09-0615_CRA_Minutes_Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES
June15, 2009
Long Term Vision/Strategic Plan
Workshop
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Mayor Nielsen called the Adjourned Regular Joint Meeting of the San Juan Capistrano
City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency to order at 2:03 p.m. in the City
Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS & COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PRESENT:
Sam Allevato, Tom Hribar, Laura Freese, Mayor pro tem Dr. Londres Uso and
Mayor Nielsen
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT/COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Hribar led the Pledge of Allegiance
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Comment:
= Jean Vincenzi, Friend of the Library, encouraged the Council to continue the
vision from 25 years ago for the renovation and expansion of the library.
• Kim McCarthy, City resident, felt downtown needs to be cleaned up from crime
before it is revitalized.
• Marilyn Zapp, City resident, read a letter for the record regarding rent increases
and how cities are created by art culture and artists.
• Steve Behmerwomld, City resident, felt the City's biggest crime is graffiti;
therefore the City should not expend additional funds in police services.
• Cheryl Burns, City resident, handed out post card to the Council; need for more
law enforcement; and the need for more than the Mission to attract visitors.
• Gail Zukow, City resident, thanked the Council for the open space being
considered near the Oaks which can be used as evacuation for large animals.
• Kathleen Peterson, Las Brisas Homeowners Association, spoke regarding the
need to continue working on parking issues and overcrowding; and felt
residential areas within downtown need to be improved before
considering a hotel.
• Patrick Crowley, City resident, spoke regarding solutions to relieve traffic
congestion and overcrowding.
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DISCUSSION ITEM
C1. MISSION, VISION & STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN REVIEWED AND
DISCUSSED (400.40) - No action taken.
Cindy Russell, Assistant City Manager provided a staff report. Power point presentation
by Shane Kavanagh and Chris Swanson, Government Finance Officers Associations.
"Mission"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Replace "self-contained" with "oasis" or "self-sufficient." "Self-contained" makes
San Juan Capistrano sound more like an island.
• "Historical character" and "public safety" should be mentioned as key
characteristics.
• Inclusiveness is an important value meant to celebrate shared values.
• The concept of "diversity," is important and should include economic diversity --
all socio-economic groups should be able live together in SJC.
• Key phase: "San Juan Capistrano should be one of the most desirable places to
live and visit" (replace "value special qualities..." with this).
• Key concept: City/community of San Juan Capistrano is a "family." San Juanians
first.
• Subjugate diversity to "family concept."
• Mission statement needs to be descriptive enough to know what we are working
towards.
• Trim down mission statement by removing extraneous words like "high quality"
and "policies."
Public Comment:
• "Spirited" is a differentiating adjective for San Juan Capistrano.
• "Community" is a better term than "city" and inclusiveness should include "multi-
generational."
• Mission statement needs to be succinct — most descriptive language should be in
the values.
"Values"
Council Council/Directors Comments:
• "Self-contained" also means having a place where residents do not have to leave
town to buy certain items.
• The concept of "transparency" is important to add and it should include the
element of "participation."
• Add/define "natural advantages" (creeks, ridgelines, etc.). --
• Add "certain" to economic advantages.
• Describe San Juan Capistrano as a total experience — spiritual, natural,
education, etc.
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Public Comments:
• San Juan Capistrano is a mid -way point between San Diego and Los Angeles so
has historically been stop -off with the highway, train, etc.
• The values should better define the concept of integration with Orange County --
that San Juan Capistrano is not an island.
o The concept of getting visitors to come to San Juan Capistrano is an
important sub -point.
• These values should have more "zing."
• The City could add environmental sustainability language from a recent
resolution.
"Vision"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Acknowledge employment opportunities for residents inside and outside of the
City.
• Address ethnicity and age cohorts as important aspects of inclusiveness.
• "Balance" is at the core of the challenge -- balance between economic vitality,
traffic flow, and town character.
• "Downtown" should be added to the vision for economic sustainability — it is a
key point of community.
• Need to directly address/embrace City's heritage (Native American, Spanish, and
Mexican, to be inclusive).
• Also, need to emphasize preservation of a mixed community and American
culture at same time.
o The "family" concept is important. San Juan Capistrano has diverse
constituent parts, but the parts come together to form a greater whole.
• "Swallows" should be mentioned.
• The concept of cultural inclusiveness should be balanced. The intent is not to
promote one culture as the single dominant culture.
Public Comment:
• History can be defined as "Old World charm."
• Mention hills, streams, bulls, ridgelines, hot springs, etc., specifically.
• San Juan Capistrano is a cultural and entertainment center.
• Be sure inclusiveness is broad covers many characteristics.
• Celebrate historical heritage.
• San Juan Capistrano should strive to partner with other governments, not just
community groups.
