CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
MARCH 12, 2025
Subcommittee Members
Present:
Chair M. Steven Camp, Vice Chair Bart Crandell and
Committee Member Cameron Cosgrove
Subcommittee Members
Absent
None.
Staff Present: Christopher Wright Senior Planner
Zach Rehm, Principal Planner
1. MINUTES
A. Review and file minutes of the Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) meeting January 29, 202.
Member Cosgrove moved to approve the amended Minutes. Chair Camp seconded the motion to approve the December 18, 2024 Minutes. Motion passed 2-1, Vice Crandell abstained.
2. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 24-219, Wach Residence, 217 Esplanade A request to allow the addition of a 55 sq. ft. bathroom, new windows, exterior improvements, and maintenance items to an approximately 2,156 sq. ft. historic home non-conforming to required side setbacks and parking located at 217 Esplanade. The improvements are required pursuant to a previously approved Historic Property Preservation Agreement (HPPA).
Principal Planner Rehm summarized the staff report and provided a presentation on the project.
Chair Camp opened the item for public comments.
Applicant, Christian Wach, commented in favor of the project, describing the architectural selections, site improvements, and consistency with the Historic Property Preservation Agreement.
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 Page 2 The Design Review Subcommittee, also serving as the Cultural Heritage Subcommittee in its review of the historic property, discussed the project, and made the following comments either individually or as a group:
• Structure should be designed in a way that allows for easy removal in the future if needed. Expansion joints could help in addition area, but not required. • The addition should not encroach into the setback at grade, but the cantilevered bay window design is an allowable encroachment. Second alternative with a single plane pop-out rather than two new planes is preferable.
• Window placement is good, should be minimalist, potential to extend the popout up to the roofline to make it look more intentional. • The design should maintain the character of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and maintain and restore original features rather than replace them. • A gloss finish over the aged, natural patina door and other surfaces is preferred rather than refinishing them to look brand new.
• The project is incorporating historical preservation requirements (HPPA), but more work and staff/Cultural Heritage Subcommittee review may be required in the future.
The Subcommittee encouraged the applicant to consider the comments and make any revisions on the plans before a Zoning Administrator public hearing.
B. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 24-446, Dish Wireless Telecommunications Facility, 800 S. El Camino Real
A request to install a wireless telecommunications facility on a two-story commercial building, consisting of six roof-mounted panel antennas and rooftop equipment behind roof parapet screen walls. The site is located at 800 S. El Camino Real.
Senior Planner Wright summarized the staff report.
Chair Camp opened the item for public comments.
Applicant, Franklin Orozco, commented in favor of the project, describing the architectural changes and the site selection process. Alternative sites were considered for the facility but Mr. Orozco stated the proposed site provided the best means to meet coverage needs.
The Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) discussed the project, and made the following comments either individually or as a group:
• The applicant should provide transmission coverage maps for the public hearing that demonstrate the proposed facility location is necessary to provide an unmet need in wireless coverage.
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 Page 3 • Locate the antennas and equipment on the sides of the building within an architectural roof screen that involves replacing the parapet with radio transmission material and building up the roof as minimally as possible. The screen would mimic an equipment enclosure with a design that is integrated in the building. The width should be approximately equal to a tenant suite in the building so the roof screens appear to be an architectural element versus looking out of place.
• Locate the antennas and equipment within roof screens centered on the roof so they are less visible. This may involve replacing portions of the roof parapet to have radio transmission material so the antennas have the reach to provide the intended transmission coverage.
• The current proposed design involves modifying the parapet above the entrance canopy by increasing its height and mass. If the facility is built into the canopy, several design changes should be made. First, rather than increase the canopy’s height, it is preferential to extend the parapet downward to fill in the space between the canopy and the top of the roof parapet. If this isn’t sufficient for antenna screening, then increase the canopy’s height minimally. Second, the parapet changes should be symmetrical on both sides and fully screen the proposed equipment. Third, the columns should be widened so they appear more supportive of the canopy’s roofline with the proposed changes. Fourth, the parapet changes should extend to the rear of the building as feasible so the proposed changes do not look out of place.
The Subcommittee encouraged the applicant to consider the comments and make design revisions before the public hearing. If adequate changes are made, the project will be forwarded to the Zoning Administrator for a decision.
Otherwise, a Planning Commission decision will be required.
3. NEW BUSINESS
None.
4. OLD BUSINESS
None.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 Page 4
6. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned to the next Regular Design Review Subcommittee meeting on April 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., San Clemente City Hall, First Floor Community Room, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
M. Steven Camp, Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Christopher Wright, Senior Planner