07-0703_CRA_Minutes_Regular MeetingMINUTES
' JULY 3, 2007
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CLOSED SESSION (610.85) - None
Chairman Nielsen called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan
Capistrano Community Redevelopment Agency to order at 9:55 p.m.
ROLL CALL
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Sam Allevato, Joe Soto, Dr. Londres Uso, Vice
Chairman Tom Hribar and Chairman Mark Nielsen
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Dave Adams, Executive Director; Steve Apple, Deputy Executive
Director; Meg Monahan, Agency Secretary; Cynthia L. Russell, Finance Officer; John
Shaw, Agency Counsel; Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager; and
Eileen White, Recording Secretary.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Board Action: Moved by Director Soto, seconded by Director Allevato, and carried
unanimously, 5-0, to approve items 1 through 4 as recommended by staff.
1. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 5, 2007, APPROVED AS
SUBMITTED.
2. AGREEMENT WITH OLIVER MAHON ASPHALT, INC. TO OVERLAY THE
CAPISTRANO DEPOT NORTH PARKING LOT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$37,647.00, APPROVED. (600.40)
3. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE WARRANTS DATED JUNE 21, 2007, IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $29,215.19, RECEIVED AND FILED. (300.30)
4. CASH BALANCES BY FUND — MAY 31, 2007, RECEIVED AND FILED. (330.50)
PUBLIC HEARING - None
I
BOARD ACTIONS
7-3-2007
1. CONCEPTUAL BEAUTIFICATION/STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS TO ---
VERDUGO STREET APPROVED. (820.20)
Description: Several businesses and property owners in the downtown area
approached the City in August 2006 with a proposal for streetscape and corridor
improvements to Verdugo Street. The Verdugo Street stakeholders' original
proposal eliminates the center lane, widens the sidewalks, and adds
landscaping, lighting, and street furniture. A revised proposal consists of two
landscaped center medians featuring trees, shrubs, and up -lighting. The City's
Design Review Committee reviewed the median enhancements and
recommended additional improvements to create an inviting and comfortable
pedestrian environment. Staff recommended Council approve the concept of
beautification improvements to Verdugo Street and authorize the preparation of
design plans.
Written Communications: Report dated July 3, 2007, by Douglas Dumhart,
Economic Development Manager.
Presentation: Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager, summarized
the staff report and narrated a slide presentation featuring proposed
improvements and traffic analysis.
Public Comment:
Eric Altman, owner of Vaquero West building, urged the Board to support the
staff recommendation due to high level of property owner collaboration.
Paul Douglas, representing the Celebrity Theatre, supported the beautification
proposals and urged Council support.
Deborah Bogdanski, representing Sarducci's Restaurant, felt the improvements
were needed to connect downtown with the historic Los Rios District.
Joe Campbell, representing Ruby's Restaurant, supported the improvements and
preferred they would not be contingent on other improvements in the downtown.
Monica Mukai, representing the Lupe Combs House, supported the
improvements as they provided an entry to the Los Rios District. She felt the
improvements should extend to Los Rios.
Board Discussion:
Directors provided suggestions to staff including using paving treatments that
allow access to people with limited mobility and that are cost effective; entering
into partnerships with project stakeholders; requiring quality materials and
2 7-3-2007
workmanship to ensure the longevity of the improvements; and phasing the
' project to provide adequate finances for quality improvements.
Chair Nielsen also suggested other improvements should be added to the
downtown such as a visitors' center and directional signage.
Board Action: Moved by Director Soto, seconded by Director Allevato, and
carried unanimously, 5-0, to approve the concept of beautification improvements
to Verdugo Street and authorize the preparation of design plans.
2. LAND USE AND PROPERTY DISPOSITION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR
LOWER ROSAN RANCH DISCUSSED. (APN 121-240-39; 121-240-73; 121-253
13; 121-253-15) CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY ITEM #6A (420.10)
Description: Lower Rosan Ranch is a 15 acre vacant unimproved property
located behind the Capistrano Valley Mobile Estates between the railroad tracks
and flood control channel. In response to requests, the previous Board
considered sale of the property to support area automotive dealerships. The new
Board chose to revisit the idea, considering leasing the property and expanding
the uses. Staff recommends by motion, establishing the Land Use and Property
Disposition Goals and Objectives for the Lower Rosan Ranch Property.