• "Celebrate cultural connections" or "California traditions" could be key phrases in
the inclusiveness value.
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Strategic Issues & Questions
"Traffic„
A. What is a "livable" level of traffic? How is this defined?
o Is this impacted by the type of traffic? Shopping traffic is desirable.
Through traffic is not.
B. How can San Juan Capistrano engage regional players positively & strategically?
o Other cities, state/regional agencies, private -sector entities that make an
impact on traffic are all potential regional players
C. How to define traffic goals and consider trade-offs in route design?
o is it worth building more roads to save driving time?
o How to balance aesthetics with transportation route design to improve
traffic flow?
D. What specific projects will help achieve traffic goals? How can the City support
them?
o 1-5/Ortega interchange project, etc.
o What are root causes of traffic problems and how do projects address
them?
E. What tactics for traffic alleviation are available?
o Technologies and innovative techniques
o What are root causes of traffic problems and how do the tactics address
them?
"Land Use, Economic Development, Open Space, and Building Standards"
A. How can the City prevent stagnation and blight and preserve and enhance its
special character?
B. What are the costs and benefits of open space? What is the right balance?
o What is the role of open space? For example, how does open space figure
into enhancing the town's equestrian character?
o How might open space be leveraged to the town's economic advantage?
C. What is the end goal for economic diversification? Given that, what economic
development strategies will the City follow? What land -use policies?
o Differentiate between historic downtown and other areas (historic
downtown, 1-5 corridor)? Are different development standards and policies
required?
D. New development - What are the key available sites? What are the key
annexation possibilities? What are the uses the City wants to put at these sites?
o Can a hotel be added?
o What are the other major land -use opportunities to achieve the City's
Vision?
E. How to work with existing business (and car dealerships, in particular) to make
sure they are successful? How to attract desirable new business?
a. How does the City proactively attract the desired business?
F. What are the right regulation strategies? Zoning and height? Can regulation
processes (e.g., permitting) be streamlined for desired uses?
a. How to balance the rights of individual property owners with community
development goals?
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G. How can the City provide for housing to meet the needs of different demographic
groups (income, age)?
H. How to balance the desire for new development and the requirement to meet the
needs of business (in order to attract development), with the need to protect the
town's unique identity?
"Strengthening the Downtown, Los Rios Historic District, and the Mission as a
Community Icon"
A. What is the ultimate vision and goal for the Downtown, Los Rios Historic District,
and the Mission?
o How do these interconnect? What are the synergies?
B. How to better leverage the Mission's presence? How to maintain the most
productive relationship with the Mission?
C. How to better leverage the Los Rios Historic District?
D. What strategies to revitalize the downtown? How to encourage uses that draw
and hold people (residents and visitors) downtown & that are compatible with the
town's character?
E. What is the City's "brand" and how could it be expanded or changed to secure
economic sustainability? How to market it?
o Quality of life, equestrian, agrarian is examples of potential brands.
F. What tactics can the City use to make downtown more attractive?
"Public Safety"
A. Is San Juan Capistrano prepared for extreme events?
B. How will open space impact public safety services (patrol, emergency
response)?
o What are key metrics of service effectiveness?
C. What is the optimal public safety staffing?
o How will new commerce, development, and events impact public safety
services?
o What are key metrics of service effectiveness?
D. How will transportation programs impact public safety?
o What are key metrics of service effectiveness?
E. Can fire services protect all of San Juan Capistrano's constituents?
F. How can the City better control the cost of public safety services?
a. What are key metrics of cost?
"Financial Sustainability"
A. Can the City's revenue structure be enhanced?
o What are the City's goals for revenue diversity?
B. How can the City strengthen its revenue base through land use and economic
development policies?
C. What services should the City provide and at what levels?
D. How can services be provided more efficiently?
o Technology — how can it be used?
o Innovation — how can the City be more innovative?
E. How can the City better address staffing issues such a succession planning,
training, turnover, and incentive structures?
F. How to link the strategic business plan to the budget?
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G. How can the City best prepare for the cost of legal mandates, regulatory
requirements, and state take -away?
"Infrastructure & Maintenance"
A. How to maintain existing infrastructure using a proactive approach?
o How does the City define the standards it will maintain infrastructure to
and schedule and fund the same (including pursuing federal and state
funding opportunities)?
B. How to cost maintenance for open space?
C, How to provide new infrastructure?
D. How to decrease reliance on imported water?
E. How to secure funding (including federal and state opportunities) for new water
projects and maintain existing infrastructure?
F. Is there a need for a new City Hall?
"Cultural Diversity"
A. How to address and balance the needs of a diverse community?
o What is the financial impact on the City?
B. How to assimilate all segments of the community into the San Juan Capistrano
"family"
C, How can all segments of the town contribute their talents to the community?
