved.
APR 11974
�7 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 1974
Page 4
Following discussion regarding the feasibility of an immediate
decision, Mayor Byrnes adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m., to
a Personnel Session to be hold in the Council Chambers, immedi-
ately following this meeting.
PERSONNEL SESSION
Mayor Byrnes called the meeting to order at 9:00 p.m., for the
purpose of receiving advice on legal matters from the City
Attorney and to discuss City Clerk and Commission/Committee
appointments.
Present: Councilmen Byrnes, Heckscher, Sweeney and Weathers
Absent: Councilman Nash (Excused)
It was moved by Councilman Sweeney, seconded by Councilman
Weathers, and unanimously carried, to appoint Jerry Cole as
the City's Representative to the Mosquito Abatement District.
Mayor Byrnes appointed Councilman Sweeney and himself to the
City of San Juan Capistrano Retirement Income Plan Administra-
tion and Advisory Board.
Mayor Byrnes appointed Councilman Heckscher as the City's
Representative to the Intergovernmental Coordinating Council
and Councilman Weathers as Alternate.
Councilmen Weathers and Nash were appointed by the Mayor to
serve as the City's Representatives on the Bicentennial Committee.
Councilmen Nash and Sweeney were appointed as Members of the
Civic Center Site Committee.
Following discussion on the qualifications of various candi-
dates for the position of City Clerk, it was moved by Council-
man Sweeney, seconded by Councilman Heckscher, and unanimously
approved that the City Manager be authorized to negotiate final
terms and conditions of employment with the leading candidate.
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Byrnes at 10:07 p.m.
The next Regular
.Monday, April 8,
Chambers.
Meeting of the City Council is
1974, at 7:00 p.m., in the City
Qy T.. y nes, M.
City of S n Juan
lerk
scheduled for
Council
D., Mayor
Capistrano
APR 11974