Council May Form 'Aesthetics Team' to Address Out-of-Character SDG&E Plan

EDITOR’S NOTE – Before becoming editor of San Juan Capistrano Patch, Penny Arévalo served on a focus group for San Diego Gas & Electric and saw early plans to upgrade the local substation and power poles in the area.  For her service, she received $75.

City staff is concerned that the proposed overhaul of the San Diego Gas & Electric power substation is completely out of character with the historic character of the town.

Tonight, the City Council will consider a staff recommendation for convening an “aesthetics team” to work with the utility in coming up with a better design.

“The city is extremely concerned about significant impacts that would result from development of the South Orange County Reliability Enhancement Project,” the name SDG&E has given the proposal, wrote Grant Taylor, development services director, in a report to the City Council.

The largest concern is the demolition of the vine-covered substation that fronts Camino Capistrano near Calle Bonita. The structure was built in the 1918 and is considered a “building of distinction.”

“The city is very concerned about the loss of a historic building and the proposal to install large modern buildings and fencing that is not consistent with the historic character of San Juan Capistrano,” Taylor wrote.

Technically, as a state-regulated utility, SDG&E doesn’t need permission from the city to build its project, Taylor’s report notes. However, the California Public Utilities Commission will likely require SDG&E to prepare a report addressing the project’s environmental impacts in which the city could address its concerns.

SDG&E has indicated it will be submitting its proposal to the state commission in late April or early May at the latest.

Taylor is proposing the city convene a team comprised of a planning commissioner, a member of the city’s Design Review Committee, staffers from the city’s development services and public works departments and possibly a representative from Casitas Capistrano, the housing tract closest to the substation.

A similar aesthetics team worked with CalTrans when it was reconfiguring the Ortega Highway intersection with Interstate 5. Construction of that project will begin in the next year or so. Taylor wrote the city’s team helped improve the project and protect the city’s interests.

In a related item, Councilman Derek Reeve is proposing a resolution that would sent to the California Public Utilities Commission and SDG&E demanding that the utility mitigate any negative impacts to San Juan Capistrano.

Also on the agenda:

• Councilwoman Laura Freese is proposing an urgency ordinance that would continue to allow local car dealers to promote car sales while the dealers come up with a more permanent sign program, expected for council review in March.
• Honor former Heritage Cultural Commissioner Don Tyron for his years of service to the city.
• Accept the Open Space Foundation’s donation of amenities and work completed in the city’s Northwest Open Space as well as recognizing the nonprofit for its contributions to the city.

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.