These minutes will be considered for approval at the Planning Commission meeting of 02-21-2024.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 7, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
San Clemente City Hall Council Chamber
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673
Teleconference via www.san-clemente.org/live
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cosgrove 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 Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Barton Crandell, Brent Davis, Karen Prescott-Loeffler, Scott McKhann; Chair pro tem Gary P. McCaughan, M.D., Vice Chair M.
Steven Camp, Chair Cameron Cosgrove
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Jonathan Lightfoot, City Planner
Christopher Wright, Lead Project Planner
Gena Burns, Deputy City Attorney
Eileen White, Recording Secretary
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS
None
5. MINUTES
A. Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Study Session of December 6, 2023.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PRESCOTT-LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY CHAIR PRO TEM MCCAUGHAN, AND CARRIED 4-0-3, WITH COMMISSIONER
DAVIS, COMMISSIONER MCKHANN AND VICE CHAIR CAMP ABSTAINING, Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 7, 2024 Page 2 TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 6, 2023, PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION AS SUBMITTED.
B. Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of December 6, 2023.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PRESCOTT-LOEFFLER, SECONDED BY CHAIR PRO TEM MCCAUGHAN, AND CARRIED 5-0-2, WITH COMMISSIONER
DAVIS AND VICE CHAIR CAMP ABSTAINING, TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 6, 2023, PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AS SUBMITTED.
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
None
8. PUBLIC HEARING
None
9. NEW BUSINESS
None
10. OLD BUSINESS
A. Interpretation 24-002, Recreational Vehicle Park in Open Space Christopher Wright, Lead Project Planner, summarized the staff report. The applicant has requested the Commission interpret the Rancho San Clemente Specific Plan to find that Recreation Vehicle (RV) Campground is similar to existing uses allowed in the Plan, which include “Parks, athletic fields and recreation centers” with approval of a Conditional Use Permit. The applicant, Bella Collina San Clemente LLC, intends to submit a zoning application to develop an RV Campground within a portion of the existing golf course currently designated Private Open Space. He indicated the proposed location on an area map and summarized the proposed use in comparison to allowed uses.
Mark Zane, applicant, stated the proposed development was a way to increase revenue for the golf course and offset the recent course upgrade costs. The campground is anticipated to feature six coaches per acre and will be developed Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 7, 2024 Page 3 with professional partners. He acknowledged understanding that approval of the interpretation did not guarantee approval of projects.
During the ensuing discussion, the Commissioners, either individually or in agreement, provided the following commentary:
• Many issues of the property will have to be considered before development can occur including its location in a view corridor, protection of sensitive habitat, conversion of open space, etc. Another concern is potential of the State directing what can be done with developed properties, which at this point does not include required development on open space. • Development of this open space area should be a use that enhances the open space, not takes away from its current status.
• The proposed location is private and shielded from public view; depending on the proposed project, could enhance views and provide support for the community.
• The project could be oriented toward the golf course and may have to mitigate potential negative impacts such as loss of residents’ views, light pollution, 24/7 operation, etc.
• Requested that staff limit the interpretation to the subject addresses only.
The Commission recessed at 7:30 p.m. to allow staff the opportunity to confirm whether the Resolution could be revised to allow the interpretation for 2 identified properties. The meeting reconvened at 7:33 p.m.
IT WAS MOVED BY CHAIR PRO TEM MCCAUGHAN, SECONDED BY CHAIR COSGROVE AND CARRIED 6-2-0, WITH COMMISSIONER CRANDELL AND COMMISSIONER MCKHANN OPPOSED, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. PC 24-003, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING INTERPRETATION 24-002, FINDING
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CAMPING IN THE RANCHO SAN CLEMENTE SPECIFIC
PLAN PRIVATE OPEN SPACE ZONE IS SIMILAR TO A CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED PARK USE.”
Amended as follows: Staff will revise the Resolution title, first Whereas, Section 2.A. and Section 3 to indicate the Interpretation only applies to the following addresses: 111 Avenida Vista Montana and 200 Avenida La Pata.
[DECISION FINAL. SUBJECT TO APPEAL OR CALL UP BY COUNCIL.] Deputy City Attorney Burns stated for the record that the Planning Commission’s action may be appealed within ten days of its decision.
Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 7, 2024 Page 4 B. General Plan Strategic Implementation Program Update Christopher Wright, Lead Project Planner, reviewed the staff report and displayed the 5-Year Work Program, lists of projects, and Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Plan Strategic Implementation Program for the Commissioners’ consideration.
The Commission’s comments/recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council when this item is presented for its consideration.
Comments/Suggestions:
• Recommendation that the City prioritize review of income and expenses, such as leases, before other projects.
• Pointed out to staff for clarification that Exhibit A-2, last item, the Miramar Theatre Project, has a “Do by 2029” Status, and a “2024” Target Year to Complete.
• With regard to implementation of the Local Coastal Program (LCP), questioned whether the City is ready to be the lead agency and process applications in the Coastal Zone; whether the City has the trained staff to handle the volume, issues, and the complexity of Coastal Zone Applications. Suggestion to assess the staff workload and staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage once the City’s LCP is approved.
IT WAS MOVED BY CHAIR PRO TEM MCCAUGHAN, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER CRANDELL AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION NO. PC 24-001, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA,
RECOMMENDING THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE GENERAL PLAN STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (SIP) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024- 2025.”
[ACTION SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.]
11. REPORTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
A. Tentative Future Agenda
B. Administrative Development Permit Report
Chair Cosgrove commented that he heard many insightful comments from residents regarding the City’s policies and rules regarding the stability of coastal bluffs. He offered to help in the review of policies and rules. City Planner Lightfoot is in the process of consolidating the policies, and will be able to provide additional information once the timeline of the review process has been established.
Reports received and filed.
Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 7, 2024 Page 5
12. ADJOURNMENT
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION, IT WAS MOVED
BY CHAIR COSGROVE, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR CAMP AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:00 P.M. TO THE ADJOURNED
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD IN-PERSON ON FEBRUARY 21, 2024, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE SAN CLEMENTE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 910 CALLE NEGOCIO, SAN CLEMENTE, CA, 92672, AND
TELECONFERENCE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA LIVE STREAM FROM THE CITY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
Respectfully submitted,
Cameron Cosgrove, Chairman
Attest:
Jonathan Lightfoot, City Planner