CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
March 24, 2025
San Clemente City Hall
First Floor Community Room
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, California 92673
1. CALL TO ORDER
Zoning Administrator (ZA) Adam Atamian called the Special Meeting of the City of San Clemente Zoning Administrator to order on March 24, 2025 at 2:59 p.m.
The meeting was held in the First Floor Community Room of City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Zoning Administrator
Laura Coury, Assistant Planner
Zach Rehm, Principal Planner
Tamara Tatich, Administrative Assistant
2. MINUTES
None.
3. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
4. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 25-107 Smith Residence Addition, 145 Trafalgar Lane
A special public hearing to request the Zoning Administrator to approve a 420 square foot addition of living area to include a new master bedroom, bath, closet; and a detached 447 square foot 2-car garage addition to a residence located at 145 Trafalgar Lane that is adjacent to a historical single-family residence at 143 Trafalgar Lane. The proposed project is in the Residential Low Zone (RL), and the Coastal Zone (CZ) Overly, however, since it is in the Categorical Exclusion area and the project is associated with an addition to an existing single-family residence and does not propose a new residential unit, it does not require a Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission.
The Zoning Administrator will also consider whether the project is Categorically Exempt from the requirements of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities) and §15303 (Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
ZA Atamian opened the public hearing.
DRAFT
Minutes of the Zoning Administrator Special Meeting March 24, 2025 Page 2 Assistant Planner Coury summarized the staff report and introduced the applicant and owner, Douglas Smith, who is also the owner of the neighboring historical resource at 143 Trafalgar Lane.
Principal Planner Rehm advised ZA Atamian that the Staff Report was revised from the posted report and that all parties have received the updated materials.
ZA Atamian asked the applicants if they would like to make a presentation and Mr. Smith stated he was pleased with staff’s report.
ZA Atamian thanked staff for the report and stated the following:
• ZA Atamian disclosed that he drove by the property, and is familiar with the project site and neighborhood;
• ZA Atamian reviewed the project’s proposed plans;
• ZA Atamian reviewed the updated staff report and noted that the vicinity map labeled as Attachment 2 is incorrect, and requested that staff revise the report for historical records;
• ZA Atamian stated that he is aware that the project is being brought forward as a special meeting because there were issues with timing and that staff has been successful in guiding the project through the process;
• ZA Atamian has not received any public comments on the proposed project;
• ZA Atamian confirmed that the applicant is also the owner of the historical resource next door;
• ZA Atamian stated that under the current Building Code, the carport does not comply; and therefore constructing a garage will make the property more Code Compliant;
• ZA Atamian stated that the garage location in the rear yard will not impact the historic resource or affect public view; and • That the Findings as stated in the Resolution can be met There being no further questions of staff or the applicants, ZA Atamian closed the public hearing.
ZA Atamian determined the project Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines §15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities) and §15303 (Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
Action: The Zoning Administrator adopted Resolution ZA25-006, approving Public Hearing Project 25-107 and Development Permit 25-108, Smith Residence, 145 Trafalgar Lane, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
5. NEW BUSINESS
None.
DRAFT
Minutes of the Zoning Administrator Special Meeting March 24, 2025 Page 3
6. OLD BUSINESS
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m. to the Regular Meeting of the Zoning Administrator, which will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Community Development Department, City Hall, First Floor Community Room, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Respectfully submitted,
SAN CLEMENTE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
_____________________________________
Adam Atamian, Zoning Administrator
DRAFT