CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE
DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE
JUNE 24, 2026
Subcommittee Members Present: Chair M. Steven Camp, Vice Chair Cameron Cosgrove and Member Scott McKhann
Subcommittee Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Christopher Wright, Senior Planner
David Carrillo, Lead Project Planner
Jessica Gatny, Associate Planner
Alexia Gruszczynski, Assistant Planner
Reese Miller, Planning Intern
Chair Camp called to order the Design Review Sub-Committee (DRSC) meeting for the City of San Clemente on June 24, 2026.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Receive and File Minutes from the March 25, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes from the March 25, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee will be presented for approval at the next regular meeting.
B. Receive and File Minutes from the April 1, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes from the April 1, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee will be presented for approval at the next regular meeting.
C. Receive and File Minutes from the May 13, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes from the May 13, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee will be presented for approval at the next regular meeting.
2. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. San Clemente Materials Guide
A request to review and provide feedback on a document drafted to guide the public on encouraged colors and materials for architectural style districts in the General Plan.
Planning Intern Miller summarized the staff report and provided a presentation titled, “San Clemente Material Guide.” A copy is available by contacting the Planning Division.
The Subcommittee forwarded the project to the Planning Commission.
DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026 Page 2 B. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 25-289, La Ronda Townhomes, 111 La Ronda A request for feedback on the conceptual architectural design of a proposed multifamily residential development with affordable housing units on a vacant parcel located at 111 La Ronda. The applicant requests provisions under the City’s Lot Consolidation Program and the State Density Bonus Law.
Lead Project Planner Carrillo summarized the staff report and provided a presentation titled, “La Ronda Townhomes, June 24, 2026.” A copy is available by contacting the Planning Division.
The Subcommittee forwarded the project to the Planning Commission.
C. Public Hearing Project (PHP) 26-160, 110 El Levante, Abbasi Residence A request for feedback on amendments to previously approved plans for a 17-lot residential subdivision to develop a modern-styled residence and attached garage at 110 El Levante with minor exceptions for reductions to the street-facing garage setback and front yard landscaping.
Associate Planner Gatny summarized the staff report and provided a presentation titled, “Abbasi Residence, Architectural Permit Amendment 26-166 / Minor Exemption Permit 26-227 (PHP26-160), June 24, 2026.” A copy is available by contacting the Planning Division.
The applicant, John Abbasi, thanked staff and stated that he is open to incorporating the DRSC’s recommendations.
The DRSC discussed the following items:
• The appropriateness of transitioning to a modern architectural style and its compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. Staff noted that the project site is separated from the nearby development by El Levante. While the northmost developed lot at 126 El Levante features Spanish-style architectural, the broader neighborhood includes a variety of architectural styles. The applicant added that he has been in communication with several adjacent property owners who intend to pursue modern architectural designs.
• Further refinement of the modern design, including the incorporation of welldefined intersecting planes, larger expanses of glass, and materials that clearly articulate different architectural elements. The DRSC also suggested replicating the fins used at the rear elevation in place of the proposed thick metal trim.
The extensive use of stone veneer and recommended creating a stronger horizontal emphasis. Suggestions included limiting the stone veneer to the ground floor as a plinth to reduce the visual mass of the wall planes. Additionally, the DRSC recommended wrapping the stone veneer around the downhill portions of DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026 Page 3 the north and east elevations to create a more cohesive and continuous expression, rather than concentrating it primarily on the side façade.
The Subcommittee forwarded the project to the Planning Commission.
D. Pre Application (PREAPP) 26-242, 2211-2213 S. El Camino Real, Sora Sora Nordic Baths
A request to provide preliminary feedback on a proposed development of an outdoor bathing destination with an outdoor courtyard, two stainless steel soaking pools (one hot and one cold), sauna structures, modular support buildings, a parking lot, perimeter fencing, and landscaping.
Assistant Planner Gruszczynski summarized the staff report and provided a presentation titled, “Sora Sora Nordic Baths, PREAPP26-242, June 24, 2026.” A copy is available by contacting the Planning Division.
The applicant, Chris Duda, and architect, Jason Grauten, provided a background which discussed the materials utilized for the project, the organization of the business, the architectural considerations, and site conditions that influence the project.
The DRSC asked numerous questions about the materials utilized in the project, the orientation of the buildings and its flow, landscaping compatibility, parking flow, and mitigation efforts for any portion of the project that may affect the abutting single-family residence.
After discussion, DRSC suggested:
• Remove the large storage area and walls at the front of the building. • Utilize low height fences that wrap around the street facing portions of the property.
• Consider a Hawaiian style architectural design as the focus to build off of the current design.
• Incorporate Development Management Team comments into the project revision.
The Subcommittee forwarded the project to the Planning Commission.
3. NEW BUSINESS
None
4. OLD BUSINESS
None
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
DRAFT
Design Review Subcommittee Adjourned Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026 Page 4
6. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved to adjourn the meeting to a Regular Design Review Subcommittee meeting on July 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., San Clemente City Hall, First Floor Community Room, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Chair M. Steven Camp, Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Christopher Wright, Senior Planner
DRAFT