CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CULTURAL HERITAGE SUBCOMMITTEE
JULY 29, 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
Jessica Gatny, Associate Planner
Chair Camp called to order the Cultural Heritage Sub-Committee (CHSC) Special Meeting for the City of San Clemente on July 29, 2026.
1. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Selection of Design Review / Cultural Heritage Subcommittee Chair and Vice Chair
Member McKhann motioned for Member Cosgrove to serve as Chair, and for Member Camp to serve as Vice-Chair. Both motions were seconded and the motions passed 3-0.
Former Chair Camp opened the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Receive and File Minutes from the July 15, 2026 Special Meeting There being no changes to the Minutes of the July 15, 2026 Special Meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee, the Minutes were received and filed.
3. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
A. Cultural Heritage Permit 26-031, 122 E. Escalones Residence A request to rehabilitate a 909 sq. ft. red-tagged historic single-family residence and allow a 305 sq. ft. rear addition that connects the residence to a detached garage that would be rebuilt.
Associate Planner Gatny summarized the staff report. A copy is available by contacting the Planning Division.
The report highlighted the following points:
• The project will rehabilitate a red-tagged historic single-family residence. • The applicant provided a Historic Resource Analysis Report to support the project.
• The analysis found no evidence of major alterations that resulted in significant loss of historic integrity.
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Cultural Heritage Subcommittee Meeting Minutes July 29, 2026 Page 2 • The project requires extensive rehabilitation, including widescale repair and replacement in-kind were feasible. The project will not remove or significantly alter character-defining features visible from the public right-of-way. • The project will propose new wood windows and exterior doors throughout the residence.
• The project will remove two original window openings on the northeast side elevation to accommodate interior closets.
• The project will offset the rear addition 6-inches from the original structure to clearly distinguish the new construction from the historic residence. The rear door and two adjacent windows are not original. The project will remove one original rear window to accommodate the addition.
• The project meets the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation by retaining the residential use and preserving the historic residence’s essential form and integrity. The design allows the historic residence to remain identifiable if the addition is removed in the future.
• The applicant requested DRSC feedback on the proposed replacement materials.
• Staff will include in-field inspections as a Condition of Approval to verify that the replacement materials and improvements remain compatible with the original historic structure.
Public Comments:
Larry Culbertson, San Clemente Historical Society (SCHS) and resident spoke in support of the project; stated that the historical structure should be rehabilitated to replicate the original structure; suggested that the front porch tapered columns be finished with a brown stain as identified in the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) form; stated that the roof grout boosting and packing technique should be confirmed with staff; suggested that the rain gutters be a copper finish; and questioned whether a chimney cap exists.
Amanda Quintanilla, resident, spoke in support of the project and agreed with the Committees’ comments; stated that the cat face stucco texture does not appear appropriate; stated hand-forged fixtures are typically high-quality and appropriate for a historical structure.
Committee members provided the following comments:
• Inquired about the fiberglass windows, which was proposed to be in the rear to differentiate between old and new. There was support for using wood or fiberglass windows on the addition. Wood should be used on the original residence as suggested in the historic report.
• Noted this is not a Mills Act property, the property owner intends to apply for Mills Act next year.
• Discussed the demolition of the original garage due to the deteriorated condition and how the new addition shall be made slightly different than the original feature so to be differentiated, with different stucco texture and/or break lines.
• Discussed different elements of the structure. The foundation is in fairly good condition. The wood framing of the left sidewalls is mostly salvageable. The DRAFT
Cultural Heritage Subcommittee Meeting Minutes July 29, 2026 Page 3 right sidewalls were completely rotted and not salvageable. The exterior kitchen wall is non-original. The front wall appears salvageable, but some sistering may be needed.
• The applicant identified that the proposed materials are from quality manufacturers and are compatible with the original structure. • The roof shall have traditional mortar packing with 100 percent on ridges and the first rows of tiles and varied mortar packing on other tiles. • The current garage layout cannot functionally accommodate a vehicle; nor is the foundation adequate for living space
• Landscape plan needs improvement.
• Supported painting the front porch columns and roof rafter columns a dark brown, and using dark brown or an alternate color for building trim. • Recommended to not have the rain gutters and downspouts on the front porch, or to at least provide a drainage collection system that is not visible to detract from the appearance of the front elevation.
• Supported for the front window openings, without insets, to be maintained if they are original.
The Subcommittee forwarded the project to the Planning Commission for review.
4. NEW BUSINESS
None
5. OLD BUSINESS
None
6. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved to adjourn the meeting to a Regular Design Review Subcommittee meeting on August 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., San Clemente City Hall, First Floor Community Room, 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA.
Respectfully submitted,
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M. Steven Camp, Vice Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Zach Rehm, City Planner
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