CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE
DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
APRIL 1, 2026
Subcommittee Members Present: Chair M. Steven Camp, and Vice Chair Cameron Cosgrove
Subcommittee Members Absent: Member Scott McKhann
Staff Present: Adam Atamian, Community Development Director Zach Rehm, Acting City Planner
Alexia Gruszczynski, Assistant Planner
Chair Camp called to order the Design Review Sub-Committee (DRSC) meeting for the City of San Clemente on April 1, 2026.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
2. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 26-131, Parklet Design Standards A request to consider City Council recommended changes to the City’s Parklet Design Standards.
Action: Chair Camp made a motion to adjust the previously noticed 5-minute public comment time to 3-minutes per speaker after the staff presentation, and an additional 1-minute per speaker after DRSC discussion. Vice Chair Cosgrove seconded the motion and the motion carried 2-0, Member McKhann absent.
Assistant Planner Gruszczynski summarized the staff report and provided a presentation and provided a presentation on updated Parklet Design Standards recommended by staff.
Chair Camp asked clarifying questions on the types of plants and their height, the total height of the parklets, the gap underneath the parklets, color, height, and types of umbrellas, furniture options, thickness of metal cable, wood for deck, and sizes for parklets.
Public Comments #1:
Greg Ward, resident raised questions and suggestions regarding parklet removal timing; sign locations; clearance under decking for ease of cleaning; street sweeping issues; and propane tank storage.
Chris Wood, Del Mar business owner and resident expressed concern on deck design and water build-up; property owner agreement enforcement; battery DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes April 1, 2026 Page 2 storage; number of spaces approved for parklets; need for additional seating for restaurants with existing patio space; rotting wood; load rating for floor, need for hand rails and other safety concerns; size of bike racks.
Kathy Ward, former council member, planning commission member, and resident commented on the shape of the parklets; suggested two spaces per parklet; opined that parklets program should have ceased when off-site lease agreements ended; and encouraged that the item be placed on a Planning Commission Agenda in June.
Wayne Eggleston, former council member, planning commission member, and resident commented on rushing the project; resurfacing Del Mar; Public Safety concerns, involve Engineering, consider ADA requirements; clarify total tables and chairs in guidelines; umbrella liability; allow Planning Commission to address design; no additional signage necessary for parklets, resonates “swap meet” atmosphere; and the need for concrete traffic-rated planters.
Larry Culbertson, resident expressed parklet size concerns; suggested lower structure; note the planter size and color in guidelines; and suggested that barrier material be dark brown, no plastic or vinyl furniture, dark green umbrellas and to state exact color in guidelines.
Amanda Quintanilla, resident presented a PowerPoint and advised that angle-in parking spaces are stated by staff as beneficial; found cannabis infused gummies in area and empty alcohol cans; expressed concerns on trash accumulation, dying plants, and tsunami zone; opined additional bike racks were not needed; and guidelines should state umbrella color.
The DRSC discussed the project, and made the following comments either individually or as a group:
• Suggested that staff provide extensive background on the initiation of the program and how the program is different now.
• Extend the parklet program through Labor Day and after that the current parklets will be terminated.
• Bring program to Planning Commission at a later date to look at a fundamental design. This could be a built-in or permanent option.
• City Council should determine a date when the new standards are initiated. • Provide list of public comments for additional context to City Council. • There are parking impacts and public health concerns. • Centennial General Plan speaks directly to Avenida Del Mar as heart of the pedestrian district and parklet program needs to consider this. • The design should be considerate of “Spanish Village by the Sea.” • Provide the Council with two options: (a) square-off parklet like Staff’s design or (b) fill up two diagonal spaces with off-set by 1-foot from adjacent spaces and should clip the corners which create all usable space on the dining deck. • Golf cart parking does not work and there are plenty of bike racks. • Need storage for the parklets, in the areas where the corners are clipped.
DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes April 1, 2026 Page 3 • Three maximum spaces and some parking spaces between neighboring parklets. • Opportunity to combine parklets with neighboring restaurants and may have a larger total parklet.
• Standardize the colors for wood treatment and umbrellas. • Consider other types of umbrellas.
• Select number of parking spaces/parklets and provide the Council with options. • Update processes to address how a private structure is constructed in the public right-of-way. Inspections should happen and Engineering should weigh in. • Building inspector should look at the guardrail for safety purposes. • Location of the parklet should be publicly noticed.
• Should provide an outlet for parklets that want to deviate from standards, which would require a discretionary process.
• Consider a permanent option for the Beautification for the T-Zone, Pier Bowl, and Avenida Del Mar. This would include sidewalk, street, and building improvements. • Consider who would power wash underneath the parklets and a timeline. • There should be a metal removable sweep that would be at the bottom of the parklet for cleaning purposes, with clearance for power washing. • Determine one standardized planter size and provide a plant palette. • Get rid of the signs on the parklets.
• If a restaurant has an existing structural outdoor patio with designated seating, then they should not receive a parklet.
Public Comments #2:
Amanda Quintanilla suggested terminating the parklet program on July 1, 2026; design of the parklets has cost taxpayers too much money; parklets should not be solid; consider historic building awnings that have discrepancies in colors; and storage on parklets not be allowed.
Wayne Eggleston, opined that the sidewalk is for pedestrians, not for chairs or dining; requested that Coastal Cowboy outdoor dining area be assessed; to not reduce the rental fees, and to use parklet generated funds for additional lease parking and the trolley.
Kathy Ward stated agreement with parklet program terminating after Labor Day and to consider improvements for all of the Avenida Del Mar.
Chris Wood opined that parklets should not be extending through 2029; collected money should be applied toward T-Zone improvements and not go into the General Fund; resolve payment issues with restaurants operators; and to not allow parklets for restaurants with existing patios for seating.
Greg Ward suggested to take down the decks as soon as possible to repair and enhance Avenida Del Mar and Avenida Victoria to encourage positive promotion of downtown; consider parklets after beautification program is complete.
DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes April 1, 2026 Page 4
3. NEW BUSINESS
None
4. OLD BUSINESS
None
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Amanda Quintanilla expressed concerns with the processing of permits for Coastal Cowboy for an outdoor dining area along the sidewalk.
Chris Wood addressed the line of demarcation between public and private property and asked for clarity on the location of property lines for businesses that have the concrete separator.
6. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved to adjourn the meeting to a Regular Design Review Subcommittee meeting on April 15, 2026, 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:
_______________________________
Zach Rehm, Acting City Planner
DRAFT