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MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2025
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Bourne called the Regular meeting of October 21, 2025, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:11 p.m. Evan Wondries, Captain of Capo FC Gold, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Taylor gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Troy A. Bourne, Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell and Council Members Sergio Farias (left at approximately 8:30 p.m.), Howard Hart, and John Taylor.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Agenda items are presented in the originally agendized format for the benefit of the minutes’ reader but were not necessarily heard in that order.
INTRODUCTIONS:
B1. COMMISSIONER INTRODUCTION – MAYOR PRO TEM CAMPBELL
INTRODUCED: Evan Burgher, Cultural Heritage Commissioner; Shelly Barker, Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commissioner; and Ted Rosenfeldt, Planning Commissioner.
B2. CHRIS MANCHESTER RECOGNIZED FOR LIFESAVING EFFORTS
B3. CAPO FC GOLD RECOGNIZED FOR REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIPS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Comments: Reyes Muniz, Youth Advisory Board; Daniela Pereyra, Youth Advisory Board; and Kathy Hooper, City resident.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
D1. CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL 23-004, GRADING PLAN MODIFICATION 23-012, SITE PLAN REVIEW 23-002, AND TREE REMOVAL PERMIT 23-015, PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PROJECT, AN APPROXIMATELY 48,235 SQ. FT. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WITH A TOTAL OF 450 SEATS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN PORTION OF THE CITYOWNED HISTORIC TOWN CENTER PARK ADDRESSED AS 31872 AND 31882 EL CAMINO REAL (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS: 124-160-11 & -12) (APPLICANT: SJC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER) - TABLED TO A FUTURE DATE (440.25)
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Public Correspondence: Due to the high volume of correspondence received, correspondence is kept in the City Clerk’s office and available as enclosures to the Agenda Report on the City’s website.
Council Member Taylor recused himself because his son rents from him and is employed by the applicant and left the Council Chamber.
Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing.
Public Comments: Scott Mcgreggor, SJC Performing Arts Center; Lou Moore, SJC Performing Arts Center; Kathy Hooper, City resident; Erin Domgaard, (no place of residence provided); Gail Fayad, City resident; Tom Hribar, City resident; Rosa Hribar, City resident; Mary Ann Hile, City resident; Cindy Russell, City resident; Michael Mulvihill, City resident; Jim Vergeerst, City resident; Ryan Korinke, Dana Point resident; Brian Garrigan, City resident; Karen Gartner, City resident (provided graphic); Rich Heimann, The Alliance for San Juan Art; Lori Porter, City resident (provided handouts); Erin Beyer, City resident; Mary Crawford, City resident; Frank Larkin, City resident; Frank Larkin, City resident; Kathy Holman, City resident; Andrea McCallester, City resident; Jeff Pries, City resident; Harrison Taylor, City resident; Steve Oedekerk, City resident; Nathan Banda, City resident; Stephan Rios, City resident; Yasmine Mason, City resident; Gary Cook, City resident; Amanda Cobb, San Clemente resident; Marty Scalzo, City resident; Colton Almquist, City resident; Lindsey Almquist, City resident; Amos Kelly, City resident; Nathan Holthouser, City resident; Shelly Barker, City resident; Steve Behmerwohld, City resident; Anna Dickinson, City resident; Anonymous Speaker, (no place of resident provided); Larry Kramer, City resident; Paul Hunn, City resident; Theresa Walden, City resident (did not speak, but instead registered their position for the record); Senter Henny, City resident (did not speak, but instead registered their position for the record).
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Bourne, seconded by Council Member Farias, and carried 4-0, with Council Member Taylor recused, to table to a future meeting consideration of Architectural Control 23-004, Grading Plan Modification 23-012, Site Plan Review 23-002, and Tree Removal Permit 23-015, Performing Arts Center Project, an approximately 48,235 sq. ft. Performing Arts Center with a total of 450 seats located on the eastern portion of the City-owned Historic Town Center Park addressed as 31872 and 31882 El Camino Real (Assessor Parcel Numbers:
124-160-11 & -12) (Applicant: SJC Performing Arts Center).
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Campbell and Mayor Bourne NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor
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D2. ACTION FOUND EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15332 (IN-FILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS); AND RESOLUTION 25-10-21-01 ADOPTED APPROVING AC 24- 007, CUP 24-004, DUP 23-001, AND SP 24-042, AS CONDITIONED (CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL) (460.70)
Laurel Reimer, Contract Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, responded to questions. Paul Groh and Brian Bauer, Chipotle Mexican Grill, responded to questions.
Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing.
Public Comments: Dan Almquist, City resident.
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Farias, and carried unanimously to find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15332 (In-fill Development Projects); adopt RESOLUTION 25-10-21-01 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL (AC) 24-007, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 24-004, DISCRETIONARY USE PERMIT (DUP) 23-001, & SIGN PERMIT (SP) 24-042 FOR THE CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL PROJECT LOCATED AT 31787 DEL OBISPO STREET (APN: 124-160-60) AND FINDING
SAID ACTION CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15332 (APPLICANT:
DANIELLE SHARMACHARYA WITH JOHN DUNGAN ARCHITECT); and
removing Condition 20 from the Conditions of Approval related to prohibiting traffic delineators to control traffic circulation within the shared parking.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to approve consent calendar items E1 through E8, as recommended by staff.
E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED.
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF OCTOBER 7, 2025, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2025,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM JULY 11, 2025, THROUGH JULY 24, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
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E5. CASH AND INVESTMENTS REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED JULY 31, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (350.30)
E6. NEW DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION STATUS REPORT, RECEIVED AND FILED (440.10)
E7. ACTION FOUND EXEMPT FROM CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303, CLASS 3 (NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONVERSION OF SMALL STRUCTURES); AND, RESOLUTION 25-10-21-02 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED NEW RESIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING PERMIT 25-0318 (EWING RESIDENCE) LOCATED AT 31491 LA MATANZA STREET (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER: 124-203-24) DOES NOT
COMPLY WITH ALL THE APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF THE MISSION RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (MRD) – 4,000 AS THE MASSING OF THE
PROPOSED PROJECT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MASSING OF THE
ADJACENT RESIDENCE TO THE NORTH AND THAT SAID ACTION IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303, CLASS 3 (410.50)
E8. DONATION FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR SAN JUAN ART (TASJA) TO WRAP
THREE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLER BOXES WITH HISTORICAL
IMAGES AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF RANCHO VIEJO ROAD AND CALLE
ARROYO, CALLE ARROYO AND LA NOVIA AVENUE, AND LA NOVIA
AVENUE AND SAN JUAN CREEK ROAD, ACCEPTED (900.10)
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. ACTION FOUND STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15262 – FEASIBILITY AND PLANNING STUDIES; AND RESOLUTION 25-10-21-03 ADOPTED INITIATING A STUDY OF A PROPOSED
CODE AMENDMENT TO AMEND THE LOS RIOS SPECIFIC PLAN TO
BROADEN THE USES PERMITTED BY RIGHT WITHIN THE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT OF SP 78-01 (COMPRISED OF PORTIONS OF 31791 LOS RIOS STREET AND 31781 LOS RIOS STREET) (420.25)
Council Member Taylor recused himself due to proximity to his residence and because his son rents from him and is employed by the applicant and left the Council Chamber.
Laurel Reimer, Contract Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, responded to questions. Dan Almquist, Applicant, responded to questions. Public Comments: Maryann Davidson, City resident; and, Rich Heimann, City resident.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried 4-0, with Council Member Taylor recused, to find the action 5 10/21/2025
statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 – Feasibility and Planning Studies; and adopt RESOLUTION 25-10-21-03 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA INITIATING CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 25-003, A
STUDY TO AMEND THE LOS RIOS SPECIFIC PLAN TO BROADEN THE
PERMITTED RETAIL USES IN THE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AND
FINDING SAID ACTION STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15262.”
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Campbell and Mayor Bourne NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: (Refer to Housing Authority Minutes) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS:
H1. RESOLUTION 25-10-21-04 ADOPTED OPPOSING PROPOSITION 50 (660.40) Council Member Howard Hart provided an agenda report and responded to questions.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Campbell, and 4-0 with Council Member Farias absent to adopt RESOLUTION 25- 10-21-04 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA OPPOSING PROPOSITION 50.” ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor, Hart, Campbell and Mayor Bourne NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Campbell toured Capistrano Unified School District’s food service facilities; and attended League of California Cities Annual meeting.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Bourne adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. to Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. for an Executive Session, and 5:00 p.m. for the public Business Session, in the City Council Chamber at the Community Center – 25925 Camino Del Avion.
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Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
CHRISTY JAKL, CITY CLERK
Approved: October 21, 2025
ATTEST:
___________________________
TROY A. BOURNE, MAYOR