' Written Communications:
Report dated July 3, 2007, by Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development
Manager.
Letter dated July 2, 2007, from Warren and Lynn Watkins, owners of Capistrano
Valley Mobile Estates, expressing concern with the changing plans for
development of the Lower Rosan Ranch property and requesting continued
involvement.
Letter dated June 28, 2007, from Lee W. Phelps, 30905 Rancho Viejo Road,
Suite 175, reiterating his interest in developing the property.
Letter dated July 2, 2007, from Laura Freese, Chairman of the Housing Advisory
Committee and writing on their behalf, requesting Council consider using a
portion of the Lower Rosan Ranch Property for an affordable housing project.
Presentation:
Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager, narrated a slide
presentation featuring property history, pertinent issues, and information related
to dealership expansion, sales, employment, and revenue. He forwarded a
request to allow the Toyota dealership to use the site on a temporary basis while
it expanded.
7-3-2007
Public Comment:
Tom Gronewalk, City resident, opposed use of the Lower Rosan Ranch site by
auto dealers and low income housing. He was concerned with impacts to
neighbors. He suggested senior housing as an appropriate use.
Bobbi Decker, City resident, opposed us of the site by auto dealers as they
recently have not been good neighbors.
Raj Kadakia, Dana Point resident, proposed RV storage, auto, and boat storage
site uses to reduce impacts to area residents, meet demand, and increase area
commerce. His approval included an offer to share revenue with the City.
Craig Boyajian, Toyota of San Juan Capistrano, suggested a temporary use of
the land for the auto dealership while improvements are made on their property.
Tom Dean, City resident, proposed the City use the land for a sizable affordable
housing project that may be eligible for substantial tax credits.
Leo Chade, City resident, representing D. Phelps and Bard Miller Corporation,
proposed development of an industrial complex.
Laura Freese, representing the Housing Advisory Committee, recommended a
mixed-use, affordable housing project for the land due to its suitability for the use
and to meet state mandated housing quotas.
Paul Lawrence, Dana Point Harbor Department, proposed using the site for boat
storage with the advantage of a long term lease.
Nick Knopsis, Ladera Ranch, Nick P. Titan Development, proposed development
of mini storage and auto storage on the site.
Board Comment:
Director Uso supported a mixed-use development that included affordable
housing and uses that would generate income. He was not opposed to any of
the conceptual proposals offered in the public comments. He supported a
temporary site use as vehicular storage.
Director Soto supported a mixed-use development that reduced impacts on
neighboring residents and provided a revenue stream. He supported temporary
storage of vehicles if dealerships resolved excess noise and other impacts on
nearby residences.
Director Allevato recommended diversification of uses including providing
workforce housing. He suggested long term lease of the property to retain the
q 7-3-2007
appreciating asset. He supported temporary storage of vehicles on the property
' at fair market value.
Vice Chairman Hribar recommended 7 acres of affordable housing, 5 acres of
retail sales tax generating use adjacent to Stonehill and the 3 acres adjacent to
the mobile home park to be used for storage. He supported temporary vehicular
storage on the site.
Chairman Nielsen suggested affordable housing and revenue generating uses
such as RV/boat/auto storage. He felt a portion should be retained in the long
term for a future City use and the recreational needs assessment may suggest
other uses. He felt there was a need to beautify the creek. He supported
temporary auto storage with conditions related to development of the auto
dealership to lessen visual impacts and reduction of night lighting.
Board Action: Discussion item only, no action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Nielsen adjourned the meeting at 12:04 a.m.
on July 4, 2007, to Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., for Closed Session, and 7:00
p.m. for the Public Business Session, in the City Council Chamber.
' Respectfully
AGENCY
7.2007
ATTES \JW �
CHAIR AN MARK NIELSIEN
5 7-3-2007