CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Subcommittee Members Present: Chair M. Steven Camp, Vice Chair Cameron Cosgrove, Member Scott McKhann (arrived at
3:12 p.m.)
Subcommittee Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Planner, Jonathan Lightfoot
Senior Planner, Christopher Wright
Associate Planner, David Carrillo
Assistant Planner, Jessica Gatny
Chair Camp called to order the Design Review Sub-Committee Regular Meeting for City of San Clemente at 3:00 p.m. on September 24, 2025.
1. MINUTES
A. Review and file minutes of the Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC) Regular Meeting on August 27, 2025.
There being no changes to the August 27, 2025 Meeting of DRSC, the minutes were received and filed.
2. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. Public Hearing Project (PHP)25-361, American Tower Corporation A request to amend Conditional Permit C-1021 to replace an existing 70-foottall lattice communications tower with a new 120-foot monopole communications tower on a privately owned open space parcel, Assessor’s Parcel Number 690-552-05.
City Planner Lightfoot summarized the staff report and provided a narrative of the history related to the existing communications tower and a settlement agreement related to it.
Sarah O’Neil (Tru Northe, agent for the Applicant) and Emily Murray (counsel), and Bonnie Belair (American Tower Corporation) were present to respond to questions related to their application.
In response to questions from the Committee, Emily Murray, representing American Tower, clarified:
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2025 Page 2 • The settlement agreement includes contingencies. If the city doesn't approve the monopole as submitted or imposes conditions (like requiring a stealth facility), the project won't proceed. • The monopole needs more height to accommodate the necessary components, while the lattice structure allows for more equipment to be attached.
• The community preferred a monopole design similar to another nearby facility and to prevent climbing.
No members of the public were present to comment on the item.
The Design Review Subcommittee discussed design considerations, including whether alternate stealth pole designs or landscaping could be incorporated.
Staff clarified that the DRSC could make such recommendations; however, if the Zoning Administrator elected to impose conditions reflective of those recommendations, that the Applicant would be released from their obligation to replace the lattice tower per the terms of the settlement agreement. Staff confirmed that there do appear to be commercially available 120-foot-tall faux tree telecom facilities. DRSC members discussed alternative stealth facilities and provided exhibits to be included for consideration by the Zoning Administrator.
B. 2025 Historic Preservation Property Agreements.
1. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 25-331, Steblay Mills Act, 121 W.
Escalones
A request to consider a proposed Historic Property Preservation Agreement or “Mills Act Agreement,’ between the City and the owner of the property located at 121 West Escalones.
Associate Planner, David Carrillo, summarized the staff report and included general and specific information applicable to agenda items B.1 and B.2 under one presentation.
Chloe Steblay, property owner of 121 W. Escalones, was present to respond to questions, stated that a couple items on the list of prioritized work have already been completed, and requested that items 4 and 5 of the draft lists of prioritized work be moved to Phase II.
Two members of the public were present to comment on the item:
• Larry Culbertson: Supportive of the Mills Act Contract for the subject property; recommends that the applicants submit cost estimates for improvements; and commended staff for the ongoing periodic inspections for Mills Act properties.
• Amanda Quintanilla: Asked for clarification on previous roof tile work; and asked about a color guide that the City uses.
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2025 Page 3 The Design Review Subcommittee, acting as the Cultural Heritage Subcommittee (CHSC), discussed the draft list of prioritized work and concurred with the request to move items 4 and 5 to Phase II. The CHSC supported the application moving forward for consideration by the City Council.
2. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 25-316, Leisz Mills Act, 239 W. Mariposa A request to consider a proposed Historic Property Preservation Agreement or “Mills Act Agreement,’ between the City and the owner of the property located at 239 West Mariposa.
Jenny and Larry Leisz, property owners of 239 W. Mariposa were present to respond to questions, and made the following requests:
• Reword item 1 related to roof work to not require removal of tiles unless deemed necessary following an inspection with
recommended work.
• Move item 7 up to Phase 1.
• Reword item 10 to provide flexibility to potentially keep the subject opening as a window.
• Reword item 19 to not require removal of the utility pipe, but instead require painting the utility pipe to match the building.
One member of the public was present to comment on the item:
• Amanda Quintanilla: Asked if the west property fence is architecturally compatible with the building.
The Design Review Subcommittee, acting as the Cultural Heritage Subcommittee (CHSC), discussed the draft list of prioritized work and concurred with the applicant’s requests related to items 1, 10, and 19, and asked staff to remove the word “obsolete” from item 19. The CHSC supported the application moving forward for consideration by the City Council.
3. NEW BUSINESS
None.
4. OLD BUSINESS
None.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
Design Review Subcommittee Meeting Minutes September 24, 2025 Page 4
6. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Member McKhann, seconded by Vice Chair Cosgrove to adjourn the meeting at 4:34 p.m. to the next Regular Design Review Subcommittee meeting on October 15, 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