These minutes will be considered for approval at the Planning Commission meeting of 06-07-2023.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
PLANNING COMMISSION
May 17, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.
San Clemente City Hall Council Chambers
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673
Teleconference via www.san-clemente.org/live or Cox Channel 854
CALL TO ORDER
Chair McKhann called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of San Clemente to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was offered in person at San Clemente City Hall Council Chambers, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, 92673, and also via live stream from the City’s YouTube Channel.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Crandell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Barton Crandell, Karen Prescott-Loeffler; Chair pro tem M. Steven Camp, Vice Chair Cameron Cosgrove, Chair Scott McKhann
Commissioners Absent: Brent Davis, Gary P. McCaughan, M.D.
Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director Zachary Ponsen, Assistant City Engineer
Ryan Kim, Senior Civil/Traffic Engineer
Gena Burns, Deputy City Attorney
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
None.
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 3, 2023.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR COSGROVE, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PRESCOTT-LOEFFLER AND CARRIED 3-0-2, WITH
COMMISSIONER CRANDELL AND CHAIR PRO TEM CAMP ABSTAINING, (COMMISSIONER DAVIS AND COMMISSIONER MCCAUGHAN BEING
ABSENT) TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 3, 2023, PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AS SUBMITTED.
Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 17, 2023 Page 2 It was noted for the record that the Minutes were previously amended to correct 1) error on motion seconder, and 2) staff title.
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
George Gregory, resident, requested an update on the Miramar Theater renovation project and information concerning its visitor parking exclusion; requested clarification on regulations concerning condominium conversions and requirements for the sale of individual units of affordable housing; requested additional help on a project he is working to develop.
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director, stated he would contact Mr.
Gregory to address his concerns.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
8. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Local Roadway Safety Program (LRSP)
The LRSP helps identify high collision areas, assign a systemic process for future improvements for near-, mid-, and long- term, and defines potential projects for future Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding consideration.
Future modifications to street areas will be done based on a wide range of factors, additional studies, and engineering analyses.
A request for the Planning Commission to recommend that City Council determine that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 under Class 6 (Information Collection), (14 CCR section 15306) of the State CEQA Guidelines and to forward the LRSP to the City Council to approve for adoption as a tool to be used to address local roadway safety issues and needs.
Zachary Ponsen, Assistant City Engineer, and Ryan Kim, Senior Civic/Traffic Engineer, narrated a PowerPoint Presentation entitled, “Local Roadway Safety Program (LSRP) 2023.” A copy of the presentation is on file in Planning Division.
During the ensuing discussion, the Commission established from staff that the LSRP, when/if adopted by City Council, is a tool for the City to use to further Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 17, 2023 Page 3 understand road conditions and develop potential solutions. In addition, the program will be utilized by the City as an additional resource to use in its pursuit of grants, and establishes standards used by grant administrators for comparison purposes. The Program is not intended to be used as a standalone resource for guiding projects, but as another tool in the toolbox to help the City in its goal to identify, prioritize, fund and implement improvements in congested/problematic areas. A complete update on the Program is expected every five years; quarterly checkups are also recommended. It was also suggested by Commissioner Cosgrove that staff emphasize to City Council when presenting this project for consideration the potential benefits the program and grants could have on the City’s Avenida Del Mar/T-Zone area. This area has not reached its full potential as stated in the City’s General Plan, and has been a source of longstanding congestion, parking and traffic safety concerns over the years.
Chair McKhann invited the public to provide comment. Seeing none, he invited the Commission to proceed with final remarks/action on the matter.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CRANDELL, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PRESCOTT-LOEFFLER AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO:
1) Recommend City Council find the FY 2024 proposed CIP is not a project subject to CEQA according to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 (Class 6, Information Collection); and
2) Forward the LRSP to the City Council for adoption as a tool to be used to address local roadway safety issues and needs.
[ACTION SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.]
B. Traffic Calming Measures on Avenida Presidio between Calle Cortez and N. La Esperanza
Staff has determined that Avenida Presidio between Calle Cortez and N. La Esperanza is eligible for traffic calming measures.
A request for the Planning Commission to recommend that City Council determine the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15306 (Class 6, Information Collection) and 15301.k (Class 1, Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines and forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council for proposed traffic calming measures.
Zachary Ponsen, Assistant City Engineer, and Ryan Kim, Senior Civic/Traffic Engineer, narrated a PowerPoint Presentation entitled, “The Presidio Traffic Calming 2023.” A copy of the presentation is on file in Planning Division.
Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 17, 2023 Page 4 Chair McKhann acknowledged two written communications already received and invited comments from the public.
Pamela Goodman, resident, described the dangerous traffic conditions on this portion of Avenida Presidio; requested signs and posts in the road for pedestrians and those traveling to/from the facility.
Debra Marsing, resident, supported the traffic calming measures recommended by staff.
Seeing no more members of the public wishing to provide testimony, Chair McKhann invited the Commission to provide final remarks/action on the project.
IT WAS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR COSGROVE, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER CRANDELL AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO:
1) Recommend to the City Council to determine that the project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 (Class 6, Information Collection) and 15301.k (Class 1, Existing Facilities) of the State CEQA Guidelines; and 2) Forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council for the proposed traffic calming measures as follows:
a) Install an electronic speed feedback sigh, red curb, and edge lines.
b) Appropriate the required funds from the traffic calming budget. c) Request Police Services to consider increasing the speed enforcement near the apartment complex at 105 Avenida Presidio. [ACTION SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.]
C. Training on Due Process
Gena Burns, Deputy City Attorney, distributed a handout and reviewed the information therein. The presentation focused on procedural due process and how it relates to the Commission and individual Commissioners’ actions and statements on the decision-making process. She briefly reviewed applicant notification of evidence, ex-parte contacts/communications, applicants’ rights at a hearing, Commissioner recusals, and disclosures. She encouraged the Commissioners to contact her with any questions, comments, or concerns they may have, as well as suggested subjects. She will continue to provide brief training sessions for the Commission’s benefit.
Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 17, 2023 Page 5
10. OLD BUSINESS
None
11. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
A. Tentative Future Agenda
B. Staff Waivers
Reports received and filed.
Chair McKhann announced he will likely not be available for the June 7, 2023, Regular Meeting.
Chair pro tem Camp announced he is not available to attend the May 24, 2023, Design Review Subcommittee meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION, IT WAS MOVED
BY COMMISSIONER PRESCOTT-LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRANDELL, AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:17 P.M. TO THE NEXT REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN-PERSON ON JUNE 7, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE SAN CLEMENTE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 910 CALLE NEGOCIO, SAN CLEMENTE, CA, 92673, AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA LIVE STREAM FROM THE CITY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott McKhann, Chairman
Attest:
Adam Atamian, Deputy Community Development Director