D. How can the City make sure civic life remains vital for everyone?
o How can the arts play a role in maintaining a vibrant civic life?
E. How to encourage all residents and businesses to be valued members of the —
community?
o How can the City prevent physical isolation of some segments of the
population?
C2. HISTORIC TOWN CENTER PLAN AMENDED; AND STAFF DIRECTED TO
PROCEED WITH THE AMENDMENT PROCESS (400.40)
Public Comment:
• Ken Friess, City resident, will like to see the implementation of the Historic Town
Center Plan move forward and take advantage of the opportunity to make
changes that will enhance the downtown.
• Eric Altman, Chamber of Commerce, encouraged the Council to move forward
with implementing the Historic Town Center Plan.
• Don Tryon, Cultural Heritage Commission, notified the Council of a Committee
that is exploring the possibility to acquire the Egan House to be uses as a
Bowers Museum Satellite.
Douglas D. Dumhart, Economic Development Manager, presented a report from
Council Sub -committee that recommended amending the adopted 1995 Historic Town
Center Plan rather than initiating a whole new Master Plan process. The City Council
reviewed and commented on a revised alternate plan by the following key components: ---
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"Hotel and Mix/Use Component"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Good location and focal point.
• Possibility of parking structure next to the freeway off -ramp.
• Great visibility from the freeway.
• Concentrate on access off Ortega.
• Good opportunity to blend architecture of hotel with the Mission.
• Good location for mix/use.
"Ortega Highway Enhancements Component"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Possible diagonal parking on one side.
• More pedestrian friendly.
• Pedestrian Plaza makes the most sense and narrowing of Ortega will be the
second best option to limit the amount of traffic; and widening of the sidewalks.
• Do not use the front area for bus off-loading.
• Keep cars on the Mission Promenade side; widen sidewalk and no busing on
Ortega Highway.
• Mission Gate will be a great enhancement to the downtown.
• Parking on side of Mission should be eliminated.
• No consensus for elimination of all on -street parking.
"Ortega Highway Extension/Mix-Use Component"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Extension of Ortega will create negative impacts on the properties affected and
to the pedestrian orientation.
• Preference in including the extension in the study.
• Preference in not having Mix -Use and keeping as parking.
• Long Term Vision -- introduce the horse back to downtown and should not be
driven by the automobile.
• Verdugo Street should be a one way in, one way out.
• No Council consensus in extending Ortega Highway west into the Depot area
until further studied.
"Parking Garage Extension Component"
City Cou ncii/Di rectors Comments:
• In favor of circulation around "EI Adobe".
• Preference in low density Mix -Use.
• Support for garage extension.
• Preference in Office/Residential, too hidden for retail.
• Concern regarding Barns historic significance.
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"Oedekerk Plaza Mix -Use Component"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Unanimous support for Mix -Use.
• Preference in also having a Bed and Breakfast.
• Need for a kid friendly restaurant.
• Possibility of relocating the Fire Station ingress driveway.
"EI Camino Real Retail Component"
City Council/Directors Comments:
• Encourage pedestrian movement by having a string of retail, staring at the
Mission coming down through Camino Capistrano or El Camino Real.
• Pedestrian oriented with wide sidewalks and interesting retail.
• Parking lot is a waste; it should have retail with parking hidden behind.
• Concern with ending up with too much parking and not enough retail.
• Preference in not closing El Camino Real to vehicular traffic.
• Concern with traffic from El Camino Real going to Camino Capistrano.
• Preference in Forster Street going through before El Camino Real is closed to
vehicular parking.
• No Council consensus in closing El Camino Real to vehicular traffic.
"Texaco/Playhouse Mix -Use Component"
City CouncillDirectors Comments:
• Need parking included in the area.
• Parking structure with a veneer around it of retail to conceal the structure.
• EI Camino Real should be pedestrian oriented and full of retail.
• Parking structure should have 300 parking spaces.
• Preference in keeping the Playhouse with a parking structure and retail around
the corner.
• Parking structure can be built close to the Playhouse since the building has no
windows.
• If the Playhouse is to close or find another location, the new building needs to
complement what the building plans are for that area.
Council/Board Action: Moved by Mayor Nielsen, seconded by Mayor pro tem Uso, and
carried unanimously to approve the Sub -committee's recommendation to amend the
adopted Historic Center Plan as opposed to initiating a new Master Plan; and staff
directed to proceed with the amendment process conforming to the concern and issues
discussed by Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nielsen adjourned the City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency
meeting at 9:11 p.m. to Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 6:30 p,m. for Closed Session; and
then 6:30 p.m. for the public Business Session, in the City Council Chamber.
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miffed,
i
MARIA I CTIN� GENCY SECRETARY
Approved: July 21, 2009
ATTEST:
THOMAS W. HRIBAR, CHAIRMAN
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