MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR STUDY SESSION
OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
PLANNING COMMISSION
August 6, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
San Clemente City Hall Council Chambers
910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673
Teleconference via www.san-clemente.org/live
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cosgrove called the Study Session of the Planning Commission of the City of San Clemente to order at 5:03 p.m. The meeting was offered in person at The City of San Clemente City Hall Council Chambers, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California, and also via live stream from the City’s YouTube Channel.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Karen Prescott-Loeffler, Brett Freeman, Patrick Griffin, Scott McKhann, Chair Cameron Cosgrove,
Commissioners Absent: Chair Pro Tem Gary P. McCaughan, M.D., Vice Chair M.
Steven Camp
Staff Present: Jonathan Lightfoot, City Planner
Gena Burns, Deputy City Attorney
Tamara Tatich, Recording Secretary
AGENDA
A. Legislative Update on Housing and CEQA from Burke, Williams, and Sorensen, LLP
Davin Widgerow, Partner with Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP summarized a presentation titled, “The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – Overview and June 2025 Amendments” that provided an introduction to CEQA.
The presentation also included a summary of two bills amending CEQA signed in June, 2025:
• AB130: Adopted a statutory infill housing exemption, a VMT impact mitigation fund, and certain non-CEQA housing amendments. • SB131 Statutory Infill Housing Exemption: Adopted new categorical exemptions, a new exemption process for "near miss" projects, and litigation reform regarding the administrative record.
Planning Commission Study Session Minutes – December 6, 2023 Page 2 • Non-CEQA Housing Updates, SB 423 and SB439:
• Agencies cannot appeal or amend state residential building code standards for residential units from October 25, 2025, to June 2031, unless related to public health and safety, emergency fire safety, or conservation.
The presentation concluded with a brief discussion that addressed questions concerning AB130, SB131, EIR scope, and EIR and Mitigated Neg Dec expirations and challenges.
ADJOURNMENT
IT WAS MOVED BY CHAIR COSGROVE TO ADJOURN THE STUDY SESSION AT 5:57 P.M. UNTIL ITS NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING TO FOLLOW.
Respectfully submitted,
Cameron Cosgrove, Chair
Attest:
Jonathan Lightfoot, City Planner